ASO musicians perform free concert at UAMS today

ASO_2-colorThe Ruth Allen UAMS Series takes place from time to time at UAMS and is free.  This afternoon at 4:30pm will be the latest concert in the series.

The musicians today will be Barry McVinney, Diane McVinney and Dr. Martin Hauer-Jensen all on flute and Cindy Fuller on piano.

The pieces to be performed are:

DOPPLER – Andante and Rondo, Op. 25
W.F. BACH – Duet No. 2
QUANTZ – Sonata in D Major for Three Flutes
MUCZYNSKI – Duos for Flutes
J.S. BACH – Triosonate in G Major, BWV 1039
SCHOCKER – Three Dances for Two Flutes
MANCINI – Two for the Road

Here are the directions for the concert:

From Markham, turn south onto Hooper St.
Follow signs to Parking Lot 1.
Enter the lot, which goes underground.
Take the elevator to the “top” of the parking Lot 1, which immediately adjoins the back side of the lobby.
The Music Room is at the west end of the lobby, behind the grand piano.

Museum of Discovery and Arkansas Chapter of Society of Neuroscience Celebrate Brain Awareness Day

modIf Julius Caesar had used his brain, he’d have stayed away from the Senate that day and heeded the advice of his Soothsayer. The Museum of Discovery is offering an opportunity to user yours today.

March 10-16 is International Brain Awareness Week and to commemorate, the Arkansas Chapter of Society of Neuroscience has partnered with the Museum of Discovery to present Brain Awareness Day on Saturday, March 15 at the museum.

Representatives from the Center of Toxicological Research, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Hendrix College and University of Central Arkansas will provide  hands-on activities about the brain throughout the museum that will include optical illusions, creating brains out of molds, MRI examples, explanations of brain freeze and diseases that affect the brain, cognitive function games and more.

For more information, contact 501-396-7050.

Museum of Discovery’s mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.

Museum Information
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm; Sunday: 1-5 pm; Closed Mondays except major holidays and in summer.
Admission: $10 adults; $8 ages 1-12; free under 1; members free
Phone Number: 501.396.7050

Little Rock Look Back: Mayor John Josephus McAlmont

McAlmontJohnJ_fFuture Little Rock Mayor John Josephus McAlmont was born on this date in 1821 in New York state. (Various reports give his birth date as December 22 — but the family reports December 19 as the date.)

After studying medicine in Pennsylvania and Ohio, he arrived in Little Rock in March 1850 with his family.  After practicing medicine in nearby Benton, he returned to Little Rock in 1852.  In addition to being a physician, he was a pharmacist.

During the Civil War, he relocated his family out of Little Rock (to a spot where the present day community of McAlmont bears his name).  Following the war, he moved them back to the City.  In 1866 he was elected Mayor of Little Rock, the first elected Mayor since local government resumed following the Civil War.

In October 1879, he and seven other physicians founded the Arkansas Industrial University Medical Department in Little Rock. This institution has grown into the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  He served on the faculty of the medical school for several years.

Dr. McAlmont died in September 1896.  He is buried at Mt. Holly Cemetery.  In addition to the McAlmont community bearing his name, there is a McAlmont street in downtown Little Rock which was named in his memory.

Sculpture Vulture: Patronus

Today’s sculpture is passed by tens of thousands of persons each day – and they have no idea.  It is Greer Farris’ 1983 sculpture Patronus which sits on the grounds of the John L. McClellan Memorial Veteran’s Hospital.  Though it faces I-630, it is hidden by highway berm, chain link fencing and the fact that cars on I-630 are driving at high speeds.

Patronus consists of five identical forms which are placed aside each other equidistantly in a slight curve.  It was fabricated at the Arkansas Valley Steel Company and each section was trucked down separately on the back of a flatbed truck.

The simplicity of the design and the clean lines make this a powerful piece of abstract art.  Its design was inspired by battlements used in World War I, very appropriate for a veteran’s hospital.

It was installed in 1984. Since then, there has rarely been a time when the VA and/or UAMS or some other nearby entity has not been in construction mode.  The sculpture was never on a huge plot of land (which would have been more appropriate given its scale) but is now reduced to a small peninsula next to a few picnic tables in the parking lot.

