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: Science After Dark on Wednesday evening (3/28)

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The Museum of Discovery’s new monthly program series designed for persons ages 21 and older, titled “Science After Dark,” will occur Wednesday, March 28, 2012 6-8 pm. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about science in a unique, fun setting.

This month’s theme is polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as vinyl. People will be entertained when learning what vinyl is, how it is made and what its uses are.

“Many people will remember when vinyl was used for music records. Of course, some may not! They were around long before cds and dvds. We’ve partnered with the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) staff, and they will be bringing some of their stored records. We plan to have a record sale. It will be fun to browse through some fun classics,” said Joel Gordon, the Museum’s visitor experience manager.

Since re-opening in January, the new Museum of Discovery has developed programming for multiple audiences. Its mission is to “ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment” – at any age.

“The Museum of Discovery has many educational offerings. We’re here to serve as a science resource for the whole state. For years, we’ve been a favorite with families and educators. Today, this new facility is a quality attraction for all ages,” said Nan Selz, Executive Director of the Museum.

“We began hosting Science After Dark in January as a way to engage adults by presenting the world of science in an entertaining way,” she added.

Science After Dark is held the fourth Wednesday of each month. Museum educators pick a different topic, and develop an event around it. In addition to this month’s old-school record sale, activities will include tinkering with records and a record-spinning disc jockey. The event is for ages 21 and older, admission is $10 per person and a cash bar will be available. Museum members will be admitted for free.

For more information on Science After Dark or the Museum of Discovery, visit www.museumofdiscovery.org, follow us on www.facebook.com/museumofdiscovery and www.twitter.com/arkmod, or call (501) 396-7050.

Another elite architectural award for a Little Rock firm and building

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Polk Stanley Wilcox of Little Rock was awarded the American Architecture Award for its design of the Heifer International Murphy Keller Education Center in Little Rock.

In the last five years, PSW has won this award for both the Acxiom Data Center and the Heifer International Headquarters.

The Murphy Keller Eduction Center provides a place for visitors, staff, volunteers and the international development community to come together to learn about world hunger and poverty and current solutions to these problems.

It features an interactive learning center that includes exhibit space, a conference hall, a fair trade gift market and food service area.

“This recognition is proof that good design matters, and can contribute to getting an organization like Heifer’s message out into the public eye, which is critical for their humanitarian efforts,” Reese Rowland, the project’s principal architect, said. “We are also excited to bring more national exposure to downtown Little Rock as well.”

The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design & Urban Studies and Metropolitan Arts Press Ltd., selected the Polk Stanley Wilcox design for the award, one of 46 given this year.

The American Architecture Award aims to celebrate the “most outstanding new architecture” designed and built in the United States by American and international architects.

About 1,000 projects from around the world were considered for the award.

Sculpture Vulture: St. Vincent

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This week’s Sculpture Vulture features sculptures on the campus of the St. Vincent Medical Center. On either side of the main entrance to the hospital are marble sculptures. One is of the hospital’s namesake St. Vincent de Paul and the other is of Jesus Christ.

The statue of St. Vincent depicts him with two children. In his left arm, he holds a small boy and is looking down at a young girl with outstretched arms. The statue was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Young.

Opposite the statue of St. Vincent is a statue of Jesus Christ. It depicts him standing with arms raised.

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In Concert – Philander Smith College Choir

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Tomorrow evening (Sunday March 25) the Philander Smith College Choir in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock.

Under the direction of Dr. Jeff Parker, and accompanied by Theresa Webb, this award-winning choir has sung at landmarks such as the Kennedy Center and the Crystal Cathedral. The choir appeared at the 1996 Election Night celebration, the 1993 Presidential Inauguration, 1992 Democratic National Convention and won first place at the 1992 American Negro Spiritual Festival.

The concert repertoire for the choir includes a variety of styles that include European-influenced music, African-American spirituals, blues, jazz, work songs and gospel songs.

Dr. Parker is a native of Hot Springs.  He has a bachelor’s degree from Ouachita Baptist University, a master’s from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas and a doctorate in musical arts and choral conducting from the University of South Carolina.

CALS Lights Way at New Library Construction Site

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Photo courtesy of CALS

Just as libraries are places for illuminating minds, lights are shining on the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS) Children’s Library Initiative project at 4800 West 10th Street.

A tree on the site was lighted in November, and continues to highlight the work that has progressed. The structural steel is being erected, and roof beams are now being placed. The slab for the lower level has been poured, and the project is on schedule for the upper floor slab to pour very soon. Interior finishes are being selected, with the products and colors chosen for the countertops and the flooring carpet, tile, and cork.

Library staff is currently designing programming with Arkansas Out of School Network (AOSN), Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Central Little Rock Promise Neighborhood (CLRPN), the Clinton School of Public Service, and other organizations in preparation for the opening of the facility in early 2013. The library will offer programming for infants through middle school-aged children, including Storytime, crafts, music, and book clubs. The opening of the children’s library will allow CALS to expand the number and types of programs available for children. Public computers and a computer lab will allow more children to learn how to use and have access to computers and the Internet. Computer safety classes will teach them, and their parents, how to access the Internet safely.

