Monthly Archives: August 2019

August 26, 1935 – plans approved which would lead to creation of Robinson Auditorium

Posted on by

An August 25, 1935, rendering in the ARKANSAS GAZETTE of the proposed Little Rock auditorium at Capitol and Scott Streets.

On August 26, 1935, the City of Little Rock took its first significant step in a decade for the creation of a City auditorium.

Under the leadership of Mayor R. E. Overman, the City Council approved authorization for the City to apply for $1,000,000 from the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works (PWA) for the construction of an auditorium.  The PWA had issued a September 16, 1935, deadline for applications to be received as it sought to spend $4.8 billion in construction projects.

The auditorium plan was announced on Saturday, August 24, 1935.  Much preparation had already been undertaken before the project was publicly unveiled.  Private presentations hhad taken place, a team of architects had been chosen (Eugene Stern and the firm of Wittenberg & Delony), and a location had been selected.

The auditorium complex was slated for a block bounded by Capitol, Scott, Fourth and Cumberland Streets.  The Women’s City Club building on that block would remain with the new structure being built to wrap around two sides of the existing structure. The site was chosen because it was one block east of the Main Street business corridor and near existing meeting locations such as the Boys Club, Albert Pike Hotel, Albert Pike Masonic Lodge and several churches.

As planned by the architects, this structure’s front façade would have run the length of the Capitol Avenue side of the block.  The building was proposed to be constructed of concrete, stone and steel.  It would have a large hall with a proscenium stage and seating capacity of 4,000 with overflow of an additional 500.  The adjoining exhibition hall could seat 3,500 people.  The plan called for 150 cars to be parked in the building, and an additional 100 cars to be parked on a surface lot on the site.

Following an August 26 closed door meeting to discuss the project from which members of the public and press were excluded, in open session the City Council voted to pursue the funding for the million dollar auditorium.  If approved by the PWA, the funds would be provided in grants and loans, to be paid by over a 35 year period.

The auditorium proposal was filed with the PWA in Washington in September 1935.  Throughout the next several months, Mayor Overman and the city were engaged in a series of conversations and negotiations with the PWA for the expansion of both the water system and the sewer system. This diverted attention from pursuing the auditorium immediately.  This specific auditorium project stalled.  But because the plan had been filed by the September 16 deadline, it allowed the City to make use of PWA funds a few years later which would lead to the construction of Robinson Auditorium.

National Dog Day is a great day to buy Arkansas Rep 2020 subscription

Posted on by

Image may contain: text

August 26 is National Dog Day.

As a tribute to it, one should consider purchasing a subscription to Arkansas Rep’s Spring 2020 season.

Why does that relate to National Dog Day?

Because one of the productions is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel of the same name, this play by Simon Stephens has won five Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, and seven Olivier Awards, including Best Play from all three.  

It tells the story of Christopher, a 15-year-old boy who describes himself as “a mathematician with some behavioral difficulties” who has never ventured alone past his street. Now he is on a mission – an investigative adventure that will upturn the world of his family and community forever.

Through innovative design and storytelling, it puts the audience inside Christopher’s mind as together they go on this incredible journey. The production will run from April 1 to April 19.

The other two shows in the lineup are Ann and Bye Bye Birdie.

Final Day of Filmland features TOY STORY 4 and episodes from STRANGER THINGS season 2

Posted on by

The Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmland concludes with a double bill of works directed by Andrew Stanton.

Up first is Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4.  Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and their friends return, this time joined by Forky. The gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody’s slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they’re two worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.

Doors to the CALS Ron Robinson Theater open at 2pm with the screening starting at 2:30pm.  Prior to the showing of Toy Story 4, a five minute play from each semester of the Young Storytellers program will be performed.

Sunday evening, two episodes of Stranger Things, Season 2 will be shown.  Will Byers finds himself the target of the Upside Down a year after his disappearance as a large tentacled figure named the Mind Flayer soon terrorizes the citizens of Hawkins, drawing back Joyce and Hopper along with Mike’s sister Nancy, Will’s brother Jonathan, and Nancy’s boyfriend Steve, as well as Will’s close friends; Mike, Dustin and Lucas.

The whole group along with Californian newcomer Maxine as well as a missing Eleven must join forces once again to prevent the threat from increasing.

Doors open at 5:30pm with the screening starting at 6:30pm.

Following both screenings, Stanton will engage in a Q&A with ACS founder Jeff Nichols.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Andrew Stanton was raised in Rockport, Massachusetts. He was educated at The California Institute of the Arts (or “CalArts”) in Los Angeles, where he studied character animation. After graduation, Stanton began working as a writer on the TV series Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (1987). In 1990, he became only the second animator and ninth employee to join Pixar Animation Studios.

