Category Archives: Holidays

Science with Santa today at the Museum of Discovery!

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arkmod-science-santa“Hydrogen Oxygen, Hydrogen Oxygen, Hydrogen Oxygen”
That is how scientist Santa says “Ho Ho Ho.”
The Museum of Discovery today offers its popular annual Science with Santa!
  • Make shrinky dink ornaments, custom cookie cutters and gingerbread play dough!
  • Enjoy candy cane “experiments,” holiday science shows, hot chocolate and face-painting.
  • Meet museum animals, birds from Raptor Rehab of Central Arkansas and, of course, Santa Claus (and have your photo made with him!)
Science with Santa is included in regular museum admission ($10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under and free for members and children under one.)
Purchase tickets online or at the door.

This Weekend only – Pagans on Bobsleds XXV! as only Red Octopus can bring it!

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Red Octopus Theater presents Pagans on Bobsleds is XXV! A holiday tradition for many, Red Octopus theater is proud to present Pagans on Bobsleds XXV!

Pagans on Bobsleds XXV! will be performed December 8, 9, 10, 2016 at The PUBLIC Theater, 616 Center St., in downtown Little Rock. Shows will start at 8PM and doors will open at 7:30PM. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, students & active military and veterans. No reservations are necessary and there will be refreshments available. The show is recommended for mature audiences, child tickets are $496.  (If you tell them Jason Willey sent you, you might get a kid in for a discounted price of $377.)

Pagans on Bobsleds started twenty-five years ago by a bunch of a actors, writers, artists and plain weirdos looking to do something that wasn’t happening in the local arts scene. Since then, this yearly cacophony of holiday themed sketch comedy has become a tradition not only for the members of Red Octopus, but for many of their fans. Through the years, the Pagans On Bobsleds cast has included over 100 different actors, writers, musicians and artists.

The show started long before any of the current cast was in Red Octopus and before a few of them were born. With timeless favorites like Santa-man, Fruitcake, Frosty, the Choirs and the Pagans on Bobsleds song, this show will also feature new material from The Old Lady, Hermes the Elf and a special tribute to Santa. So we invite everyone to come celebrate twenty-five years of Pagans on Bobsleds this holiday season!

The cast includes Alli Clark, Lesley Dancer, Josh Doering, Scott Dombroski, Drew Ellis, Sam Grubb, Jeremiah Herman, Anderson Penix, Evan Tanner, Jason Thompson and Jason Willey with special help from Michael Goodbar, Luke Rowlan and Christina Wang.

For more information please contact Red Octopus Theater at (501) 291-3896, or RedOctopusTheater@gmail.com. Red Octopus is also online at www.redoctopustheater.com. To contact The PUBLIC Theatre, call 374-PLAY.

The Nutcracker returns to Robinson Center this weekend with Ballet Arkansas and ASO musicians

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2016-nutcrackerCelebrate the season with your professional ballet company as Ballet Arkansas continues a favorite Christmas tradition performing The Nutcracker accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Geoffrey Robson.  After two years in Maumelle, The Nutcracker returns to the gloriously reimaginined Robinson Center Performance Hall!

Under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Bearden, Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker will be the highlight of the holiday season.  Join Clara at her family’s home as guests arrive for a festive Christmas Eve celebration where her godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, gives her a very special present, a Nutcracker doll. As the hour becomes late, the magic in the air begins to grow, along with Clara’s house and everything in it. Suddenly, there is a battle between an army of giant mice and life-sized toy soldiers. When the leaders of the mice have Clara cornered, The Nutcracker appears and with Clara’s help, they defeat the army of mice and escape to the Land of Snow, where the Snow Queen and King are presented to Clara and The Nutcracker amongst the flurries of beautiful dancing snowflakes.

The magic continues as Clara and The Nutcracker take an enchanted sleigh ride to the Land of Sweets where the Sugar Plum Fairy presents Clara with delightful acts by a host of characters such as Spanish Chocolate, Arabian Coffee, and the Dew Drop Fairy in the Waltz of the Flowers. After a spectacular show of grace and athleticism, performed just for Clara, the characters and magical lands begin to fade and like waking from a dream, Clara is returned to her home, under her family’s Christmas tree, in the arms of Herr Drosselmeyer, with the magical story of The Nutcracker forever in her heart

The Nutcracker is the perfect yuletide gift, the ideal means of introducing children to the power and beauty of classical dance, and a delightful way for the entire family to ring in the holiday season. Make Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker part of your holiday celebration this December! To purchase tickets for the December 9th, 10th or 11th public shows to The Nutcracker, visit balletarkansas.org or call 501-666-1761. Tickets range from $25-$70.

 

12th EVER Nog Off at Historic Arkansas Museum Tonight

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thnogoff_tstHistoric Arkansas Museum is home to the first ever, original Nog-off, a culinary celebration of a favorite holiday drink, and friendly competition for the best eggnog in town. The 12th Ever Nog-off welcomes old friends and new friends to this tasty and unique contest.

