January 9-11 Marvel Universe Live!

January 16-17 Monster Jam Monster Truck Racing

January 24 Florida Georgia Line: Anything Goes Tour

February 5 Harlem Globe Trotters

February 21 Professional Bullriders BlueDef Velocity Tour

March 4-8 Women's SEC 2015 Tournament

March 11 Fleetwood Mac

April 23 Chris Tomlin

Nearby DLRP Member 

Not on the Downtown Update email list? Email bfalkowski@downtownlr.com or call 501-375-0121. 

January 9, 2015

From the Director

Happy New Year! We're already off to a busy start. With my retirement planned for the end of the month, the DLRP Executive Board has a search process underway. Here in the office we're preparing for the Partnership's Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 11 at the Statehouse Convention Center. If you are interested in reservations or sponsorship please contact Chellie Longstreth, 375-0121 or by email.

     I am happy to announce that the Empowerment Zone (EZ) credits were extended through December 31, 2014. The bill was passed in December--good information as we approach tax season.

     If you were unlucky enough to miss ELF at The Rep, I am truly sorry. It was a great and fun production. Likewise the Velveteen Rabbit at the Arkansas Arts Center. We are so fortunate to have both of these top calibre theatres in Little Rock. Watch for upcoming performances in the updat

--Sharon Priest, Executive Director

Downtown Notes

WER Architects/Planners announced this week that project architects Mason Ellis, AIA, LEED AP; Wesley Garrett, AIA; and James Meyer, AIA, LEED AP have all been made associates with the firm.

USA Today announced this week that Little Rock was selected by voters from among 20 selected capitals as one of three top destination capital cities. Carson City, Nevada and Juneau, Alaska were the other top two selections. Learn more.

Simmons Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmons First National Corp. of Pine Bluff, said Thursday that it has hired Philip A. Tappan as executive vice president of financial services. Learn more at Arkansas Business.

 Home BancShares Inc. of Conway announced Wednesday management changes at its wholly owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank. The publicly traded company said Tracy M. French has been promoted to president, CEO and director of Centennial Bank, replacing C. Randall "Randy" Sims. Learn more at Arkansas Business.

In honor of the 65th Anniversary of Charles Schulz's Peanuts, the Clinton Presidential Center will be hosting two new exhibitions that will premiere at the Clinton Center January 17 from the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. "Pigskin Peanuts" will feature Schulz's football-themed Peanuts comic strips. It will also highlight how Charles Schulz often explored the theme of fairness in his comic strip and believed in giving everyone equal opportunity. 

The Moore Building located 519-523 S .Center has sold to a group of investors that includes the Jordan Haas, Danny Brickey and Jim Miner families. The building at 6th and Center is currently the home of EJ's Cafe and Lulav Eatery. Another restaurant space may soon be filled. The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by the architectural firm of Thompson,Sanders & Ginocchio in a Spanish Revival style and was built in 1929. For more than 50 years beginning in 1935 and closing on July 7, 1993 the building was known as Draughon School of Business. The new owners plan to rename the building the Charles L. Thompson Building. 

EJ's Eats & Drinks restaurant, 6th and Center, has announced it will open all weekend, Saturdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Co-owner Jim Miners attributes the downtown revitalization as a key factor in their decision to add these additional hours.

Talk Business & Politics has launched a new microsite aimed at the Arkansas technology, entrepreneurial and startup communities. First Security Bank's OnlyInArkansas has partnered with TB&P on this new endeavor as a lead underwriter. The new sites can be accessed at TalkBusiness.net/Startup or TalkBusiness.net/Tech.
 

Little Rock artist Matt McLeod announced this week that he will be painting a mural, rendition above, on the wall of the building occupied by Bennett's Military Supplies at 608 Main Street. The colorful koi fish mural production is sponsored by an ArtPlace America grant received by the City of Little Rock. McLeod is scheduled to open his gallery across the street in the Arkansas Building in March. McLeod hopes to have the mural completed by May. 

Entertainment highlights from Arkansas Times here.

Holidays in Little Rock here.

Little Rock (LRCVB) event listings here.

Vino's Brew Pub special events here.

2nd Friday Art Night 

Friday, January 9, 5-8 p.m. at participating downtown venues:

Old State House: Second Friday Cinema-End of the Line, featuring Kevin Bacon, Mary Steenburgen and Jay Russell as director.

Butler Center Galleries: Opening exhibition Reflections on Line and Mass-Paintings and Sculptures by Robyn Horn. Featured artist Debbie Gwaltney. Featured Musician Blind Boy White. 

Cox Creative Center: One of Us works by Justin Bryant, Lila Hernandez and Logan Huster

Dizzy's Gypsy Bistro

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group: Life by Design exhibition of artworks by Elizabeth Weber, Dan Thornhill and Ashley Saer.

Copper GrillCopper Grill

Historic Arkansas Museum: Kicks of a "Year of Arkansas Beer" featuring Diamond Bear's Paradise Porter for the January reception. Music by Kevin Kerby. Seven galleries of exhibits and gift store of handmade craft. Kicks of a "Year of Arkansas Beer" featuring Diamond Bear's Paradise Porter for the January reception. Music by Kevin Kerby. Seven galleries of exhibits and gift store of handmade craft.

Studio Main (SoMa): AIA, ASIA and ASID design awards. Vote for favorites for chance at great door prize. AIA, ASIA and ASID design awards. Vote for favorites for chance at great door prize.

Then and Now: the Central High School Neighborhood

Tuesday, January 13, 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. panel

Arkansas Arts Center Lecture Hall 

Panel presentation by Rachel Silva, historian; Kwendeche, architect; Nancy Rousseau, Central High School principal; and Vanessa McKuin, Central High School Neighborhood Association president. The Central High School neighborhood, or West End, was created in the 1890's as Little Rock grew westward. Central High School, completed in 1927, was designated by the AIA as "the most beautiful high school in America." Also the site of the 1957 desegregation crisis, it is now a National Historic Landmark. The panel will explore imminent threats to the neighborhood's historic properties and what is being done. Sponsored by the Architecture and Design Network  and the Arkansas Arts Center, the Central Arkansas section of Arkansas Chapter of AIA, the Fay Jones School of Architecture and in the community. Free and open to the public.

1 Million Cups

Wednesday, January 14, 9 a.m.

Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce

Networking group for entrepreneurs to hear pitches from beginner and seasoned entrepreneurs. This week's guest is Alese Stroud, founder of Merger Match. Learn more.Learn more

Law, Order and Community

Thursday, January 15, 6 p.m.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

Award-winning filmmaker Keith A. Beauchamp presents a film screening of Law, Order and Community followed by a Town Hall meeting. Free admission. RSVP 683-3593. Learn more.

Pigskin Peanuts & Heartbreak in Peanuts

Friday, January 16, 5:30 doors open, 6 p.m. program begins

Clinton Presidential Center

Family-friendly opening and reception for new exhibit. Guest host Snoopy will be serving his favorite foods--pizza, chocolate chip cookies, hot chocolate and root beer. Special guest, Karen Johnson, executive director at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, will lead an interactive discussion about the artist and exhibits. Free, reservations requested online or by calling

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show