THEATER
Delta journey
“Cotta Blue,” an original theatrical musical written and directed by Diane Cameron Elam, premieres at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ritz Theatre, 213 S. Main St., Malvern.
The show, “inspired by the history and spirit of the Mississippi River Delta,” according to a news release, follows the life of Carter “Cotta” Blue, a musician “whose journey is shaped by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927, wrongful imprisonment, perseverance, faith and ultimately redemption.”
A 6 p.m. reception kicks off the evening, which will also feature a performance by Hot Springs-based blues-roots band Spa City Youngbloods and an awards presentation for six 2026 Cotta Blues Cultural Heritage nominees, “honoring the legacy and influence of Delta music and storytelling,” according to the release,. A post-show Blues Jam Session will feature Mississippi Marshall, Detroit Johnny and regional musicians.
The theater recently received significant renovation support through Arkansas State University Three Rivers and the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council.
Tickets are $11.50. at the website.
MUSIC
Books & Beats
The Central Arkansas Library System hosts Books & Beats, which a news release describes as an immersive experience celebrating Black Music Month, 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the CALS Main Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock. The program spotlights the lives and legacies of influential Black musicians through biographies featured in the library collection, accompanied by a curated music set from DJ Ally Lynn and live cultural commentary from social media enthusiast Deshaun “Six” Wilkins. Admission is free and includes “complimentary light bites.” For more information, visit the website.
ART
‘Close Encounters’
“Close Encounters – From Details to Dreamscapes,” paintings — primarily acrylics — by Little Rock artist Shelley Gentry, go on display with a 5:30-7 p.m. reception Tuesday in the Merkle Gallery of the South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 E. Fifth St., El Dorado. The exhibit remains up through July 30. Admission to the gallery and exhibition is free. Center hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (870) 862-5474 or visit South Arkansas Arts Center’s website.
ETC.
Heritage Symposium
Historic Washington State Park, 103 Franklin St., Washington (Hempstead County), hosts the 20th annual Red River Heritage Symposium, 1-5 p.m. July 25, with the theme of “Threads Along the Red River: 250 Years at One of America’s Crossroads.” The symposium focuses “on the significant American events that took place in the Great Bend Region of the Red River in the 19th century,” according to a news release.
The list of topics and speakers:
◼️ “Hunter and Dunbar Expedition and Exploration in southwest Arkansas” by Pam Beasley of Historic Washington State Park.
◼️ “Documenting Trammel’s Trace” by historian and author Gary Pinkerton of Houston.
◼️ “Methodist Influence and Circuit Riders” by historian Keenan Williams of Hope.
◼️ “Civil War Battle of Prairie D’Ane Archeology” by Carl Drexler of the Arkansas Archeological Survey.
In conjunction with the symposium, the park will also host a two-day workshop for teachers and researchers July 24 and 25. Teachers can earn a total of 12 credit hours by attending both days. The Saturday morning workshop will include a bus tour sponsored by the Arkansas State Archives to sites in southwest Arkansas and northeast Texas related to the route of Trammel’s Trace, the first road from Arkansas into Texas from the north.
The cost of attendance at the workshop and symposium: $25 for the Friday research workshop; $15 for the Saturday morning bus tour; $20 for the Saturday Symposium. Lunch is included both days. Total to attend workshop and symposium: $50
Register by July 22 by calling (870) 983-2684. Visit Historic Washington State Park’s website.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.arkansasonline.com ’
