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, Sept. 19

What: Zoo Brew 2019

Where: Little Rock Zoo

When: 6-9 pm

Zoo Brew is an annual craft beer fest at the Little Rock Zoo.

There will be dozens of craft beers available while you watch the animals and listen to live music.

There will be food trucks, serving up hot local cuisine. (Food is sold separately.)

The event benefits the Arkansas Zoological Foundation, a non-profit organization which invests in the growth and development of the Little Rock Zoo.

Tickets are $30. Tickets include Zoo Brew admission, drinks and a souvenir cup.

Must be 21 years or older to attend.

If there is inclement weather, Zoo Brew will be held at War Memorial Stadium.

Did you know? The zoo began its mission in 1926, starting with just two animals: a timber wolf and a circus trained bear. Now, the zoo has more than 500 animals and 400 insects.

 

Thursday, Sept. 19

What: A Taste for Business

Where: Verizon Arena

When: 5-7:30pm

Feed your appetite and grow your network at A Taste for Business, hosted by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. There will be food and drinks from more than 30 restaurants and caterers affiliated with the chamber. Proceeds benefit the chamber’s educational programs and go toward scholarships for students. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Find out more here.

 

Thursday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 22

What: ACANSA Arts Festival of the South

Where: Little Rock and North Little Rock

When: 6 pm

ACANSA is a visual and performing arts festival that offers a wide range of fascinating events to go see this weekend, from stand-up comedy to visual arts to music and more. Find out more here.

 

Thursday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 22

What: A Streetcar Named Desire

Where: Argenta Community Theater

When: 7:30 pm (Thursday-Saturday), 2 pm (Sunday)

Hey Stella! Go to this new production of Tennessee Williams’ classic drama A Streetcar Named Desire at the Argenta Community Theater. Witness Blanche Dubois as she enters the world of her sister Stella and her menacing husband Stanley and watch the tragedy that unfolds. Tickets are $30. Find out more here.

 

Thursday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 22

What: Puffs play

Where: Studio Theatre

When: 7:30 pm (Thursday-Saturday), 2:30 pm (Sunday)

Imagine a famous boy wizard who attended a famous wizarding school and defeated an unstoppable evil. Sound familiar? Now get ready to see the story of a guy named Puffs who was there, too. Parental discretion is advised: the show contains adult language and some mature content.  Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Find out more here.

 

Friday, September 20

What: Sara Evans concert

Where: Reynolds Performance Hall (Conway)

When: 7:30 pm

Country music superstar Sara Evans is coming to the University of Central Arkansas for one night only as part of the Reynolds Performance Hall’s concert series.

Evans has had five #1 singles, including “Born to Fly,” “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Suds in the Bucket,” “No Place That Far,” and “A Real Fine Place to Start.”

She’s had nine top 10 songs, including the songs above. Also: “Perfect,” “Cheatin’,” “I Keep Looking,” and “I Could Not Ask for More”

She has released eight studio albums. Born To Fly is 2x Platinum certified.

Tickets are $27-40.

Reynolds Performance Hall has a wide range of events, from concerts to musicals to dance performances.

 

Friday, September 20

What: Bree Ogden concert

Where: Stickyz Rock N’ Roll Chicken Shack

When: 8 pm

Bree Ogden is one of the rising stars in Arkansas’ country music scene. In fact, she was recognized with the 2019 Arkansas Country Music Award for Young Artist of the Year. See for yourself what all the buzz is. Tickets are $10. Find out more here.

 

Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday, Sept. 22

What: 4thAnnual Spa-Con

Where: Hot Springs Convention Center

When: 4 pm (Friday), 10 am (Saturday and Sunday)

There’s almost no end to the fun at Spa Con. This Hot Springs convention isn’t limited to comics and science fiction – there’s laser tag, virtual reality, cosplay, an escape room, workshops, board games and more. Tickets are $20 for a day pass, $35 for a weekend pass, and $125 for a VIP pass. Find out more here.

 

Saturday, September 21

What: Thea Paves the Way

Where: William J. Clinton Presidential Library

When: 8 am- 12 pm

Started in 2005, Thea Paves the Way is an outreach event that engages the community in a collaborative artwork. During the event, people from around the area will join together to cover the sidewalks in colorful chalk art. Find out more here.

