FUN
Bigfoot has not yet confirmed an appearance, but the Arkansas Paranormal Expo, a fundraiser for the MacArthur Museum of Military History, is set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in that museum, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock. arkansasparanormalexpo.com
The Little Rock Zoo, 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock, hosts Howl-O-Ween, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 24. Guests can dress up — costumes are encouraged and there will be two costume contests; but “for the safety of our guests and staff, please no costume masks for adults.” Attendees can also take part in “festive activities, crafts, photos, prizes and plenty of CAT WALK fun!” And yes, the animals are invited. (501) 379-1859; littlerockzoo.com .
The Central Arkansas Library System, partnering with the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and University of Arkansas at Little Rock, hosts its annual Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 24 at the system’s Main Library, 100 S. Rock St., Little Rock. The festival features decorated ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, marigolds and mementos;, live music; traditional Mexican food; art installations; food trucks; towering papier-mâché figures; sawdust carpets; sculptures; and traditional offerings. Admission is free. events.cals.org.
And the State Fair continues, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Sunday at the State Fairgrounds, 2600 Howard St., off Little Rock’s Roosevelt Road. (501) 372-8341; arkansasstatefair.com.
DANCE
Ballet Arkansas kicks off its 2026-27 season with the world premiere of Artistic and Executive Director Michael Fothergill’s reimagined production of “The Great Gatsby.” 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock. It’s based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, to music by George Gershwin, Frankie Carle & His Syncopatin’ Six, Johnny Guarnieri, Francis Poulenc, Joseph Kosma and Bob Wilson & His Varsity Rhythm Boys. Saturday night’s performance is the centerpiece of “A Roaring Affair,” a season kick-off event, with cocktails, live jazz, hospitality and Gatsby-inspired experiences — before, Champagne & Consequence, a VIP reception, before, and after, the Glass Box Speakeasy, with live jazz, libations, hors d’oeuvres, appearances by company dancers and staff. balletarkansas.org/tickets
MUSIC
Husband-and-wife country duo Cliff & Susan celebrate the release of their second record and raise funds for Healing Hooves at their Ranch Gala, 6 p.m. Saturday at Pine Hill Ranch, 19513 Congo Ferndale Road, Little Rock. theranchgala.com
Music by French composers Maurice Ravel, Darius Milhaud and Gabriel Fauré on tap for a program titled “Café de Paris,” the season opener of the Close Up! Steinway Salon Chamber Series, 3 p.m. Saturday Oct. 24 at 14901 Beau Vue Drive, Little Rock. (501) 940-1562; steinwaylr.com/close-up
THEATER
Creepy, kooky and altogether ooky, Stage 13 Foundation for the Performing Arts stages “The Addams Family” musical, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday Oct. 23-24 and Oct. 28-31 and 2 p.m. Sunday Oct. 25 at Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Road, Little Rock. The Oct. 28 show will feature a Wednesday Addams Look-Alike Contest. stage13.org/
Argenta Contemporary Theatre, 405 Main St., North Little Rock, continues its run of “Misery,” William Goldman’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday through Nov. 1. argentacontemporarytheatre.org.
Murder and blackmail are on the menu as six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor as the second North American tour of “Clue” is onstage, 7 p.m. Friday Oct. 23 in Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway. The show, recommended for ages 12 and older, uses smoke, haze and gunshot sound effects. (501) 450-3265 or (866) 810-0012; uca.edu/publicappearances
And Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, continues its run of the musical “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” through Nov. 14. Buffet opens 90 minutes before curtain. — 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday (but 12:30 p.m. Wednesday matinee only Oct. 28), 12:45 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday. (501) 562-3131; murrysdp.com.
ART AND EXHIBITS
New this week:
“Art Empowers,” an auction benefiting World Services for the Blind and The National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas, opens at 10 a.m. Friday Oct. 23 at Cantrell Gallery, 8202 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, with the final opportunity to bid and make purchases during an after-hours event at the gallery, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4. Among the items available: artworks by Salvador Dali, David Armstrong, Georges Dussau, Howard Finster, Ginna Ford and William McNamara. 32auctions.com/ArtEmpowers
Continuing:
“I am asking you to endure it,” digital and mixed-media works by Hannah Perkins, on display through Nov. 6 at the Argenta Library Gallery, 420 Main St., North Little Rock. It’s up during regular library hours — 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. (501) 687-1061; nlrlibrary.org.
“Memento of Mortality,” pen drawings on paper, mounted on cardboard and cut by hand by North Little Rock artist Paul Perkins, on display through Nov. 28 at the William F. Laman Public Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock. Library hours are 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday-Saturday. (501) 758-1720; nlrlibrary.org.
“Unexpected Perspective,” paintings with abstract elements by Matt McLeod of items he has viewed through a camera lens, is up through Oct. 31 at The Art Group Gallery, in the Pleasant Ridge Town Center, 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday or by appointment. (501) 690-2193.
“Pulp Fictions,” works by Central Arkansas artists Robert Bean, Phillip Rex Huddleston and Greg Lahti that explore the shadowy world of dime-store novels, femmes fatale, retro sci-fi, horror and more, is on display through Oct. 31 at Gallery 26, 2601 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday. (501) 664-8996.
“The Age of Anxiety: German Expressionism in Art and Film,” a melding of early 20th century German Expressionist art and period films, is up through Jan. 10 at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 372-4000; arkmfa.org.
“Painting the Arkansas Parks,” a traveling exhibition of paintings based on sketches at state parks in each of Arkansas’ five major geographic regions, is on display through January in Trinity Gallery for Arkansas Artists at Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St., Little Rock.
“In Hot Water: Betting on the Spa City,” an exploration of the rise and fall of gambling in Hot Springs, is on display through 2027 at the Old State House Museum, 300 W. Markham St., Little Rock, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. arkansasheritage.com/events/
“Barbie and Friends,” a display of “the dolls, styles, and cultural moments that have inspired generations,” including the first Black Barbie and Black Ken, is up through Feb. 28 at ESSE Museum & Store, 1510 Main St., Little Rock. (501) 916-9022.
Made-in-Arkansas objects, including paintings and sculptures, is on display in the “Collecting Arkansas Made” exhibit at Historic Arkansas Museum, 200 E. Third St., Little Rock. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 324-9351.
“Clara Barton: Angel of the Battlefield,” a traveling exhibit on loan from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine showcasing the life and legacy of one of the most celebrated Civil War caregivers, is on display through Oct. 31 at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-4602.
“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.
“Through Darkness to Light: Photographs Along the Underground Railroad,” color photographs by Jeanine Michna-Bales and narratives that tell the story of the Underground Railroad and the enslaved people who risked their lives along its many routes, is on display through Jan. 7 at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. (501) 376-4602.
“Material Nature: Gifts From the John and Robyn Horn Collection” is on display through April 25 in the Robyn and John Horn Gallery in the Windgate Art School at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 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. (501) 372-4000; arkmfa.com.
“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.
