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 15

What: How to Make Classic French Macarons

Where: UA – Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

IMPORTANT: Macaron is NOT a Macaroon. Both are delicious but a Macaron is a meringue-based cookie and a macaroon is a coconut-based cookie.

Learn how to make classic French macarons at UA – Pulaski Tech. Chef Chocla Lea will walk students through the basics of making this cookie.

The class will teach you how to make meringue, how to pipe ingredients, and the secrets of “macaronage,” or the process of incorporating dry ingredients with egg whites.

Did you know? A macaron is made from egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder and food coloring.

They are “French” cookies but were actually brought over from Italy,

Cost is $65.

Check it out here.

 

What: Tea Cocktail Tasting with Abbi’s Teas

Where: Colonial Wine & Spirits

When: 4 pm

Two of our favorite things: tea and liquor. Find out what you’ve been missing out on when you sample some tea cocktails at Colonial Wine & Spirits. Abbi Siler, of Abbi’s Teas & Things, will be on hand to chat about tea blends and more. Check it out here.

 

What: Star Wars Episode VI screening

Where: CALS Ron Robinson Theater

When: 7 pm

Tonight, the saga comes to an end. At least, the CALS screening is finishing up its run of the original six movies. Find out what happens after the events of the thrilling Empire Strikes Back (the best Star Wars movie?) and if Luke is able to vanquish his Dark Side foes. Tickets are $5. Check it out here.

 

What: Animated August: New Classics screening

Where: The Preserved Moose

When: 7 pm

The Preserved Moose is screening animated modern classic movies this week. It’s going to be a toss between The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The LEGO Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. All great films! Head over to the Preserved Moose tonight to find out which movie got the vote. Check it out here.

 

Friday, August 16-Sunday, August 18

What: 1stAnnual Arkansas Tattoo Convention

Where: Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs

When: Weekend-long

Tattoos previously were the province of the counterculture. Now, they are firmly part of the mainstream. There’s no better proof of that than the first Arkansas Tattoo Convention. This three-day convention is bringing renown tattoo artists from around the country to Hot Springs so that people can admire their work and get tattooed by them. A day pass is $20 and a weekend pass is $30. Kids under 14 are free. Check it out here.

 

Friday, August 16

What: Taste of the Finest

Where: Statehouse Convention Center

When: 6 p.m.

Throw on your fanciest duds for Taste of the Finest, which honors young professionals for their career success and raising funds for cystic fibrosis awareness. You’ll get to taste food from some of the best restaurants in Little Rock while enjoying a silent auction and a concert from Mayday by Midnight. General admission tickets are $75 and VIP tickets are $125. Check it out here.

 

What: Argenta Art Walk Happy Hour with Sulac (artist)

Where: Thea Foundation
When: 5-7 p.m.

This Friday, stroll by the Thea Foundation to learn more about the artist Sulac and his “Moon Flavor” exhibition. There will be refreshments, a welcome sight if you’ve been walking around Argenta. Check it out.

 

What: Free “Country Music” preview and concert

Where: CALS Ron Robinson Theater

When: 8-10:30 p.m.

A Ken Burns documentary is always a can’t-miss event. This Friday, AETN will host a special preview screening of his newest documentary at the Ron Robinson Theater. Better yet: it’s free, but seating is first-come, first-served. There will be a concert afterwards headlined by the Salty Dogs.

 

What: Aaron Watson with Carlton Anderson concert

Where: The Rev Room

When: 8 p.m.

Country star Aaron Watson is coming to Little Rock for a show at the Rev Room. Watson’s most recent album hit the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart and #2 on the Top Country Albums chart. Tickets are $0. Check it out.

 

What: Café Disco

Where: Guillermo’s Gourmet Coffee

When: 7 pm

This all-ages dance event is a great excuse to get out and shake what your momma gave you. There will be great DJs to help fuel the mood, and it’s sure to be a unique experience. Admission is $10. Find out more here.

