CALS Potter Marathon continues tonight with HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

RRT HP 0728Harry continues to discover his destiny as the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS) Ron Robinson Theater‘s (RRT) Harry Potter Movie Marathon shows Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Year three at Hogwarts means new fun and challenges as Harry learns the delicate art of approaching a Hippogriff, transforming shape-shifting Boggarts into hilarity and even turning back time. But the term also brings danger: soul-sucking Dementors hover over the school, an ally of the accursed He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named lurks within the castle walls, and fearsome wizard Sirius Black escapes Azkaban.

This 2004 film was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. This was the first Harry Potter film to not be directed by Chris Columbus.  The cast was led by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.  Michael Gambon took over the role of Dumbledore from Richard Harris, who had died.

Others in the cast were Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Geraldine Somerville, Gary Oldman, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Chris Rankin, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright, Mark Williams, David Thewlis, David Bradley, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Dawn French, Emma Thompson, Julie Christie, Peter Best and Timothy Spall.

The screening of all eight movies from Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 will celebrate Harry Potter’s July 31 birthday. Special Harry Potter-themed concessions, activities, and prizes are part of the festivities at 100 River Market Avenue.

Tickets are $7 each for single tickets. Concessions will be available for purchase at every showing, and beer and wine are available at screenings scheduled after 5 p.m.

Some planned activities for movie-goers include being sorted into Hogwarts houses, competing for House Cup points, photo booths, and a horcrux scavenger hunt. Unique treats include candy from Kilwin’s and magical ice cream from Loblolly Creamery. Doors open and activities begin one hour before show time.

The movies continue in order through Friday at 7pm.  On Saturday the final two films will be shown at 1pm and 7pm.

If you see one or all 8, be sure and use #CALSPotterMarathon on social media.

Harry Potter Marathon continues with THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS

RRT HP 0727Harry continues to discover his destiny as the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS)  Ron Robinson Theater ‘s (RRT) Harry Potter Movie Marathon shows with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Cars fly, trees fight back and a mysterious elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of the second year of his amazing journey into the world of wizardry. This year at Hogwarts, spiders talk, letters scold and Harry’s own unsettling ability to speak to snakes turns his friends against him. From dueling clubs to rogue Bludgers, it’s a year of adventure and danger when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron and Hermione’s magical abilities and courage.
This 2002 film was directed by Chris Columbus.  Returning to the cast are Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Julie Walters, John Cleese, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Wright, Chris Rankin, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton and Devon Murray. Among the new cast members were Toby Jones, Jim Norton, Mark Williams, Jason Isaacs, Kenneth Branagh, David Bradley and Miriam Margolyes.

The screening of all eight movies from Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 will celebrate Harry Potter’s July 31 birthday. Special Harry Potter-themed concessions, activities, and prizes are part of the festivities at 100 River Market Avenue.

Tickets are $7 each for single tickets. Concessions will be available for purchase at every showing, and beer and wine are available at screenings scheduled after 5 p.m.

Some planned activities for movie-goers include being sorted into Hogwarts houses, competing for House Cup points, photo booths, and a horcrux scavenger hunt.

Unique treats include candy from Kilwin’s and magical ice cream from Loblolly Creamery. Doors open and activities begin one hour before show time.

The movies continue in order through Friday at 7pm.  On Saturday the final two films will be shown at 1pm and 7pm.

If you see one or all 8, be sure and use #CALSPotterMarathon on social media.

Harry Potter Marathon starts with HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE at 6pm

RRT HP 0726Go back to the beginning as the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS)  Ron Robinson Theater ‘s (RRT) Harry Potter Movie Marathon kicks off with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. (Or … and the Philosopher’s Stone for those who read the book or watched the film across the pond.)
Harry Potter, an orphaned child that has spent the first ten years of his life living under the stairs of his aunt and uncle’s house, is invited to join the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He learns his destiny lies in the realm of magic and fantasy.
This 2001 film was directed by Chris Columbus.  It introduced audiences to Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as the central trio of students at Hogwarts.  Surrounding them were British acting legends Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Julie Walters, John Cleese, Alan Rickman and Zoe Wanamaker.  Others in the cast included Bonnie Wright, Chris Rankin, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton and Devon Murray.
The screening of all eight movies from Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 will celebrate Harry Potter’s July 31 birthday. Special Harry Potter-themed concessions, activities, and prizes are part of the festivities at 100 River Market Avenue.
Tickets are $7 each for single tickets. Concessions will be available for purchase at every showing, and beer and wine are available at screenings scheduled after 5 p.m.

Some planned activities for movie-goers include being sorted into Hogwarts houses, competing for House Cup points, photo booths, and a horcrux scavenger hunt. Unique treats include candy from Kilwin’s and magical ice cream from Loblolly Creamery. Doors open and activities begin one hour before show time.

The movies continue in order Monday through Friday at 7pm.  On Saturday the final two films will be shown at 1pm and 7pm.

If you see one or all 8, be sure and use #CALSPotterMarathon on social media.

