Travelin' Arkansas: Events Taking Place in February
January 6, 2005
Travelin' Arkansas: Events Taking Place in February
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Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre production of "Crowns," written by Regina Taylor and directed by Tony-award-winning, Arkansas native Lawrence Hamilton, will run through Feb. 19. Adapted from the best-selling book of the same title by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry, this musical celebrates black women and their church hats. It provides an in-depth look at the generations-old custom that combines faith with fashion. The story is one of family, faith, love, loss, and of finding one's true identity, as told through oral histories, familiar old gospel tunes such as "When the Saint's Go Marching In," "We're Marching to Zion," and "His Eye is on the Sparrow" with an abundant dose of "hattitude" thrown in.
The theatre is located at 601 Main Street in downtown Little Rock. Tickets range from $20 to $30 and can be ordered through www.therep.org or by calling (501) 378-0405.
The world-famous Lipizzan Stallions will perform Feb. 1-2 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
The show is an exciting display of the skills learned at the "School of Airs Above the Ground," which originated in battle. These well-known stallions have visited the University of Arkansas for the past four years. A percentage of the proceeds supports the D.E. King Equine Program.
Admission is $19.50 for adults with a $2 discount for children 12 and under and seniors. Matinee seats are $16.50. Group discounts are also available. For more information, phone (479) 575-6300 or visit the Web site www.equineprogram.org.
The annual Academy of Excellence Chili Cook-off and Benefit Auction will be Feb. 3 at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs.
Cooks will compete in two categories, individual and business with prizes for first, second and third in both categories. The event will also include both a silent and live auction with auction items running the gamut from restaurant coupons to merchandise and art.
For more information, contact John Lee at the academy at (479) 253-5400.
Little Rock Tours now offers a chance to see the elusive Ivory-Billed Woodpecker with tours Feb. 1 through March 31. Home base is Mallard Pointe Lodge, located on the border of Dagmar Wildlife Management Area near Brinkley. These one-of-a-kind expeditions allow the public opportunities to see the woodpecker and other bird species in the primitive Big Woods of eastern Arkansas. Expert guides will take participants through portions of a private wildlife area by both foot and by boat. Admission prices vary; contact Little Rock Tours for more details at 1-800-933-3836 or check www.littlerocktours.com.
Performances by the Brazilian Guitar Quartet on Feb. 9 and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra on Feb. 28 will continue the 25th anniversary season of entertainment at the Perot Theater at 219 Main St. in downtown Texarkana. Both shows will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The four Brazilian acoustic guitarists, Everton Gloeden, Tadeu do Amaral, Luiz Mantovani, and Edson Lopes, have drawn rave reviews for their show that includes a range of music from Afro-Brazilian dances to re-interpreted Bach. Tickets for the show are $30, $25, $19, $13 and $5.
The chamber orchestra has previously performed at the Perot and was invited to return because of the audience's enthusiastic response. Tickets for the Feb. 28 show are $43, $38, $32, $26 and $5.
Ticket discounts are available for groups and students. For more information, phone the theater box office at (903) 792-8681 or e-mail nfhutcheson@trahc.org. Online ticket purchasing, a seating chart and additional information on the Perot, including other programs in its 25th season, are available at http://www.trahc.org/.
Information on lodging, restaurants and other attractions in the Texarkana area may be obtained from the Texarkana Chamber of Commerce by phone at (903) 792-7191 or by visiting its Web site at www.texarkana.org and selecting "Visitor's Guide."
Singer-songwriter Lisa McCormick will perform in a relaxed, cabaret-style setting on Feb. 10 at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center in Eureka Springs.
McCormick sings torch-songs with the Latin sensuality of Getz & Gilberto. Her smooth, sultry vocals create love songs to love itself -- deeply human, innocently spiritual. The show is comprised of Spanish guitar, intelligent music, brilliant poetry and soaring vocals. McCormick delivers edgy, folk/pop songwriting, gutsy voice and sharp humor.
Admission is $20 in advance online and $25 the day of the show. For more information or tickets, phone (479) 363-0363 or visit www.PaperMoonAttractions.com.
The Williams Tavern Restaurant at Old Washington Historic State Park will be serving up its romantic Valentine's Dinner at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11. The menu will include prime rib and an alternative entrée, and there will be a full evening of entertainment.
Cost is $60 per couple, which includes taxes and gratuity as well as a surrey ride through the historic town of Washington. The rides will be available beginning at 6 p.m. Reservations are required by Feb. 8 with a $25 nonrefundable deposit. For more information and for reservations, phone Kaye Miller at (870) 983-2890.
