16 Apr 2021 Ballet Arkansas announces two weekends of free, live performances and fitness classes

Posted at 10:35 AMh in Business, News by

NORTH LITTLE ROCK – Ballet Arkansas and the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announced their partnership in the launch of Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza, a two-weekend educational and performance program in May at Argenta Plaza, 510 Main Street, North Little Rock.

“Reaching diverse populations composed of both devoted and untapped audiences, Live at the Plaza has the potential to inspire a collective appreciation for the performing arts and for the Argenta Arts District,” said Michael Fothergill, Ballet Arkansas’s executive and artistic director. “Live at the Plaza is the first step towards an annual presence of Ballet Arkansas programming in the Argenta Plaza.”

Held the first and third weekends of May, Live at the Plaza is sponsored by the North Little Rock CVB, the City of North Little Rock, First Orion, ACANSA Arts Festival of the South, Taggart Architects, Fit 2 Live and the Argenta Downtown Council. 

“The arts are crucial to quality of life in North Little Rock,” said Karen Trevino, president & CEO of the North Little Rock CVB. “We are excited to partner with Ballet Arkansas and North Little Rock government, businesses and nonprofit organizations to bring Argenta Plaza to life this year. We hope the program will bring the local community together as well as attract visitors by highlighting North Little Rock’s thriving arts and culture.”

The live performances will include works of classical and contemporary dance by world-renowned choreographers including Yoshito Sakuraba, Alice Flock and Florian Lochner, and make use of the stage, water features and open space in Argenta Plaza. Recreational classes, sponsored by ACANSA Arts Festival of the South, will be accessible for all ages and abilities. For more information, visit www.BalletArkansas.org.

SCHEDULE

Saturday, May 1

  • 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Pilates at the Plaza
  • 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Stretch & Strengthen
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Jazz at the Plaza
  • 11 a.m. – noon | Ballet on the Grounds
  • 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Matinee Performance
  • 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Evening Performance 

Sunday, May 2

  • 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Rise & Shine Silver
  • 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Art Start
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Stretch & Strengthen
  • 11 a.m. – noon | Unbound: Improvisational motion for well-being
  • 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Matinee Performance 
  • 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Evening Performance

Friday, May 21

  • 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Performance 

Saturday, May 22

  • 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Pilates at the Plaza
  • 9 a.m. -10 a.m. | Stretch & Strengthen
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Art Start
  • 11 a.m. – noon | Ballet on the Grounds
  • 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Matinee Performance 
  • 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Evening Performance 

Sunday, May 23

  • 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. | Rise & Shine Silver
  • 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. | Stretch & Strengthen
  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Jazz in the Plaza
  • 11 a.m. -noon | Unbound: Improvisational motion for well-being
  • 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Matinee Performance

Arkansas Department of Health guidelines will be enforced for a safe learning and viewing experience. Attendees will be asked to practice social-distancing and wear masks when closer than six feet. Dancers will be masked and will maintain appropriate distance from audience members.

“Before and after classes and performances, Live at the Plaza attendees are encouraged to dine local at one of North Little Rock’s excellent restaurants, several of which are within easy walking distance of Argenta Plaza,” Trevino said. “Main Street in downtown North Little Rock will also be closed for outdoor dining the weekend of May 21, so there will be even more opportunities for families and groups to enjoy dining together.”

In early 2021, Fothergill approached the North Little Rock CVB with a desire to activate the plaza in new ways through the presentation of free public performances and education programs. Ballet Arkansas and the North Little Rock CVB planned Live at the Plaza to provide the public with access to culturally-enriching and engaging activities and events. 

Completed in late 2019, Argenta Plaza is a community space owned by the City of North Little Rock and managed by the North Little Rock CVB that has been the catalyst for more than $50 million in economic development in downtown North Little Rock. Argenta Plaza is open to the public, but can also be booked for private events through the North Little Rock CVB.