This week on “No Small Talk,” the arts and entertainment podcast for the Arkansas Times, Omaya Jones and Stephanie Smittle talk with videographer/musician Rah Howard about his new album, “Let There Be Light,” round up some entertainment news in the area and look forward to the next film in the Arkansas Times Film Series, Claire Denis’ “White Material.”
First up (0:34), we highlight Saturday night’s show from Arkansas Music & Arts Foundation at Capitol View Studio, in which Kami Renee, Or and DOT share a bill to benefit Trust Tree Programs, a program that offers a summer songwriting and recording camp for girls. There’s a $10 suggested donation, but we’d certainly encourage you to give more if you can, to help grow this camp, expand it and recruit a bunch of talented help to make it a smash success. That’s this Saturday, 9 p.m. at Capitol View Studio, 120 South Cross Street.
Next (2:39), save the date for the return of The Posies at Capitol View Studio, on tour in celebration of the band’s 30th anniversary! Viva Posies.
At the 3:11 mark: All hail Pam Grier, who will be appearing at this year’s Spa-Con in Hot Springs, to take place Sept. 21-23. Check it out!
Here’s (6:00) a wild little set of performances: Opera Fayetteville is putting on a series of “bite-sized” operas in English (one called “Womb With A View”!) as pop-ups across Northwest Arkansas. If you’re in the area, check ’em out.
Lastly, (7:06) there’s a cool chance to visit the gardens at Wildwood Park for the Arts this week, especially if you’ve never been. It’s a series of gardens and trails in Way Out West Little Rock at 20919 Denny Road, and they are celebrating National Public Gardens Day with some events on the lovely grounds there: a haiku workshop, a yoga class from Barefoot Yoga, demonstrations from Central Arkansas Master Naturalists and plein air photographers and painters on the ground surrounding Swan Lake. And it’s all free!
At 8:43, we talk Claire Denis’ “White Material,” the next film in the Arkansas Times Film Series, which picks up on the thread of colonialism so prevalent in our last film, Werner Herzog’s “Fitzcarraldo.” Join us this Tuesday, May 15 for the screening at 7 p.m. within the comfy confines of the Riverdale 10 Cinema.
Then (16:00), we talk with Rah Howard about his new album, “Let There Be Light,” which you can catch a glimpse of at this weekend’s North Little Rock Mini Maker Faire and DeltaMade where Howard joins Big Piph, Charlotte Taylor, Dazz & Brie and a host of other creators on the North Shore Riverwalk.
And, we offer our recommendations (26:30):
Omaya recommends you check out the tamales, pupusas and crafts at Tacos & Tianguis, an annual gathering presented by El Zocalo Immigrant Resource Center to showcase the community they serve and the work they do. That’s at the Bernice Garden Saturday, May 12, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Stephanie suggest you make haste for E.J.’s Eats & Drinks tonight, Friday, May 11, and check out the alternately (and sometimes simultaneously) sexy and uplifting tunes of Rich Aucoin, a Nova Scotia musician who’s been bicycling across the United States on tour to raise money for Mental Health America.
Finally, The Move for the weekend (31:00): Go watch Nick Taylor and Joey Carey’s “The Organizer,” a new film about community organizer Wade Rathke and his founding of ACORN in Arkansas. It’s screening at CALS Ron Robinson at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 12.