Stories by Eric E. Harrison

Let freedom ring: Independence Day celebrations in Arkansas abound all around July 4 comes at the end of this year's July 4 weekend, and Americans will be celebrating the 246th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress' public declaration of the establishment of th... June 30, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Three Fold set to open west Little Rock outlet; opening target shifts for Crumbl Cookies The second location of Three Fold Noodles & Dumpling Co., what the Three Fold folks colloquially refer to as “Three Fold West”, is on the cusp of opening — as early as next week ... June 30, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: ‘Art and Story’ exhibit features works based on myth Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:ART: Inspired by myth"Art and Story," including works by Randall Good and Gary Simmons that draw on mythology; collages by Jeri Hillis that co... June 30, 2022

Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts moves opening to spring 2023 The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts on Wednesday announced that the museum will now have its grand opening in spring of 2023.It's the second postponement on the museum’s opening date, which had... June 29, 2022

Six conductors step up to podium for Arkansas Symphony Orchestra season The Arkansas Symphony has released the names of the six conductors who will be on the podium for the six 2022-23 Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks concerts at Little Rock's Robinson Center Performanc... June 28, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: CALS hosts author Rhona Weaver for reading/signing Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:Novel readingAuthor Rhona Weaver, under the auspices of the Central Arkansas Library System, will read from and sign copies of her novel "A Sacred ... June 26, 2022

Tacos 4 Life has donated nearly 25 million meals to starving kids Tacos 4 Life has a mission to help end world hunger.For every taco, salad, rice bowl, quesadilla and plate of nachos it sells at its 21 restaurants in seven states in the Southeast and Midwest, the Co... June 26, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Caked Up opens up in Heights; Chi's Baohouse is changing locations Caked Up Cupcakes and Ice Cream opened June 11 at 5621 Kavanaugh Blvd. in Little Rock's Pulaski Heights, in the storefront that most recently had housed a Poke Hula outlet. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m.... June 23, 2022

The original rom-com: ‘Much Ado’ resurrects Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre CONWAY — Four centuries before "When Harry Met Sally ..." hit movie screens, William Shakespeare invented the rom-com.Steven Marzolf, who plays Benedick, a soldier scornful of marriage... June 23, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Opera in the Ozarks opens summer music festival Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts this weekend:MUSIC: Mountainside operaOpera in the Ozarks kicks off its 2022 summer music festival with Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Rondine,&qu... June 23, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Les Moderns ushers donate $20,000 to local charities Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:THEATER: Charitable donationLes Moderns, a service organization that provides ushers for events at Robinson Center Performance Hall, is donating $20,000... June 21, 2022

Royal Comedy tour sets Oct. 28 North Little Rock stop on 17-city itinerary Comedians Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Arnez J and Lavell Crawford, on the 17-city Royal Comedy tour this fall, will make a North Little Rock stop, 8 p.m. Oct. 28 at The Theater@Simmons Bank Arena, the arena... June 20, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Wicker purses go on display, documentary gets premiere Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:EXHIBITS: Woven wicker"Basket Cases," a collection of wicker baskets and purses, goes on display Tuesday at the ESSE Purse Museum & Store,... June 19, 2022

Festivities for freedom: Juneteenth in Da Rock among several events throughout the state Celebrations across the state mark Juneteenth, proclaimed a federal holiday in 2021 and marking the date — June 19, 1865 — that Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that th... June 16, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: James Hale takes top job at Little Rock eatery; opening day nears for second Kemuri James Hale, former executive chef and co-owner of Acadia (1999-2015 in Little Rock’s Hillcrest) and briefly, for about a pre-pandemic year, chef at Capital Bar & Grill, departed the Little R... June 16, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in Benton, ‘Gypsy’ in Little Rock Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts this weekend:THEATER: Benton 'Beauty, Beast'The Royal Players stage "Disney's Beauty and the Beast" (music by Alan Menken, lyrics ... June 16, 2022

Blues Hall of Famer Bobby Rush performs July 16 at Little Rock's Ron Robinson Theater Blues Hall of Famer Bobby Rush will perform an intimate acoustic solo show 7 p.m. Saturday, July 16, at the Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave., Little Rock.The concert is part of the Central ... June 14, 2022

