Monthly Archives: April 2015

Six semifinalists for new Sculpture at the River Market public commission

Posted on by

Once again, the Sculpture at the River Market program is sponsoring a $60,000 commission for a new piece of public art.

Guests of Friday evening’s preview party will have the chance to vote to select the winner.

This is the fifth year for the program.  Two of the commissioned pieces have been placed in Riverfront Park, with a third one scheduled for installation in the coming weeks.  The fourth piece is located at 2nd and Main Streets next to the parking deck.  This year’s selection will be placed in west Little Rock at Chenal Valley Road and Chenal Parkway.

Visitors to the Sculpture Show and Sale will be able to see examples of the six finalists on Saturday and Sunday as well as over 700 other sculptures ranging in size from a few inches to over 10 feet tall.

2015 semis 1232015 semis 456The 2015 semifinalists are (in alphabetical order):

  1. Kathleen Caricof: “Embrace” is designed as an entrance sculpture for the intersection. A site-specific sculpture, it would stand approximately 15′ tall and 18′ wide and be made of steel with a rusted outside finish and epoxy paint inside finish.
  2. Tim Cherry: “Ancient Wings” features a seated Griffin in a regal pose, with an arched neck and outstretched wings. It would be over 5′ tall by 6′ long and 2′ wide and be made of steel with an interior stainless steel structure.
  3. Sandy Graves: “Cotton and Clementine” would be two oversized bunnies in a whimsical design. They would be 6′ tall by 9’9″ wide and 2’8″ deep and made of bronze.  Cotton would be white and Clementine would be orange.
  4. Adam Schultz: “Standing Together” features three deer in a family group. With elongated legs and stylized bodies, the grouping would stand up to 25′ tall and cover over 120 sq. ft. They would be a combination of stainless steel and aluminum.
  5. Stephen Shachtman: “A” is a tripod which represents both Arkansas as a whole (through the steel/bronze portion) and the people of Little Rock (through the flagstone sphere). Each leg is of a different overall length; 16’, 14’, and 12’ tall; sphere in center is 40” in diameter.
  6. Michael Warrick: “Mockingbird Tree” is a tree with bubble forms for foliage plus a pair of Arkansas’ state birds. It would be 18′ tall by 11′ wide by 7′ deep. The tree would be stainless steel and the mockingbirds would be bronze.

Shake a spear, it’s Will’s 451st Birthday

Posted on by

william-shakespeareToday is the traditionally observed birthday of William Shakespeare. It is known he was born in 1564, which makes this the 451st birthday.

The Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre earlier announced the lineup for the 2014 season.   The dates have now been announced.

The Merry Wives of Windsor – Love and deception are the name of the game in the small town of Windsor when Shakespeare’s famous larger-than-life anti-hero Falstaff comes for a visit. Falstaff sets out to woo the Housewives of Windsor for some quick cash, but finds himself outfoxed by the wise Windsor Wives, becoming the buffoon instead of the leading man in his own ambitious tale of romance.  The entire family will laugh their way through this energetic and charming farce.

Presented outdoors at the Village at Hendrix and on the ground of the Argenta Farmers’ Market.  All performances are “pay what you can,” with a suggested donation of $15. Performances are June 4, 5, 6, 11, 13, 25, 26 & 28

 

 The Merchant of Venice – Comedy and tragedy collide in this story of lovers united and families torn apart.  At the center is Shylock, the Jewish moneylender. When the Venetian merchant Antonio is forced to seek a loan from Shylock, a man he despises for his religion and profession, he is asked to enter into an impossible contract: he must give a pound of flesh if unable to pay back the borrowed sum. What follows is a complex and challenging exploration of love, mercy, integrity, and justice that reminds us that, “all that glisters is not gold.”

Presented on-stage at Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway. Performances are June 19, 20, 23, 27 & 28.

