Tag Archives: Arkansas Arts Center

Final Weekend of PUSS IN BOOTS at Ark. Arts Center Children’s Theatre

Posted on by

PussInBoots_posterThis weekend marks St. Francis Day.  He was the patron saint of animals.  It is also the final chance to see the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre production of Puss in Boots.

Based on Charles Perrault’s world famous feline fun-time fairytale, Puss in Bootsis an electric story set in song and dance. This fun for all ages show will run Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. 

Be amazed as swashbuckling Puss the Cat raises his master, Claude, from a down-and-out miller’s son to the heights of happiness. Enjoy all the madcap fun as Puss brandishes, not his sword, but his superior feline intellect to conquer kings, ogres and even a few rabbits along the way. It’s all about brain over brawn. Oh, and you’ll just love his shoes.

The cast includes:

  • Chad Bradford of Little Rock as Puss
  • Mark Hansen of Little Rock as Claude
  • Katie Campbell of Little Rock as Coquette
  • Nick Spencer of Nashville, Tenn. as Major Domo
  • Jeremy Matthey of Little Rock as the King
  • Lauren Linton of Memphis; Aleigha Morton of Beebe; and Moriah Patterson of Sheridan as the Trio.

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director for the production. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin and Nikki Webster, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Mike Stacks, setting and properties design by Miranda Young, choreographed by Erin Fowler and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.  

The 2015/2016 season of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre will feature six Main Stage shows: Puss in Boots;The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; The Gingerbread Man; The 13 Clocks; Schoolhouse Rock Live! and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit. And is sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor, Arkansas BlueCross Blue Shield; Fall Season Sponsor, Centennial Bank; Spring Season Sponsors, The Fine Arts Club of Arkansas and Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Foot Care’; Additional Support Provided by The Morris Foundation and Media Sponsor, Little Rock Family Magazine.

$12.50 General admission, $10 for Arkansas Arts Center members, $10 per person for groups of 10 or more (Children 2 years of age and under are free, however the child must remain in an adult’s lap at all times.)

The 2015 ACANSA wraps up with Gospel Brunch at Wildwood

Posted on by

St Mark Baptist ChoirJoin ACANSA Arts Festival at Wildwood Park for the Arts for a Gospel Brunch with the award winning Saint Mark Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir.

Sunday brunches are a southern tradition.  Also on Sunday mornings in the south, African-American churches burst into song with the joyous sounds of gospel. Gospel brunches, a relatively new phenomenon, allow an audience to enjoy a sumptuous meal while appreciating this uplifting, soulful music on the day it was meant to be heard.

Price of $35 includes performance and brunch.

Brunch begins at 11:00am.

Other ACANSA events today:

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford will be on view until October 25, 2015 in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well.

On the fourth day of ACANSA…..

Posted on by

Acansa day 4The fourth day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers dance, theatre, music and art!

 

The Urban Bush Women – 7pm (North Little Rock Middle School Auditorium) $20 (general admission); $50 (The Story Continues); $10 students/military

The Urban Bush Women (UBW) keep history alive by presenting dancers that tell stories from the perspective of women in the African diaspora.  This non-profit dance company, based in Brooklyn, New York was founded in 1984 by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.  This group of seven women have performed their diverse pieces across the USA, Europe, Asia and Australia.  UBW previously presented at Spoleto USA and other festivals and received a number of honors including the Capezio Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance and the Doris Duke Award for New Work from the American Dance Festival to name a few.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

“Avant-Garde Late Night: Rocktown Distillery with Amasa Hines” – 9pm (Rocktown Distillery) $20 (general admission) 

Join ACANSA’s Avant-Garde at the Rock Town Distillery to dance to the music of Amasa Hines.  Amasa Hines is a seven piece, Little Rock, Arkansas based band whose sound is as big as their influences are wide. Their influences come from a diverse range of Soul, Afro-Beat, Psychedelic, Blues, Dub, and Indie Rock. Refreshments will be served including beer and wine.  Cocktails available for purchase.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford will be on view until October 25, 2015 in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well.

 

Day 3 of ACANSA offers A Little Poetry and a lot of music, theatre and art

Posted on by

Acansa day 3The third day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers theatre, music and art!  Four different stages offer opportunities to experience unique performances.

A Little Poetry: The Art of Alonzo Ford – 5:30PM reception (Arkansas Arts Center)

The exhibition will be on view September 15 to October 25, 2015 in the Arkansas Arts Center’s Sam Strauss, Jr., Gallery.

