Gettin' around downtown is getting easier! New signage (right) is being installed by Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (the old will come out next) to better guide visitors throughout Little Rock. A new Ambassadors Program was announced this week by the Downtown Little Rock Partnership to better serve residents and visitors alike. See Downtown Notes.
Main Street Creative Corridor
February 17-26:  Sister  Act, Arkansas Repertory Theatre Raise your voice with The Holy Order of the Little Sisters of Our Mother of Perpetual Faith in this rapturous new musical based on the 1992 hit movie starring Whoopi Goldberg!  Learn more.

F ebruary 26: Barkus on Main--Come on out for Barkus on Main, a Mardi Gras-themed dog parade in the Main Street Creative Corridor, presented by Hounds Lounge Pet Resort and Spa. There will be prizes for 8 different categories, food and beverages for sale, along with live entertainment by the Big John Miller Band! For more information or to register link here, or call Downtown Little Rock Partnership at 501-375-0121.
River Market District
February 18: Star Wars Science, Museum of Discovery, 500 President Clinton Avenue, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Build lightsabers, LEGO spaceships, Reys Salvage Yard, Jedi challenge, laser bounce and more! Learn more.
February 20: Presidents' Day FREE Admission to the Clinton Presidential Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m.and a special performance by the US Air Force Band of Mid-America's Midwest Winds at 11 a.m.
February 21: The Iran Wars--Spy Games, Bank Battles, Secret Deals and What Comes Now, Clinton School of Public Service, Sturgis Hall, 6 p.m. Wall Street Journal reporter Jay Solomon. Book signing following. Free. Reservations by email or calling 683-5239.
February 22: ADA Lawsuits Bring Wesites Under Fire Webinar presented by Cross Gunter Witherspoon & Galchus, (500 President Clinton Avenue, Suite 200), 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. How to take appropriate preventative measure to mitigate the risk of a costly ADA lawsuit with CGWG Attorney Abtin Mehdizadegan. Cost $65.  Learn more.
February 23: 2016 Oscars Nominated Live Action Short Films, Ron Robinson Theater, 6 p.m. $5. Learn more.
February 24: 2016 Oscars Nominated Animation Short Films, Ron Robinson Theater, 6 p.m. $5. Learn more.
March 3: World Day of Prayer, Christ Episcopal Church, 504 Scott Street. Celebrated by Church Women United Central Arkansas South. Registration, 9:30 a.m.; program, 10 a.m. Open to the community.
SoMa
South Main Street area
Ongoing: Reflections--Images and Objects from African American Women, 1891-1987, Esse Purse Museum, 1510 Main Street, in collaboration with Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.  Thru April 30.
February 25: 2 017 South Main Mardi Gras Parade, 12 noon. Call for entries--floats, bands, costumes. Entry deadline February 23! For more information contact Hillis Schold 412-3768 or email. Forms available at The Green Corner Store, Moxy Mercantile, South Main Creative and Sweet Home Furnishings. Prizes! SoMa Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, Rogers House, 400 W. 18th. 7-10 p.m., $50.
Argenta Arts District
In Downtown North Little Rock. For more information link here.
Ongoing: North Little Rock Restaurant Month. Learn more.
February 17: Third Friday Argenta Art Walk, downtown Argenta Arts District, 5-8 p.m. Walkable galleries include Barry Thomas Fine Art & Studio, Core Brewery, Thea Foundation, Argenta Branch of Laman Library, studioMain, Greg Thompson Fine Art, Claytime Pottery, Argenta Gallery including studioMAIN, Southern Women Artisan Guild, House of Art and Mugs CafĂ©.
February 17: Nature Inside and Out, Mugs Cafe, 515 Main Street, 5-8 p.m. Art work by Daniella Napolitano and Carmen Alexandriz.
February 17-March 5: The Secret Garden, Argenta Community Theater. Learn more.
February 17-March 25: Naked People with their Clothes On, The Joint's cabaret theater and coffeehouse. 301 Main Street. Learn more.
February 18: Beer, Brats and Bots, The Innovation Hub, 201 E. Broadway, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn more.
February 20-23: Painting Workshop, Barry Thomas Art & Studio, 711 Main Street. For beginner and intermediate. Learn more.
March 1: Cregeen's Wild Turkey 101 Whiskey Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Limited seating. Learn more.
March 3: Sandwiching in History Tour: Old NLR Fire Station, 506 Main. Presented by Arkansas Historic Preservation Program. Free. Learn more.
Verizon Arena
In Downtown North Little Rock,
1 Verizon Arena Way. For ticket information link here (Verizon Arena) or here (Ticketmaster).
February 20 Charlie Wilson 
February 23 Toby Mac
March 3 Twenty One Pilots
March 8 Green Day, Revolution Radio Tour, with special guest Against Me!
March 10 Professional Bull Riders
March 19 Winter Jam
March 31 Blink-182 with special guest The Naked and Famous
April 21 Brantley Gilbert with special guests Tom Beathard, Luke Combs & Brian Davis
April 22 Red Hot Chili Peppers
April 23 tom Petty & The Heartbreakers with Joe Walsh
April 26 Boston: Hyper Space Tour
April 28-29 Monster Jam Triple Threat Series
May 4-7 Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment
August 3 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
October 22 Bruno Mars

