The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra broke ground in late August on its new $11.75 million Stella Boyle Smith Music Center in Little Rock’s East Village, creating a first-of-its-kind music-focused headquarters for the state. The new 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, slated to open in September 2024, is the Symphony’s first permanent home in its 58-year history. The new […]
In a recent interview with Arkansas Black Vitality, local musician Rodney Block discussed his background and his new album, “Percival Jenkins,” set to be released on April 9th. Block, a country boy from Dumas who has been performing for over 20 years, has birthed an eclectic album that he believes anyone can connect with — […]
By George Jared – Country music and soul musician Petrella Bonner was ready to take the stage in early July at Vapors Live, a music theater/restaurant founded in 1959 in her native Hot Springs. The venue had hosted some of the most famous acts in music history – Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett, and Liberace to name […]
A New Masterpiece By Dwain Hebda — There are many ways by which people mark their passage upon the earth. The arts are among the most powerful and to see that phrase in action one needs only to look at what’s going on in one of Arkansas’ most storied cities, Pine Bluff. Long a poster […]