LITTLE ROCK — Crossword and Sudoku enthusiasts will descend on the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock, for its third annual Arkansas Puzzle Day , starting at 1 p.m. Saturday . The event will feature crossword and Sudoku contests (with an emphasis on accuracy rather than speed ), a "multipuzzle fun and games hour " and an educational session on puzzle history, strategy and tips for solving challenging crosswords. Officiating will be Judge Vic Fleming of Little Rock and Bonnie Gentry of Scottsdale, Ariz., co-editors of Random House Casual Crosswords. Kickoff for the event will be a Casual Crosswords autograph party and reception at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Peabody Little Rock hotel, West Markham and Louisiana streets; participants can also take part in a Saturday morning tour of the Clinton Presidential Center. Admission to all events is free. Call (501) 683-5239 or e-mail publicprograms @ clintonschool. uasys. edu. The Peabody is offering special Puzzle Day rates; call (501) 905 -4000.
2 PUPPY LOVE
As summer draws to a close so does the summer concert series at the Timberwood Amphitheater at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls. Three Dog Night will keep things rocking for the final show, 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free with a ticket to the park: $45.99, $35.99 for ages 55 and older and children under 52 inches. Online tickets are $35.99 and $30.99. Parking is $10. Those who want to attend the concert only can do so for $5 for regular seats or $10 for VIP seats. Call (501) 624-0100 or visit magicsprings.com.
3 STAGE SOIREE
Get a sneak peek at what's coming up on the boards when the Friends of the Rep presents the Behind the Curtain fundraiser, 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, 601 Main St., Little Rock. Director Bob Hupp and the cast of Always ... Patsy Cline will discuss the work going into the forthcoming production while guests enjoy cocktails and a casual sit-down dinner. Food will be provided by Mark Abernathy of Loca Luna and Bene Vita. Tickets are $50. Call (501) 378-0445.
4 FAME DAME Jazz singer Roseanna Vitro will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday in the recital hall at Capitol Keyboard, 13401 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock. Backing Vitro will be Dave Rogers on drums, Joe Vick on bass and Tom Cox on piano. Vitro was inducted into the Arkansas Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998 with Arkansas musicians Bob Dorough and John Stubblefield. She has served as an official jazz ambassador for the U.S. State Department and has put on concerts and workshops around the world. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. Call (501) 228-9999. For more information on Vitro, visit her Web site, rose annavitro.com.
5 JAZZED UP The 18-member Arkansas Jazz Orchestra will play classic and contemporary Big Band tunes at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ritz Civic Center, 306 W. Main St., Blytheville. The concert opens the Arts Council of Mississippi County's 2009-10 season. Tickets are $15, free for children under 12 with a paying adult. Call (870) 762-1744 or e-mail artsmissco@yahoo.com.
6 PURPLE HAZE
Go to a party where everything you sip or slurp will be purple. PEACE (Parents Educating Arkansas about Children with Epilepsy) is hosting the Purple Passion Cocktail Party, a contest to find a signature drink for the organization's Nov. 14 gala. Contestants will present purple mixed drinks for the competition. The event will be in full swing 3-6 p.m. Saturday at A Party to Go-Go, 230 Newman Drive, North Little Rock. Entry for the contest is $50 and the deadline to register is noon Friday. Party admission is $25. Visit peaceinark.com or call (501) 563-5211.
7 GONE BATTY It's a hair-raising weekend at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, where furry fliers are the theme for a series of crafts, sessions and tours. Free activities for "Bat-cha Weekend" will include Critter Crafts, 10-10:30 a.m. and a Bat Chat hike, 8-9:30 p.m. both on Friday. You can get a look at Bat Babies at 10 a.m. Saturday, and Sunday there will be Bat Origami at 10 a.m., Batty Brains at 2:30 p.m. and Echolocation Station at 3 p.m. The Bat House Bonanza craft project at 2 p.m. Saturday costs $20. Bats of the Big Maumelle Kayak Float at 7 p.m. Saturday is $35 and the Bats and Stars Cruise at 8 p.m. Sunday is $10, $5 for children 6-12. Advance payment is required for activities with an admission fee. For a full schedule, visit arkansasstateparks.com or call (501) 868-5806.
8 SPLIT PERSONALITY
The good doctor and his psychotic alter-ego will switch off for the last time this weekend as Jekyll & Hyde ends its run at the Weekend Theater, Seventh and Chester streets, Little Rock. Performances of the musical start at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $18, $14 for students and ages 65 and older. Call (501) 374-3761.
9 SPACED OUT
If you haven't blasted off yet, this is your last chance. "Space: From the Moon to Mars" ends its run at the Clinton Presidential Center on Sunday. A special Super Summer Saturdays in Space finale will have Build Your Own Rocket interactive activities at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon followed by the U.S. Space & Rocket Center special rocket launch at 1 p.m. Saturday. Space Camp Simulator rides during the day are $1 per ride. Center hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7; $5 for retired military, college students and ages 62 and over; $3 for children ages 6-17 and free for active military and children under 6. Visit clintonpresidentialcenter.org or call (501) 374-4242.
10 SHARP SHOOTERS
The Arkansas Gun & Cartridge Collectors Club's Gun & Knife Show will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the State Fairgrounds, Little Rock. Tickets are $7; free for children ages 12 and younger. Parking is free. Call (501) 833-8064.
Weekend, Pages 29 on 08/27/2009