Among the new challengers are Luiggi Uzcategui of Big Orange Midtown, Merrick Fagan of Trio’s Restaurant and Dillon Garcia of Arkansas Mixology Associates. Will they take down last year’s returning champs, Rock City Eats and Stone’s Throw/Marriott Hotel? Or the Capital Hotel who holds 3 wins? Or Bill Worthen, whose family has been making Egg Nog with the same recipe for eight generations? Taste for yourself and make sure your vote gets counted!

Rex Deloney’s Eclectic Color: Diverse Colors for a Diverse World is inspired by the many different thoughts, emotions and people that he has portrayed over the years as a figurative artist.The emotionally driven portraits juxtaposed on colorful abstract backgrounds work together to convey messages of hope, faith and the everyday joys and struggles of life.

This exhibit is curated by the Arkansas Arts Council and continues in the SECOND FLOOR GALLERY through March 5, 2017.

…plus, holiday shopping in the Museum Store

  • Show your love of all things Nog with this t-shirt designed to commemorate our Nog Off, available exclusively online or in our Museum Store.
  • Get a signed book, for yourself or a gift: Rex Nelson, author of Southern Fried: Going Whole Hog in a State of Wonder will be in the store from 5 to 6:30, and Frances Mitchell Ross, will be on hand to sign copies of United States District Courts and Judges of Arkansas, 1836-1960.
  • Shop #ArkansasMade with Little Rock artist Jann Greenland, who will be showcasing her newest jewelry and fused glass work.

The Little Rock Wind Symphony Christmas Concert is tonight

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‘Tis the season to be jolly and the Little Rock Wind Symphony offers a concert of musical merriment with a twist of folly.

This child-friendly concert includes other holiday favorites featuring the musicians of the Little Rock Wind Symphony joined by Christine Donahue, soprano; McAfferty School of Irish Dance; combined children’s choirs from Roberts Elementary School and Second Presbyterian Church. The concert will conclude with the audience sing-along.  Music Director Israel Getzov conducts.

There will be a silent auction before the concert, offering lots of items to fill those Christmas stockings. The auction opens at 6:30 p.m. and bidding will conclude at the end of the concert intermission.

Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for adults, $8 for adults 65 and over, and free for students.

New Penguin Chick at the Little Rock Zoo!

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penguin-chickVisitors to the Laura P. Nichols Penguin Pointe exhibit at the Little Rock Zoo are now able to see the latest addition to the Zoo family: a baby penguin.

First-time penguin parents “Domino” and “Laura” (named for the donor Laura P. Nichols) successfully hatched an egg on Nov. 2. Their breeding was a recommendation of the African Penguin Species Survival Plan administrated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

“This is the seventh chick we’ve hatched successfully at our zoo,” said Susan Altrui, acting Zoo director. “This birth adds another individual to the population of these endangered and beautiful animals. We’re proud to be a part of that.”

Domino and Laura, who is also one of the Zoo’s Animal Ambassadors, reared the chick in a nest box for the first few weeks – the most crucial time, but keeper staff have stepped in to hand-rear it so it will become comfortable around people and possibly be an Animal Ambassador like its mother.

The sex of the chick won’t be known for at least another week after blood testing results are available. The Zoo will hold a naming contest via social media once the chick’s sex is determined.

For now, the chick will be visible through the conservation room window of the Penguin Pointe exhibit. It will join the rest of the colony when it’s about 3 months old and big enough to be around adult penguins.

There are about 52,000 mature African penguins in the wild. Also called jackass penguins because of their braying donkey-like calls, these aquatic birds dine on fish and are well-suited to Arkansas’s climate.

Holiday Fun at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center this afternoon from 2 until 5

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MTCCSayJoin the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center for a festive and fun day full of holiday cheer! The fun runs from 2pm util 5pm.

This year’s event will feature the 5th annual “Say It Ain’t Say’s” sweet potato pie contest, in honor of Little Rock’s black Santa, Robert “Say” McIntosh.  They will live entertainment, fun activities for kids and the opportunity to browse our current exhibits.

You and our panel of celebrity judges will determine who has the best sweet potato pie in Central Arkansas.

Tthe Holiday Open House will feature performances by comedian Nate Williams, Tania and Tamia Kelley, Mablevale Elementary Drumline, Gloryland Pastor’s Choir, Mablevale Magnet Middle School Dance Team, Horace Mann Magnet Middle School Dance Ensemble, Latavia Franklin and Shereece Manuel aka Shades of Diamondz.

This year, a trolley will be available to take guests to two other Department of Arkansas Heritage Museums located in downtown Little Rock: Old State House Museum and Historic Arkansas Museum. The trolley route will also include the Governor’s Mansion Open House.

For more information call 501-683-3620.