By: Marcia Abramson
I must say that my curiosity was aroused when I heard that I would be able to do a "hard hat" tour of the new Clinton Presidential Library and attend cellist Yo-Yo Ma's performance with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.Maureen Brigid Gonzalez of the Little Rock Peabody Hotel was able to arrange for the visiting travel journalists to attend the Yo-Yo Ma rehearsal. It was a great experience for us. I can understand why Yo-Yo Ma is rated the world's reigning cellist. It was thrilling to listen to his spectacular rendition of Haydn's C major Cello Concerto and Dvorak's exquisite Cello Concerto. These concerti have been acclaimed as the greatest for the instrument and proved to be an excellent match for Yo Yo Ma's temperament and talent. The New York Times has said, "Yo- Yo Ma plays with a passion and intensity that few musicians in the world today can match." The evening's performance, which we also attended, was simply wonderful under the direction of David Itkin, a celebrated conductor in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.Another treat was the Arkansas Repertory Theater's presentation of "The Spitfire Grill" with a cast of mainly Broadway performers. The play was originally a movie and earned Ellen Burstyn an Academy Award nomination in 1996. It was adapted with a musical score and was presented at an Off Broadway theater in the fall of 2001. It became a casualty of September 11, but not before it won the Academy of Arts and Letters 2001 Richard Rodgers Award and was selected one of the five best musicals of 2001 by New York Magazine's theater critic John Simon. Believe me, this performance directed by Robert Hupp, the producing artistic director of the Arkansas Repertory Theater, was outstanding and another great evening of entertainment in Little Rock.Before my "hard hat" tour of the Clinton Library, I visited Wildwood Park, which is just 25 minutes away from the LR Peabody via Little Rock Bus Tours. I was overwhelmed by the natural pristine gardens and beauty of Wildwood's 105-acre park. It was awesome to learn that this is also the setting for the Arkansas Opera Theatre, the state's only professional opera company, an outdoor theatre and every form of musical entertainment from swing, country, jazz and zydeco.Ann Chotard, the founder and artistic director of Wildwood Park, proudly had sopranos Mary Winston Smith and Christine Donahue perform some medleys for the journalists. I was delighted to hear the Wildwood Institute Opera Campers (aged 8 to 18) sing excerpts from "Cinderella." What a great cultural experience in a magnificent setting! Last but not least was my "hard hat" tour of the Clinton Presidential Library and Center led by "Skip" Rutherford, president of the facility. I found it exciting to see this complex which is scheduled for completion in 2004. It is located within a 28-acre park on the banks of the Arkansas River, and in the thriving River Market District of downtown Little Rock. The dedication is scheduled for Nov. 19, 2004. "Skip" Rutherford told me, "The project is estimated to cost $160 million. When completed, the library will contain the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in U.S. history." The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will also be located within the park in the renovated, historic Choctaw Railroad Station. Mr. Rutherford also said that the facility, the only presidential library, will be within walking distance of a convention center which is also an adjunct of the LR Peabody. He also stated that he believes the library will attract 300,000 visitors in its first year of operation.There will also be spacious living quarters, a replica of the Oval Office and a fantastic view of the skyline of the city from the top floor of the building. I can hardly wait to visit the completed centerYou can call (501) 370-8000 or visit www.clintonpresidentialcenter.com for additional information. I also learned about the Heifer International Global Village and Museum which will be adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Library on about 27 acres. Huts and houses from all corners of the world will compose the village where visitors will learn about living conditions and solutions to world hunger and poverty. Heifer was founded with the focus on helping the world's undernourished poor to develop the means to feed themselves so that they can become self-reliant and maintain the personal dignity they deserve. The movement started with the gift of a "cow."Energy at the facility will be recycled, and rainwater will be purified for drinking. This facility should be completed in 2004 and add to the happenings in Little Rock.
Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail: mascribe@aol.com
