It’s been years in the making, and now the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra is readying celebrations for its new headquarters.
The Stella Boyle Smith Music Center will officially open to the public with three days of festivities on Sept. 13-15 in Little Rock’s East Village neighborhood.
“This grand opening weekend will be a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates every type of music — a perfect way to debut this radically welcoming hub of musical activity for all Arkansans,” ASO CEO Christina Littlejohn says. “We’re thrilled to invite the entire community to experience the transformative power of music in our new home.”
The fun kicks off on Friday, Sept. 13, with a private event for donors who helped bring the facility to life. Saturday’s agenda welcomes the community with a parade stretching from the First Security Amphitheater to the new HQ, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food trucks, tours of the new space and lots of live music and dancing. On Sunday, the ASO will host more tours and performances, including the first rehearsals of its youth orchestra in the facility.
“The Stella Boyle Smith Music Center is not just the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s new home, but a place where music of all kinds and for all Arkansans will live, grow and thrive,” music director Geoffrey Robson says. “This space will amplify our ability to bring world-class performances and educational opportunities to our community, and we want to celebrate that with music lovers of all ages…
“Our biggest goal that weekend is to make sure the community feels a part of this wonderful new space and can call it home just as we — the staff, musicians and volunteers — will.”
The music center is the ASO’s first permanent home in its 59 years, and it features performing spaces, classrooms, recording studios and much more.
A complete lineup of grand opening activities and performances is still in the works. Learn more on the ASO website, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the latest.
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