Events for February 2019

Enjoy free live music and lunch at the Griffin Restaurant.

Free live music!

High energy southern rock blending Memphis blues with a steady Arkansas country handshake. Meet the ShotGunBillys. The band hails from the outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee. They were nurtured on the sounds that made Memphis great but have carved a distinct sound that blends it all. Lance McDaniel (lead vocals, guitar), David Snell (backing vocals, bass), and Case Cooper (drums, percussion) started playing together as the ShotGunBillys in 2008 but it wasn’t a straight and narrow path. Lance and David were bandmates in touring outfit the Chase Buchanan Band until 2002. During these years Memphis native Copper was honing his blues rock drum chops with the rocking Florida party band Hubba Hubba and other acts along the Sunshine state’s Gulf Coast. The constant road life shaped the songwriting, musicianship, and work ethic of the trio. While Lance embarked on a Christian career in the mid-2000s, David was lighting up Arkansas with rockers TJ Scarlett and raking up area awards. But the pair kept reuniting to write music and perform an occasional show together. In 2008 their collaboration, “Let’s Get Country” landed a spot on the soundtrack to The River Within. Fate would have it that when they decided to heed the call to form a band, Case moved back to town and ShotGunBillys were born. The ShotGunBillys debuted with BAM! in 2014 gaining fans and radio airplay. Make no mistake The ShotGunBillys are all the good sounds southern music has to offer. They can be found rocking out with Black Oak Arkansas’ Jim Dandy just as surely as jamming with The Bar-Kays’ James Alexander. Their song “Sic My Hogs on You,” a tribute anthem to Arkansas Razorback tradition and players has more than 20,000 views. Over the past 20 years the ShotGunBillys have played across the South delivering the same double-barrel thrills whether they are playing before one fan in a sleepy Arkansas roadhouse or 15,000 at Daytona Bike Week.

High energy southern rock blending Memphis blues with a steady Arkansas country handshake. Meet the ShotGunBillys. The band hails from the outskirts of Memphis, Tennessee. They were nurtured on the sounds that made Memphis great but have carved a distinct sound that blends it all. Lance McDaniel (lead vocals, guitar), David Snell (backing vocals, bass), and Case Cooper (drums, percussion) started playing together as the ShotGunBillys in 2008 but it wasn’t a straight and narrow path. Lance and David were bandmates in touring outfit the Chase Buchanan Band until 2002. During these years Memphis native Copper was honing his blues rock drum chops with the rocking Florida party band Hubba Hubba and other acts along the Sunshine state’s Gulf Coast. The constant road life shaped the songwriting, musicianship, and work ethic of the trio. While Lance embarked on a Christian career in the mid-2000s, David was lighting up Arkansas with rockers TJ Scarlett and raking up area awards. But the pair kept reuniting to write music and perform an occasional show together. In 2008 their collaboration, “Let’s Get Country” landed a spot on the soundtrack to The River Within. Fate would have it that when they decided to heed the call to form a band, Case moved back to town and ShotGunBillys were born. The ShotGunBillys debuted with BAM! in 2014 gaining fans and radio airplay. Make no mistake The ShotGunBillys are all the good sounds southern music has to offer. They can be found rocking out with Black Oak Arkansas’ Jim Dandy just as surely as jamming with The Bar-Kays’ James Alexander. Their song “Sic My Hogs on You,” a tribute anthem to Arkansas Razorback tradition and players has more than 20,000 views. Over the past 20 years the ShotGunBillys have played across the South delivering the same double-barrel thrills whether they are playing before one fan in a sleepy Arkansas roadhouse or 15,000 at Daytona Bike Week.

COMBINE YOUR INQUISITIVE MIND WITH YOUR CREATIVE ABILITIES TO MAKE AN ILLUMINATED VALENTINE'S DAY CARD WITH CONDUCTIVE TAPE, A WATCH BATTERY AND AND LED. LEARN THE PARTS OF AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND HOW A CIRCUIT WORKS.

COME LEARN ABOUT BACKYARD BIRDS. WHAT BIRD WEARS WHAT LOOKS LIKE A MASK? WHAT BIRD SUCKS SAP FROM A TREE? COME TO THE MUSEUM AND BIRD WATCH WITH US TO SEE HOW MANY VARIETY OF BIRDS WE CAN FIND.

This month's show is a gospel show featuring the legendary southern gospel group The Talleys! Also on the show are Joel Woollen, Cliff Preston, Terry Lyne Moore, Southern Koast and comedian Sister Lucille.

Economic Outlook Luncheon 
Title Sponsor: Murphy USA
Supporting Sponsors: CenterPoint Energy & LANXESS
Catered by the El Dorado Golf & Country Club 

The El Dorado Lions Club meets on every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. The meeting is held at 6:00 p.m. at  Simmons Bank, 100 W. Grove Street in the Community Room on the second floor. This meeting is open to the public!

