Author Archives: Scott

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About Scott

A cultural thinker with a life long interest in the arts and humanities: theatre, music, architecture, photography, history, urban planning, etc.

PEANUTS exhibits next up at the Clinton Library

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CPC PeanutsNEW TEMPORARY EXHIBIT “PIGSKIN PEANUTS” & “HEARTBREAK IN PEANUTS”
January 17 – April 5, 2015

In honor of the 65th Anniversary of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts, we will be hosting two new exhibitions that will premiere at the Clinton Center from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. “Pigskin Peanuts” will feature Schulz’s football-themed Peanuts comic strips. It will also highlight how Charles Schulz often explored the theme of fairness in his comic strip and believed in giving everyone equal opportunity. “Heartbreak in Peanuts” underscores the prevalence of love in the comic strip. Students will experience the joys and sorrows of unrequited love Peanuts-style. Both exhibitions will feature reproductions of Charles Schulz’s original Peanuts strips, student activities within the exhibition, 5-foot sculptures of Charlie Brown and Snoopy, and themed objects and ephemera.

 

“PIGSKIN PEANUTS” & “HEARTBREAK IN PEANUTS” FAMILY-FRIENDLY EXHIBIT OPENING & RECEPTION

January 16, 2015
5:30 p.m. Doors Open
6 p.m. Program Begins

To celebrate the grand opening of “Pigskin Peanuts” & “Heartbreak in Peanuts,” the Center invites guests of all ages to a very special reception. Our guest host, Snoopy, will be serving some of his favorite foods: pizza, chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate, and root beer! Our other special guest, Karen Johnson, executive director at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, will lead an interactive discussion about the artist, the exhibits, and his wonderful cast of characters. Be one of the first to see this exciting tribute to Charles Schulz and his beloved Peanuts gang.

Saturday, January 17, 2015
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Clinton Presidential Center

The Clinton Center will host family programming on Saturday, January 17, in coordination with the grand opening of our newest exhibitions, “Pigskin Peanuts” and “Heartbreak in Peanuts” from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rose, California. The curator of the exhibition will kick-off the program with an interactive discussion and prize giveaways. Snoopy will also make appearances for guests to have photos taken. There will also be “Peanuts”-themed activities  for the family to enjoy.

Snoopy Appearances:
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Noon – 12:30 p.m.
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
All appearances will be in the lobby of the Clinton Center.

This event is FREE and open to the public, but regular admission is required to tour the exhibitions.

Little Rock Look Back: Little Rock Council Meets for First Time in 1832

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TowncouncilplaqueOn January 16, 1832, Mayor Matthew Cunningham MD presided over Little Rock’s first council meeting. Since Little Rock did not yet have a government hall, the Mayor and his wife hosted the meeting at their house. The Cunninghams owned the entire block which was bordered by what is now Main Street, 3rd Street, Louisiana Street and 4th Street.

A plaque at 3rd and Main Street commemorates this meeting and was placed there in the 1930s. The Cunningham’s house was likely closer to the southwest corner of the block. The plaque is on the Fulk building which once housed Bennett’s Military Supply. Currently the plaque is covered as the building undergoes renovation in preparation of it housing CJRW.

The block also includes the Mann on Main project, which is comprised of the buildings originally constructed for the Gus Blass Department store.  Bruno’s and the new Samantha’s are also on the block.

Little Rock was chartered as a town in 1831 and elections were subsequently held. Dr. Cunningham outpolled Rev. W. W. Stevenson to become the first Mayor.

Joining Mayor Cunningham at the first meeting were the original four Town Council members – Charles Caldwell, Benjamin Clemens, David Holt and John McLain.

