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.

Zoo Brew

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The Little Rock Zoo is hosting a fundraiser tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 20.  It is time once again for the annual Zoo Brew.

You’ll get the chance to sample dozens of beers and listen to the tunes of one of the hottest cover bands around- Donna Massey & Blue Eyed Soul!

Zoo Brew takes place in and around Cafe Africa and the Civitan Pavilion, rain or shine.
Zoo Brew will also have some tasty food vendors on hand to make your beer tasting experience more enjoyable! Tickets include a souvenir pilsner glass (while supplies last).

TICKETS ARE ONLY $20 PER PERSON

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!

LAST YEAR, ZOO BREW WAS A SELL-OUT SUCCESS, SO GET YOUR TICKET TODAY!

Must be at least 21 years of age to attend. Please bring ID.
Call 501.661.7212 for ticket information.

Tales from the South — Lost in the Woods

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Literature is filled with stories of people being lost in the woods.  For instance, most of the Brothers Grimm folk tales involve journeys through the woods.  “Tales from the South”  adds the chapter to this with tonight’s program “Lost in the Woods” featuring Trey Moore, Mary Shelton and Russell Gayer.  Music is by Brad Williams & Isaac Alexander and blues guitarist Mark Simpson

Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

“Tales from the South” is a showcase of writers reading their own true stories. While the show itself is unrehearsed, the literary memoirs have been worked on for weeks leading up to the readings. Stories range from funny to touching, from everyday occurrences to life-altering tragedies.

The program takes place at Starving Artist Café.  Dinner is served from 5pm to 6:30pm, the show starts at 7pm.  Admission is $5, not including dinner.

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.

September Preservation Conversations

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The Quapaw Quarter Association’s monthly Preservation Conversation continues tonight.

This month’s topic is a discussion of sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez. His work is found throughout Arkansas. Rachel Silva of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program will lead the discussion.

The program takes place this evening at Curran Hall, 615 East Capitol Avenue. From 5 to 5:30 a reception will take place. The program will run from 5:30 to 6:30.

The Quapaw Quarter Association’s mission is to promote the preservation of Little Rock’s architectural heritage through advocacy, marketing and education. Incorporated in 1968, the QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the urban renewal projects of the early 1960s. Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock.

Sculpture Vulture: Michael Warrick’s VISIONARY

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Today’s Sculpture Vulture features Michael Warrick’s Visionary. This bronze cast sculpture depicts a head with eyes closed. The sculpture is a permanent installation in the Bernice Garden on South Main Street.

The sculpture was created by Michael Warrick. It is a replica of a much larger piece he created for a sculpture garden in Changchun, China. That city is one of Little Rock’s Sister Cities.

Warrick is a professor in the UALR Art Department. His sculptures are in display throughout the US and in foreign countries.

This Thursday, September 20, the Bernice Garden will host an event which will feature the unveiling of the 2012 sculptures. (The garden features both permanent and temporary installations.). Six new sculptures will be unveiled. The chosen artists are : Mia Hall, Bryan Winfred Massey Sr., David O’brien, Tod “Switch” Swiecichowski, Steph Shinabetzy, and Jon M Van Horn.

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Museum of Discovery Hosts a Homecoming

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Museum of Discovery - Little Rock, ARThe Museum of Discovery will host a homecoming reception Saturday, September 15 at 2:00 pm in honor of a restored Japanese friendship doll, Miss Kyoto-shi, originally gifted to the Museum 85 years ago. Only a few such dolls remain in their original locations today.

Guests will have the opportunity to view Miss Kyoto-shi in the Museum’s Great Hall. A Hot Springs Village Japanese-American folk dancing troupe will perform in authentic dress. Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola will welcome everyone. Alan Scott Pate, the foremost authority on antique Japanese dolls in the country, will speak about the history and significance of Japanese Friendship Dolls.

