Category Archives: Holidays

GREMLINS is final entry in CALS “Not-Quite-Holiday” Film Fest

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A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town. This is all a part of GREMLINS as it brings to a close the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) ”Not-Quite-Holiday” Film Fest.

(A scarier film of the same title would be a movie about the 1970s era AMC cars coming to life.)

Starring Zach Galligan and Phoebe Cates, this 1984 film also features Hoyt Axton, Keye Luke, Polly Holliday and the voice of Howie Mandel. And because it was a 1980s teen movie, it features one of the Coreys — the Feldman variety.

GREMLINS starts at 6:30 pm at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 Rock Street in Library Square.  Admission is $5. Tickets are available at ronrobinsontheater.org.

As part of the holiday film series, concessions at Ron Robinson Theater include an expanded hot drinks menu and gourmet candied popcorn options.

The Not-Quite-Holiday Film Fest is sponsored in part by The Point 94.1 and The Ride 106.7.

Little Rock Look Back: LRSD Choirs sing Christmas Carols on Robinson Auditorium steps

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In front of Robinson Center, one of the sculptures is called “Let the Music Play.” 79 years ago today, the music played on the front steps of the building as construction continued on the inside.

On the afternoon of December 18, 1939, 500 school children from elementary schools were joined by the A Capella Choir of Little Rock High School as they sang Christmas carols on the front steps of the auditorium on a weekday afternoon. The singers were accompanied by the Little Rock High School Brass Sextet. The invocation for the event, which was sponsored by the Little Rock Council of Parents and Teachers, was delivered by the Right Reverend Richard Bland Mitchell, the Episcopal Bishop of Arkansas.

A Christmas tree in front of City Hall was lit up as part of the ceremony as well. Media coverage noted that the audience witnessing the program stood on the front steps of the Pulaski County Courthouse, the side lawn of City Hall and in front of the steps of Robinson Auditorium. It was also noted that most windows in the nearby government buildings were filled with people watching the festivities.

DIE HARD tonight at the CALS “Not-Quite-Holiday Film Fest” at the Ron Robinson Theater

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Image result for die hardIt’s a wonderful life, unless you happen to find yourself in Nakatomi Tower on Christmas Eve. Tonight, John McClane utters his famous “Yippee Ki Yay…….” quote as part of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) ”Not-Quite-Holiday” Film Fest.

Starring Bruce Willis, this 1988 film also features Bonnie Bedelia, Alexander Godunov, Reginald Vel Johnson (and his Twinkies), Paul Gleason, James Shigeta, William Atherton, Hart Bochner, and De’voreaux White.  It was also the first theatrical film of the ever-cool and charmingly evil Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber.

It starts at 6:30 pm at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 Rock Street in Library Square.  Admission is $5. Tickets are available at ronrobinsontheater.org.

As part of the holiday film series, concessions at Ron Robinson Theater include an expanded hot drinks menu and gourmet candied popcorn options.

The Not-Quite-Holiday Film Fest is sponsored in part by The Point 94.1 and The Ride 106.7.

14th EVER Nog Off results. And the winners are….

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Historic Arkansas Museum has announced the winners of last Friday’s 14th ever Nog Off!
Taster’s Choice Award
Eggnog Ice Cream by Loblolly Creamery
“BAE!”
“Love this play on the traditional nog. I think this may be my new favorite ice cream and as it melts it turns into nog and stays cold.”
“Wanted to eat my weight in it!”

People’s Choice Award
Pioneer’s “Nog on a Log” Eggnog by Arkansas Pioneer’s Association
“I love this, and I am now snockered.”
“So well-balanced; yummy!”
“Great mouthful, lovely alcoholy aftertaste.”

Not Your Great, Great, Great Grandfather’s Eggnog
Citrus Capital Eggnog by Matias de Matthaeis at the Capital Hotel
“Lemon meringue pie goodness.”
“Christmassy, very inventive.”
“Amazing presentation. It was like opening a present – first a raft of beautiful citrus custard and candied orange peel, and then the most other worldly beverage underneath.”

Congratulations to our winners! And thank you all so much for being such great partners in this much-beloved, community event! Here are some comments on the other nogs:

Nicholas Peay’s Eggnog (Rachel Worthen and Bill Worthen): “Bourbon cake batter.” “Good Scottish kick in the pants.” “This is like a nog cloud – reminds me of a sabayon – so light and fun to drink.”

Keg Nog (Stone’s Throw Brewing and The Pizzeria): “Yummo.” “Surprising.”” Fun and effervescent.”

Hollisopp & Chapple Nog (Allsopp and Chapple Restaurant and Bar): “Soooo drinkable.” “So friendly and delicious.” “Savory undertones – nice kick.” “This is one I could sip all night long!”

BootlEgg Nog (South on Main): “Whiskey was perfect.” “Love it. Love the people.” “Goldilocks – just right.”

