For the Foodie

Little Rock is definitely the Dining Capital of Arkansas; with more than 500 restaurants to choose from and tons of food related special events, we are sure to please any palate. Below are a few of our Rockin Foodie events that are scheduled for the Capital City.

January - December (3rd Thursday each month)- Around the World Thursday

On the third Thursday of each month, Forty Two allows you to explore the sights, sounds, and flavors of countries across the globe. Guests can savor a five course tasting menu and enjoy special cultural entertainment. $27.95 per person; reservations required. Please call 501-537-0042. For more information,visit clintonpresidentialcenter.org .

• Athens Greece: August 19, 2010
• Kowloon, Hong Kong: September 16, 2010
• Frankfurt, Germany: October 21, 2010
• Bordeaux, France: November 18, 2010
• Warsaw, Poland: December 16, 2010

January - December (1st Thursday each month) - Hillcrest Shop and Sip

Hillcrest Sip & Shop is a family filled neighborhood event that takes place the 1st Thursday of each month. Spearheaded by the Hillcrest Merchants Association, all the local shops, restaurants, and venues are open after hours until 9pm with discounted prices, promotions, appetizers and drinks. Have fun strolling the sidewalks, listening to local bands, window shopping, browsing the stores or relaxing on the promenade. This event is sure to have you coming back each month. For more information visit the website at www.hillcrestmerchants.com .

Breakfast with the Animals at the Little Rock Zoo

Looking for a special place to spend some quality time with your family? Join us for breakfast at the Zoo and special animal events. Guests will get a VIP keeper chat all about the animal of the month and will enjoy a breakfast buffet at Cafe Africa. Doors open at 8am and close at 8:15am. Please be on time! Reservations are required. For more information, call 501-666-2406 or visit www.littlerockzoo.com.

2010 Little Rock Zoo, Breakfast with the Animals Schedule:

Lorikeets: August 21, 2010
Elephants: September 18, 2010
Small Carnivores: October 16, 2010
Big Cats: November 13, 2010

"Smoke on the Mountain" Murry's Dinner Playhouse
August 31 - October 10, 2010

Hallelujah! After countless requests the original is back, better than ever. Join us for this foot-stompin’, banjo-pickin’, bluegrass gospel musical comedy, where the hymns, hilarity and homemade treats will surely make a believer out of anyone. For reservations and additional information, visit www.murrysdinnerplayhouse.com or call 501-562-3131.

Little Rock Farmers’ Market (Tuesday & Saturday, May – October)

Located in River Market Pavilions, Every Tuesday and Saturday, May through October, becomes an oasis for farm-fresh produce, flowers and local arts and crafts. The Market is open from early morning until mid-afternoon. For more information about vendors and produce visit the website at www.rivermarket.info , or call 501-375-2552.

Taste History As It Happens - Brandon's World Premiere
September 2, 2010 6PM-9PM
Arkansas Arts Center, 9th and Commerce

Join us as we celebrate the first tasting of Brandon's vodka and gin from Arkansas's first craft distillery. Hors d'oeuvres by Simply The Best Catering, open bar with specialty drinks using Brandon's vodka & gin. Entertainment by Tragikly White. $30 per person in advance or $40 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Arkansas Arts Center. For more information, visit drinkbrandons.com or call 501-907-5244.

RazorRock Foodie Festival
September 6, 2010 4PM - 7:30PM
Dickey-Stephens Park, North Little Rock

Presented by Argenta Downtown Council. For more information, email Drue Patton or call 501-517-3127. For a complete RazorRock schedule of events, visit www.razorrockrally.com.

Boys and Their Toys - APCF Fundraiser
September 10, 2010 - 6:30 PM - 9 PM
Jack Stephens Center, UALR

The Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation will hold its Annual Boys and Their Toys Dinner and Auction on Friday, September 10 at the UALR Jack Stephens Center. The football- themed, casual event gives the Foundation the opportunity to honor prostate cancer survivors, increase awareness of the disease and raise money for programs. Dr. Fitz Hill, president of the Arkansas Baptist College, is the 2010 honoree. Tom and Melissa Courtway of Conway are the event co-chairs. Ken Hatfield, Corliss Williamson and other Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame stars are special guests. Admission Cost : $50. For more information, visit arprostatecancer.org call 501-748-1308 or e-mail rwallis@arprostatecancer.org.

