Category Archives: Holidays

80 years ago today, Christmas carols rang out from the steps of Robinson Auditorium

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In front of Robinson Center, one of the sculptures is called “Let the Music Play.” 80 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.

Winners of Historic Arkansas Museum’s 15 Ever Nog-Off announced!

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Congratulations to the winners of the Historic Arkansas Museum’s 15th Ever Nog-off!!

People’s Choice Award (favorite eggnog voted on by guests)
Marriott Hotel – Brown Sugar Bourbon Nog
“loved, loved, loved it!”   “classic!”   “delicious spin on a traditional nog, tastes like Christmas in a cup!”  “best surprise”Taster’s Choice Award (voted on by the panel of celebrity tasters: Ashlei King of Fox 16, Kevin Shalin of The Mighty Rib, and Rusty Mathis of Ben E Keith Foods MidSouth)
South on Main – Bootleg Eggnog
“good traditional nog”   “loved the balance of this eggnog”

Egg, No Nog Award (best non-alcoholic eggnog voted on by the panel of emerging tasters: Rhett Booher, Tess Kramer, and Mary Olive Smith)
South on Main – Bootleg Eggnog
“has a great ratio of egg vs whatever nog is”   “good, creamy texture”    “perfect nuttiness”

Not Your Great, Great, Great Grandfather’s Eggnog (favorite non-traditional eggnog voted on by the guests)
Capital Hotel – Banana Rum Eggnog
“Yum!”  “Vanilla wafer goodness!”   “Outstanding”

Historic Arkansas Museum thanks ALL of the amazing partners who make this event happen. And thank you to the two panels of tasters.

This is easily the most popular event at any 2nd Friday Art Night site throughout the year.  There was a line out the door down the street all the way to the light at Cumberland.

Have a wonderful season and happy nogging to ALL!

Why is the floor wet, Margo? Find out when CALS Ron Robinson Theater shows CHRISTMAS VACATION tonight

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National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989, PG-13)The comic misadventures of the beleaguered Griswold family continue in the third and most successful entry in the Vacation film series. (Plus it features the song stylings of the one and only Mavis Staples.)  All the fun is on the big screen at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater tonight.

This time America’s most dedicated dad, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase), is determined to stay at home to create “the most fun-filled old fashioned family Christmas ever” — but life has a particular way of throwing wet logs on the Griswold family fire.

Joining Chase in this holiday romp are Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid, and Miriam Flynn from the previous Vacation movies. Juliette Lewis and Johnny Galecki take their part in the revolving door of actors playing the Griswold kids.  New to the family in this edition are E. G. Marshall, Doris Roberts, John Randolph and Diane Ladd playing Ellen’s and Clark’s parents. Film veterans William Hickey and Mae Questel lend their talents as other relatives. Nicholas Guest and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are the annoyed neighbors next door while Brian Doyle-Murray plays Clark’s boss who would give Scrooge a run for his money.

Fun fact: Chris Columbus started working on HOME ALONE after he left this project because he could not get along with Chase.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Film starts at 7:00 p.m. Beer, wine, and concessions will be available!

Celtic Woman perform at Robinson Center tonight

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2019 Robinson Center Celtic Women 560x400

Multi-platinum international music sensation Celtic Woman celebrates the holiday season with its eighth annual “Symphony Tour.”  Tonight (December 16) they are in Little Rock at Robinson Center Performance Hall.

These concerts offer an unparalleled live musical experience, with Celtic Woman performing timeless holiday songs accompanied by a full symphony orchestra. The show will feature music from the all-female ensemble’s much loved holiday releases, such as the platinum-selling A Christmas Celebration and Deck The Halls.

Celtic Woman promises an enchanting and festive evening filled with lots of holiday favorites and a few Celtic twists here and there, all with the accompaniment of magnificent orchestras across the country.

The performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available here.

Arkansas Chamber Singers highlight Old State House Museum’s December 2nd Friday Art Night

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The Old State House Museum has something festive lined up for December’s #2ndFridayLR – the Arkansas Chamber Singers will be here to share holiday joy!

