Music, markets, Shakespeare, extraterrestrials — just another summer weekend in the metro. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, July 11
River Market Live at the River Market Pavilions // Get into the groove, downtown. After a celebrated debut last summer, this concert series brings free concerts to the River Market crowds. Up next are Marybeth Byrd and Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces, not to mention food and drinks for sale. Showtime is 6 p.m. Learn more here.
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Summer Speaker Series at Sixth House Studio // This season, the downtown yoga studio is welcoming local wellness pros covering a variety of topics. Up next is “Tackling Chronic Disease with Plants” with Stephanie Spencer. The session includes a Q&A and plant-focused eats from Flora Jean’s. It starts at 6:15 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday, July 12
2nd Friday Art Night in Downtown Little Rock // It’s 2FAN time, aka the monthly lineup of downtown businesses opening their doors for after-hours artistic fun. Highlights this month include the annual Hop-Off brewing competition at the Historic Arkansas Museum, art vendors at the CALS Rock It! Lab, an exhibit opening with Art Meripol at the Old State House Museum and a cookbook and recipe swap at Bella Vita. 2FAN runs 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Arkansas-Only Farmers Night Market at the St. Joseph Farm Stand // The flavors don’t get much more local than this. The St. Joseph Center of Arkansas is bringing back its night market with an evening dedicated to the producers of items sold right from the farm stand. Come shop the freshness and don’t skip the beer shed, food trucks and live music. Be there 5-9 p.m. Learn more here.
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Saturday, July 13
Seventh Birthday Celebration at Nexus Coffee & Creative // We’ll raise a cup of joe to that. Tasty drinks, sweet treats, local artisans, live music and ’90s vibes are all part of the downtown coffee shop’s celebrations. Get in on the fun all day from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
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Pocket Park Pop-Up at the Main Street Pocket Park // Another outdoor market in LR? Don’t mind if we do. This weekend brings the return of the monthly pop-up, and it promises tons of artists, vintage pieces and local goodness. Come shop 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Second Saturdays Open Studios at Park Plaza Mall // A mall may seem an unlikely place to take in high-quality art, but Zero Empty Spaces has changed that. The movement helps growing artists set up studios in, well, empty spaces in cities across the country. This monthly open house gives guests a chance to explore and find a new favorite local artist. Stop by noon – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
East Village Art Market at The Rail Yard // You can’t keep us away for long, Sixth Street. This monthly market invites guests to “sip, shop and stay a while,” which will be no problem thanks to the lineup of artists, creatives and menu specials — this time with a carnival theme and later hours to beat the heat. Stop by 4-9 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: And if that’s still not enough nostalgia for you, check out the Arkansas Retro Expo.
Discover Trust Tree at the Museum of Discovery // After a summer of rocking out, this nonprofit music and art camp is celebrating in rad style. Come support and learn more about Trust Tree while enjoying performances from campers, eats, drinks, family-friendly activities and more. It starts at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Thursday – Saturday, July 11-13
CALS Used Book Sale at 7773 Sloane Drive // Time to make a dent in that summer reading list. With the Main Library undergoing extensive renovations, the CALS temporary offices in the Port Industrial Hub are now full of gently read books, and for the pocket change price tag, they are calling your name. Friends of Central Arkansas Libraries (FOCAL) members can get in early on Thursday from 3-5 p.m. For everyone else, sale hours are 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Pro tip: Bring a backpack. Or maybe a U-Haul. Learn more here.
Friday & Saturday, July 12 & 13
“Henry V” at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // It’s always good to see the bard. This joint production from Shake on the Lake and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (which is currently in transition to become an independent organization outside of UCA) brings one of history’s most iconic works to life in the AMFA’s glass box theater. Catch the show at 6:30 p.m. Friday or 2 p.m. Saturday. Learn more here.
Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the CALS theater in the River Market. Up first is “E.T. the Extraterrestrial” on Thursday, then “The Mummy” on Friday. Showtime is 7 p.m. both nights. Learn more here.
Thursday – Sunday, July 11-14
Opening Weekend at Local Theaters // Local stages are hopping this weekend and we have zero complaints. At the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the “explosive movie musical” “Footloose” puts a twist on the hit 1984 flick with new and favorite songs. (Don’t miss Totally ’80s Karaoke in the lobby on Saturday.) Meanwhile, the Actors Theatre of Little Rock debuts its rendition of “Chicago” at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, turning the iconic show into a fully “immersive experience.”