Page 6 - Explore Faulkner County 2020

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2020
ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE RIVER VALLEY & OZARK EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE • EXPLORE FAULKNER COUNTY
MEET
YOUR NEIGHBOR
Leo Cummings III
DIRECTOR OF SALES
CONWAY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
WHERE WOULD YOU TAKE A FIRST-TIME VISITOR TO CONWAY? Downtown! We have such a vibrant and fun downtown. The visitor would see some unique shops, restaurants and art that we have there. A vibrant downtown is often an indicator of a great place to live and visit, and we definitely have that to offer.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL EVENTS? Toad Suck Daze is the top of the list for me. Over my years in Conway, it’s been fun to watch this event grow to the largest free festival in the state. [A performance by
the] Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre is another event that I always look to attend. It’s a great opportunity to see a professional production featuring talent from the community. Watching the University of Central Arkansas football team play on the stripes is also a must-see.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN CONWAY CHANGE IN RECENT YEARS? Growing
up in Conway, I feel like I can appreciate the changes more than most. The past few years have brought a variety of places to shop and
eat. More importantly, we’ve seen locally owned restaurants, event spaces and stores open and do well here. Changes in roads (we love our roundabouts) and building standards have changed to make Conway better from a logistical and aesthetic perspective.
WHAT LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS MAKE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE OF CONWAY? I’m very excited about the Markham Street projects and all that will bring to the downtown area. I grew up not far from there, so it’s very special to me and close to my heart. Connecting Hendrix to downtown is great, but it’s just the beginning. The park, amphitheater and honoring the community which they inhabit are what really excite me. This project will give some much-needed life to the area.
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Members of the Conway Men’s Chorus practice weekly to prepare for the group’s spring and winter performances.
HITTING THE
HIGH NOTES
Groups in Faulkner County share love of music with community
BY CODY GRAVES / CREATIVE SERVICES WRITER With rousing arrangements, emotional
movements and climactic orchestration, music can be a comfort to people.
For the folks who call Faulkner County home, there are many great ways to hear live music that is performed in a profes- sional setting. ese music groups not only put on a variety of performances each year; they also welcome members of the community who are looking for a creative outlet.
e following are just a few of the many groups that perform in the area.
CONWAY MEN’S CHORUS
With the vision of having 100 men sing- ing onstage, the Conway Men’s Chorus was created in the fall of 1998. State Rep. Tom Courtway had the idea for the group, and while it hasn’t quite achieved the full 100- men group, more than 250 men have been a part of the chorus, said Mike McCullars, board president.
e group is open to any man who wants to join, and members are not required to live in Faulkner County to participate. e group performs a variety of selections, including barbershop, country, classical
and rock. e chorus even performed the Queen classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
“Frankly, if I humbly say, we nailed that one,” McCullars said.
e group typically rehearses once a week in the fall and spring to prepare for its annual spring and Christmas concerts. For more information, visit www.conway menschorus.com.
CONWAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
With a mission of providing high-quality classical music, the Conway Symphony
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