Monthly Archives: December 2018

9th annual Holiday Music at the Arsenal this afternoon

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This 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.

Nexus Nooks opens inside CALS Main Library in Library Square

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The Nexus Nook located on the 1st floor of the Main Library, 100 Rock Street in Library Square opens today.

It offers a menu of coffee, espresso drinks, and teas along with some bakery items. The location features a seating area with electrical outlets for charging mobile devices, digital signage, and displays of featured library materials selected by both Nexus and CALS staff.  Free wifi is available throughout the library.

Many libraries around the country now feature cafes and coffee shops. CALS wants to provide a “third place” for our patrons that encourages them to build social connections with friends and the community. Nexus Coffee shares a commitment to the library’s mission and vision to engage and empower the community.

The Nexus Nook menu will soon be available at www.cals.org.

The hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Little Rock Look Back: Creation of Pulaski County

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On December 15, 1818, the Territory of Missouri created Pulaski County.  The same day, Clark and Hempstead Counties were also created.

The original Pulaski County includes both the present day entity bearing that name as well as all or part of Crawford County and Conway County (both created in 1820), Jefferson County (created in 1829), Scott County (created in 1833), White County (created in 1835), Saline County (created in 1835), Prairie County (created in 1846), Faulkner County (created in 1873), and Lonoke County (created in 1873).  Today, Pulaski County comprises 771 square miles.

The first County government met on May 24, 1819. It met at the home of Samuel McHenry, the first Pulaski County Judge.

Fourteen years after creating a Pulaski County in what is now Arkansas, the State of Missouri created its own Pulaski County.

Home for the Holidays with the ASO and Maestro Philip Mann this weekend

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Maestro Philip Mann and the musicians of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra welcome singers Maria Fasciano and Vernon Di Carlo, Arkansas Chamber Singers, and the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Drum Band to take the Robinson Center Performance Hall stage on December 14-16.

Kids aged one to one hundred will enjoy fun holiday favorites like “Silver Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and “White Christmas,” fun selections from The Nutcracker featuring steel drums, brassy Henry Mancini arrangements and winter-themed orchestral music.

Concerts are tonight at 7:30, Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 and Sunday, December 16 at 3:00.  Because Sunday’s show is nearly sold out, the Entergy Kids’ Ticket program has been extended to tonight’s concert.

ANDERSON – Sleigh Ride
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV – Dance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden Suite
LIVINGSTON/EVANS arr. Holcombe – Silver Bells (Vernon Di Carlo, vocal)
MANCINI – Joy
ADAMS/Ryden – O Holy Night (Maria Fasciano, vocal)
BERLIN/Moss – White Christmas (Vernon Di Carlo, vocal)
BIZET – IV. Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2
TYZIK – Twelve Gifts of Christmas (Maria Fasciano, vocal)

~INTERMISSION~

MANCINI/Hayes – Christmas Rhapsody
TCHAIKOVSKY – Selections from The Nutracker (with the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Drum Band)
RICHMAN – Hanukkah Festival Overture
STYNE/Hayes – The Christmas Waltz (with chorus)
COURTNEY – Festival Gloria (with chorus)
HERMAN/Hayes – We Need a Little Christmas (with chorus)
FINNEGAN – Singalong

Extras!
Pre-concert happenings in the marble lobby:

  • Friday: Concertmaster Andrew Irvin’s violin caroling ensemble
  • Saturday: Brent Shires (ASO horn) leads his Hornaments ensemble
  • Sunday: Annual Children’s Fair (begins at 2 p.m.)

Got Nog? 14th Ever Historic Arkansas Museum Nog Off is tonight

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As part of 2nd Friday Art Night, the 14th EVER Nog Off takes place tonight at Historic Arkansas Museum.

Inspired by an inter-staff discussion about the best eggnog recipe among Little Rock’s first families, it has grown into an event attracting thousands of visitors each year.

Longtime (and now “retired”) museum director Bill Worthen still makes the eggnog recipe of Nicholas Peay, an early settler who is one of Bill’s many storied ancestors.  Joining Bill as contestants are teams from Arkansas Pioneers Association, Allsopp and Chapple, Big Orange, Loblolly, Old Mill Bread, EJs Eats, One Eleven at the Capital Hotel, South on Main, Stones Throw Brewery, and The Pizzeria.

The judges this year are Georgia Pellegrini, Louise Terzia, and Helaine R. Williams.

Three awards are given:  The People’s Choice, the Taster’s Choice (judges) and the Not Your Great, Great, Great Grandfather’s Eggnog (a nod to Colonel Peay).

Vote for your favorite nog, enjoy live music by the Electric 5, visit the #gotnog selfie station, sing carols around the fire, sample roasted pecans, and just HAVE FUN!

This FREE event runs from 5pm to 8pm.

January 1 is deadline to submit for Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase

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The Arkansas Times is accepting submissions for the 2019 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase. Original material in any musical style is welcome.

Finalists will be asked to perform in one of four semifinal rounds which will take place at Stickyz Rock ’n’ Roll Chicken Shack. Winners from each round will compete for a prize package (which the Times terms “robust”) in the final round at the Rev Room in March.

Send streaming links (Bandcamp, YouTube, Soundcloud, etc.) of your band performing to showcase@arktimes.com. Please include band name, hometown, date the band was formed, age range of members (all ages are welcome) and a contact person’s name, email address and phone number.

Deadline for submissions is Jan. 1, 2019.

CALS seeking public input as part of strategic planning process

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The Central Arkansas Library System is going through a strategic-planning process.  As part of that, they are asking people to take a few minutes to fill out a survey.

It does not take long.

There is no capturing of email or phone number at the end which will end up putting you on a list to be barraged with offers.

It helps the Central Arkansas Library System and all of its programs such as the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Arkansas Sounds, Arkansas Literary Festival, and the list goes on.

Here is the link.