Stories by Eric E. Harrison

'Hamilton' back on schedule in LR Central Arkansas theatergoers left hanging when the covid-19 pandemic wiped out Celebrity Attractions' 2020-21 season will get their chance to see "Hamilton" live on stage Feb. 8-20 at Little Rock's R... June 19, 2021

‘Hamilton,’ postponed by pandemic, anchors Celebrity Attractions' 2021-22 season Central Arkansas theatergoers left hanging when the covid-19 pandemic wiped out Celebrity Attractions’ 2020-21 season will finally get their chance to see “Hamilton” live on stage, Feb. 8-20 at Little... June 18, 2021

'WKRP' funnyman, Little Rock native Frank Bonner dead at 79 Frank Bonner, the actor and television director from Little Rock who showed off his Arkansas roots with a Razorbacks mug that sat on his desk at a struggling Cincinnati radio station on the TV sitcom ... June 18, 2021

Frank Bonner, 'WKRP' star, Little Rock native, dies at 79 Frank Bonner, an actor and television director from Little Rock who showed off his Arkansas roots with a Razorback mug that sat on his desk at a struggling Cincinnati radio station on the TV sitcom “W... June 17, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Samantha's sets July 7-8 for opening After being closed since mid-February, when bursting pipes caused by an ice storm flooded its basement, Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill, 322 Main St., Little Rock, will reopen for dinner at 4 p.m... June 17, 2021

OPINION | RESTAURANT REVIEW: Rockin' sushi It was only a couple of months between the opening of Little Rock's first outlet of the Alabama-based Rock N Roll Sushi franchise-chain operation, on Chenal Parkway, and the second, which took over th... June 17, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Musical memorial, Juneteenth celebrations, movies and more Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Soulful documentary As part of its participation in a citywide celebration of Juneteenth, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival will present a fr... June 17, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Mosaic Templars hosts virtual events to celebrate Juneteenth Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: MTCC Juneteenth Mosaic Templars Cultural Center's annual Juneteenth Celebration gets underway at 1 p.m. Wednesday on the center's Facebook page (face... June 15, 2021

Ballet Arkansas reveals season with 'Great Gatsby' opener Ballet Arkansas will open its 2021-22 season Oct. 21-24 with a "roaring 2020s" production -- "The Great Gatsby" -- at the Center for Humanities and Arts Theater on the University of Arkansas-Pulaski T... June 12, 2021

Ballet Arkansas to open season with 'roaring 2020s' production Ballet Arkansas will open its 2021-22 season Oct. 21-24 with a “roaring 2020s” production — “The Great Gatsby” — at the Center for Humanities and Arts Theater on the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Tec... June 11, 2021

Movies in the Park returns to Little Rock's Riverfront Park in July Little Rock’s River Market is bringing back Movies in the Park, Wednesdays in July in the Riverfront Park Amphitheater. The series starts July 7 with “Wonder Woman 1984” (PG-13) The amphitheater w... June 10, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: 2nd location for Porkula; new coffee shop set for Tech Park space Count Porkula BBQ, which operates in The Rail Yard, 1212 E. Sixth St. in Little Rock's East Village, is partnering with JTJ Restaurants LLC., which operates eight Arkansas Taziki's restaurants and, in... June 10, 2021

OPINION | TAKEOUT TASTINGS: River Market return The River Market's Ottenheimer Market Hall, 400 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, reopened in early May, with many — though not all — of the tenants returning to the kiosks they occupie... June 10, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Little Rock Winds to play 'Stars and Stripes' celebration; Habitat for Humanity to hold 'Baggo, Brats, Blues' fundraiser Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Flag Day salute The Little Rock Winds headlines the 24th annual Flag Day salute, "A Stars and Stripes Celebration," with a program of marches, patrio... June 10, 2021

Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill in Little Rock to reopen July 7 Samantha's Tap Room & Wood Grill, 322 Main St., Little Rock, will reopen at 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, for dinner, and at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 8, for lunch. Co-owner Chris Tanner says the restau... June 9, 2021

New coffee shop to open at Little Rock Tech Park in July The coffee shop in the Little Rock Technology Park, 417 Main St., formerly Blue Sail, will reopen in mid-July as The Paranoid Android. A soft opening is planned for July 12. It’s the third area co... June 8, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Historical fiction author to speak for State Library Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: 'Lionized' author Fiona Davis will discuss her novel "The Lions of Fifth Avenue" (Dutton, 2020) for 2021's first Arkansas State Library "If All Arkan... June 8, 2021

