El Dorado Visitor Guide 2023 - 8

Maestro Kermit Poling is fulfilling his
28th year as music director of the
South Arkansas Symphony.
E
ntertainment is the name
of the game in El Dorado.
With a long and rich history
in the arts, El Dorado offers
an array of options for arts
and entertainment that are not often
found in towns this size. The cultural
scene is diverse with a multitude of
eclectic offerings, making El Dorado the
cultural hub of south Arkansas. From
the rich tradition of the South Arkansas
Symphony Orchestra to the creative
presentations of the South Arkansas
Arts Center to the variety of talent at the
Murphy Arts District, there is always
something on tap to tempt your artistic
side.
The Murphy Arts District (MAD)
is the newest jewel in El Dorado's
entertainment crown. Completed in
2017, this multi-million-dollar arts
and entertainment venue does not
disappoint. The six-block district sits
steps away from our historic downtown
square, and utilizes beautifully restored
historic buildings to house state-of-theart
facilities. An outdoor amphitheater
with a capacity for 8,000 has hosted
concerts by Brad Paisley, Newsboys,
Smokey Robinson, and ZZ Top, just to
name a few. The venue is also host to
movie nights, festivals, and a seasonal
farmer's market. The 2,500-person
capacity First Financial Music Hall
resides in the beautifully restored former
Griffin Auto building. This venue plays
host to concerts, stage productions,
comedians, and is available for private
events. MAD's schedule of events is
updated regularly. Check out www.
eldomad.com for the latest happenings.
8 El Dorado Insider
Murphy Arts District, 101 E. Locust St.
Opened in 1964, the South Arkansas
Arts Center (SAAC) is the heart
of El Dorado and South Arkansas'
artistic community. SAAC is a complete
visual and performing arts center that
includes three gallery spaces and a
207-seat theater. They host monthly
rotating visual arts exhibitions and
locally produced community theater
productions throughout the year.
Traveling and local artists regularly
present special studio workshops
and performances. SAAC is currently
undergoing an expansion, but, as they
say, " the show must go on, " so the Arts
Center will be open throughout the
project with patrons using an alternate
entryway. South Arkansas Arts Center,
110 E. Fifth St., www.saac-arts.org
One of the first orchestras in Arkansas,
MAD is home to a number of
performers throughout the year.
the South Arkansas Symphony
Orchestra is now the oldest in the
state. Founded in 1956, the current
70-member group of professional
musicians is the largest performing arts
http://www.saac-arts.org http://www.eldomad.com http://www.eldomad.com
El Dorado Visitor Guide 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of El Dorado Visitor Guide 2023
