Contests: Rock Candy, Arkansas Times

Got a great cocktail recipe? It could win you tickets to 'Jersey Boys'

Robert Bell — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:15:00 -0500

Who doesn't love a good cocktail, right? And who doesn't love "Jersey Boys," the Tony- and Grammy-winning jukebox musical that tells the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons?

Say, here's an idea: what if the Arkansas Times was to have a contest for the best "Jersey Boys"-inspired cocktail, and give the winner a pair of tickets to see the musical June 19 at Robinson Center Music Hall, plus entry to the official after-party at Boscos, where that person's winning cocktail would be served? Sound keen? Bet.

Here's the deal: email your cocktail recipe to tiffany@arktimes.com and put "JERSEY BOYS COCKTAIL" in the subject line. We'll select the most promising recipes, then your trusty and (very) seasoned Times cocktail experts will try them out and anoint a winner. The contest is open from through June 6, and the usual caveats apply (no Times employees, don't scalp the tickets, etc.).

Feel free to get all crazy and "mixologist" with this thing, but know that if your recipe is too out-there, calling for emulsified durian oil or pulverized fresh loganberries or something else that no self-respecting bartender has ever heard of, then you might not win. Cool? OK. Aaaand... go!

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Win a pair of tickets to see Ben Taylor at Juanita's

Robert Bell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:30:00 -0500

UPDATE: Congrats to Rock Candy reader Diane Hudson, who won our drawing.

Your good friends here at the Times know how much you all love the music concerts, and also how much you all love winning free tickets to the music concerts.

So how would you like to win a pair of tickets to see Ben Taylor at Juanita's on May 9? Taylor has released several albums of stylistically diverse contemporary folk over the years, most recently 2012's "Listening." If you're into the breezy, laid-back singer/songwriter vibe of such artists as Josh Rouse or maybe Jason Mraz, you will likely find much to dig in Taylor's tunes. Also, Taylor is a student of the martial arts. And his parents are famous musicians, something he discusses right here.

Check out this video of him and a buddy cold porchin' it, playing guitars and singing his song "Nothing I Can Do."

If you would like to be entered in Rock Candy's drawing, just send an email to robert bell at arktimes dot com with "BEN TAYLOR" in the subject line (in all caps like that, if you please) by noon o'clock on May 8 and you'll be entered. We'll draw the winning name that afternoon. You can also get tickets here, if you want to play it safe or if you just don't like drawings or something.

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Win a pair of tickets to see Brit Floyd at Verizon Arena

Robert Bell — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:54:15 -0500

UPDATE: Congrats to Rock Candy reader Jamie Patrick, who won two tickets to see Brit Floyd Tuesday at Verizon Arena. Tickets are available here.

OK, Floyd freaks, we've got a pair of tickets to give away to Tuesday's Brit Floyd show at Verizon Arena. One of the most widely acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute acts in the world will be performing five albums in their entireties, and you could win two tickets.

All you need to do is email me (robert bell at arktimes dot com) with "BRIT FLOYD" in the subject line by noon on Monday, April 29 and you'll be entered in our drawing. I'll draw the winning name that afternoon. Sound good? Cool. Good luck!

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Here are the winners of our 'Monty Python's Spamalot' giveaway

Robert Bell — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:21:00 -0500

Congrats to Molly Miller, Dawn Jackson, Tim Jones, Matilda Louvring and Dan Limke, they each won a pair of tickets to see "Monty Python's Spamalot" at Robinson Center Music Hall.

For everyone else, tickets are still available for the critically acclaimed comedy, Monday and Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., $27-$64.

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We have a winner for our Brit Floyd ticket giveaway

Robert Bell — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:20:00 -0500

Congrats to Kim Gibson, who won a pair of tickets to see Pink Floyd tribute act Brit Floyd April 30 at Verizon Arena.

After the jump, you can read Kim's story about discovering Pink Floyd at a young age via her older brother's 8-track tapes and continuing to find meaning and inspiration in their music years later.

Tickets to the Brit Floyd show are available here.

When I was young, probably 13 or 14, I would sneak into my brother's room and swipe his Dark Side of the Moon eight-track tape. It was not like anything I had ever heard, and it opened my mind to the endless possibilities of music. I listened to it over and over. The few times he caught me, he would say "It's bulldozer time," and smash me into the bedroom wall. Not too long after that, I heard The Wall on the radio.