“’Tis the Reason” Eggnog and Bread (Old Mill Bread and E.J.s Eats & Drinks): “Smooth.” “This is what the holidays are all about!”

Big Orange Eggnog (Big Orange: Mid-Town): “Great vanilla notes, cinnamon and smooth.” “Christmas in your mouth.” “Gingerbread cookie.” “This has notes of cotton candy!” “Enjoyed the tantalizing quality of the spiciness.”

Until next time. Happy Nogging!

9th annual Holiday Music at the Arsenal this afternoon

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This afternoon from 2pm to 4pm, visitors to the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History can enjoy a seasonal concert given by pupils of the Margaret Wyatt Vocal and Piano Studios.

Wyatt enjoyed a career in both opera and musical theater, working throughout the United States and locally with the Arkansas Repertory Theater and Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  She has taught piano and voice in Little Rock for over 25 years.  Included in the concert will be holiday favorites from around the world.  The concert is free and open to the public.

Located in the historic Arsenal Tower in MacArthur Park, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History honors the Arkansans who have served in the armed forces.  Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, weapons, documents, uniforms and other military items that vividly portray Arkansas’s military history at home and abroad.

Home for the Holidays with the ASO and Maestro Philip Mann this weekend

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Maestro Philip Mann and the musicians of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra welcome singers Maria Fasciano and Vernon Di Carlo, Arkansas Chamber Singers, and the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Drum Band to take the Robinson Center Performance Hall stage on December 14-16.

Kids aged one to one hundred will enjoy fun holiday favorites like “Silver Bells,” “O Holy Night,” and “White Christmas,” fun selections from The Nutcracker featuring steel drums, brassy Henry Mancini arrangements and winter-themed orchestral music.

Concerts are tonight at 7:30, Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 and Sunday, December 16 at 3:00.  Because Sunday’s show is nearly sold out, the Entergy Kids’ Ticket program has been extended to tonight’s concert.

ANDERSON – Sleigh Ride
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV – Dance of the Tumblers from The Snow Maiden Suite
LIVINGSTON/EVANS arr. Holcombe – Silver Bells (Vernon Di Carlo, vocal)
MANCINI – Joy
ADAMS/Ryden – O Holy Night (Maria Fasciano, vocal)
BERLIN/Moss – White Christmas (Vernon Di Carlo, vocal)
BIZET – IV. Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2
TYZIK – Twelve Gifts of Christmas (Maria Fasciano, vocal)

~INTERMISSION~

MANCINI/Hayes – Christmas Rhapsody
TCHAIKOVSKY – Selections from The Nutracker (with the Episcopal Collegiate School Steel Drum Band)
RICHMAN – Hanukkah Festival Overture
STYNE/Hayes – The Christmas Waltz (with chorus)
COURTNEY – Festival Gloria (with chorus)
HERMAN/Hayes – We Need a Little Christmas (with chorus)
FINNEGAN – Singalong

Extras!
Pre-concert happenings in the marble lobby:

  • Friday: Concertmaster Andrew Irvin’s violin caroling ensemble
  • Saturday: Brent Shires (ASO horn) leads his Hornaments ensemble
  • Sunday: Annual Children’s Fair (begins at 2 p.m.)

Little Rock Look Back: Gordon Neill Peay

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Mayor PeayOn December 12, 1819, future Little Rock Mayor Gordon Neill Peay was born.  The Peay family arrived in Arkansas from Kentucky in 1825.  They quickly became one of Little Rock’s leading families.

Mayor Peay’s father, Nicholas Peay served on the Little Rock Board of Trustees (which existed before the town was incorporated) and later served on the City Council and was acting mayor. It is Nicholas Peay’s Egg Nog recipe which inspired the Historic Arkansas Museum Nog Off!

Godon N. Peay served as mayor of Little Rock from 1859 to 1861.  During the Civil War, Peay served as Captain and later Colonel of the Capital Guard.  He later received a pardon from the federal government.  In the days leading up to the Civil War and during it, Mayor Peay was one of a select group of civic leaders who corresponded with President Lincoln and other Union leaders. It has been said that this conciliatory tone is a reason that Little Rock fared better during Federal occupation and Reconstruction than did many other Confederate cities.

The Peay family owned the Peay Hotel, Little Rock’s first hotel, and were also co-founders of what became Worthen Bank.  They were also a founding family of Christ Episcopal Church. Mayor Peay later served as Pulaski County Chancery Clerk.

He died on December 14, 1876, and is buried at Mount Holly Cemetery along with many members of his family.  A nephew of his, Ashley Peay, served on the City Council in the 1920s.  Mayor Peay’s great-grandson Joseph Barber Hurst, Sr. served on the Little Rock City Board of Directors from 1967-1971. One of Mr. Hurst’s sons, Howard, was born on Mayor Peay’s birthday.