Catherine Russell is next in OXFORD AMERICAN’s Archetypes & Troubadours series on South on Main stage

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Catherine Russell [ARCHETYPES & TROUBADOURS SERIES]

The Oxford American magazine is excited to welcome Catherine Russell to the South on Main stage, tonight (December 5).

This is the second show of their Archetypes & Troubadours Sub-Series. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. The series is made possible in part by presenting sponsors Chris & Jo Harkins and J. Mark & Christy Davis, as well as their season sponsor University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Alone Together, vocalist Catherine Russell’s seventh studio album as a leader, is a search for truth. Drawing on composers and lyricists of The Great American Songbook—Irving Berlin, Eddie de Lange, and Jimmy Van Heusen—along with songwriters from the Swing and Rhythm & Blues eras—Nat Cole, Louis Jordan, and Al Dubin, and Harry Warren—Russell invigorates their creations. At the center is Russell’s voice, and while comparisons to Ella, Billie, Sarah, and Dinah abound—while flattering—she has a sound all her own. “Blues infused jazz tunes are the ones I gravitate towards, because they enable me to freely express myself in the moment,” says Russell.

Catherine Russell is a native New Yorker, born into musical royalty. Her father, the late Luis Russell, was a legendary pianist/composer/bandleader and Louis Armstrong’s long-time musical director. Her mother, Carline Ray, was a pioneering vocalist/guitarist/bassist who performed with International Sweethearts of Rhythm, Mary Lou Williams, Sy Oliver, and countless others.

Catherine Russell combines a pedigree, where classic jazz & rhythm and blues run through her veins, with the sensibility of a lifetime in popular music. On Alone Together, an intoxicating brew emerges. The connections are real and natural, never forced, and always true.

Additional season partners include Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Cypress Properties, Inc., UCA College of Fine Arts & Communication, Margaret Ferguson Pope—Thank You Aunt Margaret!, EVO Business Environments, Jay Barth & Chuck Cliett, Stacy Hamilton of Desselle Real Estate, Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Arkansas Arts Council, Department of Arkansas Heritage, Rosen Music Company, and Steinway Piano Gallery Little Rock.

Prohibition Repealed on December 5, 1933

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On December 5, 1933, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah provided the necessary support to officially repeal “the great experiment.”

Because this was such a foregone conclusion, the Arkansas Gazette and Arkansas Democrat carried only small, single column stories on their front pages.  Perhaps because this was Arkansas, it did not appear that any Little Rock businesses immediately set about to capitalize on this.  At least there were not any large scale advertisements in the days following that would indicate any specials or activities planned for the December 15 official end.

In fact, the only mention in the newspapers on December 15 was that President Roosevelt was trying to decide what the alcohol taxing structure should be.

One amusing story that ran in the Arkansas Democrat on December 6 was that Mrs. Roosevelt was keeping the wine glasses in storage at the White House for the time being.  She was awaiting action by Congress once it convened in January 1934 as to how it would deal with properly ending Prohibition in the District of Columbia.  Over 3,000 wine glasses had been in storage since Prohibition had been enacted.

Science after Dark: Jingle Booze. Tonight at the Museum of Discovery

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Fa La La La La La La La Cocktails! Join the Museum of Discovery for the final Science after Dark of 2019.

This evening it is a holiday-themed Science After Dark! Be sure to wear your ugly sweaters!

Sponsors Fassler Hall Little Rock will sell food, Stone’s Throw Brewing will sell beer and Rock Town Distillery will sell cocktails.

You must be at least 21 to enter. Tickets are $5 or free for members and can be purchased online or at the door.

LR Winds Holiday Concert tonight

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LR Winds at UA-PTC CHARTSThe Little Rock Winds annual holiday concert takes place tonight (December 5). It features yuletide favorites performed with a cheerful chorus, delightful dancers, stunning soloists, and a right jolly old elf, all at UA-Pulaski Tech CHARTS Theater!

Under the direction of conductor Israel Getzov, guest artists include Michael Oriatti, tenor; Pat Walker, narrator; Arkansas Festival Ballet Performing Company with artistic director Rebecca Miller Stalcup; Sylvan Hills Choirs with director Elaine Bohannon Harris; Baton auction winner Michele King Hellstern, guest conductor.

There will be a silent auction before the concert, offering lots of items to fill those Christmas stockings. The auction opens at 6:30 p.m. and bidding will conclude at the end of the concert intermission.

AND there will be a photo booth for Selfies with Santa!

I Triple Dog Dare You to miss A CHRISTMAS STORY at CALS Ron Robinson Theater tonight

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Image result for a christmas story movie poster"Spend time with Ralphie, Randy, the Old Man, Mother, Flick, and even Santa Claus tonight with the CALS Ron Robinson Theater shows A Christmas Story.

This beloved holiday movie follows the wintry exploits of youngster Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), who spends most of his time dodging a bully (Zack Ward) and dreaming of his ideal Christmas gift, a “Red Ryder air rifle.”

Frequently at odds with his cranky dad (Darren McGavin) but comforted by his doting mother (Arkansas native Melinda Dillon), Ralphie struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Film starts at 7:00 p.m. Beer, wine, and concessions will be available!

Today at noon – Arkansas Rep production of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is Clinton School topic

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The Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s holiday play – It’s a Wonderful Life is the topic of today’s Clinton School program. It will take place at 12 noon in Sturgis Hall.

Ring in the holidays with an entertaining spin on a familiar holiday favorite. Set in a 1940s radio station on Christmas Eve, enjoy a live radio version of Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film as the actors on stage transform into dozens of characters from Bedford Falls.

Faced with the threat of scandal and financial ruin, George Bailey experiences a crisis of faith and wishes he had never been born. Divine intervention arrives in the form of Clarence (Angel Second Class), who is on a mission to restore George’s will to live and earn his own wings in the process. Every life impacts countless others, whether we know it or not.

Join the Clinton School for a discussion with the cast and crew.

All Clinton School Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. Reserve your seats by emailing publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu or by calling (501) 683-5239.