1 HEROES
Spider-Man and The Avengers will take on dastardly mega villains when Marvel Universe Live! swings into Verizon Arena in North Little Rock. The action-packed show starts at 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $21-$51 plus fees. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster. com. See story on Page 4E.
2 HORSES
The sport of kings returns to Hot Springs as three months of equine excitement start Friday with Oaklawn’s opening day. After 12:30 p.m. post times for opening day and opening Saturday, racing starts at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 1 p.m. Saturday through April 11 with special post times on holidays. This year, general admission fees are waived at Oaklawn Park, 2705 Central Ave. Reserved seats are $2.50 on weekdays, $4.50 on weekends and parking is $2. Call (800) 625-5296 or visit oaklawn.com. See story on Page 4E.
3 HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Cantrell Gallery, 8206 Cantrell Road, Little Rock, is turning 45 and, to celebrate, it’s having a big party, 6-8 p.m. Friday. The birthday exhibit continues through Feb. 28 and will feature works by a long list of artists including Kae Barron, Daniel Coston, Warren Criswell, John Deering and Sarah Merkle. Regular hours for the gallery are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Admission is free. Call (501) 224-1335 or visit cantrellgallery.com.
2 4 HIGHLIGHT
Wildwood Park for the Arts is giving local artists a place to display their talents through the Art in the Park series. The first exhibit of 2015 will include works by faculty, students and alumni from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, today-Feb. 15. A reception will be held 6-8 p.m. Jan. 15. Regular hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Call (501) 821-7275 or visit wildwoodpark.org.
5 HELM, ETC.
The Old State House Museum, 300 W. Markham St., Little Rock, takes a look at Arkansas-based films with January’s edition of Second Friday Cinema, 5-8 p.m. Friday. This month’s film is End of the Line, directed by Jay Russell and featuring Mary Steenburgen and Levon Helm. A pre-film introduction and post-film discussion will be led by Ben Fry of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Call (501) 324-9685 or visit oldstatehouse.org.
6 HISTORY
Want to get out and explore Little Rock a bit in the new year? The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program helps people do that through the monthly Sandwiching in History tours. The January tour, noon Friday, will be a guided tour of Little Rock Fire Station No. 2 at 1201 S. Commerce St., Little Rock. The 1917 Craftsman-style building is in the process of being converted into a hostel and museum. Participation is free. Call (501) 324-9880 or visit arkansaspreservation.com.
7 HOVER
Flying feathered friends are the focus of Petit Jean State Park’s annual Eagle Awareness Weekend, Saturday-Sunday in Morrilton. The event includes informational programs, field trips and a live raptor show. Call (501) 727-5441 or visit petitjeanstatepark.com.
8 HARVARD LAW
There’s a lot of singing and dancing to do as The Royal Theatre’s Young Players Second Stage presents Legally Blonde, Friday-Jan. 18 at 111 S. Market St., Benton. Based on the 2001 film, the musical follows the misadventures of perky law student Elle Woods and will be performed by young actors ages 13-23. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets are $12, $10 for ages 65 and older, $5 for students. Call (501) 315-5483 or visit theroyalplayers.com.
9 HUNGRY
Baby-back ribs, brisket and, of course, raccoon, are on the menu for the big annual Gillett Coon Supper, 6 p.m. Saturday at the Gillett Elementary Gymnasium, 313 S. Sixth St., Gillett. Tickets are $20 and funds benefit the Gillett Farmers and Businessmen’s Club’s awards, school programs and endowment funds. Call (870) 548-2859 or (870) 830-4002.
10 HANDLE WITH CARE
The South Hot Springs Lions Club’s semi-annual Gun & Knife Show will be open for business, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Hot Springs Civic Center, 134 Convention Blvd. Admission is $7, free for children under 12 with a paying adult. Call (501) 767-2855 or visit hslionsgunshow. com.