 

Saturday, September 21

What: Turkish Food Festival

Where: Raindrop Foundation

When: 11am-6pm

Don’t know a kebab from a gyro? That won’t matter at the Turkish Food Fest, where you can try delicious Turkish food and get acquainted with this wonderful cuisine in a safe environment. Now in its ninth year, the festival offers fresh and homemade food, as well as gifts, souvenirs, artwork, and performances. Find out more here.

 

Saturday, September 21

What: Statewide Marksmanship Challenge

Where: Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center

When: 12-3:30 pm

Students in grades 1-12 from around the state will demonstrate their marksmanship skills at this week. All equipment is provided, and awards will be given for top scores. Find out more here.

 

Saturday, September 21

What: Charity Black Tie Affair for Ray Rodgers Boxing Club

Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton

When: 5:30 pm

This will be a charity black tie event in honor of the Ray Rodgers Boxing Club.

The event is raising funds to rebuild the Ray Rodgers Boxing Club after it was destroyed during the summer flooding. The water came up at least 18 inches deep in the building.

Rodgers has trained generations of young boxers at the club.

There will be live music from the Zac Dunlap Band, a red carpet cocktail reception, silent auction, a formal dinner, live auction, and professional boxing.

Tickets are $200. Tickets must be bought in advance – no tickets will be sold at the door.

Ray Rodgers has been a coach and cut-man for more than 50 years. He was inducted into the Silver and Golden Gloves Halls of Fame in 2001 and 2002, respectively.. He was formerly the national president for both organizations.

Rodgers was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He served as Jermain Taylor’s cut man when he was competing for a light heavyweight championship.

 

Saturday, September 21

What: Little Rocktoberfest 2019

Where: Dickey-Stephens Park

When: 6-9 pm

Celebrate Oktoberfest during Little Rocktoberfest 2019.

There will be beer samples from around the world. There will also be local breweries with their own products.

There is also a homebrew exhibition. You can taste these brews anywhere else.

General admission tickets are $45. VIP tickets are $75. Designated driver tickets are $20.

VIP ticket holders get in one hour early and receive a glass taster, lanyard and an event koozie.

Presented by Central Arkansas Fermenters, a home brew club located in Little Rock. With more than 100 members, it is one of the largest home brew clubs in the United States.

Did you know? Oktoberfest is the world’s largest beer festival, held annually in Munich, Germany. It is a 16-18 day festival. This year, the festival is from Sept. 21-Oct. 6.

 

Sunday, September 22

What: 2019 Main Street Food Truck Festival

Where: Downtown Little Rock (Main St. and Capital Ave.)

When: 11 am-6pm

Returning for its ninth year, the 2019 Main Street Food Truck Festival is hitting the streets of downtown Little Rock this weekend. There will be food vendors, entertainers, artists and more all day long. If you’re hungry, downtown Little Rock will be the place to be – more than 80 food trucks are scheduled to be at the festival. Best of all, entrance to the festival is free! Find out more here.

 

Sunday, September 22

What: Yadaloo Music & Arts Festival

Where: North Shore River Walk

When: 1-9 pm

Once you finish up at the Main Street Food Truck Festival, head across the river to North Little Rock for the Yadaloo Music and Arts Festival. There will be local, regional and national acts performing all day long. Tickets are $27.50 in advance and $35 the day of the festival. Find out more here.

 

Sunday, September 22

What: Arkansas Peace Fest

Where: Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site

When: 2-4 pm

This family-friendly event will offer food, crafts, music and fun for everybody. Celebrate peace and learn how to build a stronger community in Arkansas. Find out more here.

 

Sunday, September 22

What: A Night in Vegas

Where: Mark McLarty Ford Lincoln

When: 5-9 pm

Will Lady Luck be on your side this weekend? Head over to Mark McLarty Ford Lincoln for “A Night in Vegas” benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas. There will be casino games, a raffle, a buffet from local restaurants and much more. Tickets are $75 for individuals and $125 for couples. Find out more here.

READ MORE: Arkansas Singer-Songwriter Matt Stell Goes Gold with “Prayed for You”