Alonzo Ford, grew up on farm in the Southland Community near Lexa, Arkansas. His figurative drawings focus on his memories of a life lived on his family farm. Ford enjoys creating with color and drawing landscapes that depict farm life and old buildings and active portraits. Stark figures engage in the daily activities Ford recalls from childhood leaving one with a sense of the activity, simplicity, and intimacy of mid-century rural life in Arkansas.

The Exchange – 7pm (Albert Pike Memorial Temple) $20 (general admission); $50 (A Capella Lounge); $10 students/military

In just the past year, The Exchange, debuted their original EP, toured with the Backstreet Boys, and had a featured spot on NBC&The Sing Off.; The bands explosive energy is ignited by their diversity in music styles ranging from rock to hip-hop to opera. This amazing A Capella group blends different styles and instrumentation, but its sound will always be defined;by the raw, soulful power of the human voice.

The A Capella Lounge – “Meet the Artists” reception after the performance.

 

“The Dork Knight” – 9pm (Arkansas Rep Black Box, 550 Main) $20 (general admission)

Jason O’Connell brings an iconic interpretation of his relationship with Batman through the years. His impersonations are so lifelike that if you close your eyes, you would swear you were in the room with Christian Bale or Jack Nicholson. O’Connell keeps audiences in rapt attention, at times laughing hysterically or mesmerized in complete silence and he takes you with him on this journey with Batman.

“Blood at the Root” – 8pm (Argenta Community Theatre) $30 (general admission) $15 (students/military)

Based on a true story of the Jena Six, Blood at the Root, written by Dominique Morriseau, is a play that touches on many social issues. Directed by Steve Broadnax, head of the Pennsylvania State theatre program, this play has received international acclaim on its tours through South Africa, Scotland and Australia. It is an exciting piece of work that breaks traditional convention. It speaks to where America is right now racially, economically, and socially. It is also a fun show with musicality, and an emphasis on movement. The inclusion of many different perspectives makes for an exciting, thought provoking performance. Please note: This performance contains strong language.

 

The Bo-Keys – 10pm (South on Main) $20 (general admission)

The Bo-Keys are a soul/jazz band from Memphis, formed as an homage to the city’s rich musical tradition. They keep the sound of classic Memphis R&B vital and contemporary.Featuring legendary singer Percy Wiggins and led by Grammy nominated producer-bassist Scott Bomar, group also includes historic session musicians from Stax and Hi Records studio bands

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the Argenta Branch of the Laman Library.  It will feature a discussion of Arkansas art pottery by David E. Gifford. This program is free.

The Angela Davis Johnson Exhibit will be on display at the Argenta Gallery all day today (and through October 12). It has free admission as well. A reception will take place this evening.

PUSS IN BOOTS launches Ark. Arts Center’s 2015/16 Children’s Theatre season

Posted on by

PussInBoots_posterThe Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre is excited to begin the 2015/2016 Main Stage season with Puss in Boots, September 18-October 4.

Based on Charles Perrault’s world famous feline fun-time fairytale, Puss in Boots is an electric story set in song and dance. This fun for all ages show will run Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. September 19 through October 4.

Be amazed as swashbuckling Puss the Cat raises his master, Claude, from a down-and-out miller’s son to the heights of happiness. Enjoy all the madcap fun as Puss brandishes, not his sword, but his superior feline intellect to conquer kings, ogres and even a few rabbits along the way. It’s all about brain over brawn. Oh, and you’ll just love his shoes.

The cast includes:

  • Chad Bradford of Little Rock as Puss;
  • Mark Hansen of Little Rock as Claude;
  • Katie Campbell of Little Rock as Coquette;
  • Nick Spencer of Nashville, Tenn. as Major Domo;
  • Jeremy Matthey of Little Rock as the King;
  • Lauren Linton of Memphis; Aleigha Morton of Beebe; and Moriah Patterson of Sheridan as the Trio.

Bradley D. Anderson is the artistic director for the production. Costumes are designed by Erin Larkin and Nikki Webster, technical direction by Drew Posey, lighting design by Mike Stacks, setting and properties design by Miranda Young, choreographed by Erin Fowler and Sarah Gasser is the stage manager.  

The 2015/2016 season of the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre will feature six Main Stage shows: Puss in Boots; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; The Gingerbread Man; The 13 Clocks; Schoolhouse Rock Live! and The Adventures of Peter Rabbit. And is sponsored by: Presenting Sponsor, Arkansas BlueCross Blue Shield; Fall Season Sponsor, Centennial Bank; Spring Season Sponsors, The Fine Arts Club of Arkansas and Dr. Loren Bartole, ‘Family Foot Care’; Additional Support Provided by The Morris Foundation and Media Sponsor, Little Rock Family Magazine.

