THE WEEKEND TEN

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Black Friday photo illustration.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Black Friday photo illustration.

1 SHOP

Brick-and-mortar merchants have been busy reducing the impact of Black Friday with advance sales while online merchants have been diverting dollars to Cyber Monday, but that doesn't mean folks won't be lining up outside big-box stores banking on bargains this weekend. As usual, traffic will be heavy at major mercantile intersections (including the mall-infested McCain Boulevard and U.S. 67/167 in North Little Rock and West Markham and University Avenue in Little Rock, plus pretty much the length of west Little Rock's Bowman Road) and other area locations where commerce will be taking place. As usual, we extend our annual thanks to our readers, and our usual annual admonition: Be careful out there.

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Australian vocal ensemble The Ten Tenors.

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Garvan Gardens' Holiday Lights are shown in this 2016 file photo.

2 "SLEIGH RIDE"

Australian vocal ensemble The Ten Tenors kicks off a 24-city U.S. tour at 8 p.m. Saturday at Robinson Center Performance Hall, West Markham Street and Broadway, Little Rock. The program will center on their recently released Our Christmas Wish album. Tickets are $28-$78 (plus fees). Call (501) 244-8800 or visit ticketmaster.com.

3 SCOOT

Get in a little pre-feast exercise at Go! Running's annual Go!bbler Turkey Trot. This noncompetitive fun run/walk has options of 3, 4 or 6.5 miles and starts at 8 a.m. today at Go! Running, 1819 N. Grant St., Little Rock. Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes. Registration is a donation to the Arkansas Foodbank, which Santa will be present to collect. Call (501) 663-6800 or visit gorunning.com.

4 STORIES

Cap off Thanksgiving weekend with hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows and stories at Pinnacle Mountain State Park's Fall Hayride and Campfire, 3-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $15, $8 for children 6-12 and registration is required. Call (501) 868-5806 or visit arkansasstateparks.com/pinnaclemountain.

5 SING

The River City Men's Chorus will sing sacred, secular and celebratory seasonal songs and carols from many lands for its "Holiday! 2016" Concert, 3 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday and Dec. 1 at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock. Admission is free. Call (501) 377-1080 or visit rivercitymenschorus.com.

6 SURVIVAL

Learn about what it took to survive in the wilds of Arkansas at the annual Mountain Rendezvous, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday at Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton. Admission is free. Call (501) 727-5441 or visit petitjeanstatepark.com.

7 SPARKLE

It's already Christmas time at Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs. The annual Holiday Lights celebration with animated displays and hot chocolate is already open, 5-9 p.m. through Dec. 31. It's closed today and Dec. 25. Admission is $15, $5 for ages 6-12. Golf carts are $15 per person. Call (501) 262-9300 or visit garvangardens.org.

8 STUTTGART

Stuttgart celebrates the mighty duck at the annual Wings Over the Prairie Festival, through Saturday. The carnival and midway open at 3 p.m. today but most activities will be Friday and Saturday with arts and crafts, shows, contests, exhibits and the World Championship Duck Calling Contest. General admission is free but there are participation fees for some activities. Call (870) 673-1602 or visit stuttgartarkansas.org.

9 STATE PARKS

State parks across Arkansas encourage everyone to get out and enjoy nature on Green Friday. This Friday, parks such as Queen Wilhelmina State Park, Lake Dardanelle State Park, Village Creek State Park and the Plantation Agriculture Museum will host special activities designed to help people connect with the outdoors. Admission is free. Call (888) 287-2757 or visit arkansasstateparks.com.

10 SUITE

Hot Springs Children's Dance Theatre Company will stage P.I. Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet The Nutcracker at 7 p.m. Friday and Dec. 2-3 and 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday at LakePointe Church, 1343 Albert Pike, Hot Springs. Tickets are $30 and $20, $15 and $10 for students. Call (501) 655-6815 or visit hscdtc.org. The company will also offer a special student performance at 10 a.m. Dec. 2 at the church, with a post-performance meet-and-greet with the dancers; tickets are $10.

Weekend on 11/24/2016

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