Monthly Archives: September 2014

Chamber Music Concert this afternoon at 2pm

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10636104_10100252551002598_8065792863022342325_nThis afternoon there will be a chamber music concert featuring musicians from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Katherine Willamson (violin), Ryan Mooney (viola), and David Gerstein (cello) will present a short program of works by Beethoven and the world premiere of a duo by Arkansas composer Karen Griebling.

David will be running the Chicago Marathon in October to benefit the kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, so please come with cash or check ready to make a donation. The concert is free, but donations to St. Jude are greatly appreciated.

**Katherine Williamson, violin**
Ms. Williamson is a recent graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music where she received a Bachelor of Music with Distinction under the instruction of Professor Mark Kaplan. Other important mentors include Celine Leathead of the Minnesota Orchestra, Nam-Yun Kim and Professor Jorja Fleezanis. She has played with numerous orchestras worldwide, most recently the New World Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Moritzburg Festival Academy Orchestra in Germany.

In addition to her love for the orchestral repertoire, Katherine is equally compelled by the world of chamber music. She is particularly drawn to the string quartet, but is also dedicated to performing duo sonatas and contemporary works, most recently pieces by Sofia Gubaidulina and Claude Baker. Ms. Williamson has attended the Castleman Quartet Program of the West, was a winner of the chamber music competition at the Meadowmount School of Music and a two-time prizewinner at the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. She has collaborated with pianists Aleksey Artemyev and Risa Ohkubo, performing works by Prokofiev, Mozart and Mendelssohn. Notable coaches include Ik-Hwan Bae, Charles Castleman, Gerardo Ribeiro, Jan Vogler, Jorja Fleezanis and members of the Pacifica, Guarneri, Pro Arte and Artaria string quartets.

**Ryan Mooney, viola**
Ryan Mooney started the violin at the age of four with his aunt, Margaret Pressley. He then switched to viola at age 15 and went on to study with Ian Swenson and Jodi Levitz at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He has attended such music festivals as Roundtop and Tanglewood where he had the pleasure of performing with the Mark Morris Dance Troup at Jacob’s Pillow. He was also a fellow of the Carnegie Hall exchange program where he performed with his quartet in Carnegie Hall and on a Central Asian tour. Ryan has a large studio of violin and viola students, and teaches at the Community School of the Arts at UCA in Conway.

**David Gerstein, cello**
David Gerstein, a devoted performer of chamber and contemporary music has played concerts all over the world, from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the Great Wall of China. David is currently the principal cellist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, which he has been a member of since September ’08. He is also the cellist of the Quapaw String Quartet, which performs regularly at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, AR as well as in schools all over the state as part of the ASO’s Arts Partner program. Mr. Gerstein has recently appeared in concert with the Ying Quartet, mezzo-soprano Susanne Mentzer, soprano Renee Fleming, cellist Fred Sherry, violinist Jonathan Carney, Bela Fleck, and violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonenberg.

Farm to Church Gala Celebrates History and Looks to Future

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FarmtoChurchThere is no doubt that Little Rock’s cultural scene is brightened by the explosion in culinary artists over the past decade or so.  Many of these talented chefs, farmers and foodies are often partnering with museums, theatres, galleries and concert venues to promote healthy eating and an enhanced culinary experience.
Saturday, September 13, there is another example of this.  This time they are partnered with not only a historic structure, but with an outreach program to promote healthier habits.  As part of its year-long celebration of 175 years in downtown Little Rock, Christ Church is hosting a fundraising gala benefiting one of its newest ministries. Green Groceries is a Christ Church fresh food ministry serving low-income neighbors in need.
The event will feature extraordinary fare prepared by renowned chefs Lee Richardson, formerly of Ashley’s; Matt Bell, South on Main; Brandon Brown, Hillcrest Artisan Meats; and Justin Patterson, Southern Gourmasian.  In addition there will be offerings from Loblolly Ice Cream, Green Cuisine, Geek Eats, and Rock Town Distillery.
Saturday, September 13, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Bowen Hall at Christ Church.  Reservations are $100, available now at the church and online at christchurchlr.org

September 2nd Friday Art Night Highlights

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Among the locations participating in 2nd Friday Art Night tonight are Historic Arkansas Museum, Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Old State House Museum, and Museum of Discovery.

