22 minute read
150 Years Ago, Native Americans and the U.S. met warily
150 YEARS AGO In 1865, an early photographer captured native faces
SSept. 8, 1865, is perhaps the most important date in Fort Smith history that you never knew about. On that date, at the direction of President Andrew Johnson, Dennis N. Cooley, commissioner of
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Indian Affairs as well as the president of the Southern Treaty
Commission, opened a diplomatically delicate, 13-day Grand
Council at the Second Fort Smith, a portion of which we know today as our national historic site.
The gathering was an attempt to restore relations with the tribes living west and southwest of Fort Smith. Relations had been broken by the
Civil War, when factions of some tribes fought on the side of the
Confederacy. Fort Smith was economically devastated post-war, but its native neighbors across the Arkansas River had been enduring unrivaled suffering and abuse since the war’s start. Tribes found themselves attacked from both sides. By 1865, most were homeless and starving, their houses burned, crops spoiled and their cattle and horses stolen.
The U.S. government, which had moved them west off their ancestral lands, had been providing the tribes with annuities, supplies and haphazard protection, but the outbreak of Civil War ended all that. The government had labeled many loyal Indian tribes as traitors.Though few feelings were smoothed by the Grand
Council, it did lead to future treaties.
The Fort Smith New Era newspapers of August 1865 speculated that 25 to 30 tribes would be coming to Fort Smith. Delegates and tribesmen estimated as many as 15,000 Indians were headed here –enough that the city fathers ordered all liquor stores be closed for the duration.
When the Grand Council convened, it appears, neither the press nor the government felt comfortable releasing the total number who came to the city, which was already teeming with hundreds of refugees –black and white –who had flocked to the fort for food, shelter, clothes and medical help during the war.
An interesting outcome of the conference was some of the earliest photographs of Native Americans. Burrel Z. Gannaway, a photographer from Tennessee, made a series of portraits of many natives in full traditional dress, probably taken in a room on the grounds of the fort.
These photographs attracted the attention of an Englishman, William
Henry Blackmore, who came to America for business purposes in 1863 and developed a fascination for Indians. Some of the tribes and nations recorded as attending are the Creeks, Osage, Quapaw, Seneca, Senecas & Shawnees of the Neosho agency, Cowskin Senecas, Cherokee,
Seminoles, Shawnees, Wyandottes from Kansas, Chickasaws, Choctaws,
Wichitas, Delaware, Sacs, Fox, Comanches and Caddoes.
Blackmore bought many, if not all, of Gannaway's photographs and took them back to England. Today, they are prized holdings of the
British Museum. Many Gannaway glass negatives also are at the
Smithsonian Institution. B.Z. Gannaway and Sons studio came to be an institution on Garrison Avenue for many years after the Grand Council of 1865. Once unknown and uncredited, Gannaway’s Native American portraits are fetching thousands at auction today.
Studio portrait of The Distant Land (Ko-she-se-glo), an Osage man, seated wearing shell necklaces, a shell choker, shell ear ornaments, a cloth turban, leggings and a blanket around his waist; he is holding a tomahawk; Fort Smith, United States of America.
B.Z. Gannaway portraits taken in 1965 at the Grand Council.
Used by permission. ©Trustees of the British Museum.
Studio portrait of a Comanche woman, seated wearing a patterned dress and a blanket wrapped around her waist; Fort Smith, United States of America.
Albumen print.
As colorful as its name: The Polka-Dotted Zebra
Atreasure of a children’s store is located just 10 miles from Fort Smith. This new boutique, whimsically named The Polka-Dotted Zebra, is full of children’s clothes and accessories and is found on Center Street in Greenwood. The Polka-Dotted Zebra has affordable and fun boutique clothing and accessories for newborns up to preschool-aged little ones.
Sheila Bailey opened the store in February. Bailey thought a catchy name would be something people would remember. But it is also memorable for everything from the layout and beautiful displays of the store to its selection of cute, colorful clothing and gifts.
It was designed by Bailey with the help of her husband, Wayne, and her father, Darrell Whisenhunt. The men built the displays for clothing and shoes while Sheila came up with the creative use of color to make each section of the store visibly appealing to shoppers.