I would turn the volume up and sing "WE DON'T NEED NO EDUCATION," as loud as I could. I also interpreted some of the lyrics wrong. I thought it said "No dogs or cats come in the classroom." instead of "No dark sarcasm in the classroom." My brother corrected me on that line, after laughing hysterically at me.

Eventually my mother, a school teacher and strong supporter of education, heard me singing the song and forbid me from ever listening or singing that song again. But of course, like all teenagers I did it many more times, whenever she wasn't around. About 10-12 years ago I listened to The Wall again, carefully this time for understanding. What I heard was utter brilliance with the lyrics moving me to tears.

Now, I am a teacher myself, and the meaning I gathered from The Wall inspired one of my guiding principals of education: Students need to be built-up and not torn-down. They also need learn how to think, but not what to think. The Wall has had a significant impact on me, as I try to pass that philosophy on to future generations.

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Win a pair of tickets to see 'Monty Python's Spamalot' at Robinson Center Music Hall

Robert Bell — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:05:28 -0500

All you "Life of Brian"-quoting geeks out there are likely already aware that "Monty Python's Spamalot" will be at Robinson Center Music Hall April 1-2. It's probably a safe bet too that there are a couple-three of y'all out there who wouldn't mind winning two tickets to see the musical comedy in person.

Well pardners, five of you will be in luck: The Times will be giving away five pairs of tickets for the April 1 performance. "Spamalot" on April Fool's Day? Does it get any better than that? No, it does not.

All you have to do is correctly identify where in Arkansas The Holy Grail is located in five of the following six photographs and you'll be entered. Email your answers to tiffany@arktimes.com with "FIND THE GRAIL" in the subject line. The deadline for entry is Friday, March 29 by noon. Winners will be drawn and contacted that day.

Oh yeah, one thing: DON'T WRITE THE ANSWERS IN THE COMMENTS. YOU WON'T BE ENTERED IN THE CONTEST AND ALSO IT KINDA MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE YOU CAN'T READ INSTRUCTIONS. Cool? Thanks.

The photos are included after the jump.

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Win a pair of tickets to see Pink Floyd tribute Brit Floyd at Verizon Arena

Robert Bell — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:32:00 -0500

On April 30, Brit Floyd, one of the biggest Pink Floyd tributes going, will stop off at Verizon Arena for a three-hour show featuring lasers, lights and other assorted trippy what-have-you. The band will perform five Floyd albums in their entirety: "Wish You Were Here," "Animals," "Dark Side of the Moon," "The Wall" and, uh, "The Division Bell."

Most of you Floyd fiends have probably made peace with the fact that if you haven't seen the band by now, you're probably not going to. Heck, if you were born after 1980 or so, it's highly unlikely that you saw the band in any incarnation. But if there's one group (besides The Beatles) whose music endures and continues to connect with new generations of listeners, it's Pink Floyd. I think a "Dark Side of the Moon" blacklight poster has come standard with every college dorm room since about 1974.

So here's the deal: if you'd like to win a pair of tickets to see "The World's Greatest Pink Floyd Show" at Verizon Arena, email me (robertbell at arktimes dot com) with your best Pink Floyd-related story. It could be about anything. Maybe you met your S.O. in the crowd on the "In the Flesh" tour in '77. Maybe you found a dusty old 8-track copy of "Dark Side" in your older sister's room and it blew your mind. I'm looking for funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking or otherwise endearing stories about what Pink Floyd's music means to you. And remember what that other British guy said one time: brevity is the soul of wit.

Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. March 25 (that's the same day tickets go on sale for the show — they're $55). I'll post the winning story on Rock Candy on Wednesday, March 27.

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AETN accepting entries for K-3 writing contest

David Koon — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 11:22:45 -0600

AETN in Conway is currently accepting entries for the PBS KIDS GO! writing contest for young writers in kindergarten through third grade. AETN will select 12 winners — three from each grade — with the winning pieces submitted to the national contest sponsored by PBS. Prizes include educational apps, a tour of the AETN studios and a visit to the winner's school by Clifford the Big Red Dog. More than 500 Arkansas students entered the contest last year.

Hit the "more" for full writers' guidelines, contest rules, and entry forms.

