THE WEEKEND TEN

The top things to do and places to be

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show runs from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show runs from 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

1 BRIDES

Brides and their entourages will descend on the Statehouse Convention Center, Broadway and Markham Street, Little Rock, where florists, caterers, bands and rental companies will help them plan their big day at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show. From 1-5 p.m. Sunday, wedding-related vendors will set up displays to showcase the latest trends. A runway fashion show starts at 4:30. Tickets are $12 at the door, $10 in advance and $35 for VIB tickets. Call (501) 378-3807 or visit arkansasbridalcommunity.com. See story on Page 4E.

2 BRIDLES

Now they’re off. Due to frigid weather, Oaklawn, 2705 Central Ave., Hot Springs, delayed its opening weekend, so the park’s live racing season starts this weekend with special post times at 1 p.m. today, Friday and Monday. Regular post times are 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 1 p.m. Saturday. General admission is free but there’s a $2 parking fee and reserved seating is $2.50 on weekdays, $4.50 on weekends. Call (800) 625-5296 or visit oaklawn.com.

3 BEASTS

Expect crushing, mashing and smashing when the Monster Jam’s monster trucks roar back into North Little Rock’s Verizon Arena, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Grave Digger, Carolina Crusher, Gunslinger and Fatal Attraction are all expected to make appearances, and the pre-show Party in the Pits are scheduled for 4:30 to 6:15 each night. Tickets are $22-$37 plus fees. Call (800) 745-3000 or visit ticketmaster. com.

4 BALLROOM

Two-time Dancing With the Stars champ Cheryl Burke hosts and headlines Ballroom With a Twist, featuring performers from that show plus So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Maumelle Performing Arts Center, 100 Victory Lane, Maumelle. Tickets are $42-$63. Call (501) 244-8800 or visit ticketmaster.com. Meanwhile, another version of the show will be on stage at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday in Baum Walker Hall at Fayetteville’s Walton Arts Center, 495 W. Dickson St. The dancers include Dmitry Chaplin, Tony Dovolani, Lacey Schwimmer and Anna Trebunskaya, plus American Idol singers Gina Glocksen-Ruzicka and Jacob Lusk. Tickets are $26-$56. Call (479) 443-5600 or visit waltonartscenter.org.

5 BRRRR!

It’s natural to want to hibernate during cold weather, but organized races can be a great way to get out and be healthy (and social). The Chilly Cheeks 10K in Camden is just one opportunity, 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Camden Municipal Airport. Registration is $30. Call (870) 836-6462 or (870) 231-5913.

6 BARK

Linda Williams Palmer’s depictions of the fabulous flora of Arkansas will go on display at Hot Springs National Park Cultural Center in the Ozark Bathhouse, downtown Hot Springs. “Arkansas Champion Trees: An Artist’s Journey,” contains drawings and photographs of more than 125 champion trees around the state. To celebrate the exhibit, the center will host a panel discussion and a screening of an AETN film on the trees and exhibit, 3-7 p.m. Saturday. The exhibit will remain on display through August. Hours are noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Call (501) 623-2824.

7 BRAVO

Opera star Renee Fleming headlines the Metropolitan Opera production of Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow, the latest in The Met Live in HD series. Directed by Broadway’s Susan Stroman and also starring Nathan Gunn and Kelli O’Hara, the comic opera will stream live to UA Breckenridge Stadium 12, 1200 Breckenridge Drive, Little Rock; and Tinseltown Benton, 17314 Interstate 30, Benton; at 11:55 a.m. Saturday. Both theaters will host encore screenings, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets in Little Rock are $24, $22 for ages 65 and older, $18 for children. Benton tickets are $22, $20 for ages 65 and older, $15 for children. Call (501) 224-0992 for Breckenridge, (501) 776-2282 for Tinseltown or visit fathomevents.com.

Speaking of opera, three judges will assess 30 singers from across the country for the Metropolitan Opera Council District Auditions, 1 p.m. Saturday in the Stella Boyle Smith Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2801 S. University Ave. Finalists will move on to the regional auditions Feb. 21 in Lexington, Ky.; the national semifinals and finals will take place in March at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Admission is free. Call (501) 655-1940.

8 BLOCKED

Two women and a man inescapably locked in a room discover “hell is other people” as The Weekend Theater, West Seventh and Chester streets, Little Rock, stages No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre (translated by Paul Bowles), 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24 and Jan. 30-31. Tickets are $16, $12 for students and senior citizens. Visit weekendtheater.org/boxoffice; for more information only, call (501) 374-3761.

9 BITE

Tripartite comedy troupe The Main Thing (Vicki Farrell, Steve Farrell and Brett Ihler) brings a new two-act revue — Frost Bite Me! — this weekend to the stage of The Joint, 301 Main St., North Little Rock, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday through March 14. The cabaret-style show features sketches (including one originally written for Saturday Night Live), songs and commercial parodies. Admission is $22; cocktails, craft beers, wines, European-style coffees, food and desserts will be available at your table throughout the show. For reservations (recommended), call (501) 372-0205 or visit TheJointArgenta.com.

10 BACH

German-born organist Jens Korndorfer will give Dr. Richard Hixson’s annual birthday concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Christ Episcopal Church, 509 Scott St., Little Rock. The first half of the program is all Johann Sebastian Bach, including a pair of Franz Liszt-arranged chorales; three pieces from the Little Organ Book; the Fantasia in G major (Piece d’Orgue), BWV 572; and the Prelude and Fugue in D major, BWV 532. The second half will feature works by Max Reger, Cesar Franck and Felix Alexandre Guilmant. Hixson, a Little Rock dentist and organist, has sponsored a concert through the Central Arkansas chapter, American Guild of Organists, for every birthday since 1994. Admission is free. Call (501) 375-2342.

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