Holiday Open House at the Old State House this afternoon

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oldstatehouseToday is the day for the Department of Arkansas Heritage museums in Little Rock to celebrate the holidays.

This afternoon from 1pm until 4:30pm, the Old State House Museum will be hosting a Holiday Open House.

The traditions of joyous family holiday celebrations past can be relived at Holiday Open House. Visitors will find the Old State House colorfully decorated for the season. Fun, hands-on activities will be available to children; they can create unique holiday cards and more.

Delightful carols will be performed by local music groups. Visitors will also enjoy delicious cookies and punch.

Call (501) 324-9685 for more information. Admission is free

The 48th Annual Christmas Frolic this afternoon at Historic Arkansas Museum

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HAM-frolicWhen the Culture Vulture was just a Culture Chick, his parents took him to then-Arkansas Territorial Restoration Christmas Open House.

Thankfully, this event continues and celebrates Christmas as it was in the 1800s with living history, carols, reenactments, live music, dancing and more. Visitors come from across the state every year for our famous hot cider and ginger cake, as well as Arkansas-made holiday shopping in the Museum Store.

Activities:

  • Have your photo taken with Father Christmas from 1:30 to 2pm and from 2:30 to 3 pm.
  • Crafts and cards in the Hands On History classroom
  • Live music performances in our atrium and galleries.
  • McVicar House: Readings of “The Night Before Christmas” (originally published in 1823) at 1:30, 2:15, 2:45 and 3:15 pm. Readings will alternate with appearances by Capt. James McVicar.
  • Print Shop: Learn what apprentices looked forward to about the holiday; make a wax seal
  • Brownlee Kitchen: caroling
  • Hinderliter Grog Shop: dancing
  • Farmstead: Blacksmith Shop open, Early Arkansas Reenactors will be doing a variety of pioneer demonstrations, cider and gingercake in the parlor, crafts in the bedroom, reindeer food on the porch.
  • There will be games on the historic grounds and at the farmstead.

The fun continues from 1pm until 4pm today.  Watch for HAM director Bill Worthen to dance the Virginia Reel, which members of his family have been dancing in Arkansas since the 1820s.

Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade today

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 Dust off your holiday wreaths, shine up the jingle bells and head down this afternoon to the 2015 Little Rock Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade.

Sponsored by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, the parade starts today (December 5) at 3:00 p.m. in Downtown Little Rock.

The Parade will begin at 2nd and Broadway, follow Broadway to Capitol Avenue, then proceed down Capitol Avenue to the State Capitol.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy and celebrate the holiday season with your friends, so bring the entire family and join the fun!

Continuing this annual community tradition, this year’s parade is sure to be an afternoon of festive fun! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joined by various entries such as marching bands, floats, cars, animals and much more!

Following the parade at dark (approximately 6pm), enjoy the Lighting of the State Capitol Ceremony (Sponsored by the Arkansas Secretary of State Office) with entertainment and fireworks)

Run as fast as you can to the THE GINGERBREAD MAN at the AAC Children’s Theatre

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AACCT GIngerThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is excited to ring in the holiday season with The Gingerbread Man, through December 20.

Grandma Tic and Grandpa Toc couldn’t be more surprised (or pleased) when the Gingerbread Man springs to life and dances around their little clock shop. He’s a happy little cookie man made of ginger and molasses. But when the sly, hungry Fox comes along, playtime is over and the race is on!

You won’t want to miss this fun for the whole family, festive musical which will run Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. through December 20. So strap on your sleigh-bell-Nikes and run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch him! He’s the Gingerbread Man!

The cast includes:

  • Paige Carpenter as Sugarplum Fairy;
  • Aleigha Morton as Grandma Tic;
  • Jeremy Matthey as Grandpa Toc;
  • Madison Stolzer as Ginger;
  • Katie Campbell as Snow Fox;
  • Mark Hansen as Filbert;
  • John Isner as Adorable;
  • Max Green as Papa Penguin;
  • Amelia Bartholomew as Mama Penguin;
  • Morgan Stolzer as Junior the Penguin;
  • Matthew Thorne and Keith Smith as Mr. Nick;
  • Madison Fleck as Elf Clarissa;
  • John Michael Murphy as Elf Clyde.

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director for the production which was adapted for the stage and is directed by Keith Smith. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Mike Stacks, set design by Mary Alyce Hare, properties design by Miranda Young, choreographed by Erin Fowler, and Rivka Kupperman is the stage manager.

The Gingerbread Man is also sponsored by Target Corporation.

Show times: Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices: $12.50 General admission, $10 for Arkansas Arts Center members, $10 per person for groups of 10 or more

Best enjoyed by all ages.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ArkansasArtsCenter.org/theatre

Little Rock Look Back: Clinton Library Groundbreaking

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bill groundbreak14 years ago today the groundbreaking for the Clinton Library took place on December 5, 2001. It was dry and about thirty degrees warmer than the actual opening would be in November 2004.

The former president was joined by then-Mayor Jim Dailey, City Director Dean Kumpuris, then-Assistant City Manager Bruce Moore, contractor Bill Clark, then-Clinton Foundation executives Skip Rutherford & Stephanie Streett, and other dignitaries in turning the dirt. The location for the ceremony is now actually the parking lot for Sturgis Hall – the home of the Clinton School of Public Service and Clinton Foundation offices.

President Clinton was the only member of his family to attend the ceremony, which drew over 400 people. His wife, then the junior Senator from New York, was expecting some important floor votes in Washington DC, and daughter Chelsea was studying in England.

At the ceremony, Clinton joked “We’re going to try to build it in less than it took to build the medieval cathedrals and the Egyptian pyramids, but if I can’t rein in my team it may cost as much!” Of course by then the date was set for November 2004. Coordinating schedules of the current and former Presidents is an intricate act.

Holidays in the Wild – Evenings this Weekend at the Little Rock Zoo

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LRZoo HolidaysWildStroll through the Zoo and view holiday lights and lit trees!

Friday through Sunday (December 4-6) from 6pm to 9pm, enjoy Holidays in the Wild!

Join us for pictures with Santa, FREE carousel rides, a FREE lighted train ride to the North Pole, crafts for kids, special meet-n-greets with our penguins, live music, and food at Holidays in the Wild!

Admission:
Adults – $10
Children 12 and under – $8
Kids under the age of 1 admitted FREE.
Members receive $2 off admission.
(price is all-inclusive except for food purchases)

Late Night at South on Main featuring Bijoux

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bijouxposter.jpg.190x140_q60_cropTonight, South on Main welcomes Bijoux back to their stage! Doors open at 4:00 PM, show begins at 10:00 PM. Wristbands can be purchased for $15 after doors open. Call ahead to reserve a table (501) 244-9660.

Bijoux—a native of Little Rock – is a sultry soul singer adept in various styles. The daughter of West African parents, Bijoux grew up in a household exposed to differing genres of music including folk, classic rock and roll, makossa, country, and R&B. Her jovial spirit, endearing vocals, vibrant entertaining, and musical versatility make her concerts engaging and fun.