As a way to ease cultural tensions in the 1920s, Japanese Viscount Eiichi Shi-busawa initiated a program to send 58 Japanese Friendship Dolls to American museums and libraries. The best doll makers in Japan were commissioned to produce the dolls. Each doll was 32-33 inches tall and they were dressed in beautiful silk kimonos. Each doll also came with unique accessories. These Japanese friendship dolls represented specific Japanese prefectures, cities or regions. The dolls were sent to libraries and museums throughout the United States.

Miss Kyoto-shi Homecoming ReceptionMiss Kyoto-shi arrived at the Arkansas Museum of Natural History and Antiquities (now the Museum of Discovery) shortly after the museum was founded in 1927. Over the years, a few dolls were lost, but Miss Kyoto-shi remained in Little Rock although she left the museum briefly for an unexplained visit to a private home for several years. In 2011 she was returned to Japan to be restored. The grandson of the original artist lineage that created her agreed to restore her completely free of charge.

The Miss Kyoto-shi homecoming event is funded by the Arkansas Humanities Council, Louisiana-based Acadiana Babes Doll Club, and other private donations.

The Donald W. Reynolds Science Center at the Museum of Discovery’s mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment. The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation awarded the Museum a $9.2 million grant solely dedicated to the renovation. The money paid for the renovation of 44,000 square feet of existing space, a 6,000 square-foot addition and new exhibits throughout the facility.

September 2nd Friday Art Night

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It is time once again for 2nd Friday Art Night.  Tonight from 5pm to 8pm at various downtown museums and galleries, guests can view art and enjoy live entertainment.  Admission is free.

Here are just a few of the highlights.

Historic Arkansas Museum will feature live music by Arkopolis as visitors view the current exhibits. Included at HAM are:

  • Recent Acquisitions: A Collection Vision, 2008 – 2012
  • The Civil War in Arkansas
  • Barbie: The 11 1/2 –inch American Icon
  • The Knife Gallery
  • Arkansas Contemporary: Selected Fellows from the Arkansas Arts Council
  • We Walk in Two Worlds: The Caddo, Osage and Quapaw in Arkansas

The Butler Center Galleries are located within the Arkansas Studies Institute building.  The galleries this month feature:

  • Pattern in Perspective: Recent Work by Carly Dahl and Dustyn Bork
  • Invasion or Liberation? The Civil War in Arkansas
  • Hope and Despair: FSA Photography in Arkansas during the Great Depression
  • Art of Living: More Artwork from the Rosalie Santine Gould Rohwer Collection

At the Old State House Museum, the galleries will be open.  In addition, music by The Morange Trio with Dave Williams II will be featured.

Learn about local preservation efforts tonight

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This evening at Curran Hall, the Quapaw Quarter Association and Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas will be hosting Preservation Libations.  It will take place from 5pm to 6:30pm.

The purpose of this evening is to learn more about the organizations and to celebrate their work saving places.   The evening is free and open to the public.

While enjoying liquid refreshments, guests can learn about upcoming programs of both the QQA and HPAA and buy tickets to their upcoming events.  Special joint memberships of the two organizations will also be available.

QQA: The Quapaw Quarter Association is a non-profit historic preservation advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the preservation of the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Greater Little Rock. The QQA grew out of an effort to identify and protect significant historic structures in Little Rock during the “urban renewal” days of the early 1960s, making it one of the oldest preservation organizations in the nation.

Throughout its existence, the QQA has been a driving force behind historic preservation in Greater Little Rock, which now boasts over 250 individually-listed National Register properties as well as 15 National Register Historic Districts. In addition to advocacy on local preservation issues, the QQA’s programs include its online newsletter, the Chronicle; an annual Spring Tour of Historic Homes; public workshops; and an historic house marker program.

HPAA: The Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas is the only statewide nonprofit organization focused on preserving Arkansas’s architectural and cultural resources. Founded in 1981, the Alliance’s mission is to educate, advocate and assist preservation efforts across the state. Through educational programs centered on architectural heritage, advocating for preservation legislation in the halls of the State Capitol and at the local level, and assisting owners of historic properties with the means and expertise to preserve and restore historic structures, the Alliance has been a statewide voice for preservation in Arkansas for three decades.