Monthly Archives: October 2014

BOO AT THE ZOO Adult Preview Tonight; BOO continues Oct 19, 24-31, Nov 1

Posted on by

7_boobatlogoThe state’s largest Halloween festival returns with the annual Boo at the Zoo.  It runs Sunday, October 19, resumes October 24 – October 31 and concludes with a special Day of the Dead on November 1.  Hours are 6pm to 9pm.

Boo at the Zoo features trick-or-treating in a safe environment along with dozens of rides, activities, and other spooky attractions.  Tickets are $10 for general admission and $20 for all-inclusive wristband admission. Wristband admission includes all rides, attractions, and activities free of charge except for food vendors and fortune telling. Zoo members receive a $5 discount on any Boo at the Zoo ticket purchase. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.LittleRockZoo.com/boo or at the Zoo’s front gate.

Tonight is the Boo Preview Adults Only Night

Adults can preview Boo at the Zoo at the adults-only BOO Preview on Thursday, October 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests will “trick-or-treat” for tasty beverages and groove to the tunes of a live cover band.  All attractions and amenities of BOO will be available during Adult Night and guests are encouraged to wear costumes for the costume contest.  Cost is $25 per person and tickets can be purchased in advance at www.littlerockzoo.com/boopreview or by calling (501) 666-2406.

 

Some highlights for this year’s event include:

New Haunted Train – The Haunted Train is back! With the addition of the new Diamond Express Train at the Little Rock Zoo this year Boo at the Zoo will have a spectacular Haunted Train ride appropriate for kids and adults of all ages! This year’s Haunted Train ride will feature a black light tunnel and other fun scenery.

 

“Day of the Dead” Celebration Nov. 1 – For the second year in a row, Boo at the Zoo will open an additional night on Saturday, November 1, for Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead”, a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico and other parts of the world to honor and remember the dead.  The Zoo has partnered with Hola! Arkansas to showcase this special evening, which will showcase customs common to the holiday and will feature salsa dancing lessons at the live music stage.  All the fun of Boo at the Zoo is also included in this special night!

 

Reusable Trick-or-Treat Bags for Members & for Sale – BOO goes green by encouraging families to bring their own, reusable trick-or-treat bags and is offering free reusable trick-or-treat bags to each member household as a perk of Zoo membership.  Zoo members can pick-up their bag at the Zoo Member Hospitality Tent located inside the event while supplies last. Regular patrons can purchase a bag for only $2 at tickets booths located inside the event.

 

Other Attractions & Amenities – There’s a lot to do at Boo at the Zoo. So much so that many find it hard to hit every attraction in one night! Below is a list of the attractions and amenities offered at Boo at the Zoo 2014:

