HIP HOP PROJECT DANCERS

Hip-hop reprise
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s national award-winning “Hip Hop Project” was such a show-stopper at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre earlier this month, it’s back in Little Rock for an encore. “The Hip Hop Project: Insight to the Hip Hop Generation” will be performed Saturday, Aug. 27, at Robinson Center Music Hall. Showtime is 8 p.m., and tickets range from $15 to $40. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster (975-7575) or Celebrity Attractions (244-8800).
The show drew 1,500 during its five performance at the tiny Rep. Robinson’s 2,500 seats offer the ideal size for an encore, says Steve Broadnax, the play’s director and a UAPB professor.
“People are always excited to hear about ‘The Hip Hop Project,’ ” Broadnax said. “It has such a cult following that whenever we do it, we know people are going to come back and bring friends when they hear we’re doing it again.”
Broadnax conceived the show, which features eight poets and eight dancers. The play received the Association of Theatre in Higher Education Playwriting Award and gained national attention in its performance at the 37th annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington, D.C. The show has also been performed at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. Broadnax says to look for the play to appear in other Arkansas cities during the school year as the troupe brings it to high schools and colleges.
Chill with penguins
The Arkansas Zoological Foundation and the Little Rock Zoo will hold Penguin Family Fun Night at Market Street Cinema on Thursday, Aug. 25. The fun begins at 6 p.m. with a penguin silent auction featuring artwork by Jackie the African Penguin. The movie “March of the Penguins” will be screened at 7 p.m.
Cost is $25 per adult and $15 per child. Exclusive “Penguin Power!” wristbands will be available. All proceeds go to The Penguin Project campaign to build an African Penguin habitat at the Little Rock Zoo. Cost for the event is considered a donation to the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and is 100 percent tax-deductible.
For more information, call the zoo at 666-2406, ext. 108.
Ponder and Chungbring music to Oval
The Arkansas Times Summer Music Series at the Oval Gallery, 201 W. Capitol, concludes with singer Kelley Ponder and pianist Rachel Chung on Saturday, Aug. 27. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the $25 admission includes beverages and hors d’oeuvres. Beechwood Acoustic is co-sponsor.
Ponder and Chung will present a classic array of opera favorites and standards. Mezzo-soprano Ponder has performed with the Dallas Opera, Opera Carolina, Knoxville Opera and Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts.
The audience will be limited to 75 people. Call 244-0800 or e-mail Carla@ovalartists.com.
Eureka bluegrass
Some big names in bluegrass music will visit Eureka Springs for four days forthe third annual Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival. Headlining this year’s performances are Ronnie Reno, Mike Snider, Cedar Hill, Old School and the Larry Nelson Family.
The festival kicks off Thursday, Aug. 25, with the Bluegrass Jam and Social at 7 p.m. in the downtown Basin Spring Park.
The festival will feature two shows daily along with workshops for banjo, mandolin, guitar and fiddle, the popular Best Bluegrass Band Contest and a Sunday gospel matinee at 2 p.m. featuring Al Brumley Jr.
Mandolin player Reno performs Friday at 3 p.m. and 8 pm in the City Auditorium. His shows will be preceded by annual favorites Ozark Alliance, Old School, and the Eureka Springs Bluegrass Band. Reno’s 8 p.m. show will open with this year’s winner of the Best Bluegrass Band Contest and the Larry Nelson Family.
Music banjoist Snider will perform two shows on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the City Auditorium.
For a complete schedule of Eureka Springs Bluegrass Festival performances, events and ticket information, visit www.eurekaspringsbluegrassfestival.com, www.eurekasprings.org or call 888-855-7823.
Intriguing ‘Children’
Lillian Hellman’s classic drama “The Children’s Hour,” a story of intrigue and danger involving two dedicated teachers, opens Friday, Aug. 26, at the Weekend Theatre. The show will run on Friday and Saturday for three weeks, with showtimes at 8 p.m.
Laura Danley, who has starred in several Weekend productions, steps behind the scenes to direct, with Lucia Hammer and Rachel Archer in the starring roles as teachers who create a boarding school from their lives’ savings. A spoiled young rich girl (Madison Crane) retaliates against the teachers for being disciplined.
The theater is at Seventh and Chester streets (across from Vino’s). Tickets are $14 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 374-3761.
Nichols makes Magic
Arkansas-born country star Joe Nichols will perform Saturday, Aug. 27, at Magic Springs’ Timberwood Amphitheater near Hot Springs. Showtime is 8 p.m. The concert is free with park admission (after 5 p.m. ticket is $24.99). Reserve seats are available for an additional $5.
Texas country star Pat Green wraps up the Magic Springs seasonon Sept. 3.
Call 501-624-0100. Magic Springs is on U.S. Highway 70 east of downtown Hot Springs.
Hot Quapaw time
Fittingly with this hot temperatures, the historic Quapaw Quarter district will for the fourth year be holding its “Hot as Hell Fiesta” on Saturday, Aug. 27. Live music, live and silent auctions, food, drink, art and children’s games will take place from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. outside of Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 16th and Louisiana street. Proceeds support the church and its HeARTwork art outreach..
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. The price includes food and entertainment. Jennifer Niceley of Nashville, Nashville guitarist Joe McMahan and local musician Kevin Kerby will perform.
Call 375-1600.

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