Monthly Archives: March 2015

Free ASO concert at Capital Hotel tonight with Rockefeller Quartet

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ASO at CH

Musicians from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be performing this evening in the lobby of the historic Capital Hotel. The music will start at 5:15 pm.

The concert will feature the Rockefeller Quartet.  Members of the quartet will introduce the pieces to be performed.

  • Haydn: String Quartet No. 39 in F#, Op. 50 No. 4: Andante and Minuet
  • Mendelssohn: String Quartet in F Minor, Op. 80 Allegro, Vivace Assai and Allegro Assai
  • Monti: Csardas
  • McLean: “Fandango”

Unlike concerts in music halls, guests here are encouraged to bring drinks to their seats or to stand and move around while the musicians are playing.  It is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where the audience and musicians alike are able to interact with each other.

In 2011, the ASO started these free concerts in the lobby of the Capital Hotel.  The marble and tile of this historic lobby provide a wonderful acoustic backdrop for the musicians.

The Science of Paleontology at tonight’s Museum of Discovery “Science After Dark”

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0315 science after darkEach month the Museum of Discovery hosts “Science after Dark” for adults aged 21 and up.  This month’s theme is “Science of Paleontology.”

Adults may not get spring break, but tonight is a chance to feel like a student again by learning fun facts about dinosaurs and fossils. And this time, you can learn about science while drinking a beer!

Here’s what you can expect at tonight’s month’s Science After Dark:

  • Dr. Joe Daniel will answer fossil questions
  • The museum’s new dinosaur exhibit will be highlighted
  • A lot of fun exploring the museum and it’s interactive exhibits

Beer sold by Stone’s Throw Brewery and the aptly named Fossil Cove brewing; pizza by the slice sold by new MOD neighbor Damgoode Pies.

The program runs from 6pm to 9pm. Cost is $5, FREE for museum members. (Go ahead and get a membership, it will more than pay for itself within a year!)

Local Live free music series features Claire Holley tonight at South on Main at 7:30 pm

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[*Photo credit: James Patterson]

[Photo credit: James Patterson]

This week’s installment of the free Local Live concert series features Claire Holley at 7:30 pm at South on Main.

Presented by the Oxford American magazine, Local Live showcases the best of local and regional music talent. Call ahead to South on Main to make your reservation and ensure a table: (501) 244-9660. Local Live is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Cosmic Cowboy Music.

A native Mississippian now living in Los Angeles, Claire Holley began performing and writing songs in college, but released her first recordings while living in North Carolina. She began getting regular airplay on WUNC’s “Back Porch Music,” and her self-titled debut from Yep Roc Records was featured on NPR’s Weekend Edition. A move to the west coast followed and, soon after, she began collaborating with directors on their film and play projects.

Holley has released seven records, and her powdercoat ep, a collaboration with Kristin Mooney, won the 2014 “Best in Popular Music” from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters—Huffington Post called it “one of the year’s loveliest recordings.” A tasteful vocalist and guitar player, Claire is an engaging performer and has sung at Merlefest, Mountain Stage, and a host of listening rooms around the country. Holley’s forthcoming solo album, Time in the Middle, will be released March 2015.

“…she owes much to the Southern tradition of storytelling, and just as much to the Southern tradition of charm…” —Image Journal

“The slight catch in Holley’s voice can break your heart…” —Time Out New York

Little Rock Look Back: President Clinton performs with Arkansas Symphony

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Former U.S. President Bill Clinton addresses the audience after reciting Martin Luther King's famous speech, 'I Have A Dream', to the music of Alexander L. Miller at Robinson Auditorium March 25, 2003 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Clinton was the honored guest for a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to benefit the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Foundation. (Photo by Karen E. Segrave/Getty Images)

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton addresses the audience after reciting Martin Luther King’s famous speech, ‘I Have A Dream’, to the music of Alexander L. Miller at Robinson Auditorium March 25, 2003 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Clinton was the honored guest for a performance by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to benefit the William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Foundation. (Photo by Karen E. Segrave/Getty Images)

On March 25, 2003, former President Bill Clinton took the stage of Robinson Center Music Hall to perform with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Entitled “Let Freedom Ring – A Patriotic Celebration,” the evening was a joint fundraiser for the Symphony and the Clinton Foundation.