Historic Arkansas Museum
5 – 8 pm

Free
Live music by Finger Food

Jack Kenner and Ed Pennebaker: Disciplined Inspiration

Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists
September 12 through November 9, 2014 
Jack Kenner of Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas, spent much of his professional life traveling the world as an accomplished commercial and art photographer, but it was the Horseshoe Lake landscapes of the Arkansas Delta that inspired the body of work he will exhibit at the Historic Arkansas Museum. “While traveling the 30 miles back and forth to my studio in Memphis, I found I could not pass by the beautiful scenes of the farmlands and lake without seeing it through my camera lens.”
Ed Pennebaker who resides near Osage, Arkansas, makes illuminated art glass and sculpture using traditional offhand glassblowing techniques, and he believes in “working incessantly—cultivating concepts, discrimination and technique.” Pennebaker works with the glass to show its fluid qualities and its interaction with light. “I derive much of my inspiration from the garden and the woods surrounding my home and studio.” Pennebaker has worked from his woodland studio, Red Fern Glass, near Osage for more than 20 years.

40 Years of the Arkansas Times

Second Floor Gallery
September 12 through December 9, 2014
From a spunky monthly launched with $200 to one of the earliest alternative weeklies, the Arkansas Times has been an essential voice in Arkansas news and culture since 1974.
Take a look back at the last 40 years of Arkansas history through the often-irreverent lens of the Times in a collection of archival covers, photos, art and memorabilia.
Butler Center Galleries

ALA art Show: Fifth Annual Juried Exhibition of the Arkansas League of Artists 

This exhibition features artwork by members of the Arkansas League of Artists (ALA) in a variety of media. This is the ALA’s fifth annual juried exhibition; Manuela Well-Off-Man, assistant curator of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, is the juror for this year’s show. The winner will be announced at the show’s opening reception as part of Second Friday Art Night.

Echoes of the Ancestors: Native American Objects from the University of Arkansas Museum

This exhibition features an artistic display of objects created by Native Americans in ceramics, wood, glass, cane, and shell materials.

Featured artist:

Walt Priest – Walt Priest is a photographer based in North Little Rock.

Featured musician: Ted Ludwig Duo – Entertainment in the galleries will be provided by the Ted Ludwig Duo, who will play traditional jazz and innovative improvisational music.

 

Old State House Museum

Music by Big Silver headlines September’s Second Friday Art Night on Friday, September 12, as part of Second Friday Art Night. The acclaimed Little Rock band will be playing on the lawn of the museum starting at 5:30 pm. Bring your picnic blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the music and mid-September weather. Big Silver can be heard here.In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved inside. Food and drinks will be provided for this free event.

 

Museum of Discovery

The Museum of Discovery is excited to participate in this month’s 2nd Friday Art Night on Friday, September 12 from 5-8 p.m. They will display nature photographs taken by David Ankeny. The exhibit will remain on display at the Museum of Discovery this fall.

Free drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Extended Through MONDAY – Pick 3 concerts for $19 a concert at the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

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1415_pickbannerSave up to 67% off best available seats when you pick three or more concerts from our exciting 2014-2015 season. Just use discount code “PICK3” at online checkout to get the best available seats today! Hurry – this offer is good through Monday, September 15. 

Ordering Instructions

Select your first choice of concert below, select your seats, return the selection page, select your second choice of concert, select your seats, and repeat until you have selected at least three different concerts – you may get $19 tickets for as many concerts as you wish/ Then use coupon code “PICK3” at checkout.

You may also order by phone. Our Box Office is standing by Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist you – just call 501-666-1761, ext. 100 for assistance. The ASO musicians look forward to seeing you at the concert hall!

Little Rock Look Back: Sharon Priest, LR’s 70th Mayor

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Photo courtesy of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership

On September 12, 1947, future Little Rock Mayor Sharon Priest was born in Montreal, Canada. After marrying Bill Priest, she came to Little Rock. She began her public service at the grassroots level when she led the effort to bring flood relief to Southwest Little Rock and Pulaski County following the devastating flood of 1978 that killed 13 people in central Arkansas.

