Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, the Super Bowl — and that’s just the beginning. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, Feb. 8
Wine & Chocolate Tasting at Colonial Wines & Spirits // What goes together better than chocolate and wine? Colonial is indulging that delicious love affair by pairing a lineup of some of its best wines with special selections from Little Rock chocolatier Kelly Wassell. Come get a taste from 4-6 p.m. Learn more here.
Fresh heART at Art Group Gallery // Over in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center, this gallery is kicking off a new exhibition featuring Lori Weeks Art and James Hayes Art Glass Company. Come for the art, stay for the door prizes and live music. It starts at 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Psst! If you have hearts on the brain this weekend, we rounded up all the fun things to do with your boo and your crew right here: Love is in the Air: A Guide to Valentine’s Day in Little Rock.
WTF?!?: A Night of Horror, Thrillers and Experimental Films at Ron Robinson Theater // The Made in Arkansas Film Festival is expanding its offerings throughout the year, and that includes monthly screenings at the downtown theater. This month’s particularly strange lineup features 15 short films — some award-winning — followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Showtime is 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday, Feb. 9
2nd Friday Art Night in Downtown Little Rock // Bring on the 2FAN. It’s time for the monthly roundup of downtown businesses opening their doors for an after-hours gallery walk. Highlights this month include some DIY calligraphy at Bella Vita, art vendors at the CALS Rock It! Lab and new exhibits with live music and local beer at the Historic Arkansas Museum. 2FAN runs 5-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Keep the sneakers on: This Self-Led Sculpture Tour Explores the River Market Art Scene
Saturday, Feb. 10
Central Arkansas Shelter Adoption Event at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds // Call it puppy love. If you’ve been looking for the right pup to complete your fam, this is a dream scenario. Fourteen local shelters and rescue organizations are teaming up for “the biggest multi-shelter adoption event in central Arkansas.” Check it out 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and prepare to want to take home 100 dogs. Learn more here.
SoMardi Gras on South Main // Laissez les bons temps rouler, y’all. This bash gets bigger and better every year, and this year is no exception with the theme of “SoMa Under the Sea.” The parade kicks off at 24th Street at noon (more on that here) before morphing into a block party with food trucks, vendors and music. Bonus: Get the fun started early at the SoMardi Gras Pre-Party Bash on Friday night at Midtown Billiards. Update: Due to weather concerns, the parade will now start at 10 a.m. and the block party at 9 a.m.
And because more is more with Mardi Gras, here’s some of what you can expect around SoMa:
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11th annual beard and mustache contest
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A kids’ zone with live(ish) mermaids
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“Party Gras” specials at The Busker
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Muffulettas at The Bagel Shop
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Rock Town Distillery’s sidewalk cocktails
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Mini king cakes and maker pop-ups at The Green Corner Store
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Hurricanes at El Sur
And yes, we’re craving it, too. Here’s where to get king cake in Little Rock.
Friday & Saturday, Feb. 9 & 10
Cult Classic Movies at Ron Robinson Theater // The popcorn is flowing once again at the downtown theater, and the lineups keep pulling us in. Up first is “Little Shop of Horrors” on Friday, then “The Silence of the Lambs” on Saturday. Both screenings start at 7 p.m. Learn more here.
Sunday, Feb. 11
Super Bowl Watch Parties in Little Rock // Ok, we’ve got a pretty good guess as to what your Sunday night plans are. There are lots of places to watch the San Francisco 49ers take on the Kansas City Chiefs around the metro, many with menu specials to celebrate. A few favorites include:
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The Flying Saucer
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Dugan’s Pub
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Ol’Bart at Diamond Bear
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Lost Forty
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and, of course, a Super Bowl Party (Taylor’s Version) with Catering Arkansas
Hosting your own watch party? Try this: 3 Super Bowl Recipes That Make the Most of Your Favorite Beers
Thursday – Sunday, Feb. 8-11
“The Mountaintop” at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church // Opening the season for the Actors Theatre of Little Rock, this Award–winning production is a fictional imagining of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night in the Lorraine Motel. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday and at 6 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb. 10 & 11
“Bond & Beyond” at the Robinson Center // Next up in the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra’s Pops Series is this show featuring the talents of vocalists Morgan James and Hugh Panaro, direction of Valery Saul and all your favorites from more than half a century of Bond flicks. You can catch the show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday or 3 p.m. Sunday. Learn more here.
Coming to the stage soon: Ballet Arkansas Returns to Robinson With “Swan Lake”