With her short, spiky 'do and trademark red-frame glasses, Joann "JoJo" Sims is a recognizable figure across the Little Rock bar scene. The petite Filipino talks as fast as she can mix a drink, and she makes a living doing both at Cache Restaurant.
The self-proclaimed "hostess with the mostest" is the master of ceremonies two years running for Preserve Arkansas' 2016 Preservation Libations Master Mix-Off, set for 6-8 p.m. July 22 at the Albert Pike Masonic Center, 712 Scott St., Little Rock. The fundraiser is a bartending competition with a Prohibition-era theme and attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly.
Guests will sample the bartenders' inventive Prohibition-era cocktails and vote on a People's Choice Award. The bartenders will then serve updated versions of their favorite Prohibition-era libations for a panel of local judges.
This year's judges are Renee Shapiro of KATV, Channel 7; Jamie Brandon, president of Preserve Arkansas' board; Kramer Darragh of Darragh Co.; Becca Bona and Blaire Wallace of AY magazine; Phil Brandon of Rocktown Distillery; Spencer Jansen, formerly of the Capital Bar and Grill; and Steve Schuler of food blog Rock City Eats.
"These judges pretty much know their booze," Sims says.
But the stars of the event -- besides Sims -- are the bartenders: Summer Blake of Boulevard Bistro & Bar, Dillon Garcia of The Pizzeria @ Terry's, Merrick Fagan from Trio's, Sarrah Harrington from South on Main, Rob Armstrong of The Fold and Alejandro Fierro from Cache.
There were more bartenders at last year's inaugural event, and that proved too many, says Llahoma Jackson, Preserve Arkansas' part-time development director.
"We got some feedback from judges that eight was a bit much, so we scaled back [to six] this year," Jackson says.
During the event, Sims will be circulating among the bartenders and the crowds surrounding them, getting commentary and feedback that will be broadcast over a public address system. Getting her out into the mix is a new aspect; last year, Sims was stuck at a podium.
And anyone who knows Sims knows that pinning her down can be a chore. She works a room like a pro, moving to and fro as she gabs with friends and customers, often both.
Sims, now head waiter at Cache, is perhaps best known for her 18 years as a server, on both sides of the bar, at the Capital Bar and Grill.
"That was very instrumental in developing some knowledge of the products ... and of the people," she says. Rush Harding was a friend and customer of Sims', so when he opened Cache in 2013, she went to work for him down the street.
"It's all good from then," Sims says.
She and her husband, Ralph, moved to Little Rock from Bossier City, La., in 1992. Her first hospitality job here was for the former Excelsior Hotel, now the Little Rock Marriott. Sims was working at the hotel and got caught up in the sea of humanity and excitement of President Bill Clinton's first acceptance speech at the Old State House nearby.
"It was like, massive," she recalls. "It was an eye-opener, coming from a small town." By 1996, when Clinton was re-elected, she was at the Capital Bar and Grill.
Sims likes to rouse others into having a good time and promotes Little Rock as a party city. The one-time Shoney's waitress says she thought she was coming to Las Vegas when she saw Little Rock's tall buildings and expanding nightlife.
"Little Rock is not a podunk town," she explains. "We are progressing. There are so many hidden talents here.
"You come to Little Rock and we'll show you what we've got," she adds with sass.
General admission tickets to the Preservation Libations Master Mix-Off are $50 with a $5 discount for Preserve Arkansas members. VIP tickets are $75 with a $5 cut for members. Sponsorships start at $250. Tickets are capped at 300, and Jackson is hoping for a sellout.
VIP participants will gain entrance for an early happy hour, where they'll have the opportunity to mingle with the judges and bartenders. They'll also get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Masonic center -- an iconic downtown building listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Formerly known as the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, the 35-year-old Preserve Arkansas is the only statewide nonprofit focused on preserving Arkansas' architectural and cultural resources.
The venue dovetails nicely with Preserve Arkansas' mission, which is "to build stronger communities by reconnecting Arkansans to our heritage and empowering people to save and rehabilitate historic places," according to the organization's website.
Information and tickets can be found at Preserve Arkansas' website, preservearkansas.org, on the group's Facebook page or by calling (501) 372-4757.
High Profile on 07/10/2016