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.

Museum of Discovery Summer Fun Extravaganza

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As people begin to start the summer season, the Museum of Discovery wraps up its Summer Fun Extravaganza event Today. Visitors will learn the science behind some of the most popular summertime activities.

As museum-goers arrive, they will be greeted by an extensive shell and coral display. The experience will continue in each of the three science galleries as specific exhibits will be featured to show how they relate to the summer season. Discovery cart demonstrations will be presented throughout the day relating to the ocean, like why one can hear its waves in a seashell. Also, sunblock protection will be emphasized as ultraviolet rays and their harmful effects will be examined.

Additional programming will focus on the science of air pressure as a pvc pipe ball launcher will serve as a make-shift water squirter, and a marshmallow shooter. There will even be a few surprises with bubbles.

“Summer is in a word – fun!” smiled Nan Selz, executive director for the museum. “Whether it’s boating on one of Arkansas’s beautiful lakes, spending time at the pool, or heading to the beach, we like to soak up as much fun as we can in a few short months. But our favorite past times can teach us a lot about science,” she added.

Discovery Cart Demonstrations:
10 am; 12 pm; 2 pm; 4 pm

Discovery Court Programs:
11 am; 1 pm; 3 pm

On Sunday at the museum, Dads will get in free for Father’s Day.

Arkansas Statehood Celebration – Saturday

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Tomorrow, the Old State House and Historic Arkansas Museum will present a salute to Arkansas’ statehood. These two museums of the Department of Arkansas Heritage will offer a glimpse of what life was like during the 1836 Presidential election, the first one after Arkansas became a state.

Visitors will have the chance to experience the politics, entertainment and commerce of the period. From 9am to 12 noon the program will be at Historic Arkansas Museum. At noon, participants will parade from the Historic Arkansas Museum to the Old State House waving flags and banners for the presidential candidate of their choice. The program will continue at the Old State House until 5:30pm.

There is no admission charge. Visitors will also be able to cast votes in a mock election.

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Architeaser June 15

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was one of the American flags being flown outside the Tipton Hurst main store. Since yesterday was Flag Day, it was appropriate to highlight one of the few non-government buildings which displays the flag. Today is Arkansas 176th birthday, so it is also appropriate to note that Tipton Hurst is one of the oldest businesses in the state.

In honor of Arkansas’ birthday, here is today’s Architeaser.

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Architeaser – June 14

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a cast iron shutter dog in the shape of a bunch of grapes. It can be found on 3rd Street on the campus of Historic Arkansas Museum. Other structures on that campus have shutter dogs in the shape of stars, this building is the only one with the shape of grapes. Histories Arkansas Museum is a museum of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

Since today is Flag Day, here is today’s Architeaser.

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Sid McMath Centenary

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Community organizations and the McMath family are working together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Governor Sidney Sanders McMath with activities on June 14-15 at Central Arkansas Library System venues.  Gov. McMath was born on June 14, 1912.

These organizations were important to Governor McMath at different times in his life, and the activities reflect those connections. The celebration will begin with a Historical Perspectives conference on McMath’s history and accomplishments on Thursday, June 14, from 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Arkansas Studies Institute building, 401 President Clinton Ave. Individuals who knew or worked with McMath in various projects and offices will offer presentations with subjects including The Making of a Governor, Confronting Jim Crow, and Man of Faith.

A Centennial Salute and Reception will be held on Friday, June 15, at 10 a.m. at McMath Library, 2100 John Barrow Rd. Presentation of the colors will begin the program, which will include a speaker from the McMath family. Governor Mike Beebe will speak about the significance of McMath’s time as governor. A reception in the McMath Library meeting room will be followed by family activities of health and vision screenings, mobility demonstrations, Marine Corps and college information, and a children’s book giveaway. Parking is limited, but additional parking is available at Parkview Arts/Sciences High School, 2501 John Barrow Road.

All activities are free and open to the public. The celebration is presented by the McMath family, the Central Arkansas Library System, Henderson State University, Lion’s World Services for the Blind, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, U.S. Marine Corps, Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, University of Arkansas, and Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.

Architeaser June 13

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a section of the rotunda of the 1976 annex of the Justice Building. Thais section was completed in 1976 and was designed by Noland Blass. The circular building houses the Supreme Court chambers. It is surrounded by a hallway which wraps around the chamber and is sheathed by panels of glass .

Here is today’s Architeaser.

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Next up at Arkansas Rep: William Inge’s A LOSS OF ROSES

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The original version of William Inge’s A Loss of Roses will open this Friday on June 15, 2012, at Arkansas Repertory Theatre. The revival will be directed by Tony nominee and Obie winner Austin Pendleton.

“I discovered A Loss of Roses a few years ago. I thought: this is a forgotten beautiful American play, full of colorful people and rich, juicy humor, and full of tragedy,” says Pendleton. “Since I read it, I’ve wanted to do it. I’m thrilled a theatre as good as Arkansas Rep is letting me do it.”

Pendleton directed a staged reading of A Loss of Roses featured in TONGUES at New York’s Cherry Lane Theatre in 2010. Pendleton has served as artistic director of the Circle Repertory Theatre Company in New York and is an ensemble member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Pendleton says several of Inge’s plays have been revived by theatre artists wanting to tackle the playwright’s well-made plays. However, A Loss of Roses has remained mostly on the shelf since it closed on Broadway in 1959.

Arkansas Rep’s production will feature Jean Lichty as Lila Green, Tony nominee Jane Summerhays as Helen Baird and Bret Lada as Kenny.

“Bringing a rarely-produced work by William Inge to the stage is cause for celebration; doubly so when the creative team is led by Austin Pendleton,” says Arkansas Rep Producing Artistic Director Robert Hupp. “He’s assembled a dynamic cast for this fascinating play. Arkansas Rep is honored to introduce A Loss of Roses to a new generation of theatregoers and to re-examine Inge in the context of what he spoke of as his favorite among his many works.”

A Loss of Roses was Inge’s first big setback after a string of critical and commercial successes with Bus Stop and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Picnic. The production was plagued by cast and script changes, earned poor reviews and closed after only three weeks on stage. Inge felt the play was one of his best, and was said to be stung by the criticisms.

“This play is not the play that was produced in New York last November,” Inge writes in his foreword in 1960. “It was greatly changed by the time the play opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre. Now I can’t remember why all the changes were thought necessary at the time, but working under the pressure that exists in theatre today, people become excited and mistrust their best instincts.”

A Loss of Roses will run June 15 – July 1, 2012, at Arkansas Repertory Theatre at 601 Main Street, Little Rock?