Category Archives: Music

John Bush Quintet pays tribute to John Coltrane tonight on the South on Main stage

Posted on by

Sessions :: Jon Bush Quintet's tribute to John ColtraneAcclaimed saxophonist, MarQuis Hunt, is curating and hosting the month-long “Jazz in July All-Stars” Sessions series at South on Main each Wednesday in July.

Tonight (July 17), Coltrane fans will not want to miss the John Bush tribute to John Coltrane.  The shows begin at 8 PM. Tickets are $10 at the door. Dinner and cocktails are available before and during the show. Call 501-244-9660 to reserve a table. These shows are expected to sell out; call today to avoid disappointment.

John Bush grew up with a solid musical background during the mid-1950’s and 60’s in Little Rock during a time when the city produced more world-class jazz greats than can be named here. John then moved west to study, live, and work both in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. From the mid-1960’s through the 1980’s those cities had clubs and thriving jazz communities where a multitude of both local and visiting jazz musicians provided abundant opportunities for session playing. The opportunity to “hang out” and to sit-in with the Masters was a life’s blessing for John.

The John Bush Quintet will be playing a tribute to John Coltrane’s unique treatment of jazz standards.

John Bush’s Quintet: (All very gifted)
John Bush – Saxophone
Kelley Hurt – Vocals
Chris Michaels – Bass
Chris W. Parker – Keys
Bryan Withers – Drums

Spike Lee Celebration at CALS Ron Robinson Theater – Part 2: The Rodney Block Collective

Posted on by

The Central Arkansas Library System is celebrating the works of Spike Lee in the CALS Ron Robinson Theater and you’re invited!

Join us on Saturday July 13 as we host The Rodney Block Collective for a performance featuring the music from all of Spike Lee’s films.

Rodney Block is a Dumas native who has been thriving in the local music scene for the past several years.  He is much sought after to appear at special events and parties. He is also a fixture on the live music scene at many venues around Little Rock.

Tickets for The Rodney Block Collective concert are $15 for general admission seating. The doors open at 7:00 pm and the concert starts at 8:00 pm.

80s Mall Party on Main Street tonight hosted by Downtown Little Rock Partnership

Posted on by

Ah, the 80s.

Cola Wars. Donkey Kong. Reaganomics. Back to the Future. “Family Ties.” Flashdance. Footloose. Fame. The Brat Pack. “Where’s the Beef?”  The Official Preppy Handbook.

Break out the leg warmers and the Aqua Net, the Downtown Little Rock Partnership is hosting an 80’s Mall Party on Saturday, July 13. Presented by Smirnoff, this retro event and celebration of all things 80’s will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the old Main Street Mall, a time capsule from thirty years ago.

The 80’s Mall Party will feature a special appearance by Marty McFly and Doc Brown’s DeLorean. Slick’s grill will be serving up burgers and fries, and there will be a lip sync contest for those who want to strut their stuff. In addition to kitschy and delicious adult beverages, guests will enjoy great music and music videos, a retro arcade, fun surprises, and a throwback atmosphere sure to bring back memories and create new ones.

Tickets are $20, and VIP Tickets are $40. VIP Tickets grant access to the Rock City Kicks Lounge, two drink tickets and food from Samantha’s Tap Room and Wood Grill. Must be 21 or older to attend. The media partner is AY. The radio partner is The Point 94.1.

So, in the words of Robin Sparkles, “Let’s go to the Mall.”

SeanFresh on the South on Main stage tonight

Posted on by

SOMA After Dark :: SeanFreshSeanFresh is bringing R&B Vibez to SOMA After Dark, a neighborhood-wide event where shops stay open late and restaurants and bars offer specials. Take a stroll through SOMA all evening and end your night with us.

SeanFresh & friends take the South on Main stage at 9 pm. Purchase advance tickets for $10 or pay $15 a the door. Tickets do not guarantee you a seat. To reserve a table, please call (501) 244-9660.

ABOUT SEANFRESH – Believer. Artist.  Community Builder.  R&B Singer.  Songwriter.  Fearless. Father. “I have won several awards. I have toured in a lot of amazing places but nothing is more important than the above items.”

An Evening with George Winston tonight on the Wildwood Park stage

Posted on by

An evening with celebrated solo pianist George Winston at Wildwood Park for the Arts in Little Rock, Arkansas on Friday, July 12 at 7:30 pm.

Get tickets at wildwoodpark.org.

Please join us in supporting Arkansas Food Bank by bringing a donation of canned food to the concert. There will be a donation reception in the Woodland Lounge at 6:30 pm. George Winston will also donate 100% of merchandise profits from this concert to Arkansas Food Bank.