Downtown Update  

February 17, 2017
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter! All the latest Downtown Little Rock news, events and happenings sent to your inbox.  Email us here Please share with a colleague or friend!
Downtown Notes                  
Downtown Little Rock Partnership introduced this week two new members of the Partnership team.  Meet Donovan James and Aaron Clark, our Ambassadors, the latest resource for Downtown and for its residents and visitors.  Their job is to provide an additional, helpful presence in the area.  They will be equipped with smart phones and a dedicated app which will allow them to report maintenance issues and any interactions with the public. 
     As they patrol the area between Markham and Ninth Streets and Broadway and Cumberland Streets, our ambassadors will take note of burned-out street lights, graffiti, trash, and the like. We will either report it to the city or, in some cases, fix the problems ourselves. 
     Their other focus is to be where people are, provide a welcoming presence.  This will involve walking people to cars, hotels and restaurants or even just giving directions.  Donovan and Aaron will be wearing red, DLRP branded uniforms, so keep an eye out for them and say hello when you see them.  We want feedback, so please let us know how we are doing.
--Gabe Holmstrom, DLRP Executive Director
 
Rusty Mathis of Ben E. Keith Foods received the Business Executive of the Year Award at Thursday night's 29th annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards presented by Arkansas Business Publishing Group. Mathis said he's proud of having built the North Little Rock location with 288 employees into "one of the most prominent brands in our distribution footprint." 
     Also receiving the Smart Corporate Giving Award for Small Business by the Arkansas Community Foundation was Stone's Throw BrewingLearn more. ( Arkansas Business)

Potbelly Sandwich Shop is opening its second location in the Lyon Building at 410 W. Capitol Avenue. Owner Ryan Hamra hopes to open in mid-June. Learn more.

Three Fold Noodles is moving from 215 Center Street to 613 Main in the  Main Street Creative Corridor. Owner Lisa Zhang plans to move by August.  Learn more.

According to Eric Harrison in Restaurant Transitions, Arkansas Online, Slick's restaurant is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Main Street Mall, 101 E. Capitol in the Main Street Creative Corridor and planning a new look that is scheduled for viewing on Monday.

Bray Gourmet Deli  in the Tower Building, 323 Center Street, is also debuting a new look and menu soon. Watch for it.
     
Anderson Penix has joined the Downtown Little Rock Partnership staff as Communications Director. A Lyon College graduate, Penix has worked in local and state politics. Gabe Holmstrom, Executive Director, commented, "We are grateful to have Anderson and his enthusiasm join our team. I look forward to having his insight as someone who lives and breathes Downtown."

Bryan Jones has joined Stone Ward  as Director of Digital Strategy & Planning. Before joining Stone Ward, Jones owned his own consulting firm, Extra Awesome. 

The Venture Center of Little Rock has announced that 295 entrepreneur and startup teams have applied for its 2017 FinTech Accelerator program scheduled to begin May 8. This is twice the number that applied for last year's inaugural program. Learn more. (Arkansas Business)

Clinton National Airport announced that Chick-fil-A and Chili's plan to open early next year, pending approval by the airport's commission. Learn more. (Arkansas Business)

