Monthly Archives: June 2015

Violinist Tarn Tarvers, a WAMA instructor, in concert tonight at Wildwood

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ww TarversOne of several coaches instructing students at WAMA, the Wildwood Academy of Music & the Arts, world-class violinist Tarn Travers has performed across the United States, Europe and Japan as a soloist, but is also renowned for his work as a chamber musician and as an orchestral player.

He is a winner of the prestigious Heifetz Guarneri auditions and has performed with the New World symphony, at the Library of Congress in Washington DC, and recently completed an Austrian tour of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto. He has served on the faculty of Luther College and AlpenKammerMusik in the Austrian Alps.

The performance begins at 7:30pm in the Cabe Festival Theatre.

Tarvers will be accompanied by pianist Kristina Marinova. The performance is free to all students.
Tickets are available here.

Art as Activism discussion tonight

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30americansIn conjunction with the Arkansas Arts Center’s 30 Americans exhibit, tonight at 6:30, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center will host a panel on the topic of Art as Activism.

As part of the “501 to 501 Partnership Program”, Dr. Ila Sheren, author of “Art as Activism” and professor at Washington University in St. Louis will host a discussion with Thomas Allen Harris, filmmaker of “Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People,” Dr. Deborah Willis, Tisch School of the Arts Photography and Imaging Department Chair, Charley Palmer, mixed media artist, and Delita Martin, artist, Black Box Press studios.

This event will be held at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. 9th Street (9th and Broadway).

The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

The event is free and open to the public.

Stuart Baer with Bugtussle Slim on the bill tonight at South on Main’s Local Live

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llsom bugTonight at 7:30 at South on Main is the Oxford American’s Local Live free concert series featuring Stuart Baer with Bugtussle Slim. Call ahead at (501) 244-9660 to reserve your seat at a table for this popular series. Local Live is made possible by the generous support of Ben and Jane Hunt Meade.

Little Rock’s own Stuart Baer began to study classical piano at age six and continued college level instruction at UALR at age fourteen. He began playing the blues as Hammond player for Arkansas blues legend Michael Burks, and he produced Burks’ first CD in 1996.

Bugtussle Silm (Lance Womack) also played with Burks at this time and served as session drummer. Baer toured with Burks for a couple years as well as Son Seals, Guitar Shorty, and Dr. Hector and the Groove Injectors (Riverfest, 2000). Baer authored two songs and is featured on the CD Axe to Grind by the Joe Pitts Band, to be released April 2015.

Stuart Baer and Lance Womack were both inducted into the Arkansas Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.

THE PROPOSAL on tap tonight at Movies in the Park

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MITP061715 ProposalThanks to tonight’s sponsor, the Little Rock Marriott, filmgoers in Little Rock can say “I do” to The Proposal.

Little Rock’s own Movies in the Park, brought to you by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City of Little Rock, continues its 11th annual season tonight, Wednesday, June 17 at the First Security Amphitheatre.

Movies are shown every Wednesday during the season and begin at sundown.

In this 2009 romcom, a pushy boss forces her young assistant to marry her in order to keep her Visa status in the U.S. and avoid deportation to Canada.  Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds play the central pair.  (In a real-life reversal, Reynolds is actually Canadian and Bullock is American.) Central Arkansas’ own Mary Steenburgen is also a star of the film.  Others in the cast include Craig T. Nelson, Betty White and Denis O’Hare.

Families, picnics and pets are invited to the park to enjoy movies under the stars, no glass containers please. A parent or adult guardian must accompany all children and youth under the age of 18 and an ID is required. The amphitheater will open an hour before film showings and movies will start at sundown each week. For more information please visit http://moviesintheparklr.net.

 

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor John Widgery

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LR sealOn June 17, 1802, future Little Rock Mayor John Widgery was born in Portland ME to Mr. and Mrs. William Widgery.  His father died in 1804.  At the age of 11, John Widgery entered Bowdoin College.  He was the youngest student admitted to the college.

Widgery studied law with his uncle, Nathan Kinsman.  He married Ann L. Woodward, who was from Boston MA.  According to Bowdoin College records, he later “wandered away into the Southwest” spending time “in the Cherokee country.”

Widgery spent most of his adult life in the south. For a time Widgery was clerk of the Mississippi House of Representatives.  He then moved to Little Rock prior to 1840.  By 1840, he was Recorder for the City of Little Rock.

