Tag Archives: Sculpture at the River Market

Sculpture Vulture: Laughing Sally

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LaughingsallyToday’s Sculpture Vulture is Shelley Buonaiuto’s Laughing Sally.  It is located by the River Market Tower on Third Street in downtown Little Rock.

The sculpture was purchased at Sculpture at the River Market show and sale and installed in May 2009.  The plaque accompanying the sculpture says:

Here sits “Laughing Sally.”  May she make your day a little brighter!  A gift from River Market Tower LLC and Moses Tucker Real Estate to the Citizens of Little Rock.  May 2009.

Shelley Buonaiuto and her husband Michael are both artists.  They met while studying sculpture and painting at the University of Massachusetts.  They have also lived in New York and New Mexico.  A few years ago, they moved to Fayetteville where they reside today.  Shelley won “Best of Show” at the first Sculpture at the River Market for her sculpture “Wind.”  She spends several months a year producing new one-of-a-kind clay pieces and also takes commissions for portraits.

Jazz in the Park tonight: Walter Henderson and Chris Parker

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jazzinparkThe Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau continues Jazz in the Park tonight. The featured musicians are Walter Henderson and Chris Parker.

Walter Henderson is a trumpeter, flugelhornist, puccolist and vocalist.  Originally from Little Rock, he has developed his many musical skills from artists such as John Stubblefield, James Leary, York Wilborn, Donald E. Kramer, Pharaoh Sanders, Art Porter and Sylvia M. Clay.

He served with the 60th U.S. Army Band and studied music at Little Rock University and at Governors State University, where he gained popularity with the GSU Jazz Sextet. The group toured Europe, the Far East, and was twice winner of the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival.

Most notably, he is a 1987 Musicfest USA National Finals Winner in Chicago. He has performed for the Richard Muhal Richard Big Band, was leader of the Chicago band Inner Drive and also led The Raconteurs. He has been an active member of the Rocking Robins Rhythm Kings, and has performed with Leslie Gore, Little Anthony, Frankie Avalon, Dick Clark, Lou Christie, Bobby Lewis, and Del Shannon. Upon different occasions, he has appeared with Redd Foxx, Richard Boone, The Four Tops, Captain Jack McDuff, Buddy Guy, Ken Booth, and Lord Lara. He was a principal in the Little Rock Brazilian jazz-pop band, Circo Verde.

Chris Parker was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He first learned from local Arkansas musicians, most notably: Charles Thomas, Art Porter, Sr., Bob Steele, Lee Tomboulian, and Michael Bates. Chris moved to Memphis, TN in 1991. There he received his BA degree from the University of Memphis and learned from/ studied with musicians including Gene Rush, James Williams, Herman Green, Fred Ford, Calvin Newborn, Bill Mobley, Alvin Fielder, Kidd Jordan, Joe Jennings, and Vernel Fournier.

Chris also spent several years in New York City where he learned from masters including: Benny Powell, Chris Anderson, Walter Perkins, Sonelius Smith, Barry Harris, George Braith, Warren Smith, and Bill Fielder.

Chris has performed/worked with: Harold Ousley, Benny Powell, Frank Lacy, Michael Marcus, Warren Smith, Andy McCloud, Roy Campbell, Jr., Wendell Harrison, Kiane Zawadi, Frank Lowe, Alvin Fielder, Joe Jennings, Earl May, Fred Ford, and Herman Green. Also informally with: Rashied Ali, George Braith, Frank Grant, Talib Kibwe, and Sonny Simmons.

Chris is also active in educational activities. He has worked as a teacher/artist with organizations including: Louis Armstrong Jazz Camp (New Orleans, LA), Mind Builders Arts School (Bronx, NY), Memphis Black Arts Alliance (Memphis, TN), Memphis Arts Council (Memphis, TN)

Jazz in the Park takes place Wednesday night in June and July from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park (between the Junction Bridge and Peabody Park).

Beer & Wine will be available for sale – to benefit Sculpture at the River Market…so no coolers, please. Free to attend!

Jazz in the Park: U A Monticello Jazz Band

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jazzinparkThe Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau continues Jazz in the Park tonight. The featured musicians are the University of Arkansas at Monticello Jazz Band.

The UAM Jazz Ensemble is open to all students by audition during the first week of class.  Instrumentation for the Jazz Ensemble is that of a traditional big band. The ensemble presents on campus performances of traditional jazz forms as well as more popular styles.

Jazz in the Park takes place Wednesday night in June and July from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park (between the Junction Bridge and Peabody Park).

Beer & Wine will be available for sale – to benefit Sculpture at the River Market…so no coolers, please. Free to attend!

Jazz Band I Master

Jazz in the Park tonight: The Johnny Burnette Group

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jazzinparkThe Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau continues Jazz in the Park tonight.  The featured musicians are The Johnny Burnette Group.

Jazz in the Park takes place Wednesday night in June and July from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park (between the Junction Bridge and Peabody Park).

Beer & Wine will be available for sale – to benefit Sculpture at the River Market…so no coolers, please. Free to attend!

Jazz in the Park tonight: The Bob Boyd Sounds

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bobboydsounds

The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau continues Jazz in the Park tonight.  The featured musicians are The Bob Boyd Sounds.

The group consists of Bob Boyd on piano, David Higginbotham on bass fiddle and electric bass, Randy McDonald on drums and Pat Henry on brass.  Each of the four also sing.

Jazz in the Park will be every Wednesday night in June and July from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park (between the Junction Bridge and Peabody Park).

Beer & Wine will be available for sale – to benefit Sculpture at the River Market…so no coolers, please. Free to attend!

Sculpture Vulture: Toy Blocks

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toyblocks1While imposing pieces of public art are certainly impressive, it can also be delightful to find a smaller piece tucked away along a sidewalk.  Such is the case of one of Little Rock’s newest sculptures.

Olivia Myers Farrell, chair and CEO of Arkansas Business Publishing Group, is a long time supporter of the arts.  She had the vision of including public art as ABPG is remodeling their offices.  Therefore, nestled on Scott Street in downtown Little Rock  next to the ABPG headquarters is Kevin Robb’s Toy Blocks.

The piece enhances not only the new entrance to the ABPG offices, but it also is a whimsical touch along the street.  The brushed stainless steel gleams against the red brown brick building behind it and the paved sidewalk and street in front of it.

toyblocks2Over the past three decades, Robb has made his mark on the national and international art scene. With a unique style and consummate welding quality that have defined and differentiate his work, his sculptures are not created according to a set plan.

In 2004, Robb suffered a massive stroke. Although he has been challenged physically in the creation of his sculptures, he is in the studio creating the sculptures that he loves so much. His ideas remain free flowing and his commitment to quality is as high as ever – with a resolve that offers a physical testament to the dedication, expertise, and amazing recovery of this remarkable artist.

He has participated in several of the Sculpture at the River Market shows.  He has won the Best in Show award at that annual show and sale.

Jazz in the Park tonight: Adams Collins Group

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The Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau continues the new series of free jazz concerts tonight.  Adam Collins Group is featured tonight.

Jazz in the Park will be every Wednesday night in June and July from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. They will take place in the History Pavilion in Riverfront Park (between the Junction Bridge and Peabody Park).

Beer & Wine will be available for sale – portions of the proceeds will benefit Sculpture at the River Market…so no coolers, please. Free to attend!