Tag Archives: Riverfest

15 Highlights of 2015 – Riverfest announces new formats

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For the final fifteen days of 2015, a look back at some of the cultural highlights of 2015.

Up next –

Triverfesthe 39th annual Riverfest celebration will take on a new, expanded format with “Springfest” offered free on Saturday, April 2, and the traditional Riverfest music experience, minus the family activities, presented Friday through Sunday, June 3-5.

Springfest will fill Riverfront Park with many of the most popular daytime activities Riverfest traditionally has offered, including International Village; the Super Retriever Series dog jumping competitions; the Jesse White Tumblers and other roving attractions; Ruff on the River, the Rock ’n’ Stroll 5k Fun Run as well as children’s arts and crafts activities. A concert by acclaimed musical duo Trout Fishing in America will close Springfest.

Flowing on the River, the festival’s separately ticketed wine and craft beer event, will kick off Riverfest 2016 on Friday, June 3. As in years past, concerts by top-name musical acts, along with local and regional performers, will be presented on stages in Riverfront Park and the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5. As always, Market Row vendors and popular Riverfest food and drink merchants will be featured during the weekend.

Ticket prices have not yet been set.

“The cost of booking quality musical acts has accelerated rapidly over the last many years, and Riverfest ticket prices have naturally reflected that trend,” said DeAnna Korte, Riverfest executive director. “We have worried that this has become a financial burden for families and others who aren’t as interested in the evening concerts, so this year we’re presenting many of the classic Riverfest activities for free. And those who want to see the headline concerts will still get that chance for a price that will be very competitive with if not significantly lower than the cost of attending other popular music festivals.”

Korte continued: “We know Riverfest serves two distinct audiences. After almost 40 years – an amazing run for any festival – it is time for a change to ensure all festival-goers’ needs.  In 2016, Riverfest will move off Memorial Day weekend for the first time in the festival’s history. Korte said that decision was made “because that weekend traditionally is a time when families go to the lake or engage in other start-of-summer activities. We wanted to remove that barrier as a reason people might not be able to attend Riverfest.”

More specific details for both the April and June expanded Riverfest experiences will be announced as they develop.

Creative Class of 2015: Matt McLeod

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McLeodMuralMatt McLeod is a painter, sculp­tor and mural­ist, spe­cial­iz­ing in fine art for res­i­den­tial, com­mer­cial and pub­lic art projects. His art hangs in many homes and businesses throughout Central Arkansas and beyond. Arguably his most visible work is the new mural at the corner of 6th and Main in the Creative Corridor.

After grad­u­at­ing from South­ern Methodist Uni­ver­sity in 1987, Matt spent a fifteen-year career in adver­tis­ing, before becom­ing a full-time artist. Matt spent the last eleven years in fine art, devel­op­ing paint­ings into his bold, vibrant style — what he calls Ener­getic Color.

Matt’s Ener­getic Color is included in sev­eral pri­vate and cor­po­rate col­lec­tions across the US and has brought sig­nif­i­cant recog­ni­tion, includ­ing pieces in the Delta Exhi­bi­tion at The Arkansas Arts Cen­ter and a paint­ing on the front cover of the first Arkansas Artists Cal­en­dar, cre­ated by The Arkansas Governor’s Man­sion Asso­ci­a­tion.

In 2011, Matt was the fea­tured artist for River­fest music fes­ti­val. Matt was the fea­tured artist for MusicFest El Dorado, in 2012. In 2013, Matt was the fea­tured artist for The Thea Foundation’s Annual Spring Fine Arts Fes­ti­val. This month, Matt opened a gallery in down­town Lit­tle Rock, spe­cial­iz­ing in highly col­lectible regional artists and res­i­den­tial and com­mer­cial commissions.

Changes in store for Riverfest 2016

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Triverfesthe 39th annual Riverfest celebration will take on a new, expanded format with “Springfest” offered free on Saturday, April 2, and the traditional Riverfest music experience, minus the family activities, presented Friday through Sunday, June 3-5.

Springfest will fill Riverfront Park with many of the most popular daytime activities Riverfest traditionally has offered, including International Village; the Super Retriever Series dog jumping competitions; the Jesse White Tumblers and other roving attractions; Ruff on the River, the Rock ’n’ Stroll 5k Fun Run as well as children’s arts and crafts activities. A concert by acclaimed musical duo Trout Fishing in America will close Springfest.