AETN accepting entries for PBS KIDS GO! Writer’s Contest
Children K-3 invited to write, illustrate stories for local, national prizes

CONWAY, Ark. (AETN) — The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is now accepting entries for the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest through Friday, April 5.
The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a national initiative designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest, made possible in part by financial support from Easy Student Publishing and managed by member station WNED, partners with PBS stations nationwide and encourages children in grades K-3 to celebrate creativity by submitting their own original stories and illustrations.
AETN hosts the contest for Arkansas students, and submits first place winners to the national contest. Each Arkansas entrant will receive a participation certificate, and 12 winners — three from each grade — will receive an AETN prize pack, including a set of PBS KIDS educational apps for mobile devices. In addition, first place winners will be given the opportunity for Clifford the Big Red Dog to visit their school and to tour the AETN studios in Conway. More than 500 students from across Arkansas entered the contest last year. Winning stories, as well as contest rules, creative writing resources and entry forms, are available at aetn.org/kids/writerscontest. Additional information is available by emailing marketing@aetn.org.

Stories may be fact, fiction, prose or poetry. Only one entry will be allowed per person, and stories must be by a single author. Kindergarten and first grade stories must have a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words. Second and third grade stories must have a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 350 words.

Text must be printed, written legibly or typed. Children who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly or typed. Stories must have at least five original, clear and colorful illustrations. Non-English text must be translated on the same page, and the translated text (English text) must adhere to the word count.

Entries will be judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling and integration of text and illustrations. AETN will judge local submissions and send the first place winners from each grade to the national contest. A panel of judges will select 12 national winners for prizes including tablet computers, e-readers and MP3 players. Additionally, Highlights for Children has joined the contest as a partner, and all participants may choose to receive a print or digital version of Highlights magazine.

A panel of America's foremost children's authors, illustrators and content experts will serve as honorary judges for the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. The 2013 honorary judges include:

• Lisa Henson — As CEO of The Jim Henson Company, Henson serves as an executive producer of “Sid the Science Kid,” “Dinosaur Train” and “Pajanimals.”
• Jeff Kinney — As a New York Times bestselling author, Kinney’s seventh book, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel,” is the biggest print book of 2012.
• Kate Klimo — As vice president and publisher of the Random House/Golden Books Group, Klimo has nearly 30 years of experience, more than 15 of them spent working on All Things Seuss.
• Jarrett Krosoczka — Krosoczka is a two-time winner of the Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year in the Children’s Choice Book Awards, author and illustrator for 16 published books.
• Susan Meddaugh — Meddaugh is the author and illustrator of “Martha Speaks,” the best-selling book series, as well as a creative producer of the award-winning PBS KIDS series of the same name.
• R.L. Stine — As one of the best-selling children's authors in history, he has sold over 350 million books that have been read all over the world including “Goosebumps.”
Stories should be submitted by Friday, April 5, by mail to: AETN — Writer’s Contest, 350 S. Donaghey, Conway, AR 72034. Arkansas winners will be chosen in April, and the first place winners will be sent to PBS KIDS GO! for entry in the national contest. National winners will be announced during the summer of 2013, and the winning stories will be featured on pbskids.org/writerscontest. Arkansas’s 12 winning stories will be featured on aetn.org/kids/writerscontest.

PBS KIDS is a trusted guide nurturing young learners ages 2- 8. As America’s largest classroom, PBS inspires children to discover their full potential for success in school and in life and serves children wherever they live, learn, and play. More information on participating local stations, general entry rules and contest resources can be found on pbskids.org/writerscontest.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas’s statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).

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Friday To-Do: Alchemy Songwriting Competition

Robert Bell — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:47:07 -0600

ALCHEMY SONGWRITING COMPETITION
7:30 p.m. The Ford Theater. $10.

The second annual Alchemy Songwriting Competition kicks off Friday in Conway, featuring 10 finalists who will perform their original tunes for a panel of judges that includes Academy Award winner and Arkansas native Mary Steenburgen (who's been writing songs herself, lately), singer/songwriter Treva Blomquist and Andy Davis, founder of the Music Empowers Foundation.

The competition is also a fundraiser for Blackbird Academy of Arts, an arts education nonprofit based in Conway. The grand prize is a trip to Los Angeles and a recording sesh with producer Tim Pagnotta.

On deck for the competition are Arkatext of Conway (more here from this week's issue), Rachel Pearl of Springhill, Tenn., Tom Mix and Shawn Keeter of Mt. Vernon, Sally Howell of Benton, Half Priced Hearts of Conway, The Outset of Tulsa, Jordan Anderson of Lonoke, Austin Jones of Little Rock, Brandon Alanis of Cabot and Allison Pierce of Little Rock.

