March 4
Taiko Drummers Performance
CONWAY — TAO, internationally acclaimed percussion artists, will bring the ancient art of Japanese taiko drumming to the University of Central Arkansas’ Reynolds Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 to $40 for adults and $10 for children. UCA student tickets are free with a valid student ID. For tickets, call UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or toll-free in Arkansas at (866) 810-0012, or visit www.uca.edu/reynolds. For more information, contact Amanda Horton at (501) 450-3682 or ahorton@uca.edu.
March 7
First Wednesday Ladies’ Lunch Break
CONWAY — The First Wednesday Ladies’ Lunch Break will take place from noon to 1 p.m. in the Second Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at Dave Ward Drive and Farris Road. Women of all ages are invited to attend. Lunch, for $5, includes a drink and dessert. Child care is available at no charge with advance registration by calling (501) 327-4066 or (501) 730-4106 by Tuesday.
Free Film: Volcano
CONWAY — There will be a free showing of the film Volcano at 6 p.m. in Burdick Hall at the University of Central Arkansas. In the film, native traditions and Western ways collide when Maria, a Mayan coffee worker, tries to escape an arranged marriage with a man who plans to migrate to the U.S. The film is from Guatemala with English subtitles.
Native American Flute Presentation
FAIRFIELD BAY — William Wording, a Native American flute maker and performer, will give a presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Indian Hills Club/Little Red Restaurant. The event is free, and purchase of lunch is optional. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.
Arkansas Coding Academy Open House
CONWAY — The Arkansas Coding Academy will have an open house from 5-7 p.m. at UCA Downtown, 1105 W. Oak St. All are invited to attend, meet the staff and learn about the opportunities that coding offers. For more information, call Anita at (501) 450-1715.
March 8
Maumelle AARP Meeting
MAUMELLE — Maumelle AARP Chapter 5359 will meet at 6 p.m. at the new Maumelle Center on the Lake, 2 Club Manor Cove, behind Kroger and the new fire station. All who are 50 or older are invited to attend the meeting. In lieu of a program, the group will have a potluck dinner. For more information, contact chapter president Carol Slaymaker at (501) 529-9833 or membership chairwoman Kathy Kafka at (501) 851-4771.
Master Gardeners Meeting
RUSSELLVILLE — The Pope County Master Gardeners will meet at 1 p.m. in Room 414 of First Assembly of God Church. Katie Ewing with the Arkansas Department of Transportation in Little Rock will present the program, Wildflowers of the Arkansas Roadways. The Natural State’s wildflowers include more than 600 species. Visitors are welcome to attend the presentation.
March 8 – March 11
Romeo and Juliet
RUSSELLVILLE — Arkansas Tech University will present William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and at 2 p.m. March 11 in ATU’s Techionery Theatre, 1502 N. El Paso Ave. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for those with a valid ATU identification card. Tickets will not be sold in advance. Ardith Morris, professor of communication and theater at Arkansas Tech, is directing the play. For more information, call (479) 964-0890.
March 10
Spaghetti supper
NEW DIXIE — St. Boniface Catholic Church will hold its spaghetti and sausage dinner, featuring homemade rolls and peach cobbler, from 4-7 p.m. at St. Boniface Hall. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children younger than 6 may eat free. For carryout meals, call (501) 759-2876.
Bunny Hop Brunch II
CONWAY — Cubs in the Kitchen: Bunny Hop Brunch II, for children ages 7 to 12, will take place from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at UCA Downtown, 1105 W. Oak St. The kids will create an easy brunch casserole and spring confetti bars. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.
UCA Percussion Festival
CONWAY — The 2018 University of Central Arkansas Percussion Festival will begin at noon at the Snow Fine Arts Center and conclude with a performance by Michael Burritt, professor of percussion at the Eastman School of Music at 5 p.m. in the Snow Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, along with the UCA Percussion Ensemble. Presenters will include Megan Arns, professor of percussion at the University of Missouri, and Jeff Ausdemore, percussion coordinator at Colleyville (Texas) Heritage High School, who will conduct a clinic. All events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Tyson at blake@blaketyson.com.
