Happy 184 to Little Rock!

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LR 184With the stroke of Territorial Governor John Pope’s pen, Little Rock was officially chartered as a town on November 7, 1831. This followed approval by the Arkansas legislature a few days earlier.

As a chartered, officially recognized municipality, the Town of Little Rock was authorized to create a government and to plan for a Mayor and Aldermen to be elected. That election would take place in January 1832 with the initial council meeting later that month.

There are several earlier and later days which could be used to mark Little Rock’s official birth (La Harpe sighting in 1722, first settler in 1812, permanent settlement in 1820, selection of trustees in 1825, chartered as a City in 1835, chartered as a City of First Class in 1875) — but it is November 7, 1831, which has been the officially recognized and accepted date.

In 1931, Little Rock celebrated her centennial with a series of events.  Likewise, in November 1981, Little Rock Mayor Charles Bussey signed and City Clerk Jane Czech attested Resolution 6,687 which recognized the Little Rock sesquicentennial.

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor W. H. Walters

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Mayor Walters' official portrait

On November 6, 1912, future Little Rock Mayor William H. Walters was born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

He ran for the City Board of Directors in 1970 and was unopposed.  Walters took office on January 1, 1971 and served one term on the City Board.  He chose not to run for a second term and left office on December 31, 1974.

In January 1973, he was selected by his colleagues to serve a two year term as Mayor of the City of Little Rock.

Throughout his life, Mayor Walters enjoyed traveling and visiting over 100 countries throughout the world. Mr. Walters had a keen interest in the circus and collected circus memorabilia from many countries.

He was employed by 3M Company. He was Superintendent and Acting Plant Manager beginning January 1, 1951 and 3M Plant Manager beginning February 1, 1972. He retired in 1977.

In addition to serving on the City Board, he had been active in the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce (he served as Chamber President in 1969), Kiwanis Club, Associated Industries of Arkansas and the YMCA among other activities.

Mayor Walters died on February 14, 2005 at the age of 94.

Sandwich in History at the Thomas M. Clifton house today

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sandwich Thomas M Clifton HouseThe monthly architectural history program “Sandwiching in History” visits the Thomas M. Clifton House, located at 1423 South Summit Street. The program begins at noon today.  A historian with the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program delivers a brief lecture about the church before leading guests on a tour.

Located in the Central High School Neighborhood Historic District, this house was built about 1900 and features elements of the Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles. The first long-term occupant was Thomas M. Clifton, who worked in the Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad shops.

Sandwiching in History is a program of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.  The AHPP is responsible for identifying, evaluating, registering and preserving the state’s cultural resources. Other DAH agencies are the Arkansas Arts Council, the Delta Cultural Center in Helena, the Old State House Museum, the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission and the Historic Arkansas Museum.

As part of Oxford American Jazz Series, Aaron Diehl headlines at South on Main tonight

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som diehlJazz returns to Main Street tonight at 8:00 PM!  The Oxford American magazine welcomes Aaron Diehl to Little Rock as the second show in its 2015 – 2016 Jazz Series!

Doors open at 6:00 PM, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at that time. This series is made possible by presenting sponsor, the UCA College of Fine Arts & Communication. Additional partners include The Summer Foundation, Arkansas Arts Council, Capital Hotel, Piano Kraft, Rosen Music Company, and FM-89.1 KUAR.

Tickets are $20 (General Admission), $30 (Reserved), and $32 (Premium Reserved).

In an era revolving around celebrity hype and mediocre entertainment, Columbus, Ohio native Aaron Diehl seeks to stand out as an artist in his generation that exemplifies excellence, sophistication, and a fluency in the American musical vernacular. The 2011 Cole Porter Fellow of the American Pianists Association, Diehl has been hailed by the New York Times as “a smart young pianist with a fastidious grasp of Jazz traditions.” He is committed to unearthing the treasures of a musical aesthetic through collaborative efforts with musicians across generations.

Born in 1985, Diehl grew up in a nurturing musical environment with his grandfather, Arthur Baskerville, who often played piano at local establishments in Columbus and sang in the church choir. Aaron began studying classically at age seven, and he discovered his passion for jazz music when attending the Interlochen Summer Camp. There he met piano prodigy Eldar Djangirov, who made a lasting impression on Diehl through his enthusiasm for Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum.

Diehl is the Artistic Director of the Catskill Jazz Factory, an organization dedicated to enhancing community development by means of America’s original art form.

