Monthly Archives: May 2012

Quapaw Quarter Conversations Tonight

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The Quapaw Quarter Association’s monthly Preservation Conversations continue this evening. This month’s focus is a closer look at the houses which were on the 2012 Spring Tour of Homes. The discussion will be led by architectural historian Callie Williams.

The program begins at 5:30pm at Curran Hall, 615 E Capital Avenue. From 5 to 5:30 a reception will take place. After the conversation, guests are encouraged to continue the discussion over dinner at Lulav Eatery, which will be giving a 25% discount to Preservation Conversation attendees on Monday evening.

The Quapaw Quarter Association was incorporated in 1968. It focuses on promoting historic preservation throughout the Little Rock region. Rhea Roberts is the executive director.

Architeaser May 20

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a crest on the Democrat Printing and Lithograph building. Built in 1924. It is now home to the Arkansas Business Publishing Group.

Here is today’s Architeaser. Since April showers bring May flowers, here is a flower on a building in the City of Roses.

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Sculpture Vulture: Dee Brown

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20120519-114242.jpg Today the Sculpture Vulture continues with the Arkansas Heritage Month emphasis on sculptures of Arkansans.

Visitors to the Dee Brown Library are greeted by Kevin Kresse’s 2004 sculpture of the celebrated author. The bronze likeness depicts Brown with a bepenciled hand raised to his chin as if in the midst of a wondrous thought while writing. The titles of some of his books surround the pedestal including his most famous book: 1971’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Brown was a graduate of Little Rock High and Arkansas State Teachers College (now Little Rock Central and University of Central Arkansas, respectively). After a career as a librarian and bivocational but prolific author, he returned to Little Rock in 1973 and focused full time on his writing. He died in 2002.

Architeaser May 19

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a silver gilt crest at the old Arkansas Gazette building. Built in 1908, it was designed by architect George Mann. In 1976 it was added to the national Register of Historic Places. after the Gazette closed in 1991, it later served as the headquarters for Bill Clinton’s Presidential campaign. Since 2008, it has been part of the eSTEM school campus.

Here is today’s Architeaser. While it is not covered, an awning and sign below it, may shift focus away for passers by.

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Arkansas Festival Ballet’s ALADDIN

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Arkansas Festival Ballet presents a full-length story ballet Aladdin this weekend.  Performances began last night and continue today at 2pm and 7:30pm as well as Sunday at 2pm.  This will conclude the twelfth season for Arkansas Festival Ballet.

The production boasts a relatively new score by Carl Davis.  It was commissioned in 2000 for the Scottish Ballet.  Among the nearly 100 dancers are four lead dancers: Allison Stearns and Meredith Short, and Calvin Chester and Nathan Young.

The performances will be at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre in MacArthur Park.

Architeaser May 18

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was one of the crests near the top of the Museum Center building in the River Market. Built as a railroad terminal in 1927, it later served as the press building for the Arkansas Democrat. In 1998, a $12 million adaptive reuse was completed. The building is now home to restaurants, offices and the namesake Museum of Discovery. This weekend it will be the headquarters for the museum’s annual Dino Dash.

Here is today’s Architeaser. It may be the only silver-gilt crest in Little Rock.

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13th Annual Dino Dash this weekend

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This Saturday, the 13th annual Museum of Discovery Dino Dash & Discovery Fest, will take place in Little Rock’s River Market District. Dino Dash is a 5K walk/run for ages 5 years and older, and a 1K Family Fun Run for all ages. All proceeds benefit the Museum of Discovery’s many educational programs.

Dino Dash participants can register online at www.museumofdiscovery.org . Fees are $25/individual or $20/team member until May 18, and $30 on race day. Race registration includes a fully supported race with police coverage and a safe route, a 2012 Dino Dash t-shirt and goody bag (while supplies last), and free admission to the Museum on race day, a street festival with games, entertainment, exhibits and refreshments. The 5K begins at 8:00 a.m. and the1K begins at 9:00 a.m. Both races begin and end in the River Market District near the Museum of Discovery at 3rd and Sherman. Prizes are awarded to top three finishers in 5K age groups and all 1K participants age 1-10 receive a medal and a dinosaur prize.

“We’re looking forward to showing off the museum this year, since we were closed in 2011. It will allow Dino Dash participants the opportunity to visit our newly renovated science center,” said Nan Selz, executive director for the museum.

For those who don’t race, the museum’s Discovery Fest is free and open to the public. It will be held from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. in front of the museum, and will feature hands-on science activities, refreshments and entertainment.

Also returning are the prizes, which will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each 5K division courtesy in part by Go! Running. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 boy and the top 3 girl finishers in the 1K courtesy of the Sachar Family. All 1K finishers ages 1-10 will receive a medal and dino prize. The largest school team wins a pizza party at the Museum. The largest non-school team wins a free Museum rental (for up to 2 hours). Prizes will be awarded to the top two pushers in the three-wheeled stroller division. Stroller Division entrants are not eligible for division awards.

2012 Dino Dash sponsors include: Bancorp South; Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield; Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Janet and Glenn Davis; Melody and Chris Piazza; Legacy Termite and Pest Control; Arkansas Pediatric Clinic; First Security Bank; Go! Running; Little Rock Athletic Club; Allied Technologies Group LLC; New York Life/Chad and Missy Franks; Notre Dame Alumni Group; the Shue Family; the Sachar Family; Premier Refreshment Services; Crich Design House; Custom XM; and Coca-Cola.

Established in 1927, the Museum of Discovery is Little Rock’s oldest museum. Following its 2011 closing and a 10-month renovation, the Museum of Discovery re-opened in January 2012. It is central Arkansas’s leading informal educational resource in areas of science, technology, engineering and math. The museum’s mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.