Category Archives: Holidays

Father’s Day Sculpture Vulture: Rabbit Reach

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Today is Father’s Day.  In honor of that, today’s Sculpture Vulture revisits Tim Cherry’s Rabbit Reach.  The sculpture was given in memory of two fathers.

The sculpture is a gift from Whitlow Wyatt and the Carey Cox Wyatt Charitable Foundation. It was given in memory of George Wyatt and Frank Kumpuris.  Those two gentlemen were the fathers of Whitlow Wyatt and Dean & Drew Kumpuris.

The sculpture is located at the corner of Sherman Street and President Clinton Avenue across from the Museum of Discovery.

Cherry’s sculpture was selected for this spot because of its proximity to children at the Museum and in the River Market district.  The design and size of the sculpture encourages children to climb on it and to play around the rabbit.

While some public art is situated so it cannot be touched, this one is situated to be touched as part of the appreciation experience.

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Happy 177 Arkansas

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One hundred and seventy-seven years ago today, Arkansas was admitted to the Union.  Happy Birthday Arkansas!

Arkansas birthday

Happy Flag Day

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Today is Flag Day.  Here are three photos of the Stars and Stripes taken in Little Rock over the past year.

Flag outside of Tipton & Hurst main store in Heights

Flag outside of Tipton & Hurst main store in Heights

The red, white and blue stand out against the night sky and limestone of the Arkansas State Capitol.

The red, white and blue stand out against the night sky and limestone of the Arkansas State Capitol.

The stars and stripes unfurled from the balcony of the Capital Hotel.

The stars and stripes unfurled from the balcony of the Capital Hotel.

Flag Day 4

American flags mark the graves of veterans in Mt. Holly Cemetery

Flag Day Concert in MacArthur Park tonite

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flagdayOn Saturday, June 8, the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History will host the 17th annual Flag Day concert, A Stars and Stripes Celebration, featuring the Little Rock Wind Symphony.

The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free to the public.

Our annual Flag Day salute to the red, white, and blue, features hand-clapping marches, flag-waving patriotic songs, toe-tapping happy tunes.  There will be free American flags, ice cream and water.

The program will featured Timothy Tucker, baritone in selections with the LR Wind Symphony, under the direction of Dr. Karen Fannin.  The performance will include:

  • Dudley Buck: Festival Overture on the Star Spangled Banner 
  • John Philip Sousa: Washington Post March
  • Sousa: Who’s Who in Navy Blue
  • Aaron Copland: Old American Songs
  • James Barnes: Star-Spangled Salute!
  • Henry Fillmore: The Klaxon
  • Henry Fillmore: Circus Bee
  • Irving Berlin: God Bless America
  • Bob Lowden: Armed Forces Salute
  • Samuel Ward / Carmen Dragon: America the Beautiful
  • Sousa: The Stars and Stripes Forever

 

flagdayaudienceBring a picnic dinner for your family, lawn chairs or a blanket, and enjoy the concert at historic MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock.   Dogs on leashes are welcome — and don’t forget there is a new dog park in MacArthur Park as well.

Black Hound Barbecue and Hot Dog Mike will be available to purchase food as well.  In the event of rain, the concert will be rescheduled for Sunday, June 9.

This event is sponsored by MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock Wind Symphony, Blue Bell Creameries, Woodmen of the World, Central Arkansas Water and Premium Refreshment Service.

Sculpture Vulture: Easter Bunnys

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For those who are around the River Market today, there are two “Easter” bunny sculptures they can visit.

In honor of that, today’s Sculpture Vulture features Tim Cherry’s Rabbit Reach.

The sculpture is located at the corner of Sherman Street and President Clinton Avenue across from the Museum of Discovery.

The sculpture is a gift from Whitlow Wyatt and the Carey Cox Wyatt Charitable Foundation. It was given in memory of George Wyatt and Frank Kumpuris.  Those two gentlemen were the fathers of Whitlow Wyatt and Dean & Drew Kumpuris.

Cherry’s sculpture was selected for this spot because of its proximity to children at the Museum and in the River Market district.  The design and size of the sculpture encourages children to climb on it and to play around the rabbit.  While some public art is situated so it cannot be touched, this one is situated to be touched as part of the appreciation experience.

IMG_3987Laurel Peterson Gregory’s Bunny Bump is featured in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden.  Two stylized rabbits make for an interesting piece of artwork when they are not only dancing, but also doing the butt bump while dancing. The smooth surface and color of the bronze add to the illusion. This small piece has been placed on a pedestal to elevate more to eye level.

The sculpture was completed in 2009 and installed in 2010.  Gregory has been featured at the Sculpture at the River Market show.  (The photo was taken during a December snow. It may be cold now, but not enough for that amount of snow.)

