Monthly Archives: June 2014

Picnic at Movies in the Park with EAT PRAY LOVE

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The 2010 film Eat Pray Love MitP10 EatPrayLoveis tonight’s film at Movies in the Park.

Directed by Ryan Murphy of “Glee” fame, it stars Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.  Others in the cast include Billy Crudup, Viola Davis, James Franco, Mike O’Malley, Welker White, and Michael Cumpsty.  Arkansan Ashlie Atkinson is also featured.

Now in its 10th season, Movies in the Park is a free outdoor film series at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.  The move starts at dark (around 8:30).

Movies in the Park has grown to a season of eight films per year, on average, reaching audiences of up to 4,000 people. It’s a staple event in Central Arkansas. Communities from across the state, and the country, have reached out for guidance as they have tried to implement similar programs in the own communities.

Since 2008, the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau has been managing Movies in the Park.

 

 

 

Lights Camera Action – The Science of Making Movies tonight at the Museum of Discovery’s Science after Dark; for ages 21 and up

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06 14 science after darkIrving Berlin wrote “There’s No Business like Show Business.” Some argue that film is an art not a business.  But the reality is, without science, there would not be film. The act of capturing images and sound on a thin strip of plastic is the result of a great deal of science over the past 150 years.

Tonight at the Museum of Discovery, it is the monthly Science After Dark feature for adults.  This month explores the Science of Making Movies.  Learn about the science of lights, camera and even action tonight.

The program runs from 6pm to 8pm at the Museum of Discovery. It costs $5, but is free to Museum Members.  If you attend several of these a year as well as visit the museum once or twice, you MORE than make up your membership fee.

(And after you have learned about the science of making movies, you can attend Movies in the Park tonight just outside the museum in Riverfront Park.)

Summer is here, take your kids to the museum.  If you don’t have kids, borrow some from a friend, neighbor or relative — you’ll be their hero.  Or just go by yourself – the Museum of Discovery offers activities and exhibits designed to engage literally all ages.

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

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PrintFor the past several years, the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre has created a condensed version of one of the Bard’s tales geared specifically for younger audiences.  This production tours the state as well as playing at the AST home on the UCA campus.

In this gleeful adaptation especially for young audiences, The Comedy of Errors offers double the fun as two sets of of long-lost twins cause chaos and comedy by ending up in the same place at thesame time.  Their grossly mistaken identities lead to trouble in love and with the law.  This hour-long production will be great fun for the family to enjoy together.

The cast for this comic romp includes: Adam Frank (Aegeon, a merchant from Syracuse looking for his sons; Dr. Pinch, a schoolmaster engaged as an exorcist);  Matthew Kyle Holcomb (Antipholus of Syracuse, traveler in search of his mother and his twin brother; Antipholus of Ephesus, a citizen of Ephesus);  Hannah Moulder (Luciana, Sister to Adriana; Lady Abbess Aemelia, head of a priory in Ephesus);  Jordy Neil (Dromio of Syracuse, servant to Antipholus of Syracuse; Dromio of Ephesus, servant to Antipholus of Ephesus) and  Jessica Dean Turner (Solinus, Duke of Ephesus; Adriana, Wife to Antipholus of Ephesus; Angelo, goldsmith in Ephesus).

Performances are at 2:30pm today, Thursday the 26th and Saturday the 28th.

Little Rock Look Back: Buddy Villines – LR’s 69th Mayor

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judgebuddyOn this date in 1947, future Little Rock Mayor (and current Pulaski County Judge) Floyd G. “Buddy” Villines was born.  A 1969 graduate of Hendrix College, he served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971. He later graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School.

Villines’ first interaction with Little Rock City Hall was as an employee in the City Manager’s office.  After joining the private sector, he returned to City Hall in 1985 serving on the Little Rock City Board of Directors.  He was re-elected in 1989.

