This weekend is jam-packed with fun events. You have dancing, concerts, art, food, festivals and a ton more. Here’s a few of the events you should check out.
Thursday (Sept. 11)
The Art of Motion: Tango at Arkansas Arts Center, 501 E. 9th St., Little Rock: Come learn the tango from international dance instructors. After the lesson, you’ll get the chance to show off your new moves. No partner required. The cost is $10 for non-members and free for members. The class runs from 7-9:30 p.m. For more information, click here.
Friday (Sept. 12)
Eric Church: The Outsiders World Tour at Verizon Arena, One Verizon Arena Way, North Little Rock: One of the more popular acts in country music is coming to central Arkansas this weekend. Eric Church’s The Outsiders World Tour will make a stop at Verizon Arena at 7 p.m. Friday. Church is known for songs like “How ‘Bout You,” “Guys Like Me,” “Homeboy,” “Drink in My Hand,” “Springsteen,” “Give Me Back My Hometown” and “Cold One.” Church will be joined by Dwight Yoakam and Brothers Osborne. The 57-year-old Yoakam has had more than 30 hit singles and sold more than 25 million records. His signature songs include “Guitars, Cadillacs,” “Honky Tonk Man,” “Streets of Bakersfield” and “Little Sister.” There a limited number of tickets available for $77. To purchase, click here.
Second Friday Art Night, Little Rock: The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies will also be welcoming two new exhibits — ALAartShow and Echoes of the Ancestors. Over at the Old State House Museum, hear music from Big Silver. Bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Food will be provided. The event is free. For more Second Friday Art Night events, click here. All events run from 5-8 p.m.
Saturday (Sept. 13)
The Humane Society of Pulaski County is hosting Brews and Barks from 2-5 p.m. at the Diamond Bear Brewing Company in North Little Rock. Supporting the HSPC’s mission to aid the homeless, abandoned and mistreated animals of the area, the event will be entirely dog-friendly (leashed, please). The afternoon will also feature a craft beer tasting and a hot dog cook off (it’s like they’re writing the jokes for us). Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information, click here.
Inaugural Pop Up Shop at Verizon Office Park, Building 3, Little Rock: Whether you’re looking for designer purses, clothes or shoes, evening gowns, home accessories or furniture, the inaugural Pop Up Shop is going to have it. It’s being dubbed the most upscale retail re-sale event you’ll ever see. Just a few of the brands you can expect to see are: Blumarine, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Douglas Hannant, Eileen Fisher, Elie Tahari, Elizabeth & James, Escada, Fontana Couture, Michael Kors Prada, Ralph Lauren, Theory, Trina Turk and Versace. Remember, cash or credit only. The shop is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Don’t miss a preview Friday night from 5-8 p.m., which will include wine and hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of Little Rock Marriott. Tickets are $25 for the preview. For more information, click here. Proceeds from the shop will benefit the Women & Children Domestic Violence Shelter.
Ninth Annual Thea Paves the Way at Clinton Presidential Center, 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock: This annual sidewalk chalk event at the Clinton Presidential Center brings dozens of school, family, church and community groups together to engage students, teachers and others in a collaborative art project. While you chalk up the sidewalk, enjoy music, recreation activities and entertainment. Le Pops will be selling its handmade popsicles. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon and is free, but you’re asked to register online here. For more information, visit this site.
Fighting Red 5K: A Race to End Blood Cancer at Big Dam Bridge, North Little Rock: Come out to the Big Dam Bridge, on the North Little Rock side, at 9 a.m. Saturday for a 5K to help end blood cancer. Proceeds from the race go to the UAMS Cord Blood Bank of Arkansas. Registration is $30 and can be completed here. For more information on the race, click here.
South Main Vintage Market at The Bernice Garden, 1401 S. Main St., Little Rock: It’s back again: The South Main Vintage Market. Come shop for antique items — including jewelry, clothing, furniture, toys, comics, magazines, art prints and more — from more than 20 vendors. The fun starts at 9 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m. Southern Salt Food Co. will have its food truck on hand to serve breakfast and lunch. McGehee Piano Co. will have its community piano there, available to play. For more information, click here.
Little Rock Bacon Fest at Arkansas State Fairgrounds, 2600 Howard St., Little Rock: Are you a bacon lover? Then you’re for sure going to want to be at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds on Saturday for the inaugural Little Rock Bacon Fest. You heard it right. Bacon. Fest. It’ll start at 9:30 a.m. with a 5K Run/Walk, but it’s not your normal 5K. This one is not timed and has bacon stations along the course for you to eat bacon, of course. Registration is $50 now (complete here) and $55 the day of the race if the cap hasn’t been met yet. It continues with live music, merchant booths, a cooking contest and a kids zone. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the event. Kids 8 and under get in free with an adult. For more information, click here.
Latino Food & Music Festival at Argenta Plaza, 520 Main St., North Little Rock: Come out and enjoy a little food, a little music and a whole lot of culture. The Latino Food and Music Festival is a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy some good Latin food, live salsa music and good friends. There will be dishes from food vendors that hail from Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Columbia, just to name a few. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here. The event runs from 6-10 p.m. For more information, click here.
The After-Party-Memphis at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock: This Saturday, enjoy a showing of “Memphis” at The Rep, then, hang around for drinks and a chance to meet members of the cast at Foster’s. A cash bar will be available. The event is free and is set to begin at 10:30 p.m. For more information, click here.
Sunday (Sept. 14)
Camp Aldersgate Fish Fry: Join supporters, campers, volunteers, fans, staff and friends of Camp Aldersgate for the 31st annual Fish Fry from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Camp Aldersgate, 2000 Aldersgate Road, Little Rock. Activities include: live music, cupcake walk, face painting, country store, carousel rides, Merchants’ Pavilion, kids’ fishing derby, Arkansas Game and Fish Mobile Aquarium, bingo and much more! Tickets are $15 per person; kids 6 and under are free. Camp Aldersgate is Arkansas’ only non-profit dedicated to serving children and youth with special needs in a camp environment. For more information, click here.
Paint Nite at Saddle Creek Woodfired Grill, 2703 Lakewood Village, North Little Rock: If you need a relaxing afternoon of painting to close out the weekend, get to Saddle Creek Woodfired Grill on Sunday. You’ll paint “Lavender Fields” by Kristina Elizabeth with help of Adam Crockett. The cost is $45 and covers all materials. The session is two hours long. For more information, click here.
Little Rock Film Festival – Cult Classics at Ron Robinson Theater, 100 Rock St., Little Rock: Earlier this month, the Little Rock Film Festival announced the start of a new film series, curated by Levi Agee, that will show cult-crowd pleasers the second Sunday of each month this fall. The first screening is this weekend and “Rushmore” will be showing. The film stars Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray and Olivia Williams. The movie starts at 4 p.m. The cost to attend is $8. For more information, click here.
Thursday-Sunday (Sept. 11-14)
Memphis at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock: There are plenty of opportunities to see “Memphis” this weekend at The Rep. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Sunday. To buy tickets, click here. For more on the musical, check out our Q&A with the cast.