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Entering the Times/Root Cafe beard-growing contest? Don't miss the shave-in tomorrow

Robert Bell — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:59:10 -0600

OK, all of you who are hirsute of face and competitive of spirit: The Root Cafe and the Arkansas Times are putting on a beard-growing competition, and the shave-in approacheth.

Categories for the competition include the following: longest beard; thickest beard; most original beard; and best Abraham Lincoln (no mustache). Winners will be determined by The Ancient Council of Beard-Judging Elders (or someone), who shall hand down the verdicts at the South Main Mardi Gras celebration Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.

All contestants will need to be certified clean-shaven between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1 at The Root. Need more info? Call 501-414-0423 or email: theroot at therootcafe dot com.

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Win tickets to Cirque Holidaze Dream

Robert Bell — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:11:24 -0600

UPDATE: Congrats to Charis Cook, who won a family four-pack of tickets, and Sharon Sweeney and Melanie Berman, who each won a pair of tickets.

So there's this Cirque Elf who's been running wild all over Central Arkansas. We managed somehow to get photos of him at five different places.

If you can correctly identify where he's at in the five photos below, you could win a family four-pack of tickets to see Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Robinson Center Music Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Identify at least 3 correctly for a chance to win two tickets.

Email your answers to tiffany at arktimes dot com with CIRQUE DREAMS as the subject line. Deadline for entry is Wednesday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. Winners will be drawn and notified by noon that day.

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Win tickets to Arkansas Symphony Orchestra's 'Beethoven & Bluejeans'

Robert Bell — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:08:12 -0600

UPDATE: Congratulations to our winners: Michele Rodgers, Robin Hensley, Beverly Dickson, Jamey Johnson and Harold Hughes.

The Times and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra are giving away five pairs of tickets to the annual "Beethoven & Bluejeans" concert, Nov. 10-11 at Robinson Center Music Hall.

This year features the return of the popular Beer & Brats Street Party before the concerts, with free bratwursts and $2 Diamond Bear beer for concert ticket holders.

To enter, send an email to robertbell@arktimes.com with BLUEJEANS in the subject line. We'll draw for names a week from today, let's call it noon on Nov. 9, and announce the winners here on Rock Candy.

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Win tickets to see Ballet Arkansas's 'American Images'

Robert Bell — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 10:31:18 -0500

UPDATE: And we have our winners. Congrats to Rock Candy readers Upton Siddons and Greg Dillon.

Ballet Arkansas's season debut is coming up this weekend at Wildwood Park for the Arts. The show is called "American Images," and is "inspired by artworks, ideas, and events from the American cultural landscape," according to Ballet Arkansas.

The Times is giving away two pairs of tickets to Friday's 7:30 p.m. opening performance, which includes a champagne reception afterward with cast and choreographers. The first two people to email me (robertbell@arktimes.com) with BALLET in the subject line will win a pair of tickets.

After the jump is a press release with more details about the program.

Ballet Arkansas Presents American Images Concert at HARVEST! Festival

Inspired by artworks, ideas, and events from the American cultural landscape, Ballet Arkansas presents a new
fall concert, American Images, dances that explore America, the American spirit, and the American Dream.
These six new dances commissioned by the Company will be performed at Wildwood Park for the Arts as part
of Wildwood’s annual HARVEST! Festival, October 12, 13, & 14. Performances are on the Lucy Lockett Cabe
Theater’s 625-seat thrust stage. Seating is reserved.

Tickets are available by calling (501) 223-5150 or online at www.balletarkansas.org . Tickets are $30 for adults
and $15 for children 12 years and under for the opening night gala on Friday, October 12 at 7:30 pm, with a
dancers and choreographers reception following the performance. For the 4 pm matinee on Saturday and the 2
pm matinee Sunday, October 14, tickets are $25 and $15. Ballet Arkansas tickets include admission to the Park
for the HARVEST! Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased at the park on the day of as well.

