Category Archives: Holidays

Neil Berg’s Broadway Holiday continues this weekend

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Celebrity Attractions continues the 2015-16 Broadway season in central Arkansas with Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.  Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY is the number one touring Broadway concert in America – it brings Broadway’s greatest together for a cherished holiday event.  It opened last night and continues through Sunday.

This winter Neil Berg’s critically acclaimed musical revue Broadway Holiday will appear in cities all across the country. Direct from New York, five of Broadway’s brightest stars will warm the theatre with favorites from hit shows such as LES MISERABLES and DREAMGIRLS through groundbreakers like WEST SIDE STORY and Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, to current blockbusters like JERSEY BOYS and WICKED. The show will also feature much-loved holiday tunes.

Neil Berg pursues the best that Broadway has to offer and that also applies to bringing the best performers to you. This talented cast consists of David Jennings, Carter Calvert, Andrea Rivette, Chuck Wagner and Jason Wooten.  Presented by Celebrity Attractions, Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY will take the stage at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center December 18th-20th. Celebrity Attractions’ 2015-2016 Broadway Season is held at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Maumelle High School.

The remaining performances are Saturday at 2 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday at 2 pm. Tickets are $35, $53, and $60.  Tickets are available by phone at (501) 244-8800 or (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (501) 492-3312.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BWayLR.  Follow the Little Rock engagement of Neil Berg’s BROADWAY HOLIDAY on Twitter.com/BwayLittleRock or join the conversation using #BWayHolidayLR.

For more information, visit www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

Little Rock Look Back: School Children Sing Christmas Carols at Robinson Auditorium

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Christmas Carols

Photo from Arkansas Gazette

Right now, music is silenced at Robinson Center.  During the renovation, violins and tubas have been replaced by saws and heavy equipment.

Similarly, 76 years ago, the halls of that building were alive with only the sounds of construction.  But out front, on December 18, 1939, the sounds of Christmas carols filled the air.

That afternoon, 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 ceremony.

Holiday Music with ASO this weekend!

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dec 18 20The ASO’s most popular and longest running tradition brings holiday cheer to music lovers of all ages. Featuring holiday music you know and the best artists from around the state – and beyond! – this concert is an ASO favorite and the best way to settle in to the most wonderful time of the year with the whole family!
The ASO, under the direction of Associate Conductor Geoffrey Robson, will showcase holiday favorites like Joy to the World, Silver Bells, and Silent Night, seasonal orchestral classics from Bach and Gabrieli, children’s choir, the gospel vocals of Vickie Woodard, and special guest Bonnie Montgomery on vocals and guitar.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
BACH, J.S. Zion Hört die Wachter Singen from BWV 140 (Children’s Choir)
GABRIELI Canzon Noni Toni (Antiphonal brass)
von HERBECK Pueri Concinite (Children’s Choir + Christine Westhoff)
Silver Bells arr. Holcombe (Christine Westhoff)
O Holy Night (Christine Westhoff)
Silent Night (Children’s Choir)

INTERMISSION

Carol of the Bells
Pretty Paper (Bonnie Montgomery)
Little Drummer Boy (Bonnie Montgomery)
Deck the Halls Arr. Davis
Go Tell It on the Mountain Arr. (Vickie Woodard)
Joy To The World Arr. Schnurr (Vickie Woodard)
Christmas Singalong Arr. Finnegan (Bonnie Montgomery and others)

The concerts are at the Connor Performing Arts Center on the campus of Pulaski Academy.  They start at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday and 3pm on Sunday.

It’s OFFICIALLY Here! The new Star Wars movie

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IMG_5919As a third grade boy, I remember devouring the novelized version of Star Wars in 1977. I read everything I could about the movie. I owned the two album London Symphony Orchestra soundtrack.

I was a few months late to Star Wars figures, but Christmas of 1977 and birthday of 1978 did feature them as gifts. (I promptly lost my Sandcrawler weapon at my grandparents’ house on Christmas day.)

In those early days, I was excited by the idea of NINE Star Wars movies. Then, I gave up hope when George Lucas abandoned them after Return of the Jedi. When the prequels were announced during my adulthood, I was excited. Only to be disappointed by the actual movies (though admittedly they did get better by episode 3).

But now – the day my eighth grade self dreamed of, is here! What happens AFTER Return of the Jedi.

In honor of Star Wars: The Force Awakens opening day, here is a flash back to the Arkansas Gazette ad in June 1977 when the first film hit Little Rock (a full month after it first opened in New York).

