Celebrate Arkansas’ rich musical heritage, including a special tribute to Arkansas’ own Robert Palmer, a 1967 UALR alum and nationally acclaimed music critic, at the UALR Arkansongs Music Festival - a two-day festival of seminars and jazz and blues concerts on April 11-12, 2003. The festival takes its name from a KUAR FM 89 radio series Arkansongs by Stephen Koch that explores the state's myriad musical heritage that still influences musical genres today.

Friday’s line-up includes a tribute to Palmer with an overview of his life and contributions and a jazz concert with Sam Rivers, John Stubblefield, Walter Henderson, and the Tom Cox Trio. Saturday’s events include screenings and discussions of Palmer’s documentary “Deep Blues” and the musical “Hallelujah.” The festival ends Saturday with an outdoor concert from 4-10 p.m. at the Riverfest Amphitheater in downtown Little Rock. Performers include Michael Burks, CeDell Davis, Mulehead, Runaway Planet, Bug Tussle Boys, and the UALR Gospel Chorale.

All events are free and open to the public.