Many museums and cultural institutions in Little Rock remain closed or have limited hours. If in doubt, call ahead.
The Central Arkansas Library System had hoped to open today at 1pm, but announced this morning that they’ll be closed until 10am tomorrow. They recommend contacting a location before driving there because some branches may not be able to be open.
For information on the Arkansas Rep performance of White Christmas call 501-378-0405 or check the Rep’s Twitter account @TheRep.
Little Rock’s various museums are closed today because of inclement weather. It is a good day curl up with a book checked out from the Central Arkansas Library System. Of course this should have been checked out earlier, but it is always a good idea to have a book or two on hand.
And it is also a good time to consider end of year donations to these or other cultural institutions.
In conjunction with the 2nd Friday Art Night, Historic Arkansas Museum presents its 8th Ever Nog-Off tonight. It takes place from 5pm to 8pm at HAM and is free.
What started as a friendly competitive conversation between members of two of Little Rock’s oldest families about Egg Nog recipies has turned into an annual holiday celebration.
Historic Arkansas Museum’s 8th Ever Nog-off is a culinary celebration of this favorite holiday drink, and friendly competition for the best eggnog in town. From a 185-year-old recipe handed down 7 generations to concoctions with a modern twist, the only way to determine a winner is for guests to sample them all.
Two awards are given with the prize being bragging rights. The People’s Choice goes to the eggnog that receives the most votes from the Nog-off’s discerning guests who have chosen winners astutely for the past seven years. The Taster’s Choice goes to the nog that gets the nod from celebrity tasters.
The Competitors: Capital Hotel, Copper Grill, Bridget Farris, Loblolly Creamery, Drue Patton and Museum Director Bill Worthen
After sipping Egg Nog, participants can visit any of the numerous other sites of this month’s 2nd Friday Art Night throughout downtown.
The three Little Rock based museums of the Department of Arkansas Heritage will host Holiday Open Houses this Sunday, December 2.
Historic Arkansas Museumwill host the 45th Annual Christmas Frolic and Open House. While I have not attended all of them, I did attend as a child and do return as an adult. (Sipping the cider for me seems to officially start the Christmas season.)
HAM encourages visitors to:
Keep your family tradition going, or make a new one and join hundreds of others who have danced their first Virginia Reel in the Hinderliter Grog Shop, the oldest house in Little Rock. It’s always fun to watch your kids sashay down the line for the first time, or to brush up on your own steps.
From sack races to stilts, from fiddling to frolicking, this favorite seasonal event charms one and all with old-fashioned fun. Bring the whole family out and enjoy live music, crafts, carols, pioneer games and our famous hot cider and ginger cake.
Don’t forget to stop by the Museum Store for Arkansas-made holiday shopping. Kay Collett Goss will be in the Museum Store during the Frolic signing copies of her book Mr. Chairman: The Life and Legacy of Wilbur D. Mills.
The Christmas Frolic and Open House runs from 1pm to 4pm and is free.
The Old State House will host its own Holiday Open House.
The traditions of joyous family holiday celebrations past can be relived at Holiday Open House. Visitors will find the Old State House colorfully decorated for the season. Fun, hands-on activities will be available to children; they can create unique holiday cards and more! Delightful carols will be performed by local music groups. Visitors will also enjoy delicious cookies and punch.
The Open House at the Old State House runs from 1pm to 4:30pm and is free.
The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is the newest museum of DAH. Though the new kid on the block, it is creating its own Holiday Open House traditions. Their holiday celebration will include holiday music by local choirs, children’s activities, refreshments, and the first event sweet potatoe pie contest. It is also a great opportunity to view the exhibit “A Voice Through the Viewfinder: Images of Arkansas’s Black Community” which closes on January 5, 2013.
The Open House at Mosaic Templars is from2pm to 5pm and is free.
Worthen performing at 2nd Friday Art Night at HAM in July 2011
Earlier this week, Little Rock’s newest museum director was announced. So it is fitting to end the week with a party to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Little Rock’s longest-serving museum director.
As HAM put it, in 1972:
Nixon had just defeated McGovern.
Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes
The Godfather was the Best Picture.
All in the Family was the #1 tv show.
Pong was the most wanted Christmas gift.
And…
at the tender age of 25
Bill Worthen donned top hat and danced his first jig.
To celebrate Bill Worthen’s 40th Anniversary as Director of Historic Arkansas Museum, the museum is hosting a reception on Friday, November 30 from noon until 1pm. There wil be light refreshments (cake and punch), light remarks, and lights aplenty from the camera flashes.
Tonight, the Museum of Discovery’s monthly “Science After Dark” series returns with Twisted Taste. Science After Dark is a monthly program for adults 21 years and up.
One of the new trends in food is micro gastronomy. The Museum of Discovery brings it to Little Rock tonight with food that just plain messes with your mind. The Museum will be preparing a few treats that look like one thing but taste like something completely different. Have you ever bitten into a lemon that tastes like lemonade? You can at this months Science After Dark!
Science after Dark occurs the last Wednesday of each month. Museum educators pick a science-related topic, and develop an event around it. The event is for ages 21 and older. General admission is $5 per person. Museum members get in free.
It is a great chance to explore the museum’s exhibits and enjoy downtown Little Rock.
The Museum of Discovery today announced that Kelley Bass will become the next CEO of the Museum. He will succeed Nan Selz who retires at the end of this year.
Bass, who is currently Assistant Dean for External Affairs at the UALR’s Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology. Prior to that he worked at Acxiom, Arkansas Business Publishing Group and newspapers in Arkansas and Missouri.
He has been a member of the Museum’s Board of Directors for the past three years as the facility has undergone an extension renvoation and reinvigoration under Selz’s leadership. He has also been active in Riverfest and other downtown activities.
The Museum of Discovery was founded in 1927 and is Little Rock’s oldest museum.
The museum was originally accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1993 and was re-accredited in 2001. During the period between its founding and its accreditation, the museum actively collected approximately 14,000 cultural and historical artifacts and numerous species of live animals and insects.
Selz and Bass
In 1998, the museum moved to the River Market and in 2003 became a Smithsonian Affiliate. In 2011, the museum closed for nine months in order to add a new entrance and undergo a total renovation. This project, funded by a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, also provided funding for new, interactive science exhibits, completing the museum’s transformation from a collecting museum to a science center.
The Mission of the Museum of Discovery: To ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 