Arts & Science Center reveal events scheduled for February

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will hold its first Live@5 of the year featuring Damen Tolbert from 5-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3. Entry is $5 for ASC members and $10 for nonmembers. Patrons must be 21 or older. Complimentary wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages will be available.

Chicago native Damen Tolbert describes his sound as “a dynamic mix of old and new styles.” He takes cues from old and new school R&B, hip-hop, and more. Tolbert is also a poet, arranger, and audio engineer.

ASC hosts live jazz, blues, and rock & roll at 5 p.m. the first Friday of each month with its long-running Live@5 concert series. Sponsored by M.K. Distributors.

The Arts & Science Center’s hit healthy cooking series CrEATe Lab is back for its winter 2023 series. Ages 10-17 can enjoy seven sessions from 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, and March 4, 11, 18. The cost is $35 for all seven sessions with half scholarships available.

The series continues ASC’s efforts to bring high-quality, low-cost cooking education to Southeast Arkansas. The theme for the winter 2023 series is “Cooking What We Grow & Growing What We Cook.” CrEATe Lab is in partnership with Kids Cook!, and is led by instructor Faith Anaya.

For more information, contact Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@asc701.org or call 870-536-3375. To register, visit asc701.org/create-lab or call 870-536-3375.

The public is invited to enjoy an evening of creative fun for all ages at the ART Night On The BLOCK, 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, at The Arts & Science Center and The ARTSpace on Main.

ASC will celebrate three exhibitions during the event. “Becoming Once More” by artist Leah Grant. A free opening reception will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9 at ASC’s home facility.

“Spectrum Dynamic” by artist Caleb Weintraub and Dr. Dan Kennedy will also be held 5-7 p.m. at The ARTSpace. This exhibition will remain on view through Saturday, April 1, gallery admission is always free.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff: Fine Arts & Design Department’s 2023 Spring Senior Exhibition will close with a reception on Feb. 9 from 4-6 p.m. at The ARTSpace on 623 S. Main St. The exhibition is currently on view in the Kline Gallery. The exhibition features work by seniors Austin Dunn and Zack Webb.

Renowned AfriCOBRA artist and Pine Bluff native Kevin Cole will be on site for a signing of his new book “Where Do We Go From Here?” from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Dance on Main with choreographer Gia Turner will be held 5:30-7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, at The ARTSpace.

This beginner-friendly class will cover the fundamentals of stretching, dance terminology and technique. A different style will be taught each week: Hiphop, jazz and contemporary.

Dance on Main is part of ASC’s flexible pay program. The minimum fee is $5. For ages 16 years or older. To register, visit asc701.org/dance or call 870536-3375. For more information, contact Rachael Bynum at rbynum@asc701.org.

Second Saturday Family FunDay: Kids Cookin’ for a Cause is schedued for Saturday, Feb. 11, 1-3 p.m. Work alongside Kids Cook! owner Faith Anaya to practice kitchen skills and prepare meals for those in need through ASC’s Kids Cookin’ for a Cause initiative. ASC will partner with Ambassadors for Christ (AFC) to distribute the meals throughout our community.

For more information, contact ASC Public Programs Manager Shakeelah Rahmaan at 870-536-3375 or srahmaan@asc701.org.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with certified yoga instructor FloEssence during Couples Yoga. This event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 6-7 p.m. at The ARTSpace. Cost is $25 per couple. Registration is required. Participants must be 18 or older to attend.

This workshop is inspired to create intimate connections with a sweetheart or dear friend and presents a novel way to connect on Valentine's Day.

For more information, contact ASC Public Programs Coordinator Rachael Bynum at rbynum@asc701.org. To register, visit asc701.org/class/couplesyoga or call 870-536-3375.

ASC opens its theater season with “The Play That Goes Wrong: High School Edition” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 16-18, and Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The production will be in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at ASC, 701 S. Main St. and is sponsored by Relyance Bank.

“The Play That Goes Wrong — High School Edition” is written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. It is directed by longtime ASC Veteran Jonathan R. Hoover.

Welcome to the production of “Murder at Haversham Manor,” put on by the very sincere but totally inept company of actors of the Cornley Drama Society. An avalanche of disasters befalls the cast, including a ramshackle set, a leading lady with a concussion, and a corpse that can’t play dead. As the night wears on, this haphazard group of misfit actors struggle against a series of seemingly endless pitfalls to hilarious ends.

To purchase tickets, visit asc701.org/2023-season. For information, please contact Theater Programs Manager Lindsey Collins at lcollins@asc701.org or (870) 536-3375.

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), 701 S. Main St. in Pine Bluff, is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. ASC presents programming in the visual arts, performing arts, and sciences through exhibits, performances, classes, and local partnerships. Gallery admission is free.

ASC is open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Friday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m.