Little Rock Local | June Edition
June 2: Houndmouth at Rev Room
Expect tunes off Indiana rock band Houndmouth's second release, Little Neon Limelight, at their first show in Little Rock since February 2014. Here's a throwback band profile from that last visit by good ol' Shea Stewart, and here's a recent review of Little Neon Limelight from NPR's First Listen.
June 3: Movies in the Park opens
The ever-popular outdoor film series Movies in the Park returns to the First Security Amphitheater for a summer lineup that features Ghostbusters, The Goonies, and lots of Robert Downey, Jr. Movies begin every Wednesday at sundown through July 29. The series opens with Divergent on June 3.
June 4: Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre kicks off
Arkansas' summer Shakespeare company presents The Merry Wives of Windsor, Fiddler on the Roof, The Merchant of Venice, and As You Like It in its ninth season. Performances take place mostly in Conway with select dates in North Little Rock, Bentonville, El Dorado, and Petit Jean Mountain. See the full schedule here (shows run through June 28), and for some background on what AST is all about, check out my interview from last year with producing artistic director Rebekah Scallet here.
June 4-7: Wakarusa
Wakarusa draws music lovers from all over the country to spend a long weekend getting down on Mulberry Mountain. Headliners include Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, The Roots, Thievery Corporation, STS9, Umphrey's McGee, Chance the Rapper, Young the Giant, Portugal. The Man, and Big Gigantic. Notable mid-tier names include The Devil Makes Three, Moon Taxi, Galactic/Galactic with Macy Gray, The Revivalists, Reptar, and so many more. Be sure to also catch Arkansas locals Amasa Hines and Mountain Sprout. See the full lineup here.
June 5: Futurebirds at Stickyz
These guys return to Little Rock for the first time since spring 2013. Opening is Roadkill Ghost Choir. You can find more details at stickyz.com and in my summer music guide for Arkansas Life.
June 5: August: Osage County opens at The Rep
This drama practically raked in the awards when it premiered in 2008, and then made the silver screen in 2013 with a star-studded Hollywood cast. The Rep's version of August: Osage County runs through June 21. Special events include pre-show director talks on June 3 (pay-what-you-can-night) and 4 (still somewhat of a dress rehearsal), a panel discussion at the Clinton School of Public Service on June 4, an after party on June 20, and more.
June 13: South Main Vintage Market
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., peruse the best in vintage goods at Bernice Garden at the third South Main Vintage Market of the season. (Cross your fingers for some 45s and shag carpet, as pictured above.)
June 18: Art As Activism, a lecture at Arkansas arts center
Arkansas Arts Center presents this discussion in partnership with Mosaic Templars Cultural Center. Panelists include Thomas Allen Harris, filmmaker behind Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People; Dr. Deborah Willis, chair of the Tisch School of the Arts Photography and Imaging Department; Charley Palmer, mixed media artist; and Delita Martin, artist and owner of Black Box Press Studios. The discussion will be hosted by Dr. Ila Sheren, author of Art As Activism. The event is free and begins at 6:30. More details here.
June 20: Beginning of Super Summer Saturdays at Clinton Presidential Center
On Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through August 8 the Clinton Presidential Center welcomes children of all ages to participate in fun educational activities (many of which have to do with the center's current exhibit, Dinosaurs Around the World, on display through October 18). Find more info about Super Summer Saturdays here.
June 21: Last day to see 30 Americans at Arkansas Arts Center
Don't wait until it's too late! More info on the exhibit, which kicked off April 21, here.
June 25: Superhero Science at Science After Dark
If you've ever found yourself wondering about the science behind Superman, well, here's your chance. Stop by Museum of Discovery's science-inspired happy hour from 6-9 p.m. the last Thursday of the month. As always, admission is $5 for nonmembers, free for members, and there's a cash bar for those 21 and up.
June 26-28: Thunder on the Mountain
Apparently one musical festival a month is just not enough for Mulberry Mountain. Only three weeks after jam bands, electronica, and indie rock grace the grounds, Ozark welcomes big-name country acts like Carrie Underwood, the Zac Brown Band, and The Band Perry. Find more a full lineup and info here.
