Stay up-to-date on the city’s nonprofits with this quick, monthly snapshot of news worth noting.
GO, NINJA, GO!
A few years ago, “American Ninja Warrior” took the nation by storm, the televised obstacle course competition becoming the prime topic of water cooler conversation and flooding everyone’s social media feeds.
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Little Rock’s own Ninja Warrior Josh Harris recently made his ANW debut to chants of “Food Dude” as he swung and jumped his way through the course — a nickname he earned as director of Fresh2You, a nonprofit mobile market here in the capital city.
The converted bus is now a farmers market on wheels distributing free and fresh produce, meat and dairy to people in the area. The bus makes its rounds once a week and is able to serve approximately 300 people every month.
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Now The Food Dude is making worlds collide. The Feed Our City Ninja Fest on Sept. 28 at the Clinton Presidential Center is a family-friendly event with obstacle courses for all ages, prizes for the best runs and a few Ninja celebrities like “Big Kat” Karsten Williams and “The Law Ninja” Brian Burkhart.
The best part? All proceeds go directly toward stocking the Fresh2You bus. You go, ninja.
Learn more on the Fresh2You Mobile Market Facebook page.
BIG MOVES
► El Paso transfer Dr. Victoria Ramirez was announced as the new executive director of the Arkansas Arts Center.
► Dr. George Hutchison is now the new medical director of patient access at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock.
41 NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD
Excitement is in the air about town now that Ballet Arkansas is back in the studio preparing for the first of many performances lining its 41st season. With new board leadership, three new professional dancers joining the ranks and a season filled with vibrant repertory, the energy within the organization is palpable.
“This year Ballet Arkansas is expanding further into storytelling,” says Michael Fothergill, executive and artistic director. “Our dancers are fueled by the narrative present in full-length ballets, and of course the community loves them.”
Central Arkansas’ only professional ballet troupe will present three full-length story ballets this season in addition to “The Nutcracker.” World premieres of “Sleepy Hollow” and “Cinderella” take the stage in October and February, and an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure version of “Snow White” closes the season. Both “Cinderella” and “Snow White” will feature community casts.
“We’ve got a lot of homegrown talent in our ranks, and this program gives them the wings to soar,” Fothergill says.
Ballet Arkansas will present two additional programs this year, both mixed bills that feature a bold array of classical and contemporary dance. “Debut” is a dancer-choreographed concert set for November at the Argenta Community Theater.
In the spring, “Master/Works” features live music and works by luminaries such as Gerald Arpino and internationally- acclaimed contemporary choreographer Yoshito Sakuraba.
Ballet Arkansas will also open the Acansa Arts Festival this month with a unique contemporary dance installation in which four large works of visual art will be created by the motion of the dancer’s bodies live with audience participation.
To learn more or to get your tickets today, BalletArkansas.org.
SAVE THE DATE
Cupcakes for Goodness Sake
Oct. 12
As if the promise of a cupcake festival wasn’t enough, this annual block party raises funds for CareLink services.
World Cheese Dip Championship
Oct. 5
That goes double for cheese dip, where this cheesy throwdown benefits Harmony Health Clinic.
Beethoven & Blue Jeans
Nov. 10
Ludwig goes lax at this Arkansas Symphony Orchestra concert where musicians and audience members alike ditch the fancy getups for their favorite pair of jeans.
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