Monthly Archives: September 2015

Little Rock Look Back: The City responds to September 11

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The Little Rock arts and culture community responded to September 11 as all sectors did.

Two of the groups in particular come to mind. When airspace was closed on September 11, several flights were grounded in Little Rock. The passengers on those planes became unexpected visitors to Little Rock.   Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey and Assistant City Manager Bruce Moore led efforts to make sure that everyone had a place to stay that evening.

The Arkansas Rep had opened its production of You Can’t Take It with You on Friday, September 7. The show was already scheduled to be dark on September 11, but on Wednesday, September 12, 2001, the performances resumed. That night the Rep offered these unexpected Little Rock guests free tickets to the performance.  Seeing a play which was both heartwarming, comic and full of Americana was the perfect balm for audiences who were weary, confused and nervous in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Most of the cast of that production was from New York City. Luckily, all of their friends and family back in New York were all safe.

Also on September 12, 2001, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presented a previously scheduled concert with Michael Bolton.  He had been traveling by bus so was able to get to Little Rock.  His concert was cathartic for the 2000 plus attendees at Robinson Center Music Hall. It offered not only a communal experience but also a welcome break from 24 hour coverage.  Three days later, on September 15, the ASO kicked off its MasterWorks series.  As has been tradition since the days of Francis McBeth as conductor, that first concert of the season began with the National Anthem.  The audience and musicians gathered and sang and played with unprecedented gusto that night.

ACANSA preview – Visual Art

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The second annual ACANSA Arts Festival runs from September 16 to 20.  It will feature a variety of art forms at a variety of venues downtown.  This week, we are previewing some of the acts.  Up next – visual art.

Argenta Art Gallery Exhibit and Reception

Up first is the opening reception of the Angela Davis Johnson exhibit at the Argenta Art Gallery. The reception is Thursday evening September 17, 2015. The exhibit will run through October 12, 2015

Angela Davis Johnson is best known for her vibrant narrative paintings that examine universal connections, identity and historical occurrences through personal symbols. Ms. Johnson creates textured figures using oil paint, scrap paper and fabric within unique compositions.

Please let organizers know if you plan to attend by sending an email to tickets@ACANSAartsFestival.org or call the office at 501-663-2287. There is no charge for this event.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford Reception

On Friday, September 18, at the Arkansas Arts Center, there will be an Alonzo Ford exhibit and reception.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford. The exhibition will be on view September 15 to October 25, 2015 in our Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

Alonzo Ford, grew up on farm in the Southland Community near Lexa, Arkansas. His figurative drawings focus on his memories of a life lived on his family farm. Ford enjoys creating with color and drawing landscapes that depict farm life and old buildings and active portraits. Stark figures engage in the daily activities Ford recalls from childhood leaving one with a sense of the activity, simplicity, and intimacy of mid-century rural life in Arkansas.

Reception begins at 5:30pm

Festival passes, can be purchased at the ACANSA website.
For more information, 501-663-2287 or email admin@ACANSAartsfestival.org

Changes in store for Riverfest 2016

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Triverfesthe 39th annual Riverfest celebration will take on a new, expanded format with “Springfest” offered free on Saturday, April 2, and the traditional Riverfest music experience, minus the family activities, presented Friday through Sunday, June 3-5.

Springfest will fill Riverfront Park with many of the most popular daytime activities Riverfest traditionally has offered, including International Village; the Super Retriever Series dog jumping competitions; the Jesse White Tumblers and other roving attractions; Ruff on the River, the Rock ’n’ Stroll 5k Fun Run as well as children’s arts and crafts activities. A concert by acclaimed musical duo Trout Fishing in America will close Springfest.

Flowing on the River, the festival’s separately ticketed wine and craft beer event, will kick off Riverfest 2016 on Friday, June 3. As in years past, concerts by top-name musical acts, along with local and regional performers, will be presented on stages in Riverfront Park and the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5. As always, Market Row vendors and popular Riverfest food and drink merchants will be featured during the weekend.

Ticket prices have not yet been set.

“The cost of booking quality musical acts has accelerated rapidly over the last many years, and Riverfest ticket prices have naturally reflected that trend,” said DeAnna Korte, Riverfest executive director. “We have worried that this has become a financial burden for families and others who aren’t as interested in the evening concerts, so this year we’re presenting many of the classic Riverfest activities for free. And those who want to see the headline concerts will still get that chance for a price that will be very competitive with if not significantly lower than the cost of attending other popular music festivals.”

Korte continued: “We know Riverfest serves two distinct audiences. After almost 40 years – an amazing run for any festival – it is time for a change to ensure all festival-goers’ needs.  In 2016, Riverfest will move off Memorial Day weekend for the first time in the festival’s history. Korte said that decision was made “because that weekend traditionally is a time when families go to the lake or engage in other start-of-summer activities. We wanted to remove that barrier as a reason people might not be able to attend Riverfest.”

More specific details for both the April and June expanded Riverfest experiences will be announced as they develop.

