Stay “in the know” about all the great events going on around Arkansas. AY’s Publisher, Heather Baker, will tell you what the hot spots are this weekend.

Thursday, August 22-Sunday, August 25

What: Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmland

Where: Ron Robinson Theater

When: Various

How often do you get to hear the directors and writers of  major films talk about their work? That’s exactly what’s happening all week long at the Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmland festival. Andrew Stanton will be on hand to talk Toy Story 4, while director Joel Edgerton will be talking about his film Boy Erased. In one unique panel, directors Jeff Nichols, Joel Edgerton and Andrew Stanton will talk shop. Individual tickets range from $10-35 depending on the event. A Filmland pass, which gets you into all of the screenings, is $300. Check out the events here.

 

Thursday, August 22

What: Amy Helm concert

Where: South on Main

When: 8-10 pm

The Oxford American is kicking off its 2019-2020 concert series with a musician who needs little introduction. The daughter of famed Arkansas son Levon Helm, Amy Helm is a talented musician in her own right. Check out the concert here.

 

What: Little Rock Trojans Day

Where: Dugan’s Pub

When: 5 pm

Celebrate the hometown team as the Trojans prepare to kick off the upcoming athletic season. This will be a block party to remember as Little Rock citizens gather downtown at Dugan’s Pub. See more details here.

 

What: Loblolly Charity Night and Jet Fuel Release Party

Where: Loblolly Creamery (1423 Main St.)

When: 5 pm

Feel good while you’re snacking on delicious ice cream at Loblolly tonight. They are releasing a little Jet Fuel, a delicious and popular flavor, and 10 percent of all sales will directly benefit cancer survivors. A win-win! Find out more here.

 

What: Beginner Cupcakes – Swirls, Rosettes, Ruffles, Ribbon Roses

Where: Art is in Cakes, Bakery & Supply

When: 6-8 pm

Ever wanted to bake cupcakes like the pros? Those perfectly swirled and beribboned cakes are the result of hard work and teachable techniques – which Art is in Cakes, Bakery and Supply is teaching this week. Bakers 12 years and older will have the chance to learn the basics of professional baking. Learn more here.

 

Friday, August 23-Sunday, August 25

What: The Old Maid and the Thief

Where: The Studio Theatre

When: 7:30 pm (Friday and Saturday), 2:30 pm (Sunday)

Take a step back into 1939 with a one-act opera designed as a radio play. Opera in the Rock is presenting this 1939 show at the Studio Theatre. See more here.

 

Friday, August 23

What: Edwards Hot Dog Cook Out

Where: Edwards Food Giant

When: 11am-1pm

Edwards Food Giant is celebrating its 60th anniversary this week with a blowout! And even better – everything is supporting the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance. Head over and get some delicious $2 hot dogs. Find out more here!

 

What: Kick off for River Market Entertainment District

Where: Little Rock River Market

When: 5pm

At long last, Little Rock has an entertainment district! To kick off the district, there will be entertainment, food and more on Friday. Find out where open alcoholic beverages are allowed here.

 

What: Chris Stapleton’s All American Road Show

Where: Verizon Arena

When: 7 p.m.

Fire away with this Traveler. Chris Stapleton is bringing his All American Road Show to Little Rock for what is sure to be an electrifying show. Find out more here.

 

What: Pyro in the Park IV

Where: Dickey-Stephens Park

When: 7:10 pm

The Arkansas Travelers are holding their biggest fireworks show of the year this weekend. Don’t miss the big display.

 

Friday, August 23-Sunday, August 25

What: Kemuri 5-Year Celebration

Where: Kemuri

When: 11 a.m.

Hillcrest favorite Kemuri is turning five this week, and they want you to help them celebrate. Head over to the restaurant and take advantage of the $5 house sake and the $5 anniversary roll. It’s delicious!

 

Saturday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Sept. 1

What: National Championship Chuckwagon Race

Where: Bar of Ranch in Clinton

When: 8 a.m. (on Saturday), 7 a.m. on Sunday

At the event, there will be chuckwagon racing, “bronc fanning” (involves bucking horses), a Snowy River Race and more.

The races were started in 1986 by Dan and Peggy Eoff (who still host the event at their ranch), who wanted to throw a Labor Day party for a few friends. 500 people came.

