CALENDAR

Editor’s Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.

Thursday, April 1 Anti-violence event set at Watson Chapel Thursday

The Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance will launch the From Nonviolence to No Violence campaign at 1 p.m. Thursday at Wildcat Stadium at Watson Chapel High School, according to a news release. Supported by the Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare System and United Way of Southeast Arkansas, this is a continuing effort by PBFCC to assist students and administration at Watson Chapel junior and senior high schools.

Deadline set for Korean War vet stories in yearbook

April 1 is the deadline to submit entries for the 2021 Arkansas Korean War Veterans Yearbook. The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs is participating in the project honoring Arkansas veterans. To be included, a veteran must have served in Korea or its territorial waters between June 25, 1950, and July 27, 1953. Veterans or relatives may submit photographs and biographies, which will be accepted on a first-come, first-accepted basis. The submission form is available at https://forms. gle/DfzvkGyN3TNAFrsC9. Submissions also may be sent by email with the veteran’s first, middle, and last name in the subject line to Koreayearbook2021@gmail. com.

Beginning Thursday, April 1 UAM Rodeo Weevil Stampede set

The University of Arkansas at Monticello will host the 2021 Weevil Stampede at the Drew County Fairgrounds at Monticello. The UAM College Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. April 1-2 and the Championship Round will be held at 1 p.m. April 3. Concessions and parking will be available. Three hundred student-athletes will participate and 15 teams from the Ozark Region will compete, according to a news release. Masks will be required. Seating will be limited to about 400 people to remain in compliance with state health guidelines, according to Head Rodeo Coach Rusty Jones.

ASC hosts ‘Mirror, Mirror on the Wall’

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., will host its first 2021 production, “Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: A Virtual Fractured Fairy Tale.” The event will stream at 7 p.m. April 1-4. The production features a full cast of Southeast Arkansas youth ages 21 and younger. This production is directed by Kayla Earnest-Lake and written by Brian D. Taylor. The play is inspired by classic fairy tales. Tickets are $7 for ASC members and $10 for nonmembers and can be purchased at asc701.org.

Friday, April 2

Local agencies close Good Friday

Several agencies will be closed in observance of Good Friday, April 2: Pine Bluff City Hall, Jefferson County Courthouse, Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce and Liberty Utilities.

Good Friday celebration set

A Good Friday worship service will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Friday at the Heart 2 Heart Worship Center, 835 RailRoad St., at Grady. The event will feature Audrea Johnson, an evangelist, as well as DanTerrious Shelton, Sprituuall Devine and others. Masks are required, according to a news release.

In-person Live@5 Concert set with Dave Sadler

Delta musician Dave Sadler will return to the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas for the Live@5 concert from 5-7 p.m. April 2. This in-person performance is part of ASC’s Live@5 concert series on the first Friday of every month. “Sadler’s playing style is a blend of blues, rock, jazz and funk, utilizing both electric and acoustic guitars. He actively plays alongside the Port City Blues Society Players and other area musicians,” according to a news release. The cost for Live@5 is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Space is limited. Details: asc701.org/ live-at-5.

Saturday, April 3 Barraque Street church to dedicate community garden

Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church invites the public to the dedication of its community garden, 1811 W. Pullen Ave. (across the street from the church campus) at 9 a.m. Saturday. The garden is a partnership designed to encourage people in the Pine Bluff Northside/University Park Community to eat home-grown nutritious fruits and vegetables, and promote healthy living through gardening, according to a news release.

St. John AME to give away food for Easter

St. John AME Church’s “Soul Food for the Mind Body and Spirit” Feeding Ministry will give away 150 baskets with items to prepare an Easter dinner. The drive through giveaway will be held April 3 beginning at 10 a.m. One basket per family will be available and a photo identification will be requested, according to a news release.

