FUN
Library parties
The North Little Rock Public Library System marks the close of its Summer Library Adventure with two all-ages parties, plus two bonus events just for adults, Thursday and Friday.
At the End of Summer Party, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday at the William F. Laman Public Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock, guests can boogie to the Dino Disco in the Laman Lecture Hall, take part in arts and crafts and grab a slice of pizza donated by Little Caesars.
At the Splish, Splash, Summer Bash, 10 a.m.-noon Friday at the Argenta Public Library, 420 Main St., North Little Rock, attendees can cool off in the Argenta Library Splash Zone with slip n’ slides, kiddie pools, games and crafts, followed by free snacks and pizza courtesy of Little Caesars (available while supplies last).
Additional events for adults at the Argenta Public Library include Adult STEAM Night: Embossed Metal Amulets, 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday; participants 19 and older can learn metalworking techniques while creating a raised, 3D design on a metal amulet. And the library hosts a “Friends” Bingo Bash, 4:15-5:15 p.m. Friday, themed for the long-running TV comedy. (501) 758-1720; nlrlibrary.org.
MUSIC
Bryan Adams headlines, with openers Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, 7 p.m. Saturday, at North Little Rock’s Simmons Bank Arena. (501) 340-5660; simmonsbankarena.com.
Also on Saturday, Fayetteville-based duo Still on the Hill performs under the aegis of the Little Rock Folk Club, 7:30 p.m. at Hibernia Irish Tavern, 9700 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock. (501) 246-4340; hiberniairishtavern.com.
Arkansas underground entertainment resource Darkansaw is hosting a RetroWave dance party to benefit EndAlzAR, the Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 7 p.m. Saturday at Vino’s Brew Pub, 923 W. 7th St., Little Rock. Emcee is local entertainer Dali Darko, with guest DJ Graveyard Gloria! facebook.com/events/s/retrowave-dance-party-to-benef/1000900722572058/
THEATER
“Footloose the Musical” is onstage through Aug. 15 at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (but Wednesday matinees only July 15 and 22), 12:45 and 6:45 Sunday. Buffet opens 30 minutes before curtain time. (501) 562-3131; murrysdp.com.
ART AND EXHIBITS
New this week:
“Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield,” a traveling exhibit on loan from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, opens Saturday and runs through Oct. 31 at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock. It showcases the life and legacy of one of the celebrated Civil War caregivers, via 10 banners that combine photographs, illustrations, artifacts and storytelling. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-4602.
“America 250 — A Revolutionary Life Exhibit,” eight standing panels highlighting the country’s Founding Fathers plus four display cases showcasing artifacts and stories of Revolutionary War figures, is on display until Aug. 30 in the main rotunda of the state Capitol, 500 Woodlane St., Little Rock. The exhibit was assembled by members of the Little Rock-Centennial Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in collaboration with the office of the Arkansas secretary of state. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends and state holidays.
Continuing:
“Dreamscape Aquarium,” a collection of “Fish Guy” portraits (in which fish replace human heads and don clown suits, business wear, dresses, and everyday clothing) by Vershea (the nom de art of Arkansas-based mixed-media artist Gabrielle Vernor) is on display through Aug. 12 at Acansa Gallery, 413A Main St., North Little Rock. Gallery hours are 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (501) 416-0973; acansa.org.
“In Natural Space,” recent landscapes and other paintings by Pope County artist David Mudrinich, a professor emeritus in art at Arkansas Tech University, “drawn from many of his experiences roaming within the Arkansas River watershed,” is on display through Oct. 17 at Cantrell Gallery, 8202 Cantrell Road, Little Rock. The exhibit remains up through Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. (501) 224-1335; cantrellgallery.com.
“Icons in Transformation,” three-dimensional paintings inspired by traditional Russian icons by Ludmila Pawlowska, is on display through Nov. 8 in The Oasis at St. Margaret’s at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock. Gallery hours are 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, 1-5 p.m. Saturday. theoasisatstmargarets.com.
“Play in Arkansas,” examining how people have created joy through play and how the history of play can contribute to understanding of both past and present, is on display through Dec. 15 at the University of Arkansas Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock. The exhibit includes handmade and mass-produced toys, dolls and game paraphernalia, as well as a memories section, where individuals can share their personal reflections on childhood play. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
“Arkansas Black Voices: Shaping a Nation at 250,” personal histories, artifacts, photographs and stories highlighting “the lasting impact of Black Arkansans whose lives and legacies have helped shape the United States,” is on display through Aug. 29 at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St., Little Rock. The exhibit includes. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday- Saturday. (501) 683-3593; mosaictemplarscenter.com.
“The Three SoMa Sisters: History, Nature, Wellness, and Anita Davis’ Mission to Thrive in SoMa” is on display through Aug. 30 at ESSE Museum & Store, 1510 Main St. in Little Rock’s SoMa neighborhood. (501) 916-9022; essepursemuseum.com.
“Will Barnet: Seasons of Life,” works on paper by Barnet from the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation Collection, is on display through Oct. 11 at the museum, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. arkmfa.org.
“Kuimeaux’s World,” drawings and paintings by late Little Rock native Dwight “Kuimeaux” Drennan, is on display through spring 2027 at Little Rock’s Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 324-9351.
“Manufacturing Victory in Arkansas: Supplying the Battlefront and Changing the Homefront During World War II,” “highlight(ing) the role and contributions of ordnance plants in Arkansas during the war,” remains on display through Dec. 31, 2027, at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-4602.