Around Downtown
Ongoing: Blue and You Fitness Challenge Signup (for March 1-May 3) sponsored by  Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield   and the Arkansas Department of Health . Learn more.
Ongoing: True Faith, True LightOld State House Museum.
The Devotional Art of Ed Stilley. On exhibit. Learn more.
Ongoing: The Arts @ Christ Church presents The Watercolor Series of Kuhl Brown. Thru March 31. Hillcrest landscape artist and award-winning watercolorist.
Ongoing: New Gallery I Exhibition Henri Linton, Sr. Opening Reception, Hearne Fine Art, 1001 Wright Avenue, 5:30 p.m. Recent works on paper & canvas. Exhibition thru March 11. 372-6822
Ongoing: World View showcasing Hannah Hinojosa's art. Hinojosa is a UA Little Rock graduate and head of the art department at Joe T. Robinson High School. Thru March 1. Satirical Specs exhibit, a playful look at society's short comings. Thru March 1. 801-0211
February 17-March 12: Titanic--The Musical Opening Night, The Weekend Theater, 1001 W. Seventh. Based on the Tony Award-winning musical. Learn more.
February 18: MLK Race to Stop the Violence 5K, Arkansas State Capitol, 8 a.m. Learn more.
February 18: Arts@Christ Church presents The Midwest Winds, woodwind quintet from the USAF Band of Mid-America, 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. 
February 20: Little Rock Entrepreneurial Training Course. Mondays for 10 weeks, Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center, 6-9 p.m. Learn more.
February 24-26: Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, Statehouse Convention Center. Learn more.
February 28: The First 100 Days and Beyond--Key Issues for Employers and HR in 2017, Wright Lindsey Jennings employment law seminar, 11:30 a.m. Free, complimentary lunch,  WLJ Conference Rooms (Floor 23) in Bank of America Building. Also available via webinar. Contact Roben Sullivant by email before February 24. Or call 371-0808.
March 2-12: The Elephant Man, The Studio Theatre, 320 W. 7th. Presented by the Community Theatre of Little Rock. Learn more.
March 4: The History Truck WIC Work/Shop, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center,  1 p.m. Historian and artist Erin Bernard, developer of the Philadelphia History Truck will speak.  Learn more.
March 4-5: Community Theatre of Little Rock Open Auditions, The Studio Theatre, 320 W. 7th. For a late spring comedy Life is Short by Craig Pospisil. Directed by Trisha H. Spione. Roles for men and women over 18. Learn more.
March 4-5: Little Rock Marathon. Learn more!
Save the Dates:
April 8, 4th Annual Downtown Dash--10K/5K, Junior League of Little Rock event. Learn more.
Nearby:
February 23: UA Little Rock welcomes Grammy award-winning Parker Quartet, 2017 Artspree Concert Series, Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall. Call 569-3294.
Ongoing: UA Little Rock, Ottenheimer Library, exhibit "War Comes Home--The Legacy" featuring letters between American soldiers and their loved ones, from Civil War era to World War II to more current combat in the Middle East. Thru March 10. Call 569-8018.

Little Rock (LRCVB) event listings also posted here.

MacArthur Park Historic District
Ongoing: Herman Maril, The Strong Forms of Our Experience opens at  Arkansas Arts Center . Mid-Atlantic modernist from Maryland for his first solo exhibition in Arkansas. Thru April 16.  Learn more.
Ongoing: Ansel Adams: Early Works opens at  Arkansas Arts Center. American landscape photographer, 41 original prints made from 1920s into 1950s. Thru April 16. Learn more.
Ongoing: Mid-Southern Watercolorists--47th Annual Juried Exhibition
at Arkansas Arts Center. Thru April 16.
Learn more.
Ongoing: #BetterWithBeerFreeMovieSeries,  Stone's Throw Brewing, 402 E. Ninth. Wednesdays: February 22--The Birds. 244-9154
Ongoing: #ArkiePubTrivia, 
Stone's Throw Brewing, 
402 E. Ninth. Thursdays: February 23: hosted by Science after Dark at the Museum of Discovery.
February 17-19: The Laughable Legend of Fancybeard the Bully Pirate, Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre. Learn more.
February 21:  Sheila Kennedy of Kennedy & Violich Architecture, Arkansas Arts Center Lecture Hall, 5:30 reception, 6 p.m. lecture. As a Principal of Kennedy & Violich Architecture Ltd. (KVA), over 15 years, Sheila Kennedy has established an internationally recognized design practice that explores architecture, digital technology and emerging public needs. Presented by Arkansas Design Network. Free, public invited.
February 28: Community Conversation with Studio Gang, Arkansas Arts Center, 501 E. Ninth,  Lower Lobby Lecture Hall, 12 noon. Studio Gang, the design architect selected for the Arkansas Arts Center's upcoming building project will discuss their firm's approach to design. Patrons may ask question as well as participate in information-gathering for the upcoming design process. 372-4000.
March 9: Korto Momolu in special screening of AETN's Men and Women of Distinction, Arkansas Arts CenterA wine reception at 5:30 p.m. will precede the screening at 6 p.m. followed by question and answer session and fashion show. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited, and reservations are required. Learn more or call 372-4000.
Robinson Center
For tickets, unless noted otherwise, link here.
February 18: Legends of Southern Hip Hop
March 4-5: Imagine, the Music of John Lennon with the
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Learn more.
March 8-19: Phantom of the Opera
March 28: Brain Candy Live
March 31: Ballet Arkansas's Turning Pointe Gala, honoring Mayor Mark Stodola. Learn more.
April 3: Gladys Knight
April 10: The Price Is Right Live