It has been featured on this website before, but in keeping with Veteran’s Day later this month (and the fact that it is a personal favorite), it is being revisited.  Luckily the construction fencing that once surrounded it has been removed so it is easier to see.

Organ Recital This Evening – Scott Dettra

sdThe Central Arkansas Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presents Scott Dettra in an organ recital this evening.  It is a benefit for the Pediatric Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.   The recital takes place at 8pm at Christ Episcopal Church

As the state lead center, the Injury Prevention Center at ACH and UAMS is responsible for developing the master plan of care for children and young adults with brain injuries throughout the entire state of Arkansas.

One of the finest concert organists of his generation, Scott Dettra combines an active concert schedule with his post as Director of Music at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Dallas, Texas, where he oversees one of the largest traditional Anglican music programs in the country. Prior to this recent appointment, he was for five years Organist and Associate Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral, where he served as principal organist and assisted with the direction of the Cathedral choirs.

Mr. Dettra’s performances have been praised by audiences and critics alike for their clarity, rhythmic intensity, and musical elegance. Recent and upcoming performances include recital appearances in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington, Atlanta, San Diego, Phoenix, Austin, Winnipeg, Barbados, and Essen, Germany. He has performed at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Anglican Musicians, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. Festival appearances include the Lincoln Center Festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Arizona Bach Festival, the Bermuda Music Festival, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival.

Majestus, his most recent recording on the Loft label, features large-scale organ favorites performed on the Great Organ of Washington National Cathedral. Tongues of Fire features French music performed on the 325-rank organ of the Cadet Chapel at West Point, and may be found on the Pro Organo label.

A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Mr. Dettra holds two degrees from Westminster Choir College and has also studied jazz piano at Manhattan School of Music. He has previously held positions at St. Paul’s Parish, K Street in Washington; St. Mark’s Church, Philadelphia; and Trinity Church, Princeton. Additionally, he was accompanist of the American Boychoir for several years. His principal organ teachers have been Joan Lippincott, Dennis Keene, and his father, Lee Dettra.

 

 

ASO at Capital Hotel Tonight

ASO at CHMusicians from the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will be performing this evening in the lobby of the historic Capital Hotel.

The music will start at 5:00 pm and will feature the Quapaw Quartet.

In 2011, the ASO started these free concerts in the lobby of the Capital Hotel.  The marble and tile of this historic lobby provide a wonderful acoustic backdrop for the musicians.

The concert will feature short, accessible pieces along with commentary from the musicians.

Unlike concerts in music halls, guests here are encouraged to bring drinks to their seats or to stand and move around while the musicians are playing.  It is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where the audience and musicians alike are able to interact with each other.

This concert is part of the ASO’s ongoing efforts to play throughout the community under the leadership of Music Director Philip Mann and Executive Director Christina Littlejohn.  In addition to the Capital Hotel concerts, they offer occasional free concerts at UAMS and have recently started the INC (Intimate Neighborhood Concerts) subscription series.

Free ASO concert today at UAMS

The Ruth Allen UAMS Series takes place from time to time at UAMS and is free. This afternoon at 4:30pm the concert will feature DDG Trio, a double reed trio. DDG Trio is composed of Leanna Booze, Lorraine Duso Kitts and Beth Wheeler.

20130325-192514.jpgThe program includes:

Steinmetz – Common Ground
I. Mending Dance
II. Lament
III. Song (after Landini)
IV. All Together Now

Quayle – A News Cycle
I. Impending Doom
II. Mass Hysteria
III. Class Warfare
Iv. A Heartwarmer

Boury – Flight of the Monarch
I. Out of the Cocoon
II. At the Flower
III. On the Path

Oeste – Variations on Variations on a Theme by Paganini

Directions

From Markham, turn south onto Hooper St.
Follow signs to Parking Lot 1.
Enter the lot, which goes underground.
Take the elevator to the “top” of the parking Lot 1, which immediately adjoins the back side of the lobby.
The Music Room is at the west end of the lobby, behind the grand piano.