Ready for the dogs! Old hydrants donated by Central Arkansas Water were painted by volunteers for the new MacArthur Unleashed Dog Park opening Saturday, rain or shine! Artists, left to right, Gwen Canfield, Shalah Brummett, Dave O'Brien and Theresa Oberle.

 

Robinson Center

April 1-2 Monty Python's Spamalot, winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical.
Tickets for Robinson Center Music Hall events at Celebrity Attractions box office 300 S. Spring, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Verizon Arena

April 6 Gaither 2013 Homecoming Tour
April 11 Third Day: The Miracle Tour with Colton Dixon and Josh Wilson
April 12 George Strait with Martina McBride-The Cowboy Rides Away Tour 
April 24-28 Walt Disney on Ice Dare to Dream
April 30 Brit Floyd, world's greatest Pink Floyd show! Presented by The Point 94.1 (tickets on sale March 25)
May 3 Fleetwood Mac
May 11 Jason Aldean (tickets on sale March 22)
Nov 17 Pink: Truth About Love Tour
For tickets to these events call 800-745-3000, or go online.

Clinton School

of Public Service Lectures

Racial Healing and Equity in the American South
Friday, March 29, 12 noon-1 p.m. Emmett Carson, president and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, will give the keynote address at the Clinton School Center on Community Philanthropy's third annual summit on "Racial Healing and Equity in the American South."  This year's summit will commemorate the 15th anniversary of President Bill Clinton's "One America in the 21st Century" initiative on race. For more information and registration on the conference which will be held March 28 and 29, go online. 

 

"Culture, Society and Restorative Justice: Sub-Saharan Africa," visiting Fulbright Scholar Paul Masamba Sita Nsimba

Tuesday, April 2, 6 p.m.Nsimba teaches restorative justice at North Carolina Central University where he is a Fulbright visiting associate professor-in-residence for the Department of Criminal Justice. From 2002 to 2010, he served as director for the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, which is based in Kampala, Uganda. 

 

"International Development for the Real World," USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah
Thursday, April 4, 6 p.m.
About the practical impact of international aid and development. Shah serves as the 16th administrator of USAID, leading the efforts of more than 9,600 professionals in 80 missions around the world. 

Little Rock Startup Weekend 
Sunday, April 7, at 5 p.m.
Startup Weekend is a global grassroots movement of active and empowered entrepreneurs who are learning the basics of founding startups and launching successful ventures. Anyone is welcome to pitch his or her startup idea and receive feedback from peers. The weekend culminates with presentations in front of local entrepreneurial leaders with another opportunity for critical feedback. For more information go online. 


"A Good Plan is Not a Quest for Certainty," Kristina Ford
Wednesday, April 10 at 6 p.m. 

A professor of professional practice and international public affairs at Columbia University, Ford is the former director of city planning for the City of New Orleans. Winner of the Award for Distinguished Leadership from the Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association, Ford was an early voice of reason to mediate the human and civic consequences of Hurricane Katrina on American society. From 2010 to 2011, Ford was chief of staff for New Orleans' deputy mayor in charge of public facilities, infrastructure and community development.

 

"A Long Walk Home," co-founder Salamishah Tillet
Friday, April 12 at 12 p.m. *In partnership with the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Founded in 2003, A Long Walk Home, Inc. is the only organization in the country that uses art therapy and the visual and performing arts to end violence against girls and women. Through national and local programs, multimedia performances, summer and afterschool youth institutes, campus trainings and workshops, ALWH has educated over 100,000 survivors and their allies to build safe communities and end gender violence.
 
United States Senator John McCain
Friday, April 12, at 6 p.m. (Robinson Center, Exhibition Hall)
Sen. McCain (R-Ariz.) will visit the Clinton School to discuss current affairs in the United States and abroad. Sen. McCain has led a distinguished career in public office, having first been elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. Winner of the 2008 Republican nomination for president, McCain is currently serving his fifth term in the U.S. Senate.

All events are free and are held at Sturgis Hall unless noted otherwise. However, RSVPs are requested by emailing or calling 501-683-5239.