Chase Race and Paws
CONWAY — The 13th annual Chase Race and Paws is set for 8 a.m., beginning and ending at Simon Park, 805 Front St. The event includes a 2-mile state-championship race and awards a $100 cash prize to any male or female who breaks the course records. All finishers will receive a medal. The 1-mile Paws race is for participants to run or walk with their leashed dog/pet. Other activities include a best-pet-costume contest during the 1-mile race, pet adoption and more. The race benefits Haven in Conway, a residential group home for abused and neglected girls. For more information, visit www.chaserace.info.
Infant and Toddler Safety Class
CONWAY — Infant and Toddler Safety will be offered from 9 a.m. to noon in the University of Central Arkansas’ Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center. This course covers the topics of newborn sleeping, child passenger-safety restraint and choking prevention. The course is helpful for new parents and child care providers. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.
Ongoing
Intermediate Sewing Class
CONWAY — Intermediate Sewing will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, March 8, 15, 22 and 29, in the University of Central Arkansas’ Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center. Students will go beyond zippers, buttons and stitches to create a shoulder bag and a jacket. For more information, call Autumn at (501) 450-3118.
Student Art Competitive
CONWAY — Artist Sharon Louden, an author and educator with experience in the contemporary art world, will be the juror for the University of Central Arkansas’ annual Student Art Competitive. Any UCA student may submit up to three works for possible inclusion. Multiple awards will be given. The exhibit will be on view Monday through March 16 at UCA’s Baum Gallery. A reception is set for 4 p.m. Thursday. Baum Gallery exhibits are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Adult Summer Softball Registration
RUSSELLVILLE — The Russellville Recreation and Parks Department is registering teams for its Summer Adult Softball League until 5 p.m. Friday. Teams that register must pay the entry fee and submit an entry form and a team roster. Forms are available in the Russellville Recreation and Parks Department Office and at www.russellvillearkansas.org. For more information, call (479) 968-1272.
Cheers! Art Exhibit
CLINTON — Cheers! is the North Central Arkansas Artist League’s free original art exhibit at Ozark Health Medical Center on U.S. 65 on the south side of Clinton. On display until April 23, the collection includes 50 paintings by 11 local artists. Artwork is exhibited in the hallways, both upstairs near the cafeteria and downstairs in the outpatient wing. All paintings are for sale at prices ranging from $15 to $325. A portion of each sale will benefit projects by the Hospital Auxiliary. For more information, call Joyce Hartmann, hospital exhibit coordinator, at (501) 745-6615.
Lakes, Skies and Rivers Art Exhibit
CLINTON — Choctaw artist Joyce Hartmann has a new exhibit of 17 paintings titled Lakes, Skies and Rivers at First Security Bank, 112 Volunteers Parkway. The exhibit, which features some of the local natural beauty of Arkansas water and landscapes, is open to the public during regular business hours through March 19. Hartmann’s art can be seen at www.joycehartmann.com and on Facebook.
Painting With Jim
FAIRFIELD BAY — Painting With Jim will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday at the Fairfield Bay Community Education Center, 130 Village Lane, Suite 5E. The cost is $40 per session, and all materials will be provided. Students will learn the value of color and composition with a new subject each week, starting and completing an acrylic painting in the two-hour class. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.
Jewelry-Making Classes
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Library has jewelry-making classes for beginners from 6-7 p.m. each Thursday. There is no charge for the classes, but students provide their own supplies or purchase kits in class. Free minor jewelry repair will be offered by the class instructor. Bring broken or outdated costume jewelry to be repaired or updated while you wait, or bring broken jewelry or loose beads to trade for a piece of new jewelry. For more information, email cardsandjewelry@gmail.com or call the library at (501) 327-7482.
Humane Society Benefit Bingo
GREENBRIER — Bingo, sponsored by the Humane Society of Faulkner County, takes place every third Friday at the Melton Cotton City Event Center, 5 Lois Lane. Pregames start at 5:30 p.m., and full games begin at 6:30. Proceeds from the event benefit the Sloan-Swindel Spay and Neuter Memorial Fund. For more information, email rescuethestrays@yahoo.com.