R&B stars Keith Sweat, Babyface, Jody Watley set Aug. 14 concert at Little Rock’s First Security Amphitheater R&B singers Keith Sweat, Babyface & Jody Watley will perform Aug. 14 at Little Rock’s First Security Amphitheater. The VIP Pavilion opens at 4:30 p.m.; gates open at 5 p.m.. Tickets... June 14, 2022

Windgate Foundation sets $1.5M challenge grant for Arkansas Symphony The Windgate Foundation has announced it will give the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra a $1.5 million, two-to-one challenge grant to help build its planned Stella Boyle Smith Music Center.The grant will f... June 14, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame to induct five muscians Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:MUSIC: All that jazz ...Arkansas jazz musicians TeRoy Betton Jr., Irene Crutchfield Brown, Bill Craig, Jackie Lamar and Ken Walker join the Arkansas Jaz... June 14, 2022

Maxwell sets Oct. 21 show at North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena R&B singer Maxwell, extending his “Night” Tour through summer and fall, performs at 8 p.m. Friday Oct. 21, at North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena.Musiq Soulchild will open the s... June 13, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: ‘Music Man’ the latest Muses Project offering Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:THEATER: Muses' 'Music Man'The Muses Project of Hot Springs will stage "The Music Man" (music, lyrics and book by Meredith Wi... June 12, 2022

Chef James Hale returns to Little Rock, takes over kitchen at Allsopp & Chapple James Hale, the former executive chef and co-owner of Acadia in Little Rock’s Hillcrest, has taken over as executive chef at Allsopp & Chapple, 311 Main St. in downtown Little Rock.Hale had ... June 9, 2022

OPINION | RESTAURANT REVIEW: Mar y Tierra Cantina & Grill brings upscale Mexican fare to West Third Street 2 ½ years after it was first announced An octopus motif is omnipresent at Mar y Tierra Cantina & Grill. It’s on the logo, which appears throughout the restaurant, emblazoned on the chairs in the dining rooms and in the bar and he... June 9, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: DeLuca’s II ‘95% a go’ at west Little Rock center; ghost kitchen houses Italian Couple redux Reports have been swirling that a DeLuca's Pizzeria will be a part of the Breckenridge Village Shopping Center revitalization. Jim Keet of JTJ Restaurants, one of the partners who bought the cente... June 9, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Little Rock Winds’ 25th Flag Day salute rings in celebration Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts this weekend:FUN: Cat conclaveThe Gulf Shore Region of the Cat Fanciers' Association is presenting a two-day All-Breed Cat Show, "The Crown Jew... June 9, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Top of the Rock seeks singers; ‘Baby Jane’ screens Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:MUSIC: Chorus invitationThe Top of the Rock Chorus, in its 60th year as a chapter of Sweet Adelines, invites women of all ages to a membership event, 7-... June 7, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Journalist to discuss, sign book on America’s future Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:BOOKS: Political 'Pass'Jonathan Martin, national political correspondent for the New York Times and a political analyst for CNN, will discuss th... June 5, 2022

Opera in the Rock offerings feature Black experience Opera in the Rock, Little Rock's professional opera company, will be the only one in the nation to dedicate its entire season to Black artists, the company's president and chief executive offi... June 2, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Jacksonville Minute Man closes doors; Homer’s West closes ahead of moving day The Minute Man, 120 John Harden Drive, Jacksonville, has closed. Google reports it as "permanently closed"; the phone number, (501) 983-4857, returns only a busy signal; the website, minutem... June 2, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Pulaski Tech gallery displays glass ‘Variations & Mutations’ Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts this weekend:ART: Blown glass art“Variations & Mutations,” blown glass art by Ed Pennebaker, is on display through June 30 in the Windga... June 2, 2022

Rapper Lil Durk coming to North Little Rock on '7220 Deluxe' tour Rapper Lil Durk is extending his  “7220 Deluxe” Tour to include North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena, 8 p.m. Sept. 18.Tickets — $39.50-$69.50 plus service charges, with an... June 1, 2022

Opera in the Rock to focus 2022-23 season on Black performers, composers Opera in the Rock, Little Rock’s reconstituted professional opera company, will be “the only opera company in the United States dedicating its entire season to build the Black experience,&... June 1, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Brickell at center of Maud Crawford Weekend Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:'Crawford Weekend'Beth Brickell, Arkansas-born author and film director now based in Los Angeles, will be in Camden for "Maud Crawford Week... May 29, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Reopening is unlikely for Hubcap; Irish tavern plans to serve breakfast Hubcap Burger Co., 7410 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, has been closed since a pickup truck plowed through the side wall on March 23, and “most likely we will not reopen,” says owner Erin Gri... May 26, 2022

