Relive the 1990s in new exhibit at Clinton Presidential Center!

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The Clinton Presidential Library is bringing back the decade that brought us blockbuster movies, must-see television shows, genre-changing music, iconic fashion, collectible toys, and the rise of PCs and the World Wide Web.

This exhibit will feature an exciting and diverse display – from props and scripts to fashion and tech – that, together, will tell the story of popular culture in the United States at the end of the 20th century.

You won’t want to miss Rose’s dress and Jack’s drawing portfolio from Titanic, scripts from The West Wing, one of Garth Brooks’ Stetson Cowboys hats, and, of course, a collection of Beanie Babies that were sent to the Clinton family during the White House years. you’ll definitely want to bring all your “Friends” for a special “perk”-y photo op!

Throughout the exhibit, you’ll have the opportunity to play a variety of interactive games that focus on the era, including ’90s trivia, Pogs, a giant crossword puzzle with ’90s clues, and a ’90s-style video game!

Birth of Little Rock’s 21st Mayor – Charles P. Bertrand

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On November 23, 1808, future Mayor Charles P. Bertrand was born in New York.  He was the son of Pierre and Eliza Wilson Bertrand; his father died in 1809 in an uprising in Haiti and his mother eventually remarried.  With her new husband, Dr. Matthew Cunningham, she and the family moved to Little Rock in 1820.

After apprenticing with family friend William Woodruff at the Arkansas Gazette, Bertrand opened the Arkansas Advocate newspaper.  He later studied law under Robert Crittenden and entered the legal profession.

In 1835-1836, he served as State Treasurer for the Arkansas Territory, and in 1836 as secretary for the first constitutional convention. He was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1840-1841 and 1844-1849.

Bertrand followed in his stepfather’s footsteps and became Mayor of Little Rock.  (Dr. Cunningham had been the first Little Rock Mayor in 1831.)  He was in office from January 1855 through January 1857, serving two one-year terms.  He later served on the City Council and filled in as acting mayor. (Another influence on his upbringing was studying under future Mayor Jesse Brown who taught at the first school in Little Rock.)

Bertrand, as acting mayor, was involved in the negotiations of the surrender of Little Rock to federal troops in 1863.  He also later corresponded with President Lincoln on behalf of Little Rock citizens.

Though a staunch Confederate, his good will toward the Union soldiers and federal officials is credited with helping to save Little Rock from the destruction which befell many other Southern cities.

Bertrand is also credited with delaying the start of the Civil War.  Prior to the attack on Fort Sumner, members of the Arkansas Militia were planning to attack the Federal Arsenal at Little Rock during the absence of Governor Rector.  This would have been viewed as an act of war.  Bertrand was able to dissuade them from the attack.  Had he been unsuccessful, the Civil War would have likely started in Arkansas instead of South Carolina.

He had put his considerable fortune into Confederate money during the war. At the Civil War’s conclusion, the family was financially ruined. Though they had vast land holdings, those would be sold off in parcels to pay for taxes.

Bertrand died August 27, 1865, shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War.  He, like his mother, step-father, and several other relatives, is buried in Mt. Holly Cemetery.

Arkansas Arts Center Museum School annual sale today from 9am to 3pm

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The Arkansas Arts Center Museum School will be having its annual Sale on Saturday, November 23 from 9am to 3pm at the Hall of Industry, 2600 Howard Street.

Scores of Museum School students and faculty (and faculty who are also students) will be selling artwork in all varieties of shapes, sizes, media and price ranges.

It is a perfect chance to get a start on holiday shopping as well as to support local artists. Several of the artists have been taking classes and selling at the sale for years, while there will be others who are first timers.   Artists accept cash and checks; many also accept credit or debit cards.

Dee Dee Jones and Haywood King entertain tonight at the South on Main stage

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Dee Dee Jones & Haywood KingGet ready for an AMAZING night of live entertainment with Dee Dee Jones & Haywood King tonight (11/22) at South on Main.
Show begins at 9pm with a $15 cover. Cover a does not guarantee you a seat. Call (501) 244-9660 to reserve a table. Reservations require advance ticket purchase to confirm.
Who is Dee Dee Jones? Performer—actress—host—songstress—powerhouse…..all around entertainer. Her background is gospel, but she has grown to love all genres music. She’s shared the stage with many national artist such as Tank, Tweet, RL of Next and many others, but she loves performing alongside friends in her local community. She is working on her own music, so stay tuned!
Mr. Haywood King—a native from Pine Bluff, AR is a dynamic singer, song writer and musician, known for his immaculate soulful voice. His music repertoire steams from old school r&b, pop, classical & today’s modern music. He is definitely an artist that’s a great crowd pleaser.

Relive THE LAST WALTZ tonight at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater

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The Last Waltz PosterOne of the seminal North American music groups in the 1970s to 1990s was simply named The Band.  Relive The Band in its glory tonight at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater as it screens the 1978 movie The Last Waltz.

This film screening celebrates “one of the most important cultural events of the last two decades” (Rolling Stone).

Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz looks at The Band’s historic 1976 farewell concert and features Arkansas music legends Levon Helm and Ronnie Hawkins.

The Band was a Canadian-American roots rock group including Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, and Levon Helm. Their time backing Bob Dylan was when they first reached prominence, but they were originally formed as The Hawks, a backing band for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins.  Following the Farewell Tour, as did so many other groups, The Band reconstituted itself from 1983 to 1999. And Levon Helm made music up until his final days.

In addition to featuring the members of The Band, The Last Waltz contains appearances by Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Ringo Starr, Dr. John, and Van Morrison, among others.

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

The Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra presents fall concert tonight

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The Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), Geoffrey Robson, conductor, presents its fall concert Friday, November 22nd at 7:30 p.m at the Woolly Auditorium at Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (2400 W Markham St).

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Youth Ensembles’ top group opens the concert with Wagner’s Prelude to Die Meistersinger followed by Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. ASO’s principal horn, David Renfro will join the ASYO for their last piece, Chabrier’s Larghetto.

General Admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.ArkansasSymphony.org; at the venue beginning 60 minutes prior to the concert; or by phone at 501-666-1761, ext. 1. All Arkansas students grades K-12 are admitted to this performance free of charge, and these complimentary tickets can be reserved via phone or walkup.

Artists
Geoffrey Robson, conductor
David Renfro, horn

Program
WAGNER – Prelude to Die Meistersinger
TCHAIKOVSKY – Nutcracker Suite
CHABRIER – Larghetto
Featuring ASO Principal Horn, David Renfro