Texarkana celebration honors Scott Joplin
The Scott Joplin International Centennial Celebration is coming to Texarkana the weekend of March 31 through April 2.
This weekend will feature a series of events and performances commemorating Joplin’s work as well as a celebration of jazz, boogie-woogie, ragtime and more.
First, enjoy music of a variety of performers including the Texarkana Trio at the Silvermoon on Broad. Guests will enjoy musical performances along with hors d’oeuvere from two of Texarkana’s finest chefs. This event will take March 31.
“The Texarkana Trio is coming all the way from the Netherlands to perform at this celebration,” said David Mallet, executive director of the Regional Music Heritage Center. “They are inspired by the early history of American rock n’ roll and many of the people and especially the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium, one of our great venues for the weekend.”
The First Four States Student Jazz Showcase kicks Saturday off with the dedication of the “Scott Joplin Way” at the Scott Joplin Mural. Dick Eckstein, Texarkana Jazz Orchestra Music Director, has organized a Saturday student jazz clinic at the Regional Arts Center, where bands will compete for the honor of a performance in the Perot Theater that evening. After the winning band has
done their thing, the main event begins in the Perot at 7:30 p.m. for ticket holders. They will see performances of MacArthur Genius Grant winner Reginald Robinson, as well as acclaimed jazz artist Roseanna Vitro along with the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra, capping off a day declared “Scott Joplin Day.”
Sunday’s performers will be the first to perform in the world-famous Arkansas Municipal Auditorium in decades. The Texarkana Trio will play this room, with special tributes to rock pioneers Carl “Cheesie” Nelson Jr. and Pat Cupp of Pat Cupp and the Flying Saucers. Performing with them will be a young Elvis impersonator from the 1954-55 period, representing the early point of Elvis Presley’s career, where the Municipal Auditorium was one of his first stages.
At intermission, two plaques will be added to the Walk of Fame, for Pat Cupp and Jay Franks of the Rockets of Rhythm. Both musicians came from Texarkana. Jay Franks’ wife, Loretta Scott Franks, will be there to represent her husband.
All this and more will be part of the Scott Joplin International Centennial Celebration weekend, March 31 through April 2. More events at other local venues will be announced as this special weekend approaches.
Tickets will go on sale soon at www.texarkanarmhc.org. For updates, go to the Regional Music Heritage Center Facebook page. For information on how you can help, call 832498-3830 or email dave@texarkanarmhc.org.