Music is a universal language, defining cultures and transcending borders. The new television series City of Songs, premiering on PBS May 15th, showcases musicians from around the world and spotlights how a region’s music shapes its culture. The Northwest Arkansas community is invited to see it first as the Arkansas Cinema Society and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art present ACS Sneaks Series: City of Songs on Thursday, May 1st in the Great Hall! Director + producer Mario Troncoso and Creator + Executive Producer Troy Campbell — both NWA residents — will be on-hand for a Q+A following the special sneak preview. The show starts at 6:00 pm. This event is free, no ticket required.

About City of Songs

Music is a universal language that connects us all. In City of Songs, musician and actress Stephanie Hunt embarks on a global journey to uncover the sounds and stories of iconic cities. From Austin to Seoul to Barcelona, she immerses herself in each city's music scene, meeting legendary musicians and rising artists. Along the way, she explores rhythms, melodies, and creative expressions, showing how music bridges cultures and brings communities together. Join Stephanie as she celebrates music’s unifying force across the globe.

"At its core, City of Songs is about human connection—about how music helps us understand who we are and relate to the world around us,” said Troncoso. “When Troy and I set out to make this series, we wanted to show that music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a force that shapes the places we live and the people we become. Traveling the world with Stephanie and capturing these incredible stories has been a privilege, but also a testament to the grit and resilience it takes to be an independent filmmaker. Creating a project like this—one that spans continents, cultures, and communities—takes an enormous amount of passion, grit, and belief in the power of storytelling. That’s why it’s such a joy to bring this special preview to The Momentary, a place that understands what it means to champion the arts and bring people together."

For Campbell, this series is the realization of a years-long endeavor.

“While I first dreamed up City of Songs years ago—starting with ice guitars in the Arctic Circle—this is the first full series we’ve produced right here in Northwest Arkansas,” he said. “Both Mario Troncoso, our multi-Emmy-winning director, and I now call this place home, and we’re proud to say this is just the beginning. Huge thanks to the Arkansas Cinema Society and The Momentary for helping us share this special sneak peek with our community before the series premieres nationally on PBS.”

Stephanie Hunt – Host
Austin-based singer-songwriter and actor Stephanie Hunt (a.k.a. Buffalo Hunt) began her entertainment career with roles in Californication and Friday Night Lights. She later appeared in Greek, Glee, How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life, Somebody Up There Likes Me, Your Family or Mine, and April Apocalypse. More recently, she starred in The Hollow.

During her years in Los Angeles, songwriting became a personal sanctuary—a way to explore her own voice beyond scripted lines. In 2012, she co-founded the genre-defying cabaret-style act Nancy and Beth with Megan Mullally, which toured internationally and performed at the Sydney Opera House. Now based in Austin, she channels her creative vision into Buffalo Hunt, capturing the intellectual curiosity and artistic energy of her world and community.

Mario Troncoso – Director & Producer
Mario Troncoso is an Emmy® award-winning filmmaker, journalist, and creative entrepreneur. As the founder of The Documentary Society (Doculab), he has over 18 years of experience spanning advertising, documentary, and fiction, with a focus on the intersections of art, culture, and community. He has produced six seasons of the award-winning PBS documentary series Arts In Context and FAKE: Searching for Truth in the Age of Misinformation.

In addition to filmmaking, Mario is a seasoned journalist and branded storyteller, contributing to Billboard Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, TIME Inc., NPR, and PBS. His work has involved collaborations with high-profile artists, including Travis Scott, Leon Bridges, Shakey Graves, Zooey Deschanel, and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.

Troy Campbell – Executive Producer
With over 30 years of experience in the music and film industries, Troy Campbell specializes in business development, tour management, brand promotion, music supervision, and rights clearance. He is the founder of The House of Songs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and Collection Agency Films, LLC, where he has played a key role in supporting the growth of numerous brands and artists.

About Arkansas Cinema Society
Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is a non-profit committed to building a film community in Arkansas where film lovers can watch films, share ideas, connect with each other, and nurture the new and existing film talent within our state through increased exposure to filmmakers and their art. Memberships are available to the public at large who may wish to dive into educational videos, member-only tickets, movie swag, and more. Those interested in supporting ACS can visit their website at www.arkansascinemasociety.org.

About the Momentary

Opened in February of 2020 in Downtown Bentonville, the Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time; and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is ‘a living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary was founded by the Walton family, based on the vision of Tom, Olivia, and Steuart Walton. Its commitment to cultivating arts and cultural experiences provides more opportunities for education, engagement, and enjoyment in our region. The Momentary is an extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton. The Momentary welcomes all with free general admission. Additional offerings include live music, visual and performing arts, an artist-in-residence program, culinary experiences such as Onyx Coffee Lab and the sky-high Tower Bar, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, an outdoor festiva  space, and a retail shop. For more information, visit theMomentary.org. The Momentary is located at 507 SE E Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. The Momentary’s Founding Funders are Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, RØDE Microphones, The Coca-Cola Company, Tyson Family Foundation, and Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.