by guest blogger and sync writer spencer watson

I am officially one of the 1,300 coolest people in central Arkansas, as that is how everyone was greeted in the opening introduction of An Evening with David Sedaris last Sunday. The author’s visit was a fundraiser in support of the Arkansas Literary Festival, a project of the Central Arkansas Library System.
And I gotta admit, it was pretty cool to look around and think all these people showed up to hear a guy read rather than tune in to Sunday Night Football, and right here in Little Rock.
For my part, I had only recently started to bone up on Sedaris, listening to podcasts of his appearances on NPR. But around me I’d heard increasing mention of his name from friends and coworkers, all of whom highly recommended his books. The lecture itself, if it can be called such, was much more like the broadcasts, with selected reading from selected works with commentary interspersed between.
For example, he gave us the back story on a piece called “Author, Author?“ The title was a “how about” counter-suggestion and the question mark was accidentally included within the quotation marks — the title itself wasn’t supposed to be a question. It appeared in The New Yorker and recounts his practice of handing out gifts on tour, like giving condoms to teenagers. It also recounts a trip to buy those condoms in bulk at Costco, along with some strawberries. Just he and his brother-in-law. Reading it would put anyone in stitches, but hearing the author read it, infusing his timing, was priceless.
In addition to that, we got a look into the future, into a piece due out in an upcoming book that would be full of fables but for the author’s admitted lack of morals, “which really just makes them stories about animals.” This story as about a frog, a duck and a turtle in line at the airport — a piece in which the trio grow increasingly perturbed about the lack of customer service they’re getting and start envisioning increasingly gruesome ways to exact revenge upon the black snake ticket agent. And then it takes a subtle turn to social commentary, and the wit is stunning.
But while there was a lot to enjoy in the reading — which was all too short even though it lasted an hour — probably one of the most enjoyable parts of the evening was the question and answer session at the end. When asked about the most awkward moment he’s had recently, Sedaris didn’t miss a beat launching into a story about being in a hotel fire he at first ignored as a false alarm (ironic, he thought, considering his last book title) and his lack of sympathy for a woman he helped to get out. Asked for observations about Little Rock, he noted the most common words he saw on billboards driving in from Memphis: Jesus and catfish.
All in all, it was a great time, and I even came out of it with an autographed book. Endearingly, it’s not just a token autograph, but includes a unique little doodle of a turtle with an Abe Lincoln like head (I didn’t ask). In my friend Deb’s book, he wrote “I can’t spell credit card debt without you.” To her son Kyle he wrote “I’m glad you’re alive.”
That, ladies and gentlemen, is the mind of David Sedaris. And it is beautiful to behold.

The author of the Sookie Stackhouse series, on which HBO’s True Blood is based, an Arkansas native Charlaine Harris will make a stop in Little Rock for a lecture on Nov. 12. She’ll lecture at the Central Arkansas Library’s Main Branch in the Darragh Center at 6:30 p.m.

For reservations, call 918-3029 or email lblackwell@cals.org. More information can be found here on the Arkansas Literary Festival site.

A few Sync readers have made an amateur Ghostbusters video and sent the link for all of us to enjoy. So, now I’m sharing it with you.

It was filmed in Little Rock, Sherwood, and Jacksonville. While you’re watching, you can play ’spot the landmark.’

If the video won’t work for some reason, watch it here.

Just talked to Jana DeGeorge, the director of marketing at Verizon Arena.

She said she’s putting local articles written about Kris Allen and the Idols backstage for them to read. Aw, that’s nice. Thanks, Ms. DeGeorge. She also said the Sync interview with Mr. Allen, when he said waiting backstage for his turn to hit the stage was usually pretty boring, prompted the arena to buy a Wii, a Playstation 3 and games to entertain them. The new electronics will stay backstage for future acts that visit the arena.

You’re welcome, Miley.

Thursday (July 9) is Central Arkansas Transit Authority’s Ride the Bus to Work for Free Day. All day long central Arkansans can take the bus free of charge.

We have to admit CATA’s executive director Betty Wineland makes a compelling argument for taking them up on this offer.

