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.

Riverfest 2013 Lineup Announced

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rvrfstlogoSugar Ray, Daughtry, Cody Belew, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Peter Frampton among headliners

Verizon will again serve as the presenting sponsor for Riverfest 2013 – Arkansas’s largest and most popular music, arts and food festival.

The following musical headliners will perform at the main stages:
Bud Light Stage: Friday – Daughtry; Saturday – Sugar Ray, Blackstone Cherry, Bush; Sunday – Cody Belew, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley.
Miller Lite/Arkansas Federal Credit Union Stage: Friday – Rodney Atkins, Jana Kramer, Darius Rucker; Saturday – Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Rowland; Sunday – Drive By Truckers, Peter Frampton

The festival is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, and will feature music and activities in Julius Breckling Riverfront Park, Clinton Center Park, Heifer International Campus and the vibrant River Market District in downtown Little Rock. Children 6 and younger are free. Local and regional entertainers will be announced over the next weeks.

Advance tickets go on sale Monday, April 1, at Walgreens stores throughout Arkansas. These tickets are $17.50 for three days’ admission – half the cost of the $35 gate admission.

The advance ticket will be exchanged at any festival gateway for an IBERIABANK wristband that can be used for admission into all three days of food, fun and entertainment along the Arkansas River.

Quantities are limited for half-price tickets, so the public is encouraged to act fast. Visit www.riverfestarkansas.com for a list of store locations selling tickets.

Three-day passes sold at the gate will be $35. Tickets are now on sale online at www.riverfestarkansas.com for $30

ASO at Capital Hotel Tonight

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ASO at CHMusicians from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be performing this evening in the lobby of the historic Capital Hotel.

The music will start at 5:00 pm and will feature the Quapaw Quartet.

In 2011, the ASO started these free concerts in the lobby of the Capital Hotel.  The marble and tile of this historic lobby provide a wonderful acoustic backdrop for the musicians.

The concert will feature short, accessible pieces along with commentary from the musicians.

Unlike concerts in music halls, guests here are encouraged to bring drinks to their seats or to stand and move around while the musicians are playing.  It is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where the audience and musicians alike are able to interact with each other.

This concert is part of the ASO’s ongoing efforts to play throughout the community under the leadership of Music Director Philip Mann and Executive Director Christina Littlejohn.  In addition to the Capital Hotel concerts, they offer occasional free concerts at UAMS and have recently started the INC (Intimate Neighborhood Concerts) subscription series.

Science after Dark tonight: Extreme Weather

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579189_304785576315615_574944738_nThis month’s Science After Dark is “In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb; The Science of Extreme Weather” and will be Wednesday, March 27.

Science after Dark occurs the last Wednesday of each month. Museum educators pick a science-related topic, and develop an event around it. The event is for ages 21 and older. General admission is $5 per person. Museum members get in free.

It is a great chance to explore the museum’s exhibits and enjoy downtown Little Rock.

Free ASO concert today at UAMS

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The Ruth Allen UAMS Series takes place from time to time at UAMS and is free. This afternoon at 4:30pm the concert will feature DDG Trio, a double reed trio. DDG Trio is composed of Leanna Booze, Lorraine Duso Kitts and Beth Wheeler.

20130325-192514.jpgThe program includes:

Steinmetz – Common Ground
I. Mending Dance
II. Lament
III. Song (after Landini)
IV. All Together Now

Quayle – A News Cycle
I. Impending Doom
II. Mass Hysteria
III. Class Warfare
Iv. A Heartwarmer

Boury – Flight of the Monarch
I. Out of the Cocoon
II. At the Flower
III. On the Path

Oeste – Variations on Variations on a Theme by Paganini

Directions

From Markham, turn south onto Hooper St.
Follow signs to Parking Lot 1.
Enter the lot, which goes underground.
Take the elevator to the “top” of the parking Lot 1, which immediately adjoins the back side of the lobby.
The Music Room is at the west end of the lobby, behind the grand piano.

Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre for 2013-14

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AACCT1314The Arkansas Arts Center has announced the 2013-2014 Children’s Theatre season lineup.

The season will open with Pinkalicious the Musical, running from September 20 through October 6.  Based on the popular children’s book about a girl who turns pink, it is written by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann (based on their book).  The songs are written by John Gregor.

Next up will be The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, just in time for Halloween.  It will run from October 25 through November 10.  Alan Keith Smith has adapted Johann Wolfgang van Goethe’s poem of magic and imagination.  In this version, a modern young girl is taken on a mystical journey where she meets a medieval sorcerer’s apprentice.

The holiday show at the Children’s Theatre will involve a train filled with toys.  From November 29 through December 15, The Engine That Thought It Could will take the stage.  Alan Keith Smith has adapted Rev. Charles S. Wing’s 1906 story to create this tale of hope and determination — with plenty of holiday fun thrown in.

The winter blues will melt like butter with Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type. From January 24 through February 7, this comical romp through the barnyard will be on stage.  It involves Farmer Brown, typing cows, striking foul, and learning about compromise.  It is adapted from Doreen Cronin’s book with illustrations by Betsey Lewin.

The familiar tale The Boy Who Cried Wolf will premiere at the Children’s Theatre from March 7 through 23.  Based on Aesop’s story, Alan Keith Smith has adapted this timeless classic about honesty.