Before a packed house of over 1700, Clinton narrated Aaron Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait which weaves excerpts from Lincoln speeches with Copland’s own unique classical take on American heartland music.  Clinton also narrated Let Freedom Ring, a symphonic setting by Alexander Miller of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

The evening also consisted of Broadway veteran and Little Rock favorite Lawrence Hamilton singing “Wheels of a Dream” from the musical Ragtime.  On Broadway and on national tour, Hamilton had previously sung the song.  The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra also performed An American in Paris by George Gershwin and “Jupiter” from The Planets by Gustav Holst.  This final selection was a tribute to the seven astronauts who had died in the crash of the space shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003.

David Itkin, who was then the musical director of the ASO, conducted the concert.

 

Drain Smart Public Art contest announced

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DrainSmartA coalition of state and local agencies and nonprofit organizations have announced the launch of Drain Smart — a public art program aimed at raising awareness on education and protection of local streams.

Like most cities, Little Rock’s storm drains flow directly into our streams. When it rains, water picks up everything in its path and carries it through storm drains into streams and creeks. Drain Smart is an engaging public-education and environmental program that uses art to communicate the importance of reducing the litter that flows into storm drains.

Program coordinators are calling for local artists to submit their ideas for murals that would be painted on 18 storm drains in the downtown and midtown areas of Little Rock. Supplies for these projects will be provided to the artists.

Artists have until April 3 to submit their applications along with a sketch of their idea. An artist selection committee will choose 18 artists to paint a mural on the designated storm drains.  Artists will be eligible for a final prize to be given to the winner chosen by public voting. This exciting project gives artists the opportunity to express themselves via semi-permanent public art in a series of small-scale outdoor storm drain murals. This art will then serve to educate the public on watershed and stream protection.

Partners in this inaugural project include the City of Little Rock, Audubon Arkansas, Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, Little Rock Parks and Recreation, Friends of Fourche Creek, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, Studio Main, The Bernice Garden, MacPark Group, The Arkansas Arts Center and Sculpture at the River Market. Sherwin Williams, Walmart and Seal Krete will donate supplies and materials.

Artists will be notified by April 10 and all art will be completed by June 1.

For more information on this project, the timeline, rules and artist application visit www.drain-smart.org.

Explore “Learning Curve”s tonight at Tales from the South at Stickyz

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talesfromsouthSchool may be on Spring Break this week, but there is still much to learn.  Tonight, Tales from the South examines the lessons of “Learning Curve” at the Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack. The storytellers for this edition are Tom Hopkins, Jimmie vonTungeln, and Claire Green.

Music is by Amy Garland as well as blues guitarist Mark Simpson.

“Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

“Tales from the South” is a showcase of writers reading their own true stories. While the show itself is unrehearsed, the literary memoirs have been worked on for weeks leading up to the readings. Stories range from funny to touching, from everyday occurrences to life-altering tragedies.

Dinner is served from 5pm to 6:30pm, the show starts at 7pm.  Admission is $15 in advance.  Dinner can be purchased separately.

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show. Any tickets available at the door will be $20.

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.  This program will air at a future date.

Spring Break at the Clinton Center with Peanuts and the Arkansas Symphony

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This Spring Break, the Clinton Center invites students to enjoy fun and FREE activities.  

With partners like the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Center invites families to engage in interactive musical activities. Students will have the opportunity to play different types of instruments and meet local musicians.  

Additionally, students can enjoy Peanuts-themed activities inspired by the Center’s current temporary exhibits, “Pigskin Peanuts” & “Heartbreak in Peanuts.”  

March 23 – 27, 2015
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Clinton Presidential Center

March 23: Interactive musical activities with local musicians & Peanuts activities

March 24 – 26: “Instrumential Petting Zoo” with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra & Peanuts activities

March 27: Interactive musical activities with local musicians & Peanuts activities

Spring break activities are FREE; however, admission fees to tour the Museum apply.