Tag Archives: River Market

15 Highlights of 2015 – Sculpture at the River Market expands beyond River Market

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0202PeaceIn 2015, Sculpture at the River Market officially expanded outside of the River Market area.

There have certainly been sculptures in Little Rock since the Henry Moore sculpture arrived in the 1970s.  Working with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, Sculpture at the River Market has located scores of sculptures in Riverfront Park (both in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden and in other areas of the park) and on the streets in the River Market District.

In 2011, the group started a public monument competition. The first three annual winners were all placed in Riverfront Park. Lorri Acott won the 2014 competition for her sculpture Peace.  Instead of being placed in the park, it was installed at the southeast corner of the intersection of Second and Main Streets.

It has quickly become a focal point in downtown Little Rock.

The 2015 public monument competition was won by Michael Warrick. It will be placed on Chenal Parkway at Chenal Village Drive.

Also in 2015, the sculptures downtown started attracting attention.  Actress Melissa Joan Hart and singer Tim McGraw both took to social media to highlight Little Rock sculpture while they were visiting Little Rock.  McGraw highlighted the pig sculpture at the River Market while Hart praised Rabbit Reach at the corner of President Clinton Avenue and Sherman Street.

The 2016 edition of the annual show and sale will be April 22 to 24.

Special Veterans Day concert at the River Market by Central High School Band and Flagline

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centralentranceIn honor of veterans and those currently serving, the Little Rock Central High School Band and Flagline members will host a free, special concert this Veterans Day, November 11, 2015. The performance will take place at 11 a.m. in the east pavilion of the River Market. The first 100 veterans who attend will receive a commemorative token from Central’s band.

Known for their innovative technique and marching style, Central’s band has been invited to perform across the country, most notably during the last inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama. They were also featured at the finishing line of this year’s local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Now, they’ve been extended an invitation to participate in a Pearl Harbor Memorial Concert in Hawaii on November 23, 2016. The concert honors military heroes, survivors and veterans of Pearl Harbor. Next year marks Pearl Harbor’s 75th anniversary.

With financial support, the students will be able to experience a “once in a lifetime” opportunity in Hawaii. If you would like to help support the band’s efforts, you may make a tax deductible donation to LRCH’s Band Program, 1500 S. Park Street, Little Rock, AR 72202; or online at http://tinyurl.com/pu8q8lj (a small fee is applied to online donations). You will also be able to make donations during the November 11, 2015 performance at the River Market.

Central’s band will also host a Battle of the Bands fundraiser at Quigley Stadium at noon on November 15, 2015, featuring the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South, along with invited bands from the Memphis and Dallas areas. Tickets are $10

Creative Class of 2015: Scott Walters

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scottwaltersOctober may have ended yesterday. But since this is about Creativity, the Creative Class stretches into November for one day this year.  Scott Walters uses his position as Rector of Christ Church to build connections and raise awareness of a variety of art forms and creative disciplines.

Through his leadership and encouragement, two different public gallery spaces have been created at Christ Church, an Arts at Christ Church series has been launched (featuring all types of music from Grammy winning soul to Renaissance chamber), the basement has been turned into The Undercroft music venue with regular performances, and a partnership with the Arkansas Literary Festival has been undertaken.

Concerned with the built environment, he has led walking tours of downtown which have focused not only on the history of the neighborhood but also looking at its present and envisioning its future possibilities.  Because Christ Church is at a hub of development in the River Market, Creative Corridor, SoMa, MacArthur Park and Hanger Hill, he is exploring ways to more actively integrate the church into its greater community.

Interested in historic preservation, he is currently shepherding an effort to restore the historic stained glass windows at the church. A student of poetry, philosophy and urban planning, he can often be found engaged in discussions about those topics.  But he is just as likely to discuss comedians, YouTube videos, and the local music scene.

Twice Sax wraps up 2015 Jazz in the Park tonight at 6pm in Riverfront Park

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twicesaxThis fall sessions of Jazz in the Park end tonight with Twice Sax. 

The concert will take place from 6pm to 8pm in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park.  In case of rain, it will be in the River Market pavilions.

Instrumental jazz/funk/blues project Twicesax came together in 2009 when sax-playing brothers-in-law Dave Williams II and Brandon Dorris solidified a group of musicians who had been regulars at a local jam.

The group performs a mix of originals and artfully arranged covers. Each musician plays professionally in many other bands and draws from their own influences of jazz, rock, bluegrass, funk and blues, creating a lively and complex sound that listeners have called “music that gets into your head, gets into your bones and moves you.”