Count Porkula, JTJ partner for planned Heights location Count Porkula BBQ, which operates a restaurant in the Rail Yard, 1212 E. 6th St. in Little Rock’s East Village, is partnering with JTJ Restaurants, LLC to open its first stand-alone location in early ... June 7, 2021

Bonamassa plans Little Rock, Fayetteville concerts; Newsboys to headline North Little Rock show Blues rock musician Joe Bonamassa will perform at Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center at 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at Little Rock's Robinson Center Music Hall and at 8 p.m. Oct. 19 as part of a multi-city fall tou... June 7, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: New Hot Dog Factory sets soft opening After several delays, Central Arkansas' first franchise outlet of the Atlanta-based Original Hot Dog Factory, 1424 Main St., in downtown Little Rock's South Main neighborhood, now has a soft-open date... June 3, 2021

OPINION | RESTAURANT REVIEW: Handi Fine Indo-Pak Cuisine combines the best of India, Pakistan On the back side of one of two buildings that make up the Village at Pleasant Valley Shopping Center — on the northwest corner of the intersection of Rodney Parham Road and Interstate 430 &#8212... June 3, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: 'Real Life' returns to Simmons Bank Arena with comedy tour Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: 'In Real Life' Actor/comedian Mike Epps brings his "In Real Life" comedy tour, with comedians Michael Blackson, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller and Koun... June 3, 2021

Volunteers sought for mural on downtown Little Rock office building The Downtown Little Rock Partnership is seeking “skilled community volunteers” to participate in the latest mural project for the downtown area. Artist Matt McLeod and the volunteers will paint the ... June 2, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Photographs highlight global efforts for human rights Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Rights fighters "Justice: Faces of the Human Rights Revolution," photographs by Ansel Adams protegee Mariana Cook depicting fights for human rights a... June 1, 2021

The 'Curtain Call' show must go on Gayla Jungmeyer and Kathleen Kennally are linked to Arkansas Enterprises for the Developmentally Disabled for the long haul. Kennally is the president of the nonprofit's auxiliary. Jungmeyer, a past ... May 30, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Restaurateur Ira Mittelman's comeback at Little Rock hotel; bistro set for weekend dine-in Restaurateur Ira Mittelman, best known for his eponymous restaurant ventures — the short-lived Ira's on Main Street (now Allsopp & Chapple) and Ira's Park Hill Grill in North Little Rock (no... May 27, 2021

OPINION | TAKEOUT TASTINGS: Back to the to-go basics Just because we're sticking our vaccinated toes into a couple of restaurant dining rooms for full reviews does not mean we've totally abandoned the takeout trail. As per our usual practice, we've stu... May 27, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Artist's grandson inspires 'Crayons to Canvas' exhibit Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: 'Crayons to Canvas' "Crayons to Canvas," work (predominantly paintings) by Hot Springs artist Longhua Xu, 66, inspired by his grandson's drawings, Ha... May 27, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Irish dance to grace the stage at Robinson Center Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Royally Irish Herbert W. Armstrong College and Armstrong Dance brings "Celtic Throne — The Royal Journey of Irish Dance," with a musical score ... May 25, 2021

Getting it straight Napoleon Bonaparte was first consul of France and not yet emperor when the Louisiana Purchase treaty with the United States was signed in 1803. A story in Tuesday’s Style section misstated his title a... May 22, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Fire closes Sims BBQ's southwest Little Rock spot We have not heard by deadline anything more on the cause of the Friday fire that heavily damaged the Sims Bar-B-Que at 7601 Geyer Springs Road, Little Rock. The Little Rock Fire Department got the ca... May 20, 2021

OPINION | RESTAURANT REVIEW: Revamped Oyster Bar offers upscale fare as well as original fried items If you were a devout patron of the Oyster Bar in Little Rock's Stifft Station, but have not been in since it reopened, you likely will not recognize the place. The restaurant, which used to be comfor... May 20, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: 'Bon Appetit!' on menu for Opera's 'Brunch' streaming fundraiser Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Hearing Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7" will be the main work on the program for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra's sixth and final ... May 20, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Disney On Ice skates into North Little Rock Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Icy 'Search Party' Tickets — $27-$67 (plus service charges) — go on sale at 10 a.m. today for "Disney On Ice presents Mickey's Search Par... May 18, 2021