As the first of three collaborative concerts in the 2012-2013 Season, American Images and its thematic dances
that reflect American culture is a perfect fit with Wildwood Park’s HARVEST! Festival. “Wildwood Park for the
Arts is delighted to see this terrific partnership emerge with Ballet Arkansas as they showcase a concert of new
works,” said Cliff Baker, creative director for the Park. “That this is happening during our annual HARVEST!
Festival, which celebrates the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of Arkansas autumns, shows a real synergy of
spirit between the two groups.” Information for HARVEST! can be found at www.wildwoodpark.org .

The six dances in the American Images concert include Times Torn, a Civil War ballet by Marla Edwards, the
Ballet’s new Ballet Mistress, herself a former soloist with Ballet Arkansas and a veteran of the Houston Ballet
School. Other dances include Delta…Push Up Open, by Little Rock native Leslie Schickel (which premiered in
March, 2012); Pop, by Michelle Alexander, based on the art and writings of pop culture icon Andy Warhol;
American Dream by Stephanie Thibeault, Associate Professor of Dance at UALR; a silent-film era pas de deux by
former Ballet Arkansas guest dancer Edmond Cooper, who currently resides in Hot Springs; and Nowhere/Now
Here, by Tong Wang, currently assistant professor at University of California - Irvine Department of Dance (UC-
Irvine). Wang is a former principal dancer at Ballet West in Salt Lake City and has worked with Shanghai Ballet,
Tulsa Ballet Theatre, Dayton Ballet, and Colorado Ballet, among many others.

“We are so excited about our 2012-2013 Season, especially to work with Wildwood Park during their HARVEST!
Festival,” said Lauren Strother, Ballet Arkansas’ Executive Director. “To have commissioned six new dances by
this group of mature choreographers is exactly what we want to do every year. Piece by piece, we are building
Ballet Arkansas into a professional dance company that the entire State can enjoy and take great pride in.
American Images celebrates America. Come celebrate with us at Wildwood!”

Student Matinees for American Images are currently scheduled at 10:30 am on October 10, 11 & 12 for student
groups. Call (501) 223-5150 or Email guy@balletarkansas.org for reservation information.

American Images travels to Stuttgart’s Grand Prairie Center for a student matinee and an evening performance
on Tuesday, October 16. More information is available http://www.pccua.edu/gpc/

Ballet Arkansas is supported in part by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.

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Win tickets to see Stars at Revolution

Robert Bell — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:09:23 -0500

UPDATE: And we have our winners. Congratulations to Jennifer Molayem, Alex Handfinger, Chris Cranford, Heather Salley Holland, Justin Nickels, Dan Limke and Justin Hinton.

Good morning Rock Candy readers. Say, are any of ya'll fans of the Toronto-based pop outfit Stars? You know they're playing at Revolution next week, Thursday, Oct. 11, to be precise, with opening acts Diamond Rings and California Wives.

We've got several pairs of tickets to give away, so if'n you're interested in going, you should send an email to robertbell@arktimes.com with STARS in the subject line by noon on Oct. 9 and you'll be entered. We'll draw names shortly thereafter and announce the winners on the blog.

Normal caveats apply: no Times employees, don't go scalping the tickets if you win, and so forth.

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Ticket giveaway: The Capitol Steps tonight at UCA

Robert Bell — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:45:04 -0500

We've got a quick ticket giveaway for all you fans of political comedy: The Capitol Steps are bringing their singing and satirizing act to Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas, tonight at 7:30 p.m.

The first five people to email me at robertbell@arktimes.com will each win a pair of tickets to tonight's show. Just put CAPITOL STEPS in the subject line. I'll update when I've gotten emails from the five fastest keyboard-slingers.

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Win tickets to see Classical Mystery Tour with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Robert Bell — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:18:49 -0500

UPDATE: We have our winners. Congratulations to Judi King, David Hiltenbrand, Colleen Barnhill and Katie Richardson.

This weekend, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra hosts the Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour. The two musical entities will unite for full-orchestra renditions of classic Fab Four tunes.

The Times has some tickets to give away for the shows, which will be Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Robinson Center Music Hall. If you are interested in winning a pair of tickets to one of the performances, just send an email to robertbell@arktimes.com with BEATLES in the subject line by Thursday at noon. We'll draw names and announce the winners later that day on Rock Candy.

We'll draw for the Saturday night show first, then the Sunday performance, so we kindly request that you enter only if you're available to attend either concert.

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Here are the winners of our Glen Campbell ticket and poster giveaway

Robert Bell — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:18:34 -0500

OK, we've got the winners of our Glen Campbell ticket and concert poster giveaway.