Members include:

  • Dave Williams on sax
  • Brandon Dorris on sax and flute
  • Jason McHughes on drums
  • Matthew Stone on guitar and mandolin
  • Daniel Schoultz on bass

jazzinparkThe concert series is brought to you by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Lost Forty Brewing beers, select wines, soft drinks & water are available for sale. Proceeds benefit Art Porter Music Education, Inc. So please, NO Coolers. Picnic blankets and chairs are welcome. As are children and pets (please leash your pets)

Art Porter Music Education, Inc. (APME) continues its mission of keeping the musical legacies of local jazz statesman Art Porter, Sr. and his son, renowned saxophonist Art Porter, Jr. alive with community enrichment opportunities, volunteerism, and the awarding of scholarships. Through music, APME works to enhance education by helping students improve reading, language and mathematical skills. The partnership with the River Market to support Jazz in the Park, a free, family-friendly event featuring jazz in downtown Little Rock, is a natural fit for both organizations.

 

Tonight’s Jazz in the Park: Syn RG!

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jazzinparkThis September, on Wednesday nights from 6 pm – 8 pm., Jazz in the Park continues its partnership with Art Porter Music Education, Inc. in the Riverfront Park.
Tonight features Syn RG!  The concert will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park.  In case of rain, it will be in the River Market pavilions.
The concert series is brought to you by the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Lost Forty Brewing beers, select wines, soft drinks & water are available for sale. Proceeds benefit Art Porter Music Education, Inc. So please, NO Coolers. Picnic blankets and chairs are welcome. As are children and pets (please leash your pets)
Art Porter Music Education, Inc. (APME) continues its mission of keeping the musical legacies of local jazz statesman Art Porter, Sr. and his son, renowned saxophonist Art Porter, Jr. alive with community enrichment opportunities, volunteerism, and the awarding of scholarships. Through music, APME works to enhance education by helping students improve reading, language and mathematical skills. The partnership with the River Market to support Jazz in the Park, a free, family-friendly event featuring jazz in downtown Little Rock, is a natural fit for both organizations.

 

Today from noon to 11pm, Legends of Arkansas in Riverfront Park

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LOA_logoLegends of Arkansas, the all-day, family-friendly live music and art festival, is Saturday, September 19, 2015. This is the third annual all-Arkansas, grassroots event to be held at Riverfront Park in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. We will celebrate some of the best artists and musicians in Arkansas, as well as independent businesses from around the state with free admission to the public.

The music starts at 12:00 p.m. and continues until 11:00 p.m. with more than twenty live bands on two stages; the History Pavilion and First Security Amphitheater. Artists include Adam Faucett & the Tall Grass, The Wild Flowers, Barrett Baber, Good Foot, Whole Fam Damily, Ducktronaut, Collin vs. Adam, Big Piph, Stephan James, Makenzie Jordan, Franko Coleman, Fisher DeClerk, Sarah Cecil, Chris Long Acoustic, Brian Nahlen, Chris DeClerk Solo, Charlotte Taylor w/ Matt Stone, Mothwind, Federalis, Sick Numbles, Groovecluster, S!Bass Cadet, and DJ DripFunk. The Master of Ceremonies will be Mr. Mike Poe with special guest appearances from Shoog Radio’s own Aaron Sarlo and Kara Bibb from KABF.

On the main stage, in between the music, there will be performing artists, pitch competition finals, a hip-hop workshop and award presentations. ReCreation Studios will perform live art around the park throughout the day with stilt-walkers, hula hoop dancers, aerial silk performances on the main stage, and a special fire performance after headlining act, Adam Faucett. Paul Prater will amaze once again with his fringe style performing art. There will also be different artist demonstrating their art throughout the park.

The walkways around the amphitheater will be lined with local art and craft vendors, including some Etsy Little Rock vendors. Small businesses, including some of the finest local food trucks, will be set up around the festival to promote and showcase their businesses, as well as nonprofits, to educate on their causes. Legends of Arkansas, local businesses, and nonprofits hope to show the public how easy it can be to spend and keep our money in our own community.

Legends of Arkansas is family-friendly and admission is free.

Special Movies in the Park tonight: KARK & LRCVB present GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

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MITP WPS GOTGMovies in the Park returns to downtown Little Rock as part of a special “Razorback Nation River Market Takeover” event the night before the Arkansas Razorbacks host Toledo in Little Rock.

KARK-TV and the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau will present a free showing of Guardians of the Galaxy at sundown around 8:00 p.m. Movies in the Park takes place at the First Security Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.

This 2014 super hero sci-fi film features Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Lee Pace, Djimon Honsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benecio Del Toro and the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper.

Following the movie, Razorback Nation will broadcast “Gear Up for Game Day” (10:15 p.m.) live from the River Market. One lucky fan who sticks around for the broadcast will win a pair of tickets to see the legendary Stevie Wonder in concert!

Prior to the movie, dining specials will be offered at various restaurants in and around the River Market.