  • Bounce Houses – Boo at the Zoo will offer several “bounce house” inflatable playhouses this year for additional tickets.  Ticket prices will vary according to the attraction but those with wristbands are admitted free every time.
  • Criminal Critters – The Zoo’s Education Outreach Department and Docent Volunteers will set-up a fun, interactive experience where children and adults alike can meet live “creatures of the night” such as owls and opossums, and can also learn about animals through a fun, interactive play are where participants guess which animal “did it.” This attraction is included with general admission.
  • Enchanted Forest – The Enchanted Forest walkway near the Zoo’s main entrance is a bewitching pathway that takes guests on a magical garden tour.  Custom animatronic plants make the Zoo’s horticulture come to life after dark! Spooky lights and special effects make this a favorite of Boo and is free with general admission.
  • Frankenstein’s Dance Party – Dr. Frankenstein will bring all the monsters out for a monster bash like no other at Frankenstein’s Dance Party! This fun dance party takes place at the main entry plaza at the Zoo under the “dome” complete with a disco ball, moving lights, and a DJ spinning all the latest family-friendly dance tunes.  Families will also enjoy watching local dance studios perform the famed “Thriller” dance in full costume and enjoy dancing the night away or watching others groove to the tunes! This attraction is included with general admission.
  • Haunted House – The Haunted House is a favorite attraction of BOO and is a great attraction for older children.  The Haunted House is not recommended for children under the age of eight but is great for those wanting a little more fright to their night! This attraction requires tickets for admission.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.
  • Kid’s Carnival Area – A favorite attraction of BOO is the Kid’s Carnival Area featuring fun games kids can play for prizes.  This new attraction has become one of the most popular areas of BOO and is great for kids who don’t like the scarier side of Halloween.  Carnival games take tickets and ticket prices vary according to the game.  All games are included with wristband admission.
  • Live Music – Every night of BOO a live band will perform in the concession courtyard, free to any person attending the event. Highlights of the live music stage are Little Rock’s popular duo Brian and Terri Kinder of KinderSongs, performing Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25. Big Stack will also perform the night of Adult Night, October 17, and local artists Almost InFamous will perform other nights.
  • Rides – Several rides will help make BOO a scream including a fun slide, swirling tubs of fun, a Ferris wheel, and other fun rides.  Rides take additional tickets and vary in price.  Those with wristbands are admitted free.
  • S ’mores Station & Free Hiland Dairy Milk – Hiland Dairy is back as a BOO sponsor and will be at the s’mores station passing-out free milk.  Orange Scream milk, chocolate milk, and low-fat milk will be offered free of charge to Zoo patrons on behalf of Hiland Dairy. There’s no better way to wash down a s’mores!  S’mores are included with trick-or-treat tickets that are given with general admission or wristband admission.
  • Toy Trick-or-Treat Option – In an effort to lessen the consumption of candy at Halloween, BOO is now offering a toy trick-or-treat option where children can trick-or-treat for toys instead of candy.  Each BOO guest gets six trick-or-treat tickets so some may choose a mixture of candy and toys.  Either way, BOO now offers fun options for the trick-or-treat experience!  Trick-or-treat tickets are provided with both general and wristband admission.
  • Parking & Shuttle Service – Parking during Boo at the Zoo is free and shuttle service will be available throughout War Memorial Park.

 

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things.  With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats.  For more information, visit www.aza.org.

Tonight at South on Main – The Easy Leaves presented by the Oxford American! (With thanks to Ben E. Keith)

Posted on by

the_easy_leaveshirescropped.jpg.1000x250_q80_crop_upscaleTonight at 7:30 PM—The Oxford American magazine is proud to present California-based Americana duo The Easy Leaves at South on Main! The event is free and open to the public due to the generous underwriting of Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South. Seating is limited, so call ahead at 501-244-9660 to ensure your place at a table.

The Easy Leaves, songwriters Kevin Carducci and Sage Fifield, formed in 2008 immersed in a diverse set of flailing rockers, gospel skeptics, and country outlaws. Their initial intent was to establish an old-time string band. However, in love with too many disparate genres, The Easy Leaves’ sound was born as a modern acoustic duo. The pair keeps its roots close to the chest while tirelessly sprawling out in new directions that stretch the borders of the Americana genre in exciting ways. They headline large rooms in the Bay Area, including Great American Music Hall, and have appeared on the Outside Lands Music Festival several times.

Their new record, American Times (Omega Records), spans the breadth of American roots music from grassland stomps, minor swings and Honky Tonk grinds, to personal spirituals, and Rhythm and Blues. In addition to their new album, The Easy Leaves were recently a part of The 78 Project, a documentary by Alex Steyermark and Lavinia Wright that recreates Alan Lomax’s journey to capture important American Folk music on its home porches. The Easy Leaves were featured in the film (alongside Rosanne Cash, Sid Selvidge, John Doe of X, Loudon Wainwright III, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Justin Townes Earl, Richard Thompson, and other great talents). NPR, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times have featured it, and The Smithsonian, Library of Congress, and the Alan Lomax estate are active advisors.

THE RAINMAKER continues this weekend at CTLR

Posted on by

CTLR RainmakerThe Community Theatre of Little Rock is presenting N. Richard Nash’s classic play The Rainmaker.  This is the final weekend to catch this Tony-nominated play of redemption.  Performances are Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2pm.  The Rainmaker is performed at The Studio Theatre at 328 West 7th Street.

At the time of a paralyzing drought in the West we discover a girl whose father and two brothers are worried as much about her potential future as an old maid as they are about their dying cattle. For the truth is, she is indeed a plain girl. The brothers try every possible scheme to marry her off, but without success. Nor is there any sign of relief from the dry heat, when suddenly from out of nowhere appears a picaresque, sweet-talking man with quite the sales pitch.