Delta Network Food Bank to give away food

The Delta Network Food Bank will give away food in a drive-thru session at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on April 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last. The Covid-19 Hunger Relief Donation will include a 33 pound box of chicken and will be distributed to each vehicle. Registration forms will be available on site, according to a news release. Vehicles will enter the convention center’s “parking lot D” from Missouri Street. Vehicles will circle around and exit out of the parking lot and follow the directions of the traffic directors. People must remain in their vehicles at all times. Details: (870) 536-2424.

Beginning Monday, April 5 Grand Prairie Decorative Arts on exhibit

The Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts is hosting its arts festival exhibitions online. The Decorative Arts exhibit will be open April 5-30. An artists’ reception open house will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. April 6. Entry pick ups will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 and May 1. To enter art work and for details, visit www.grandprairiearts.com. For questions, participants may send emails to arts001@centurytel.net.

Wednesday, April 7 Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline

Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Announcements can be for in-person services or online events. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Articles should be submitted by email to shope@pbcommercial.com.

Beginning Thursday, April 8 ASC hosts Defining Home: Mixed Media and Sculpture

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host the “Defining Home: Mixed Media and Sculpture by Yelena Petroukhina” exhibition April 8-July 10. Visitors may meet with the artist to discuss her work during a drop-in reception from 5-7 p.m. April 8. Patrons can enjoy on-the-go complimentary snack packs as part of the event. This exhibition is sponsored by Simmons Bank. “Petroukhina explores ideas of home and comfort and incorporates physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities within personal spaces,” according to the release. Details: asc701.org.

Friday, April 9

Unified Christian Alliance extends scholarship deadline

The Unified Christian Alliance Scholarship application deadline has been extended until April 9 for high school seniors from the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County area. The scholarship is for students to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to a news release. Applications don’t require the usual grade point average. Donations for these local scholarships are tax exempt and still being accepted. Applications are available at area high school counselors’ offices or from Jennifer Lee, president and founder of Unified Christian Alliance. Details: Jennifer Lee at jenniferlee1321@sbcglobal or 870-692-0257.

Beginning Saturday, April 10 Second Saturday Family FunDay set at ASC

People may explore sensory leaf painting at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas during Second Saturday Family FunDay from 1-3 p.m. April 10. This activity examines the changing colors of spring, engages the senses, and encourages the development of motor skills. This event is free and open to the community. ASC will continue to provide free “take & make” kits at its main entrance for those wanting to participate from home. Participants can pick u a few kits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10. An instructional video will be posted at 1 p.m. April 10 on ASC’s Facebook page, facebook. com/asc701/.

Through Saturday, April 10 ASC slates exhibits

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas announces two new exhibits. “New Territory: Paintings by Michelle Fair” will be open at ASC through April 3. The display conceptualizes figures interacting with their environment autonomously, giving the subjects of the paintings a home, yet allows the subjects and spaces to disconnect, reflecting a new stage in Fair’s life, according to a news release. The exhibition, “Feeling Through: Examine Emotion in the Midst of Unrest,” by photographer Catherine Elizabeth Patton will be open through April 10. The display is a self-reflection of the artist’s emotions and her attempt to examine and understand them during covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. Details: asc701.org.

Wednesday, April 14 Grand Prairie Quilt Society to meet

Grand Prairie Quilt Society will meet at 10 a.m. April 14 at First Christian Church, 10th and Main at Stuttgart. The group meets the second Wednesday of the month , according to a news release.

Circus coming to Pine Bluff

The Carden International Circus will host its Spectacular Circus at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The two-hour performance will include acrobats, aerialists, animals, daredevils, clowns and animals, according to a news release. Acts are subject to change without notice. The doors will open one hour before show time for the preshow festivities. General admission tickets are $10 for children 12 and under. Adult tickets are $20, however they are available for $9.99 online while supplies last. Tickets are available at www.spectacularcircus.com or one hour before show time at the convention center.

Thursday, April 15 JRMC to host reception for staff

Jefferson Regional Medical Center is hosting a dropin welcome reception for the newest members of its medical staff from 5-7 p.m. April 15 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The attire is Business Casual and refreshments will be served, according to the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce newsletter.