Out of 126 entries, here were the names drawn:

Duke McDougall won the grand prize — a pair of tickets and a print of the concert poster above, while Billie O'Neal, Stephen Kelly, Stephen G. Johnson, Brian Rogers and Becky Cornett all won a print of the poster. Originally, I said we'd give away prints to three more readers in addition to the grand prize winner, but I managed to scare up a couple more copies of the print, so I drew names for those as well.

Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone for entering. You can still get tickets for Thursday's show at Robinson Center Music Hall. They range from $50-$94.

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Ralphie May talks growing up in Clarksville

Robert Bell — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:24:00 -0500

OK, we have the winners of our Ralphie May ticket drawing.

Congratulations to Clarke Huisman, Alena Jones, John Wesley Hall, Deanna J. Love and Jamie Dorsey. They each won a pair of tickets to see May perform at Robinson Center Music Hall at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 7.

Times contributor Philip M. Provost recently caught up with May for a chat about growing up in Clarksville, his early standup experiences and what it takes to make it as a professional funnyperson.

Talk a bit about your experience growing up in Clarksville.

It wasn’t the best. It was a hard life growing up. It was a similar story to a lot of people in Arkansas. My mom was a florist. I’m the youngest of four. My father and mother hated each other, and they took it out on us. She’d sue him for not paying child support, then he didn’t pay, and that ended up costing us a lot. Thank goodness for my grandmother, she was a hell of a woman. She was really beneficial, she kept us in a stature way above our means and made sure we were taken care of as far as clean clothes and shoes.

How did you get into comedy?

I used to belong to the Methodist Church in Clarksville, and we had this youth group outing, we had this rally, and they had a talent show. When I was 13, that’s when I did standup comedy. I killed it. I made out with a 14-year-old girl from Alabama. I’ll never forget it. I was hooked on comedy. I got to enter a contest to open for Sam Kinison when I was 17. This was 1989, and he was the pinnacle of standup at the time. He pulled a prank on me: He told me to say the wrong thing, to scream and yell at the audience, to tell them they’re all stupid. It got me booed, and then he came on stage and said, “Can you believe that kid, talking to people like that? He’ll be crying backstage, thinking his comedy career is over, he’ll never be in comedy again.” But Sam loved me, he said it went perfectly.

More after the jump.

How did your education help your comedy? Is specific education necessary for standup?

I was kicked out of high school, Clarksville High School, in 1990. I pulled too many pranks. I stole a car — the principal’s car — but they couldn't prove I did it. They were going to throw a bunch of us out of school, so I took the blame. The other guys were the valedictorian and the salutatorian. Those guys wanted college. I just wanted to do standup, so for me, it was a no-brainer. It’s been kind of strange: A couple of years ago, the graduating class in Clarksville wanted me to come be the keynote speaker. I canceled a $50,000 weekend, I was so honored. I got a new suit. I was jazzed to go back and speak.

But at the last second, like two weeks before, I got canceled. They didn't think I was appropriate. It’s like, come on guys, I’m not that little white trash kid you had to be ashamed of. I’d love to come up there for graduation and shake everybody’s hands, wish them luck, tell them to follow their dreams, say you can do anything, no matter where you come from. But getting back to your question: I went to college. I took 50 hours of college credit. I took a lot of public speaking, psychology, sociology, history, English and creative writing courses and all of it was to benefit me as a comedian. That’s what I did. I gleaned as much knowledge as I could from the education system on what topic I wanted to do — but at some point, you have to do what you have to do. You have to perform to become a standup comedian.

What was it like being the only white comedian on the Big Black Comedy Show?

You know, being the only cracker in the box is a little interesting. Everybody thinks Arkansas is just a hotbed of racial tension and we just hate each other racially. It’s just not the truth. The truth is: There’s no black or white in Arkansas, we’re all broke. When you’re all broke, you’re the same color. That’s what I grew up around. So when they offered me a spot on the Big Black Comedy show, I caught some static from white comedians. I got a standing ovation there, and I got a standing ovation when I did the Tonight Show, which is a “white show,” quote unquote. I don’t know. I like people, and you don’t judge people based on skin color.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring comedian?

Oh, man. Perform, perform, perform. You’re going to bomb, and that’s OK. You’ll learn more from bombing than from doing well. Work and love. Fall in love. You’ll be a success in spite of everything else, in spite of the turmoil life gives you, in spite of jobs you lose, or drama with family, in spite of everything. You can make it happen for yourself.

