FUN
Adult Prom Party
For its latest Science After Dark, 6-9 p.m. Thursday, the Museum of Discovery, 500 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, is putting on an Adult Prom Party, “a night full of dancing and prom-themed activities,” according to a news release, “including tapigomi flowers, music trivia, DIY disco balls and more.” Beer from Stone’s Throw Brewing, cocktails and pizza will be sold. Admission is $5, free for museum members. Visit museumofdiscovery.org.
MUSIC
Bluegrass Monday
The Edgar Loudermilk Band — Loudermilk, bass; Anthony Howell, banjo; Zach Autry, mandolin; and Jake Goforth, guitar — performs for Jonesboro radio station KASU-FM’s Bluegrass Monday concert, 7 p.m. Monday at the Collins Theatre, 120 W. Emerson St., Paragould. Loudermilk has won the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America’s Bass Fiddle Performer of the Year award each of the past two years. He is a former member of Rhonda Vincent’s band The Rage and a member of Marty Raybon’s backing band. Admission is $10, free for those 18 and younger; proceeds go to pay the musicians. Visit kasu.org/tickets. For more information, call (870) 972-2367, email mscarbro@AState.edu or visit facebook.com/BluegrassMonday.
Artworks by University of Arkansas graduating student Ashi Franke go on display Monday at UALR’s Windgate Center of Art and Design. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/Benjamin Krain)
ART
Franke artworks
“Ashi Franke: Linda Blaine Flake Endowment Art Scholarship Exhibition,” photography, ceramics, painting, illustration and graphic design by Franke, documenting her decade as a student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, goes on display Monday in the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery in the Windgate Center of Art and Design at UALR, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock. The exhibition will be up through June 9, with a reception, 5-7 p.m. June 6, in the Windgate Center.
Franke, the 2023-24 recipient of the Linda Blaine Flake Endowed Scholarship, started as a student in 2014, graduating this spring with a bachelor of fine arts degree in graphic design, three minors — in art history, digital graphics and studio arts — and a technical certificate in graphic design.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 2-5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Call (501) 916-5104 or email nglarson@ualr.edu.
Sgt. Silvio J. Pedri, who executed a major mission to help his World War II Army unit capture the town of Metz, is the subject of “Dear Sirs,” a documentary by his grandson, screening Tuesday at Little Rock’s MacArthur Museum of Military History. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette/U.S. Army)
FILM
Grandfather’s heroism
The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, screens “Dear Sirs,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Filmmaker Mark Pedri details his journey of discovery regarding a mission his grandfather, Sgt. Silvio J. Pedri, undertook during World War II to help his division take the French town of Metz from the German Army. It’s part of the museum’s “Movies at MacArthur” series. Admission, popcorn and soft drinks are free. Call (501) 376-4602.
THEATER
High-school awards
Walton Arts Center is planning Arkansas’ first regional high school theater awards program, the 2024-25 Diamond Awards. Modeled after Broadway’s Tony Awards, the awards “will recognize achievement and excellence in musical theater among local high school students,” according to a news release.
Industry professionals will adjudicate students for their performance in high school musicals and awards will be presented in several categories for individuals and ensembles during a May 2025 ceremony. Best actress and actor winners will qualify to compete at the Broadway League Foundation’s National High School Musical Theatre Awards, dubbed “The Jimmy Awards,” in New York; the center will cover the cost.
To participate, high school theater programs will need to register with the center starting in August. For more information email sjones@waltonartscenter.org.
