Tag Archives: PUSH Physical Theatre

Day 2 of ACANSA offers Laughs, Learning, Thrills and Thought-Provoking Moments

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Acansa day 2The second day of this year’s ACANSA Arts Festival offers theatre, dance, music and art!  Four different stages offer opportunities to experience unique performances.

The Hot Sardines – 8pm (Clinton Presidential Park Lawn) $20 (reserved seating), $50 (includes Jazz Cafe), $10 (lawn only)

Take a blustery brass lineup, layer it over a rhythm section led by a stride-piano virtuoso in the Fats Waller vein, and tie the whole thing together with a one-of-the-boys front woman with a voice from another era, and you have the Hot Sardines. (We haven’t even told you about the tap dancer yet.)

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

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.

PUSH Physical Theatre – 7pm (North Little Rock Middle School Auditorium) $20 (general admission), $10 (students/military)

Seeing award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre is like watching a live-action movie. This talented group of performers inspires awe with physical illusions and gravity-defying, dance-infused, acrobatic high-jinx.

PUSH’s repeated sold-out performances have established them as the masters of physical storytelling.

Earlier in the day – at noon, there is a Lunch and Learn at the Albert Pike Memorial Temple.  It will feature a tour of the building and a chance to learn about its history. 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.

ACANSA preview – Dance and Movement

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The second annual ACANSA Arts Festival runs from September 16 to 20.  It will feature a variety of art forms at a variety of venues downtown.  This week, we will preview some of the acts.  Today’s entry looks at the dance and movement acts.

The Urban Bush Women

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.

The Urban Bush Women will perform on Saturday, September 19 at 7pm.  The performance will take place at the North Little Rock Middle School auditorium (formerly the North Little Rock High – East Campus auditorium).

PUSH Physical Theatre

Seeing award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre is like watching a live-action movie. This talented group of performers inspires awe with physical illusions and gravity-defying, dance-infused, acrobatic high-jinx.

PUSH has performed in theatres, festivals, special events, arts education and residency projects. Audiences ranged from 11,000 to 200 for smaller theatres.

It’s cool, it’s athletic, it’s a perfect metaphor-in-motion: the narratives of our lives played out with hope, strength and optimism. Once you’ve experienced the myth and magic of PUSH, you will know the strength of the human soul expressed by the power of the human body.

PUSH’s repeated sold-out performances have established them as the masters of physical storytelling.

The performance begins at 7:00pm on Thursday, September 17. The performance will take place at the North Little Rock Middle School auditorium (formerly the North Little Rock High – East Campus auditorium).

Tickets to both events, as well as festival passes, can be purchased at the ACANSA website.

For more information, 501-663-2287 or email admin@ACANSAartsfestival.org