Monthly Archives: December 2015

15 Highlights of 2015 – Riverfest announces new formats

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For the final fifteen days of 2015, a look back at some of the cultural highlights of 2015.

Up next –

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.

6th Annual “Holiday Music at the Arsenal” today at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

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macmusThis afternoon from 2pm to 4pm, visitors to the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History can enjoy a seasonal concert given by pupils of the Margaret Wyatt Vocal and Piano Studios.

Wyatt enjoyed a career in both opera and musical theater, working throughout the United States and locally with the Arkansas Repertory Theater and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  She has taught piano and voice in Little Rock for over 25 years.  Included in the concert will be holiday favorites from around the world.  The concert is free and open to the public.

Located in the historic Arsenal Tower in MacArthur Park, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History honors the Arkansans who have served in the armed forces.  Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, weapons, documents, uniforms and other military items that vividly portray Arkansas’s military history at home and abroad.

Other exhibits include:

  • Undaunted Courage, Proven Loyalty: Japanese American Soldiers in World War II
  • From Turbulence to Tranquility: The Little Rock Arsenal
  • Capital In Crisis and Celebration: Little Rock and the Civil War
  • Alger Cadet Gun
  • Camden Expedition
  • David Owen Dodd
  • Through the Camera’s Eye: The Allison Collection of World War II Photographs
  • By the President in the Name of Congress: Arkansas’ Medal of Honor Recipients
  • Conflict and Crisis: The MacArthur- Truman Controversy
  • Duty, Honor and Country: General Douglas MacArthur
  • The Sun Never Sets on the Mighty Jeep: The Jeep During World War II
  • War and Remembrance: The 1911 United Confederate Veterans Reunion
  • First Call – American Posters of World War I

15 Highlights of 2015 – Museum of Discovery’s new World Record Musical Bi-Polar Tesla Coil

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For the final fifteen days of 2015, a look back at some of the cultural highlights of 2015.

Up next –

The Museum of Discovery unveiled a word record treat for the eyes and ears with the new Guinness World Record musical bi-polar Tesla coil!

The tesla coil – named after its inventor Nikola Tesla, the developer of the alternating current system of electricity used today – is a device that creates high-voltage electricity at a high frequency visible to the eye.  The Museum of Discovery’s coil emits electrical discharges to a variety of songs and will share the record for the world’s largest bi-polar tesla coil with the coil at the Hands On Regional Museum in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The device, which can produce 200,000 volts of electricity, was built by Goodchild Engineering in Arizona and donated to the Museum of Discovery by Richard Mathias, founder and president of Tesla Coil Museum Exhibit Program, LLC, through a matching grant program from the General Electric Foundation.

“This world-record tesla coil will literally illuminate the work of this pivotal inventor and help the Museum of Discovery successfully fulfill its mission of igniting a passion for science, technology and math in our very interactive, hands-on environment,” said Kelley Bass, museum CEO. “We are grateful to Richard Mathias and the GE Foundation for making this opportunity possible for our museum and our visitors.”

The coil is housed in a new theater in the museum’s Discovery Hall.

There is a $2 additional fee to experience the show in the Tesla Coil Theater. Museum members pay an additional $1.

ImprovLittleRock’s 11th Annual Family Christmas is tonight!

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ImprovLittleRock’s longest-running tradition returns tonight! Unlike an unwanted visit from relatives, this is a limited time offer – only one night!

Spend the last Saturday night before Christmas sharing in their laughter, pajama-wearing and improv shenanigans.

Just $8 at the door to get in. They supply the holiday cheer and candy canes.

Please wear your ugly sweaters, pajamas, or whatever garb puts you in the spirit.

The fun is at the Public Theater, 616 Center Street at 10PM!

Neil Berg’s Broadway Holiday continues this weekend

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Celebrity Attractions continues the 2015-16 Broadway season in central Arkansas with Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.  Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY is the number one touring Broadway concert in America – it brings Broadway’s greatest together for a cherished holiday event.  It opened last night and continues through Sunday.

This winter Neil Berg’s critically acclaimed musical revue Broadway Holiday will appear in cities all across the country. Direct from New York, five of Broadway’s brightest stars will warm the theatre with favorites from hit shows such as LES MISERABLES and DREAMGIRLS through groundbreakers like WEST SIDE STORY and Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, to current blockbusters like JERSEY BOYS and WICKED. The show will also feature much-loved holiday tunes.

Neil Berg pursues the best that Broadway has to offer and that also applies to bringing the best performers to you. This talented cast consists of David Jennings, Carter Calvert, Andrea Rivette, Chuck Wagner and Jason Wooten.  Presented by Celebrity Attractions, Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY will take the stage at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center December 18th-20th. Celebrity Attractions’ 2015-2016 Broadway Season is held at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Maumelle High School.

The remaining performances are Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $35, $53, and $60.  Tickets are available by phone at (501) 244-8800 or (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (501) 492-3312.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BWayLR.  Follow the Little Rock engagement of Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY on Twitter.com/BwayLittleRock or join the conversation using #BWayHolidayLR.

For more information, visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

Tawanna Campbell in performance at South on Main tonight at 10pm

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som tawannaSouth on Main is thrilled to welcome Tawanna Campbell for her first show on their stage! The magic happens tonight, December 18.  Doors open at 4:00 PM, show begins at 10:00 PM. Wristbands can be purchased for $15 after doors open. Call ahead to reserve a table (501) 244-9660.

For years Tawanna Campbell has been a beacon, leading the way for Arkansas’ burgeoning Soul musical scene. An all-encompassing performer, Tawanna possesses a heavenly sound, amazing stage presence and a style all her own.

Sparking comparisons to everyone from Patti LaBelle to Alicia Keys to the queen of soul herself Aretha Franklin Tawanna does not allow herself or her music to be pigeonholed. Her musical acumen is eclectic and dynamic. her range of performances run the musical spectrum. She’s performed at Easter Sunrise services, Jazz festivals and classical concerts. She’s even provided the musical backdrop for another Arkansas gem, Academy Award winner and Newport native Mary Steenburgen. A little known fact is that in addition to being an award-winning actress Steenburgen is also a songwriter and she has, for years collaborated with Tawanna on several songs for Universal Records.

Tawanna’s unique musical gifts know no bounds. A devoted protege’ of musical luminary and veteran Broadway performer the late Lawrence Hamilton, Tawanna never fails to impress. Whether performing soul stirring, down home gospel classics, legendary soul hits or contemporary R&B Tawanna gives her absolute all to guarantee an outstanding performance every time out.

Tawanna’s soothing, smooth and moving tones have long served as the Natural State’s voice. She is a talented and beautiful star who continues to light the way not only for Arkansas’ grown & sexy sect but for music lovers around the world.

Little Rock Look Back: School Children Sing Christmas Carols at Robinson Auditorium

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Christmas Carols

Photo from Arkansas Gazette

Right now, music is silenced at Robinson Center.  During the renovation, violins and tubas have been replaced by saws and heavy equipment.

Similarly, 76 years ago, the halls of that building were alive with only the sounds of construction.  But out front, on December 18, 1939, the sounds of Christmas carols filled the air.

That afternoon, 500 school children from elementary schools were joined by the A Capella Choir of Little Rock High School as they sang Christmas carols on the front steps of the auditorium on a weekday afternoon.  The singers were accompanied by the Little Rock High School Brass Sextet.  The invocation for the event, which was sponsored by the Little Rock Council of Parents and Teachers, was delivered by the Right Reverend Richard Bland Mitchell, the Episcopal Bishop of Arkansas.

A Christmas tree in front of City Hall was lit up as part of the ceremony as well.  Media coverage noted that the audience witnessing the program stood on the front steps of the Pulaski County Courthouse, the side lawn of City Hall and in front of the steps of Robinson Auditorium.  It was also noted that most windows in the nearby government buildings were filled with people watching the ceremony.