An Evening with Joe David Rice
January 23, 2020Doors open at 6pm | $35
Taking advantage of his vast knowledge of the state, Rice has produced Arkansas Backstories, a two-volume book exploring the state’s lesser-known aspects. Few Arkansans realize the state produced a challenger to John F. Kennedy in the race for the Democrat Party’s Presidential nominee in 1960 or that the first African-American to run for President was a native of Little Rock. Or that Arkansas hosted the world’s first UFO conference way back in 1975. These and other fascinating tidbits make Arkansas Backstories a must for residents and ex-pats alike.
An Evening with Kathy Webb
February 27, 2020Doors open at 6pm | $35
Kathy is the City Board liaison to the Arts and Culture Commission, the Children, Youth and Families Commission, the Sustainability Commission, and the Zoo Board of Governors. She is a board member of the Arkansas Cinema Society and serves on two national boards, DePaul USA, which operates programs for alleviating homelessness across the United States, and the Institute of Youth, Education, and Families of the National League of Cities. She is an active member of First United Methodist Church.
An Evening with KaToya Fleming
March 26, 2020Doors open at 6pm | $35
KaToya Ellis Fleming is the 2019-2020 Oxford American Jeff Baskin Writers Fellow. She holds a BA in English from Spelman College and an MFA in Narrative Nonfiction Writing from the University of Georgia. She is currently at work on her debut nonfiction book, a bibliomemoir entitled Finding Frank. Her work focuses on race and culture in the American South.
with Musical Guest Tim Anthony
Tim Anthony is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and follows a rich musical heritage started by his father, Lee Anthony, whose tenure as owner of Soul Brothers’ Record Shop and music producer of Little Rock’s “True Soul” record label recently inspired the re-issue of his collective work for release on Now-Again Records. Anthony is an Alumni of Parkview Fine Arts Magnet High School and holds a Bachelor's degree from Webster University, St. Louis, MO in Commercial Music with emphasis in Jazz Studies. Since graduating in1992, he has been actively involved in the community as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur...Learn More
An Evening with Jane Hankinswith musical guest Bec & The Boys
April 23, 2020Doors open at 6pm | $35
Witty, whimsical, wonderful. These words and more describe the creative world of Little Rock, Arkansas artist Jane F. Hankins. Born in Jonesboro, Jane has been a strong presence in the Arkansas artists community for over two decades. A visual artist, specializing in sculpture in porcelain and stoneware as well as drawing and painting, she is a designer for nationally marketed sculpture reproductions. An Arkansas native, Jane studied at the Memphis Art Academy, Arkansas State University, and the Arkansas Arts Center. She is a technically talented artist, who doesn't take herself too seriously.
Bec & The Boys is a Central Arkansas cover band with an appreciation for everything from classic country and rock to current popular songs. Bec & The Boys was founded in the summer of 2019 and the band members each have 10+ years of experience in music and performance. The Boys (Justin Cole - guitarist, John Comford - bassist, and Cory Fisher - drummer) are deeply invested in the Little Rock rock-music scene through their participation in several other bands and mentorship of younger musicians. Bec brings her experience as a jazz and classical vocalist to the mix making for a unique twist on your old favorites. You’ll discover your love for them all over again!
The Yarn: Motherhood
May 28, 2020Doors open at 6pm | $35
For its May production, The Yarn will celebrate the unsung heroes of our everyday lives. Mothers are the bravest among us, as they nurture, protect, and mold Earth's newest humans. Each new generation redefines how mothers are regarded in our society, and today particularly, more stories come to light about those who wish to be mothers, choose not to be mothers, or boldly go into the unknown future as new mothers. On May 28th, hear true stories about Motherhood - authentic and unfiltered - from the Yarn Stage.
Stephanie Smittle performs southern sludge rock with Iron Tongue, sacred music as a cantor and chorister at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Ashkenazic folk music with the Meshugga Klezmer Band, and songs of politics and Arkansas history with duo Stephen and Stephanie. Smittle has recorded two albums of genre-hopping original material with The Smittle Band, and her opera roles include Fiordiligi in Mozart's “Cosi fan tutte” with Opera in the Ozarks, Queen Anne and Queen Elizabeth Woodville in the premiere of Karen Griebling's “Richard III: A Crown of Roses, A Crown of Thorns,” and Virginia Clinton in Bonnie Montgomery's “Billy Blythe.” Stephanie Smittle is culture editor for the Arkansas Times and an advocate for The Natural State's rich history of musicians and artists.