admin posted on July 26, 2011 12:02
Little Rock, AR – Jazz fans anxious to get their fill of the much anticipated Porter’s Jazz Café, 315 Main Street in LITTLE Rock, will be thrilled to know the one-of-a-kind venue is just days away from welcoming its first guests. The finishing touches are being put on the bi-level Jazz Cafe in preparation for a spectacular and memorable grand opening, which will coincide with a private commemorative 50th birthday party honoring the late saxophonist Art Porter, Jr., Wednesday, August 3, 2011, featuring Alex Bugnon.
The ambiance will be like none other in Arkansas, according to co-owner Marcell Dean. “My business partners and I traveled throughout the country searching for décor and memorabilia that would elevate the night-life scene in Central Arkansas and provide guests with an experience they will not get anywhere else,” said Dean.
Guests will be transported back in time the minute they step foot into Porter’s. The elegantly decorated foyer has been named “Lena’s Corner” in honor of the late jazz singer and pioneer Lena Horne, known for her sultry rendition of “Stormy Weather.” Horne died in May of 2010 but Porter’s will pay lasting tribute to her memory with a Rococo gilt metal and glass chandelier purchased from her estate for display in “Lena’s Corner.”
A little known fact is that Horne had an Arkansas connection; she played for the troops during World War II at an army base in Little Rock where she refused to perform for segregated audiences.
Also significant to the introduction of Porter’s are the noteworthy contributions of up-and-coming local artist, Kelly Furr. Furr’s unheralded talent will be showcased above the basement bar. Furr has been commissioned by the owners of Porter’s to create a jewel of a painting, a 5 x 15 depiction of three of the Jazz Café’s namesakes: Art Porters Sr. and Jr. along with Cole Porter.
“As an artist, two factors come into play when I paint, passion and scale. I love to make large scale work while realizing that the details, such as the glimmer in an eye, can make all the difference. From day one, I could tell everyone working on Porter’s was the same way, they loved what they did, believed in it and were going to make their huge vision come to life,”said Furr. “I wanted to be involved, and after I saw the photographs of the artists and sketched their images, I knew I had to be.”
You will soon be able to check out the Porter’s Jazz Café website for delectable menu offerings featuring American Cuisine with a southern flair. Taste buds will be tempted with the likes of Sevier County “paper bag shook” buttermilk soaked pan-fried chicken with dusted and fruited waffles or Fall-off-the-Bone Short Ribs that are Coca Cola braised, served with Forrest City Greens and whipped potatoes. The dining experience will be topped off with a Porter House Sundae - creamy vanilla ice cream with graham cracker crumbles, topped with a brandy soaked cherry and drizzled with Port Wine.
Porter’s Jazz Café will provide a seven-day-a-week upscale dining experience with nightly performances by the Porter’s House Band and will eventually feature live lunch-hour jazz. Hours of operation, entertainment schedule and more about Porter’s VIP services will soon be posted on
portersjazzcafe.com. “Like” us on FACEBOOK and follow us on TWITTER.
Subtitle: One-of-a-kind venue