Photo above:

Stop by First Security Amphitheater for a light and music show each evening through January 3. Photo courtesy of Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. 

Episcopal Collegiate school singers bring the sounds of the holidays to the state capitol. A Mark Martin, Secretary of State, photo. 

River Market District

The Rev Room shows here.
December 19, 2014-January 3, 2015: Holiday Lights in the Park, First Security Amphitheater, 5-10 p.m.

This new attraction for Riverfront Park features a 10-minute show choreographed to music and can be seen each night through the season.

MacArthur Park Historic District 

December 19-21: The Velveteen Rabbit, Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre,

9th & Commerce, MacArthur Park. What is real? asks the Velveteen Rabbit in this Margery Williams favorite, of his strange new friend, old Skin Horse. Learn more.

December 19: New Brew Friday, Stone's Throw Brewing, 4 p.m. 402 E. 9th. Weekly event.

December 21: Fifth Annual Holiday Music at the Arsenal, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 2-4 p.m. Presented by General T.J. Churchill Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy. Musical performances by Margaret Wyatt Piano and Vocal Studio. Admission is free.
December 23: #ArkPubTrivia, Stone's Throw Brewing, 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Professor Bowl. Weekly event.
On Exhibit
9th & Commerce, MacArthur Park
A Sense of Balance: The Sculpture of Stoney Lamar. Thru January 18, 2015.
William Beckman Drawings: 1967-2013. Thru February 1, 2015.
Paul Signac Watercolors and Drawings: The James T. Dyke Collection. Thru January 25, 2015.
Art in Context. Ongoing.
ASI Building, 401 President Clinton Avenue
Off the Soil: Photography by Geoff Winningham, featuring a collection of photographs highlighting Arkansas's vernacular architecture, which reflects local traditions. Thru February 2, 2015.
Johnny Cash: Arkansas Icon. Thru January 24, 2015.
Echoes of the Ancestors: Native American Objects from the University of Arkansas Museum. Thru March 15, 2015.
Annual Juried Arkansas League of Artists exhibition. Thru December 27.
Christ Church The Sixth Street Library
509 Scott Street
The Photographs of Tim Hursley, architectural photographer.
1200 President Clinton Avenue
CHIHULY: The artwork of renowned American artist Dale Chihuly. Thru January 5, 2015.
120 River Market
Who Lives-Who Dies-Who Decides. Features the work of Kenneth Reams, an Arkansas death row inmate and his fianc�e, Isabelle Watson. Thru December 31.
Esse Purse Museum
1510 South Main, SoMa
What's Inside: A History of Women and Handbags, 1900-1999.
Barbie: The Vintage Years 1959-1972
Pyramid Place, 221 W. 2nd
Historic Arkansas Museum
200 E. Third
New! Capturing Early Arkansas in Depth: The Stereoview Collection of Allan Gates. Thru April 5, 2015.
New! "this is the garden: colors come and go" Works by Rachel Trusty. Thru February 9, 2015.
A Beauty on It Sells: Advertising Art from the collection of Marsha Stone. Thru January 1, 2015.
The Great Arkansas Quilt Show 3. Thru May 3, 2015.
40 Years of The Arkansas Times
Ongoing:
We Walk in Two Worlds: The Caddo, Osage and Quapaw in Arkansas
The Knife Gallery
MacArthur Park, 503 E. 9th Street
Waging Modern Warfare! General Wesley K. Clark
Vietnam, America's Conflict
Undaunted Courage, Proven Loyalty: Japanese American Soldiers in World War II
501 W. 9th Street
Freedom! Oh Freedom! Arkansas's People of African Descent & the Civil War, 1861-1866. Thru December 31.
Creativity Arkansas. Thru April 15.
500 President Clinton Avenue
In the Dark. Thru January 4, 2015.
New! The Bare Bones Exhibit, November 22-April 26.
300 W. Markham Street
Lights! Camera! Arkansas! Thru March 1, 2015.
Different Spokes. Thru February 2016.
Ongoing: Arkansas First Ladies' Gowns; Pillars of Power; On the Stump: Arkansas Politics, 1819-1919; First Families of Arkansas; As Long as Life Shall Last: The Legacy of Arkansas Women.
602 President Clinton Avenue
  