 

 

 

 

Argenta Arts

District

March 28 Little Rock Film Festival presents the Argenta Film Series screening of JFK - an Oliver Stone film, 7 p.m. at the Argenta Community Theatre. Free to attend courtesy of William Laman Library. Seats are limited, reserve tickets here.
March 29-30 Walking Tour with John Rogers, owner of Rogers Photo Archive presenting the JFK Archival Photography Exhibition this week in Argenta. The first one is Friday, March 29, beginning at The Joint at 5:30 p.m. All venues will be covered. Another tour will be offered Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m.
March 29 Argenta Gallery Walk begins at 4th Street at 5:30 p.m.  Rounding out the week is March 30 Art Connection Street Painting featuring NLR High School students on Main Street at 2 p.m.  
Thursday, April 4 Arkansas Travelers season begins at Dickey-Stephens Park! For tickets call 501-664-1555 or order through the Facebook page.

Ongoing

Exhibits

Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition thru April 28

Edward Weston: Leaves of Grass thru April 21

Wendy Maruyama: Executive Order 9066 thru April 21

Masterworks ongoing

Museum School Gallery:

Jewelry Instructors Exhibition thru June 2

Butler Center for Arkansas Studies

Arkansas Society of Printmakers thru April 27

Clinton Presidential Center

"Jazz: Through the Eyes of Herman Leonard" featuring over 40 original black and white images from the collection of American photographer Herman Leonard, an American photographer, thru July 21.

Making Politics Personal: The Story of the Arkansas Travelers, thru June 2 

Historic Arkansas Museum

George Washington's Family Bible thru July 12

Treasures of Arkansas Freemasons 1838-2013, (anniversary of Grand Lodge of Arkansas) thru July 12 Phenomena of Change, featuriing the art of Lee Cowan, Mary Ann Stafford and Maria Botti Villegas thru May 5

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

Undaunted Courage, Proven Loyalty: Japanese-American Soldiers in World War II thru August 31

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center

The Inauguration of Hope thru June 29

Museum of Discovery

Grossology thru May 26

Old State House

Things You Need to Hear: Growing Up in Arkansas 

 

About the Downtown Little Rock Partnership

Are you on Pinterest yet? We are! Click here.  

To subscribe to or to submit information to the Weekly Update, or for Membership information, email Becky Falkowski or call 501.375.0121.

For the Downtown Little Rock Partnership Facebook page, click here.

For the MacArthur Park in Downtown Little Rock Facebook page, click here.

For Downtown Little Rock Partnership Twitter page, click here.

 

Downtown Little Rock Partnership
Lafayette Square, 523 S. Louisiana Street, Suite 305
501.375.012  www.downtownlr.com

 

Weekly Update

March 28, 2013
From the Director

MacArthur Park Unleashed Dog Park opens on Saturday!! Whoohoo! We are very excited to get this project open as part of the improvements at MacArthur Park. There are MANY to thank starting with Scott Bennett at the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department , Senator Keith Ingram and Razorback Concrete, Harold Joyner and Fence World and Graham Rich at Central Arkansas Water. I also want to thank Little Rock Parks & Recreation Department headed by Truman Tolefree, Mayor Mark Stodola and City Manager Bruce Moore. I want to also thank our citizens for voting for the sales tax that makes the money available to increase the quality of life for all of us. It is all of these partnerships that make things happen.

 

The dog park will provide a place for people and their four-legged friends to relax and play. There will be something for everyone, including fire hydrants for the four-leggeds. Come and join the fun on Saturday, March 30 at 12:40...and bring your dog. Rain or shine.

 

Congressman Vic Snyder called last week to tell me about a pair of red tail hawks nesting in a building at 6th and Gaines. He wondered what other great wildlife shares downtown with us. Have you spotted any? Call us or send me pictures and we'll keep track. Downtown truly has something for everyone.

 

The hard work is paying off and we are seeing lots of new developments on Main Street. There are great stories about Main Street from Little Rock to North Little Rock in this week's Arkansas Times. (Pick up a copy or click here.) I promise you will learn something you didn't know. And you will have the opportunity to dream with us about what could and is happening on Main Street.

 

--Sharon Priest

Harry and Robin Loucks enjoy seeing the installation of the fire hydrant they painted installed at the MacArthur Unleashed Dog Park.
Downtown News

Great news from our friends in SoMa (South Main) this week! Phase 1 lane revisions of Project Main Street is scheduled by the City of Little Rock for implementation this summer.  The plan now includes resurfacing and restriping with bike lanes from I-630 to Roosevelt Road.  