Flowing on the River, the festival’s separately ticketed wine and craft beer event, will kick off Riverfest 2016 on Friday, June 3. As in years past, concerts by top-name musical acts, along with local and regional performers, will be presented on stages in Riverfront Park and the grounds of the Clinton Presidential Center on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5. As always, Market Row vendors and popular Riverfest food and drink merchants will be featured during the weekend.

Ticket prices have not yet been set.

“The cost of booking quality musical acts has accelerated rapidly over the last many years, and Riverfest ticket prices have naturally reflected that trend,” said DeAnna Korte, Riverfest executive director. “We have worried that this has become a financial burden for families and others who aren’t as interested in the evening concerts, so this year we’re presenting many of the classic Riverfest activities for free. And those who want to see the headline concerts will still get that chance for a price that will be very competitive with if not significantly lower than the cost of attending other popular music festivals.”

Korte continued: “We know Riverfest serves two distinct audiences. After almost 40 years – an amazing run for any festival – it is time for a change to ensure all festival-goers’ needs.  In 2016, Riverfest will move off Memorial Day weekend for the first time in the festival’s history. Korte said that decision was made “because that weekend traditionally is a time when families go to the lake or engage in other start-of-summer activities. We wanted to remove that barrier as a reason people might not be able to attend Riverfest.”

More specific details for both the April and June expanded Riverfest experiences will be announced as they develop.

Stuart Baer with Bugtussle Slim on the bill tonight at South on Main’s Local Live

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llsom bugTonight at 7:30 at South on Main is the Oxford American’s Local Live free concert series featuring Stuart Baer with Bugtussle Slim. Call ahead at (501) 244-9660 to reserve your seat at a table for this popular series. Local Live is made possible by the generous support of Ben and Jane Hunt Meade.

Little Rock’s own Stuart Baer began to study classical piano at age six and continued college level instruction at UALR at age fourteen. He began playing the blues as Hammond player for Arkansas blues legend Michael Burks, and he produced Burks’ first CD in 1996.

Bugtussle Silm (Lance Womack) also played with Burks at this time and served as session drummer. Baer toured with Burks for a couple years as well as Son Seals, Guitar Shorty, and Dr. Hector and the Groove Injectors (Riverfest, 2000). Baer authored two songs and is featured on the CD Axe to Grind by the Joe Pitts Band, to be released April 2015.

Stuart Baer and Lance Womack were both inducted into the Arkansas Blues Hall of Fame in 2013.

Fireworks, Fun, and Fantastic Music wrap up 2015 Riverfest today

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Riverfest fireworksRiverfest goes out with a bang today featuring the First Security Bank Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. prior to the headline entertainment. Music will be simulcast throughout Riverfront Park and broadcast on The Point 94.1.

The Miller Light/AFCU Stage starts with the First Baptist Church Vessels of Praise at 1:15.  Life Skills for Youth goes on stage at 2, while the Arkansas All Star Cloggers take the stage at 2:45.  The afternoon session also includes Charlotte Leigh (3:30), The Roosevelts (4:30), and Backroad Anthem (6:00).  Sam Hunt will play from 7:30 to 9:00, followed by the fireworks.  At 9:30, Jake Owen will close out the festival on this stage.

On the Bud Light Stage, the afternoon session includes Weakness for Blondes (1:45), The Irie Lions (3:15) and House of Shem (4:45).  The evening kicks off with Galactic featuring Macy Gray at 6:15.  Big K.R.I.T. plays at 8pm.  Following the fireworks, Girl Talk takes the stage at 9:45pm.

The Stickyz Stage gets started at 1:30 with Big Still River.  Dead Soldiers follow at 2:45, and John Paul Keith is on at 4:00.  Adam Faucett & The Tall Grass go on at 5:15.  The evening music starts with Leopold & His Fiction at 6:30.  Hot Buttered Rum plays at 7:45.  Following the Fireworks, George Porter Jr. & His Runnin’ Pardners are the final act on this stage for Riverfest 2015.

