Ballet Arkansas, North Little Rock CVB host ‘Live at the Plaza’ events in May

Ballet Arkansas and the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau announced a partnership Tuesday (March 30) in the launch of Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza, a two-weekend educational and performance program in May 2021 at Argenta Plaza at 510 Main Street in North Little Rock.

Held the first and third weekends of May 2021, Ballet Arkansas Presents 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.

“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.”

Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza 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.

“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 schedule includes:

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. – 12 p.m. | 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. – 12 p.m. | 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. – 12 p.m. | 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. – 12 p.m. | 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.

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.