In 1931 a plaque, as part of Little Rock’s Centennial, a plaque was erected to note the first meeting. The plaque erroneously implies that the first meeting was in 1831. This mistake is understandable since the legislation incorporating Little Rock was approved in November 1831. The plaque also refers to the body as the City Council. It was, in fact, the Town Council. There would not be a City Council until 1835 when Little Rock was elevated to City status.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS for 5 performances only at the Studio Theatre

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last-five-years-musical-54There are always at least two sides to every story.  In Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years, the audience get the “his” and “her” perspectives of a relationship. But there is a twist. One is told forwards, while one is told backwards with the characters meeting in the middle.  It is a funny, charming, heartwarming, heartbreaking look at life, love and loss.  Jamie is a rising novelist and Cathy is a struggling actress.  The challenges of their two careers add a layer to the complexities of their relationship.

The Studio Theatre is presenting this two character musical January 16, 17, 23, 24 & 25.  The Friday and Saturday performances are at 7pm and the Sunday performance starts at 2pm.

Ryan Whitfield directed Jeremy Hall and Erin Martinez in the production. Mark Binns in the musical director.

The Studio Theatre is connected to the Lobby Bar which provides opportunities for libations (beer, wine and non-alocholic) before the show, at intermission and after the show.

Special advance ticket offer this month from Riverfest

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Riverfest2015We are just 4 months and 1 week away from Riverfest 2015!

While no acts have yet been named, there is special news.  Riverfest has just announced that ticket sales are once again, LIVE!

From now until January 31st, while supplies last, Riverfest is offering the Festival 4-Pak for $60 PLUS $20 in bonus RiverMoney! This is a $180 value, four 3 day admissions for only $60. You can purchase them at www.riverfestarkansas.com and click BUY TICKETS on the top banner.

The Bonus $20 RiverMoney will be available for pickup at the event after your print at home tickets are scanned and wristbands received — the Rivermoney is only redeemable by the first ticket that’s called “Festival 4 Pack w/$20 bonus RiverMoney.” Tickets that read “Festival 4 pack attendee” do not have a RiverMoney value associated with them.

Robinson Center Redux- January

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WAVW LR Jan65Since Robinson Center Music Hall is closed for renovations and restoration, this year the Culture Vulture will take a monthly look back at some of the featured attractions which have played there.  This month looks at January of years ending in “0” and “5.”

As noted earlier on the blog, even before the February 1940 opening of the music hall, the lover level exhibition hall was playing host to events including basketball games.

By 1945, things were well underway on both levels. Buddy Johnson & his Orchestra were playing a dance for African Americans in the lower level on January 10. Upstairs events ranged from a lecture on Christian Science (January 7), a play Good Night Ladies (January 17), a lecture by Dr. Emil Ludwig on Germany after World War II, and Paul Draper & Larry Adler in concert (January 23).

In 1950, Tallulah Bankhead starred in a revival of Private Lives (January 13), a Passion Play booked it for over a week (January 21 – 28) and a double-header of Shakespeare plays held court on January 30. Margaret Webster’s Shakespeare Company played The Taming of the Shrew in the afternoon and Julius Caesar in the evening. Also that month the Arkansas State Symphony (a forerunner to today’s Arkansas Symphony Orchestra) gave a concert on the 17th.

A highlight of 1955 was a women’s wrestling match on January 4 in the lower level.

In 1960, two theatrical productions were presented. On January 8 & 9, Odd Man In was presented “pre-Broadway” (it didn’t make it). Much more successful was the national tour of My Fair Lady from January 18 through 23.

Though Little Rock native Ben Piazza had helped develop the play, he wasn’t in the cast when the national tour of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? played Robinson on Januayr 25, 1965.

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, Robinson was at a crossroads.  Many performers wanted to play at larger spaces (such as Barton Coliseum) or smaller venues (such as churches or the UALR recital hall).  In 1970, the Happy Goodman Family gave a concert on January 21.  Five years later they returned on January 10, 1975 in a concert with Vestel Goodman. The next night, Johnny Paycheck was in concert.  On January 21, 1975, Robert Alda headlined a tour of The Sunshine Boys.

Orchestra concerts dominated most January offerings from 1980 onward.  On January 27, 1980, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra gave a concert at Robinson. In 1985, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presented concerts (January 19 & 20) with Misha Dichter, pianist.  January 1990 saw the ASO with Stephen Burns, trumpet on January 20 & 21.

