Category Archives: Music

Free ASO concert at Capital Hotel tonight with Quapaw Quartet

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ASO at CHMusicians from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be performing this evening in the lobby of the historic Capital Hotel. The music will start at 5:15 pm.

The concert will feature the Quapaw Quartet.  Members of the quartet will introduce the pieces to be performed: “A Little Night Music” featuring music from Mozart, Bernstein, and Debussy.

  • MOZART – Allegro from String Quartet K. 525
  • LLOYD WEBBER arr. Naughtin – The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera
  • MOZART – Romanza from String Quartet K. 525
  • DEBUSSY – Clair de Lune
  • MOZART – Menuetto and Trio from String Quartet K. 525
  • BERNSTEIN – Tonight from West Side Story
  • MOZART – Rondo from String Quartet K. 525

The members of the Quapaw Quartet are: Meredith Maddox Hicks, violin; Eric Hayward, violin; Ryan Mooney, viola; Ethan Young, cello.

Unlike concerts in music halls, guests here are encouraged to bring drinks to their seats or to stand and move around while the musicians are playing.  It is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where the audience and musicians alike are able to interact with each other.

In 2011, the ASO started these free concerts in the lobby of the Capital Hotel.  The marble and tile of this historic lobby provide a wonderful acoustic backdrop for the musicians.

Creative Class of 2015: Rodney Block

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Rodney BlockRodney Block is a Dumas native who has been thriving in the local music scene for the past four 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.

Block released his smooth jazz album, STEEL, in October 2012 and his hip hop collaboration  record, THE LAST ACTION HEROES in 2014. A trumpeter who has been featured and performed in various venues across the globe ranging from corporate to social, he has built a niche in the genres of jazz and hip hop.

Notable artists he has shared the stage with include Earth, Wind, and Fire, Joe, Whoodini, Conya Doss, Johnny Gill, Dwele, Jonathan Butler, Dave Hollister, Ellis and Delfayo Marsalis, Kirk Whalum, Layla Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Anthony David, Marsha Ambrosius and The Yellowjackets.

In 2007, Block’s televised jazz feature, AETN Presents: Front Row with Rodney Block, was nominated for a Regional Emmy. In 2014, the band was honored with the Aurora Award and Telly Award, for its concert feature on AETN television network.

Little Rock Look Back: Pre-Opening Dance at Robinson Auditorium

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RC-pre-opening-signIn October 1939, it looked as if Robinson Auditorium would never open.  The construction had run out of money.  But in an effort to generate a little revenue and give the public the chance to see the building, a few events were booked in the lower level.

At the time, the entrance to the lower level was off of Garland Street which ran to the north of the structure.

While Mayor J. V. Satterfield and other leaders were in Washington seeking additional funding, the Joseph Taylor Robinson Memorial Auditorium hosted its first event.  On October 4, 1939, the convention hall on the lower level was the site of a preview dance.  The pecan block flooring had been installed just the week before.

RC-dance-orchestraThe first four people to enter the building as paying guests were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wilheim, Frances Frazier and Bill Christian.  Reports estimated 3,200 people attended and danced to the music of Jan Garber and His Orchestra.  By happenstance, Garber and his musicians had also played in Little Rock on January 26, 1937, the date of the election which approved the auditorium bonds.  Since Little Rock then did not have a suitable space, that appearance had been on the stage of the high school auditorium.

The event was a success.  But as the building had no heating or cooling mechanism at the time, there were limits as to how long even the lower level could be in use.  After a few weeks, the PWA, which was still in charge of the construction site, halted all future bookings.

Creative Class of 2015: Mark Binns

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mark binnsComposer, arranger, vocal coach, musical director, pianist, teacher, performer.  Mark Binns is all of these things.

He has been involved with Arkansas Repertory Theatre for six seasons now as a keyboardist, musical director and composer. Mark has been the Rep’s musical director for White Christmas, Les Miz, Memphis, and Elf. He has is currently at work on their upcoming The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  For the Rep, he has also worked on their Summer Musical Theatre Intensive for several years.

In addition to the Rep, he often works with the Studio Theatre and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.  Other regional Musical Director credits include Hairspray, Oliver!, Cinderella, Pippin, The Last Five Years and Fiddler on the Roof. He has composed original music for the University of Central Arkansas’ production of The Caucasian Chalk Circle and served as Vocal Director/Arranger for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Fantasy.

When not working on a show, he can often be found performing at the Lobby Bar, the Afterthought or any number of other venues in Little Rock.

Tonight, South on Main welcomes Gina Chavez to the stage

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som ginaSouth on Main is pleased to welcome Austin-based Gina Chavez to the stage, with Arkansas’ own Handmade Moments opening. Doors open at 4:00 PM, show begins at 9:00 PM. Wristbands can be purchased for $10 after doors open.

Gina Chavez is a multi-ethnic Latin pop artist and Austin’s 2015 Musician of the Year. Her independent release, Up.Rooted, won praise from The Boston Globe, USA Today and shot to the top of the iTunes and Amazon Latin charts after a feature on NPR’s All Things Considered.

An eight-time Austin Music Award winner, Gina and her band have shared the stage with Grace Potter, Grammy winners La Santa Cecilia, Gaby Moreno, and Grupo Fantasma, winning audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. She took home the Grand Prize in the 2014 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for “Siete-D,” a song about her experience volunteering in a gang-dominated suburb of San Salvador where she founded Niñas Arriba, a college fund for young Latinas.

Handmade moments is a folk/jazz duo from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their music is reminiscent of 20’s dance hall hits and viper era jazz standards mixed with current themes… Plus some beatboxing. Although modern and fresh, Joel Ludford and Anna Horton’s songwriting contains a subtle and humble vibe. Every show leaves fans lusting over Anna’s prolific voice, while Joel’s guitar grooves continue to ring in their bobbing heads.

Tonight at the Governor’s Mansion, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in concert with First Lady Susan Hutchinson

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first-lady-pianoThe Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by First Lady Susan Hutchinson, presents a concert for the benefit of The Governor’s Mansion Association. A champagne and dessert reception will follow the concert.

The concert begins at 7pm.  Gates open to the Governor’s Mansion at 6:15pm.

The Arkansas Governor’s Mansion Association is a 501 (C)3 non-profit organization that raises funds for the restoration and preservation of the mansion.

The Governor’s Mansion is located in the historic Quapaw District in downtown Little Rock, and was completed in 1950 during the term of Governor Sidney McMath. Our current Governor, Asa Hutchinson is the 12th Governor to reside in the Mansion.

Creative Class of 2015: Bijoux

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BijouxBijoux is a sultry, soul singer adept in various styles.  The daughter of West African parents, she  grew up in a household exposed to differing genres of music including folk, classic rock and roll, makosa, country, and R&B.  As a child she grew up singing in talent shows she produced, as well as church and school choirs.

After years of high school and collegiate choral experience (madrigals, sacred African-American chamber, etc.), she discovered a love for jazz .  In 2009, she emerged onto the scene again as a featured artist with groups like Rodney Block & The Real Music Lovers and Onyx The Band.

Bijoux has opened for and sung with the likes of Kim Burrell, Anthony Hamilton, Dwele, Maurette Brown Clark, Sunday Best Season One Winner Crystal Aiken, Sunday Best Season Two Winner Y’Anna Crawley, DeWayne Woods, and Beverly Crawford.  I have been featured on several local projects for Rodney Block, Epiphany, Kwestion, and more. She frequently performs at various Little Rock music venues.