Monthly Archives: December 2019

Deidra Jones Presents: Jazz Meets Soul tonight at South on Main

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Deidra Jones Presents: Jazz Meets SoulTonight at South on Main – Deidra Jones Presents: Jazz Meets Soul: A night of jazz and soul music combined in one place, providing two things: Quality entertainment, and an unforgettable musical experience!

Show begins at 9 PM. Purchase advance tickets for $10 or pay $12 at the door. Tickets do not guarantee a seat. Please call (501) 244-9660 to reserve a table at South on Main.

Deidra Jones’ dream of becoming an accomplished, well-rounded vocalist and entertainer has taken her around the world. Residing in Europe for many years, afforded her the privilege to release self-titled recordings a long with vocal features with top artists such as La Bouche (Be My Lover), and Technotronic (Pump Up the Jam), and to record with various producers, and DJ’s throughout Europe.

Deidra has shared her talent with other music industry greats such as: Sir Elton John, Randy Crawford, Patti Austin, Michael Jackson and Chaka Khan. In 2005, she established what is believed to be the first African-American, female owned entertainment agency in Germany; Divalina Entertainment, LLC., which remained in operation until she returned to the U.S.

2nd Friday Art Night at CALS Bookstore at Library Square – Circus of Imaginings by DebiLynn Fendley

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No photo description available.The Bookstore at Library Square is proud to present the opening reception for “Circus of Imaginings” by Arkansas artist DebiLynn Fendley at the monthly event, 2nd Friday Art Night aka #2FAN

Debilynn Fendley works within cultural subgroups to produce both documentary and conceptual realism pieces in photography, printmaking, drawing, and painting. As a visual storyteller, she pushes the boundaries between fantasy and reality and strives to make work that crosses boundaries between subgroups and mainstream norms.

She is a founding member of and active exhibitor with the Arkansas Society of Printmakers and holds membership in the Southern Graphics Council, Audubon Artists Society, Allied Artists of America, and Professional Photographers of America. She has been published in multiple national publications on photography, printmaking, and painting, including works from North Light Books, and recently completed her first IMBd credit as still photographer on the film Ride Hard, Live Free. This show can be viewed Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm until it’s closing February 6th, 2020.

Visit The Bookstore at Library Square in the historic Cox Building six days a week. Three floors of books, gifts, locally made art & jewelry, plus an art gallery on the 3rd floor. By far the best place to buy used books in central Arkansas. Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm. Gallery open during regular bookstore hours.

Arkansas Chamber Singers highlight Old State House Museum’s December 2nd Friday Art Night

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The Old State House Museum has something festive lined up for December’s #2ndFridayLR – the Arkansas Chamber Singers will be here to share holiday joy!

The group will perform at 7 p.m. during Second Friday Art Night and then have additional concerts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

This season brings a heightened sense of Revelry, Reflection, and Revelation, and the singers will bring music celebrating this ‘most wonderful time of year!

All three performances are free, but reservations are required for the Saturday and Sunday concerts. Get your tickets today before they sell out!

Free Admission! Snacks and alcoholic beverages are also free.

2019 edition of Ballet Arkansas’ THE NUTCRACKER is this weekend!

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Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker Spectacular is the largest holiday production in the State of Arkansas, and a beloved holiday classic that is perfect for all ages.

Featuring recently updated choreography, Ballet Arkansas’ production has been a holiday tradition for families across the state for 41 years. The production features the talents of the 15 professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas, and a community cast of more than 225 children and adults from every corner of the state.

The community cast rehearses for 11 weeks to prepare for the performances and consists of multiple generations of cast members – with many cast members participating in Ballet Arkansas’ productions for more than 20 years.

All public performances feature live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Geoffrey Robson, and either The Mount Saint Mary Concert Belle’s, directed by Chelsea Frazier, or the Episcopal Collegiate Choirs, directed by Stephen Vano, who will sing during the infamous snow scene at the end of Act I.

Take a journey with Clara Stahlbaum to the “Land of the Sweets” this Holiday, and enjoy the magic of the Nutcracker Spectacular, set to Pyotry Illyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score.

The Nutcracker Spectacular takes the stage at the Robinson Performance Hall on December 13-15, 2019. Ballet Arkansas will present four public performances, Friday, December 13, 7:30 pm, Saturday, December 14, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday December 15, 2:30pm. Purchase ‘sweet seats’ to sit in the best seats in the house, and receive a gift, for $99. Tickets range from $18-102 and are available here or by calling Celebrity Attractions Box Office at (501)-244-8800. Tickets on sale June 3, 2019.