“When you ride the bus, not only are you taking a step toward ‘green’ living, you’re also getting back part of your day for other activities.  While our drivers navigate rush hour traffic, our riders are working, listening to their iPods, making phone calls, reading, knitting, you name it,” Wineland said.  “Put simply, the CATA bus service is convenient, easy and cost-efficient, and you can use it seven days a week.” (She said that in a press release. I didn’t actually talk to her… She’s a busy woman.)

So, take advantage of this once-in-a-year opportunity on Thursday. And don’t forget your knitting!

by guest blogger and Tommy fan, Jennifer Godwin

As far as guitar-shredding rock operas go, The Who set the bar early and high with Tommy. The Rep saw fit to meet that bar with its boisterous, high-powered staging of Pete Townsend’s story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy who achieves pinball glory and a near-religious awakening.

Led by a golden, captivating Brian Hissong as the titular character, the ensemble cast never missed a beat, hitting (nearly) every wild note and mastering the demanding choreography.
Much credit for the rock and flow of the musical goes to the superb casting in the supporting roles. As Captain and Mrs. Walker, actors Brad Little and Amy Halldin create exquisite harmonies and palpable tension. Likewise, Ethan Paulini and Vincent D’Elia deftly play their tormentors (Cousin Kevin and Uncle Ernie, respectively) with just the right amount of subversive glee.
But it is the three Tommys at different ages who provide the show with its emotional center and driving force. As the 4-year-old Tommy who witnesses an act so disturbing that he shuts himself off to the world, Julia Landfair is a wide-eyed marvel. Ten-year-old Tommy is played with a delicate deftness by Henry Melhorn, whose moments with Hissong (the elder ego Tommy) make for some of the most moving of the show.
Hissong triumphs in his role as the adult Tommy. He commands your attention from the first moment he appears onstage. He makes us want to join his rebel yell in “I’m Free,” and shines in a giddy rendition of “Sensation.”
The second act, which has always seemed the weaker of the two, failed to match the intensity of the first. That’s probably because the first concludes with the Acid Queen, here played to perfection by Christina Sajous, who injected the part with a banshee junkie personality who quivers and quakes with salacious intent. This would be a good time to point out that parts of this production are decidedly not PG.
That said, the violence of the ending is toned down considerably from the movie version. The finale will still send a shiver down the spine, but not for the reasons you think.
The set by Mike Nichols is a sparse one: At first glance, it looks unfinished. But the versatility becomes obvious in the opening number — scaffoldings are meant for jumping off of, the lazy susan set piece obscures what we need not see, then turns to reveal a preacher, a judge, a rock star. Set pieces roll in and out without distracting from the narrative. Yes, pinball machines make multiple appearances, as do gigantic pinballs in one particularly high-spirited dance number.
Clever usage of still and video images superimposed on the back wall gives the audience a sense of the time and place, sometimes, quite literally.
There were some sound issues with the performance we went to; it was more rock concert than theater production at times (one could make the point that it was intentional, but try telling that to the woman next to me).
The Who’s Tommy continues at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock, through June 28. More information is available at www.therep. org or (501) 378-0405 or (855) 684-3737.

Call a designated driver who will arrive like a knight in shining armor on his tiny little motorbike, fold it up, put it into your trunk and drive your car home for you.

I know they do this overseas. I’ve seen it on Top Gear. (Though this clip is poorly edited, the show is fantastic. Big fan.)

And I’m fairly certain this service has been in the states for awhile… it works in bigger cities. But now, it’s here in Little Rock. The guy running the enterprise, Brad Williams, can’t take his motorbike onto the interstate because top speed is about 40 mph, so this service is out for me. But some of you who live in North Little Rock, Hillcrest, Heights, Quapaw, etc., could probably use it.

He says the cost is comparable to a taxi ride, but you get to have your car in the driveway the next morning. Contact him at (501) 765-5733. For best results, call him before you go out. Williams likes to have reservations, but says it’s not necessary.

And stay classy, Little Rock.

This is such a busy time of year. With fundraisers, outdoor events, rooftop parties, it’s enough to keep everyone’s social calendar full. This week has at least one special (non-concert) event that you might find interesting.

