1 REP
Preview performances have already begun for the first production of The Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s 2014-15 season. The production of the Tony-winning Memphis the Musical has its final preview at 7 p.m. today with a pre-show director talk at 6:15 p.m. The official opening at the theater, 601 Main St., Little Rock, is Friday and the show continues through Sept. 28 with showtimes at 7 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Sunday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Tickets are $40-$55. Call (501) 378-0405 or visit therep.org. See story on Page 4E.
2 RENOWNED
The Arkansas Arts Center, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock, salutes 2013's artist laureate with "Poet in Copper: Engravings by Evan Lindquist." The exhibit of more than 225 prints opens Friday and continues through Oct. 26. Center hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Call (501) 372-4000 or visit arkansasartscenter.org.
3 REV
Old-school gadget freaks, history fiends and the just plain curious can get a look at how things used to work at the Plantation Agriculture Museum's annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Enthusiasts will be there with their treasures to demonstrate and answer questions. The museum is at U.S. 165 and Arkansas 161 in Scott. Admission to the show is free. Call (501) 961-1409 or visit arkansasstateparks.com. See story on Page 5E.
4 RALLY
The Spa City will rumble and rock during the Hot Springs Motorcycle Rally, today-Sunday around the Convention and Civic Center, Oaklawn and Hill Wheatley Plaza in Hot Springs. Poker runs, a parade, movie screenings, a bike show and children's events are all planned for the big event. Concert headliner Trace Adkins performs at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $50 for all-access passes, $35 for rally-only passes, $10 for a Friday pass and $35 for Saturday. Children under 16 are free with a paid adult. Call (501) 282-7076 or visit thehotspringsrally.com.
5 ROOTS
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Sequoyah National Research Center takes aim at stereotypes in a new exhibit, "Toy Tipis and Totem Poles: Native American Stereotypes in the Lives of Children." The exhibit of dolls, toys, books, games and other memorabilia is designed to raise awareness of native cultures and achievements. It opens with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Friday and continues through Dec. 19. The center is at University Plaza, 5820 Asher Ave., Little Rock, and is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call (501) 569-8336.
6 REPERTOIRE
Opera in the Rock will stage two one-act operas -- The Face on the Barroom Floor, music by Henry Mollicone, libretto by John S. Bowman, and La Pizza con Funghi (The Mushroom Pie), music and libretto by Seymour Barab -- at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday at the Argenta Community Theater, 405 Main St., North Little Rock. Sponsor is Landers Fiat. Tickets are $35, $15 for students, $65 for VIP (which includes a private reception an hour before curtain with full bar and heavy hors d'ouevres and preferred balcony seating). Call (501) 244-9944, email operaintherock@operaintherock.org or visit operaintherock.org.
7 RIB-TICKLING
Central Arkansas sketch comedy company The Main Thing keeps the Fertle Family onstage at The Joint, 301 Main St., North Little Rock, as it opens Whatshisname? at 8 p.m. Friday. Curtain time for the cabaret-style show is 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday through Nov. 15. Admission is $20. Call (501) 372-0205 or visit TheJointArgenta.com.
8 RODNEY
Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers will headline A Night of Jazz, a benefit for Sickle Cell Support Services, 7 p.m. Friday at the Studio Theatre, 320 W. Seventh St., Little Rock. Admission is free but the nonprofit will accept donations toward sickle cell research and awareness. Call (501) 650-0764.
9 RIFFS
The Meshugga Klezmer Band will perform at 6 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 4106 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, with dinner catered by Lindsey's Hospitality House. The concert is part of the St. Luke's Festival of the Senses series; support comes in part from the Arkansas Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Tickets are $15, $10 for children 5-15. Call (501) 753-4281.
10 ROBUST
International Chili Society cooks will compete for cash prizes, trophies and the chance to be crowned the state champion, and local organizations will cook up chili to raise money for community projects as the Bull Shoals Lakeview Rotary Club holds its 19th annual Hillbilly Chili Cookoff, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Upper Bull Shoals-White River State Park, off Arkansas 178, Lakeview. There will be entertainment all day, vendors, crafters and exhibitors; attendees can sample the chili and vote for the People's Choice award. The club will also sell chili by the bowl, chili dogs, sodas and water. Admission is $3, free for kids under 12. Proceeds support the club's community projects. Call (870) 404-2864 or visit bullshoalslakeviewrotaryclub.org.
Weekend on 09/04/2014