Texarkana Entertainment Blog

You could be. The “Big Dig” has started and already there’s a big find at Historic Washington State Park, where both professional archeologists and enthusiasts from the general public have been digging in the dirt of Block 6, formerly a commercial district at the pioneer town. Park officials sent word that the first big find has been uncovered; it’s a half dollar from 1827, discovered eight inches below the surface. Check it out below in these submitted photos. The public is invited to join the dig by registering with the Arkansas Archeological Society or to simply watch. More info: 870-983-2684. Also check out the AAS Website: ArkArch.org.

- Aaron Brand

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Performances of William Shakespeare’s plays can go anywhere, even a 19th century restoration village gymnasium in the early 21st century. Shakespeare’s stories and characters truly speak across generations, as fresh now as they ever were.

And as they say in the Shakespeare monologue, “All the world’s a stage.”

The Texarkana area gets a rare chance to see some Shakespeare performed this week. The touring group of the American Shakespeare Center and the Blackfriars Playhouse comes to Washington, Ark., for a Friday performance of a delightful Shakespeare comedy: “As You Like It.”

Funny things happen in the famed Forest of Arden in this classic pastoral tale, and the American Shakespeare Center on Tour, seen below in a submitted promo photo, performs it as part of the troupe’s 2010/2011 Restless Ecstasy Tour. The players take the stage at Historic Washington State Park’s 1940 WPA Gym at 7:30 p.m. A pre-show performance takes place at 7 p.m.

Friday’s events include 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. acting workshop activities for visitors. Workshops are $5 and reservations are required.

Performance tickets are $5 for adults, $1 for students with ID and for kids. Get necessary reservations by calling 870-983-2684.

- Aaron Brand

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That unmistakable onslaught of the winter holiday season has already commenced. Last night I found myself momentarily transfixed and mesmerized by aisles of cheap Christmas merchandise when I ran to the store to simply buy envelopes. Sitting down to plan stories yesterday and today, I see a ton of Christmas events on tap in the next month.

While the holiday season sometimes feels like an indulgent, overwhelming, mass-marketing paradise, it remains a good time for coming together to hear music and share similar festive happenings. Here are just a few such events coming down the pipe:

1) Texarkana College Choir presents “Yulefeste” at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at the Truman Arnold Student Center Great Room. The TC Choir is joined by choirs from Texas High School, Liberty-Eylau High School, and Veritas Academy. Admission: $5.

2) Historic Washington State Park presents its “24th Annual Christmas and Candlelight Celebration” on Dec. 4 and 11. “Christmas and Candlelight” finds the historic restoration village decked out in Christmas finery and graced by choirs and other sorts of musical entertainments. Candlelight tours are available in the evenings and surrey rides transport you back in time.

3) The Downtown Youth Theater presents “A Christmas Carol” at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church Dec. 9-12. This is a new venue for the theater group and the show includes a Victorian street scene and feast. We’ll be advancing this (and the other events) in more detail on our Accent page.

4) Two Texarkana Symphony Orchestra events coming up next month. The TSO presents “Sounds of the Season” on Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center/John Thomas Theatre. The show repertoire includes holiday favorites and features performers Leslie Harper and Texarkana’s Stacy James Mayo. The Texarkana Youth Symphony Orchestra presents its Christmas show on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m.

5) TRAHC provides festive holiday music, refreshments, and a chance to see and purchase unique, artsy gifts at the Regional Arts Center during the “Holiday Open House & Arts Market” Dec. 10-11 with a preview party on Thursday, Dec. 9.

6) Just a couple blocks away up at the Perot Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, Michael Martin Murphey brings his “Cowboy Christmas” show to town for the next show in TRAHC’s Perot Theatre series.

UPDATE: Info. reflects change in date for Texarkana Youth Symphony show.

- Aaron Brand

Christmas wreaths await deployment for Historic Washington State Park's "Christmas and Candlelight" festivities in this submitted photo.

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Two interesting items from Historic Washington State Park:

1) It’s nice outside! A great time to check out your state parks, and Arkansas has plenty. At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday the Arkansas State Archaeologist Dr. Ann M. Early offers a presentation about interesting archaeological finds and future archaeological studies at Historic Washington, which is just a quick drive down the highway from Texarkana. The public is invited to attend and also bring any artifacts they would like to have examined. A buffet dinner is included in the $15 fee, and you should make reservations if you want to attend. Meet at the 1914 schoolhouse. More info: 870-983-2684 or historicwashington@arkansas.com.

Submitted photo of an archaeological dig provided by Historic Washington State Park.

