Category Archives: Music

Late Night at South on Main – SeanFresh and The Nasty Fresh take the stage

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som seanfreshTonight at 10, South on Main welcomes SeanFresh to the stage.  His melodic and sultry voice is backed by his electric and energetic band, The Nasty Fresh.

Doors open at 4:00 PM, show begins at 10:00 PM. Wristbands can be purchased for $10 after doors open.

SeanFresh (voted as a finalist by the Arkansas Times for 2015 Artist of the Year) is a Little Rock native and has been working on the musical and visual part of his latest project, The Teshuvah Project, for the past 3 years. The Teshuvah Project is a series of three musically pieces and visual components that tell a story of love, lust and pain that is sure to be one of the best albums of the year.

Tonight at 8 at South on Main – Oxford American presents Lera Lynn

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oaamer lera

Tonight at 8pm, the Oxford American magazine welcomes Lera Lynn to the South on Main stage to kick off our 2015 – 2016 Americana Series!

Doors open at 6pm, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. This series is made possible by our presenting sponsor, Ben E. Keith Foods Mid-South Division, and in part by the generosity of The Summer Foundation.

Tickets are $13 (General Admission), $17 (Reserved), and $22 (Premium Reserved).

Born in Houston, Texas, Nashville-based, and Georgia-bred, singer-songwriter Lera Lynn creates music that may be hard to categorize, but that is exactly why she appeals to so many. While the music business likes to wrap everything up in neat little packages, that isn’t always possible. Lera’s music has frequently been filed under “Americana,” “Folk,” and “Country.” But those categorizations tell only part of the story. “I just want to stop thinking about music as a marketing campaign,” Lera says. “Ray Charles went from jazz to R&B to country. Paul McCartney will do a ballad next to ‘Helter Skelter’ and not think twice. The most successful and lasting artists let inspiration steer them, not genre or marketing pitch. I’m just doing what moves me as it comes.”

Lynn’s album, The Avenues, produced by Joshua Grange, was released in September 2014. With The Avenues, Lynn created a mature album that resolutely defies pigeonholing. There is respect and nostalgia for the past while still pushing towards the future. “Where does my music fit?” says Lynn, “it’s the hardest question to answer. It’s something I’m constantly thinking about, and something people ask. I haven’t found an answer. I think it’s sexy. It’s sophisticated.”

“[The] album is the culmination of a life spent in music. Performing has been pretty constant for me my whole life,” she says. If you catch Lera performing live these days, she may be with a band—or playing as a duo with Joshua Grange on pedal steel. Either way, you’ll see a natural in action.

Tonight’s Jazz in the Park: Syn RG!

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jazzinparkThis September, on Wednesday nights from 6 pm – 8 pm., Jazz in the Park continues its partnership with Art Porter Music Education, Inc. in the Riverfront Park.
Tonight features Syn RG!  The concert will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park.  In case of rain, it will be in the River Market pavilions.
The concert series is brought to you by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Lost Forty Brewing beers, select wines, soft drinks & water are available for sale. Proceeds benefit Art Porter Music Education, Inc. So please, NO Coolers. Picnic blankets and chairs are welcome. As are children and pets (please leash your pets)
Art Porter Music Education, Inc. (APME) continues its mission of keeping the musical legacies of local jazz statesman Art Porter, Sr. and his son, renowned saxophonist Art Porter, Jr. alive with community enrichment opportunities, volunteerism, and the awarding of scholarships. Through music, APME works to enhance education by helping students improve reading, language and mathematical skills. The partnership with the River Market to support Jazz in the Park, a free, family-friendly event featuring jazz in downtown Little Rock, is a natural fit for both organizations.

 

Tonight’s Oxford American Local Live at South on Main: Jeff Coleman & the Feeders

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llsom jcfeedersTonight at 7:30pm, the Oxford American magazine’s Local Live concert at South on Main features Jeff Coleman & the Feeders! As always, Local Live is free and open to the public. To guarantee a table/seat for this popular series, call ahead at (501) 244-9660.

Jeff Coleman & the Feeders have shared the stage with other musical talents such as Lucero, Son Volt, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jack Ingram, Cracker, Eli Young, Randy Rogers, Pat Green, Marty Stewart, Casey Donahew, Dash Rip Rock, and Billy Joe Shaver to name just a few.

This four-piece is comprised of Jeff Coleman (lead vocals, guitar, and keyboard), Mark Chiaro (lead guitar), Stan James (drums), and Jerry Cordova (bass, backing vocals).

Before Phantom arrives in LR, Celebrity Attractions offers 4 shows for 2015-16 season

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201516 CALRCelebrity Attractions invites you to discover Broadway with the 2015–‐2016 Broadway Season at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.

The adventure begins as four national Broadway tours take the stage: Celebrate the King himself in ELVIS LIVES. Deck the halls with Broadway and Christmas classics in NEIL BERG’S BROADWAY HOLIDAY. Sing along with the world’s best–‐loved orphan, ANNIE and travel back in time with 13 time Tony® Award nominated musical, RAGTIME.

