THE TO-DO
LIST
BY ROBERT BELL
THURSDAY 6/27
ARKANSAS SHAKESPEARE THEATRE: ‘KING LEAR’
7:30 p.m. Reynolds Performance Hall, UCA. $27.
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre continues its 2013 season with one of the Bard’s most highly acclaimed works, the dark, philosophically complex “King Lear.” The titular ruler seeks to divide his kingdom, apportioning it to his daughters on the basis of which one loves him most. He finds only empty flattery, betrayal, trickery and, of course,
tragedy. Rebekah Scallet, producing artistic director of AST and the one at the helm of this production, has been enthralled by “King Lear” since college. According to her director’s note, Scallet enrolled in “Advanced Shakespeare” expecting to delve deep into more obscure works such as “Troilus and Cressida,” only to learn that the entire semester would be spent solely on “King Lear.” “I thought, ‘A whole semester on one play? How is that possible? What will talk about all those classes?’ I was in for an adventure, though, because
not only did we have plenty to talk about, I left that class thinking I could spend at least two or three more semesters exploring the play. I also left with a strong desire to direct it: to engage with the text in a performance context and continue on the road to discovery and understanding.” Scallet has gotten her chance to direct the great tragedy. Given the general acclaim that AST has earned over the last several years, I predict it will be an illuminating performance. Check the calendar listings for more performance dates.
FRIDAY 6/28
RWAKE
8:30 p.m. Revolution. $8.
PAGING DR. GUPTA: Dr. Sanjay Gupta speaks at Robinson Center Music Hall Thursday.
THURSDAY 6/27
DR. SANJAY GUPTA
6 p.m. Robinson Center Music Hall. Free.
Medical correspondents don’t come much more qualified than Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The Michigander is an author, MD and host for CNN. He notably turned down an offer from the Obama administration to become surgeon general. He’s had his fair share of critics, including filmmaker Michael Moore. But seriously, let’s get real. The dude is a practicing neurosurgeon, and more than once, he’s leapt into action to save someone’s life while in the course of reporting a story in, say, Iraq or immediately after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. I suppose Gupta’s actions could be seen as some sort of violation of journalistic neutrality and blah-blah-blah. Whatever. I bet he’ll have an interesting lecture in store. It’s going to be about “the intersection of media and medicine,” according to the Clinton School of Public Service. It’s part of the Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture Series. 38
JUNE 27, 2013
ARKANSAS TIMES
Oh man, this all-ages show is gonna be a do-not-miss for metal fiends. You’ve got Snakedriver, the totally badass purveyors of crusty, metallic hardcore in the vein of His Hero is Gone or Despise You (though the band is becoming increasingly more musically complex). You’ve got 2013 Arkansas Times Musicians Showcase winners The Sound of the Mountain, bringing in the sweepingly cinematic and cerebral post-rock heaviness. You’ve got Memphis stalwarts The Dirty Streets with their amp-exploding power-trio psych-blooze damage. And then you’ve got Rwake, who probably don’t need much of an introduction in these pages. The band has released four albums, at least four of which are unquestionably classics of inspired, inventive Southern metal. This show will be the first to feature three guitarists, with former member Chris Newman rejoining the ranks for what’s sure to be a triple-threat
VOICES OF OMENS: Rwake performs at Revolution Friday night.
six-string metal meltdown. Rwake will be playing tunes off their most recent long-player, “Rest,” as well as cuts
from “Voices of Omens,” including the epic “Leviticus” and “Of Grievous Abominations.”
lovers showing up to sample dozens of delicious brews. Our Heritage Hog Roast saw some unseasonable, hell, just downright weird weather, but it was a great time nonetheless. Our inaugural wine event, Celebrate the Grape, was a sellout. And now, we’ll be offering y’all a chance to enjoy a stellar meal in the country, under the stars and with delightful company and
live music. Country Club of Little Rock chef Brian Kearns (whose team won our Heritage Hog Roast) has crafted a compelling four-course meal, preceded by champagne and canapes. The always lovely and entertaining Bonnie Montgomery will perform. It’s gonna be a very good time, so don’t miss out. Buy tickets and get more info at arktimes. com/farmtotable.
SATURDAY 6/29
ARKANSAS TIMES FARM TO TABLE DINNER PARTY
5:30 p.m. Scott Plantation Settlement. $110.
You might have noticed over the last few months that the Arkansas Times has been putting on some fun events. Our Craft Beer Festival last October was a hit, with hundreds of thirsty beer-