     Changing from 4 lanes to 3 with bike lanes is well suited to a pedestrian oriented commercial district like SoMa," said architect and resident Ed Sergeant who has helped create the plan. "This green scheme well supports and improves safety for all forms of transportation: vehicular, pedestrian, biking and mass transit (buses).  This was initiated in response to SoMa's request to improve pedestrian safety by moderating the vehicular traffic.  Hopefully this may become a model for other parts of the city."

 

    In making the announcement, SoMa representatives Ed Sergeant, Laura Sergeant, Hillis Schild and Joe Fox offered thanks to Mayor Stodola, Assistant City Manager Bryan Day and new Little Rock Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Jeremy Lewno for securing funding with the Highway Department and coordinating the project with City Hall.

 

Watch for a big announcement on Monday from the the Little Rock Film Festival (LRFF)! A press conference is scheduled for noon at the Argenta Community Theater to release a list of films and locations, planned for "both sides of the river" May 15-19. Speakers at this event include LRFF Co-Founder Craig Renaud, Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith, North Little Rock and Little Rock Chamber of Commerce leaders, Terry Hartwick and Jay Chesser, Judy Tenebaum of the Argenta Community Theater, Bob Hupp of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and Bobby Roberts of the Central Arkansas Library System.

 

Museum of Discovery will offer a variety of camps this summer. Programming is for children between the ages of 4-13 from June 10 to August 2. For a camp brochure click here. 

 

Around Downtown

 

Treasure Island: World Premiere

Ongoing thru Sunday, March 31

Arkansas Repertory Theatre

This new world premiere musical offers a fresh take on the famous story by Robert Louis Stevenson. Set to a thrilling musical score and full of action, adventure and excitement, treasure hungry pirates and mutinous crew battle to discover the coveted Isle of Treasure.  For tickets and more information click here. 

 

Bobby's Bike Hike Fun Ride!

Thursday, March 28, 5:30 p.m.
River Market
Bring your own bike or rent one with rental donations going towards Bicycle Advocacy of Central Arkansas. RSVP online.

 

 

   

8th Annual Dog-Gone Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, March 30

12 noon registration, 1 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt following MacArthur Unleashed Dog Park Opening

MacArthur Park Foster Pavilion

Over 5,000 hidden eggs; every egg will contain a prize or doggie treat. For more information call Angels' Care Animal Rescue at 501-544-1057.

 

Antique Fishing Tackle Roadshow

Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Witt Stephens Central Arkansas Nature Center

Members of the National Fishing Tackle Collectors Club will be on site to offer free identification and evaluation of any old fishing tackle items that people bring to them that day.  

 

25th Annual Community Easter Sunrise Service

Sunday, March 31, 7 a.m. 

Newly renovated First Security Riverfront Amphitheater in Riverfront Park.

Participants will include: Governor Mike Beebe, Donna Terrell, Fox TV News Anchor; Sharon Bale, former Miss Arkansas; and Anthony Lucas, former Razorback football great. Music will be offered by the combined choirs of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, Philander Smith College, North Little Rock High School and First Baptist Church of North Little Rock. The 2013 sunrise offering will go to support the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Cord Blood Bank which provides life-saving bone marrow transplants. 

 

Legacies & Lunch

Wednesday, April 3, 12 noon - 1 p.m.

Darragh Center, Main Library, 100 Rock Street

Features Susan Young of the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History on "Down in the Holler: A Lesson in Ozark Folk Speech." Free. Sponsored in part by the Arkansas Humanities Council. Bring a lunch; drinks and dessert are provided.

 

Spring into Motion with Ballet Arkansas

April 5-7

Arkansas Repertory Theatre

Tickets available online or call 501-378-0405. Sponsored by Arvest. 