HARRY POTTER marathon this week at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater

RRT HP marathonNeither expelliarmus nor Avada Kadavra will stop the Central Arkansas Library System’s (CALS)  Ron Robinson Theater ‘s (RRT) Harry Potter Movie Marathon.
The screening of all eight movies from Sunday, July 26 – Saturday, August 1 will celebrate Harry Potter’s July 31 birthday. Special Harry Potter-themed concessions, activities, and prizes are part of the festivities at 100 River Market Avenue.
Sun, July 26 6 pm Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (PG)
Mon, July 27 7 pm Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PG)
Tue, July 28 7 pm Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (PG)
Wed, July 29 7 pm Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (PG-13)
Thu, July 30 7 pm Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(PG-13)
Fri, July 31 7 pm Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (PG)
Sat, August 1 2 pm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Pt. 1(PG-13)
Sat, August 1 7 pm Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Pt. 2(PG13)

Tickets are $7 each for single tickets. Concessions will be available for purchase at every showing, and beer and wine are available at screenings scheduled after 5 p.m.

Some planned activities for movie-goers include being sorted into Hogwarts houses, competing for House Cup points, photo booths, and a horcrux scavenger hunt. Unique treats include candy from Kilwin’s and magical ice cream from Loblolly Creamery. Doors open and activities begin one hour before show time.

If you see one or all 8, be sure and use #CALSPotterMarathon on social media.

Now’s the time to nominate museums and libraries for National Medal for Museum and Library Service

National MedalLittle Rock is blessed to have a dynamic library system and over a dozen exciting museums.  Let’s face it, the words “dynamic” and “exciting” are not always synonymous with libraries and museums.

Each year, the Institute of Museum and Library Services presents select museums and libraries with the nation’s highest honor, the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.  IMLS is now accepting nominations for the 2016 award which recognizes libraries and museums that make significant and exceptional contributions in service to their communities. Nomination forms are due October 1, 2015.

All types of nonprofit libraries and library organizations, including academic, school, and special libraries, archives, library associations, and library consortia, are eligible to receive this honor. Public or private nonprofit museums of any discipline (including general, art, history, science and technology, children’s, and natural history and anthropology), as well as historic houses and sites, arboretums, nature centers, aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, and planetariums are eligible.

Winners are honored at a ceremony in Washington, DC, host a two-day visit from StoryCorps to record community member stories, and receive positive media attention. Approximately thirty finalists are selected as part of the process and are featured by IMLS during a six-week social media and press campaign.

Winning the medal elevates an institution’s profile and can positively impact fundraising, programming, and outreach activities.

Anyone may nominate a museum or library for this honor, and institutions may self-nominate. For more information, reach out to one of the following contacts.

Program Contact for Museums:
Mark Feitl, Museum Program Specialist
202-653-4635, mfeitl@imls.gov

Program Contact for Libraries:
Katie Murray, Staff Assistant
202-653-4644, kmurray@imls.gov

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 35,000 museums. Their mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Iron Tongue and Adam Faucett & the Tall Grass tonight at 7 at Ron Robinson Theater

RRT TongueLocal heavy rock group Iron Tongue joins forces with the huge voice of songwriter Adam Faucett & the Tall Grass for a night of powerful original music.

Iron Tongue is a group of veteran musicians with diverse backgrounds. Their soulful heavy rock songs of pain, regret and heartache recall their influences of Blue Cheer, Grand Funk, Kiss, Deep Purple, Buddy Guy, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Adam Faucett & the Tall Grass hail from Little Rock. Faucett possesses a voice that the Onion A.V. Club warns “knocks your brain into the back of your skull.” Faucett has drawn comparisons from Tim Buckley to Cat Power to Otis Redding. Called “one of the greatest, most thoughtful lyricists the state has to offer” (Arkansas Times), Faucett has pushed the borders of his “part folk, part blues, part elemental rock stomp, part unidentifiable cosmic holler” (Arkansas Democrat Gazette) with his new album, Blind Water Finds Blind Water, presenting his most arresting and beautiful songs to date.

The concert starts at 7pm at the Ron Robinson Theater. Tickets are $10.

86 Percent say YES to CALS Bonds

Cals ELectionAs noted last night, 86.10% of the voters approved the Central Arkansas Library System bond refinancing.  It really was a no-brainer, though a complicated explanation.  A “Yes” vote meant property taxes would be reduced (thanks to refinancing at a better interest rate).

The final numbers were 3,834 FOR, 619 AGAINST.  Two ballots were cast which were overvotes (voters filled in both bubbles) and five ballots were cast which were undervotes (they were blank). 4400 votes in a special election in July is a fairly decent turnout. It was 3.51% turnout.  When one considers how anemic voter turnout is for presidential elections, this should be viewed as fairly strong.

Looking at the precinct reports, it shows a deep level of support from all areas of the city.  It passed overwhelmingly in every precinct.  The most votes garnered against it in a precinct were 291 at one of the two Pulaski Heights Presbyterian precincts in Hillcrest.  But as that precinct had over 3,000 voters, it was still only 9% of the voters at that ballot box.

The Central Arkansas Library System is in the process of hiring a replacement for retiring director Dr. Bobby Roberts.  Certainly one of the things they must find is someone who knows how to run elections.  Library knowledge, creativity and a vision are not enough. Without the ability to build coalitions of voters, the other skills are all for naught.

In the meantime, the Central Arkansas Library System will move forward with plans to upgrade and expand physical plants and acquire more books and technology.  As is often the case, the planning for the campaign can be the easy part.  After the win comes the execution of the plan.

Now (as Pulitzer Prize and Tony winning playwright Tony Kushner writes in Angels in America, which is available to be checked out from CALS) – “The great work begins.”