The February Silver Screen film is Universal Studio’s 1939 musical comedy- First Love - a 1939 American musical film directed by Henry Koster and starring Deanna Durbin and Robert Stack. It also features early appearance by future stars, Peggy Moran, Russell Wade, and Robert Paige. Based on the fairy tale Cinderella, the film is about an orphan who is sent to live with her wealthy aunt and uncle after graduating from boarding school. Her life is made difficult by her snobby cousin who arranges that she stay home while the rest of the family attends a major social ball. With the help of her uncle, she makes it to the ball, where she meets and falls in love with her cousin's boyfriend. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Music

After spending the Fall and Winter of 2018 playing concerts in Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, England, France and Switzerland, globally famous blues artist Robert Finley is returning home to celebrate his 65th birthday with a one-night special performance at Griffin Restaurant at MAD on Wednesday, February 13th. The show begins at 8:00 with Finley’s local backing band featuring high energy singer, Kiko Pryor followed by Robert Finley at 9:00 PM. Doors open at 6PM. Ticket prices will include reserved and general admission seating options. Reserved tickets will include a reserved front of house seat along with a meet & greet photo and autograph opportunity with Finley. General admission will be first come, first served. Tickets go on sale to MAD members on Monday, January 28th and to the general public on Tuesday, January 29th. Early bird ticket pricing will be available through February 1st. Finley, a Bernice, Louisiana native, is a testament to the idea that great talent does not immediately translate into popularity, and that things happen in their time. After getting his first guitar at ten, he started mixing blues, R&B and soul into his sound. He married, had children, and after serving in the Army, took up carpentry. At age 60 his vision significantly deteriorated, and he had to give up carpentry. He began to play everywhere he could. He also got divorced and lost his house and trailer to a fire. Or as Finley told the New York Daily News recently, “Sometimes things look like they're for your bad and they're really for your good." A blues musician’s assistance group heard him playing during the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, and helped him line up his debut album, “Age Don’t Mean a Thing.” Flash forward a few years and Rolling Stone Magazine recently opened an article with “The Gospel of Robert Finley, Dan Auerbach’s Favorite Singer.” Auerbach is half of the The Black Keys, the group that rocketed to fame several years ago and became everyone’s favorite discovery band. Auerbach heard “Age Don’t Mean a Thing,” loved the sound, and arranged to meet Finley. As Auerbach told Rolling Stone, “I’ve never heard anything like him before,” Auerbach says. “He’s a pure singer…. He’s been so musical his whole life it’s subconscious.” Now Finley has been playing sold-out rooms across the US and Europe as part of Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound Revue. Finley will return to Nashville in early February to write and record a second album with Auerbach and plan on touring again this summer. Finley has played at MAD twice and loves the intimacy of the venues. Finley and MAD worked to clear the calendar for his birthday celebration and are planning a fun night. Or as Auerbach told Rolling Stone, laughing, “With Robert, every day is his birthday, and is a bit of a celebration."

Go Red for Men and Women is a Healthy Woman event held annually to provide education on heart disease, health screenings, and lunch for the community. There will also be a silent auction and all proceeds for this event will benefit the American Heart Association. Tickets are $25 each. Contact Catherine Noyse @ MCSA (870) 864-3282 for more information.

“It’s All About Love” Valentine’s Day Weekend presented by MyStiQ Entertainment! Start the weekend by falling in love all over again with the love of your life on Thursday evening to dancing the night away to the sound of love with all your friends Friday! Wake up and savor the taste of love Saturday morning and enjoy lounging in love Saturday night! Make the weekend endlessly in love! Purchase actual tickets from: Barbara Breggs & Associates 525 South Washington & Mr. Mike’s CD’s & Tapes Thursday Evening (6pm - 10pm) - Couples Only - “Celebrating Love” through an intimate atmosphere and romantic experience including a three course, chef prepared, candle lit dinner for two in a lavish location and live entertainment! Menu by Chef Gerald from Atlanta, GA! Music by Ron Gore aka Baby Grand! Reservations are limited! Friday Night(8p - Midnight)- "We Love to Party” with delicious food and signature cocktails to great music for the grown and sexy people dressed to impress for dancing the night away! Caterted buffet Menu by Chef Gerald from Atlanta, GA! Live Entertainment! Saturday Morning (10am - 1pm) - “For the Love of Love” an exquisite brunch designed for couples, families, friends and even coworkers that love amazing food and each other’s company! Saturday Love! 8pm - 12am (B's Place - 508 S. Washington St) Admission for 1 - Singles and couples welcome! Thursday and Friday we can begin but our Saturday Love will never end! Great Music! Dancing & Live Entertainment! Catered buffet with onsite Chef! Singles and couples welcome! Beverages! Endless Love - Weekend Pass All Inclusive Endless Love - Weekend Pass for 2! ~Dinner for 2 - Valentine's Day ~Friday - We Love To Party! ~Brunch - Saturday Morning! ~Saturday Love!

Enjoy live music from husband and wife duo Roses and Revolvers and a special Valentines Dinner at the Griffin Restaurant.

SouthArk will conclude African-American Heritage Week with their African American Family & Friends day by embracing Laughter, Love, and Good Times!