Dancing with "Our" Stars for Children's Tumor Fund
September 16, 2010 - 6:30 PM
Chenal Country Club

Tickets: $125. The 2010 Red Carpet for Research Gala will debut "Dancing with 'OUR' Stars to entertain the crowd. The awe-inspiring night will begin with complimentary pictures on the Red Carpet & a cocktail reception hour; followed by dinner & dancing. A local star will be paired with a professional dancer from Arthur Murray Studio. Come out and vote for your favorite 'Star' or vote in advance. Your support benefits the NF Clinic at Arkansas Children's Hospital and the Arkansas Chapter of the Children's Tumor Foundation. For more information about our extraordinary event, contact Lesley Oslica at 501-759-2710.
For more information, visit www.ctfarkansas.org, contact Lesley Oslica, 501-759-2710 or e-mail loslica@gmail.com.

Wine and Food Festival - Sept. 17, 2010
6:30 PM - 9 PM - Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Rd.

Grape stompers and roaming musicians will transport guests to wine country on September 17, from 6:30 to 9 pm at Wildwood Park for the Arts' Thirteenth Annual Wine & Food Festival. Guests will revel in over 150 specially selected wines and artful edibles created by the area's finest chefs and restaurants. With an international selection of wines, guests will enjoy vintages from well-known and new producers. Culinary participants include 20 local restaurants and chefs. A silent auction and a cork pull add to the evening's opportunities. Sponsors include Gazers of Arkansas, Deltic Timber, the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau. Wildwood's underwriters also include Thoma Thoma and Aristotle.
Tickets are $75 each. Contact 501-821-7275 to purchase tickets or visit Wildwood Park online at www.wildwoodpark.org .

12th Annual Kaleidoscope Kids Auction l - Sept. 17, 2010
6:30 PM - Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

The 12th Annual Kaleidoscope Kids Auction, with emcee Anne Jansen. All proceeds will benefit Kaleidoscope Grief Center, a program within the Methodist Family Health Continuum of Care, as well as Methodist Counseling Clinics statewide. The event will include complimentary cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres, music, a wine pull, and more than 200 live and silent auction items. Tickets are $75 for individuals and $125 per couple. For more information, call 501-661-0720 ext. 7304, e-mail acoldiron@methodistfamily.org or visit methodistfamily.org.

AY Magazine's Runway for a Cause
September 23, 2010 - 11 AM - 1 PM
Clear Channel Metroplex Event Center

Reserve your ticket today for this high-energy luncheon and fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors as runway models wearing some of the hottest trends from local boutiques. Reservations required. Proceeds go to benefit breast cancer research and treatment facilities in Arkansas. Tickets, $50 per person or $500 for table of 10. For more information, call 501-244-9700 or visit aymag.com.

Worldfest 2010
September 24, 2010 - 9 AM - 3 PM
Clinton Presidential Center and Park

WorldFest was established in the fall of 1995 to encourage friendship and reduce prejudice by coming together to learn about different cultures and ethnicities. One of the Commission’s goals through this annual event is to celebrate the global fabric of the City’s social diversity. This is accomplished through the enjoyment of a variety of local and international performers, cultural exhibits, traditional music, dance, food from around the world, art and literature. Recently, the festival received 1st place in the National League of Cities Cultural Diversity Award for 2006. For more information, visit rcdcworldfest.org, call 501-244-5483 or e-mail e-mail rcdcworldfest@littlerock.org.