Claiming to be a “rainmaker,” the man promises to bring rain, for $100. It’s a silly idea, but the rainmaker is so refreshing and persistent that the family finally consents, banging on big brass drums to rattle the sky. Meanwhile the rainmaker also turns his magic on the girl, and persuades her that she has a very real beauty of her own. She believes it, just as her father believes the fellow can actually bring rain. Rain does come, and so does love.

CAST:

Jerry Woods as H.C. CURRY
Chris Boggs as NOAH CURRY
Chris Miller-Marshall as JIM CURRY
Rachel Bland as LIZZIE CURRY
Harold Dean as FILE
Jeffery Lewellin as SHERIFF THOMAS
David Montieth as BILL STARBUCK

Frank O. Butler – Director
Robert Warner – Stage Manager
Liz Turner and Chris Boggs- Producers

LR Cultural Touchstone: Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton

Posted on by

sybilDr. Sybil Jordan Hampton made history as the first African American student to attend each high school year at and graduate from Little Rock Central High School.  But her impact on history exceeds that and extends into classrooms throughout Arkansas.

After a career which took her from elementary classrooms to corporate boardrooms, Dr. Hampton returned to Little Rock in 1996 to become the Executive Director of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.  In that capacity, she oversaw many opportunities to broaden the ways the arts and humanities were used in classrooms and outside of classrooms.  Dr. Hampton led the WRF until her retirement in 2006.  Through her vision and leadership, many tens of thousands of dollars of support went to cultural institutions and organizations during her decade at the helm.

Following the untimely death of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s executive director, Dr. Hampton served as acting executive director of the ASO while a national search could be conducted.  She had long been a supporter of the ASO and other cultural institutions as a patron.

Currently serving on the State Ethics Commission and the LR CENT Committee, Dr. Hampton continues to be involved with Little Rock’s cultural life through her involvement in the Mount Holly Cemetery Association. She is a tireless advocate for this living museum of Little Rock’s past.

THE GHOU-SUAL SUSPECTS will be interrogated by Red Octopus Theater this weekend

Posted on by

UsualSuspects3The Ghoul-sual Suspects, the new sketch comedy show by Red Octopus Theater, runs October 16-18, 2014 at The PUBLIC Theatre, located at 616 Center Street, in downtown Little Rock, AR.  Doors will open at 7:30PM and the show will start at 8:00PM.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens, military, students and anyone in costume.  No reservations are necessary and there will be refreshments available.  The show is recommended for mature audiences, child tickets are $666.

Red Octopus Theater, Arkansas’s oldest sketch comedy troupe, is proud to present their new, original Halloween extravaganza, by rounding up The Ghoul-sual Suspects!

Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff will be homaged in “They’re All Still Dead, They’re All Still Messed Up.”  The new game show, “The Manson Family Feud” pits the Bates against the Voorhees in a deadly battle of wits. “The Witches of West Little Rock” are back featuring local eateries where the ladies lunch and learn about amazing new things.  Meanwhile, local fashion icon Fauzio is back to tout his wares in “I Have A Clown Suite Just For You!”

The new dance troupe Stomps! will perform an candy inspired routine using pumpkins and brooms in “Chocolate One! Nougat Two!”  They will be accompanied by the vocal stylists, Le Sweets, dropping their new hit single, “Creamy Candy-Corn.”  Rosemary, from “Rosemary’s Baby” will finally get her day in court in a new sketch based on the classic horror story and the sexual charisma of Transylvania will haunt you long after you witness “Vampires What Woo!”

There will be treats, possible hauntings and tricks a plenty in Red Octopus’s celebration of their favorite time of year in Red Octopus Theater presents The Ghoul-sual Suspects!

The cast includes Sandy Baskin, Krystal Berry, Alli Clark, Lesley Dancer, Drew Ellis, Michael Goodbar, Christi Seatts, Brittany Sparkles, David Weatherly and Jason Willey with special guest, Luke “Ramthor” Rowlan and a cameo by Fred Thompan. Performances are open to all ages, but recommended for mature audiences because of adult language and situations, again, child tickets are $666.