In 1995, the ASO performed Rimsky-Korskaov’s Scheherazade on January 13 & 14.  Composer, pianist and conductor Marvin Hamlisch highlighted a concert with the ASO on January 22 in 2000. Earlier in the month the ASO performed Der Freischatz on the 15 & 16th.  The day before Hamlisch, the Martins were in concert.

2005 highlights included the ASO with Elmer Oliveira, violinist (Jan 15 & 16), the ASO Side by Side concert (where Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra musicians and ASO musicians perform together) on January 29 and the ASO Family Series: Secrets of the Orchestra on January 30.  The Irish dance spectacular Riverdance played Robinson from January 17 through 19.

Five years ago, Ron “Tater Salad” White performed his stand-up at Robinson on January 8, 2010. Later that month the ASO offered Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto on January 16 & 17. The 2010 ASO Side by Side concert was on January 30.  On January 20 the Shen Yun Chinese cultural performance took place in Robinson.

Works from 39 UALR Artists on display at Wildwood through February 15

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8801eb42-ba23-4132-aaea-11672e96b233Through February 15, Wildwood Park for the Arts will be showcasing the works of 39 artists as part of their Art in the Park program.

This exhibit highlights recent work by Faculty, Students, and Alumni of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) Department of Art.

Tonight from 6pm to 8pm there will be a reception to celebrate the exhibit.

Following the reception, the art may be viewed weekdays between 10 am and 4 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays, January 8 – February 15, from noon to 4 pm.

39 Exhibiting Artists Include:
Jasmine Av, Student
Heather Beckwith, Student
Win Bruhl, Retired Professor, Printmaking/Painting and Department Chair
Justin Bryant, Student
Byron Buslig, Student
Kevin Cates, Associate Professor, Graphic Design
Lane Chapman, Student
Taimur Cleary, Artist in Residence in Painting
Tom Clifton, Department Chair and Professor, Illustration and Drawing
Brad Cushman, Gallery Director
Jeffrey B. Grubbs, Associate Professor, Art Education
Mia Hall, Associate Professor, Applied Design
Kerrick Hartmon, Alumni
Morgan Hill, Alumni
Linda Holloway, Alumni
Amanda Hubbard, Student
Mehreen Khalid, Adjunct Professor, Photography
Joli Livaudais, Assistant Professor, Photography
Chelsye Mae Garrett, Student
Eric Mantle, Professor, Painting
Ian Park, Alumni
Tiffany Partin, Student
Jennifer Danielle Perren, Student
Katherine Purcell, Student
Laura Raborn, Alumni
Casey Roberson, Associate Professor, Photography
Sandra Sell, Alumni
Emily Shiell, Student
Allison Short Weaver, Student
David Smith, Assistant Professor, Ceramics
Aj Smith, Professor, Printmaking
Mesilla Smith, Student
Joe Tollett, Student
Joanna Waldron, Student
Michael Warrick, Professor, Sculpture
Marjorie Williams-Smith, Professor, Graphic Design
Spencer Zahrn, Student

CHINATOWN screened tonight at Ron Robinson Theater as part of Arkansas Times Film Series

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chinatownRoman Polanski’s 1974 film classic Chinatown will be shown tonight at the Ron Robinson Theater as part of the Arkansas Times Film Series. This is presented in conjunction with the Little Rock Film Festival.

Here is how the Arkansas Times describes the film:

The quintessential L.A. noir and the best role of Jack Nicholson’s career, the movie was named the greatest film of all time in a 2010 critics poll by The Guardian. Roger Ebert called it a “tour de force” and “not only a great entertainment, but something more, something I would have thought almost impossible.” An atmospheric, totally engrossing mystery involving water and sexual dysfunction, this is rare opportunity to see the classic on the big screen.

The screening will begin at 7pm (January 15). Tickets are $5.

In addition to a starring turn by Nicholson, the film features searing performances by Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman, Darrell Zwerling and Diane Ladd. Nominated for eleven Oscars, it won the Best Original Screenplay for Robert Towne’s haunting tale.