MAD is excited to announce that Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt- two of America’s most admired singer-songwriters will be presenting an intimate acoustic evening in the First Financial Music Hall at the Griffin on Sunday, February 17th at 8:00 PM. This will mark their first return to El Dorado since their exclusive & highly praised performance at MAD’s grand opening in 2017 with Robert Earl Keen. Doors will open at 7PM. Both artists are considered originators of Americana music. Hiatt is a member of the prestigious and highly selective Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and has 24 albums to his name. Over the course of a four–decade songwriting and recording career, Hiatt has penned songs that became hits for the likes of Three Dog Night ("Sure As I'm Sitting Here"), Bonnie Raitt ("Thing Called Love") and Eric Clapton and B.B. King ("Riding with the King") to name just a few. Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lyle Lovett has evolved into one of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers and was named Texas State Musician. His works, rich and eclectic, coupled with his gift for storytelling, are some of the most beloved of any artist working today. Lovett is a recipient of the Americana Music Association’s Trailblazer Award, is a four-time Grammy winner, and has produced 14 albums. Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt together again, these elegant, captivating meetings between cherished friends and collaborators make for dynamic song-and-story swaps that are difficult to resist. Their acoustic show offers a great chance to focus on the beauty of their songs and learn a bit about the personalities behind the music. Tickets will be available to artist fan clubs on November 12th, MAD Members on November 14th and public on November 16th at 10 AM, CST. Tickets may be purchased online at eldomad.com, by phone at 870-444-3007 or in person at 101 East Locust Street, El Dorado, AR.

The Boom Town Book Club is a public book club associated with the SouthArk Library, and all are welcome! Regular meetings are held on the third Monday of every month at 5:30 PM in the SouthArk Library. Everyone is encouraged to read books of their choosing for discussion at the meetings, and a "common" read will be chosen for reading and discussion by all members four times per year. Please get in touch with any questions, and we look forward to seeing you in the library!

Have you wanted to learn how to take photographs with your digital camera? Do you have aspirations to be a photographer? You'll have your shot in Instructor Taylon Steele's Digital Photography Class. Learn camera basics, manual shooting techniques, and camera composition. This is a 3-day class to be held February 20-21, 2019 at 6:00-8:30 P.M. and on Saturday, February 23, 2019, from 9:00-noon. Class cost is $40 and must be paid to SouthArk's Bookstore prior to class date.

Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. What better way to start your weekend than on your feet making strides to help your heart and improving your general health to live longer! While you walk at your own pace, you'll have the opportunity to have questions answered by local physicians. The last Saturday of every month, weather permitting.

The First Ever South Arkansas Black Business Expo is designed to Highlight and bring Awareness to Black Owned Businesses in South Arkansas and the surrounding areas.

Broadway star Craig Schulman performs music from some of his most famous roles, including Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and Jekyll & Hyde.

Broadway star Craig Schulman sings music from some of his most famous roles. Invited to represent the U.S. at the 10th Anniversary of Les Miserables in London, Craig Schulman is the only actor in the world to have portrayed three of the greatest musical theatre roles: the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera, Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, and title roles in Jekyll & Hyde. He has portrayed Jean Valjean in seven different companies in three countries for a total of more than 2,400 performances. Widely recognized from the PBS broadcast of The 10th Anniversary: Les Miserables In Concert; he has also played Che in Evita, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Archibald in The Secret Garden, King Arthur in Camelot, John Adams in 1776 and Father in Children of Eden. Schulman moves freely between the worlds of Boradway, opera, and symphonic pops programs. He has appeared with many opera companies around the U.S., singing leading tenor roles in The Tales of Hoffman, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Carmen, Die Fledermaus, La Boheme, La Traviata, The Crucible, and Manon. In 2003, he sang the title role in the world premiere of "Marco Polo in China in Singapore in Chinese! Creator and producer of the internationally acclaimed BROADWAY NIGHTS concert series including "THREE PHANTOMS IN CONCERT", Craig appears in concert programs with symphonies and at corporate events around the world. He also sings three solo shows: "Craig Schulman on Broadway", "Heroes, Monsters, & Madmen", and "A Broadway Valentine". Professor Schulman has taught acting classes at Sacred Heart University and has taught many voice and musical theatre classes at high schools and colleges. He maintains a private vocal studio. His fans can learn more at www.craigschulman.com. His debut album, recorded in London at Abbey Road Studios is available from BroadwayGemsRecords.com and in the lobby of the Griffin Music Hall during this performance!

Have you heard of the Fouke Monster near Texarkana, AR? What's your opinion? Join us for a presentation by Lyle Blackburn, author of "The Beast of Boggy Creek: The True Story of the Fouke Monster" for a PowerPoint presentation and book signing.Check out his website lyleblackburn.com

Join us for our Volunteer Kickoff Party in El Dorado to learn how you can get involved with the Walk to End Alzheimer’s® Planning Committee. There are opportunities to suit all interests and skill sets — and we have a lot of fun while doing rewarding work to advance the cause!