Music Fills our Hot Springs Air

            Hot Springs has incredible music and venues throughout the year, and one of the finest examples of great music is the Hot Springs Music Festival now in its 19^th season. This great Festival brings together seasoned professionals from around the world paired with especially talented international pre-professional musicians. The Festival provides high-quality music performances June 1-14 in different venues.

            This Festival is a first of its kind in concept and in execution with more than 200 international musicians from major orchestras, chamber ensembles and conservatory faculties sharing their talents with young musicians and audiences in Hot Springs. The musicians perform in orchestral, chamber, solo recital, vocal, choral and chamber opera repertoire.

            The Festival takes place in non-traditional venues in a casual atmosphere including historic buildings, art galleries, hotel ballrooms, churches and open air spaces. Musicians and audience members mingle in the Downtown Historic District in restaurants and cafes before and after concerts. They also enjoy the National Park’s trails and relax in the hot mineral water baths.

            So if you think you would enjoy great music from international musicians at very reasonable prices, make plans to spend some time at the Hot Springs Music Festival beginning June 1 opening night at the Arlington Hotel. For more information and ticket prices go to www.hotmusic.org.

            Before the Music Festival begins June 1, the Hot Springs Blues Society benefits from the Hot Springs Craft Beer Festival 6-9 p.m. May 31 at Hill Wheatley Plaza for craft beer, great food and prizes.

            There are numerous varied and creative music venues throughout the year in Hot Springs with so many very talented musicians. If you’re coming for part or all of the Festival, we’d also love to have you come check out Diamondhead Resort Community on beautiful Lake Catherine about 15 miles outside of town. We enjoy a relaxed, safe, gated community with a beautiful golf course, Olympic-size swimming pool and all the amenities of lake living. For more information on Diamondhead or a tour of the area, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310. We look forward to hearing from you and showing you our little piece of paradise in Hot Springs.

Fun Raiser and Fundraiser in Hot Springs this Weekend

             The Stueart Pennington Running of the Tubs is an annual Hot Springs event that is loaded with fun and lots of laughs. Sounds a little bit strange, but the event involves costumed teams in authentic bathtubs with wheels racing down the street. The teams aren’t the only ones having fun, the audience gets in the spirit by bringing water guns; wearing house slippers, shower caps and bathrobes. I think it’s a little bathroom humor, so to speak.

            The Running of the Tubs takes place at 9:30 a.m. May 17 in Historic Downtown Hot Springs on Bathhouse Row near the Paddock Area at the Exchange Street Parking Plaza. Before the races there is a Parade of Tubs at 9 a.m. and then an awards ceremony after the race. Also, The Ohio Club on Central Ave. sponsors a Pre-Race Breakfast with $2.50 Bloody Marys and $2.50 omelets from 8 a.m. until noon. This is another Hot Springs original event I don’t want to miss. For more information, call 501.321.2277.

            To alleviate some of the financial burdens from the recent Arkansas tornadoes near Hot Springs, a fundraiser is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon, May 18, at the Arlington Hotel. The Stardust Big Band and the Hotel are partnering at an event with a big band and dancing. Central Arkansas dance instructors will bring their student to dance to the live big band arrangements. Seating is Cabaret style and reservations are not required. All proceeds from the event will be donated to help the tornado victims’ recovery efforts. For more information call 501.767.5482.

            We have a weekend of fun times scheduled for Hot Springs. We hope you’ll make plans to come to one or both events. We’d also like to encourage you to come out to Diamondhead Resort Community this weekend to take a look at the fun place we call home with a great golf course, gorgeous Lake Catherine, beautiful homes and available lots, Olympic-size pool soon to open for the summer, and the very best neighbors you can imagine. Give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310 and we’ll arrange a time to show you around and give you information on a fantastic place to call home in Hot Springs.