“I’m not one to sit still, so after the children graduated, I needed something to keep myself busy,” said Bailey. “I’ve always been creative and love to give personalized gifts so I decided to use my creativity on a broader scale. I put a lot of thought into what Greenwood could use as far as retail stores and opening a children’s boutique was the perfect choice,” she added. “Our concept is to have unique items for gifts or clothing that is practical and affordable.”
Shoppers will notice right away that all the lace and frill for the little ladies is on the right side of the store and all the rough and tumble, yet clean-cut and stylish, outfits for the boys are on the left.
The walls are lined with clothing and shoes in little cubbies as well as hanging from racks. Some popular items that can be found at The Polka-Dotted Zebra are Mud Pie, Peaches N’ Cream, Sage and Lilly, Livie and Luca shoes and Infanteenie Beenie newborn caps. Stuffed animals by Jelly Cat peek out everywhere.
The Polka-Dotted Zebra also carries the skin care line Noodle and Boo, aden + anais organic swaddle blankets and hooded towels and wash cloth sets and the very popular Wubba Nub pacifiers. There are plenty of hair bows and headbands to choose from, Sticky Bellie stickers and signs to help remember milestones in pictures, birthday signs, newborn frames and backpacks and lunch bags from Skip Hop.
A special offering at The Polka-Dotted Zebra is its personalized and monogrammed items. Bailey offers hand-painted hospital door hangers. She will monogram clothing, diaper bags and backpacks purchased in store. Greenwood supporters will be happy to find little ones’ Bulldog items. Bailey will take The Polka-Dotted Zebra on the road by attending Holiday Market and the Women’s Expo. The store will participate in Greenwood’s Holiday Open House along with other shops in Greenwood. She also plans to take the boutique online soon for shoppers everywhere.
Owner Sheila Bailey in the boys department.
The Polka-Dotted Zebra 910 West Center Street, Greenwood, Ark. 479-996-0096 Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday.
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Christopher Designs 18K white gold L'amour engagement ring available at Newton's Jewelers.
The newest release in the Champagne Series from Caviar Eyeware found at Dr. Steven Stiles Optometry.
Witty V-neck T-shirts found at Seasons Fashion, Home, Garden & Gifts.
Vulcano and Paradiso cologne by Brio Destinations found at The Gamut. Aveda products for curly hair available at Metropolis Hair Studio.
Beaded statement necklace and plus-size chambray pearl snap shirt and burgundy skinnies from Zoe Bug’s Boutique.
Kids frames by Vogue from Ennen Eye Center.
Piko Woo Pig Sooie T-shirt and blingy Razorback ballcap found at Red Leopard.
Mona B bags made from re-cycled and up-cycled materials. Available at The Warehouse.
An assortment of bracelets from Coleman Pharmacy.
Cranberry and black plaid shirt from Blu Pepper paired with mixed chain and disc jewelry from Unique Boutique. New shades of CND nail shellac and skin care products by Dermalogica available at Sensations Salon and Day Spa.
Animal print vest and brown leather Ugg boots found at This ‘N That Thrift Shoppe.
Plumeria flower necklaces, bracelet and earrings with Na Hoku jewelry box available at Abilities Unlimited.
Frizz Fighting, Amplifying and Blonde Care sets by Matrix from Vanity Calls.
MUSIC & performance
Malcolm London Kevin Coval
The Unexpected: Spoken Word Poets disrupt, stir hope with words
SEPTEMBER Poets Malcolm London and Kevin Coval will appear in a free spoken word 10 performance as part of the Unexpected Project’s art festival. London, a poet and activist, already has a connection to urban art. In 2013, he and Maser collaborated on a wall in Chicago, integrating London’s powerful words, “It’s Never Too Late To Love,” with Maser’s trademark inclusion of type in his murals. Called the Gil-Scott Heron of this generation by Cornel West, London is also an internationally recognized activist and educator. A member of the Young Adult Council of the prestigious Steppenwolf Theater, London’s energetic performances boldly confront contemporary issues. He has appeared on PBS and has shared stages with actor Matt Damon and rapper Lupe Fiasco as a part of the The People Speak, Live! cast. He attends University of Illinois at Chicago and is a member and co-chair of BYP100 Chicago Chapter, a national organization of black activists and organizers. Deeply interested in improving the national education system, London regularly visits high schools, youth jails, colleges and communities to work with students in writing workshops and performances. He is currently a youth advocate and coordinator of The Know Your Rights Project of Northwestern Law School, dedicated to educating young people on their rights within the juvenile justice system.