Little Rock Look Back: Plans for a new City Hall finally move forward

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City Hall circa 1908

City Hall circa 1908

After a judge ruled in August 1906 that the City of Little Rock could not build a new City Hall and Auditorium complex, it looked like Little Rock would be stuck with its existing inadequate building.

However on September 10 it became obvious that much work had been taking place behind the scenes after that ruling.  On that day, the Board of Public Affairs (a City body charged with overseeing municipal government construction projects and comprised of the mayor and two citizens approved by the City Council) voted to ask the aldermen to cancel plans and rescind legislation for the city hall, jail and auditorium complex.  The Board of Public Affairs then offered up a new plan for a city hall and jail building.  Because no auditorium was involved, these plans would not be in violation of the Chancery Court.

That same evening the City Council followed suit and revoked the plans for the original project.  The aldermen then voted to proceed with building a new city hall and jail without the auditorium.  There was only one dissenting vote; Alderman Jonathan Tuohey voted no.  He explained his negative vote was not a lack of support for the project, but he was not comfortable with the way it was rushed through.

Mayor Warren E. Lenon told the Gazette, “The Chancery Court has enjoined us from erecting an auditorium and the Board of Public Affairs has consequently rescinded all resolutions and orders pertaining to that structure.” He noted that there would “be no appeal from the injunction granted by Chancellor Hart, because there is nothing to appeal.”

The coverage of the actions of the City Council that night was in keeping with the manner in which the two daily newspapers had covered the lawsuit and the trial.  The Gazette headline cried “City Hall Ordinance Railroaded Through” while the staid Democrat merely stated “New $175,000 City Hall Provided by City Council.”  The tone of theGazette’s article matched the headline while the Democrat’s story was more straightforward.

Architect Charles Thompson adjusted his plan for the new City Hall by removing the auditorium wing.  With the revised Th0mpson plan and the approval of the City Council, Little Rock was at last on its way to a new City Hall.  This was over two years after Mayor Lenon had first broached the subject.

Originally slated to open in 1907, the building officially opened in April 1908.

Little Rock Look Back: The Battle of Little Rock

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301px-Battle_of_Bayou_Forche_mapOn September 10, 1863, Confederate forces under General Sterling Price evacuated Little Rock in advance of Federal forces, thus ending the Little Rock Campaign. By 5:00pm, his forces had left the city and at 7:00pm, civil authorities formally surrendered. Little Rock became the fourth Southern capital to come under Federal control.

The battle was the culmination of a campaign launched by Maj. Gen. Fred Steele, on August 1, 1863 to capture Little Rock. The campaign includes engagements at Westport, on 14 August, Harrison’s Landing, on 16 August, Brownsville on 25 August, the Reed’s Bridge, on 27 August, and Ashley’s Mills on 7 September 1863. After the Union army affected a river crossing east of Little Rock, effectively flanking the Confederate defenses north of the river, the Confederates staged a brief delaying action at Bayou Fourche to allow for evacuation of Little Rock.

The Battle of Little Rock is also known as the Battle of Bayou Fourche.

Today at Clinton School – Ark Rep production of Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”

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ScottishPlayThe Arkansas Repertory Theatre works in partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service to participate in the UACS’s Distinguished Speaker Series, hosting educational panel discussions on various Rep productions.

The latest in these takes place today, Thursday, September 10 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park.  It focuses on the Rep’s upcoming production of William Shakespeare’s Scottish Play.

Arkansas Repertory Theatre producing artistic director, Bob Hupp, will host a panel discussion on the upcoming production of Shakespeare’s tragedy set in the moors of Scotland. Telling the tale of the Thane of Cawdor, his wife, and Duncan, Banquo, Malcolm, Fleance and others, it explores the meaning of valor, honor, treachery and destiny.

“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

The play opens officially on Friday evening and runs through Sunday, September 27.

Tonight’s Jazz in the Park is Acoustix with Rod P

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jazzinparkThis September, on Wednesday nights from 6 pm – 8 pm., Jazz in the Park continues its partnership with Art Porter Music Education, Inc. in the Riverfront Park.
Tonight features Acoustix with Rod P.
The concert will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park.  In case of rain, it will be in the River Market pavilions.
The concert series is brought to you by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Lost Forty Brewing beers, select wines, soft drinks & water are available for sale. Proceeds benefit Art Porter Music Education, Inc. So please, NO Coolers. Picnic blankets and chairs are welcome. As are children and pets (please leash your pets)
Art Porter Music Education, Inc. (APME) continues its mission of keeping the musical legacies of local jazz statesman Art Porter, Sr. and his son, renowned saxophonist Art Porter, Jr. alive with community enrichment opportunities, volunteerism, and the awarding of scholarships. Through music, APME works to enhance education by helping students improve reading, language and mathematical skills. The partnership with the River Market to support Jazz in the Park, a free, family-friendly event featuring jazz in downtown Little Rock, is a natural fit for both organizations.