Category Archives: History

June Science after Dark celebrates 50th anniversary of first moonlanding

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On July 20, 1969, man stepped on moon for the first time.

On June 27, 2019, the Museum of Discovery’s Science After Dark program will celebrate that 50th anniversary milestone  The program runs from 6pm to 9pm at the Museum.

No word on whether anyone present will be a believer that it was all a hoax staged in a TV studio.

Apollo 11 was the first crewed mission to land on the Moon.  Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were the crew for this historic mission.

Who says the Museum of Discovery is only for kids?!? Not the hundreds of 21-and-older science-and-fun lovers who attend Science After Dark each month. Because, science is fun … at any age! Science After Dark provides visitors the opportunity to have fun and learn about science in a unique setting.

Museum educators pick a science-related topic and build an entertaining, interactive evening around it. You never know what will sprout, pop, fizzle, or glow. We invite you to discover the science of having fun. Museum partners are there to serve pizza, and a full bar from craft beer to wine to cocktails is available.

And beyond the themed activities each month, Science After Dark admission ($5, free for members) includes access to all museum galleries and our 90-plus hands-on, interactive exhibits.

Arkansas Outhouses focus of Old State House Museum Brown Bag Lecture today

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“Crescent Moons, Catalogues, and Corn Cobs: A Contemplative Look at Arkansas’s Privies and Outhouses”

No matter what they’ve been called — an outhouse, privy, necessary, loo, or even other, more vulgar names, the outhouse has long been the “butt” of puns and jokes.

And because in the post-World War II era they were often associated with rural and poor regions of the country, for many years pairing Arkansas (as well as much of the South) with outhouses was an easy source for a joke or a barb.

Of course, the history of the outhouse goes a lot deeper than that, so join us on Thursday, June 27, from Noon – 1:00 pm, as Rachel Whitaker, a research specialist with the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, shares a lighthearted, yet informative look at this most “necessary” structure!

Admission is free. Bring your lunch; we’ll provide soft drinks and water. Parking is available in the garage beneath the DoubleTree Hotel.

Mark and Erin Reunited – tonight at the Lobby Bar

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Join Mark Binns & Erin Martinez Warner at the Lobby Bar as they reunite for an intimate evening of friendship, love, and MUSIC!

The Lobby Bar is a cover-free, family-friendly environment. Just come out and enjoy the tunes!

Mark & Erin will be joined by longtime friends and collaborators Pat Lindsey on drums, Brian Wolverton on bass, and Barry McVinney on reeds.

“It’s Good to be King: Staging and Status in Shakespeare” is topic of Chad Bradford talk for Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre

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How does Shakespeare seek to convey status onstage?

Join AST Artistic Collective member Chad Bradford in an interactive talk about stage directions and status in the Elizabethan era.

Originally from Little Rock, Chad is a director, actor, and composer based out of New York City. Chad is a member of Actor’s Equity Association and has had the privilege to work all across the country.

Chad is currently the Associate Artistic Director for Shake on the Lake Shakespeare in Western New York.  During his time there he has directed RICHARD III, TWELFTH NIGHT, A MISDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE SANTALAND DIARIES, and ROMEO AND JULIET.

The discussion will take place in McAlister Hall’s Mirror Room, UCA. The program starts at 5pm.

APOLLO 13 is tonight’s Movies in the Park feature

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Summer nights are the perfect escape from the hot days, especially when the River Market’s outdoor film series returns to the First Security Amphitheater.

Movies in the Park continues its 15th season tonight with Apollo 13.

By the time the Apollo 13 mission launched in 1970, the United States had already landed on the moon, twice. The public was no longer hanging on every detail of the manned missions to the lunar surface or every rocket the United States put into orbit. However, that changed on April 14. Following the rupture of an on-board oxygen tank, the three-man crew was forced to abort their lunar landing and focus on getting home in one piece.

This 1995 movie stars Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris, and Kathleen Quinlan. It was directed by Ron Howard.  The film was nominated nine Academy Awards and won for Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

Families, picnics, and leashed pets are invited to the park to enjoy movies under the stars, but no glass containers. Don’t forget the bug spray! An adult must accompany all children under the age of 18 and an ID is required. Chaperoned youth, sports, church and other groups are welcome! The amphitheater will open an hour before film showings (approx. 7:30) and movies with begin at sundown each week (approx. 8:30).

For more information about Movies in the Park and to see which films will feature live performances or other activities before the showings, visit www.rivermarket.info or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lrrivermarket

Happy Birthday to Buddy Villines

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On this date in 1947, future Little Rock Mayor Floyd G. “Buddy” Villines was born.  A 1969 graduate of Hendrix College, he served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971. He later graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Law School.

Villines’ first interaction with Little Rock City Hall was as an employee in the City Manager’s office.  After joining the private sector, he returned to City Hall in 1985 serving on the Little Rock City Board of Directors.  He was re-elected in 1989.

While on the City Board, he was chosen as Vice Mayor for a two year term in 1987 and 1988.  The following year he was selected as Mayor for a two year term.  In 1990, Villines was elected Pulaski County Judge; he resigned from the City Board in December 1990 to take office.

Villines served as Pulaski County Judge for 24 years, from January 1991 until December 2014.  He is the longest serving County Judge in Pulaski County history.

Grand Re-Opening of Historic Arkansas Museum Children’s Gallery today!

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Join Historic Arkansas Museum today (June 22) from 9am to noon for the grand re-opening of the Sturgis Children’s Gallery.

This free event will showcase a brand new permanent exhibit designed especially for kids 4-10 years old. Based on the museum’s historic site, children can interact with all the things they see but can’t touch on the grounds tour: use a skeleton key to unlock the front door of a period-inspired playhouse, pick plush vegetables from a mini garden, pump a bellows to stoke a cooking fire, and dress up in 19th century clothing.

Featuring hands-on kids’ crafts with Zig Zag art studio, silly songs with comedic duo mömandpöp music, plus a special kids’ art show and yummy snacks!

Sponsored by the Historic Arkansas Museum Foundation