THE WEEKEND TEN

LITTLE ROCK — 1 PURPLE

A touring ensemble from Phoenix Entertainment-Joyful Noise makers LLC, under the aegis of Celebrity Attractions, will bring the musical The Color Purple to Little Rock this weekend, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday

and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Robinson Center Music Hall, West Markham Street and Broadway. (The creators: music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, book by Marsha Norman, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg.) Tickets are $22-$52 plus handling fees; call (501) 244-8800 or (800) 982-2787 (ARTS) or visit ticketmaster.com. See story Page 5E.

2 PLAY

When A Raisin in the Sun debuted on Broadway in 1959, it became the first play produced there to have been written by a black woman, as well as the first to have a black director. With its story of family conflict over an inheritance, the play has timeless themes decades later. The Arkansas Repertory Theatre is presenting Lorraine Hansberry’s drama for the first time, officially opening Friday night at The Rep, Sixth and Main streets, Little Rock (although a preview performance will be held at 7 p.m. today) and continuing through Feb. 6. Tickets range from $25 to $40 (with $5 or $10 discounts through today). For more information, call (501) 378-0405 or see the website therep.org. See story Page 4E.

3 PARTY

Country singer Jason Aldean kicks off his 32-city 2011 “My Kinda Party” Tour, in support of the recently released album of the same name, with opening acts Eric Church and the Jane Dear Girls at 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena.

Tickets: $47.75, $30.75 and $20.75 plus service charges. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticket master.com. The arena’s paperless ticket system is in effect for this concert. See story Page 3E.

4 PRODUCTION

Will Nicholson plays Mowgli, the wolfraised man-cub, in the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre production of The Jungle Book, 7 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Feb. 6 at the Arts Center in MacArthur Park, 10th and Commerce streets, Little Rock. Alan Keith Smith penned the adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale; Bradley Anderson directs. Tickets are $14, $11 for children. Call (501) 372-4000 or visit arkarts.com.

5 POWERBOATS

Boats, barges and other watercraft will be in dry dock at the Statehouse Convention Center for the annual Arkansas Marine Expo. In addition to the displays of boats of all sorts, exhibitors will have information on area lakes, vacations and fishing and boating products. Show hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5, free for children 12 and under. Call (501) 225-6177 or (501) 765-1423.

6 PERFORMER

Champion fiddler Matthew Hartz will stir things up with a special concert at Wildwood Park for the Arts, 7 p.m.

Friday. Hartz, a three-time grand master fiddle champion, two-time grand national fiddle champion and world champion fiddler, will perform original music in a variety of styles including pop, rock, jazz and country. Admission is “pay what you can,” although a $10 donation is recommended; proceeds benefit the park’s Pickin’ and Fiddlin’ Championship. The park is at 20919 Denny Road. Call (501) 821-7275 or visit wildwoodpark.org.

7 PIANIST

Singer-songwriter-composer Randy Newman takes the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday in Baum Walker Hall of Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville. Tickets are $32 to $65. Call (479) 443-5600 or visit waltonartscenter.org.

8 PEOPLE, PLACES

Cantrell Gallery celebrates the opening of its latest exhibit, “People, Places & Things,” by Doug Gorrell, with a reception and meet-the-artist event, 6-8 p.m. Friday. The exhibit of paintings will continue through March 5. Hours for the gallery at 8206 Cantrell Road are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Call (501) 224-1335.

9 PAINTINGS

Greg Thompson Fine Art, 429 Main St., North Little Rock, is hosting a 15th Anniversary Group Exhibition.

The show, featuring works by artists including Kendall Stallings, Benini, Glennray Tutor, William Dunlap, Barry Thomas and Gary Bolding, begins with a reception, 5-8 p.m. Friday and will run through March 12. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Call (501) 664-2787 or visit gregthompsonfineart.com. Nearby at 401 Main St., North Little Rock, the Thea Foundation celebrates its Arkansas Children’s Hospital Exhibition with works by patients and artists in residence at a reception, 5:30-8 p.m. Friday. Artists-in residence Elizabeth Weber and Hamid Ebrahimifar will discuss the exhibition and, from 6-7:30 p.m., Sharon Franke will demonstrate painting techniques. The exhibit continues through Jan. 28 and hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (501) 379-9512.

10 PLAYERS

Benton’s Young Players will stage the one-act musical The White Cat With the Crystal Blue Eyes - music by Karen Owings, lyrics by Owings and director Bob May, book by May, based on a fable by Marie-Catherine d’Aulnoy - at 7 p.m. today-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Royal Theatre, 111 S. Market St., Benton. A mysterious cat helps a young prince complete the peculiar tasks assigned him by his wise, old and retiring father, who is seeking to choose the heir to his throne. Sponsored by Everett Buick-GMC. Tickets are $10, $8 senior citizens, and $5 students. Call (501) 315-5483 (LIVE).