Learn more about Ballet Arkansas’ 2019/20 Season at www.balletarkansas.org.

Ballet Arkansas, the foremost professional ballet company of the State of Arkansas, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through a roster of talented artists and dancers, Ballet Arkansas presents vibrant and diverse repertory featuring classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works by world renowned choreographers. A driving force in the State, Ballet Arkansas is committed to creative collaboration, community outreach, high quality dance education, the evolution of arts programming across the region, and is devoted to making high quality professional dance performance accessible to all. The productions of Ballet Arkansas promise to enrich the lives of all in attendance.

15th EVER Nog-Off takes place at Historic Arkansas Museum tonight!

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Eggnog lovers everywhere, rejoice! It’s your favorite time of year!

The 15th Ever Nog-off, Historic Arkansas Museum’s friendly competition for the best eggnog in town, returns to bestow goodwill, joy, and a touch of whisky to all who gather.

Tonight, Friday the 13th!, from 5pm to 8pm at Historic Arkansas Museum.

Cleanse your palate and sharpen your pencil as you ready yourself to sample several festive eggnogs creatively prepared by local nog-ologists, and offer your critique and coveted vote. The nog with the most nods receives the People’s Choice Award.

Awards up for contention:

  • The Taster’s Choice Award – awarded by the celebrity panel of eggnog aficionados with this year’s judges being Ashlei King of Fox16, Rusty Mathis of Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South and Kevin Shalin of The Mighty Rib
  • The People’s Choice Award – awarded to the eggnog as voted on by the evening’s attendees
  • The Not Your Great, Great, Great Grandfather’s Eggnog Award – awarded by attendees to the best “untraditional” eggnog
  • The Egg, No Nog Award – awarded to the best non-alcoholic eggnog as determined by a panel of “emerging tasters”

This year’s competitors include:

  • Allsopp & Chapple Restaurant + Bar
  • Arkansas Pioneers Association
  • The Capital Hotel
  • Little Rock Marriott
  • Loblolly Creamery
  • Mocktail Mo
  • The Root
  • Stone’s Throw Brewing and The Pizzeria
  • South on Main

This is a FREE event!

1917 Female Telephone Operators’ strike in Fort Smith is topic of Old State House Museum Brown Bag lunch

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Today (December 13) at noon at the Old State House Museum, Kyra Schmidt, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas, will present her research about the female telephone operators’ strike in 1917 in Fort Smith.

Schmidt earned two bachelor’s degrees (one in history education and one in Spanish) from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and is currently working on her Master of Arts in History.

She specializes in minority politics with a focus on women’s labor movements in the 20th century and children in the Civil Rights Movement. Her presentation is entitled “Hello Girls on Strike: The Federal Government, Southwestern Bell Co., and the Strike That Turned Fort Smith Upside Done.”

Admission is free. Guests are welcome to bring their lunch, and the Old State House Museum provides drinks.

Pagans on Bobsleds XXVII: Manger Zone presented by Red Octopus

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Image may contain: 2 people, people standing and outdoorRed Octopus Theater’s Pagans on Bobsleds XXVII: Manger Zone! will run December 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at The PUBLIC Theatre, located at 616 Center Street in downtown Little Rock. 

Doors will open at 7:15 PM and the show will start at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens, military and students.  There are no reservations, tickets may only be purchased at the door before each show. The show is recommended for mature audiences, children under 18 will be charged $327. Cash, Credit and NFC payments accepted.

Red Octopus celebrates twenty-eight years of holiday fun and foolishness on stage this year with its newest sketch comedy show, Pagans on Bobsleds XXVIII: Manger Zone!  Santa’s elite school of reindeer pilots must duke it out to see who is “TOP BUCK”. Meanwhile, some old-time favorite sketches will be on display as well as some brand new holiday sketches that are sure to become audience favorites.  

The cast will showcase Courtney Beard, Alli Clark Howland, Josh Doering, Scott Dombroski, Sarena Dombroski, Drew Ellis, Anderson Penix, and Jason Willey with special guest, Luke “Ramthor” Rowlan.  

The show is recommended for adults and includes bawdy talk, adult deer situations and brief reindeer nudity.

Red Octopus Theater has been performing original, live sketch comedy for almost 30 years in Central Arkansas and beyond.  For more information please contact Red Octopus Theater at (501) 291-3896 or RedOctopusTheater@gmail.com. Red Octopus is also online at www.redoctopustheater.com.