She was appointed to the Little Rock City Beautiful Commission.  Following that, she challenged an incumbent City Director and won her first elective office in 1986. In January 1989, she was named Vice Mayor of Little Rock by her colleagues on the City Board.  Two years later, she was selected Mayor becoming only the second female to serve as Mayor of Little Rock.  During her service to the City of Little Rock, she spearheaded the effort to create a Little Rock flag.  At the conclusion of her second four year term on the City Board, she decided to run for Secretary of State.
In November 1994, she elected Secretary of State, becoming the first woman to be elected to that position in Arkansas.  She was reelected in 1998.   In the summer of 2000, she becamePresident of the National Association of Secretaries of State. After the 2000 presidential election, she was thrust into the forefront of the movement towardelection reform. Ms. Priest testified before U.S. House and Senate Committees on election reform. As Secretary of State, restoring the Governor’s Reception Room and the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the State Capitol to their original splendor and restoring the rotunda marble are a few of her proudest achievements.
In January 2003, Ms.Priest was selected to serve as Executive Director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. Priest reorganized the Partnership during that first year. The Partnership is spearheading the revitalization of Main Street in collaboration with stakeholders and the City of Little Rock, focusing on the redevelopment of existing structures, streetscape and safety. She has also been a leading champion for the redevelopment of MacArthur Park, the City’s oldest park.

Prior to her work as an elected official, she worked as Director of Membership for Little Rock Chamber of Commerce and was founder and owner of the Delvin Company, a property management firm. She was a Toll Fellow in 1995, and has won numerous distinctions including the Excellence in Leadership Fellowship, Women Executives in State Government, 1997 and TIME/NASBE Award for Outstanding Leadership in Voter Education, 1996.  In 2013, she was the featured honoree at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Roast and Toast, becoming the first (and to date only) female to be so honored.

Boston Brass in concert tonight

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Boston BrassFor 27 years, Boston Brass has set out to establish a one-of-a-kind musical experience. From exciting classical arrangements, to burning jazz standards, and the best of the original brass quintet repertoire, Boston Brass treats audiences to a unique brand of entertainment, which captivates all ages.

Their 2014-15 program “And the Nominees are…” will poll the audience at intermission to determine the music selection on the second half of the program. The first half of the concert will be comprised of Boston Brass’s favorite repertoire, and the second half will be structured in categories by genre-Best Movie Soundtrack, Best Broadway Musical, Best Jazz Selection, etc.

Boston Brass is performing tonight at Christ Church in downtown Little Rock. It is a part of the ongoing Arts @ Christ Church series.  The concert starts at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $20, $10 for students.

Little Rock Look Back: City Councilman Angelo Marre

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angelomarreOn September 11, 1842, future Little Rock Alderman Angelo Marre was born in Borzonaca, Italy.  He immigrated to Tennessee with his parents in 1854.

During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate Army. From 1865 to 1868, Angelo Marre worked for the Memphis Police Department but was forced to resign after he was accused of killing a man during an argument.  After his acquittal, he returned to the saloon business.  In 1872 Marre was convicted of stealing money and sentenced to three years in prison.

Tennessee Governor John Brown granted Marre a full pardon two years into his sentence, and he regained his citizenship in 1879.

After getting out of prison, he claimed an inheritance and joined his brothers in Little Rock.  He worked as a bartender at the Metropolitan Hotel.  He later opened a saloon and billiard parlor.

By the mid-1880s, Marre owned two saloons, a liquor import business, an office building in downtown LR, 3,000 sharesof stock in mining companies operating in Garland and Montgomery counties, and he was the first president of Edison Electric Company of LR.

In 1883, he was elected as an alderman on the Little Rock City Council.  He lost is bid for reelection in 1885. In 1888, he was an unsuccessful candidate for Pulaski County Sheriff.

villamarreAngelo Marre died February 18, 1889, as a result of his infection.  He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in LR. His custom designed, marble monument was ordered from Florence, Italy, and cost $5,000.

Marre is probably best known today as the builder of the structure now known as the Villa Marre.  Built in 1881, it is designed in the Italianate and Second Empire styles.  It was built in 1881 and 1882 on Block 21, Lots 5 & 6 of the Original City of Little Rock.  The cost was $5,000.

It was originally a red brick structure and has been modified and expanded several times as well as painted white.  It did not bear the name Villa Marre until the 1960s when historic preservation advocate Jimmy Strawn gave it that name.

After serving as the headquarters for the Quapaw Quarter Association for several years, it was returned to a private residence.  It is now available for special events and rentals.

The Villa Marre is probably best known locally and nationally for serving as the facade for the Sugarbaker design firm on the CBS sitcom “Designing Women.”  Though the interior of the house does not match the interior on TV, the building was featured in the opening credits as well as in exterior shots each week.