10 THINGS TO DO
By Jennifer Nixon (Contact)
An energetic grade-school pupil takes to the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre stage in Ramona Quimby. Based on the beloved book by Beverly Cleary, the play follows the adventures of Ramona (played by Adrianne Owings) as she navigates life’s challenges.
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LITTLE ROCK — 1. Kid around. An energetic gradeschool pupil takes to the ArkansasArts Center Children’s Theatre stage in Ramona Quimby. Based on the beloved book by Beverly Cleary, the play follows the adventures of Ramona (played by Adrianne Owings) as she navigates life’s challenges. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Fridays, 3 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 18. Tickets are $14, $11 for children under 12. Call (501) 372-4000. Another opportunity for children’s entertainment is at the Heights Toy Center, 5918 R St. Students ages 9-18 perform in Snow White in the Doghouse, a puppet show written and directed by Parkview High School student Holly Delclos. Showtimes are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $3. Visit www.heightstoycenter.com or call (501) 663-8383.
2. Listen up and chow down. Get ready to devour barbecue, sausages andchicken wings at Smoke on the Water. Johnsonville Big Taste Grill, said to be the world’s largest grill, will be open for business and tours while contestants from around the country face off in the barbecue cook-offs. Carnival rides, games and music will entertain the crowds. General festival admission is free, but many activities have fees, and donations for the Children’s Miracle Network will be accepted. Festival hours are 5-11 p.m. today and noon-11 p.m. Saturday at Hestand Stadium in Pine Bluff. Visit smokeonthewaterbbq.com or call (870) 536-8175.
3. Go back. Have fun the old-fashioned way at the Historic Arkansas Museum’s annual Territorial Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Hands-on activities, craft demonstrations, 19th-century dancing and living history presentations will help guests see what Arkansas life was like in the 1800s. Admission is free. Call (501) 324-9351.
4. Walk around. Some of Little Rock’s oldest houses are opening their doors for the Quapaw Quarter Spring Tour of Historic Homes, 2-5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 and can be bought at Curran Hall, 615 E. Capitol Ave. Call (501) 371-0075.
5. Take a hike. Guided hikes, paddling and children’s activities including animal classes are on the agenda for the Lewis & Clark Pinnacle Mountain Outdoor Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Activities will also include an American Red Cross blood drive. General admission is free and concession sales will benefit North Little Rock Step Ministries. Call (501) 537-1401.
6.Step out. Get out and enjoy local art at two events this weekend. Music, dance, poetry, painting, sculpture and other art forms come together in the River Market for Collaboration of the Arts, 7:30-10 p.m. today. A student art contest and silent auction are also planned for this evening of art from a spiritual perspective. The silent auction begins at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Call (501) 837-0462 or (501) 425-4642. Spend Mother’s Day weekend outside at Art in the Park, a fine arts show featuring everything from paintings and pottery to graphics and jewelry in Hollywood Park, 411 Hollywood Ave., Hot Springs. Strolling entertainment and concessions will also be on hand, and young visitors can create their own masterpieces in the children’s area. The Bark in the Park area will feature pet care and health information as well as dogs and cats for adoption. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Visit www.cityhs.net or call (501) 321-6871.
7. Sprechen Sie Deutsch. Downtown Stuttgart celebrates its past with a German Heritage Festival, featuring German beer-tasting, polka music, Arkansas history re-enactments, a bratwurst cook-off and children’s activities. General admission is free, but there is a $20 fee for the 5K fun run/walk. Events start at 9 a.m. Saturday in downtown Stuttgart. Call (870) 673-7001.
8. Save. There are 27 threatened and endangered plant and animal species in Arkansas, and the Museum of Discovery invites you to learn about them at Endangered Species Day. The Ecological Conservation Organization will offer demonstrations, hands-on activities and shows to teach visitors about endangered species and how to protect them. Showtimes are 1:30 and 3 p.m. today and 11:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday and regular museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Radio Disney’s Rockin’ Road Show will perform at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday. Admission to the museum is $8, $7 for ages 65 and older and children 1-12. Call (501) 396-7050.
9. Sample. Diners are invited to explore North Little Rock cuisine asdining establishments offer up samples of their menus for Restaurant Week in Argenta. Participating restaurants in historic downtown North Little Rock, including Argenta Seafood Company, Valentine’s Ballpark Italian Restaurant and Riverfront Steakhouse, offer fixed-price menus with a choice of appetizers, entrees and desserts at prices of $15 or $25 today-Saturday. Visit www.argentadc.org or call (501) 786-2324.
10. Go east. Immerse yourself in other traditions at the Korean Culture Festival. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, food, dance, music, displays and demonstrations will provide educational and entertainment opportunities at First Korean Presbyterian Church, 4821 S. University Ave. Admission is free. Call (501) 416-6414.
E-mail things to do to: jnixon@arkansasonline.com
This article was published Friday, May 9, 2008.
Weekend, Pages 92 on 05/09/2008