It did not reach Little Rock until June 24, 1977. Given its status as a sleeper hit, it is no surprise that it came into Little Rock largely unnoticed.

In that day, major films opening on a Friday would be heralded the previous Sunday with a substantial advertisement. The first Star Wars ad ran on Thursday, June 23, 1977, the day before it opened. By contrast, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, which would play at the same theatre, had a large ad on Sunday, June 19.

While Star Wars would seem like the perfect movie for the great UA Cinema 150, it did not play there. The film playing at the 150 was A Bridge Too Far, which was, at least an action movie. Star Wars did not even open at a UA theatre. It opened at the ABC Cinema 1 & 2 (located at Markham and John Barrow) and at the McCain Mall Cinema. (The ABC Cinema location is now home to discount cellphone and discount clothing businesses; a cinema has returned to McCain Mall but in a different location.)

The day it opened, there was a fairly large ad which incorporated the familiar beefcake Luke, Leia in flowing gowns, and Darth Vader mask. On the Sunday after it opened, there was a slightly smaller ad with the same artwork. McCain Mall also ran a small add for both Star Wars and Herbie. It noted that Star Wars was a film that management “does not recommend for children.”

Final Day for CALS Food for Fines to benefit the Arkansas Rice Depot’s Food for Kids program

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Shed unwanted library fines this holiday season!
Today is the final day for the Central Arkansas Library System annual Food for Fines week!
The Food for Fines program gives patrons an opportunity to help others in central Arkansas while offsetting fines for overdue library materials. Patrons may donate non-perishable food items when returning overdue materials to erase the fine for that item as well as any other existing overdue fines.
Each non-perishable food item brought represents one dollar. Patrons may donate up to ten food items to cancel up to ten dollars of fines. Food donations may not be used to waive charges for items that have been lost or billed. We encourage patrons to bring additional food items to help with the food drive.
Food collected during the drive will be donated to Arkansas Rice Depot, which has been working to alleviate hunger in Arkansas for more than 25 years. Donations will also be used to support Rice Depot’s Food for Kids program, which operates during the school year providing backpacks of “kid-friendly” food children can take home to eat during the weekend. Items needed for Food for Kids are ravioli, peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit, pudding cups, cereal and granola bars.

Ballet Arkansas’ THE NUTCRACKER continues through Sunday

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Celebrate the season with Ballet Arkansas, the state’s professional ballet company, as they continue a favorite Christmas tradition performing The Nutcracker accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Geoffrey Robson. The Nutcracker tells the story of Clara and her magical nutcracker doll and their wondrous journey to the Land of Snow and Kingdom of Sweets.

Every year this fun filled production creates lifelong memories for hundreds of Arkansas families. With gorgeous scenery, enchanting costumes and original choreography, Ballet Arkansas opened The Nutcracker at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center last night and continues today at 2pm, tonight at 7:30pm and tomorrow at 2pm.

Under the direction of Artistic Director Michael Bearden with choreography by Ballet Mistress Laura Hood Babcock and choreographers Allison Wilson, Jana Beard, and Traci Presley, Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker will be the highlight of the holiday season.

Accompanied by the largest ever cast of local actors and dance students from across Arkansas, this year’s production will feature Ballet Arkansas company members Toby Lewellen, Justin Metcalf-Burton, Lauren McCarty Horak, Paul Tillman, Amanda Sewell, Lauren Bodenheimer, Deanna Karlheim, Tony Sewer, Hannah Bradshaw, Lynsie Ogden  and Meredith Loy.

This year’s guest artists include audience favorites Stephen K. Stone as Herr Drosselmeyer, Eric Harrison as Mother Ginger and Ballet Memphis’ Brandon Ramey as Arabian Prince.

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 11th, 12th or 13th public shows to The Nutcracker, visit balletarkansas.org or call 501-666-1761. Tickets range from $20-$52.

Science with Santa (and Kevin Delaney) at the Museum of Discovery Today

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MOD Science SantaNeed some way to entertain the kids today? Want to have fun for the whole family?

The Museum of Discovery offers Science with Santa today from 9:30am to 3:00pm.

Enjoy science demos, pictures with Santa, a hot chocolate bar and more!

Plus, Santa will join Kevin Delaney for science shows!

Pictures with Santa are from 9:30am to 11am & 12:30pm to 2pm.

Awesome Science with Santa and Kevin at 11:30am and 2:30pm.