According to media reports at the time, several tradesman groups encouraged Widgery to run for Mayor in January 1841.  He did run but lost to Rev. Samuel H. Webb.  The next year, Widgery ran again and this time was elected Mayor.  He took office in January 1842.  On May 24, 1842 he resigned from office.  He later served as Secretary of the Arkansas Senate (where he made $8 a day when the Senate was in session).

Widgery eventually settled in St. Louis.  He later returned up north.  He died on August 2, 1873 in Portland ME and is buried there.  He and his wife did not have any children.

No known painting or photograph of Mayor Widgery exists.

At the Wildwood Pavilion tonight – House Concert with Dan Weber

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WW WeberA gifted storyteller and inspired performer, Dan Weber’s songs have been described as “timeless” and “authentic.” In 2015 Weber begins a new chapter with “What I’m Lookin’ For,” a 14-song CD of classic Americana that includes the stirring Folk tribute “Oh Woody,” Country-Roots on “Cowboy Style,” and the crowd sing-a-long favorite “(I Deal with) Crazy ALL Day,” an everyman’s anthem that is poised to be a break-out hit.
The concert, which is hosted by Melissa and Martin Thoma, will take place at the Wildwood Pavilion.  It will start at 7pm, doors will open at 6:30.
Beer, wine and snacks will be available for purchase, and there is a suggested $15 donation at the door to support the artist during his 2015 tour.

A second season of Jazz at South on Main set for 2015-16

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2e6b4_1320267846-oxa_logoAfter last season’s successful Jazz on Main series, the Oxford American is bringing more Jazz to South on Main next season.  
Things kick off on September 3 at 8pm with Anat Cohen.  Clarinetist/saxophonist Anat Cohen has won hearts and minds tAnat Cohen [Jazz Series]he world over with her expressive virtuosity and delightful stage presence. Anat was born in Tel Aviv, Israel, and raised into a musical family. She began clarinet studies at age twelve and played jazz on clarinet for the first time in the Jaffa Conservatory’s Dixieland Band. At sixteen, she joined the school’s big band and learned to play the tenor saxophone; it was this same year that Anat entered the prestigious “Thelma Yellin” school, where she majored in jazz. After graduation, she discharged her mandatory Israeli military service duty from 1993-1995, playing tenor saxophone in the Israeli Air Force band.
Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time.
Aaron Diehl [Jazz Series]
In an era revolving around celebrity hype and mediocre entertainment, Columbus, Ohio native Aaron Diehl seeks to stand out as an artist in his generation that exemplifies excellence, sophistication, and a fluency in the American musical vernacular. The 2011 Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, Diehl has been hailed by the New York Times as “a smart young pianist with a fastidious grasp of Jazz traditions.” He is committed to unearthing the treasures of a musical aesthetic through collaborative efforts with musicians across generations.
The Oxford American magazine is excited to welcome Aaron Diehl to Little Rock on November 5 as the second show in our 2015 – 2016 Jazz Series! Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time.
Victor Goines [Jazz Series]
On January 21 at 8:00 PM, Victor Goines takes the South on Main stage! This is the third show in our 2015 – 2016 Jazz Series!  Clarinetist, saxophonist, and educator, he is one of the most respected and multi-faceted musicians in the jazz world today. He is also an acclaimed and sought after solo artist who leads his own quartet and quintet.

Adept in a bevy of instruments, Mr. Goines has also collaborated, recorded, and/or performed with many noted jazz and popular artists.  Victor Goines has played the clarinet since the age of eight and continued his studies with Carl Blouin, Sr., who introduced him to the saxophone at St. Augustine High School. In 1980, he entered Loyola University in New Orleans where he studied clarinet and saxophone, receiving a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in 1984.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time.

Bria Skonberg [Jazz Series]
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Jazz when Bria Skonberg perofrms on the South on Main Stage at 8:00 PM.   This is the fourth and final show in our 2015 – 2016 Jazz Series!  Hailing from Chilliwack, BC, and now living in New York City, award-winning trumpeter / vocalist / composer Bria Skonberg is “poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation.”Best known for her knowledge of classic jazz and instigative nature, she is now creating an adventurous style rooted in New Orleans jazz and blues, world percussion, soul, and cabaret. She currently tours the world, headlining major clubs and festivals, as well as programming music education workshops for all ages.

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time.
This series is made possible by presenting sponsor, the UCA College of Fine Arts & Communication.