Comedian, workshops, plays among January offerings at ASC campus
Comedian Ben Jones, “The Secret Garden,” the “Golden Hour: Movement and Agility” workshop, and an exhibition reception for “Field Notes” are among January events at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas’ campus, also known as ARTx3.
Fundamentals of Comedy with Ben Jones — Jan. 8, Jan. 11-Jan. 12
Learn the fundamentals of stand-up comedy with nationally touring comedian Ben Jones in a workshop from 5:307:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and Jan. 11 in the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St.
Participants will explore comedic devices, performance techniques, onstage etiquette, and exercises for cultivating materials, according to a news release.
The workshop culminates with an open mic performance at 6 p.m. Jan. 12, during ART WORKS Presents: Comedic Relief. Participants have the opportunity to show off their comedic skills in this optional performance.
The cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. The event is for ages 14 and older. Register at asc701.org/class/fundamentals-of-stand-up-comedy or by calling (870) 536-3375. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org.
Comedic Relief with Ben Jones — 6-8 p.m. Jan. 12
ASC will host a night of laughter from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 12, with ART WORKS Presents: Comedic Relief. Nationally touring comedian Ben Jones hosts this event for all of those who enjoy a good laugh. Attendees ages 16 and older can show off their comedic stylings through an open-mic forum, and enjoy two sets by Jones. The event is at the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater at ART WORKS on Main.
Entry is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Beer and wine will be available for purchase for patrons 21 and older. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will also be available. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or (870)536-3375.
Second Saturday Family FunDay: Cobra Weave — Jan. 13
Explore how energy changes
states from potential to kinetic energy during Second Saturday Family FunDay, from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 13 at ASC, 701 S. Main St.
Visitors of all ages will explore a chain-reaction activity called “cobra weave,” which demonstrates the conversion between types of energy. Sticks are weaved together and then made to explode in a stick bomb. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@artx3.org or 536-3375.
ASC’s Second Saturday FunDay program offers monthly hands-on arts and science activities. Funding from the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation, supports this event.
Golden Hour: Movement and Agility with Lauren Robertson — Jan. 18
Join ASC for its Golden Hour: Movement and Agility workshop from 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 18 at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. The workshop is the latest in a new series for ages 50 and older.
Lauren Robertson, owner and founder of LBR Fitness, leads this class which aims to increase strength, mobility, balance, flexibility, and confidence. Participants will learn how to move their bodies in a social and accommodating environment tailored to individual needs. Anyone can join this class. Modifications for everyone will be available, even from a chair.
The cost is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. Register at asc701.org/class/golden-hour-movementagility or call 536-3375. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org.
Exhibition Reception: “Field Notes” by Gary Cawood — Jan. 19
ASC will host an opening reception for the photography exhibition “Field Notes” by Gary Cawood, 5-7 p.m. Jan. 19. This exhibition is in the Loft Gallery at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St.
Cawood is drawn to sites where the natural contours of the landscape have been disturbed or disrupted, such as abandoned quarries or excavations for new construction projects.
“As the landscape goes through a transformation via human persuasion, nature inevitably asserts its own transformations and converts the shiny and new to the tarnished and worn,” accoding to the release. “His work in this series of 33 images emphasizes scale as an element of visual composition, exploring various ways the measuring scale can be integrated into the scene, sometimes titling the effect to be more ambiguous than factual.”
The exhibition will be on view through April 24. It is sponsored by Relyance Bank.
Auditions: “Puffs” — Jan. 19 and Jan. 21
The Arts & Science Center will host auditions for the production “Puffs” from 6-8 p.m. Jan. 19 and 2-5 p.m. Jan. 21, in the Adam B. Robinson Black Box Theater at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St. Auditions are open to ages 17 and older.
Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. April 26-27, and 2 p.m. April 28, in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater. Cast members must be available for all performances.
“For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain wizard school and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs … who just happened to be there too. Their hilarious, epic journey takes the classic story to new places and reimagines what a boy wizard hero can be. ‘Puffs’ is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, films or plays,” according to the release.
To register for an audition slot, complete the form at bit.ly/artx3-puffs-auditions. For questions, contact Lindsey Collins at lcollins@artx3.org or 536-3375. The production is sponsored by Relyance Bank.
Painting in a Digital World with Matthew J. Howard — Jan. 20 and Jan. 27
Step into “Painting in a Digital World,” with instructor Matthew J. Howard from 10 a.m.to noon Jan. 20 and Jan. 27.
In this beginner-level class, learn step-by-step the digital tools to gain the ability to collage, blend, and draw on the world’s most versatile and forgiving canvas. Learn the basics of the Painters Essential 8 software with the use of a drawing tablet and stylus, provided by The ARTSpace on Main. For ages 14 and older.
The cost (including all supplies) is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. Register at asc701. org/class/digital-painting or call 536-3375. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org.
Yoga in the Loft: New Year, New Me with FloEssence — Jan. 20
Exercise and relax with certified yoga instructor FloEssence from 1:30-3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Yoga in the Loft. FloEssence will lead participants through an hour of yoga, followed by a guided meditation. New and experienced practitioners are welcome. The event is for ages 13 and older. The theme for January’s class is “New Year, New Me.”
Yoga in the Loft takes place in the Loft Gallery at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St., every third Saturday of the month. Advanced registration and payment are required at asc701.org/class/yoga-inthe-loft-january-2024 or by calling 536-3375. This class is part of ASC’s Flex Pay program, with $15 the recommended price. Details: Bethany Gere at bgere@artx3.org. Yoga in the Loft is sponsored by Angela White Smith, Realtor — eXp Realty.
Performances: “The Secret Garden” — Jan. 25-28
Performances for “The Secret Garden” are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Jan. 25-27, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28, in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts & Science Center, 701 S. Main St. The production is sponsored by Relyance Bank.
“This joyous story about the blossoming of the earth and human spirit is a garden of delight for the imagination,” according to the release. “Orphaned while living in India, 12-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire, England, to live with her reclusive uncle Archibald Craven and his son Colin, who has been ill his entire life. Mary and Colin, whose natures have been badly warped, thrive with the discovery that selflessness opens the secret door to happiness. They are encouraged by the warmhearted maid, Martha, and her brother, Dickon, who understand the language of birds, animals, and flowers; the crusty gardener, Ben Weatherstaff; and of course, the Robin that leads Mary to the garden that changes her life. It is a story of healing, forgiveness, and renewal that touches all of us deeply.”
Tickets are on sale at tix.com/ticket-sales/ asc701/4544 or by calling 536-3375. Tickets are $13 for members and seniors, $18 for nonmembers and $10 for students. Kayla Earnest directs the play. Based on the book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, the play is adapted by Pamela Sterling. Details: Lindsey Collins at lcollins@artx3.org.
Delta Upcycle Challenge Registration Deadline — Jan. 26
The Delta Upcycle Challenge (D.U.C.) is a new regional initiative by the ARTx3 Campus to bring awareness to the impact that humans have on the environment, tactics to minimize that impact, and share through artistic expression how communities can collaborate to create a beautiful tomorrow, according to the release.
The D.U.C. Project has two competitions: The Upcycled Mini-Sculpture for high school students and the Upcycled Fashion Show for students enrolled in a college, university, or trade school. The project is open to students in the counties of Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln, Monroe, Phillips and Prairie.
The Top 20 entries in both competitions will be showcased, judged, and awarded in person on the ARTx3 Campus on April 13 (Earth Day). The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Jan. 26. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. March 29.
Learn more and register at asc701.org/education/delta-upcycling-challenge. Details: J. Tyler Lewis at jtlewis@artx3.org or 5363375.