While on the City Board, he was chosen as Vice Mayor for a two year term in 1987 and 1988.  The following year he was selected as Mayor for a two year term.  In 1990, Villines was elected Pulaski County Judge; he resigned from the City Board in December 1990 to take office.

Villines has served as Pulaski County Judge since January 1991.  He is leaving office this December after 24 years.  He is the longest serving County Judge in Pulaski County history.

PIPPIN to do, just for you at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

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PrintThe Broadway smash hit Pippin is coming to central Arkansas!  This winner of the 2013 Tony for “Best Musical Revival” is the story of a young man (who happens to be the son of the great King Charlemagne) and his  journey to find where he belongs in the world, his “Corner of the Sky.”  With a cast of colorful characters, lively dancing, soulful tunes from Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), and direction and choreography by North Little Rock-native Jeremy Williams, this musical will have you mesmerized from beginning to end.

Performances started earlier this month and continue today at 2pm, at 2pm & 7:30pm on Wednesday, June 25 and 2pm & 7:30pm on Friday, June 27. It is performed at the Reynolds Center on the UCA campus.

Garrett Whitehead plays the title role. Others in the cast are Evan Tyrone Martin, Dan Matisa, Matthew Holcomb, Holly Ruth Gale, Laurie Pascale, Kelly Karcher, Drew Price, Jonathan Altman, Rebecca Kuo, Hannah Moulder, Moriah Patterson, Fernando Quinones, and Benjamin Stidham.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

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Juneteenth logoAs part of the local Juneteenth celebration, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center hosts a day long event featuring activities, vendors, food and entertainment for the entire community. Events run from 11am to 5pm.

This year’s music line-up includes Ricky Howard, Delya Russell, Foreign Tongues, Steven Young – Artists United, Butterfly featuiring Irie Soul, Epiphany and the Big John Miller Band.

The museum will also celebrate an opening of a new exhibit on Arkansas African American legislators.

At 1pm, MTCC, in partnership with AETN, PBS and the UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity, presents this free documentary film premiere of American Experience: Freedom Summer.

FreedomSummer-PosterCMYK for webThe screening is in advance of the national broadcast premiere. This 2014 Official Sundance Selection from acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Nelson will premiere at MTCC in conjunction with the Annual Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom. This summer will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Freedom Summer.

As the campaign launches, 700 student volunteers are trained to register voters, teach in Freedom Schools, and help establish an alternate political party to represent the rights of those previously disenfranchised.

After learning of these impending summer activities, the white establishment in Mississippi prepares to fight off an invasion. Young activists, students, and local citizens work through their fear together, hoping to make a difference in black communities. As the summer wears on, many of their fears are realized.

A panel and Q & A will follow the premiere.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas, origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America long overdue. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions are joining hands to truthfully acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. Sensitized to the conditions and experiences of others, only then can we make significant and lasting improvements in our society.

Woo at the Zoo Tonight at 6pm

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6_wooatthezooJoin the Little Rock Zoo for a hysterical look at the world of animal mating at Woo at the Zoo!

Woo at the Zoo is a special tour around the Zoo for adult-only where guests learn all about the strange, interesting, bizarre, and downright hysterical world of animal mating! Did you know that a rhino female in the wild will ram her male mate up to 30 miles per hour to test his strength? You’ll learn this fun fact and more at Woo at the Zoo! This year, Woo at the Zoo has a special stop featuring the Zoo’s new TIGER CUBS!

Special adult beverages and refreshments will be served along the way and the tour will end in Cafe Africa with live music and food and a special silent auction with paintings painted by the Zoo’s animals. All proceeds benefit the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and the American Association of Zookeepers Little Rock Chapter.

Must be at least 21 years of age to attend! Please have photo ID ready to show at front gate entry!

Please remember to wear comfortable shoes – this is a walking tour!

Call (501) 661-7208 for more information or to purchase tickets over the phone. Ticket will be available for purchase online until 3:00 p.m. on June 21, 2014.