Tag Archives: John Williams

Six Weeks of STAR WARS on CALS Ron Robinson Theater screen ends with RETURN OF THE JEDI

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Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi PosterFor six weeks this summer, the Central Arkansas Library System has been showing the first six episodes of the STAR WARS saga on Thursday evenings at the Ron Robinson Theater.  They are being shown in episode order, not release order, or any of the other orders dreamed up by fans.

Tonight the triple fortnight concludes with 1983’s Episode 6 – Return of the Jedi  

As an epic battle for the fate of the galaxy approaches, the Empire quickly finishes construction on another Death Star battle station, and the Emperor himself soon arrives to personally oversee the operation. Rescuing Han Solo from his captor Jabba the Hutt, Princess Leia helps organize the Rebel attack and Luke Skywalker prepares for final confrontation with Darth Vader to prove himself a Jedi and perhaps bring out the good within his father’s soul.

This is the film which (SPOILER ALERT) Boba Fett dies.  It is also the movie in which Carrie Fisher had to wear a gold bikini.

The cast includes Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness (in cameos), Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, David Prowse, Ian McDiarmid, and the voice of James Earl Jones.

Directed by Richard Marquand (selected by George Lucas), the film was nominated for four Oscars: Music (John Williams third nomination for the trilogy), Sound Effects, Sound, and Art Direction.  As had the first two films in the triad, it received a Special Oscar for Visual Effects.

The screening starts tonight, August 15, at 7pm. Admission is $5.00.

STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE on the CALS Ron Robinson Theatre screen tonight.

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Star Wars (1977)For six weeks this summer, the Central Arkansas Library System is showing the first six episodes of the STAR WARS saga on Thursday evenings at the Ron Robinson Theater.  They are being shown in episode order, not release order, or any of the other orders dreamed up by fans.

Tonight is Episode 4 – A New Hope.  When it was released in 1977, it was known simply as Star Wars.

Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke’s Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. And after Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in a lightsaber duel with his former apprentice, Darth Vader, Luke proves that the Force is with him by destroying the Empire’s dreaded Death Star.

The cast includes Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Peter Cushing, Kenny Baker, David Prowse, and the uncredited voice of James Earl Jones.

Directed by George Lucas, the film won six Oscars: Art Direction, Costume Design, Sound, Editing, Visual Effects, and Score (for John Williams’ iconic masterpiece).  It also won a Special Oscar for Sound Effects.  The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Director, Original Screenplay, and Supporting Actor (Guinness).

The screening starts tonight, August 1, at 7pm. Admission is $5.00.

JAWS on the big screen tonight at CALS Ron Robinson Theater

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Jaws

duunnn dunnn… duuuunnnn duun… duuunnnnnnnn dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnn dunnnn

The terrifying motion picture from the terrifying No. 1 best seller – Steven Spielberg’s breakout movie Jaws will be shown at the CALS Ron Robinson Theater tonight as part of their “Movies Meant for the Big Screen” series.

Based on Peter Benchley’s bestselling book, the film starts Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss.  It is, in many ways, the ultimate Summer movie — beach, action, special effects, and a hearkening back to simpler times.

The cast also includes Lorraine Gray and Murray Hamilton as well as Bruce the Shark. Spielberg’s dog at the time also made an appearance.  It also features the iconic score by John Williams. Nominated for four Academy Awards, it won three: Score, Sound and Film Editing. The only Oscar it lost was Best Picture.

Originally slated for Christmas 1974 release, the movie was so far behind schedule the release did not happen until June 20, 1975. At the time, summer was the dumping ground for movies. But based on the success of Jaws, the concept of the Summer Blockbuster was born.

Tonight’s screening starts at 7pm.  Admission is $5.

The Natural State Brass Band in concert today

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Image may contain: textThe Natural State Brass Band presents its pre-Memorial Day concert on May 19 at 3 p.m. at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn, in Little Rock.

Admission is free.

Selections will include “American Overture,” “A Sinatra Salute!,” “Joshua Swings the Battle,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “John Williams: Epic Themes,” “Armed Forces Salute,” “America, the Beautiful,” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

ARmusica in concert at 7pm tonight

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ArMusicaFestival of the Senses, the free performing arts series sponsored by Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church at 4106 JFK Boulevard, again presents the ARmusica duo of Julie Cheek on piano and Andrew Irvin Tuesday, April 2, at 7:00 p.m. in a program of “Spring Surprises”: music by composers Arvo Pärt and Ludwig von Beethoven, plus a selection of beloved musical themes from the movies by Ennio Morricone and John Williams.

Julie Cheek, a Little Rock native who made her professional debut at age 14 as a soloist with the Arkansas Chamber Orchestra, has performed and held master classes with orchestras across America and Europe and has traveled around the world as a popular entertainer on several cruise lines. She continues to teach at Interlochen and elsewhere and to concertize throughout the U.S.

Violinist Andrew Irvin, concertmaster of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra (ASO), has played his 1765 Gagliano violin in concerts throughout North America and Europe. In addition to being a cofounder of ARmusica in 2012, he is a member of the Irvin/Christopher Duo and the Camino Trio and has recorded on the Potenza and Naxos labels.

This season marks the eighth year of Festival of the Senses, with nine events spotlighting some of the region’s most distinguished and dedicated musicians and artists. Designed as a gift of the arts to the community to entertain, enlighten, and inspire, all events are free and open to the public. The performance will be followed by a reception in the parish hall for attendees to meet and greet the performers.

The Force is with the ASO

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StarWars_Showpage-91d5a5a9f8The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Philip Mann, Music Director and Conductor, took advantage of Star Wars Day to announce a presentation of The Music of Star Wars, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, October 20th and 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 21st at the Robinson Center.

The concert will feature music selected from the entire series of 10 feature films, an animated film, three TV films, and six animated series spanning more than 40 years. The celebrated film composer John Williams (Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter), composed all music from the eight saga films (Williams is also slated to score the ninth and final film), with award-winners Michael Giacchino and John Powell composing the music for the spin-off films.

ASO NewThe program will feature costumes, trivia, and decoration of the Robinson Center to create a multi-sensory experience. Audiences are invited attend this family-friendly event in costume as their favorite character.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on September 4th; ASO donors can begin purchasing tickets on May 14th during a special pre-sale event. To become an ASO donor, visit www.ArkansasSymphony.org/support or call Cambria at 501-666-1761, ext. 112..; prices are $16, $36, $57, and $68; active duty military and student tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.ArkansasSymphony.org/starwars; at the Robinson Center street-level box office beginning 90 minutes prior to a concert; or by phone at 501-666-1761, ext. 1.

All Arkansas students grades K-12 are admitted to Sunday’s matinee free of charge with the purchase of an adult ticket using the Entergy Kids’ Ticket, downloadable at http://www.arkansassymphony.org/freekids.

Darth Vader and Trombones tonight with the Little Rock Wind Symphony

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lrws darthA long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… there were trombones! Join the Little Rock Wind Symphony for the concert of the intergalactic kind!

Israel Getzov conducts the evening which features solisits Justin Cook, trombone.

The program includes:

Alfred Reed: Hounds of Spring
Richard Wagner: “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Lohengrin
Jacques Press: Wedding Dance
Meredith Wilson: 76 Trombones
Richard Peaslee: Arrows of Time
     Justin Cook, trombone
John Williams: Stars Wars Trilogy
7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 25th at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock.