Here’s the latest roundup of weekend entertainment from Eric E. Harrison, culture reporter at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
MUSIC
The Arkansas Choral Society, with soloists Maria Fasciano, soprano; Gregory Church, tenor; and Scott Bearden, bass, and members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra perform Franz Schubert’s Mass No. 2 and four short sacred works by Mozart, 7:30 p.m. Friday in the sanctuary of Calvary Baptist Church, 5700 Cantrell Road, Little Rock. Conducted by Kent Skinner. lovetossing.org.
The Arkansas Chamber Singers will perform sacred and secular choral pieces by British composers at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Little Rock, 800 Scott St., under the direction of Tim Allen. (501) 377-1121 or ar-chambersingers.org.
The Conway Symphony Orchestra closes its 2023-24 season, 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Concert Hall of the University of Central Arkansas Windgate Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, 2150 Bruce St., Conway. Linda Hsu, violin, and Stephen Feldman, cello, solo in Johannes Brahms’s Double Concerto for violin and cello in A minor; the program will also include “Symphonic Dances” from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” Conducted by Israel Getsov. (501) 450-3265 or visit conwaysymphony.org.
Violinist Ariana Kim will give a recital, under the auspices of the Chamber Music Society of Little Rock, of “Music for Solo Violin from Bach to Bluegrass and Beyond,” 7:30 p.m. today at New Deal Studio, 2003 Louisiana St., Little Rock . chambermusicLR.com.
Soprano Nia Kelly and baritone Candy Jensen-Loving join the Little Rock Winds for a program titled “Gershwin, Porgy, and More,” 7:30 pm today at Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock. lrwinds.org/tickets.
And folk/comic band The Cleverlys plays at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Argenta Plaza, 501 Main St., North Little Rock. argentaartsdistrict.org.
THEATER
The second national tour of “Pretty Woman: The Musical” is on stage for four performances, 7:30 p.m., Friday, 2:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 1:00 p.m., Sunday, at the Hall for performances Robinson Center in Little Rock, 426 W. Markham St. Broadway, with original music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, book by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton, based on their 1990 film (501) 244-8800; CelebrityAttractions.com or ticketmaster.com.
Closing performances of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” covering the early life, career and songs of Carole King, at Argenta Contemporary Theatre, 405 Main St., North Little Rock, 7:30 p.m. today-Saturday. For tickets if there are any left: argentacontemporarytheatre.org.
Also the second weekend for “American Beauty” at the Weekend Theatre, 1001 W. Seventh St. on Chester Street, Little Rock, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and May 3-4, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and May 5. centralarkansastickets .com.
DANCE
Dancers from around the country gather at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, 501 E. Ninth St., Little Rock for “Action/Abstraction: Dance Performance Redefined,” combining traditional choreography and modern movement, 1:30 p.m., Saturday. This is in conjunction with the current exhibition Defining Action/Abstraction: Modern Indigenous Art, 1940s to 1970s, on display until 26 May. events.arkmfa.org.
DR.
The Arkansas Pie Festival, 10am-3pm Saturday at Cherokee Village Town Center puts pie vendors, home cooks and students in competition for a golden ticket in the dessert category of this fall’s World Food Championships in Dallas and the ultimate chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. All kinds of related festival features in addition; arkansaspiefestival.com.
And Arkansas Hospice is holding its third annual Plaza Fundraiser Party, 2-10 p.m. Saturday at Argenta Plaza, 510 Main St., North Little Rock, with free performances by BIAS, Mac Royals, Bijoux, Rocktown Sparks and co- headliners Tyler Kinch and Bonnie Montgomery, plus food trucks, children’s activities, an Artists on the Avenue market and a Care Fair. arkansashospice.org/plaza2024.
Tune in every Thursday at 4:44pm to hear Eric’s overview of arts and cultural events in Central Arkansas during All Things Considered on Little Rock Public Radio.