CALS celebrates READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY in honor of Dr. Seuss

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CALS Celebrates Read Across America Day

read_across_americaOne fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish. 

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) at events during Read Across America Day. Crafts and parties encourage patrons to pick a book and read with the whole family.  All events are free and open to the public.

Activities started yesterday and continue today.

At Park Plaza Mall from 11am to 2pm, there are Read Across America Day crafts.  Events at Park Plaza Mall are provided by the new Children’s Library and Learning Center, 4800 W. 10th Street, which will open to the public on March 16.

A Dr. Seuss Birthday Party will take place at the Fletcher Library today at 10am.  In addition, a Bilingual Dr. Seuss Birthday Party will be at the Main Library at 10:30am.

On Monday at 6pm, the McMath Library will host a Dr. Seuss Pajama Party.  Let’s face it, most Dr. Seuss characters look like they are wearing pajamas.

On Wednesday, the Terry Library will host a Dr. Seuss Birthday Sock Hop at 6:30pm.  No word on whether they will be Hopping on Pop.  So go and find out.

CALS libraries in Little Rock include:

  • Main Library, 100 Rock Street;
  • Dee Brown Library, 6325 Baseline Road;
  • Fletcher Library, 823 North Buchanan Street;
  • Oley E. Rooker Library, 11 Otter Creek Court;
  • Terry Library, 2015 Napa Valley Drive;
  • Thompson Library, 38 Rahling Circle;
  • Williams Library, 1800 Chester Street;
  • McMath Library, 2100 John Barrow Road.

CALS libraries in surrounding communities include:

  • Max Milam Library, 609 Aplin Avenue, Perryville;
  • Maumelle Library, 10 Lake Pointe Drive, Maumelle;
  • Esther D. Nixon Library, 703 W. Main Street, Jacksonville
  • Amy Sanders Library, 31 Shelby Drive, Sherwood

LANTERNS! this weekend at Wildwood

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LANTERNS! Festival, Arkansas’ only deep-winter outdoor festival, will light up the night at Wildwood Park for a fifth year of family fun and illuminating entertainment! Travel paved paths illuminated with fire pits and thousands of luminaria to enjoy unique entertainment, authentic food and beverages for all ages at eight cultural vistas from around the globe!

LANTERNS! runs from 6pm to 10pm on Friday, February 22 and Saturday, February 23.  On Sunday, February 24 it runs from 6pm to 9pm.

Tickets are available at the gate during festival days:
$10 for Adults
$5 for Children (6-12 years old)
FREE for Children 5 and UnderSHUTTLE service will be provided to and from Kroger Marketplace at Chenal Parkway.This year’s cultural vistas include:

Asia – Asian New Year festivals inspire LANTERNS! Hosted by Northington Investment Group, this vista’s serene Asian Woodland Garden & Pavilion are bedecked with paper lanterns and a traditional Chinese dragon. Sushi rolls, warming teas and sips of Sake beckon patrons to immerse themselves in demonstrations and traditions of Asian culture where families explore Eastern artistic traditions. Discover why it’s the Year of the Snake!

Bavaria – Visit the Park’s beer garden and polka to the sounds of The Itinerant Locals! This lively duo will have you dancing yourself into a pretzel under the full moon. Refresh your palate with German fare beneath the Maibaum and enjoy a lakeside feast for the eyes in the winter woodlands.

The Caribbean Warm up next to the fire pits along the shoreline, enjoy a show by the Park’s famed pirates (Armadillo Rodeo Improv Troupe), walk the plank, and seek your treasure in Pirates Cove.

Greece Travel back in time to the mythical land of ancient Greece where you’ll be greeted by living statues. Don your laurel wreath and help reconstruct ancient glory with vista hostess Christen Bufford and her team from Little Rock Central High School. Try a taste of lighter fare, maybe some Ouzo.

New Orleans Hot jazz continues all night indoors on Bourbon Street, where guests will delight in Cajun fare, signature beverages, and a fortune-telling Voodoo Queen! Thoma Thoma hosts our high-spirited Café du Monde while the kings & queens of this party feast on beignets!

Rio de Janeiro Café Bossa Nova, Vivian Norman and Patti Stanley are teaming up to take you on an adventure to colorful South America! Learn to Samba the night away while dining on exquisite authentic cuisine and sipping on caipirinhas.

Shakespeare’s England Hosted by Elizabeth and Tom Small with performances by the Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, this vista transports you to Elizabethan England, complete with street urchins, fresh-roasted turkey legs, ale and kidfriendly Shakesbeer.

Venice The Park’s iconic Gazebo awaits sailors and ladies with a monumental selection of sweet treats! Commedia dell Arte performances will have you silly with glee! Launch wishing lanterns at the gazebo; your hopes and dreams will glow bright throughout this enchanting evening!