Coval is the editor of The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop and is the author of Schtick, L-vis Lives!: Racemusic Poems, Everyday People, Slingshots: A Hip-Hop Poetica and the play, This is Modern Art, co-written with Idris Goodwin. Founder of Louder Than A Bomb: The Chicago Youth Poetry Festival and the Artistic Director of Young Chicago Authors, Coval teaches hip-hop aesthetics at the University of Illinois-Chicago, is a four-time HBO Def Poet and has written for a wide variety of publications.
Riders in the Sky
Sept. 5
Riders in the Sky
For more than 30 years, the Grammy Awardwinning Riders In The Sky have been keepers of the flame passed on by the Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, revitalizing the genre with their musical comedy stylings. Premium, reserved seating available. $15-12. 8 p.m. Ozark Folk Center, 1032 Park Avenue, Mountain View, Ark. 870-269-3851 ozarkfolkcenter.com Sept. 6
Legacy Concert featuring Bonafide
Celebrate the region's musical heritage at Lake Fort Smith State Park, featuring old-time folk and mountain music from the group Bonafide. Fiddle, banjo and guitars carry the listener back to the early days of settlement in the Ozarks. Back lawn of the visitor center; take lawn chairs. Free. 78:30 p.m. Lake Fort Smith State Park, 15458 Shepherd Springs Road, Mountainburg, Ark. 479-369-2469 Sept. 12
Lita Ford at Choctaw Casino
A British born rocker who grew up on the streets of L.A., Lita Ford is considered one of the foremost female representatives of the rock genre as a founding member of the Runaways, one of the first girl groups who unexpectedly broke down barriers in the punk era as well as the male-dominated world of rock music. Following the demise of the Runaways, Ford concentrated on her own career, which included the chart-topping duet with Ozzy Osbourne “Close Your Eyes Forever,” “What Do You Know About Love,” “Shot Of Poison,” “Larger Than Life” and “Kiss Me Deadly.” Ford released “Living Like a Runaway” in 2012. Tickets, $27.60, available online. 8 p.m. Choctaw Casino, 3400 Choctaw Road, Pocola, Okla. ticketmaster.com
Lita Ford
Sept. 15
Hozier at the Walmart AMP
His lyrics both sound and read like poetry and are delivered with the spiritual passion and yearning of gospel and the blues. Hozier is an Irish singersongwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for current hits, “Take Me To Church” and “From Eden,” the title track from his 2014 certified gold album. Tickets $35.50 and up. 7:30 p.m. Walmart AMP, 5079 West Northgate Road, Rogers, Ark. waltonartscenter.com Sept. 17
Roy Clark & the Tulsa Playboys with Buck Trent, Jana Jae and Peggy Rains
Music legends Roy Clark and the Tulsa Playboys join Buck Trent, Jana Jae and Peggy Rains for an incredible night of country music. Musician, actor and comedian Roy Clark has been in the spotlight for more than 60 years. He was host of the TV variety show “Hee Haw” and inducted into the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame for his musicianship. The Tulsa Playboys feature triple fiddles, horns, piano, steel and standard guitars and electric mandolin to bring the full Western swing sound. Buck Trent first appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in 1959. He invented the electric banjo and played lead guitar for Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene.” “The First Lady of Country Fiddle” Jana Jae and award-winning vocalist Peggy Rains complete the line up for a country extravaganza. Tickets available by phone or online, $25-$45. 7:30 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main Street, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org Sept. 17
AACLive: Laurence Juber
Artist, Audience & Community Live! (formerly Second Street Live!) kicks off its 16th season with two-time Grammy Award winner, Laurence Juber. Fusing folk, jazz and pop, Juber creates a multi-faceted acoustic performance. First recognized as the lead guitarist in Paul McCartney's Wings, Juber has established himself as a world-renowned guitar virtuoso, composer and arranger. 6:30 p.m. doors open; 7:30 p.m. showtime. Tickets are available at the door and online. $40. 801 Media Center at 5 Star Productions, 801 North A Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-883-9488 AACLive.com Sept. 17-27
Curtain Up on Murder
This play-within-a-play is set in a community theater, perched at the end of an oceanic pier. The amateur actors must pause rehearsal while a storm rages, doors mysteriously lock, a ghost passes across the stage and an assistant stage manager turns up dead. The hilarious and spooky British mystery is directed by Rikkee Workman-Black. Evening curtain time, 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1:15 p.m. $10. 7:30 p.m. Fort Smith Little Theatre, 401 North 6th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-783-2966 fslt.org Hozier
Film doc following Northside band has a big premier for its preview trailer, now online
With theatrical fanfare worthy of a fullfeature film premiere, makers of the upcoming documentary Leaving a Legacy celebrated the release of its preview trailer last month at the UAFS Blue Lion theater. With her film about how life changes, director Brenda Yelvington also hopes to change lives.