 

Main Street Food Truck Fridays

Friday, April 5-Friday, June 14  

If you are looking for a delicious way to start the weekend off   right, then the corner of Main Street and Capitol Avenue on a Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  is where it all begins!  Main Street  Food Truck Fridays will kick off the 2013 season on  Friday, April 5 with five of your favorite food trucks already signed up for outdoor dining! The Southern Gourmasian- steamed buns, shrimp and grits, chicken & dumplings and more; King Blvd- burgers, Philly steaks, nachos,  hot wings; Willy Dog- hot dogs; Prawn Stars-fresh Gulf shrimp, crawfish from an organic rice farm, & gumbo; and Kona Ice- shaved ice. Kirk Anderton and Quentin May will feature live music from 11:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. on April 5.

     Main Street Food Truck Fridays is sponsored by the Main Street Revitalization Committee and the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. To keep up with the weekly schedule, go to Facebook or to the Downtown Little Rock Partnership website.  Or for more information call 501-375-0121.

 

Paws 'n Craws

Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m. until they run out

MacArthur Park, Foster Pavilion

Sponsored by MacArthur Park Group, Little Rock Parks & Recreation and Downtown Little Rock Partnership to raise money for the new MacArthur Unleashed Dog Park! Crawfish and all the fixin's, beer, and live music. $30 per human, dogs free. For more information call the Downtown Little Rock Partnership at 501-375-0121. Reservations not required.

 

Speak Now Poetry Series

Saturday, April 6, 6 p.m.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth Street

A night of poetry with some of the city's best performers. Hosted by local poetry troupe Foreign Tongues, the third installment in the popular series will feature local musician and poet Joshua Asante. Seating is limited. Visit online to reserve seating.

  

Ron Meyers and the Usual Suspects 

Sunday, April 7, 5 p.m.

Arkansas Arts Center Lecture Hall

A George's House of Clay Film by George Metropoulos McCauley & Matt Gennaro presented by Friends of Contemporary Craft and sponsored by Michele H. Fox. A world premiere followed by conversation with the artist and director. Reception immediately following.Reservations requested, 372-4000. $5 for Friends of Contemporary Craft members, $10 for non-members.

 

Holy Hilarity Easter Celebration for Kids

Sunday, April 7, 3-5 p.m.

First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, in the parking lot across from the church  

Entertainment by Brian & Terri Kinder of Kindersongs and FUMC's very own Tween Club 56 Band, Camp Tanako's great staff with games, low ropes course and Bubble Pit fun (bring a towel - it's messy fun), Country Critter's Petting Zoo, Arkansas Game & Fish Aquarium, Hillbilly Dunking Booth, great food, popcorn, games and more!

 

Little Rock Sustainability Summit

Thursday, April 11

Clinton Presidential Center, Great Hall

An annual gathering of environmental, business and civic leaders to discuss and promote "green" efforts from those inside the City of Little Rock to the larger global marketplace. This year's keynote speaker is Chris Schraeder, Senior Manager of Sustainability at Walmart. The Sustainability Summit is open to the public on a first come-first served basis with limited seating available.  To register, click here

to send an email. 

Street and Drainage Improvements Public Input Meeting

for Ward 1 (Erma Hendrix, Director) 

Thursday, April 11, 6 p.m.

Dunbar Community Center, 1001 W. 16th Street

Street and Drainage Improvements Public Input meetings will be held in each of the city's seven wards. The proceedings of the meetings will be informal and citizens will have the opportunity to ask questions. Several displays and other pertinent information will be available.

Save the Dates

Artworks XXV

Saturday, April 13

6:30 p.m. Lite Bites, Drinks & Music

6:30 p.m. Silent Art Auction

7:30 p.m. Live Art Auction

Celebrating 25 years of ArtWorks at The Rep!

Nearly 90 of Central Arkansas' most notable artists donate a piece of their work to be sold at this lively auction. ArtWorks is an exchange program between visual artists and Arkansas Repertory Theatre. The art displayed in The Rep's lobbies are available for purchase with proceeds from gallery sales going directly to artists. Proceeds from donated art sold at the annual ArtWorks auction support the general operating fund of Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Tickets $50. Call The Rep Box Office at (501) 378-0405.

 

MacArthur Park 5K

Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m. 

Registration is underway for this annual race to support projects for MacArthur Park. For the second year, a Corporate Cup will be awarded to the winning team of four with the best time. For more information about the race and registration click here.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------

 Copies of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership's new Downtown Little Rock magazine are available by calling 501-375-0121 or stopping by the Partnership office in Lafayette Square, 523 Louisiana, 3rd floor.

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------