 

As You Like It – For All Ages! This one-hour Family Shakespeare adaptation takes you on a comedic romp through the Forest of Arden, an enchanting world in which nothing is quite what it seems.  Rosalind is our bold and witty heroine who discovers her true nature and the nature of love when forced into disguise as a boy. This play reveals the potential of poetry to make things happen—to transform and reform, to turn longing into love, and to reveal wisdom through silliness.

 

Presented on-stage at Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway. Performances are June 23, 25, 26 & 27.

 

Also available to tour to communities across the state through July 5. All you need is a space—we’ll provide the rest.  For more information about how to bring As You Like It to your town, e-mail Mary Ruth Marotte at mrmarotte@arkshakes.com.

 

 

 

 

Fiddler on the Roof – This classic beloved musical tells the story of Tevye the dairyman who takes ultimate joy in his family and traditions. He works to raise his five daughters and see them married well, but must struggle against modern ideas and the rising tide of anti-Semitism in 1900s Russia that threaten to destroy his family and their way of life.

 

Presented on-stage at Reynolds Performance Hall, Conway. Performances are June 10, 12, 14, 21, 24 & 27.

 

 

The Arkansas Repertory Theatre will kick off their 2015-2016 season with the Scottish Play running from September 11 – 27.

Murder, madness and magic haunt every shadowy corner in the most powerful of William Shakespeare’s great tragedies.

After receiving an ominous prophecy on a blood-soaked battlefield, Macbeth and his ambitious wife claw their way to the Scottish throne, and damned be all who stand in their way! Each step closer to fulfilling his royal Fate leads Macbeth deeper and deeper into a fiendish quagmire of carnage and corruption, from which none can survive; not even him.

“The original House of Cards. It’s fitting to start off a milestone season with the English language’s greatest author,” said Bob Hupp, Producing Artistic Director at Arkansas Repertory Theatre. “Shakespeare keeps us honest, and tests our mettle when we seek to tell great stories that demand to live on a stage. I’ve been reading and seeing productions of The Scottish Play for more than 30 years, now I’m ready to direct it for you this fall.”

For Poetry Month – Epilogue

Posted on by

Since April is Poetry Month, here is a poem written by the Culture Vulture.  It was inspired by visits to the Old State House Museum and Women’s City Club buildings before they were renovated.

Epilogue

scratched oak floors
plaster peeling off of the walls
banisters smoothed by time’s sandpaper
the chandelier–Arachne’s loom
dank, dusty, musty odors permeate from
the drapes hanging
like Babylon’s gardens
the ballroom is lifeless.

But, stop and listen

Laughter
Strains of music
The rustle of taffeta and satin as
Women practice Terpsichore’s art
Whirling and swirling around with
Men in white tie and tails.
The clinking of glasses
To toast triumphs…and future hopes.

All of these are as much a part of the room as

scratched oak floors
plaster peeling off of the walls
banisters smoothed by time’s sandpaper….

“Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid that Avenged Pearl Harbor” tonight at the Clinton School

Posted on by

UACS TokyoThe Doolittle Raid is a feat of legend: a daring, some thought suicidal, bombing mission designed to avenge the attack on Pearl Harbor by taking the fight to the heart of the Japanese Empire—Tokyo. The raid’s success became a rallying point for the United States, destroyed Japan’s sense of its own invulnerability, and helped force a confrontation at Midway, a critical turning point in the Pacific War.

Shrouded in secrecy at the time, the raid quickly entered the realm of myth, almost literally: the White House and the American press began using “Shangri-La,” the name of a fictional mountaintop utopia, as a stand-in for the undisclosed launching point of the operation. In “Target Tokyo,” award-winning historian James Scott strips away the layers of the legend and provides the first truly comprehensive account of the raid, one that’s based on new interviews and scores of never-before published records drawn from archives across four continents.

The presentation will begin at 6pm this evening at the Clinton School.

Tonight at Jazz in the Park – Stellar Way

Posted on by

stellar wayJazz in the Park continues its third year tonight with Stellar Way.