2) Bringing history to life is no small task. Instead of the weight of words in history books, recreating history in front of our eyes can sometimes best capture the imagination and inspire us to consider the past. Historians from Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana earlier this month honored Mekicia Henry of Historic Washington State Park for her work there at the park during the 3rd Annual Arkansas Living History Association Conference. She creates an impression of the character Betsy Carey, a slave there at the 19th century restoration village, showing visitors how antebellum life was for her in a town like Washington, Ark. She was chosen as the award winner in the category “Best Historical Impression.” Congratulations to her!

- Aaron Brand

Award winner Mekicia Henry performs as the character Betsy Carey in this submitted photo from Historic Washington State Park.

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Tomorrow, Friday, kicks off an annual rite of spring’s arrival with the 42nd Annual Jonquil Festival. Going through Sunday, the festival welcomes the season at the authentic restoration village Historic Washington State Park in Washington, Ark. With warmer weather, flowers blooming, and fascinating things to see and experience, it’s easy to see why the Jonquil Festival is traditionally one of the more popular festivals in the area. Musicians, a tractor show, a massive aquarium, and festival food like barbecue and nachos all add to the fun, along with approximately 175 vendors. It’s a great occasion to find handcrafted items. Here’s our preview article from last Friday’s Accent page: Jonquil Festival an Annual Rite of Spring for Historic Washington State Park.

- Aaron Brand

Submitted photos by Shelia Little:

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Ah, love in the 19th century! If you’d like a unique setting to share the romance, you may consider Historic Washington State Park up in Washington, Ark., with its many rustic charms. That may be just the place for a cozy evening of love and tenderness. The state park and authentic 19th century village is hosting a Valentine’s dinner on Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13 — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. both nights. In addition to dinner at Williams’ Tavern Restaurant, entertainment is provided and you can take a surrey ride from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The folks at Historic Washington say a few seats are available, and reservations are required. Tickets are $70 per couple. Info: 870-983-2684.

- Aaron Brand

Submitted photo:

Williams' Tavern Restaurant, where you could spark some romance for a Valentine's dinner at Historic Washington State Park.

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Just got info sent my way about two concerts coming up in the next few days so I’ll pass the news along. 

Texarkana Community Music Education presents a summer chamber concert at 8 p.m. Thursday evening. TCME faculty and students will perform in the Veritas Christian Academy’s main auditorium at 2101 E. 50th Street. More information: 903-748-8263. 

Mid-nineteenth century music such as the songs of Stephen Foster will be featured from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Historic Washington State Park’s 1874 Courthouse in a performance by classical banjo musician Clarke R. Buehling and his string band. Included is dinner at Williams’ Tavern Restaurant (with music starting at 7 p.m.). 

Tickets: $25 for adults and $20 for children under 14 for both dinner and the music. For just the concert, tickets are $15. Reservations can be made by calling 870-983-2684. 

- Aaron Brand

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Pastoral settings and inspirational thoughts, tea and quiet contemplation. That’s the kind of thing Historic Washington State Park invites women to experience with a new series called Four Seasons Teas, and it kicks off with a 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. summer season tea on Saturday, June 27. This tea starts at Williams’ Tavern Restaurant and continues to visits of the gardens at the Sanders Farmstead and the Purdon House. It’s the first of four teas with others to be held Sept. 19 this year and then next year on Jan. 16 and April 17. Each tea takes people to two different locations within the park; there is a different menu for each tea. Tea cost is $20, and a membership can be bought to attend all four teas for $70. Reservations for this tea should be made by June 25. For reservations or more info: 870-983-2684. 

- Aaron Brand

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Feel a need to learn some 19th century survival skills? (Given how the economy is these days, they may come in handy down the road!) Historic Washington State Park hosts the Five Trails Rendezvous from Friday, Feb. 20, to Sunday, Feb. 22, with reenactors camping at the park during the weekend for the general public to see. (School programs are held Friday.) Demonstrators will show skills regarding general camp life, building fires, throwing tomahawks, and using firearms in the years from 1820 to 1836. Outside activities are free. Tours have regular pricing. More information: 870-983-2684. Or visit historicwashingtonstatepark.com. 

- Aaron Brand

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If you haven’t made plans for Valentine’s Day and want to take your honey back in time for some old-school romance, Historic Washington State Park may be a nice spot for the evening. On both Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14, the 19th century restoration village offers a candlelit dinner for couples at Williams’ Tavern Restaurant. The night starts off with a surrey ride through town at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. (On the menu: prime rib or cornish hens, house salad, twice-baked potatoes, Italian green beans, homemade rolls and strawberry swirl cake.) The interpretive department at the park will provide entertainment for the night. Tickets: $60 for a couple. More info and reservations (required): 870-983-2684. 

- Aaron Brand

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