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Win a pair of tickets to see Glen Campbell at Robinson Center Music Hall

Robert Bell — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:25:10 -0500

The Times is giving away a pair of tickets to see Glen Campbell on Sept. 6 at Robinson Center Music Hall, along with some very swank 18-by-24-inch prints of the the above concert poster, by Jamie Mixon, who has created other striking promotional posters for shows at Verizon Arena.

The grand prize is two tickets and a print. We'll also give away a copy of the print to three more Times readers. It's on heavy cardstock and is suitable for framing.

Just send an email to robertbell@arktimes.com with CAMPBELL TICKETS in the subject line and you'll be entered in the drawing. The deadline is Monday, Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. We'll announce the winners on Rock Candy the next day.

Be sure to read our interview with Campbell's daughter, Ashley Campbell.

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Win tickets to see Ralphie May

Robert Bell — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 15:30:23 -0500

Hey all you fans of Clarksville-bred comedian Ralphie May: wanna win a pair of tickets to see him perform standup at Robinson Center Music Hall on Friday, Sept. 7 at 8:30 p.m.?

Well all you need to do is crank up your emailing machine and shoot a message on over to tiffanyholland@arktimes.com with RALPHIE MAY in the subject line and you'll be entered in the drawing. You must do this by noon on Aug. 31.

Good luck!

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There's still time to enter Spin Off: Battle for the River

Robert Bell — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 14:46:12 -0500

OK, electronic music artists, there's still time to enter Spin Off: Battle for the River, in which five artists will square off for the chance to open up for Pretty Lights, who plays at Riverfest Amphitheater on Sept. 26.

Spin Off goes down Sept. 1 at Revolution. Each contestant will play a 20-minute set that'll be assessed by a panel of judges for originality, crowd response and presentation. Enter here by Aug. 23. We'll announce the winners on Rock Candy on Aug. 24.

Pretty Lights tickets are $37 and are available here.

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Vino's, Times and Arkansas State Fair to host 'Back Room to the Main Stage'

Robert Bell — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:29:27 -0500

Hey there all you musicians in the area, could you use a cool $1,000 and a 90-minute set playing in front of thousands of people at this year's State Fair?

Who am I kidding, of course you could. Well you are in luck, because Vino's, the Times and the Arkansas State Fair are hosting "Back Room to the Main Stage," in which three bands per night will compete on Aug. 30, Sept. 6 and Sept. 13, with the winning band from each night going on to the final round, Sept. 20. Each night of the competition is at Vino's. The PA and sound guy are provided, but bands must bring their own gear.

The winner of the final round will nab the aforementioned stack of 10 hundos and will also bet to play a full set on Oct. 17.

The contest is open to any band. A cover song here or there is kosher, but most of the tunes should be original.

In order to get in on this action, you can either mail a CD to the address below (or drop one off) or email your songs to geccoinc@mail.com or vinosbooking@gmail.com. You'll need to do this by Aug. 25, so get to it!

Here's that address:
Arkansas State Fair Office
ATT: Backroom to Main Stage Contest
2600 Howard Street
Little Rock, AR 72206

The full press release is included after the jump.

The "Backroom" to the "Main Stage" event
Vino's Brew Pub

Vinos "Backroom" will host three weeks of band competition beginning August 30, Sept 6 and
13 with finals on September 20, 2012. General public will have a $5 cover at the door per event
night.
Grand prize: a 90 minute set on the 2012 Arkansas State Fair Main Stage with a $1000.00 cash
performance fee on college night, October 17, 2012.

(3) young or progressive rock bands will perform a 45 minute set each night beginning at 8pm.
There will be no band entry fee.
All bands provide their own backline.
House PA and sound engineer provided.
A sample CD is required for selection and may be sent to or dropped off at:

Arkansas State Fair Office
ATT: Backroom to Main Stage Contest
2600 Howard Street
Little Rock, AR 72206
Deadline for entry is August 25th, 2012

Contest: There will be a panel of (3) judges with a decision weight of 25% each. The final 25%
will be decided by the audience in the form of written ballot collected at the show

For information:
email: vinosbooking@gmail.com or geccoinc@mail.com
web: arkansasstatefair.com or vinosbrewpub.com
facebook: vino's live music

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Here are the winners of our Tedeschi Trucks Band ticket giveaway

Robert Bell — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 13:54:28 -0500

Remember how Rock Candy announced last week that we were going to give away some tickets to see The Tedeschi Trucks Band at Robinson Center Music Hall?