Now, it’s the largest chuckwagon race in the country.

A chuckwagon race has three people on a team – a driver, cook and outrider. The cook and outrider start on the ground. The cook loads the stove on the wagon, and the outrider loads the tent. The outrider must pass the wagon before the wagon crosses the finish line.

Starting this weekend, you can see mini-bull riding, bronc riding and mini barrel racing on Saturday. You can hear the Cody Martin Band on Saturday and TJ Ashley perform on Sunday.

Held every Labor Day weekend at Bar of Ranch in Clinton. Around 20,000 people show up to watch.

Tickets are $35 for adults with $20 Sunday admission

 

Saturday, August 24

What: Run with the Flock 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

Where:  4001 N. Rodney Parham Road

When: 6:30 am

This is the 4thannual Run with the Flock 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run.

It benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Every 3 minutes, one person in the U.S. is diagnosed with blood cancer. The mission of the LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve patients’ quality of life.

There will be awards for top male and female winners and in age divisions. 5K participants receive a t-shirt and medal when they complete the race. Fun Run participants will also get a t-shirt and special medal.

Registration starts at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 7:15 am. The race starts at 7:30 a.m.

The 5K run is $30 to participate. The Fun Run is $15.

 

What: Dog Days of Summer – Bark Bar’s 2nd Birthday

Where: Bark Bar

When: 6-9 pm

Bark Bar is having its 2ndBarkday Pawty this Saturday.

There will be swag bag for the first 50 attendees.

The Roll It Frozen Cream Food Truck will be there, along with a beer tent from Flyway Brewing. Also, barbecue from Jack Daniels World Champion winner Woo Pig Q-ee.

Bella Vita Jewelry will offer custom dog tags, along with dog portraits by artist Lyuba Bogan.

Tickets are $10. This includes admission for one human and dog. Pups must be 4 months+ and humans must be 21+. Buying tickets online reserves your swag bag.

Annual members get in free.

 

What: Bike Rack Bash

Where: The Rail Yard

When: 5-10 pm

Bick Rack Brewing is bringing some fresh brews to the Rail Yard. And what goes great with beer? How about some tunes from SeanFresh and Bijoux? If that’s not enough, there’s also food trucks and games. Find out more here.

 

What: Member Farewell Festival

Where: Arkansas Arts Center

When: 5-8 pm

The end is never for the Arkansas Arts Center’ current MacArthur Park space. So, they’re going out with a bang! There will be a carnival filled with yard games, karaoke, music, dancing, food and more. The festival is 21+ and is free for AAC members. An AAC membership is required. Find out more here.

 

What: Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame Banquet

Where: Statehouse Convention Center

When: 6-9 pm

This weekend, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is honoring those who have made a difference in the Natural State’s outdoors. There will a dinner, silent and live auctions, and the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Tickets are $125 each. Find out more.

 

What: The Brewery Comedy Tour

Where: Stone’s Throw Brewing

When: 9pm

This tour has comedy on tap. (Get it – beer tap? No?) The tour has a lineup of hilarious comedians who are touring the country, and they’re stopping in Little Rock this weekend. Find out more here.

 

Saturday, August 24-Sunday, August 25

What: 2019 Jacksonville Train Show

Where: Jacksonville Community Center

When: 10 am-4 pm

The Jacksonville Train show is an annual hobby convention that celebrates model trains.

It is the largest model train show in Central Arkansas.

It’s the 9th annual show.

There will be over 40 vendors at the show from Arkansas and across the U.S.

There will also be face painting, a snack bar and more. There will be contests for railroad models and a giveaway for kids for eight train sets.

The first toy trains were made in the 1860s. A German company made the first mass produced model train sets in 1891. By the 1950s, model trains were the most popular toys in the U.S.

Today, there are more than ½ million train collectors in the U.S. and Canada.

Admission is $7 for adults. This covers both days.

Kids under 12 get in free with adult supervision.

 

Sunday,  August 25

What: Summer Pop Up Brunch: Crave + Happy Bear

Where: Nexus Coffee & Creative

When: 10am

Nothing says “good morning” like a pop-up brunch! Nexus will be hosting Crave and Happy Bear Cooking for a morning of local food, along with some tasty beverages. Find out more here.

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