 

Saturday, August 17

What: The Big Birthday Shake Up

Where: Big Orange (17809 Chenal Parkway)

When: 11 a.m.

Big Orange is celebrating its 8thbirthday this weekend. Happening at the Promenade.

There will be an ice cream eating contest for kids 12 and under. Contestants will have 90 seconds to eat the most Yarnell’s Ice Cream. There will be three chances and three flavors (homemade vanilla, homemade strawberry and homemade chocolate) to win a prize pack worth $50.

Kids can also register to win Big Orange shakes for a whole year! There is also a recipe contest, and Big Orange will create a shake based on the winner’s recipe for September.

Yarnell’s Ice Cream’s official ice cream man, Scoop, will be there with the original ice cream truck for photos.

Take a picture with the ice cream truck and you’ll be entered to win a Big Orange backpack from Gearhead Outfitters.

Big Orange was opened on August 22, 2011 by Scott McGehhe and John Beachboard.

See more about the event here.

 

What: World Lion Day

Where: Little Rock Zoo

When: 9 a.m.

The Little Rock Zoo is hosting World Lion Day this weekend

Kids can learn lion facts from 9-11 in the Zoo’s Plaza.

At 11 am, there will be lion crafts at the Big cat overlook. The big cat keepers will share stories about the zoo’s lions: Bakari, Inara and Saphira.

Then at 1:30pm, you’ll get to see lion training and enrichment activities.

Lions are the second largest cats in the world. Tigers are slightly bigger.

Female lions are the primary hunters. Male lions guard the territory, maintain boundaries and protect their cubs.

Good to know: Lions hunt at night. They spend 16-20 hours of the day sleeping or resting.

Admission is $12.95 for adults aged 13 and older. Children 3 and up is $9.95. Under 3 is free.

More details about the event here.

 

What: The 48 Hour Film Project Little Rock Best Of screening

Where: CALS Ron Robinson Theater

When: 7 p.m.

This is the “Best Of’ Screening and award ceremony for the Little Rock 48 Hour Film Project.

The 48 Hour Film Project takes place over one weekend when teams write shoot and edit a short film in just 48 hours. They have to include a pre-selected character, prop and line in the film.

The 48 HFP is the oldest timed film competition. It started in 2001. There have been more than 30,000 films made because of the competition since then.

Filmmakers submitted the short films on Sunday, July 21.

Now, everybody gets to watch them.

14 films will be screened during the event.

The award ceremony will include multiple award categories, including Best Film, which will represent Arkansas at the Filmapalooza 2020 festival and compete for Best 48 Hour Film Project Film of 2019.

Tickets are $10.

Find out more here.

 

What: Joinstock 2019

Where: The Joint Theater & Coffeehouse

When: 12 pm

This annual music and comedy festival will benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The festival has a full lineup of musicians and comedians starting at 1 pm and going well into the night. There will be beer special and the Katmandu MOMO Food Truck will be on hand. Admission is pay-what-you-can. Check it out.

 

What: Charlie Wilson concert

Where: Verizon Arena

When: 7 p.m.

Music legend Charlie Wilson is making a trip to Little Rock this weekend. He will be performing at Verizon Arena. Tickets are $59.50 to $89.50. Check it out.

 

What: 2019 Walk With Me 5K and Fun Walk

Where: Easterseals Arkansas

When: 7 a.m.

The 2019 Walk With Me is a 5K run and family run walk benefitting Easterseals Arkansas. Check out all the information here.

 

Sunday August 18

What: Bernice Garden Farmer’s Market

Where: Bernice Garden

When: 10 a.m.

It’s still hot, but we’re getting closer to the fall farmer’s market time. The Bernice Garden is already getting in on the action. The farmer’s market will be open every Sunday until November 14 (except Labor Day weekend).  Check it out.

READ MORE: Little Rock Opening Entertainment District August 23