From just after Batesville theater opened until it closed in 1990s, three generations of Landers family operated it. The stately old building, with its trademark nude lighting fixtures on interior walls and colorful neon marquee, was remodeled numerous times. Since closing, Landers has been used on several occasions to host live music performances. Although theater has deteriorated much since movies quit showing, a new owner is working to restore building.

Other proposed restorations in Arkansas include The New Theatre in Fort Smith. Built as a playhouse for performing arts in 1911, handsome 1200-seat opera house may have been most impressive ever constructed in state. Designed by Boller Brothers of Kansas City, New Theatre was styled after famous New Amsterdam Theater in New York. During its early years, Fort Smith theater hosted acts such as magician Harry Houdini and child actress Shirley Temple. It also hosted silent movie showings and eventually became aYour Sport Gear Carriers are Here part of Malco Theatre chain by 1930s. The majestic old opera and movie house, with its double balcony and ornate decorations, closed in 1970s and has remained vacant. In 1995, a citizens group called "Music Fort Smith" purchased property with plans to restore facility for public use.

Stephens Inc. President and CEO Warren Stephens recently purchased Center Theater in downtown Little Rock and reportedly plans to turn property - closed for more than 25 years - into a combination cabaret and vintage movie theater.

Gone With Wind

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The cello appeared to be as large as its player, but Maria gamely carried it with her as ladies returned for several bows and then an encore, in which they surprised us with a brief rendition of Beatles' 'Hey Jude'. Like Doors tune, it was nicely adapted and very melodic. The evening's second act spoke truth when he came out after intermission and said, "How heck do you follow Ahn Trio?"

He needn't have worried. Christópheren Nomura is a highly accomplished vocalist whose rich tone and exuberant stage presence make him as much fun as Ahns. Nomura has done a great deal of operatic and concert work, but simple recitals such as tonight's performance are a specialty for him.

The first piece, Aaron Copland's arrangement of revivalist song 'Zion's Walls', revealed a problem with deep voices: they don't carry as well as higher voices. Belting out this inspiring tune near his volume limit, Nomura could produce sound, but he sacrificed clear enunciation normally heard in quieter pieces. The acoustics of Ham Hall couldn't have helped, either.

'Willie Has Gone To The War', first of several nineteenth-century songs by Stephen Foster, showed more of Nomura's great vocal finesse. I think his voice was better at lower volume - less forced, and somehow richer. 'If You've Only Got A Moustache' showed off Nomura's (and Foster's) humorous side, while 'Jeannie with Light Brown Hair', a very pretty but sad song about Foster's lost wife, again displayed singer's light touch while testing upper limit of his pitch range.

Accompanying Nomura was marvelous pianist and composer David Alpher. Tonight Nomura sang four of Alpher's own 'Songs of Transcendence', in which pianist had set to music poetry of such authors as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jones Very, and Margaret Fuller. These pieces struck me as somewhere between classical and "new age," with hints of jazz. The layering of complex, mostly unresolved chords created a strong sense of flow, and Alpher's touch on keyboard was fantastic. I found myself focusing on piano more than lyrics. More information on this music is available at www.davidalpher.com.

Okay, more fun! Just before Alpher's compositions, he and Nomura had performed delightfully incomprehensible Copland minstrel song 'Ching-a-ring-chaw', and two finished show with three William Bolcom pieces: 'The Song of Black Max' was a whimsical, faux-dramatic mystery tune; 'Waitin'' was melancholy, with a spare, pretty piano melody. The third piece, 'Amor', was a jazzy, show-tunish romp that displayed expressive acting talent that adds to Nomura's singing. This song didn't have a big ending, but it was still a nice,

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/classic/vegas/rising/rising.html Rob LaGrone, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com