The first-time documentary filmmaker intimately followed students, their families and the music faculty from July 2013 through high school graduation in May 2014, amassing some 150 hours of footage that will be edited to a little more than an hour when completed.
Half-time marching shows, music solo and ensemble contests, gritty band rehearsal footage and the emotional struggles of students growing up and preparing for adulthood will be the dramatic narrative of the film.
Yelvington told the students, educators and parents who attended that it had been a privilege to be trusted to “invade” their lives. She and her executive producer (and husband) Lavon Morton also announced their gift of a Northside Legacy Fund, which they will endow personally and with proceeds of the film to establish two scholarships for Northside students who attend the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. The first scholarships will be awarded in 2016.
Two film trailers were screened at the premier and the movie’s first poster was revealed. One of the video trailers, about 1:22 in length, can be seen online at stfilmstudio.com.
Yelvington’s company Story Teller Films, in association with Branchout Studios of Fort Smith, engaged award-winning composer Kevin Croxton to composed an original score. The completed documentary will have its theatrical premiere in 2016 at NHS.
Sept. 18
Matt Stansberry & the Romance
The Blue Lion concert series is presented by the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. Stansberry & the Romance is the first show of the year. The 10-piece group pays homage to ’50s and ’60s soul and blues. Tickets are available at the UAFS Box Office. 7:30 p.m. The Blue Lion, 102 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7300 Sept. 18
Faulkner Performing Arts Center Grand Opening
Join the University of Arkansas Music Department in its grand opening, for faculty artist performances and to be one of the first to see the new performing center. $5. 7:30 p.m. Faulkner Performing Arts Center, UA, Fayetteville, Ark. 479-575-4703 music.uark.edu Sept. 19
Ray Live! A Ray Charles Tribute
Ray Live! featuring Pete Peterkin, a finalist on “America's Got Talent,” has proven to the world what a versatile entertainer and impressionist he is. Peterkin portrayed “Ray” in the opening ceremonies of Super Bowl XXVII. He pays respectful homage to the legendary entertainer in his “Ray Charles Show.” Tickets $10, are available online, by phone at or by visiting the casino’s Branches Trading Co. Gift Shop. Choctaw Casino, 3400 Choctaw Road off of I-540, Pocola, Okla. 800-590-LUCK ticketmaster.com Sept. 19
Knock Out Music Jamboree
Hosted by the Fort Smith Boxing Club, it’s an evening of family entertainment, food and fun. Enjoy country, pop and gospel music by Rodney Smith, Alexander Salamone, Skye Morse and The Savage Family. The boxing club promotes good sportsmanship, builds confidence and gives kids a place to go. Tickets at Corley's Hairstylers at 5907 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, or at the door. Adults $6, 12 and under $3. 6:30 p.m. Evans Boys and Girls Club, 6015 Boys Club Lane, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-739-6833 Sept. 19
Bryan Adams 30th Anniversary Reckless Tour
Bryan Adams’ 1984 album “Reckless” has stood the test of time. Hits released from the album include “Run to You” and “Summer of ’69.” Tickets $30 and up. Walmart AMP, 5079 West Northgate Road, Rogers, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.com
Sept. 22
Saxophone Fantastic
Dr. Christopher Barrick, head of the UAFS Department of Music and Theatre, performs a concert of saxophone music, featuring music for soprano and alto saxophone from the 19th-21st centuries. Also, the world premiere of “Fantasia for Alto Saxophone,” composed by Charles Booker, retired UAFS faculty member. Free. 7:30 p.m. The Blue Lion, 101 North 2nd Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-788-7547 Sept. 26 Stansberry & the Romance Robin Mark Concert - Feast of Tabernacles Irish Christian singer/songwriter, worship leader and recording artist Robin Mark is best known for “Days of Elijah,” “Revival,” “All for Jesus and “Not by Might.” Sponsored by Heritage Church, Van Buren as part of its “Feast of Tabernacles.” Locals Don Martin, Michael Brinson, Rick Endel and Rick Boyett will also perform with Mark. The audience is invited to donate for a ministry that supports families with hospital-bound children. Admission is one household item, such as toiletries, cleaners or personal hygiene items. Free. 7 p.m. Van Buren Fine Arts Center, 2001 East Pointer Trail, Van Buren, Ark. 479-474-6424 Oct. 8
The Four Tops, The Supremes, The Miracles and The Marvelettes Salute
Singer Myles Savage celebrates some of the best songs from Motown groups of the ’60s, including hits like “My Girl,” “Stop in the Name of Love’ and “Dancing in the Streets.” Savage began as lead singer for the Platters and now leads the Last Original Stars tribute band. 7 p.m. Alma Performing Arts Center, 103 East Main, Alma, Ark. 479-632-2129 almapac.org
Ray Live!