$12.50 General admission, $10 for Arkansas Arts Center members, $10 per person for groups of 10 or more (Children 2 years of age and under are free, however the child must remain in an adult’s lap at all times.)

Best enjoyed by all ages.

Final week for 57th Delta Exhibition at Arkansas Arts Center

Posted on by

arkartsThe 57th Annual Delta Exhibition provides a unique snapshot of the Delta region by showcasing innovative and provocative contemporary works in all media.

– Guest juror George Dombek, an internationally acclaimed watercolorist and previous Delta award winner, selected the artworks to be exhibited among 882 pieces submitted by 380 artists. He won the 1975 Delta Purchase Award with his work White Whites.

– The exhibition is open to all artists who live in or were born in one of the following states: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.

– 72 works were selected for the exhibition from 68 individual artists, with 48 of those artists from Arkansas. In all, eight states were represented in this year’s Delta.

– Artists awarded in the 57th Annual Delta Exhibition include:

Grand Award

Mark Lewis of Tulsa, Okla., for his work titled, Under the Oak (Woodward Park)

Delta Awards

Lisa Krannichfeld of Little Rock, Ark., for her work titled, Shirt (in gold), dressed series

Neal Harrington of Russellville, Ark., for his work titled, Feather Signal

Honorable Mentions:

Michael Preble of Hot Springs, Ark., for his work titled, Unintended Consequences

Robyn Horn of Little Rock, Ark., for her work titled, Sideways

Aaron Calvert of Arkadelphia, Ark., for his work titled, Giving Figure

John Salvest of Jonesboro, Ark., for his work titled, Cage A

Laura Terry of West Fork, Ark., for her work titled, Ozarks Landscape, Late Summer

David Underwood of Jefferson City, Tenn., for his work titled, Abandonded Schoolhouse

Contemporaries Delta Award:

Mark Lewis of Tulsa, Okla., for his work titled, Under the Oak (Woodward Park)

Contemporaries Honorable Mentions:

Neal Harrington of Russellville, Ark., for his work titled, Feather Signal

The exhibition, which runs through September 20, is sponsored by Mrs. Lisenne Rockefeller, Bourbon & Boots, The Brown Foundation, Inc. of Houston, Dianne and Bobby Tucker, Janet and Sam Alley and the Capital Hotel. The Grand Award is supported by The John William Linn Endowment Fund. The exhibition is supported by the Andre Simon Memorial Trust in memory of everyone who has died of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Architecture & Design Network kicks off 2015/16 lecture series tonight with Alex Gilliam

Posted on by
Photo by Mark Stehle

Photo by Mark Stehle

Alex Gilliam, long committed to K-12 design education, is scheduled to be the first speaker in  Architecture and Design Network’s 15/16 lecture series, the non-profit’s 12th season of talks by well regarded design professionals. Gilliam, who earned an undergraduate and a graduate degree in architecture, will share his ideas about  the value of hands-on experience and its role in design education. 

Gilliam will speak tonight at 6pm at the Arkansas Arts Center. A reception at 5:30 will precede the remarks.
As founder of the Public Workshop, an organization that works with young people to encourage their participation in the design or redesign – as the case may be – of facets of their communities, Gilliam refers to himself as the “cheerleader of possibility”. In their roles as  agents of change, his young  charges hone skills that enable them to repurpose abandoned spaces and bring change to places that figure in their everyday lives –  schools, playgrounds, bus stops, parks and more.
 
With the help of their mentor, participants learn to set goals for themselves and develop the competencies needed to make their surrounds more accommodating to their needs and those of others. Each hands-on effort takes place in full public view with the result that students get feedback from friends and neighbors, some of whom are likely to get involved with the project. “Small groups of motivated people attract the interest and support of others”, notes Gilliam. 
 
Since the Workshop’s founding,  Gilliam has worked with the Rural Studio, the Hester Street Collaborative, Cooper Hewitt Museum, the University of Pennsylvania, the National Building Museum, the Chicago Architectural Foundation and numerous other organizations and institutions across the country. 
 
Architecture and Design Network lectures and receptions are free an open to the public. No reservations are needed. For additional information, contact ardenetwork@mac.com.
Supporters of the non-profilt Architecture and Design  Network (ADN) include the Arkansas Arts Center, the Fay Jones School of Architecture, the Central Section of the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and friends in the community.