Jeane Hamilton discusses founding of Arkansas Arts Center today at noon at Clinton School

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Photo taken for SOIREE

Photo taken for SOIREE

Jeane Hamilton, who has been actively involved with the Arkansas Arts Center since its beginning in 1957 and has an extensive collection of history and memorabilia, will join Dean Skip Rutherford to talk about the Arts Center, the founding leadership roles played by both the Junior League of Little Rock and Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, its development for almost 60 years, and her vision for its future in light of an ongoing community dialogue. Mrs. Hamilton’s commitment began when she was named Junior League Arts Chairman by then President Carrie Dickinson.

The conversation will take place at noon today at the Clinton School.

 

 

Support Arkansas Foodbank and get tickets from Arkansas Symphony

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Turkey Drive ASO AFBThe Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is holding their popular “Beethoven and Blue Jeans” concert on November 7th and 8th at the Maumelle Performing Arts Center.

Attendees can support the Arkansas Foodbank during the much needed holiday season by dropping off a frozen turkey or other bird  before either concert and as a thank you, turkey donors will receive a pair of free tickets to any future concert from the ASO’s 2015-2016 Season.

The times for the concert are Saturday, November 7, at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 8, at 3pm.  A frozen turkey will help provide a healthy holiday meal to the ONE in FIVE Arkansans struggling with hunger and more importantly help bring families together during this time of year.

Tickets for the “Beethoven & Blue Jeans” concert are available online at www.ArkansasSymphony.org and via phone at 501-666-1761 or at the door. Tickets start at $19.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 50th season in 2015-2016, under the leadership of Music Director Philip Mann. ASO is the resident orchestra of Robinson Center Music Hall, and performs more than sixty concerts each year for more than 165,000 people through its Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks Series, ACXIOM Pops LIVE! Series, River Rhapsodies Chamber Music Series, and numerous concerts performed around the state of Arkansas, in addition to serving central Arkansas through numerous community outreach programs and bringing live symphonic music education to over 26,000 school children and over 200 schools.

The Arkansas Foodbank, the largest food bank in Arkansas, is a member of Feeding America and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Its warehouse in Little Rock and Warren serve approximately 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, schools, colleges, and other agencies that provide aid directly to hungry Arkansans. Last year, the Foodbank distributed more than 22 million pounds of food to agencies that help feed the hungry. For more information on how you can fight hunger, visit the Foodbank website at www.arkansasfoodbank.org

The Oxford American Local Live tonight at South on Main celebrates Tulsa Music Showcase with Horton Records

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llsom hortonTonight at 7:30 PM join the Oxford American magazine for this week’s Local Live concert at South on Main. On tap for November 4 is a special Tulsa Music Showcase with Horton Records! 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.

This showcase is presented by Horton Records, a non-profit 501c-3 organization based in Tulsa, Oklahoma that is dedicated to the cultivation and development of Tulsa area artists and building on the area’s great tradition, while fostering and strengthening community through musical endeavors. Featuring:

Paul BenjamanPAUL BENJAMAN – Paul Benjaman builds his style from Tulsa Sound hero J.J. Cale and expands the form to include most genres of American music. Signature guitar licks are at the forefront of his groove-based songs, playing a wide vocabulary that also scored him a spot as touring sideman for The Secret Sisters and an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Stellar musicianship and mature song craft makes for a red-hot live show that fits equally well on a large festival stage or smoky dive bar.

Jacob TovarJACOB TOVAR – Jacob Tovar, leader of The Saddle Tramps, is a man from a different era, a different time. With a gentleman’s handshake, booming voice, contagious smile, and quick wit, this performer effortlessly connects with all walks of life through his sincere songs of country, western, and old-fashioned honky tonk. His live performances are immediately engaging and a real hoot for any audience.

Beau RobersonBEAU ROBERSON – Beau Roberson, leader of the band Pilgrim, is a powerhouse vocalist with great range and a rhythmic style of playing that always gets the crowd moving. Down-home lyrics join with swampy grooves to create a gritty soul sound that makes you want to kick off your shoes and grab a drink. Just as powerful are the slower moments, when introspective lyrics reach deep down and stir your spirit.

Kyle ReidKYLE REID – Kyle Reid, leader of The Low Swinging Chariots, serves up a mixed drink of Americana with New Orleans flavor and a twist of Gypsy Swing.  Reid’s original tunes sound at once familiar yet new and exciting, blending elements of these classic American forms with contemporary attitude. It’s a rambunctious romp that drags one through the mire of everyday drudgery into a tent revival of glorious swinging sound that is guaranteed to get toes tapping and tail feathers shaking.