“We are excited to be able to continue bringing national tours to the Little Rock area during the Robinson Center renovation. The Maumelle Performing Arts Center, located on the Maumelle High School campus, provides an intimate theatrical experience for our patrons,” said Ed. L. Payton, Celebrity Attractions CEO. “We are sure you will become a Broadway fan after discovering our lineup for the Celebrity Attractions’ 2015–‐2016 Broadway Season.”

ELVIS LIVES October 23–‐25, 2015 ELVIS LIVES captures the imagination and interest of fans of all ages and all types including Broadway theatregoers, concert lovers and, of course Elvis aficionados. Welcomed by Hutchinson Financial, the theatrical production is an unforgettable multi–‐media and live musical journey across Elvis’ life. Each performer represents Elvis during different stages in his career. The Elvis tribute artists will be joined by a live band, back–‐up singers and dancers, and an Ann–‐Margret tribute artist. Celebrate the King of Rock and Roll in the national hit ELVIS LIVES!

NEIL BERG’S BROADWAY HOLIDAY December 18–‐20, 2015 This winter Neil Berg’s critically acclaimed musical revue BROADWAY HOLIDAY will deck the halls with Christmas tunes from Broadway scores along with celebrated favorites from Broadway’s hottest shows. Five of Broadway brightest stars direct from New York will take the audience on a journey celebrating the great American songbook, songs from Broadway’s recent blockbusters and Christmas songs to help guarantee you’ll “Have a Merry Little Christmas.” An evening of Broadway stars singing Holiday songs and standards will be the perfect way to warm your heart this Christmas season.

ANNIE February 19–‐21, 2016 Leapin’ Lizards! The world’s best–‐loved musical will return in time–‐honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. Welcomed by the Little Rock Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, ANNIE features a book and score by Tony® Award–‐winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” “Overflowing! Big, warm–‐hearted and funny!” –‐New York Post.

RAGTIME April 15–‐17, 2016 At the dawn of a new century, everything is changing…and anything is possible. Welcomed by Arkansas Federal Credit Union, RAGTIME will take to the road in all–‐new touring production and is directed and choreographed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge. The stories of an upper–‐class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a daring young Harlem musician unfold –‐ set in turn–‐of–‐the–‐century New York –‐–‐ all three united by their desire and belief in a brighter tomorrow. Their compelling stories are set to theatre’s richest and most glorious Tony® Award–‐winning score by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens. Winning Tony® Awards for Best Book and Best Musical Score, this 13 time Tony® Award nominated musical is a timeless celebration of life –‐ what it could and should be! Welcomed by KATV and the Maumelle Area Chamber of Commerce

Celebrity Attractions’ 2015–‐2016 Broadway Season is held at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of Maumelle High School. To guarantee great seats for all four nationally touring Broadway productions, become a Celebrity Attractions’ 2015–‐2016 Broadway Season Subscriber.

Season Subscriber benefits include many advantages: the best seats at the lowest prices, the same great seats for every show, the ability to buy additional tickets to individual shows before the public, the option to exchange show tickets to another performance before the public on sale and will be among the first to reserve seats in the newly renovated Robinson Center Music Hall for the 2016–‐17 Season which features Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor John E. Knight

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Jno E Knight sigOn September 20, 1816, future Little Rock Mayor John Elliott Knight was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts. In 1843 he married Hannah Donnell in New York, and came to Little Rock that same year.

Knight was editor of the Arkansas Democrat from 1846 to 1850. He was also associated with the Arkansas Gazette and published the short-lived Chronicle. In 1851, Knight served as Mayor of Little Rock. In 1855, he served as a member of the City Council.

In 1858 a song was published entitled “I Am Near to Thee” which featured music by Arkansan Benjamin Scull and lyrics by Knight.  The song was dedicated to Mary Woodruff.

During the Civil War, he served as a Colonel.  During the 1850, 1860 and 1880 census, he was listed as an attorney.

He had one daughter, Elizabeth Knight, who married James S. Pollock, a banker in Little Rock. Knight died in Little Rock, Arkansas, on October 28, 1901, and was buried in Mount Holly Cemetery. Elizabeth Knight Pollock died in 1910.

As an attorney and newspaper editor, John E. Knight collected documents about the settlement of Little Rock. Those papers are now part of a collection at the Arkansas History Commission.  The majority of these papers are from William Russell to Chester Ashley, pertaining to pre-emption claims in and around Little Rock. Other material concerns the 1819-1822 dispute related to the the New Madrid Certificate and pre-emption claims of James Bryant, Stephen F. Austin, and William M. O’Hara.

“Then Sings My Soul” as River City Men’s Chorus starts 2015-16 season today, this week

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rcmc singsThe thirteenth season of the River City Men’s Chorus starts this week with this first concert of the season – “Then Sings My Soul.”

Join the River City Men’s Chorus as they perform songs of inspiration and hope. New arrangements of familiar hymns, beautiful works by our greatest modern composers and plenty of gospel, this concert will be one you will not want to miss!

Three performances: Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. Admission, as always, is free, but come early.

The other two concerts of the season are the annual Holiday show (November 29, 30 and December 3) and “Mighty Waters…and little ponds” (April 17, 18 and 21).

Founded in 2002, the River City Men’s Chorus is under the direction of David Glaze.