Famous as the Father of Ragtime, Texarkana celebrates the history of Scott Joplin this weekend in downtown Texarkana. The Scott Joplin International Centennial Celebration happens March 31 to April 2.
Events for the weekend begin Friday, March 31 with the Friday night preview party at Silvermoon on Broad from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Hosting the events over the weekend at the Texarkana Regional Music Heritage Center and the Texarkana Museum of Regional History.
Great munchies from two of Texarkana’s finest establisments, plus a variety of beverages for all tastes…combined with TWO stages with great music.
In the Great Hall, look for great vocal stylings from Roseanna Vitro, Candace Taylor, and Carol Collins-Miles backed by the great “Three of Kind”. You’ll also hear the frenetic boogie-woogie of Boogie-Woogie master John Tennison whose work is ground breaking in applying 21st century techology and theory to boogie-woogie. Good chance of world-class ragtime as well.
AND, on stage in the Silvermoon Theater at the same time, the marvelous “Texarkana Trio” from the Netherlands entertains with the early 50s rock and rockabilly that our city contributed so much to.
Wander at will between the two as you mix and meet our artists and all your friends.
On Saturday, April 1 there will be a plaque dedication at the Scott Joplin Mural located on 3rd Street at 11:00 a.m. with live music after until 5:00 p.m. Also downtown on Saturday, the Museum of Regional History from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., will have viewings of some of the most famous Scott Joplin Documentaries.
Your local Museum of Regional History will join in the Scott Joplin International Centennial Celebration by showing documentaries that focus on the extraordinary talents and life of native son, Scott Joplin, Father of Ragtime.
Screenings will begin at 1:00 pm and be held on the hour with the last showing starting at 4:00 pm. Screenings are FREE. Tours of the Museum and the Joplin Exhibit are $5
Call 903-793-4831 for more details
The highlight of the weekend is the Centennial Celebration at the Perot Theatre kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening with amazing performances from critically acclaimed artists.
Opens with a number by the winning ensemble of the first annual Four States Area Student Jazz Showcase. Carol Collins-Miles will then premiere her “Texarkana Jazz Rag” accompanied by the great Alan Batts, piano. Our Joplin showcase artist MacArthur Genius Grant winner Reginald Robinson takes to the stage to play the very best of Joplin. The First half will conclude with Texarkana’s own Grammy nominated Jazz Artist Roseanna Vitro with a small ensemble that will include our great jazz guitarist Tonk Edwards performing magic with great jazz.
At intermission, remain entertained by the first sounding of the original Morton Theater organ in over 60 years in this hall as it is played back from a superb 1954 recording on Klipsch professional speakers.
As we resume, Mr. Rule Beasley will be presented the first RMHC Lifetime Achievement Award, the “Boogie,” for his extraordinary achievements in music and the show concludes with the incredible Texarkana Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Dick Eckstein and joined by Roseanna Vitro with jazz standard classics.
This will truly be n unparalleled evening of great variety showcasing the musical heritage of our city and region to the world!
Wrapping up weekend events on Sunday April 2, at 2:00 p.m. at the Perot Theatre Texarkana will rock the sounds from the mid-50’s that brought Texarkana more musical history on the rock-a-billy circuit. At 4:00 p.m. there will be a plaque dedication and tours of the Texarkana Arkansas Municipal Auditorium, that has been undergoing major restorations.
For all of the weekends events follow the Texarkana Regional Music Heritage Center.
