LITTLE ROCK – The City of Little Rock will host the first event in Art Porter Music Education Inc.’s 2023 Music Festival, “A Work of ART,” on Monday, July 31, at Little Rock City Hall.
 
The kick-off event to celebrate jazz and the legacy of Little Rock natives Art Porter Sr. and Art Porter Jr. begins at noon Monday in the City Hall rotunda, It will showcase live performances by talented students from the metro area. The Music Festival kick-off is free and open to the public.
 
This year’s Music Festival also includes:

• Tuesday, Aug. 1 at noon: Jazz on the River Plaza featuring M* inors in Music, River Market Pavilions, 400 President Clinton Ave.
• Wednesday, Aug. 2, 7 p.m.: Ronnie McBride, Ron Robinson Theater, 100 River Market Ave.
• Thursday, Aug. 3: 7 p.m.: Dr. Chelsey Green, The Rep, 601 Main St.
• Friday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m.: Porter Players Jam Session, AC Hotel, 201 W. Capitol Ave.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, 8 p.m.: Norman Brown, with a special performance by Lex Porter, Still Ballroom at the Robinson Center, 426 W. Markham St.

In addition to Monday’s City Hall event, the Tuesday and Friday performances are free. For tickets to the other events or for additional information, visit ArtPorter.org.
 
Proceeds from the 2023 Music Festival go to the APME scholarship fund.