Local Live at South On Main by Landers Fiat--Amy Garland

First of all I am sorry I didn't post this sooner but the latter part of last week was crazy!  When I write these blog posts I like to sit down and have some coffee or pour a drink, listen to some music, and get in the vibe of what the event was like.  That is hard to do with live music because it is so organic and it is a combination of the performers, the audience, the clinking of the glasses, etc.  So other than taking my laptop and doing it right on the spot I have to have my own process I suppose. 

Let me just say that Wednesday October 23rd was a really good night at South On Main.  One of my favorites in the Local Live series sponsored by Landers Fiat and Oxford American, I had the opportunity to listen to Amy Garland.  And to Adam with Landers Fiat, "Thank you so much for your kind comments on the blog.  You are very welcome.  And thank you for providing an opportunity for us in Little Rock to be exposed to these great artists."  I try to not have to many preconceived ideas about the performers beforehand.  I like to know maybe what genre of music I am going to be hearing but that is about it.  That way I can go and "meet" them for the first time.  It is a blind date of sorts, without all of the pre-date Facebook background check that people might do.  My mind is a blank canvass for the artists to work on.  Amy Garland was a real joy to watch and listen to.  Maybe it is just me and it is the type of music I like to listen to, drink to, and if I was like one couple I noticed I would even dance to.  In a message that I sent to her I said her sound was like that of Bonnie Raitt and that means she is badass!  Yes I said that so just go ahead and gasp "oh my he said a bad word." 

I am not going to sit here and write a review on the music or rehash what has already been written about Amy Garland.  Just know she's a genuine musician, likes to drink red wine (atta girl), and if you'd been there you'd know why I had such a great time listening to her and the musicians there to back her up.  And yeah they rocked it out too!  I am not a music critic but I know what my toe likes to tap to and if my head and neck are moving to it then its all good. 

So I encourage you to take a Wednesday night and go to Local Live at South On Main. 

All photography rights shared by Brian Kelley/Imagine Photography

Stand with Tippi McCullough and her wife Barb Mariani in Little Rock--At South On Main

You may or may not be aware that recently Tippi McCullough, a long serving teacher at Little Rock's Mount St Mary Academy a Catholic girls school, lost her job over a violation of the school's morals clause.  What did she do?  She legally married her partner of 14 years, Barb Mariani, in a civil ceremony in New Mexico.  Yes, you read that correctly.  She LEGALLY married her partner of 14 YEARS.  A partner that the staff and administration of the school knew about.  To top it off she was fired in a phone call less than an hour after the ceremony that legally joined she and her partner.  What does this morals clause cover?  Marriage?  No.  It states that teachers must live a life that is in keeping with the teachings of the Catholic church.  Have their been any firings of teachers that used birth control or got a divorce?  None that I could find in a google search. 

Ok so yeah I am pretty disgusted by this whole thing.  I tend to keep posts on this blog to my love for ice cream, vintage items, locally grown food, and things related to events in SoMa.  So why this, why blog about this?  Well today there was a press conference at South On Main about the firing and Chad Griffin the president of the Human Rights Campaign was there to speak as well.  I was just going to go as a concerned citizen and support them as they go through this.  But I wanted to share the event in this way so that anyone that might read about it and was unaware could know that in October 2013 people can get fired for legally marrying the person they have been emotionally committed to for 14 years.  The place was jam packed with press, family, friends, and supporters.  It gave me warm fuzzies on top of warm fuzzies to see the community come together to support Tippi
and Barb. 

Packed house at South On Main for the press conference



left to right--Barb Mariani, Tippi McCullough, Gillian, and HRC President Chad Griffin

 

 Tippi McCullough

 

 Barb Mariani

 

 Gillian speaks of her support for her former teacher

 

Former students at the school address the news conference 

 

 Former students at the school address the news conference 

 

 

I don't like the hypocrisy of the whole thing.  She loses her job but no teachers are getting fired for using birth control.  They already knew about her partner.  They fired her on what should have been a happy and beautiful day for her, perhaps the most joyous day of her life.  People have used religion to enforce racial inequality and segregation and to support not allowing women the right to vote.  I wonder how popular Mount St Mary's would be if it fired teachers that voted or denied employment or enrollment to African Americans.  But society has seen the error of its ways on those issues. 

There are some things about today that give me faith in the human race though and encourage me that things are heading in the right direction for our society.  On the stage today a 15 year old sophomore at the school named Gillian spoke about how when she learned about the Civil Rights movement in school that she thought to herself that had she been alive then that she would have been on the right side of history and today she can be by supporting her former teacher.  This girl started a campaign at the school to support Tippi.  How completely honored I was to meet the girl and her mother who was "very proud of her."  Indeed that is a young lady to be very proud of.  See, you don't have to be an adult or gay or lesbian to see this issue as a civil rights issue.  She wasn't alone either.  Several former students spoke in their support of Tippi McCullough. 

Supporter speaks to Tippi after the press conference

 





You can show your support by making a contribution to the HRC or contacting your Congressman to voice your support of ENDA, the Employment Non Discrimination Act which would prevent people from getting fired for their sexual orientation.  Or if you have the chance to meet either of the ladies just tell them you support them.  I shared my support with Tippi and it felt like I was able to lighten the load on their shoulders just a little bit.

All photo rights shared by Brian Kelley/Imagine Photography

Local Live at South On Main by Landers Fiat--Rodney Block

 

I was looking forward to tonight's show with Rodney Block and knew time would be tight as I had a commitment at 8:00 and the shows start at 7:30.  I figured just enough time to get some images hear a few songs and get some great content to share.  Sadly by 7:41 when not a soul was on stage I knew that I wouldn't have time to cover the event and make my 8:00 commitment, so I left without as much as one note.  Maybe they were just being fashionably late?  So anyone care to tell me what I missed?

Here is hoping that next week with Amy Garland will go off without a hitch!

Local Live at South On Main by Landers Fiat--Walter Henderson Group

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday October 2nd was the second installment in the Oxford American, South on Main, Landers Fiat program Local Live.  This time around it was Little Rock trumpeter Walter Henderson and the Walter Henderson Group.  This was a night of great jazz music coming from a man who is the real deal.  Not alone on the stage he was backed up by some great local musicians joining in and putting on a great show. 

 

 

 

This is such a wonderful opportunity for people in Little Rock to see a spectrum of artists, each incredible in their own right, performing in such a wonderful venue.  If you enjoy live music in an environment where you can get a good drink, great local food, and not in a smoky bar then this is the venue for you.  I know, I know you would think the music wouldn't sound very good without cigarette smoke hanging in the air for that blues or jazz feel but ya know what that is one of the draws for me. 



 

 

Reservations for the events are encouraged but there is no cover charge.

All photography rights shared by Brian Kelley/Imagine Photography