#1: Country music legend Hank Williams Jr. , hip-hop hit makers Salt-n-Pepa and grunge-influenced modern rockers Buckcherry – these are the first three headliners announced for the 2014 Riverfest.
Festival organizers will reveal three more next Tuesday! Get your half-price 3-day passes for $20 each at Walgreens starting April 1st.
In no particular order, here are 13 cultural highlights of 2013 in Little Rock.
1. The 73 year old Joseph Taylor Robinson Municipal Auditorium received a new lease on life when Little Rock voters approved an extensive, two-year plan for renovation, remodeling and expanding the new facility.
2. Speaking of Robinson, the new Ron Robinson Theatre was constructed in the Arcade Building. It will be the flagship home of the Little Rock Film Festival as well as a site for events hosted by the Clinton School of Public Service and the Central Arkansas Library System.
3. The Little Rock Film Festival came downtown with all of its films being shown in downtown Little Rock and Argenta. Among the highlights of the festival were Short Term 12, Bridegroom and Don John which have received plaudits at other festivals and are appearing on Best of 2013 lists as well as receiving award nominations.
4. As Main Street continues to redevelop, plans were announced in 2013 for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Arkansas to each move their offices and rehearsal spaces downtown. Joining them will be an expansion of educational space for the Arkansas Repertory Theatre.
5. A few blocks south on Main Street, the new South on Main restaurant and performance space opened. Weekly performances of live music accent the food and drink under the leadership of Chef Matt Bell.
6. Further down Main Street, Little Rock’s newest museum opened. The Esse Purse Museum honors women and their struggles, accomplishments, hopes and dreams through highlighting the purse.
7. Fashion also took center stage at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center as well with an exhibit on Oscar de La Renta. In addition to showcasing his contributions to design, the exhibit attracted many boldfaced names from the worlds of fashion and politics to an event in Little Rock.
8. George Washington was the focus of two separate exhibits in Little Rock during 2013. Historic Arkansas Museum showcased his inaugural Bible as well as his family Bible. At the Clinton Presidential Center “A Tribute to George Washington” was on display. It featured George Washington’s personal copy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights from Mount Vernon, and a portrait of George Washington painted in 1797 by artist Gilbert Stuart on loan from the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
9. The amphitheatre in Riverfront Park received a new name (First Security Amphitheatre) and a new roof just in time to kick off its 26th year and to play host to musical acts during Riverfest.
10. Rembrandt and Rothko were just two of the artists featured in exhibits at the Arkansas Arts Center through 2013. The Arts Center featured the exhibit Treasures of Kenwood House which highlighted the works of Rembrandt, Van Dyck and many other world class artists. Earlier in the year, exhibits highlighted Bauhaus architecture and relics of the Japanese internment camp at Rohwer. The Arts Center was also the site of the world’s second largest yarn bomb installation.
11. The Little Rock Zoo welcomed two new elephants: Sophie and Babe. The Zoo also was the site of the birth of Bugsy the penguin and four new tiger cubs. The tigers were born as the result of the Zoo’s new tiger exhibit which facilitated not only easier mating but also allows for the separation of the mother and cubs from the father.
12. The Central Arkansas Library System opened its new Children’s Library. A few months after the building opened, a name was bestowed and it is now known as the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center.
13. As 2013 drew to a close, the holiday decorations at the Capital Hotel received international recognition as Forbes named them one of the ten best hotel Christmas trees in the world. The nearly 30 foot tree was decorated by Tipton Hurst.
Riverfest concludes today with even more live music and fun. A highlight of the evening will be the First Security Bank Fireworks display at approximately 9pm.
On the Bud Light Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center, the Saturday night acts are Cody Belew (6:30pm), Florida Georgia Line (7:45pm) and Dierks Bentley (at 9:45pm).
During the afternoon, the acts will be Big Shane Thornton (2pm), Trey Hawkins Band (3:30pm) and Matt Stell & Deep Roots (5pm).
The Miller Lite/Arkansas Federal Credit Union Stage evening acts will feature Drive-By Truckers (at 7:30pm) and Peter Frampton (at 9:30pm).
Earlier in the day, the stage will feature Swampbird (1:30pm), Stephen Neeper Band (3pm), Sonny Burgess & The Pacers (4:30pm) and Paul Thorn (6pm).
The Stickyz Music Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center will feature Toubab Krewe (at 7:45pm) and Richie Spice (at 9:45pm). Earlier in the day, the stage will host Damn Arkansan (2pm), The Dangerous Idiots (at 3:15pm), Adam Faucett (at 4:30pm) and Tyrannosaurus Chicken (at 6pm).