Argenta Arts District

In Downtown North Little Rock. For more information link here.
December 19 Holiday Art Sales, 5-8 p.m. Art Connection, Argenta Gallery, First Presbyterian Argenta, Claytime Gallery, Greg Thompson Fine Art and Mug's Caf� Gallery.
Thru December 27: Fridays and Saturdays-"A Fertle Holiday" at The Joint, 8 p.m. 501-372-0210.
Thru January 5: Artists INC Fellows Holiday Art Show Opening, Argenta Gallery during Argenta Artwalk, 413B Main Street, Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thru January 7: Grand Ole Opry photography exhibit by Gordon Gillingham, Argenta Branch, William F. Laman Public Library, 420 Main Street. 502-687-1061.
Downtown Update  

December 19, 2014

From the Director

It's been a great year for the Downtown Little Rock Partnership! This brings to an end our 30th year celebration but, with your continued support, 2015 will be the beginning of the next 30, full of possibilities and ideas and continued growth for Downtown. 

 

Becky, Chellie and I wish you the very best for the holidays. As Santa would say, Happy Christmas to all and to all...a good year!

 

--Sharon Priest

Executive Director

Downtown Notes

Have an extra hour or two over the holiday break? The Firehouse Hostel and Museum, 1201 Commerce Street in MacArthur Park, needs some volunteers! Volunteers are needed for painting interior woodwork, working on old floors, etc. Come when you can during these times: Saturday, December 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or Sunday, December 21, 12:30-5 p.m. Or call Linda Fordyce, 501-313-6741.

 

The Arkansas Venture Center (AVC), home to the Little Rock Technology Park offices, will move in January from the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce to the ground floor of the Block 2 building in the 100 block of East Markham. Learn more in Arkansas Business.

 

Three Fold Noodles and Company opened this week (learn more) and Lost Forty Brewing Company is set for a soft opening this weekend. Learn more

Around Downtown

Entertainment highlights from Arkansas Times here.

Holidays in Little Rock here.

Little Rock (LRCVB) event listings here.

Vino's Brew Pub special events here.

December 19-January 4: Elf at The Rep, 601 Main Street. Adapted by Tony Award-winners Thomas
Meehan and Bob Martin from the popular 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf turns one of Hollywood's most beloved holiday hits into a hilarious and heartwarming musical that brings the whole family together. When a young orphan climbs into Santa's bags, he is unaware that he is actually human. He will discover the truth on a trip to New York City as well as remind others of the true meaning of Christmas. Learn more.
  
December 19-20: Other Desert Cities at The Weekend Theater, 1001 W. 7th.  Directed by Ralph Hyman. A finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, this play involves a family with differing political views and a long-held family secret. Learn more.

December 19: The Undercroft at Christ Church featuring Mark Currey & Bart Angel. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.

 

December 21: Handel's Messiah with the Art Porter Singers, 5-7 p.m., Bethel AME Church, 815 W. 16th.

 

Links to Downtown churches here for holiday service schedules.

 

December 31: A New Year's Eve at the Empress of Little Rock, Governor's Mansion District, in the tradition of a "Downton Abbey" dinner party. The gourmet catered meal consists of fine courses paired with complimentary wines by the house Sommelier. A Black Tie Event with limited seating and includes dancing, entertainment, and a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are available for the dinner only at $250 per couple or special rates are available with their Romantic Getaway Packages. Call for reservations at 501-374-7966 or online.