Changing seasons: New dancers bow in Ballet Arkansas’ 2022-23 productions Ballet Arkansas is focusing on "themes of storytelling, collaboration, innovation, and community" in its productions for the 2022-23 season, while bringing in seven new dancers to replace si... May 26, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Rock, blues music to fill the air at Pulaski County Fair Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts this weekend:FUN: Pulaski County FairThe PBJ Happee Days Shows carnival midway, rides, games, a petting zoo, novelty vendors, foods and soft and adult b... May 26, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: ASO concert to remember lives of ‘family’ members Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:MUSIC: Memorial concertThe Arkansas Symphony Orchestra closes its 2021-22 season with a free concert honoring and celebrating the lives of orchestra &qu... May 24, 2022

‘Menopause The Musical’ to be revived at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse Murry's Dinner Playhouse audiences attending Jeanie Linders' "Menopause The Musical," will notice a lot of similarities from the production that appeared onstage there in almost exac... May 24, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Black composers’ music back in the limelight Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:MUSIC: Rediscovered musicViolinist Andrew Irvin and pianist May Tsao-Lim perform works by two Black American composers whose music has been recently red... May 22, 2022

Folk-Americana duo Shovels & Rope to headline Nov. 5 concert marking Oxford American's 30th anniversary Folk-Americana duo Shovels & Rope — Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent  — will headline a concert and fundraiser celebrating the 30th anniversary of Oxford American at 7:30 p.m. No... May 19, 2022

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Consortium buys center, plans to add four eateries; smoke damage shuts west Little Rock Senor Tequila The Keet family and their JTJ Restaurants group are among the buyers of Breckenridge Village Shopping Center, 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock, part of a consortium called KBK-Breck LLC that a... May 19, 2022

Phenomenal felines: ‘Cats’ returns to Robinson with new choreography, direction Aiden Presser says "Cats" was the favorite of his father, growing up in the 1980s, but as a millennial he wasn't exactly familiar with it until he joined the touring company cast last ye... May 19, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: ‘Jurassic Quest’ brings herd of dinos to Hot Springs Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts this weekend:FUN: ‘Jurassic Quest’“Jurassic Quest,” billed as “the nation’s biggest herd of photorealistic dinosaurs... May 19, 2022

Arkansas Arts Council, Central Arkansas Library System to receive National Endowment for the Arts grants Two Arkansas institutions are receiving grants totaling $733,670 from the National Endowment for the Arts.The Arkansas Arts Council will receive $721,670 as a state and regional partner to the endowme... May 18, 2022

Ballet Arkansas' 2022-23 season includes 'Dracula,' 'Nutcracker,' 'Sleeping Beauty' Ballet Arkansas is focusing on “themes of storytelling, collaboration, innovation, and community” in its 2022-23 season, while bringing in seven new dancers to replace six departures in it... May 17, 2022

Rapper Kevin Gates bringing 'Big Lyfe' tour Oct. 13 to North Little Rock's Simmons Bank Arena Rapper Kevin Gates, on his "Big Lyfe" tour in support of his third studio album, "Khaza,” due out June 17 on Bread Winner Alumni/Atlantic Records, takes the stage at 8 p.m. Oct.13... May 16, 2022

Violinist Lark soars in ‘Sky’ concerto Saturday at Little Rock’s Robinson Center Tessa Lark darn near fiddled her fingers off Saturday night at Little Rock's Robinson Center Performance Hall.The violinist, clad in a florid pantsuit that stood out against the Arkansas Symphony ... May 15, 2022

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Argenta theater opens season with ‘Memphis’ Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts:Argenta seasonThe Judy Kohn Tenenbaum Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main St., North Little Rock, opens its 12th season, July 20-30 with "Memphis, ... May 15, 2022

Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight to celebrate 'Friendsgiving' at Simmons Bank Arena Legendary singers Patti Labelle and Gladys Knight are putting on a “Friendsgiving Event,” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Theatre@Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock.“Both ladies are de... May 12, 2022