Well we have our winners. Congrats to readers Jason Browne and Carol Moore, who each won a pair of tickets to Sunday's concert. Have fun, ya'll.

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Ozark Foothills FilmFest Screenwriting Competition accepting entries

Robert Bell — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:48:36 -0500

Hey there, budding screenwriter who hasn't yet had a film produced, optioned or distributed by non-independent means.

Have you been waiting for a reason to finish that great script you've been working on? The one that is either 90-130 pages or 30 pages or fewer, that is based solely on your own work and isn't an adaptation, that was written in English and that doesn't contain any pornographic elements?

Well peep this: The annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest is now accepting entries in its screenwriting competition. So if you've got a script that fits the above criteria (more details here), as well as $20, you can toss your hat into place where everyone else is tossing their hats to see whose hat is best or whatever.

The winner for Best Feature Screenplay wins $600 and the winner for Best Short Screenplay pockets a cool $400. Entrants will be honored and the winners will be announced at a reception and awards ceremony during the 12th annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest, which is happening April 3-7 in Batesville.

Email your submission to bobpest@wildblue.net as a PDF, a Word or a WordPerfect file. No hard copy entries will be accepted. Mail your entry forms and fees should to: Screenplays, 195 Peel Road, Locust Grove, AR 72550. The deadline for entries is Dec. 1.

Of course, if you've already got a film made, or have it done before Dec. 14, you can enter that in the festival as well. Details here.

The full press release is included after the jump.

Sixth Annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest Screenwriting Competition Accepting Entries
Short and Feature Length Screenplays Accepted

The Ozark Foothills FilmFest is accepting entries for its sixth annual Screenwriting Competition. The competition, the only one of its kind in Arkansas, is limited to writers who have not yet had a work produced or optioned. Entries are accepted in two categories: Feature Screenplay, 90-130 pages, and Short Screenplay, 30 pages or less.

Entry Guidelines and an Entry Form will be available at www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org by July 1. The entry deadline is December 1, 2012; entry fee is $20. Entries must be submitted electronically to bobpest@wildblue.net. Work should be submitted as a PDF, a Microsoft Word file, or a WordPerfect file; hard copy entries will not be accepted. Entry forms and the entry fee should be submitted by mail to Screenplays, 195 Peel Road, Locust Grove, AR 72550.

Cash prizes will be awarded for Best Feature Screenplay ($600) and Best Short Screenplay ($400). Entrants will be honored and winners will be announced at a reception and awards ceremony during the 12th annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest, April 3-7, 2013 in Batesville.

Judges for the competition include Pola Zen, Israeli screenplay editor and filmmaker (Dolls and Houses); Mike Akel, writer and director of Chalk and An Ordinary Family; and Dawn Winkler who holds an MFA in screenwriting from the renowned screenwriting program at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. For more information contact Bob Pest at 870-251-1189 or bobpest@wildblue.net.

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Win a pair of tickets to see 'The Main Thing' at The Joint

Robert Bell — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 14:14:51 -0500

UPDATE: Congrats to Rock Candy readers Charlott Jones and Marie Lehman. They each won a pair of tickets to see The Main Thing at The Joint.

Perhaps you've heard about the new Argenta coffeehouse and bar The Joint, which opened last month.

If so, then you're probably aware that in addition to caffeinated drinks and desserts and such adult beverages as beer and wine, it's also a venue for live music and comedy. On Fridays and Saturdays, The Joint hosts performances from its in-house comedy troupe The Main Thing, which includes veteran funnypeople Brett Ihler, Charlie Kendrick and Vicki and Steve Farrell, who own The Joint.

Rock Candy is giving away two pairs of tickets to see The Main Thing. They're valid for the shows on June 29-30 and July 6-7. All you have to do is send an email to robertbell@arktimes.com with your name and "MAIN THING TICKETS" in the subject line by 4 p.m. Thursday, June 28 and you'll be entered. The winners will be announced shortly thereafter and they can pick up their tickets at the Arkansas Times offices, located at 201 E. Markham St., Suite 200.

Usual disclaimers: No Arkansas Times employees past or present are eligible, don't sell the tickets and so forth.

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