The Yarnell’s Kidzone Stage lineup includes:

  • 1:15 pm    The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 2:15 p.m.    Break Shop Bump’n
  • 3:00 p.m.    FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 3:15 p.m.   Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 4:00 pm    The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 5:00 p.m.  FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 5:15 pm    Break Shop Bump’n
  • 6:00 pm    Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 6:45 pm    The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 7:45 p.m.  FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 8:00 p.m    Break Shop Bump’n
  • 9:00 p.m.    Fireworks
  • 9:30 p.m.    DJ Dev

A full day of fun and music today at Riverfest

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Riverfest2015_tstDay TWO of Riverfest is full of music on four stages as well as many other activities.

Miller Light/AFCU Stage

Little Rock School of Dance starts the day on the Miller Light/AFCU Stage at 11:30, followed by I CAN! Dance (12:15), KidSmart (1pm) and O’Donovans School of Irish Dance (1:45pm).  At 2:30, Kyla Horton performs followed by Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts (3:30) and Adam Hambrick (4:45).

At 6pm Ben Rector goes on stage.  Robert Earl Keen takes the stage at 7:45.  The final act of the night is Kip Moore at 9:30.

 

Bud Light Stage

Things get going on the Bud Light stage at 11:30 with the winning band from Rock ‘n’ Stroll.  Then at 1pm, Brothers & Company are next.  They are followed by American Lions (2:15), Recess (3:30) and 40 Oz to Freedom (4:30).

At 6pm Sister Hazel takes the stage.  Bone Thugs ‘n’ Harmony are next at 8pm.  The evening lineup ends when 311 goes on stage at 9:45.

 

Stickyz Music Stage

At 12:30, the People’s Republic of Casio Tones starts the day on the Stickyz Music Stage.  They will be followed by Open Fields (1:45), Move Orchestra (3:00), Ghost Bones (4:15) and Bobgoblin (5:30).

The Whigs claim the stage at 6:45 followed by Vinyl Thief at 8:15.  Mansion on the Moon goes on at 9;45.

 

Yarnell’s Kidzone Stage

  • 11:30 pm Little Rock Zoo Creature Feature
  • 12:15 pm The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 1:15 p.m. FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 1:30 p.m. Little Rock Zoo Creature Feature
  • 2:15 pm Break Shop Bump’n
  • 3:00 p.m. Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 3:45 p.m. FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 4:00 p.m. The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 5:00 p.m. Break Shop Bump’n
  • 5:45 p.m. Kenya Safari Acrobats
  • 6:30 p.m. FreezeFest Ice Cream Eating Competition
  • 6:45 p.m. The Kazoobie Kazoo Show w/Rick Hubbard
  • 7:45 pm Break Shop Bump’n
  • 8:30 p.m. DJ Dev

Ruff on the River Goes Red, White and Blue!

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ROTR_FBRiverfest presents the 4th Annual “Ruff on the River Pooch Parade” to be held on Saturday May 23, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.  This year’s theme is Red, White, and Blue! Dress up your pooch in a patriotic theme. Ruff on the River and Riverfest want to give back to animal organizations in need. What better way than to get the community together for some fun while giving back to others.  This years proceeds recipients are as follows:  All About Labs, Little Rock Animal Village and C.A.R.E.

The registration “PAWTY” and the start of the parade will take place on the lawn of Heifer Village for the 2015 festival. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. If you did not pre-register, you may register on site for $35 with festival admission included for the entire weekend! The “PAWTY”starts at 8:30 a.m. and immediately following the parade will be the Weenie Dog Derby for all short legged dogs.  There are three different sized categories for the short-legged dog races.1) Beenie Weenies – Measures no more than 8″ in height. 2) Hot Dogs – Measures 9-12″ in height. 3) Summer Sausage – Measures over 12″ in height.  Join our celebrity judges as they give away top prizes at the Winners Circle and introduce the recipients of our proceeds and the winners of the best costume contest!

Each Pooch registration includes one human escort. Additional human guests can walk with the pooch member by purchasing an additional escort pass. Escort passes can be purchased at the registration “PAWTY”.

Registration for additional human companions and the Weenie Dog Derby will take place the day of the event for $5.

Your registration fee benefits C.A.R.E., All About Labs and Little Rock Animal Village.