The group will perform at 7 p.m. during Second Friday Art Night and then have additional concerts at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

This season brings a heightened sense of Revelry, Reflection, and Revelation, and the singers will bring music celebrating this ‘most wonderful time of year!

All three performances are free, but reservations are required for the Saturday and Sunday concerts. Get your tickets today before they sell out!

Free Admission! Snacks and alcoholic beverages are also free.

2019 edition of Ballet Arkansas’ THE NUTCRACKER is this weekend!

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Ballet Arkansas’ Nutcracker Spectacular is the largest holiday production in the State of Arkansas, and a beloved holiday classic that is perfect for all ages.

Featuring recently updated choreography, Ballet Arkansas’ production has been a holiday tradition for families across the state for 41 years. The production features the talents of the 15 professional dancers of Ballet Arkansas, and a community cast of more than 225 children and adults from every corner of the state.

The community cast rehearses for 11 weeks to prepare for the performances and consists of multiple generations of cast members – with many cast members participating in Ballet Arkansas’ productions for more than 20 years.

All public performances feature live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Geoffrey Robson, and either The Mount Saint Mary Concert Belle’s, directed by Chelsea Frazier, or the Episcopal Collegiate Choirs, directed by Stephen Vano, who will sing during the infamous snow scene at the end of Act I.

Take a journey with Clara Stahlbaum to the “Land of the Sweets” this Holiday, and enjoy the magic of the Nutcracker Spectacular, set to Pyotry Illyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score.

The Nutcracker Spectacular takes the stage at the Robinson Performance Hall on December 13-15, 2019. Ballet Arkansas will present four public performances, Friday, December 13, 7:30 pm, Saturday, December 14, 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday December 15, 2:30pm. Purchase ‘sweet seats’ to sit in the best seats in the house, and receive a gift, for $99. Tickets range from $18-102 and are available here or by calling Celebrity Attractions Box Office at (501)-244-8800. Tickets on sale June 3, 2019.

Learn more about Ballet Arkansas’ 2019/20 Season at www.balletarkansas.org.

Ballet Arkansas, the foremost professional ballet company of the State of Arkansas, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through a roster of talented artists and dancers, Ballet Arkansas presents vibrant and diverse repertory featuring classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works by world renowned choreographers. A driving force in the State, Ballet Arkansas is committed to creative collaboration, community outreach, high quality dance education, the evolution of arts programming across the region, and is devoted to making high quality professional dance performance accessible to all. The productions of Ballet Arkansas promise to enrich the lives of all in attendance.

15th EVER Nog-Off takes place at Historic Arkansas Museum tonight!

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Eggnog lovers everywhere, rejoice! It’s your favorite time of year!

The 15th Ever Nog-off, Historic Arkansas Museum’s friendly competition for the best eggnog in town, returns to bestow goodwill, joy, and a touch of whisky to all who gather.

Tonight, Friday the 13th!, from 5pm to 8pm at Historic Arkansas Museum.

Cleanse your palate and sharpen your pencil as you ready yourself to sample several festive eggnogs creatively prepared by local nog-ologists, and offer your critique and coveted vote. The nog with the most nods receives the People’s Choice Award.

Awards up for contention:

  • The Taster’s Choice Award – awarded by the celebrity panel of eggnog aficionados with this year’s judges being Ashlei King of Fox16, Rusty Mathis of Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South and Kevin Shalin of The Mighty Rib
  • The People’s Choice Award – awarded to the eggnog as voted on by the evening’s attendees
  • The Not Your Great, Great, Great Grandfather’s Eggnog Award – awarded by attendees to the best “untraditional” eggnog
  • The Egg, No Nog Award – awarded to the best non-alcoholic eggnog as determined by a panel of “emerging tasters”

This year’s competitors include:

  • Allsopp & Chapple Restaurant + Bar
  • Arkansas Pioneers Association
  • The Capital Hotel
  • Little Rock Marriott
  • Loblolly Creamery
  • Mocktail Mo
  • The Root
  • Stone’s Throw Brewing and The Pizzeria
  • South on Main

This is a FREE event!