State Fair entertainment in four free concerts
Sept. 25 Pepe Tovar y Los Chacales | 9 p.m.
Sept. 26 Black Stone Cherry | 8 p.m.
Oct. 2 Tracy Lawrence | 8 p.m.
Oct. 3 Guardianes Del Amour | 9:30 p.m. Sept. 25-Oct. 3 Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair All entertainment is free with paid fair admission, which includes the Sept. 26 CW
Youth Talent Competition and Oct. 1 Rumble on the River Demolition Derby. Local acts perform nightlyin the Expo Building. Kay
Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Boulevard, Fort Smith, Ark. 800-364-1080 kayrodgerspark.com Oct. 17
Jackson Browne
Because of songs such as “Running on Empty,” “The Pretender” and “Take It Easy,” this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is considered to be the quintessential singer-songwriter of the 1970s. “At last,” says Lynn Wasson of E Fort Smith, “my true love, Jackson, has returned to Arkansas to take me away. This is My Opening Farewell, my friends.” Tickets $31 and up. 7:30 p.m. Walmart AMP, 5079 West Northgate Road, Rogers, Ark. 479-443-5600 waltonartscenter.com
OCTOBER World War II was among the most consequential eras 10 of American and world history, determining the life or death of millions and shaping the liberty or tyranny its survivors would live under to this day. Americans and the Allies chose, and won, freedom and democracy at the war’s end, 70 years ago.
The Fort Smith Symphony addresses “The Greatest Generation” of men and women who gave their service through those years, both military and civilian, and reflects on that era through music of the period and a new composition about it, according to John Jeter, the symphony’s music director.
“The program includes the world premiere of ‘Resilience,’ by Michael Schelle,” Jeter said. “The piece is in three movements. The first is about the European Theater and is based on a little melody found in the concentration camps. The second movement is about the Pacific Theater, with some slight hints of Asian musical scales. The last movement is a recognition that we are resilient and we got through it.”
Schelle, a frequent collaborator with the symphony, was writing this piece as Jeter was thinking about a World War II concert, while neither knew what the other was planning.
“Mike (Schelle) and I, and Mike’s wife who is a composer and pianist are going to visit Fort Smith Public Schools and UAFS giving performance presentations about why modern music sounds the way it does. The 20th century was overall kind of grim in terms of the many wars. We’re going to demonstrate how composers were influenced.” Students are also invited to attend the symphony’s dress rehearsal, free, he added.
One more special element of the Oct. 10 program is a talk by author John McManus, a leading American scholar on D-Day and the war. Jeter asked McManus to give a pre-concert lecture and book-signing.
The UA Jazz Band will be performing some ’40s-era music in the lobby and there will be a few other surprises, Jeter disclosed. While the concert is patriotic, Jeter said this program is intended to be more artistically compelling than a “rah-rah” popular music salute.
He hopes the depth of the musical program and historical lecture will promote reflection and that the audience will perceive the optimism of the Copland piece as representative of the spirit in which Americans moved onward optimistically, post-war.
Single and season tickets are available for the 2015-16 year by phone or online. Writer John McManus’ pre-show lecture is from 6:30-7:15 p.m. The musical program begins at 7:30 p.m. ArcBest Performing Arts Center, Rogers Avenue and South 9th Street, Fort Smith, Ark. 479-452-7575 fortsmithsymphony.org
