Monthly Archives: June 2013

LR Look Back: Mayor Ben D. Brickhouse

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BrickhouseOn June 8, 1873, future Little Rock Mayor Ben D. Brickhouse was born in Virginia.  He moved to Texas as a child before his family settled in Arkansas.

His first job was with the Missouri Pacific Railroad.  He eventually attended law school at the University of Arkansas.  As an attorney, he remained interested in labor relations throughout the rest of his life.

In 1914, Brickhouse was elected to the Little Rock City Council.  He was reelected in 1916.  In 1918, he was appointed Labor Commissioner for the State of Arkansas by Governor Charles Brough.

Brickhouse was elected Mayor of Little Rock in 1919.  He was relected twice (1921 and 1923).  Prior to the change to the City Manager form of government in 1957, other Mayors would seek a third consecutive term, but none would be successful.

During Mayor Brickhouse’s tenure the City purchased the land to make Fair Park (now War Memorial Park).  He served as chair of the State Fairgrounds.

Brickhouse retired from public life in 1925 but returned in 1938 when he was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives.  He was reelected in 1940.  On June 1, 1941, not long after the conclusion of the legislative session, Brickhouse died.

Flag Day Concert in MacArthur Park tonite

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flagdayOn Saturday, June 8, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will host the 17th annual Flag Day concert, A Stars and Stripes Celebration, featuring the Little Rock Wind Symphony.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free to the public.

Our annual Flag Day salute to the red, white, and blue, features hand-clapping marches, flag-waving patriotic songs, toe-tapping happy tunes.  There will be free American flags, ice cream and water.

The program will featured Timothy Tucker, baritone in selections with the LR Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Karen Fannin.  The performance will include:

  • Dudley Buck: Festival Overture on the Star Spangled Banner 
  • John Philip Sousa: Washington Post March
  • Sousa: Who’s Who in Navy Blue
  • Aaron Copland: Old American Songs
  • James Barnes: Star-Spangled Salute!
  • Henry Fillmore: The Klaxon
  • Henry Fillmore: Circus Bee
  • Irving Berlin: God Bless America
  • Bob Lowden: Armed Forces Salute
  • Samuel Ward / Carmen Dragon: America the Beautiful
  • Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever

 

flagdayaudienceBring a picnic dinner for your family, lawn chairs or a blanket, and enjoy the concert at historic MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock.   Dogs on leashes are welcome — and don’t forget there is a new dog park in MacArthur Park as well.

Black Hound Barbecue and Hot Dog Mike will be available to purchase food as well.  In the event of rain, the concert will be rescheduled for Sunday, June 9.

This event is sponsored by MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock Wind Symphony, Blue Bell Creameries, Woodmen of the World, Central Arkansas Water and Premium Refreshment Service.

Sidney Moncrief at Children’s Library today

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moncriefThe new Children’s Library and Learning Center will welcome Little Rock Hall and Arkansas Razorback basketball standout Sidney Moncrief today at 2pm.  Moncrief, of course, went on to an oustanding NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks and has been a coach and businessman since retiring as a player.

He will be discussing his books Passport to Reinventing You and Your Passport to Becoming a Valuable Team Player.  Moncrief will be available to sign books after the presentation. All are welcome. Takes place in the theater.

The Central Arkansas Library System’s Children’s Library and Learning Center is located at 4800 W. 10th St.  Set on a six-acre site, the $12 million, 30,000 square foot Children’s Library includes a computer lab with fourteen computers, teaching kitchen, large activity area, individual and group study rooms, theater, and community room in addition to a collection of more than 21,000 books, DVDs, and CDs.

Actor Julie Adams – UALR Distinguished Alum – will speak on UALR campus today

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julieadamsUALR’s 2013 Distinguished Alumna Julie Adams will return to campus for a one-on-one interview with Dr. Jay Raphael, chair of UALR Theatre and Dance, at 2 p.m. Friday, June 7 at the Haislip Arena Theatre.

A book signing will follow.

Adams landed her first leading role in the The Dalton Gang in 1949. After a series of Western films, Adams starred alongside James Stewart in Bend of the River. She became a Hollywood star following 1954’s Creature from the Black Lagoon.

Guests may purchase Adam’s memoir, The Lucky Southern Star: Reflections from the Black Lagoon, for $30 at the Bailey Alumni Center. Copies may also be reserved by calling 501.683.7208.

The book provides an in-depth look at Adam’s rise to stardom in Hollywood following her time in Depression-era Arkansas and graduation from then-Little Rock Junior College.

All are invited to attend, including those who met Adams at the awards luncheon in May.

Adams will make another appearance in Little Rock at the Old State House Museum for the opening reception of the new exhibit, Lights! Camera! Arkansas! The event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7.

 

LIGHTS! CAMERA! ARKANSAS! opens at Old State House

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LCA_topThe Old State House Museum’s newest exhibit opens tonight.  Lights! Camera! Arkansas!  celebrates the connection between Arkansas and Hollywood on the silver screen and TV.

Artifacts related to films shot on location in the state, actors born in Arkansas, and literary figures whose works were the basis for films shot in Arkansas will be included in the exhibit. Visitors will see five galleries of costumes, scripts, film footage, awards, photographs, theater posters, and props. Documentary videos will add to their understanding and appreciation of Arkansas’s role in American film.

Visitors will be able to watch the videos in a newly-constructed theater room. The Old State House Museum commissioned original paintings of the state’s Hollywood-famous by House-of-Blues artists Patterson and Barnes. These fourteen portraits will portray Bronco Billy Anderson, Dick Powell, Alan Ladd, Gail Davis, Julie Adams, William Warfield, Louis Jordan, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Levon Helm, Mary Steenburgen, Billy Bob Thornton, Lisa Blount, and Jeff Nichols.

The exhibit officially opens on Saturday, June 8.

June 6 Architeaser: Justice Building West Wing

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IMG_5750In April 2001, a 49,000 square foot addition was made to the Justice Building on the State Capitol grounds.  This addition, formally called the Justice Building West Wing, actually created a new entrance to the building and changed the look of the facility.

Built in the neo-classical style, it cost $7.6 million.  It houses offices for the justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court, the clerk’s offices as well as other offices for attorney services.

The front of the building is flanked by a series of ionic, fluted columns, which are pictured above.

Ark Rep’s AVENUE Q at Clinton School today

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Avenue-QThe Arkansas Repertory Theatre works in partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service to participate in the UACS’s Distinguished Speaker Series, hosting educational panel discussions on various Rep productions. The latest in these takes place today, Thursday, June 6 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park.

The panel will feature the cast and crew of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s production of Avenue Q, one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. With the 2013 Tony Awards this coming Sunday, it is also appropriate to point out that nine years ago today, Avenue Q won three 2004 Tony Awards including an upset win for Best Musical. (It also won Tonys for Best Book and Best Score).

Avenue Q is an adult, laugh-out-loud puppet musical that tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. Call the Clinton School at (501) 683-5239 for reservations to the panel. Call the Rep at (501) 378-0405 for tickets to the musical.

Avenue Q opens tomorrow night (with previews last night and tonight). It runs through Sunday, June 30. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evening performances are at 7 p.m., Friday, Saturday evening performances are at 8 p.m. Sunday Matinees performances are at 2 p.m.

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