The 2013-14 season will conclude with Sleeping Beauty.  Based on the Brothers Grimm folk tale, it will be on stage from April 25 through May 11, 2014.  This classic tale of love, courage and the triumph of good over evil is sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Bradley Anderson is the artistic director of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre, and Dr. Todd Herman is the executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

 

Fireflies and Shooting Stars at Wildwood

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firefliesandshootingstars_coverFireflies and Shooting Stars, a children’s book written by Ed Raarup, will have a special presentation at Wildwood with selected readings and song performances from the book featuring Michael Rice, Raarup, Scott Eck and Little Rock’s own Vivian Norman.

There will also be an inspiring presentation by Scott Eck, singer/actor and original designer of Firefly Field, an all-accessible playground for children.

The event will take place today at 2pm at Wildwood Park for the Arts.  There is no admission charge.

The book and songs were written by Raarup and illustrated by Lindsay D. Nery.  This story book has ten chapters, over 80 colorful illustrations and an original soundtrack CD with 12 Songs.  It has been described as “a starlit, magical ride of courage, truth and hope for children of all ages!”

The book was inspired by the song “Fireflies and Shoooting Stars” by Little Rock native Michael Rice.

The book/CD will be available for purchase. A portion of sales will be donated to help fund the development of Firefly Field – an all-accessible playground in Little Rock for kids of all abilities.

Arts Center names Young Arkansas Artists

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arkartsctrlogoThe Arkansas Arts Center, the state’s premiere center for visual and performing arts, will host the 52nd Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition Awards Reception and Family Festival on April 7 from noon – 3 p.m. The awards ceremony will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Children’s Theatre.

“The arts provide children with the opportunity for self-expression and develop a platform for creativity,” said Arkansas Arts Center executive director Todd Herman. “We are excited to share with the community the vast array of creations from our young artists and celebrate their achievements.”

Artists awarded in the 52nd Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition include:

Kindergarten

  • Best of Class – Michaela Gramsch, Pulaski Academy
  • Honorable Mentions – Kylie Byrne, Christ the King School,Andrew Daniel, Carver Magnet

First Grade

  • Best of Class – Blakely Rochelle, Pine Forest Elementary
  • Honorable Mentions – Chris Jones, McGehee Elementary School, Miss Selma’s School (group project)

Second Grade

  • Best of Class – Aimee Bae, Miss Selma’s School
  • Honorable Mentions – Yvon Munoz, Jonesboro Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, Ty’Won Ware, Seventh Street Elementary School

Third Grade

  • Best of Class – Dustin Cook, Landmark Elementary School
  • Honorable Mentions – Ricardo Alvarez, Wakefield Elementary School, Taylor Watkins, Hugh Goodwin Elementary School

Fourth Grade

  • Best of Class – Jalesa Humphrey, Washington Elementary School
  • Honorable Mentions – Bethany Long, Jasper Elementary School, Jashunti Clifton, Theodore Jones Elementary School

Fifth Grade

  • Best of Class – Chloe Lawhead, Flippin Middle School Schools
  • Honorable Mentions  – Taylor Zhang, Emily Wood Drawing Workshop, Lillian Phillips, Washington Middle School

Sixth Grade

  • Best of Class – Klorissa Hamilton, Highland Middle School
  • Honorable Mentions – Callie Donley, Home School, Trinity Caver, Washington Middle School

Seventh Grade

  • Best of Class  – Mandea McDaniel, Cabot Junior High South
  • Honorable Mentions  – Lauren Lawhun, Alma Middle School, Tom Hopkins, Episcopal Collegiate Middle School

Eighth Grade

  • Best of Class  – Alondra Paredos, Washington Junior High School
  • Honorable Mentions  – Jocelyn Belsma, Caddo Hills School, Drake Omar, Pulaski Academy

Ninth Grade

  • Best of Class  – Jodie Kelso, Forrest City High School
  • Honorable Mentions  – Will Valdary, Annie Camp Junior High School, Emily Brians, Pottsville Junior High School
  • Best in Show Watercolor (MSW award) – Will Valdary, Annie Camp Junior High School

Tenth Grade

  • Best of Class – Olivia Fredricks, Cabot High School
  • Honorable Mentions  – Will Gloster, Arkansas High School, Lulu Wang, Pulaski Academy

Eleventh Grade

  • Best of Class  – Zach Blair, Little Rock Central High School
  • Honorable Mentions – Bryant Carter, Jacksonville High School, Kate Hutchison, Mountain Home High School

Twelfth Grade

  • Best of Class – Halen Parnell, Norfork High School
  • Honorable Mentions  – Hayden Thomas Ellis, Arkansas High School, Paige Goodale, Vilonia High School
  • Ray Smenner Award (Best in Show Painting) – Lauren Johnson, DeWitt High School

Members of the Arkansas Art Educators Association juried the entries, selecting approximately 100 works out of the more than 500 submissions for the exhibition. Each winner’s school will receive a monetary prize to help fund the arts program in his/her school. Selections from the 52nd Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition travel to schools and other venues in Arkansas as part of the Arts Center’s State Services traveling exhibition program.

Guest juror, Dr. Jeff Young, selected one Best of Class and two Honorable Mentions from each grade. Dr. Young earned his doctorate and Master of Arts degree from the University of North Texas and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Texas Tech University with a specialty in art education. He is currently an associate professor and chair of the art department at the University of Central Arkansas.

Activities at the family festival will include mural painting, storytelling, and exciting opportunities for adults and children to create action art. Tickets are $5 per person or $20 per family and may be purchased online at www.arkarts.com. Arkansas Arts Center members, 52nd Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition artists and their families will receive free admission.

The 52nd Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition is sponsored by Barbara and Steve Bova, Belinda Shults and U.S. Bancorp Foundation. Awards are funded by Arkansas Children’s Hospital.