Monthly Archives: August 2015

Jazz Musician Gerald Albright closes 2015 A Work of Art Jazz Week tonight at 7 with a concert at Wildwood

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Gerald-Albright-Master-Saxman-PhotoMultiple Grammy nominee Gerald Albright will close out the 2015 “A Work of Art” Jazz Week with a concert tonight at Wildwood Park at 7pm.

“A Work of Art” is the primary fundraiser for the Art Porter Music Education scholarship program. All proceeds from the week-long fundraiser benefit the scholarship fund. “A Work of Art” concludes in early August in observance of the birth month of Art Porter, Jr. Attendees enjoy a week of unique educational experiences by an impressive group of local artists, music students and national recording artists.

Ticket information is available at www.artporter.org.

One of the biggest stars of R&B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz, Gerald Albright has earned his reputation as a “musician’s musician.” During the ’80s, Albright became a highly requested session musician, playing on albums by a wide variety of artists – including Anita Baker, Lola Folana, Olivia Newton-John, and the Temptations. He also toured extensively with Quincy Jones, Whitney Houston and many others. Albright also went on to record numerous successful solo albums for Atlantic Records. Two albums hit the number one slot on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Chart and were nominated for GRAMMY® Awards in 1989 and 1990.

Albright was selected to be one of 10 saxophonists to play at President Clinton’s inauguration ceremony. Along the way, he has sold over a million albums in the U.S. alone and has appeared on nearly 200 albums by other artists.  Albright released Pushing The Envelope in June 2010. In December 2010, it received a GRAMMY® nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album. His 20102 album 24/7 was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in the category of Best Pop Instrumental Album.  On August 5, 2014, Albright releases Slam Dunk. In December 2014, it earned a GRAMMY® nomination in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category.

Final Day of CALS Potter Marathon starts with HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1

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RRT HP 0801 1The end is near as the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS) Ron Robinson Theater’s (RRT) Harry Potter Movie Marathon starts today with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 this afternoon at 1pm.

Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort’s immortality and destruction – the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart. Harry’s only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him.

David Yates directed this 2010 film, his third in the series.  Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Michael Gambon return to Hogwarts for this film.

The cast also featured Bill Nighy, Richard Griffiths, Harry Melling, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Ian Kelly, Michelle Fairley, Fiona Shaw, Alan Rickman, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Helen McCrory, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall, David Ryall, Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Domhnall Gleeson, Clémence Poésy, David Thewlis, John Hurt, Frances de la Tour, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Lewis, Freddie Stroma, Afshan Azad, Imelda Staunton, Toby Jones, Sophie Thompson, Kate Fleetwood, Adrian Rawlins, Geraldine Somerville and Miranda Richardson

The screening of all eight movies from Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 celebrates Harry Potter’s July 31 birthday. Special Harry Potter-themed concessions, activities, and prizes are part of the festivities at 100 River Market Avenue.

Tickets are $7 each for single tickets. Concessions will be available for purchase at every showing, and beer and wine are available at screenings scheduled after 5 p.m.

Some planned activities for movie-goers include being sorted into Hogwarts houses, competing for House Cup points, photo booths, and a horcrux scavenger hunt. Unique treats include candy from Kilwin’s and magical ice cream from Loblolly Creamery. Doors open and activities begin one hour before show time.

On Saturday the final two films will be shown at 1pm and 7pm.

If you see one or all 8, be sure and use #CALSPotterMarathon on social media.

 

 

Little Rock author Frank Thurmond book signing today at That Bookstore in Blytheville

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Thurmond photo1Little Rock author-filmmaker-actor-musician Frank H. Thurmond will have a book signing for his latest work Ring of Five: A Novella and Four Stories, published by Et Alia Press.  It will take place today (August 1) from 1pm to 3pm at That Bookstore in Blytheville.
 
In this historically grounded thriller, Ring of Five recounts the Cold War intrigue of real-life British master spy Kim Philby, the inspiration behind Ian Fleming’s James Bond.  When the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) discovers a mole is betraying deadly secrets to the enemy, it assigns its best agent to investigate.  But what if this spy hides a shocking secret of his own and the investigator becomes the investigated? This riveting story is a thrilling and timely adventure blending espionage, politics, and love and betrayal.
 
Of Thurmond’s book, actor Michael York, whose films include Cabaret and Austin Powers and who is author of Accidentally on Purpose, states, “I’m enormously impressed with Ring of Five. It is a beautifully constructed story that holds the attention—and the tension—to the end. This is all the more laudable as it’s a known story, but Thurmond makes the historical facts come dramatically alive. Ring of Five is a most engrossing and enjoyable read. ” 
 
Thurmond learned of the story while living and studying in Oxford, England where he was intrigued to hear of the so called “Cambridge Spies,” known as the most notorious double agents of the Cold War era.
 
Thurmond was born in Paragould and grew up in Crossett and Little Rock, where he attended Hall High School.  He studied English and music as a Donaghey Scholar at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and pursued graduate degrees at Southern Methodist University and Oxford University. Thurmond is a Visiting Assistant Professor of English at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a visiting writer in residence at Lyon College in Batesville.
 
Thurmond’s first book was a memoir entitled Before I Sleep: A Memoir of Travel and Reconciliation, which recounts his adult experience of meeting his previously unknown birth father.  It was featured in the 2014 KUAR’s Arts & Letters Father’s Day special, which is available on KUAR.org.
           
Previously, Thurmond’s work has appeared in various publications, including the International Herald Tribune; The Best of Tales from the South, Volume 6; Toad Suck Review; and in William Safire’s language book, No Uncertain Terms.