THE WEEKEND TEN

The top things to do and places to be

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

LITTLE ROCK — 1. Toad-al package

The 28th annual Toad Suck Daze will be held on the streets of downtown Conway and will feature music, food, arts and crafts and the World Championship Toad Races today through Sunday. Admission is free. Musical headliners are country group Little Big Town from 9 to 10:30 p.m. today, jam band Robert Randolph and the Family Band from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday and contemporary Christian rock group Jars of Clay from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event was named the 2008 Festival of the Year by the Arkansas Festivals and Events Association. Call (501) 327-7788.

2. FANTASTIC FINALE

Hector Berlioz's semi-autobiographical Symphonie Fantastique closes out the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra's2008-09 Stella Boyle Smith Masterworks series at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Robinson Center Music Hall, West Markham Street and Broadway, Little Rock. Music Director David Itkin will also conduct the Suite from Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland and Don Juan by Richard Strauss. Sponsors are Entelechy Partners and the Maestro's Circle. Tickets are $17-$58 plus handling charges and facility fees, with discounts for students and groups of 10 or more. Call (501) 666-1761, Extension 21, or visit the Web site, www.ArkansasSymphony.org.

3. RED ALERT

The Red Octopus Theater presents My Spring-a-Ling, opening tonight and running a total of six nights atNorman Jones' Off Center Wine and Beer Cabaret, 307 W. Seventh St., Little Rock. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. today through Saturday, and May 7-9. Admission will be $10, $8 for students and senior citizens. The cast includes Lesley Dancer, Josh Doering, Drew Ellis, Bart Haynie, Jason Willey and director/head writer Sandy Baskin. The show, with such skits as "How Did We Ever Thwart Without It?" "Is That a Piston in Your Pocket?" "D and DVDs" and "Fame," is intended for mature audiences only. Call (501) 374-4699.

4. SPRING BREEZE

Ratty, Badger, Mole and Toad celebrate spring in The Wind in the Willows, which the Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre will premiere at 7 p.m. Friday at the Arts Center in MacArthur Park, 10th and Commerce streets, Little Rock. Alan Keith Smith adapted the script from the classic Kenneth Grahame book and also directs. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through May 17. Tickets are $14, $11 for children. Call (501) 372-4000 or visit the Web site, www.arkarts.com. See story, Page 3E.

5. WHOLLY GUACAMOLE

Cinco de Mayo kicks off two days early at the 11th annual League of UnitedLatin American Citizens (LULAC) Cinco de Mayo celebration at Little Rock'sRiver Market from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday with food, crafts, exhibits, games and entertainment. Admission is free. Call (870) 820-1820.

6. BRAVE FACE

Bubba Hernandez, a former member of Brave Combo, will bring his new band Los Super Vatos to central Arkansas for a show at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Juanita's, 13th and Main streets, Little Rock. Cover charge is $7; the show is open those age 18 and over. Hernandez and pals will perform selections from Dancing En Fuego: Fiery Bilingual Cumbia-based Latin Pop Rock Songs of Intrigue, Naughtiness, Heartbreak and Other Steamy Delights, along with his new project, Scratch. Band members are Bobby Bacigalupe on guitar, Dr. Wo on saxophone, Michael Morris on drums and Joe Cripps on congas. Cripps, a Little Rock native, was also at one time a member of Brave Combo. Call (501) 374-3271.

7. PSYCHIC FRIENDS

Stock up on crystals, herbs and healing stones at the Psychic Fair, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m .-7p.m. Sunday at the Holiday Inn, 120 W. Pershing Blvd., North Little Rock. In addition to vendor sales, there will be presentations, lectures, astrology, readings, massage therapists and a holistic doctor. Admission is $5. Call (501) 843-5982.

8. FAIR WEATHER

Towns are gearing up with their springtime festivals. Downtown El Dorado gets rolling with motorcycles, crawfish and music at the Bugs, Bands & Bikes Festival, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday. Call (870) 862-4747. Museum tours, fish fry, music, train rides, crafts and a basketball contest are all planned for the England Celebration, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at William F. Foster Park, Main Street, England. Call (501) 842-8008. Pocahontas will celebrate its roots with Founders Day, Friday-Saturday. Music, demonstrations, a car show, games, crafts and living history presentations are planned. Call (870) 892-9022 or (870) 758-1875. General admission to all festivals is free, but there are fees for some activities.

9. TEA TIME

Mind your manners, sip some tea and chat with a doll or two at the Toy Shoppe Fantasy Tea, 203 Sologne Court, Little Rock, 2-4 p.m. Saturday. The party will feature characters from the Arkansas Festival Ballet's forthcoming production of Coppelia. Tickets are $20, $10 for children. Reservations are required. Visit www.arkansasdance.org or call (501) 227-5320.

10. VINO VOYAGE

Tame the inner beast with wines from six continents and food from area chefs featured at Wild Wines of the World benefit, hosted by the Little Rock Zoo. The event takes place from 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $40 for members, $50 for nonmembers.

Call (501) 666-2406 or visit www.littlerockzoo.com.

Weekend, Pages 31 on 04/30/2009