Spring is in full bloom in the city and so is the social calendar. Let’s get into it.
Thursday, April 24
Food Truck Thursday at the Pulaski County Administration Building // It’s time to fill that food truck-shaped hole in your life. This meetup at 201 Broadway St. will welcome eats like Utopia Deli, Luncheria Mexicana Alicia, Top Dog Catering, Jefferson Mobile Grill and more. Be there 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Spring Soirée at Tipton & Hurst // There’s nothing like the fresh blooms of the season, and this Heights mainstay is spreading the love. Guests can enjoy floral demonstrations, giveaways, prizes and local bites. Stop by 4:30-6:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Seersucker Spring Social at the Old State House Museum // We do declare, it’s high time for some fine Southern style. This event is all about celebrating the best of the South, so put on your Sunday best and stop by for lawn games, libations, hors d’oeuvres, raffles and lots of seasonal fashion. The best part? Proceeds benefit the School Bus Fund, which enables area schools to visit the OSHM and learn about Arkansas history. Get your seersucker on from 5:30-8 p.m. Learn more here.
Arkansas Times Spring Margarita Festival at the River Market Pavilions // Yes, this fest started as a Cinco de Mayo party, but when there are margs on the line, there’s no time like the present. Local restaurants will compete for best margarita while food trucks serve the eats. The sipping starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Britton-René Collins at New Deal Studio // Presented by the Chamber Music Society, this concert will feature the award-winning percussionist who is celebrated for her “exhilarating” performances and exceptional musicianship. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday, April 25
Celebrating Southern Poetry at Ron Robinson Theater // As part of its month-long lineup of festivities surrounding its namesake’s 97th birthday, the Celebrate! Maya Project is showcasing one of her favorite things. This event will highlight the poetry of Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni and more Southern legends and local favorites who mastered the rhythm of the written word. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday, April 26
Central Arkansas Heart Walk at War Memorial Park // Lace up your sneakers. This annual event has the local chapter of the American Heart Association encouraging folks to hit the pavement to promote heart health. Go time is 8 a.m. Learn more here.
Rock Cities Book Crawl throughout the metro // Independent Bookstore Day just got even better. This third annual event invites bookworms of all ages to hop between your fave indie bookstores — Beautywood Books, The Book Store, Paper Hearts Bookstore, WordsWorth Books and Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing — and get in on special events and perks along the way. Crawl on from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Learn more here.
Earth Day Celebration at the St. Joseph Center of Arkansas // It’s never too late to party for Mother Nature. While the historic structure recovers from last month’s devastating fire, guests are still invited to the grounds to get into the spirit with goat yoga, food, green vendors, music and more. Stop by 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more here. Bonus: The event doubles as an after party for Great NLR Cleanup participants. More on that here.
Community Health Fair & Baby Shower at the Watershed Human & Community Development Agency // A tag team effort between the Little Rock Black Nurses Association of Arkansas, Arkansas Birthing Project and Arkansas Minority Health Commission, this inaugural event not only offers health screenings for men and women, but also resources and information for expecting mothers. The fair lasts 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Pocket Park Pop-Up First Anniversary at the Main Street Pocket Park // Attention, shoppers. This popular outdoor market is celebrating a milestone and returning with a full lineup of local vendors, artists, vintage finds and a few treats to keep you going. Come shop 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more here.
Saturday Shop Vintage Market at The Bernice Garden // Over in SoMa, the vintage vibes are back at Bernice in the April edition of this recurring neighborhood event. Expect vendors with throwback fashions, decor and art. Come shop 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Learn more here.
Party at the Plaza at Argenta Plaza // This NLR space is getting lots of love this season. Arkansas Hospice is bringing back its fundraising block party packed with great food, local artists, live music and fun for the kiddos. The party starts at 2 p.m. Learn more here.
Storybook Gala at the E.O. Manees House // Ruby slippers and floating bubbles are not required for this trip to Oz. With the theme “There’s No Place Like Home,” this fundraiser for Pulaski County CASA offers a night of good eats, live entertainment and impact stories while supporting local kids in foster care. It starts at 6 p.m. Learn more here.
PSA: The Arkansas Foodbank’s signature event Empty Bowls is sold out, but you can still donate and enter drawings to help the nonprofit reach its fundraising goal. More on that here.
Friday & Saturday, April 25 & 26
Wild Wines at the Little Rock Zoo // Stripes, spots, whatever — it’s time to party. This can’t-miss bash takes place over the course of two nights. Friday night’s VIP event offers eats from some of the city’s best restaurants paired with hand-selected wines from O’Looney’s Wine & Liquor, plus live music, from 7-9 p.m. Saturday night is “The Mane Event” with more entertainment, more food and more libations awaiting attendees from 7-10 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Learn more here.
Sunday, April 27
First Anniversary Brunch at Ease Supper Club & Bistro // Pop those bottles, we have birthday mimosas to sip. Ease is celebrating one year of deliciousness on West B Ave. with a special menu and its first-ever Sunday brunch. We have our eye on the Park Hill pimento cheese omelet. Brunch is served 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Bluegrass Brunch at Dunbar Garden // You’re in luck, brunch lovers. All to raise funds for the community garden (and rescheduled from November), guests can load up on a full brunch spread including biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, vegetarian options, mimosas, coffee and more. Plus, The Busted Clays and The Stomping Crows will take the stage to help you get in the bluegrass groove. It starts at 11 a.m. Learn more here.
Miracle League Burger Competition in The Heights // Bring on the burgers and beer. A portion of Kavanaugh will shut down as teams compete for top honors and attendees enjoy sliders, vote for their favorites and sip craft beer. All proceeds benefit the Miracle League of Arkansas. Gates open at 11:30 a.m. Learn more here.
Baggo, Brats ‘n’ Blues at Rusty Tractor Vineyards // Check, check and check. This family-friendly event promises a day of baggo tournaments, music, grilling out and drink specials, all to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas. It runs 2-6 p.m. Learn more here.
River City Men’s Chorus Spring Concert at St. James United Methodist Church // We like the sound of this. “Home: Songs of Love and Life” is the name of this year’s spring event that marks the final concert of the season, and it’s filled with everything from Broadway hits to gospel classics. The free show starts at 3 p.m. Learn more here.
Restore in Perpetuity (R.I.P.) Spring Picnic at Mount Holly Cemetery // If you’re a fan of this yearly event, you probably already have it on your calendar. If not, hear us out. Yes, this picnic takes place in a cemetery (a beautiful one, at that), but the springtime event is all about raising funds to help maintain the historic landmark, and they do it with food, drinks, tours and live music. It takes place from 5-7 p.m. Learn more here.
Friday – Sunday, April 25-27
“Nouveau” & “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts // Ballet Arkansas is pulling out all the stops for its season closer. Over the course of three days, the troupe will perform two shows a total of four times. “Nouveau” will premiere avant-garde choreography (including by BA’s executive and artistic director Michael Fothergill) set to live music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Quapaw Quartet. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” breathes new life into the Shakespeare comedy featuring a community cast of dancers. Learn more here.
“Hadestown” at the Robinson Center // And now for something with a bit more heat. This smash hit production brought the fire to Broadway and took home eight Tonys in the process, including Best Musical. The “haunting and hopeful” show blends the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and of King Hades and Persephone, all set to vibrant tracks that also won the show a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Learn more here.
Up next: “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Elf,” “Wicked” and More Coming to Robinson Center