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.

Clinton School Speakers Series Continues in December

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Though things may be winding down for the year in most arenas, the Clinton School speaker series continues to be strong throughout December (thanks to the efforts of Dean Skip Rutherford and Director of Public Programs Nikolai DiPippa).  Here is the roster for the remainder of the month.

“Cameras in the Courtroom: The West Memphis Three Case,” a panel discussion
Thursday, December 13 at 6:00 p.m. (Clinton Center Great Hall) *In partnership with the Arkansas Times
– Join us for a panel discussion on “Cameras in the Courtroom” with Jason Baldwin of the West Memphis Three; Joe Berlinger, director of the documentary film series “Paradise Lost” about the West Memphis Three case and Mara Leveritt, author of “Devil’s Knot,” which also chronicles the case.

“The Little Rock Accord,” Aled Jones, director of the Global Sustainability Institute at Anglia Ruskin University
Friday, December 14 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
– As part of the meeting of General Assembly of the Club de Madrid, a non-profit organization composed of more than 90 democratic former heads of state from over 60 countries, Jones will give a presentation about the “Little Rock Accord,” an action plan to mobilize political will to increase the role of private sector finance, particularly that of pension and sovereign wealth funds in driving low carbon, climate resilient, sustainable growth, especially in developing countries.

“Vital Voices: The Power of Women Leading Change Around the World,” Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices
Monday, December 17 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall) *Book signing to follow
– Nelson will discuss the work of Vital Voices, a nonprofit that has worked for more than a decade to bring together women who want to enable others to become change agents in their governments, advocates for social justice and supporters of democracy.

Muna AbuSulayman, director of Directions Consultancy
Wednesday, December 19 at 12:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
– AbuSulayman is director of Directions Consultancy, a boutique firm for innovative impactful philanthropy. She has successfully launched, managed and scaled multiple businesses and foundations throughout her career and is continuously placed in lists naming her one of the most influential Arabs in the world.


Renowned Saudi Arabian artist Manal Al Dowayan

Wednesday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m. (Sturgis Hall)
– Manal is one of Saudi Arabia’s foremost artists – her photography has been exhibited across the world and her artworks are part of the permanent collections of the British Museum and the Jordan National Museum of Fine Art. Her series, “I Am” (2007-09) is a series of black and white photographic portraits of women and addresses issues which pertain to the position of the Arab woman in Islamic Society.
*Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu, or calling 501-683-5239.

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor Gordon N. Peay

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On this date in 1819 future Little Rock Mayor Gordon Neill Peay was born.  The Peay family arrived in Arkansas from Kentucky in 1825.  They quickly became one of Little Rock’s leading families.  Mayor Peay’s father, Nicholas Peay served on the Little Rock Board of Trustees (which existed before the town was incorporated) and later served on the City Council and was acting mayor.

Godon N. Peay served as mayor of Little Rock from 1859 to 1860.  During the Civil War, Peay served as Captain and later Colonel of the Capital Guard.  He later received a pardon from the federal government.

The Peay family owned the Peay Hotel, Little Rock’s first hotel, and were also co-founders of what became Worthen Bank.  They were also a founding family of Christ Episcopal Church. Mayor Peay later served as Pulaski County Chancery Clerk.

He died on December 14, 1876 and is buried at Mt. Holly Cemetery along with many members of his family.  His great-grandson Joseph Barber Hurst, Sr. served on the Little Rock City Board of Directors from 1967-1971. His great-great-granddaughter-in-law Stacy J. Hurst currently serves on the City Board of Directors.

WHITE CHRISTMAS continues at Ark Rep

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The Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s delightful production of White Christmas continues through December 30.  Most performances before Christmas are sold out, but the final week has great seats available, so book now.

Based upon the Paramount Pictures film, White Christmas, was written for the screen by Norman Krasna, Norman Panama and Melvin Frank.  The show features music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake.  The production is directed by Nicole Capri.

You’ll want to snuggle up with the entire family for this funny and heartwarming musical adaptation of the popular Paramount Pictures classic film!

When a pair of song and dance men follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters to their Christmas show at a Vermont inn, they realize a lack of seasonal precipitation is causing hard times.

Through delightful plot twists and a dazzling Irving Berlin score that includes “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “Happy Holiday,” “It’s Cold Outside” and of course, “White Christmas,” the fellows launch an all-out campaign to save the inn and win the sisters’ hearts.

“White Christmas is the perfect holiday musical,” says Rep Producing Artistic Director Robert Hupp. “It’s a trip down memory lane for those who remember the music and the movie, and it’s sure to inspire new appreciation for the timeless songs of Irving Berlin – one of America’s greatest composers – for younger generations.”

To order tickets, visit the Rep’s website.

Imagine Main Street – Presentation on 12.12.12

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downtownlrMain Street was important to Little Rock’s development.  As the City moved south from the Little Rock and Markham Street, the growth happened from a spur of Main Street.  Over the years, things have changed to be certain.

