Category Archives: Lecture

Today at Clinton School – Ark Rep production of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

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THEREP_AUGUST (no credits)-page-001The Arkansas Repertory Theatre works in partnership with the Clinton School of Public Service to participate in the UACS’s Distinguished Speaker Series, hosting educational panel discussions on various Rep productions.

The latest in these takes place today, Thursday, June 4 at 12 noon at Sturgis Hall in Clinton Presidential Park.  It focuses on the Rep’s upcoming production of Tracy Letts’ August: Osage County.

Arkansas Repertory Theatre producing artistic director, Bob Hupp, will host a panel discussion on the upcoming production of August: Osage County, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award for Best Play, New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, and virtually every other theatre award possible.

The play focuses around the large Weston family when they unexpected reunite after dad disappears and their Oklahoman family homestead explodes in a maelstrom of repressed truths and unsettling secrets. Mix in Violet, the drugged-up, scathingly acidic matriarch, and you’ve got a major new play that unflinchingly – and uproariously – exposes the dark side of the Midwestern American family.

August: Osage County opens officially on Friday evening and runs through Sunday, June 21.

Legacies & Lunch Commemorates Roosevelt Thompson

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roosevelt_thompson_fRoosevelt Thompson was a gifted young man who had a bright future in public service before his death in an automobile accident in 1984. In honor of the 35th anniversary of Thompson’s graduation from Little Rock Central High School, the Butler Center, a department of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), will present a special Legacies & Lunch program, co-hosted by the Clinton School of Public Service, on Wednesday, June 3, from noon-1 p.m. at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave.

At Central High School, Thompson was student body president, an All-Star football player, and a National Merit Scholar. Thompson went on to attend Yale University, which has established a prestigious prize in his honor. While at Yale, he was selected as a Rhodes Scholar.

At this special Legacies & Lunch program, co-hosted by the Clinton School of Public Service, historic video footage featuring Thompson, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and others, will be shown. A panel, including Elaine Dumas, one of his teachers and mentors; Lee Thompson, his brother; and Beth Felton, his classmate at Central and a staff member at the CALS Roosevelt Thompson Branch Library, will discuss how his memory lives on today. Following this discussion, attendees may share memories and ask questions. After the program, all are invited to send their thoughts to RememberingRosey@cals.org.

Legacies & Lunch is free, open to the public, and sponsored in part by the Arkansas Humanities Council. Attendees are invited to bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert are provided. For more information, call 501-918-3033.

Brian Whelan headlines a special singer-songwriter edition of Tales from the South tonight at Best Impressions

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talesfromthesouthA very special Tales from the South will take place tonight.

Dwight Yoakam’s MVP sideman, Brian Whelan plays the pedal steel, electric guitar, the occasional mandolin (primarily when Dwight wanted to change an arrangement into a bluegrass tune), keys/piano and spot-on harmonies. Brian was both in Dwight’s touring and recording band, and played on the critically acclaimed, 3 Pears (#1 on the Americana charts), and is also currently featured on Dwight’s current release, Second Hand Heart (debuting #2 on the Billboard charts).

Brian recently left Dwight’s band to focus on his own music. With instrumental abilities that made him a key member of Dwight Yoakam’s band, a voice reminiscent of Jackson Brown, and a lyrical streak that makes him seem like he’s been writing hook-laden hits for years, Brian Whelan is poised for a much wider attention with the release of his second album. Produced by fellow Yoakamite drummer Mitch Marien, the new record throws Whelan’s hat into the a ring crowded with the likes of John Fullbright, Sturgill Simpson, Mike Stinson, and Jason Isbell. When Brian Whelan is not touring, he can be found in a Los Angeles studio playing on someone’s album or even producing.

Tonight’s program will take place at Best Impressions restaurant at the Arkansas Arts Center.  Music will be provided by The Salty Dogs and bluesman Mark Simpson.

“Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

Dinner is served from 5pm to 6:30pm, the show starts at 7pm.  Admission is $15.  Dinner can be purchased separately.

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show.  Any tickets still available at the door can be purchased for $20.

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.  This program will air on June 25.

Little Rock Look Back: Cornice placed on Robinson Auditorium

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JTR CorniceOn June 1, 1939, the cornice was installed on Robinson Auditorium.  This granite slab noted the name of the building as the Joseph Taylor Robinson Memorial Auditorium.  (It is interesting to note that it used the more modern “u” instead of the classical “v” which was often used in buildings during prior decades – as evidenced by the Pvlaski Covnty Covrt Hovse across the street.)

This was a milestone marking the completion of the front facade of the structure.  Much work would continue on the interior of the structure.  This step in the construction was considered major enough that the Arkansas Gazette mentioned it in a news article.

Today the cornice is again surrounded by construction materials and braces. The front lobby, the cornice and columns are pretty much the only parts of the building not currently under construction as Robinson Center is readied for its second act.  It is scheduled to open in November 2016.

CALS-Con 2015 today

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cals_conFans of superheroes, Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, comics, and gaming will converge on the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS) 2nd Annual CALS Con on Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m on the Main Library campus, 100 Rock Street. All CALS Con events are free and open to the public.