They offer a unique mix of jazz, jazz fusion, and funk.  Band members are Tyndall Jackson (electric guitar), Robert “Frisbee” Coleman (keys/organ), Bruce Hurley Johnston (electric bass), Cliff “Drummerboy” Aaron (drums/percussion).

The concert will be from 6pm to 8pm in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park.  The closest entry point to the History Pavilion is Ottenheimer Drive off of President Clinton Avenue.

In case of rain, the River Market West Pavilion will be the alternate location for the event.

jazzinpark

The event is completely free, but no coolers are allowed. Beer, wine, soft drinks and water will be available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Art Porter Music Education, Inc.’s scholarship fund.  Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, and there is some seating in the natural stone amphitheater at the History Pavilion.

This event is sponsored by Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and the River Market.

For more information about Art Porter Music Education, visit www.artporter.org.

 

Local Live tonight at South on Main – DAVID ROSEN SEPTET

Posted on by

llsom_drs.jpg.190x140_q60_cropTonight at 7:30 is the weekly Local Live concert at South on Main.  This free concert series is sponsored by the Oxford American magazine with support from Cosmic Cowboy Studio.

The music tonight is provided by the David Rosen Septet. These talented Little Rock jazzers will play a variety of swing and big band music from the 1940’s-’60s. Call ahead at (501) 244-9660 to reserve your seat at a table for this popular series.

The David Rosen Septet will be playing updated arrangements of many favorite tunes from the swing, big band, and jazz eras, featuring Craig Grubbs (trombone), Perry Israel (guitar), Bryan Withers (drums), Matt Dickson (tenor sax), and David Higginbottam (bass).

New logo, social media presence unveiled for LR Creative Corridor

Posted on by

 The City of Little Rock unveiled today the Main Street Creative Corridor logo and social media sites. Located on Main Street, the Creative Corridor is an area where arts and culture will anchor a vibrant, mixed-use place in the center of the capital city’s downtown.


The logo was selected by arts groups who will eventually relocate to Main Street, in collaboration with representatives from the city. The new logo will be used on all promotional materials for the Creative Corridor. 

The Creative Corridor now has a social media presence on the following networks: 

  • Facebook: CreativeCorridorLittleRock
  • Instagram: @MainStreetLR
  • Twitter: @MainStreetLR
  • Hashtag: #creativecorridorLR

A Creative Corridor website was also launched at creativecorridorlittlerock.wordpress.com.

“Little Rock’s Creative Corridor is revitalizing Main Street one block at a time, stimulated by the arts rather than a traditional retail base,” said Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola. “The Creative Corridor is rapidly becoming a mixed-use, work-live environment that is sensitive to the historical context of Main Street, while at the same time celebrating the amazing art organizations that are assembling along the area.”

As one of the art initiatives of the Creative Corridor, the City of Little Rock is soliciting designers for a large-scale banner art competition. Two full-color, large rectangular banner designs will be selected. The winning designs will be installed vertically on the parking deck located in the 200 block of Main Street. Each winning design will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize. The deadline for submissions is noon on May 18, 2015. For more information on how to submit a design visit creativecorridorlittlerock.wordpress.com/art-competitions/.

 

Initial Planning and design for the Creative Corridor was funded by a 2011 Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The plan, created by the University of Arkansas Community Design Center and Marlon Blackwell Architects, has received awards from the American Institute of Architects and The American Society of Landscape Architects, among many others.

Certain blocks on Main Street are in the process of being reconstructed to include low-impact development streetscapes with funding provided by a grant from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission. Once completed, the Corridor will include rain gardens, porous pavers, bioswales, and other techniques to improve water quality.

An increasing number of public, private and nonprofit groups have already invested in Main Street in recent years.  Funding for a wide variety of art and lighting installations for the Corridor is being provided by ArtPlace America and the Educational Foundation of America.