George Winston is undeniably a household name. He’s inspired fans and musicians alike with his singular solo acoustic piano songs for more than 40 years while selling 15 million albums. A tireless road warrior playing nearly 100 concerts annually, live performance for Winston is akin to breathing. Winston’s music is evocative, offering us all a chance to take a step back from our perpetually busy lives and let our minds adventurously wander.

George Winston’s classic albums, Autumn and December, are perennial favorites, along with Winter into Spring, Summer, 2017’s Spring Carousel – A Cancer Research Benefit, as well as two volumes of the compositions of Vince Guaraldi, two volumes of benefit albums for the Gulf Coast disasters, and six other solo piano albums.

Winston released his 15th solo piano album, Restless Wind, via Dancing Cat Records/RCA Records on May 3, 2019. Restless Wind is a portrayal of Winston’s place in a chaotic world – his compositions extend solace with an idiosyncratic grace. The album is available now at GeorgeWinston.com

July 2FAN – CALS Library Square

Posted on by

The Central Arkansas Library System’s Library Square plays host to TWO different 2nd Friday Art Night locations.

In the Bobby Roberts Library of Arkansas History and Art – the Loft Gallery features s Melissa Cowper-Smith: Natural Treatment, 2018–2019.  The Galleries at Library Square – Concordia Hall Gallery presents “Fifty Years of McFarlin Oil: Paintings and Sculpture by an Arkansas Traveler”  He has been making art under the moniker of McFarlin Oil for more than fifty years. Another continuing exhibition is “EMBRAID—Three Northwest Arkansas Strands” in the Underground Gallery.

No photo description available.Also on the CALS Library Square campus, The Bookstore at Library Square is proud to present the new show, “Art Schmart” from Arkansas artists Michael & Jessica Crenshaw featuring live music by Sandy Duncan’s Gun at the monthly event, 2nd Friday Art Night.

Partners in crime for 18 years, Michael and Jessica Crenshaw are lifelong Arkansans and multi-disciplined artists. While their collaborative efforts began with music, the two now venture into collaborative visual arts with this exhibit, the first featuring both artists in one show. Influenced by Dada and Bauhaus, this collection brings together their differing medias for an interesting and textural exploration of color through Arkansas-based themes. Michael calls it “Maximalism” while Jessica likes “Mo’Dada.” Whatever you call it, it’s fun. It’s bright. It’s happy.

Visit The Bookstore six days a week. Three floors of books, gifts, locally made art & jewelry, plus an art gallery. By far the best place to buy used books in central Arkansas. Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Gallery open during regular bookstore hours.

The Ted Ludwig Trio tonight on the South on Main stage

Posted on by

Ted Ludwig TrioThe Wednesday night Sessions Series at South on Main continues tonight with the acclaimed and very popular Ted Ludwig Trio.

Acclaimed saxophonist, MarQuis Hunt, is curating and hosting the month-long “Jazz in July All-Stars” Sessions series at South on Main each Wednesday in July.

Hailing from New Orleans, acclaimed seven-string jazz guitarist, Ted Ludwig, has been a part of the jazz scene for over two decades. Throughout that time period, he has dazzled audiences with countless club performances, festivals, and recordings. He has released four albums with the Infrared Record Label as a leader and many more as a versatile sideman and co leader. Ted consistently receives accolades from critics and musicians alike for his astonishing virtuosity, technique and prolific originality.

Ted has performed with notable contemporaries such as; Ellis Marsalis, Peter Bernstein, Bob Dorough, Larry Coryell, Nathan East, Nicholas Payton, Howard Alden, Mundell Lowe, Rick Margitza, Julian Labro, Steve Masakowski, John Ellis, Tony Dagradi, Mike Pellera, Jason Marsalis, Ron Eschete’, Johnny Vidacovich, Herlin Riley, and many more.

Ted has been the recipient of an ASCAP award, the Louis Armstrong award, and the Overture to the Cultural Season award. In 2016, Ted was the youngest inductee into The Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame.

Ted’s brand of jazz is unique. He possesses a lyrical style and his guitar sings with clarity and emotion. His rhythm and timing are exquisite and his fingering technique is second to none.

Ted’s Trio:

Ted Ludwig – Guitar

Joe Vick – Upright Bass (An impressive jazz and classical career spanning four decades)

Brian Brown – Percussion (A stellar touring and performing career spanning five decades)

The shows begin at 8 PM. Tickets are $10 at the door. Dinner and cocktails are available before and during the show. Call 501-244-9660 to reserve a table. These shows are expected to sell out; call today to avoid disappointment.