Bluegrass Music Night
HEBER SPRINGS — Heber Springs Christian Church, 1101 N. Broadway St., offers a bluegrass music night from 6:30-8:30 every Tuesday. Musicians are invited to participate. Free coffee will be available.
Yoga Class at the Library
CONWAY — Danny Mize, a registered yoga instructor, teaches a yoga class at 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Faulkner County Library. Mize’s class focuses on feeling good in one’s body and letting go of life’s stress while listening to music. Yoga practitioners of all skill levels, especially beginners, are welcome in the class. All library programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at (501) 327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org.
Faulkner County Coin Club Meetings
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Coin Club meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Ola and John Hawks Senior Wellness and Activity Center, 705 E. Siebenmorgen Road. The 5 p.m. dinner is optional, and a $6 donation is suggested for those 60 and younger. A fellowship time will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. with educational speakers, show-and-tell, news and door prizes. For more information, call (501) 514-0785.
Friday Night Bingo
HEBER SPRINGS — Friday Night Bingo takes place each week at the American Legion Hall, 49 Park Road. Doors open at 5:30 for bonanzas, and regular play starts at 6:30. Food is available.
Faulkner County Tea Party Luncheon
CONWAY — The Faulkner County Tea Party has a luncheon at noon every Thursday at Larry’s Pizza, 1068 Markham St. Guest speakers and the members’ “soap box” are featured each week. All who are interested in governmental and business affairs on the county, state or national level are invited to attend.
Upcoming
Arkansas Coding Academy Open House
CONWAY — The Arkansas Coding Academy will have an open house from 5-7 p.m. March 13 at UCA Downtown, 1105 W. Oak St. All are invited to attend, meet the staff and learn about the opportunities that coding offers. For more information, call Anita at (501) 450-1715.
Cleburne County Retired Teachers Meeting
HEBER SPRINGS — The Cleburne County Retired Teachers will meet at noon March 13 at the Rustic Inn, 404 S. Seventh St. The guest speaker will be Danny Knight, vice chair of the board of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. Knight will share information regarding current board actions and the status of the retirement system. For more information, call Lavern Penn at (501) 206-0357.
Maumelle Newcomers Luncheon
MAUMELLE — A Maumelle Newcomers luncheon will take place at 11 a.m. March 15 at the Maumelle Country Club. The cost is $15. Ashley Leopoulos of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation will present the program. For reservations, call Betty McBurnett at (501) 664-7196 by March 12.
Men’s Pancake Supper
MORRILTON — The Morrilton First United Methodist Church Men’s Pancake Supper will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. March 15 in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The community is invited. No tickets will be sold. Donations are appreciated and will be used for charitable community projects. For more information, call the church at (501) 354-4077.
Catfish Supper
ST. VINCENT — Knights of Columbus Council 10908 in St. Vincent, 9 miles north of Morrilton on Arkansas 95, will have its 25th annual catfish supper at 5 p.m. March 16. The menu will also include fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw and dessert. The cost is $15 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12. Children 4 and younger may eat free. Adult take-out meals for $10 each will be available. For more information, call (501) 354-4854.
The Buddy Holly Story
CONWAY — The Buddy Holly Story will come to the Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas at 7:30 p.m. March 29. The show, which is a fundraiser for the Main Stage Education Series, includes more than 20 of Holly’s greatest hits, including “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy” and “Rave On.” Tickets are $30 to $40 for the general public and $10 for students and children. Call UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or toll-free in Arkansas at (866) 810-0012, or visit www.uca.edu/reynolds. For more information, contact Amanda Horton at (501) 450-3682 or ahorton@uca.edu.
Creating Butterfly Landscapes
FAIRFIELD BAY — Ruth Andre will give a presentation on creating butterfly landscapes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at the Indian Hills Club/Little Red Restaurant. Andre will talk about how to cultivate a garden to be butterfly-friendly. The event is free, and purchase of lunch is optional. For more information, contact the Fairfield Bay Education Center at (501) 884-4440 or ffbcec@artelco.com.
To submit an item for the Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, River Valley & Ozark Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR 72203; fax to (501) 378-3500; or email to rvonews@arkansasonline.com. The deadline for calendar-item submissions is noon Tuesday.