Monthly Archives: June 2019

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS kicks of 2019 Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre season

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AST2019_TheComedyOfErrors_FinalLogo.pngThe Comedy of Errors launches the 2019 season of the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.

​A tragic shipwreck, two sets of twins divided at birth, mistaken identities, and unrequited love provide the perfect recipe for fun in this Shakespearean farce. The fates bring the brothers and their long-lost father Aegeon together in the land of Ephesus with hilarious results.

Performances started last night (June 7) and continue tonight (June 8), June 9, June 23, June 26, June 29, and July 4. They take place at 7:30pm on the lawn at UCA, across from the President’s House.

The cast includes Paige Reynolds, Chad Bradford, Benjamin Reed, Chris Firtzges, Keith Illidge, Rebecca Brudner, Verda Davenport, Justin Jones, Kyle Clark, Chris Farrell Jr., Corrie Green, Charlotte Mae Ellison, Jack Hradecky, and Saxon Whitehead.

The production is directed by Jack Young.  He is the Artistic Director of Houston Shakespeare Festival, and leads the University of Houston’s MFA Professional Actor Training Program.

Rebekah Scallet is the Producing Artistic Director and Mary Ruth Marotte is the Executive Director.

Help Bukavu the gorilla celebrate his first birthday today at the Little Rock Zoo!

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On June 20, 2018, Bukavu the gorilla was born at the Little Rock Zoo.  To celebrate his first birthday (a few days early), the Little Rock Zoo is throwing a Birthday Party for him today, June 8.

Zoo staff and docents have been preparing gifts for Bukavu as well as her family.  He was born last year to Sekani (mom) and Kivu (dad).   This is the third child for Sekani and the first for Kivu.

Bukavu is named for an African city located on the south-western edge of Lake Kivu (see how it relates to the dad’s name?)

Festivities get underway at 11:30 with Crafts & Fun at the top of the Great Apes Viewing Area.  Then at 1:30PM there will Cake & Refreshments also at the top of the Great Apes Viewing Area.

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit http://www.aza.org.

SOMA After Dark features Brian Nahlen Band on South on Main stage

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SOMA After Dark :: Brian Nahlen BandThe Brian Nahlen Band is bringing the funk to SOMA After Dark on Friday, June 7 at South on Main.

The show begins at 9 pm. Tickets may be purchased for $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Tickets do not guarantee a seat, to reserve a table call (501) 244-9660.

ABOUT THE BAND

A wonderfully eclectic mix of rock and funk, sweet ballads and dynamic protest anthems, the Brian Nahlen Band includes six accomplished musicians who blend original music and reimagined covers into every show. The lineup features frontman and guitarist Brian Nahlen, guitarist Jason Lee Hale, keyboardist Tommy Priakos, sax player Dave Williams II, bassist BrianWolverton and drummer Daniel Olah.

Nahlen is an Arkansas Ambassador. His original music has been called “finely crafted, soulful, deftly fuses funk, jazz, gospel, pop and hip hop.” The Band’s live performances showcase each player’s forte, and no two gigs are the same.

Nahlen has released two albums, “Better Than I Thought It Could Be” (the title track was featured in an Arkansas Parks and Tourism commercial) and “Cicada Moon,” and three singles: “I Might Be Leavin’” (feat. Big Piph), “In the Old Days” and “You Fool.” All of these are available on iTunes, Spotify and other streaming services.

A socially conscious lot, Nahlen and the Band often play benefit shows, which in 2018 alone helped KABF, Puerto Ricans in Arkansas (Nahlen coordinated this), The Van, the Buffalo River and Animal Village. They also performed at the inaugural Central Arkansas Music Awards.

Nahlen started playing guitar 30 years ago and has been a full-time musician for the last 15. He regularly performs alone, in his namesake full band or in a duo with Hale, Nick Devlin, or Luke Johnson. Past stints include Dead Fish, Sunny Daze, Big John Miller Band, Quadraphonic and Pepperland. Once a month, he hosts the Collage Radio Show on KABF.

One Rice tore down a Little Rock auditorium; his grandson helped restore another one

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On June 7, 1920, the Little Rock City Council finally authorized the demolition of Little Rock’s 1906 temporary auditorium.  The structure had originally been built as a skating rink which, when chairs were added, could be used for public meetings.  Since the mid 1910’s, the City Council had discussed tearing it down over safety concerns.  But since Little Rock had no other structure as a substitute, the Council kept delaying the decision.

J Rice 1920In 1920, though there was not alternative space available, the Council decided that the structure had to come down.  So City Engineer James H. Rice was authorized to have the building removed.

JimRice RobinsonToday, Rice’s grandson, Jim Rice, is the COO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In that capacity he  oversaw the renovation of Little Rock’s 1940 municipal auditorium – Robinson Center Performance Hall.

FREE Admission this evening to ESSE Purse Museum in conjunction with Purses with Purpose: Girl Scouts through the Decades exhibit

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This Friday, June 7th, from 4-8 pm ESSE Purse Museum will host a reception for our newest temporary exhibit, Purses with Purpose: Girl Scouts through the decades. FREE admission to the museum and refreshments will be provided.

This show spans from the 1930s to the present. With her creativity and tenacity Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was able to foresee what girls and woman are capable of with the guidance and support of this organization.

Many would claim that cookies are the first thing that comes to mind when speaking of the Girl Scouts. The courage, confidence, and character that are synonymous with these young woman is seen through the handbags, uniforms, and objects on display. The remarkable history of the Girl Scouts is presented alongside a unique perspective of women’s history.

The artifacts on display are on loan from the GSUSA, GS – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, ESSE Purse Museum, and from the personal collections of Kathleen Pate and Marsha Stone.

Regular museum admission ($10, $8 seniors, students, and military) includes the special exhibit. Summer hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.