Amethyst Ball
October 2, 2010 - 7 PM - 10 PM
Peabody Hotel

The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ACADV) presents the Fifth Annual Amethyst Ball. ACADV invites all Arkansans to help bring back the peace to the natural state and honor Attorney General Dustin and Bobbi McDaniel for leading efforts in fighting domestic violence in Arkansas. Festivities will include cocktails, an elaborate buffet, and the opportunity to participate in both silent and live auctions. Join Mistress of Ceremonies, Donna Terrell of Fox16 for dancing and entertainment provided by the Shannon Boshears Band. Tickets: $100 per ticket. For more information, visit domesticpeace.com/AmethystBall.htm or call 501-907-5612 or e-mail mmckenzie@domesticpeace.com.

Festival of Wines 2010
October 7, 2010 - 6 PM - 9 PM
Dickey-Stephens Park

Festival of Wines benefiting the American Heart Association, Central Arkansas. The Largest Wine Festival in the State! More than 600 wines from around the world. Tickets: $60 in advance. For more information, visit www.americanheart.org/lrwinefestivalheartball or call 501-375-9148.

Arkansas State Fair - Oct. 8-17, 2010

The Arkansas State Fair attracts over 400,000 patrons each year. It features a livestock show, PRCA rodeo, carnival midway and many live musical acts. The food could be considered an event all of its own, offering unique favorites such as fried Twinkies, "pig livers" (chocolate dipped bacon), as well as many pastime favorites including funnel cakes, cotton candy and corn dogs. The 10-day event is filled with fun for the whole family. For more information visit www.arkansasstatefair.com or call 501-372-8341.

"Death by Fatal Murder" Oct. 12 - Nov. 14, 2010
Murry's Dinner Playhouse, 6323 Col. Glenn Rd.

Inspector Pratt and Miss Maple are called to solve a murder at Bagshot mansion and mayhem ensues. Their gathering is a comic excuse to exploit all the characters found in Agatha Christie and other classic murder mysteries. It’s non-stop laughter as the body count mounts and detective Pratt helplessly and hopelessly attempts to solve the crime. For reservations and additional information, visit murrysdinnerplayhouse.com or call 501-562-3131.

Oct. 15 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Pasta Party
Dickey-Stephens Park

Join us the Friday night before the Race and load up on carbs! Romano's Macaroni Grill will provide the food, Coca-Cola and Moon Distributing will provide the beverages, and The Rockets will provide the live entertainment! Tickets: $20. To register online or for more information, visit komenarkansas.org.

Oct. 16, 2010
Tale of Two Farms Pumpkin Fest
P. Allen Smith's Garden Home Retreat

Enjoy a farm-fresh feast with P. Allen Smith benefiting the Oxford American and the Heritage Poultry Conservancy. The meal will be prepared by local-food advocate and James Beard Award nominee Ashley Christensen. Nationally recognized for her commitment to seasonal fare, Christensen will put her North Carolina spin on a can't-miss menu. The evening begins with live music, a reception and tour of Allen's Garden Home Retreat at Moss Mountain Farm, overlooking the Arkansas River Valley. A five-star dinner follows, showcasing a fall bounty from Allen's garden. Tickets are $300 per couple and $200 per person. Space is limited. For reservations and more information e-mail gardenhome@pallensmith.com.

6th K Cafe Oct. 16 - 9AM
Junior League of Little Rock, 401 S. Scott St.

6th K Café is a fun filled event, following Little Rock’s annual Race for the Cure. Guests enjoy brunch and mimosa bar, a holiday fashion show, shopping and speakers that are sure to educate and motivate everyone on the latest breast cancer topics. Tickets $20 ($250 for table of ten) and will be available for purchase at the door on the day of the event for $25.
Reserve your tickets online.

Oct. 16
Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure Survivors Luncheon
Robinson Center

Immediately following the Survivor Parade and Ceremony, the luncheon will be held at the Robinson Center . This informal luncheon is free to survivors who are registered for the Race and $15 for all other guests. Payment for guests will be taken at the luncheon. Please come as you are. Luncheon sponsored by St. Vincent, Barbara Graves Intimate Fashions, and Fox 16. Craig O’Neal of Today’s THV will be our emcee. For more information, visit www.komenarkansas.org.