The park is located on U.S. 278 about nine miles north of Hope in a Southwest Arkansas town that played a role in Texas' fight for independence from Mexico and served as Arkansas' Confederate capital from 1863-65. The park and town contain Arkansas' largest collection of pre-Civil War structures regularly open for public tours. For more park information, phone (870) 983-2684 or visit www.oldwashingtonstatepark.com.
For a Valentine weekend extravaganza, visit Eureka Springs for the Chocolate and Lovers' Festival from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 10 and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Inn of the Ozarks.
The Feb. 10 event is a dinner with celebrity judges and contest winners with advance tickets required. The general festival on Feb. 11 will include chocolate tasting, wine sampling, romantic music, chocolate sculpture, dipping fountain, contests, auction of winning contest entries and door prizes.
The festival is a fundraising event for Clear Spring, a not-for-profit, independent, accredited preschool through 12th grade school. For ticket information and purchase, visit www.eurekachocfest.org, or call the school at (479) 253-7888 for more information.
For lodging information, visit www.eurekasprings.org. The Victorian Village has a plethora of bed and breakfast inns, historic hotels and other lodging available for visitors. The city has numerous venues for romantic fine dining and world-class art and handiwork. It has been a haven for sweethearts and a wedding destination since the 1800s.
Let Cupid's arrow find you and your sweetheart at a romantic hide-a-way in the woods during Hikes, Hearts & Hugs on Feb. 11-12 at Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton. Be treated to a romantic, guided tour featuring the legend of Petit Jean or take part in guided trail hikes with your sweetheart. The event's highlight will be dancing and a romantic, candlelight dinner.
The resting place of Petit Jean is preserved at the park, which drew its name from the story of the young French girl who disguised herself as a cabin boy so she could secretly accompany her fiancé to the "New World." Petit Jean, or "Little John," became fatally ill and requested to be buried on the mountain.
There is a fee for the dinner and dance, but other programs are free. Call ahead for reservations at Mather Lodge or one of the cabins. For more information, phone (501) 727-5441 or visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.
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Well-known Arkansas bands such as the Hempstead County Melody Boys from Hope, the Shine-Ons from Waldo and The Hartleys of Arkadelphia will be among the performers at the fourth annual Winter Bluegrass Show to be presented on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 2 to 10 p.m. in the Fair Park Community Center in Hope.
Food concessions, including homemade-style hamburgers, will be available. Fair Park can be reached from Interstate 30 at Hope by taking U.S. 278 south to Ark. 174 and following the directional signs to the park. The center is located on Jones Street off Ark. 174. For additional information on the show and on lodging, restaurants and other attractions in the Hope area, contact the Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce by phone at (870) 777-3640 or by e-mail at hopeark@arkansas.net.
Garden hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular tour admission will be charged: $7 for persons ages 13 to 54, $6 for those 55 and older, and $4 for ages six to 12. Children five and under are admitted free. Discounts are available for groups of 20 and more.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre botanical garden with 4.5 miles of shoreline on Lake Hamilton. It is located at 540 Arkridge Road, off Carpenter Dam Road. For more information, visit www.garvangardens.org or phone 1-800-366-4664 or (501) 262-9300.
The Call of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker Celebration will be Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at the Convention Center in Brinkley. Activities scheduled include bird watching tours, seminars, Bird Watching 101 classes, plus bird-oriented vendors, book signings, and nationally known speakers such as Pete Dunne, Marie Read, Bill Thompson III, Chuck Hagner, and Martjan Lammertink. Also speaking will be Scott Simon, Tim Gallagher, David Luneau, and Gene Sparling. Space is limited; registration is required. Admission is $50 for all three days. To register or to get additional information, contact the Brinkley Chamber of Commerce at (870) 734-2262 or brinkleyc@futura.net.
Fayetteville celebrates Mardi Gras with a Fat Saturday Parade of Fools on Feb. 25 and a Mardi Gras party on Feb. 28.
The Fat Saturday Parade of Fools' route runs from the Fayetteville square to Dickson Street, and will consist of floats, bands, costumed walkers and commercial entries. Beads, candy and trinkets will be thrown to the crowds lining the streets.
The heart of the city's entertainment district, Dickson Street, will be hopping on Feb. 28 with a Mardi Gras party that includes crowning of this year's royalty by the Demented Krewe of Dickson. The royalty and Demented Krewe, along with the Billy Zydeco Band, will host a foot parade through the clubs and restaurants on Dickson Street beginning at 8 a.m. and ending at midnight. Beads will be thrown to the crowds.
Admission is free to both Mardi Gras celebration events.
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"
Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com
May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"