From sharks to block parties to sunset yoga, this is the weekend you’ve been waiting for.
Thursday, May 23
“Jaws” Screening at Ron Robinson Theater: Continuing its Movies Meant for the Big Screen series, this week CALS is serving up this 1975 classic all about why a healthy fear of the water isn’t a bad thing. Just kidding, but make sure to bring a big enough boat. Showtime is 7 p.m. For more info, click here.
Preservation Crustaceans Crawfish Boil at Barth-Hempfling House: Bring on the boil. Preserve Arkansas will host its annual bash at the 1886 building at 507 Main in North Little Rock (now home to Clements & Associates) while serving up all-you-can-eat crawfish and the fixin’s. Come hungry, leave historically educated. It starts at 8 p.m. For more info, click here.
Potluck & Poison Ivy: Portrait of an Artist as Santa Claus with Ken Waldman at The Joint Theater: Argenta’s storytelling project returns to features locals sharing their stories — Southern, savory and sometimes a little poisonous — in unparalleled style. In this session, guests will experience the Appalachian-style string-band music, original poetry and storytelling of Ken Waldman. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more info, click here.
Beethoven’s Triple Concerto at Calvary Baptist Church: As part of the Intimate Neighborhood Concert series, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra will feature Karlowicz’s “Serenade for Strings,” Moszkowski’s “Prelude and Fugue” and Beethoven’s “Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C Major.” The ASO’s Philip Mann will conduct the performance in this series built to get audiences closer to the action by booking smaller venues. The concert starts at 7 p.m. For more info, click here.
Friday, May 24
New Brew Friday at Stone’s Throw Brewing: The hoppin’ monthly get-together dedicated to premiering brand new brews is back, and this time around the crew is releasing a new pale ale with a “grapefruit aroma and citrusy flavor notes.” This brew is part of the Ales for ALS fundraiser series with a portion of proceeds going to the ALS Therapy Development Institute, plus you can hear from brewer Theron Cash about the process while you’re at it. Come check it out for yourself from 4-10 p.m. For more info, click here.
Made in Africa Fashion Show at the Junction Bridge: Let’s get a little fabulous before the festival, shall we? Kicking off the weekend’s Africa Day activities is this fashion show featuring African designers, complete with light bites and a stellar view. Showtime is 6 p.m. For more info, click here.
Saturday, May 25
Patio in the Park in Lakewood: Let’s party, Park Hill. Formerly known as Patio on Park Hill, this annual neighborhood festival is marking its seventh year with a total makeover and new location at Lake #1 at Waterside Drive and Avondale Road in North Little Rock. But don’t worry, you’ll still find the variety of local vendors, food trucks, live music and all the fun you loved before. Proceeds go right back into helping grow the Park Hill community. It lasts from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more info, click here.
Africa Day Fest in SoMa: The city is throwing its third annual Africa Day Fest and you want to be there. Taking over South Main Street, the event calls on the community to celebrate together the diversity of African cultures on this day recognized worldwide. Food, vendors, music, kids activities and more await at the fest. It lasts from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more info, click here.
Memorial Day Party at The Rail Yard: Can’t wait until Monday to get your summertime started? Neither can East Village. Get the Memorial Day activities rolling with a full lineup of food trucks, cocktails, beer, wine, lawn games, live music and the world premiere of Loblolly’s new flavor, Hanger Hill Punch. Stop in anytime 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. For more info, click here.
National Wine Day at Petit & Keet: Like we need an excuse. The WLR restaurant is celebrating this national holiday by serving five obscure wines hand-picked by sommelier Susie Long. Cheers to that. Stop in 4-11 p.m. For more info, click here.
Sunset Yoga in the Rock at Murray Park: Don’t let weekday drama get you down. Come get your ohm on at this free twice-monthly class, this time led by internationally renowned yoga teacher Farida Hamza. BYO-mat, and maybe some bug spray, too. Namaste. The class starts at 6 p.m. For more info, click here.
Friday-Sunday, May 24-26
“The Sound of Music” at the Robinson Center: The hills are alive, y’all. Wrapping up the theater’s season of Broadway shows is this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic complete with all your favorite things like “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” “Sixteen Going On Seventeen” and more. You have four chances to see the show: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more info, click here.
Read on: Meet Captain von Trapp Actor Mike McLean
Monday, May 27
Memorial Day Sunrise Hike at Pinnacle Mountain State Park: A day off is no excuse to be lazy. Start it off right with the best view of your city starting at the West Summit Trailhead and led by a park interpreter. Just make sure to tag #heysoiree on all those amazing Instagram pics you post. The hike starts at 5 a.m. For more info, click here.
Memorial Day Pancake Run at Fleet Feet: Talk about motivation. This yearly fun run is back and with a pancake cookoff waiting for you at the finish line. Bonus: All proceeds will go to Team RWB, a nonprofit whose mission is “to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.” Start time is 7 a.m. For more info, click here.
Saturday-Monday, May 25-27
Red, White & Zoo Days at the Little Rock Zoo: What’s blue and white and red all over? A real patriotic zebra waiting to celebrate Memorial Day with you. Come by and get in on food specials, animal shows and more. For more info, click here.
Friday-Monday, May 24-27
Memorial Day Sidewalk Sale at The Outlets of Little Rock: There’s nothing quite like a good Memorial Day sale, especially at an outlet mall. Shoppers will get special discounts at stores like Banana Republic Factory, GAP Factory, LOFT Outlet and Le Creuset. Hours are 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday. For more info, click here.