Stanton went on to help establish Pixar as one of the world’s leading animation studios. He was designer and writer on Toy Story (1995), for which he was nominated for an Oscar. He went on to write and direct such worldwide hits as A Bug’s Life (1998), Finding Nemo (2003) and WALL·E (2008), the latter two both winning Oscars for Best Animated Feature. Stanton also dabbles in voice work, perhaps most memorably as Crush, the laid back turtle, in Finding Nemo (2003).

An evening of R&B with Dee Dee Jones and Davison on South on Main stage tonight

Posted on by

Dee Dee Jones & DavisonDee Dee Jones and Davison are teaming up to bring you an evening of R&B at South on Main. Show begins at 9 pm. Purchase advance tickets for $10 or pay $15 at the door. Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. To reserve a table, please call (501) 244-9660. Must purchase advance tickets in order to secure your reservation.

ABOUT DEE DEE JONES
Dee Dee Jones, a native of Little Rock, has always been a force to be reckoned with. From her raspy vocals, to the energy that she brings to the stage, you are sure to leave wow’d from her electrifying set. She has performed with national artists such as Tank, Tweet, RL from the group next, Zacardi Cortez & many others. Dee Dee is a powerhouse who can deliver r&b, gospel, jazz and even country. She currently won first place at the famous “Showtime at the Apollo”. Dee Dee is currently working on her own music, but has been featured on many of her peers tracks.

ABOUT DAVISON
Season 14 contestant of NBC THE VOICE, known as the guy who voice is “Smooth like Butter” said by Season 14 Judge Kelly Clarkson is a Little Rock resident who is not stopping no time soon in pursuing his music career. Davison recently became part of BBE which is BASSic Black Entertainment founded by Music Director Adam Blackstone who plays for some of your favorite artist such as Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, Nicki Minaj and so many more. Davison will soon be releasing single “We ain’t Gone Go”.

201 years of the Quapaw Line

Posted on by

Stones placed in Riverfront Park denote where there Quapaw Line started from La Petite Roche

On August 24, 1818, the Quapaw Line was drawn.  Starting at La Petite Roche and heading due south, this line formed the boundary between the Quapaw tribal lands and public lands available for settlement.  (In the 1810s and 1820s, the Quapaw alternated between Central Arkansas and Northwest Louisiana depending on preferences of the tribal leadership.)

Though by 1824, the Quapaw were forced by the federal government to give up all of their lands in the area, the line continued serve as an important marker.   In the ensuing six years, the first permanent settlement of Little Rock took place and streets were planned.

The 1818 treaty referred to La Petite Roche as the Little Rock.  Some have speculated that this is the first official use of “Little Rock” to designate the outcropping and to name the area.  When the U.S. Post Office was established in March 1820, it was given the name Little Rock.

There is a marker commemorating the beginning of the Quapaw Line located at La Petite Roche in Riverfront Park.  The first segment of the line is also noted in the park.  There are also sunken markers place along the line at various points.  In MacArthur Park, at the corner of 9th and Commerce Streets, there is a marker noting that the line passed through at that location.  A few years ago, engineers from Garver retraced the line using modern technology. They found the original surveyors’ work to be extremely accurate.

A good account of walking the Quapaw Line through downtown Little Rock can be found on this website.

Most of what is now called the Quapaw Quarter was located to the west of the Quapaw Line.  However, it did take its name from the fact that the tribe had once lived in that area and was later sequestered to lands near it.  The name for the area was chosen by a committee composed of David D. Terry, Peg Newton Smith, Mrs. Walter Riddick Sr., Dr. John L. Ferguson, and James Hatcher. They had been appointed to a Significant Structures Technical Advisory Committee to advocate for preservation of important structures as a component of the City of Little Rock’s urban renewal efforts.

Tonight at Filmland: BOY ERASED on the CALS Ron Robinson Theater screen

Posted on by

Boy Erased (2018 poster).pngFilmland continues this evening with 2018’s Boy Erased.  Starring Oscar wines Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe and Oscar nominee Lucas Hedges, this is based on Arkansan Garrard Conley’s Boy Erased: A Memoir.

Boy Erased was written for the screen and directed by Joel Edgerton, who also produced with Kerry Kohansky Roberts and Steve Golin.  Edgerton also appears in the movie.

The movie is the story of the son of a Baptist preacher who is forced to participate in a church-supported gay conversion program after being forcibly outed to his parents.

Director Joel Edgerton will participate in a Q&A with Arkansas Cinema Society founder Jeff Nichols after the screening.  As an actor, he has appeared in Nichols’ Midnight Special and Loving.

Doors to the CALS Ron Robinson Theater open at 5:30pm with the screening starting at 6:00pm.