Plans are in the works to return Main Street to a prominent role in anchoring not only downtown, but Little Rock and the entire state.  The Downtown Little Rock Partnership is co-sponsoring with Little Rock’s Mayor Mark Stodola a public presentation of the Creative Corridor plan for Main Street on Wednesday, December 12 at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (A light lunch will be available.)

The community is invited to attend the viewing of these exciting designs with its architects, Stephen Luoni, chair of the University of Arkansas Community Design Center, and Marlon Blackwell. Luoni and Blackwell teamed with the City, DLRP, and stakeholders to create the plans via a NEA Our Town grant.

Partial green streetscapes as demonstrated in the plan will soon be implemented on some blocks of Main Street as a part of a grant from the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission.

For more information or to RSVP contact the Downtown Little Rock Partnership office at 501-375-0121 or email Jayme Morrisette at jmorrisette@downtownlr.com.

Festivus for the Best of Us

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Festivus for the Best of UsAn organization dedicated to historic preservation continues to make history by hosting the second ever official Festivus party in Little Rock.

Festivus is a festival for the rest of us.

No Festivus is complete without the airing of grievences or the feats of strength.  There will also be the official ceremonial pole which has no decorations because “tinsel is too distracting.”

When: Tuesday, December 11 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Where: Arkansas Governor’s Mansion

Tickets are $35 for QQA members and $40 for non members.  Tickets and QQA memberships are available at the door.  The price includes food and open bar.

Proceeds benefit the preservation programs of the Quapaw Quarter Association.

Oxford American Music Issue!

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14th Annual Music IssueThe Oxford American’s holiday gift to readers and music lovers is the annual music issue.  This year (the 14th edition) is dedicated to Louisiana.  Reading this and listening to the cd is the perfect way to unwind after shopping or holiday parties — or the perfect escape from pesky relatives.

Little Rock is fortunate to have the Oxford American located here.  Kudos to publisher Warwick Sabin and the OA staff and board for creating another great issue and cultural experience.

The Oxford American’s 2012 Southern Music Issue showcases the rich musical heritage of the state of Louisiana, where sounds emanating from the swamps of Acadiana, the cotton fields of North Louisiana, and the streets and barrelhouses of New Orleans percolated into America’s national consciousness and left a profound mark on modern music.

As always, the issue includes a CD featuring an exciting mix of music and artists. Handpicked by the staff of The Oxford American and guest editor Alex Rawls, creator of Myspiltmilk.com and a longtime fixture of the Louisiana music scene, this year’s 21-track compilation showcases the great variety of styles and genres that have emerged from the creole state—from Cajun to funk, country, jazz, New Orleans bounce, zydeco, r&b, gospel, blues, rock & roll, and everything in between.

In 152 pages of insightful writing and stunning artwork,The Oxford American delves deep into Louisiana’s musical landscape—its past, present, and future.

Highlights include:

  • Jason Berry, author of Up From the Cradle of Jazz, on the life and legacy of Professor Longhair, the “Bach of Rock”
  • Jazz critic Stanley Crouch with a definitive exposition on the jazz aesthetic and the fundamental innovations of New Orleans’s greatest jazz artists
  • Three new poems by Louisiana’s own Yusef Komunyakaa, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who evokes the region’s blues and jazz traditions in his verse and vernacular
  • Amanda Petrusich on the emotional power of the singing and playing of Amédé Ardoin, the great Creole accordionist
  • Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Chris Rose on Louisiana’s role as the cradle of American music
  • Duncan Murrell explores the paradoxes of the quest for authenticity and originality in American roots music and the conflicts that have arisen between New Orleans’s musical communities and political authorities

PLUS: Interviews, profiles, remembrances, and special features devoted to an array of artists and institutions, including Johnny Adams, Rev. Utah Smith, Margaret Lewis, Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns, Robert Pete Williams, The Meters, Barbara Reid, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Shreveport’s Louisiana Hayride, Terrance Simien, New Orleans brass bands, Bourbon Street, Tony Joe White, Zydeco hip-hop, and more.

Arkansas Chamber Singers: Singing for Joy

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ACSThe Arkansas Chamber Singers present their annual holiday concert this weekend.  Singing for Joy will feature many treasured carols and songs of the season.

The performances are tonight (December 7) at 7:30pm; Saturday, December 8 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 9 at 3:00pm. This year the concert will take place at the historic Old State House museum.  There is no charge for admission to the concert.

The Arkansas Chamber Singers were formed in 1979.  It is an auditioned vocal ensemble dedicated to enriching the lives of the people of Arkansas by performing and promoting the finest of classical and contemporary choral repertoire.  The Arkansas Chamber Singers are under the direction of John M. Erwin, who is also a professor of choral music at the University of Central Arkansas.  He has led the group since 1999.