For more information please contact Red Octopus Theater at (501) 291-3896, or RedOctopusTheater@gmail.com. Red Octopus is also online at www.redoctopustheater.com.

To contact The PUBLIC Theatre, call 374-PLAY.

Two Literary Prizes to Be Awarded at A Prized Evening – William D. Lindsey and Mara Leveritt will be recognized

Posted on by

Prized EveningTwo Arkansas authors, William D. Lindsey and Mara Leveritt, will be honored at A Prized Evening, the annual awarding of the Worthen and Porter Literary Prizes, on Thursday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m., in the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS) Main Library’s Darragh Center, 100 Rock Street. A book signing and reception will follow the presentation, which is free and open to the public. Reservations are appreciated, but not required. RSVP to kchagnon@cals.org or 501-918-3033.

The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies will award the Booker Worthen Literary Prize to William D. Lindsey, an educator and writer, for the book he edited, Fiat Flux: The Writings of Wilson R. Bachelor, Nineteenth-Century Country Doctor and Philosopher. Lindsey is a Little Rock native who holds a B.A. in English from Loyola University, an M.A. in English from Tulane University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in theology from the University of St. Michael’s College of the Toronto School of Theology. Fiat Flux is the journal of Wilson Bachelor, a country doctor and natural philosopher who chronicled his life from 1870-1902. Bachelor was an avid reader and thoughtful writer, with wide-ranging interests in literature, science, nature, politics, and religion.

Mara Leveritt, a contributing editor to the Arkansas Times, will receive the Porter Fund Literary Prize in recognition of her substantial and impressive body of work. Leveritt has written three nonfiction books about crime and public corruption: The Boys on the Tracks, about murder and prosecutorial corruption in Saline County; Devil’s Knot, about the deeply problematic trials of the teenagers who became known as the West Memphis Three; and Dark Spell, about Jason Baldwin’s West Memphis post-conviction ordeal. A feature film based on Devil’s Knot, starring Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon, premiered in Little Rock on May 3, 2014.

The Worthen Prize was established by the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) in 1999 in memory of William Booker Worthen, a longtime supporter of the public library and a twenty-two-year member of CALS Board of Trustees. It is presented annually for the best work by an author or editor living in the CALS service area. The Porter Fund was established in 1985 by Jack Butler and Phillip McMath in honor of Dr. Ben Drew Kimpel, who requested the prize be named for his mother, Gladys Crane Kimpel Porter.

LR Cultural Touchstone: Jeane M. Hamilton

Posted on by
Photo taken for SOIREE

Photo taken for SOIREE

Jeane M. Hamilton is not a native Arkansan. But it was Little Rock and Arkansas’ good fortune that she married a Little Rock native and came here.

Arriving in Little Rock a young wife in 1952, she immediately set about to become involved in her new community as she and her husband James set up a household.  In the mid-1950s, the Junior League of Little Rock tapped her to chair the initiative to create a new art museum for Little Rock.  The two decades old Museum of Fine Arts was threadbare through years of neglect and unfocused programming and collecting.

Hamilton, along with Junior League President Carrie Remmel Dickinson and Vice President Martha McHaney, approached Winthrop Rockefeller (then a relatively new resident) to lead the fundraising effort for the new museum.  He agreed on a few conditions: one was that a base amount had to be raised in Little Rock first, and second that the museum would be for the entire State of Arkansas and not just Little Rock.

Hamilton and her colleagues set about to raise the funds. They raised $645,000 at the same time Little Rock’s business climate was stymied by the aftereffects of the Central High crisis.

Now a lifetime honorary member of the Arkansas Arts Center Board, Hamilton has spent much of her life working on Arkansas Arts Center projects since that visit in 1959.  She has served on the Board, chaired committees, chaired special events, served hot dogs, helped kids paint and danced the night away at countless fundraisers.  She was on the committee which hired Townsend Wolfe as executive director and chief curator.  Jeane has led art tours for the Arts Center to a number of countries over the years.

When she is not at the Arts Center, she is often seen at the Rep, the Symphony or any number of other cultural institutions.  While she enjoys seeing old friends at these events, she also loves to see a room full of strangers – because that means that new people have become engaged in the cultural life of Little Rock.