Nearby DLRP Member 

Special Events
December 19-21: Swingin' Holiday Extravaganza with the
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Acxiom Pops Live! Pulaski Academy Connor Performing Arts Center, 12701 Hinson Road. Broadway singers Destan Owens and Mandy Gonzalez will lead a celebration of your favorite holiday music and festival tunes. Learn more.
January 9: Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas 2014 Preservation Awards, 6 p.m., Annunciation Cultural Center, 1100 Napa Valley Road. Learn more.
 
Save the Dates 
January 16-18: Ballroom with a Twist featuring Cheryl Burke from Dancing with the Stars, presented by Celebrity Attractions, Maumelle Performing Arts Center. Ticket presales thru Sunday, December 14 at midnight. Use code: TWIST. Link here.
January 18: 2015 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show, Statehouse Convention Center. Learn more.
January 22-23: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra 2015 Intimate Neighborhood Series begins with Mozart's Magic Flute with Opera in the Rock, 7 p.m., Albert Pike Memorial Temple. Learn more. 
January 31-February 1: Arkansas Symphony Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky and Mozart Festival, Maumelle Performing Arts Center. Violin prodigy Randall Goosby joins ASO. Learn more.
February 14: SoMa Mardi Gras Parade. Learn more. Or call Hillis Schild, 501-412-3768. Entry forms at The Green Corner Store, Moxy Mercantile or Sweet Home Furnishings.
February 28-March 1: Little Rock Marathon. Learn more.
March 11: Downtown Little Rock Partnership Annual Meeting,11:30 p.m., Statehouse Convention Center. For sponsorship information or to reserve a table call 501-375-0121 or email.
 

SoMa

Southside Main Street, south of I-630 
December 19-23: Holiday Pop Up Shop at Studio Main, hosted by the Green Corner Store and Erin Lorenzen. Artisans take over for special holiday shopping: Robinson Lane Jewelry, Julie Holt Studio, Vincent Griffin, Michael Church, Bo/Knit/A, My Darling Deer, Xela Designs, Cogworthy's, Southern Girl Soapery, Kat Wilson, David Monteith, and Erin Lorenzen.
December 19: The Green Corner Store, samples, canned goods and merchandise from the Root Caf�, 4-7 p.m.
December 20: The Green Corner Store, reception and demonstration by the Yarn Girls, Mariella Hernandez of Bo/Knit/A, Hally Hopscotch of Cogworthy's and Alex Carpenter Howland. Personalized jewelery while-you-wait by Christy Bourns of Robinson Lane Jewelry, Southern Salt food truck and Stone's Throw Brewery beer.
December 21: The Green Corner Store-Geek Eats sampling 11-1, personalized jewelry while-you-wait by Christy Bourns of Robinson Lane Jewelry 12-3, Leonesa Health Coaching with healthy refreshments 11-3, and Martha Richardson fabric artist 11-3.
December 20: An Evening with Kris Allen at South on Main. $10 cover charge, cash. 244-9660 for reservation details.
January 7: Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain, Local Live at South on Main. 244-9660 for reservation details.
January 29, 2015: Oxford American magazine presents Peter Martin and romero Lubambo, 8 p.m., South on Main. Tickets available via metrotix.com or by calling 800-293-5949.
Verizon Arena
In Downtown North Little Rock,
1 Verizon Arena Way. For ticket information link here (Verizon Arena) or here (Ticketmaster).
December 20 Arkansas Razorbacks VS Southeast Missouri Basketball

December 21 SEC/Big 12 Challenge: Texas vs Texas A&M and Oklahoma VS Arkansas Women's Basketball

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

Stay connected!

Downtown Little Rock Partnership 

Facebook: downtownlr

Twitter: @DowntownLR

Website:

www.downtownlr.com 

Pinterest: downtownlr

Membership & Downtown Update submissions: bfalkowski@downtownlr.com 

MacArthur Park

Facebook: MacArthurParkLR

Facebook: Macolanterns

Website: www.macarthurparklr.com 

Main Street Food Truck Festival & Fridays

Facebook: MainStreetFoodTruckFestival

Website: www.mainstreetfoodtrucks.com

 

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