Other planned features of the facility and site include a kitchen, gardens, and a greenhouse that will provide opportunities for enrichment activities for children in a wide variety of areas which cannot be duplicated currently by any other single organization. Located south of I-630 between the Pine/Cedar and Fair Park exits, the new Children’s Library will help anchor the renewal of the 12th Street Corridor Revitalization Project.

Olio Folio – Updates from the Rep, CALS and ASO

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Today we take a look at updates on a variety of previous posts.

First – the Arkansas Repertory Theatre has extended The Wiz through April 8.  It was originally supposed to end on April 1, but an additional week has been added due to overwhelming ticket demand.  Up next at the Rep after The Wiz – the annual ArtWorks auction followed by Next to Normal and A Loss of Roses.

Next up  – March 13 proved to be lucky for the Central Arkansas Library System as voters overwhelmingly approved the ballot initiative for future library expansion.  The vote was 4,548 FOR to 699 Against.  Because interest rates are at historic lows, bonds will be refinanced which will generate an estimated $19 million. Planned projects include:

– adding thousands of books, CDs, DVDs, children’s material, Arkansas history/genealogy materials, online audiobooks, databases, and eBooks to the collection
– adding space to accommodate the growing collections and services provided by the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies
– adding approximately 250 new parking spaces on the Main Library campus
– expanding Internet capacity and adding more computers and other electronic devices
– expanding children and adult spaces at the McMath Library on John Barrow Road
– constructing a 350-seat auditorium on the Main Library campus for expanded programs for children and adults
– making miscellaneous improvements and repairs to various Little Rock branch libraries
– purchasing land in far west Little Rock for a future branch

 

Finally, the audience spoke at the recent Arkansas Symphony Orchestra “People’s Choice” Pops Concert.  The audience chose the following pieces to be performed:

Best Classical Composer
*Beethoven – Symphony No. 5 First Movement

Best Classic Film Score
*Lawrence of Arabia

Best Contemporary Film Score
*Titanic

Best Sci/Fi Soundtrack
*Star Wars

Best Animated TV Show
* “Looney Tunes”

Best TV Show
*“Mission Impossible”

Best Kids’ Pick
*Anastasia

Best Video Game
*The Legend of Zelda

Best Broadway Score
*The Phantom of the Opera

 

Arkansas Symphony 2012-2013 Masterworks and Pops

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Continuing with the Spring Break theme of looking to next year, today’s entry looks at the 2012-2013 Masterworks and Pops offerings from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will kick off the 2012-2013 season on September 29 and 30 with a Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks concert featuring violinist Augustin Hadelich returning to play Eduoard Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole.  Also on the program are Strauss’ Don Juan and von Dohanyi’s Suite in F-sharp Minor. ASO Musical Director/Conductor Philip Mann will conduct.

The ASO next turns to the Pops series. The Acxiom Pops Live! series starts on October 6 & 7 with the Beatles tribute act Classical Mystery Tour. ASO Associate Conductor Geoffrey Robson will lead this concert.

Pulitzer Prize winning composer Jennifer Higdon will be the ASO Composer of the Year for 2012-2013.  Her composition To the Point will be featured on the ASO’s second Masterworks concert on October 20 and 21.  That concert will also featured pianist Elissa Bolkkvadze performing Saint-Saens’ Piano Concerto No. 2 and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5.

On November 10 and 11, the ASO’s annual “Beethoven & Blue Jeans” concert will showcase Tan Dun’s Pipa Concerto featuring soloist Wu Man. Also on the program is the overture to Beethoven’s only ballet, The Creatures of Prometheus.  The evening will conclude with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade.

For many families, it isn’t the holidays without the annual ASO Happy Holidays concert.  In 2012 it will take place on December 14-16.  Plan accordingly.

In January, the ASO will start 2013 with guest conductor Guillermo Figueroa, music director of the New Mexico Symphony and Colorado’s Music in the Mountains Festival on January 26 and 27.  ASO principal cellist David Gerstein will solo on Tchaikovsky’s Variationson a Rococo Theme.  The concerts will also include Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No. 1 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.

Returning to Pops, on February 9 and 10, the ASO will present “A Night at the Movies.”  Later that month, the ASO will feature Composer of the Year Higdon again on February 23 and 24.  In addition to her blue cathedral, the program will include Haydn’s No. 95 in C minor and Shostakovich’s No. 10 in E minor.

The ASO will march into March with a celebration of the American Songbook on the Pops schedule on March 16 and 17.

The Masterworks season will conclude on April 13 and 14, 2013.  Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto featuring Midori will be the centerpiece of the evening.  Also on the bill will be the overture to Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro as well as Brahms’ Symphony No. 4.

The final concert of the 2012-2013 season will be in the Pops series: Cirque de la Symphonie.  This concert, on May 11 and 12, will featured six Cirque du Soleil veterans performing to music accompanied by the ASO.

Sponsors for the 2012-2013 season are the Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Acxiom and American Airlines.