Soirée

Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Berenice Bejo, Octavia Spencer

The Academy Awards coming up on Feb. 26 and The Daily Beast’s Ramin Setoodeh and Rolling Stone film critic Peter Travers have predicted who will win the top categories. Their selections and predicitions might surprise you...the talented Meryl Streep might, in fact, go home empty handed...and what about George Clooney's "The Descendants"...well you'll just have to read the article here to find out.

For our purposes though...we want to know who you think will take home an Oscar at this year's Academy Awards.

Any category. Any person. Any film ... we want to know who you're rooting for to win in this year's Academy Awards competition! Leave a comment below. Let's get the conversation started.

Here is the list of "big" cateogries and the nominees:

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Demian Bichir, George Clooney, Jean Dujardin, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams

Best Picture: The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, War Horse

Best Director: The Artist, The Descendants, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, The Tree of Life

For a complete list of the nominees visit here.

Image by Lance Turner

Mandy Richardson talks with Today's THV's Ashley Blackstone about the new issue of Little Rock Soirèe magazine.

Check out Soiree associate publisher, Mandy Richardson, as she shares with Today's THV This Morning what's new in the 2012 February issue of Soiree.

Barbara/Jean Ltd. will be hosting Lourdes Chavez 2012 spring/summer collection today Wednesday, Feb. 8; Chavez presents fresh and elegant spring/summer looks. Also, on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 9 and 10 Barbara/Jean will be hosting jewelrey designs by Tia Mia.

Barbara/Jean is located at 7811 Cantrell Road. Call 501.227.0054 for more information or visit their website here.

Also this week, B. Barnett will host the Cole Haan Spring 2012 trunk show. Head out to the Pavilion in the Park at 8201 Cantrell Road to see fabulous spring looks. Call 501.223.2514 or visit their website here.

We love to keep you updated on local trunk shows and sales. Check back with us soon, we wouldn't want you to miss a great show! Happy shopping.

The Arkansas Arts Center celebrated the opening of the 54th annual Delta Exhibition Jan. 26 with a reception and a surprise dance mob: 

The Delta Exhibition showcases contemporary works by artists from Arkansas and its bordering states. A juried exhibition, the Delta encompasses work in all media and reflects the region's strong tradition of craftsmanship and observation. Exhibit runs through Wednesday, March 28.

For more information visit www.ArkArts.com. 

Neil Young on the cover of Rolling Stones

A note from a friend arrived in the mail on Saturday; it reminded me that this time of the year can be tricky for those who have had a spouse die, and the date of the death is coming up.

A recent newspaper article about Neil Young drew me in. Young and Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) have collaborated on a new concert film, Neil Young Journeys, that played Saturday at Slamdance Film Festival, a rival showcase to Sundance.

My late husband, James Groves, loved Neil Young and that reminded me of our road trips, blasting music and having great fun.

I moved on and noticed another article I was interested in, Sharon La Cruise’s feature-length documentary on Daisy Gatson Bates: First Lady of Little Rock. I was reminded that James worked with La Cruise on this project, and told me all about it.

The documentary premieres on the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens at 9 p.m. Feb. 2.

Last week James’ sister reminded me that Fort Chaffee was getting ready for an exhibit of the Cuban riot that happened in 1980. James, who was working for the Fort Smith newspaper, was at the site just at the right time and one particular photo of rioting Cubans made it around the world. James got the confidence to branch out for a multitude of projects.

And wouldn’t you know it, when I got in the car this morning Neil Young was singing “…vDon’t let it bring you down, it’s only castles burning, find someone who’s turning and you will come around.”

I don't know how these things come in droves. But they do.

The Blue Man Group at Robinson Center Music Hall.

Little Rock Soiree is giving away three sets of tickets (four tickets for each winner) to see Blue Man Group at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 at Robinson Center Music Hall, Markham and Broadway, Little Rock.

To enter, send an e-mail to Info@LittleRockSoiree.com with "Blue Man Group" in the subject line. Include your name and a phone number in the body of the e-mail.

Entry deadline is Feb. 3. The three winners will be notified via e-mail Feb. 3. One entry per e-mail, please. 

The New York Times says Blue Man Group, known for a combination of comedy, music and technology, is “one of the most delightful performance pieces ever staged.” 

Performances continue at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 1 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. Tickets are $27-$57. 

For info and tickets: www.CelebrityAttractions.com.

Kathryn Greenly

Designer and author Kathryn Greeley is coming to Little Rock in celebration of the launch of her new stationery line produced by Arkansas' own SanLori. The designer will be a part of two separate events hosted by several local businesses over the next week.

The first event is a book signing and stationery launch with Kathryn Greeley from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Cobblestone & Vine in Pleasant Ridge Town Center.

She will be signing copies of her new book, The Collected Tabletop, and will celebrate the launch of her new stationery line, The Chestnut Cottage, which was created by SanLori.

Greenly will also host a guided antique tour from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Stops include Morris Antiques, I-40 Antique Mall and Cobblestone & Vine. Participants will not only get the benefit of browsing with Kathryn’s well-trained eye, but they will also receive a signed copy of Kathryn’s new book The Collected Tabletop and will lunch at Charlotte’s Eats & Sweets.

The cost is $100 per person. To sign up e-mail Brooke Wallace: Brooke@TobiFairley.com

Greenly's work spans from the mountains to the coast of North Carolina and across the Southeast. Greeley, owner of Kathryn Greeley Designs, recently celebrated 30 years in the design industry. She is pleased to have been creating and designing for so long.

"Her timeless and classic interiors and expert knowledge of antiques and hard to find collectibles, sets her apart as a major taste-maker in the design and entertaining industries. Kathryn developed her sense of style from extensive training, experience and travel, which led to her design philosophy of “collected, not decorated”." *from KathrynGreeleyDesigns.com

Gallery by Lindsay Irvin

Museum of Discovery Grand Re-Opening

The Museum of Discovery held a grand re-opening Friday, January 13 including a presentation honoring donors, MOD board members, Mayor Mark Stodola and Gov. Mike Beebe for their contributions and support to the museum. Media and guests were able to tour the facility and play with over 80 new exhibits!

We are excited for the museum and their chance to show off the renovated facility. MOD is a jewel to Little Rock and an asset to our state.

Congratulations MOD on a fabulous re-opening and your fabulous new museum.