Stay “in the know” about all the great events going on around Arkansas. AY’s Publisher, Heather Baker, will tell you what the hot spots are this weekend.
Thursday, Jan. 24
What: 25thanniversary screening of Pulp Fiction
Where: CALS Ron Robinson Theater
When: 7 p.m.
It’s time to go to the movies again! CALS Ron Robinson Theater is celebrating one of the best films of the 1990s – Pulp Fiction – with a special screening that shouldn’t be missed. Weaving multiple storylines, Pulp Fiction tells the tale of two hitmen, an aging boxer, a couple of stick-up artists and more. Quentin Tarantino’s nonlinear film won him an Oscar for Best Screenplay, and it is richly deserved. If you’ve never seen it, make it a point to see why this film has been so influential over the past 25 years. Tickets are $5.

Friday, Jan. 25
What: Y.E.S. FOR Arkansas Expo Day(Youth Entrepreneur Showcase for Arkansas: Business Plan Competition)
Where: Park Plaza
When: 10 a.m.
The brightest minds in Arkansas are coming to Little Rock this Friday to show off their business plans – and they’re not even in high school yet. Over 130 teams from schools across the state submitted business plans for the Arkansas Capital Corporation’s 2019 Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.), and the top 25 teams will pitch their products for the 14thannual Y.E.S. FOR Arkansas Expo Day. These students, who are in fifth through eighth grade, will be competing for 1stthrough 4thplace prizes, which total almost $5,000, along with trophies and bragging rights. Make sure to head over to Park Plaza for this free event and get a taste of Arkansas’ bright future.

What: Racing Opening Day
Where: Oaklawn Racing & Gaming
When: 11 a.m.
And they’re off! The gates at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming are opening this Friday for the 2019 season and won’t close until May. Hot Springs will be the place to see and be seen this weekend as the horse racing season starts. The first post – the time the race starts in case you’re a racing newbie – is 12:30 p.m. While the opening day is Friday, don’t miss out on Corned Beef Day on Saturday. These famous corned beef sandwiches are only 50 cents! General admission is free every day, but reserved grandstand seats are $2.50 on weekdays and $4.50 on weekends.

Friday, Jan. 25-Sunday, Jan. 27
What: 29thAnnual Relyance Bank Arkansas Big Buck Classic
Where: Arkansas State Fairgrounds
When: Starts 1 p.m. Friday; ends 6 p.m. on Sunday
Little Rock is going BUCK wild this weekend. From Friday through Sunday, enjoy the best the South has to offer in hunting and the outdoors. Admire the best bucks harvested during 2018 and see which ones claim the big prizes! Don’t forget about the Big Buzz Chili Cookoff on Saturday, which benefits the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Grab a taster cup for $5 and dig in! After that, make sure to see the monster trucks, gators and even rattlesnake! There will be plenty of youth activities to keep your kids busy, too! Let them go to the free youth bow range, and if they’re feeling adventurous, try out bow fishing! Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 5-12 at the gate. Kids under 5 are free.

Saturday, Jan. 26
What: Caking It with Kids (ages 6-10)
Where: UA – Pulaski Tech Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute
When: 9 a.m.
The kids are taking over the kitchen this Saturday! If your kid enjoys baking, then they’ll love this cake baking class. During the first lesson, the students will learn the basic of cake baking, from mixing cake batter and buttercream to how to pipe perfect buttercream swirls on their cupcakes. The best part is that each student will get to take cupcakes home! The class is limited to students ages 6-10, and the four-part monthly series is $60 per session or $200 for the full four-class series.

What: National Seed Swap Day
Where: Pinnacle Pavillion (11901 Pinnacle Valley Road)
When: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Do you have a green thumb? Want to plant a beautiful garden this spring? Then you’ll need seeds for growing! Join local gardeners for National Seed Swap Day to learn more about heirloom seeds and even pick up some for your home garden. Park interpreters and Master Gardeners will be on hand to talk about the tradition of seed swapping and about native Arkansas plants. FREE

Sunday, Jan. 27
What: Sunday Soul Brunch
Where: South on Main
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Put a little soul in your Sunday brunch! South of Main is hosting a Sunday Soul Brunch featuring Wes Howerton and Michael Shaeffer of Control Little Rock. They’ll be spinning vinyl while you brunch, and it will definitely be a great time. The event is free (of course, the food isn’t!). Brunch kicks off at 10 a.m., and the music starts at 11 a.m., so you might want to turn up a bit early so you can enjoy the music.

What: Chopin & Mendelssohn by Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Where: Robinson Center
When: 3 p.m.
Join the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra for a Sunday matinee performance of a selection of pieces from Chopin and Mendelssohn. The orchestra will be performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.3, “Scottish.” In addition, the orchestra will be performing Verdi’s Overture to La forza del destino. Ticket prices range from $16-68. Student and military tickets are $10.
READ MORE: AY Publisher Heather Baker Talks Arkansas Houses on ‘The Vine’