CALS Con is a family-friendly celebration of all things fandom. The event kicks off the library’s 2015 superhero-themed Summer Reading Club, Every Hero Has a Story. Fans of all ages may come dressed as their favorite character. The day will include six panels, a social media scavenger hunt, table top gaming, LEGO display and open building, drop-in gaming area, and a meet up area. The first 700 people to register for the event will receive a special CALS Con swag bag.

CALS Con will conclude with a cosplay contest at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Avenue. Attendees are encouraged to post about their CALS Con experience on social media using #CALScon2015.

Main Library 1st Floor Events

Event Description Time
Registration 9 am – 4 pm
Cosplay Contest Registration 9 am – 3 pm
SRC Registration 9 am – 3 pm

Darragh Center Lobby

CALS Con Meetup/Photo Op Area 9 am – 4 pm
Social Media Scavenger Hunt Participate in CALS Con on a whole different dimension. Seek fun items all over the library campus and digitally document the finds on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtag #CALScon2015 to be entered in a prize drawing. 9 am – 4 pm

Darragh Center

Table Top Saturday Check out games of all sorts from our collection or bring personal copies to play. Light snacks provided. 10 am – 3 pm

Youth Services

Open LEGO® Build Members of the Arkansas LEGO Users Group will present a giant LEGO display. Plenty of bricks are available for building. 10 pm – 12 pm
& 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Color-Your-Own Super Hero Mask 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Level 4

Drop-In Gaming 10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Ron Robinson Theater

Frozen Panel Can’t get enough of Elsa, Anna, and Olaf? Panelists and attendees will be discussing favorite characters and what’s next for them. 9:30 am
Game of Thrones Panel Winter is coming! Join us for a fan discussion of the George R.R. Martin novels and the popular HBO television show. Topics include the divergence of the television adaptation from the novels and the role of prophecy in the story. Bring your own pet theory! 10:30 am
Harry Potter Panel Bending All the Rules. Panelists will discuss various controversies, issues, and even conspiracy theories that have come to light since the last book was published. 11:30 am
Lego Panel LEGO has produced more than 500 billion pieces and inspired generations of builders and makers. Discuss the past, present, and future of this powerful brand. 12:30 pm
Doctor Who Panel Doctor Who has a fandom that spans generations and decades. The panel will discuss what is loved about Classic Who as well as New Who, and talk about how the Doctor helps people understand their own place in the universe. 1:30 pm
Star Wars Panel Episode VII – The Force Awakens heralds a new era in the Star Wars saga. The panel weighs in on the original series, the prequels, and the highly anticipated sequels. Scoundrels, princesses, and Jedi of all ages are welcome. 2:30 pm
Cosplay Contest The CALS Con finale event. Register to participate by 3 p.m. or attend to cheer on favorite costumes and characters. 4:00 pm

Tonight it is the Tales from the South Annual Fathers Show at Stickyz

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talesfromsouthDoes Father know best?  Tonight, Tales from the South offers stories which may prove or disprove that old adage with their annual Fathers Show at the Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack. The storytellers for this edition are Lee Lyle, Marjorie Lacey and Brad Pierce.

Music is by the Salty Dogs as well as blues guitarist Mark Simpson.

“Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

“Tales from the South” is a showcase of writers reading their own true stories. While the show itself is unrehearsed, the literary memoirs have been worked on for weeks leading up to the readings. Stories range from funny to touching, from everyday occurrences to life-altering tragedies.

Dinner is served from 5pm to 6:30pm, the show starts at 7pm.  Admission is $15 in advance.  Dinner can be purchased separately.

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show. Any tickets available at the door will be $20.

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.  This program will air on June 18.

Legacy of LR architect Ed Cromwell to be discussed tonight

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CromwellTonight the Architecture and Design Network will host a panel discussion on the legacy of longtime Little Rock architect Ed Cromwell.
The panelists are:
  • Charles Penix, Chief Operating Officer, Cromwell Architects and Engineers
  • Bill Worthen, Director, Historic Arkansas Museum
  • Don Evans, architect and associate of the late Ed Cromwell

Chris East is the program’s moderator.  It will take place at 6pm at the Arkansas Arts Center, following a reception at 5:30pm.

After working at various jobs during the early years of the Depression, Ed Cromwell, who graduated from Princeton in 1931 with a degree in architecture, moved to Little Rock in 1935 to take a position with the  Resettlement Administration. After a year with the agency, he left to devote full time to the practice of architecture, a career which spanned forty-eight years, from 1936 to1984. Cromwell, who remained active in the community after his retirement, died in 2001, leaving a legacy that continues to impact people’s lives.

There would be no Maumelle if it hadn’t been for Cromwell’s vision of a planned community on the 5,000 acres of land owned by Jess P. Odum, an Arkansas businessman and insurance executive. The Capital Hotel might have been taken out by the wrecker’s ball if it hadn’t been for his determination to save the historic structure. An advocate for the city’s riverfront development, he understood its importance long before others did. He championed historic preservation and  chaired the commission of the Arkansas Territorial  Restoration (now the Historic Arkansas Museum). Cromwell Architects and Engineers, the firm he founded, has to its credit the design of many public buildings and facilities throughout the state and beyond.

The three panelists will explore Cromwell’s legacy as a creative architect, a visionary planner and a champion of  historic  preservation. Architecture and Design Network (ADN) lectures are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact ardenetwork@me.com.

ADN’s supporters include the Arkansas Arts Center, the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture, the Central Section of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and friends in the community.