Friday:
One Night in Rio
Carnival comes to Little Rock — well, sort of — with this event put together by Cafe Bossa Nova. It will be held at the North Hills Country Club.
The event starts at 8:30 p.m. with a Brasil Cultural Workshop with dance and video.
From then on you can learn Brazilian dances like the Makulele, Axe, Samba and Capoeira. There will even be costumes. For the nondancers, there will be Brazilian drumming, finger foods and a cash bar. Tickets are $10. For more information, call Daniel at (501) 282-2281.
Cafe Bossa Nova is getting the word out to the local dance schools to help raise attendance. This party should be packed!

Kris Allen has won it all!
I’m amazed. I yelled in shock when it was announced and scared my poor 9-month-old out of his skin. It took forever to calm him down.
Apparently Arkansas sent 38 million of the world-record setting 100 million votes cast last night.
Wow.

Because my husband forgot to pay the cable bill, I didn’t get to watch the two-hour circus that preceded the announcement. But I did make a call to customer service (after he paid online) in time to see the last five minutes.
Thank God!
I didn’t want all that season watching to be for naught.
I love his quote: “I’m sorry, I don’t know what to feel right now.”
“All these guys. I’m not here…. Ugh, I don’t even know!”
And when he hugged his wife… aw…. that was the sweetest thing ever.

It’s a shame that “No Boundaries” song is so awful.

My first thought when I see Kris Allen is … poor thing. I mean, I think it’s difficult for him to deal with all of this. And watching his family backstage before his show in Little Rock, Lauren Clark said his mother just looked worried the whole time.
I would be, too.

Mass hysteria. Over her son. Who knows what could happen?
But all paranoia aside, the show went quite well. I managed to take a few pictures when I wasn’t melting onto my camera in the muggy afternoon heat.
He sang three songs that he has performed on the show, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Falling Slowly” and “She Works Hard for the Money.”
All were well received, of course.
It was also revealed that “Apologize” by One Republic will be the song Allen sings next week on Idol. (No word on whether or not Timbaland will be there to sing the “eh”s in the background.)

Oh, and he was given the keys to the cities of Jacksonville and Little Rock. And today is now officially Kris Allen Day in Little Rock.
Before the concert, that was proclaimed by Michael Keck with an official reference to the city of Little Rock’s affinity for eating ice for lunch. Yeah, they went there. (Full text of the proclamation is below.)
Actually, Simon Cowell would have had plenty of opportunities to roll his eyes at the number of ice-eating references that went on here in Arkansas.

You’ve made us all so very indignant, Mr. Cowell.
I hope you’re happy.

update:
The unofficial text from the Kris Allen Day proclamation: (Read today at the Riverfest Amphitheatre before the concert)

Know Ye All People
By These Presents
Greetings:
WHEREAS, Kristopher Neil “Kris” Allen is a native of Central Arkansas having grown up in Jacksonville and attended the University of Central Arkansas, and
WHEREAS, at an early age Kris discovered he had a musical talent for singing, and taught himself to play guitar at age 13 (and is also proficient with the piano, viola, and ukulele, and in 2007, Kris self-produced an album Brand New Shoes with college friends and bandmates Michael Holmes on drums and Chase Erwin on bass, and
WHEREAS, Kris also has shared his musical gifts as worship leader at New Life Church and the Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at UCA and has done missionary work around the world, including Burma, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Spain, and Thailand, and
WHEREAS, Kris auditioned for the eighth season of American Idol in Louisville, Kentucky, and was selected to become a semi-finalist and finalist, and
WHEREAS, Kris has consistently impressed the judges and fans of American Idol with his performances of songs including “A Song for You,” “I Want You Back,” “Everything,” “Man in the Mirror,” “Remember the Time,” “To Make You Feel My Love,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You),” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “All She Wants to Do Is Dance,” “Falling Slowly,” “She Works Hard for the Money,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Renegade,” and “Come Together,” and
WHEREAS, Kris has shown he is a man of character, faith, talent, and humility, traits that he has shown for years to his friends and family including his new wife Katy, and
WHEREAS, Kris is one of the final three contestants on American Idol Season 8 and has come home to Central Arkansas to share his talents with his legions of Metro Little Rock fans.
NOW, BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED, that I, Mark Stodola, Mayor of the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, do hereby declare Friday, May 8, 2009, as
“Kris Allen Day”
in the City of Little Rock and urge the citizens of Little Rock to join me in celebrating his talents and representation of Central Arkansas.