Ashley McBryde includes Little Rock's Robinson Center on U.S. tour Country singer and Mammoth Spring native Ashley McBryde’s 36-city U.S. tour includes an 8 p.m. Aug. 7 concert at Little Rock's Robinson Center Performance Hall. Tickets — $38 and $28 — go on sale at ... May 17, 2021

Rep planning summer shows The Arkansas Repertory Theatre announced Thursday it will return this summer to producing live theatrical performances with its 2021 "The Rep Outdoors" series. In partnership with the city of Little ... May 14, 2021

Arkansas Repertory Theatre returns with outdoor productions this summer, fall The Arkansas Repertory Theatre returns to producing live theatrical performances, announcing Thursday its 2021 “The Rep Outdoors” series, two full-scale summer productions in partnership with the City... May 13, 2021

OPINION | TAKEOUT TASTINGS: Off the curb You might say the continuing proliferation of food trucks has provided "lots" of opportunity for dining on the go. In some cases, food trucks cluster in food truck courts; in other cases, they sit, s... May 13, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Three Fold taking over Panera site; Capital Bar & Grill set to reopen Three Fold Noodles & Dumpling Co., 611 S Main St., Little Rock, is set to expand into a second, west Little Rock location, taking over the former Panera Bread space in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping ... May 13, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: 'Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition' to open on YouTube Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Young artists The Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts opens its 60th "Young Arkansas Artists Exhibition" with a virtual awards ceremony and family festival,... May 13, 2021

Three Fold set to expand into west Little Rock Three Fold Noodles & Dumpling Co., 611 S Main St., Little Rock, is set to expand into a second, west Little Rock location, taking over the former Panera Bread space in the Pleasant Ridge Shopping ... May 11, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Winner of student mural competition to implement design Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: 'Spaceship Earth' The Arkansas Cinema Society will screen, virtually, "Spaceship Earth," a documentary about the 1991 Biosphere 2 experiment in which... May 11, 2021

Foreigner to bring 'Greatest Hits' tour Aug. 8 to Simmons Bank Arena Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. May 21 for Foreigner, bringing “The Greatest Hits of Foreigner on Tour” to Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, 7 p.m. Aug. 8. Tickets range in price from $39.50 to ... May 7, 2021

2021 Mother’s Day brunch options in, around Little Rock This story is a part of The Article, your guide to Arkansas news and culture, presented by the Democrat-Gazette. Sign up for The Article's twice-weekly newsletter here or to see stories that have appe... May 6, 2021

RESTAURANT TRANSITIONS: Cheesecake gets 'home' in storefront Cheesecake on Point!, which has been operating primarily as a food truck and a catering operation providing desserts to other restaurants, opens Saturday in a former antiques store at 9809 W. Markham ... May 6, 2021

OPINION | RESTAURANT REVIEW: Cypress Social doesn’t disappoint in first dine-in excursion After more than 13 months of pandemic-imposed exile from area dining rooms, now that we have a couple of shots in our arms and so have, we hope, most other folks, we are feeling freer to return, albei... May 6, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Hot Springs hopping with Gallery Walk, Arts & Park Festival Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Gallery re-debut Boswell Mourot Fine Art is having its covid-delayed grand reopening at 1501 Main St., Suite H, Little Rock (having moved from 5815 K... May 6, 2021

Rock City Taco opens in River Market in time for Cinco de Mayo Rock City Taco opened Wednesday, more or less on schedule, in the former Poke Hula, 415 E. Third St., in Little Rock's River Market District. The restaurant was supposed to open in time for breakfast... May 5, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT NOTES: Author to head virtual workshop celebrating women's stories Elsewhere in entertainment, events and the arts: Women's stories Author and biographer Janis F. Kearney heads an Arkansas Arts Council virtual writing workshop, titled "Women Writing Stories: Messag... May 4, 2021

Food Network's Alton Brown sets live Little Rock show in March 2022 Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for Food Network star Alton Brown’s “Alton Brown Live — Beyond the Eats” show, scheduled for 7 p.m. March 30, 2022, at Robinson Center Performance Hall, 426 W. Mar... May 3, 2021