Issue date: 1/27/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: Photo / Hattie Martin

The Agora, Conway's long time private conference center, has now opened to the public with festivities reminiscent of Little Rock establishments such as Vino's and Juanita's. With a major concert planned tonight along with a bar, dart room, and VIP room, the Agora is setting up to lead Conway's nightlife.

American Princes, Wooden Stares, and Coach are slated to christen the events tonight, Jan. 27. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and the festivities are open to those 18 and older and the cover charge is $10. Also, those partygoers who arrive before 9:00 p.m. will be entered into a drawing for a colored-screen iPod Nano to be given out later in the night. The small cover fee will be well worth the money, according to Hendrix senior and Agora Booking Agent and Special Events Manager John Gray, who also serves as the KHDX station manager.

"We'll have a full bar accepting both cash and credit/debit cards, along with mixed drink and beer specials," Gray said. "And, all the food is really cheap; it's all college-student prices."

The Agora is much more than a drinking establishment though, according to Gray.

"We're primarily a music venue. If you're a music lover, this will be a haven for you," Gray said. "Its size will allow us to have bigger bands than places such as Juanita's and Vino's; the only place bigger than us in the area is Alltel Arena."

The Edge, 100.3 FM, will be sponsoring a remote broadcast from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and they will be giving away free CD's, posters, and t-shirts to promote its opening.

The Agora, which according to their Web site has "been rocking central Arkansas since 2006," will begin to offer live music every Friday night. The Agora is a non-profit corporation with a private club permit that serves as a conference and special events venue. They are a full service center, and by that, they mean they take care of all the little details in coordinating and providing things such as a bar and catering services. Working with seniors John Gray and Alex Harmon of KHDX, Hendrix's radio station, Agora has booked both local and national talent to rock the live-music-starved residents of Conway and surrounding areas.

Next week, Apollo Sunshine, Margot & the Nuclear So & So's, and Tel Aviv will rock the building that is within walking distance of the Hendrix College campus. Along with sultry black and white photos on the poster advertising the event, most of these bands have flashy Web sites offering samples of their music so that you can try before you buy.

The "genre of choice" of Agora is stated to be indie rock, modern rock, and hip-hop, however they are open to other types of music as well, according to Gray. Though shows are only booked through March, the Agora hopes to continue booking bands as long as there is interest. In addition, their venue has the capacity to hold 1,200 people.

Since Agora currently holds a cherished liquor license, they are able to offer alcohol to those of legal age attending the shows. So anyone who likes to liven up their late night rock shows now has a great opportunity right here in town. The Agora Conference Center is located on Siebenmorgen, a short drive, or a medium walk away from campus. For more information go to www.myspace.com/theagora or www.agoraconferencecenter.com.

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