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.

Architeaser – June 12

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a cornice on the eastern exterior of the Arkansas State Capitol building. The building was completed in 1915 though it was first occupied in 1911. It was based on a design by architect George Mann though other architects and contractors were involved in modifications during the 16 year construction period.  The exterior is largely limestone quarried in Batesville.

Here is today’s Architeaser, which shows the wonders that glass can do in reflecting and refracting images when used in architecture.

Clinton School presents panel on Ark Rep’s A LOSS OF ROSES

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The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will host a panel discussion with Tony Award-nominated director Austin Pendleton and cast members of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s production of A Loss of Roses.  The panel will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, June 13 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park. The program is free and open to the public.

A Loss of Roses is a little-known William Inge masterpiece that tells the story of two women struggling to make their lives bearable in a small Kansas town. Penned in the intimate style of Tennessee Williams, who was Inge’s mentor, A Loss of Roses is a bittersweet romance about the loss of innocence which garnered a young Warren Beatty a Tony Award nomination in the 1959 Broadway production. The play will run on The Rep’s stage from June 13 to July 1.

Director Austin Pendleton starred in the original cast of Fiddler on the Roof (and can be heard on the original cast recording). Since the 1960s he has had successful careers as an actor, playwright, director, lyricist, teacher and administrator.  In addition to his Tony nomination for directing Elizabeth Taylor and Maureen Stapleton in The Little Foxes, he has received the Clarence Derwent Award (for Hail Strawdyke) and Obie Award (The Last Sweet Days of Isaac).  Among his many films are What’s Up Doc? and the Academy Award winning My Cousin Vinny.

Architeaser – June 11

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Last Friday’s Architeaser was a panel of fish from the art deco and brick building at 701 West Capitol.  Though the assessor’s records indicate the building was built in 1960, it appears to be much older to that (though some of the brick work looks newer so that may be the source of the 1960 date).

Here is today’s Architeaser.

Reel Classics with The Rep: PICNIC

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Tonight at Laman Library, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre continues “Reel Classics with the Rep.”

Join The Rep for a discussion with The Rep’s Producing Artistic Director, Bob Hupp as he discusses The Rep’s upcoming production of A Loss of Roses by American playwright William Inge.  Following the discussion, Laman Library will screen the 1955 the Academy Award-winning romantic drama “Picnic” starring William Holden and Kim Novak based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play by William Inge.

Reel Classics With The Rep runs the second Monday of every month at Laman Library, 2801 Orange in North Little Rock and is free and open to the public.

Call Laman Library for more details (501) 758-1720.

Sculpture Vulture: Jan Woods’ FULL OF HIMSELF

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Since the Belmont Stakes were run yesterday and tonight’s Tony Awards promises many tight horse races, today’s Sculpture Vulture features one of the horse sculptures found in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden in Riverfront Park.

Jan Woods’ Full of Himself was installed in 2009. It was donated by Ms. Woods and the National Sculptors’ Guild. Ms. Woods was a featured sculptor during the 2009 Sculpture at the River Market event. The sculpture, made of bronze, depicts a horse mid-canter standing tall with head erect and tail proudly raised.

Woods creates sculptures of a variety of subjects (including doing the bust of President Clinton which is on the grounds of the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion) but is perhaps best known for her equine sculptures.

Stars and Stripes — LR Wind Symphony Flag Day Concert

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The Little Rock Wind Symphony’s annual Flag Day concert will take place this evening in MacArthur Park.  Sponsored, in part by the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, the concert is the LRWS’s annual salute to the red, white, and blue.  Picnics are encouraged. There will also be free ice cream and free American flags to wave throughout the concert.

Under the baton of Music Director, Karen Fannin, the musicians of the Little Rock Wind Symphony will perform the following selections:

George Gershwin / Barker: Strike up the Band
Scott Joplin / arr. Frackenpohl: Maple Leaf Rag
Scott Joplin / arr. Bourgeois: Sunflower Slow Drag
Thomas Allen / Cramer: Whip and Spur Galop
Jerry Bilik: American Civil War Fantasy
John Philip Sousa: The Thunderer
Henry Fillmore: Rolling Thunder
Irving Berlin: God Bless America
Bob Lowden: Armed Forces Salute
Samuel Ward / Carmen Dragon: America the Beautiful
John Philip Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever

Architeaser June 8

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Yesterday’s Architeaser was a Lion near the entrance of the Museum Center building in the River Market district. It was the second feature for the building this week, but was part of a separate piece of art near the entrance.

Today’s Architeaser has, in part, been featured on this blog before but not as part of the Architeaser feature.  The Tony Awards are this weekend; one of the featured musicals is a revival of Porgy and Bess with the famous song “Summertime” which contains lyrics about the fish jumping. These fish may not be jumping, but they are enjoying summertime.