HARVEST! Festival - October 16 - 17, 2010
10 AM - 6 PM, Wildwood Park for the Arts, 20919 Denny Rd.

Harvest Festival brings Arkansas' 'pickin' and 'fiddlin' championship to Little Rock's unique botanical gardens at Wildwood Park for the Arts on October 16th, 10am to 6pm. Enjoy the glorious colors, traditions, foods, sounds and aromas of autumn in Arkansas with music from nationally acclaimed and Grammy nominated, Mountain Heart, along with regional and local artists, a 'pickin' and 'fiddlin' championship, hayrides, children's crafts and foods for purchase. Play the flat pick guitar, mandolin, banjo, the fiddle or in a band? Enter the 'pickin' and 'fiddlin' championship for a chance to win cash prizes. Grand prize band winner will be featured in Harvest Festival, 2011. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children, free to children under 5.
For more information, visit www.wildwoodpark.org , call 501-821-7275 or e-mail kvandaveer@wildwoodpark.org.

Uncorked: Mad Scientist Mash
Oct. 21, 2010, 7 - 9 PM - Museum of Discovery

Museum of Discovery
Uncorked raises important funds to support the Museum’s educational programs. In addition to sampling wine and beer from Glazers, guests will enjoy a silent auction, a wine pull, a raffle and “mad” scientist demonstrations. Admission is $100 and tickets are available online at MuseumofDiscovery.org or at the front desk of the museum. For more information, call 501-396-7050 ext 210.

"Boeing Boeing" Murry's Dinner Playhouse
November 16 - December 31, 2010

Bernard, a successful architect living in Paris, thinks he can easily cope with his three air hostesses, who all happen to be his fiancée. It's all a question of timetables and a reliable, long suffering housekeeper. But when his long lost cousin Robert arrives for Christmas, things start to get turbulent! Schedules change, flights are delayed and a new turbo-charged Boeing aircraft is introduced: chaos ensues in this whirl of mayhem and matchmaking. For reservations and additional information, visit www.murrysdinnerplayhouse.com or call 501-562-3131.

Jewish Food and Cultural Festival River Market Pavilions
May 2011

Sponsored by Jewish Federation of Arkansas. Earlybird breakfast, food, music, art and children's activities. For more information, e-mail info@jewisharkansas.org info@jewisharkansas.org or call 501-663-3571.

Greek Food Festival - May 2011

More than 1,000 pounds of butter, 750 pounds of nuts and 700 pounds of filo dough are what it takes to make the more than 10,000 sourota, 17,000 pieces of Baklava and other pastries for the 3-day 25th annual Greek Food Festival. Flavored by a melting pot of nationalities, the festival features a scrumptious medley of Greek and Middle Eastern favorites. So if you’re looking for a mouthwatering good time, you’re headed to the right place. Admission is free. For more information www.greekfoodfest.com or call 501-221-5300.

Riverfest - May 2011

This music and arts festival is three days of fun on the banks of the Arkansas River in Little Rock and North Little Rock. With 5 stages, local and national artist, over 100 acts, a kids zone, visual arts, food, and special attractions, you won’t want to miss this annual Memorial Day weekend festival. It showcases some of the best known names in music across all genres, from great kids entertainers to top names in the country, pop, jazz and rock industries. Headliners in the past have included, Al Green, ZZ Top, Huey Lewis and the News, Chaka Khan, Brad Paisley, Joe Nichols, Dwight Yoakam, Hank Williams Jr., Kool and the Gang, James Brown, STYX, the Doobie Brothers, B.B. King, Three Doors Down, the B-52’s, Gavin Rossdale, Jason Aldean, Heart, and Willie Nelson to name a few. Riverfest is the largest single festival event in the state of Arkansas with over 250,000 people in attendance each year. For more information visit www.riverfestarkansas.com or call 501-225-3378.

For a complete calendar listing of all the Rockin Events in Little Rock visit:

www.littlerock.com/calendar.