Throughout the three days of the Festival, kids will enjoy Deltic Timber KidZone area of Riverfest 2013. The ”KidZone Playtime Promenade” presented by Deltic Timber is located along the banks of the Arkansas River near the Peabody Playground & Water Park in the central area of Julius Breckling Riverfront Park. Kids will have a great time strolling along the Riverwalk Promenade, which will feature lots of hands on activities, exciting games, creative crafts and more.
The 4th Annual Riverfest Rock and Stroll 5K takes place.
A family event on a fun course through downtown Little Rock. The race will begin at 9:00 a.m. Same day registration opens at 7:45 a.m.
WHY PARTICIPATE:
FUN – dress up as your favorite rock ’n roll star, cartoon character. or just anything fun and hang out with a few hundred people in downtown Little Rock for 3.1 miles
FITNESS – have a challenging or leisurely stroll
A FANTASTIC DEAL – a 3-day admission pass to Riverfest included in your registration, race t-shirt (while supplies last), refreshments after the race, and fun prizes for top finishers and best costumes
The 2013 Pooch Parade is going HOLLYWOOD and will be held on Sunday May 26, 2013 at Riverfest. 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 and at the same time do good for others. This year proceeds recipients are as follows: All About Labs, Canine Companions for Independence, Little Rock Animal Village and Out of the Woods.
The registration “PAWTY” will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot at the corner of 2nd and River Market Ave. The perfect drop off location for the escort and Dog!!! Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. and will end at Heifer International. 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. Last year’s winner was a Pomeranian. Join our celebrity judges on the Red carpet 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 and we will conclude the festivities with a Blessing of the Pets service.
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 online at http://www.riverfestarkansas.com or at the parade and registration “PAWTY”.
Registration for additional human companions and the Weenie Dog Derby will take place the day of the event.
The registration fee benefits Canine Companions for Independence, Out of the Woods, All About Labs and Little Rock Animal Village.
The World Cheese Dip Championship and Riverfest, Inc. are proud to announce the inaugural Riverfest Cheese Dip Classic scheduled for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 25, 2013 as part of the Riverfest weekend activities.
At the Riverfest Cheese Dip Classic the public decides whose cheese dip will represent Riverfest at the 4th Annual World Cheese Dip Championship in October 2013 in Little Rock.
The cheese dip competition will be divided into Amateur and Professional divisions. Winners receive free entry into the 4th Annual World Cheese Dip Championship and trophies created by local artist, Julie Holt. The Professional Division winner will also receive a cash prize and will sell their award winning cheese dip to festival attendees on Sunday inside the Riverfest grounds.
“Tasting and voting on the best cheese dips in Arkansas is a great way to spend part of your Memorial Day Weekend.” said Event Coordinator John McClure. “In addition to the cheese dip sampling, Riverfest is always packed with family fun, great music and food. This year is no exception, and we’re honored to be part of the largest and best festival in Arkansas.”
It is only $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and younger to join in the tasting at the Riverfest Cheese Dip Classic. Advance tickets can be purchased on Friday, May 24, at the Riverfest Cheese Dip Classic booth inside Riverfest.
Registration to compete in the Riverfest Cheese Dip Classic is now open to the public. For more information, visit www.cheesedip.net.
Riverfest continues today with even more live music and fun.
On the Bud Light Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center, the Saturday night acts are Sugar Ray (6pm), Blackstone Cherry (7:45pm) and Bush (at 9:30pm).
During the afternoon, the acts will be Cons of Formant (at 12:30), Flint Eastwood (at 1:45), Stiff Necked Fools (3:00) and Don’t Stop Please (4:30).
The Miller Lite/Arkansas Federal Credit Union Stage evening acts will feature Kelly Rowland (at 8:30pm) and Lupe Fiasco (at 10pm).
Earlier in the day, the stage will feature Tori Snead (at 12pm), Thread (at 12:45pm), Stella Luss (at 2pm), War Chief (at 3:15pm), Revolutioners (at 4:30pm), Kingsdown (at 5:45pm) and Flow Tribe (at 7pm).
The Stickyz Music Stage at the Clinton Presidential Center will feature Ho Hum (at 8pm) and Ana Sia (at 9:30pm). Earlier in the day, the stage will host John Neal & Rock ‘n’ Roll (1pm), Knox Hamilton (2pm), Free Mica (3pm), Sound of the Mountain (4:15pm), Randall Shreve & The Sideshow (5:30pm) and Amasa Hines (6:45pm).
Throughout the three days of the Festival, kids will enjoy Deltic Timber KidZone area of Riverfest 2013. The ”KidZone Playtime Promenade” presented by Deltic Timber is located along the banks of the Arkansas River near the Peabody Playground & Water Park in the central area of Julius Brecking Riverfront Park. Kids will have a great time strolling along the Riverwalk Promenade, which will feature lots of hands on activities, exciting games, creative crafts and more.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 