DANCE
Love stories wanted
Ballet Arkansas launched a community-wide search to find Little Rock’s greatest love story as part of its Feb. 14-16 performances of Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet. “Romeo and Juliet” with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra at the Robinson Center Performance Hall in Little Rock.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, Arkansans can share their love stories on social media by tagging Ballet Arkansas and using the hashtag #LRLovestory. “Contestants” must reside within the Little Rock city limits and must share a photo of themselves with their loved ones on Facebook or Instagram and share their love story.
On Feb. 1, Ballet Arkansas will select one couple to win a bottle of fine wine, a signed cast poster and two free tickets to the Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” including a tour of the behind the scenes.
For more information, visit balletarkansas.org/lr-s-greatest-love-story-campaign or call (501) 223-5150. Tickets are available via balletarkanas.org/tickets.
This production of “Romeo & Juliet” holds special meaning for Ballet Arkansas Executive and Artistic Director Michael Fothergill and Associate Artistic Director Catherine Fothergill: They met and fell in love after being chosen to play the roles -titles from “Romeo & Juliet”. ” with the Alabama Ballet in 2014.
THEATER
“Primary trust”
Fayetteville Theater Company TheaterSquared Scenes “Primary trust” by Eboni Booth, winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, opening Wednesday and streaming, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, through February 23 on the theater’s Spring Stage, 477 W. . Spring Street, Fayetteville. The comedy follows a mild-mannered 36-year-old bookstore employee who spends most evenings sipping mai-tais with his (imaginary) best friend at the local tiki bar. When he is suddenly fired, his world turns upside down – in more ways than one. Tickets cost between $20 and $58. Call (479) 777-7477 or visit theatre2.org/primary-trust.
A large crowd gathers in front of a billboard showing President Franklin D. Roosevelt calling for contributions to the USO on 43rd Street and Broadway in New York. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division)
MOVIE
“USO: For the Troops”
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, displays “USO: For the Troops”, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. The documentary examines the United Service Organizations and their more than seven-decade record of boosting the morale of America’s soldiers and keeping military personnel connected to their families and country while overseas. It is part of the museum’s Movies at MacArthur series. Admission, popcorn and soft drinks are free. Call (501) 376-4602.
“Reimagining the Masterpiece,” on display through Feb. 19 at the South Arkansas Arts Center in El Dorado, includes “Blow Winds and Make Your Cheeks Crack!” : After JMW Turner”, “Evidence (Gravity): After Raphael”, “Evidence (Gravity): After Raphael” by James Volkert. Evidence (Water), Schuylkill River: After Eakins” and “Bellows Erector #1”, based on “Blue Morning” by George Bellows. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)
ART
Beyond the masterpieces
“Reimagining the Masterpiece”, 11 paintings and installations from the Evidence series by artist Conway James Volkerteach paired with authentic objects from the sites represented by Volkert, is on display through Feb. 19 at the South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado. The artist will attend a reception, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. Gallery opening hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Entrance to the reception and galleries is free. Call (870) 862-5474 or visit saac-arts.org.
Cézanne’s speech
George Shackelforddeputy director of the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, bridges the Print, Post-Print and Art Nouveau eras and prepares the ground for the arrival of the exhibition “Rivera’s Paris”, which opens February 7 at the Museum of Arkansas Fine Arts, in a lecture titled “The Cezanne Effect,” Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Performing Arts Theater Museum, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock. Shackelford will cover the long career of French artist Paul Cézanne, his influence on a generation of painters, and the development of many artistic movements in the 20th century. Entrance is free; the conference will feature live open captioning. Visit arkmfa.org/event/the-cezanne-effect-art-talk-with-george-shackelford.