Thursday was the day the Robinson Center re-opened after $68.6 million in renovations, on time and on budget! Greeting everyone for the special occasion was Kenton Adler, Lyon College Piper, as well as Miss Arkansas, Savannah Skidmore.
In the Wings, a New Sculpture of Ballerinas by Jane DeDecker and Alyson Kinkade, donated by the Stella Boyle Smith Trust was installed Wednesday near the front steps to the Robinson Center. Photo by Brian Chisholm for Arkansas Times.
Ed Payton, Celebrity Attractions President, and Philip Mann, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Music Director, each expressed excitement about their new home.
A standing ovation was given to Gretchen Hall, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO, for her work in overseeing the project.
Learn more about the grand reopening event here. (Arkansas Business)
Main Street Creative Corridor
November 10-13: The Crucible, Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Since its premiere in 1953, master playwright Arthur Miller's chilling portrayal of the historic Salem Witch Trials has become an American stage classic as well as a terrifying metaphor for modern times. The Crucible explores the insidious dangers of paranoia, mass hysteria and prejudice, all potent issues which could be ripped from today's headlines.  Learn more.
MacArthur Park Historic District
November 10-13: Winnie the Pooh, Arkansas Arts Center Children's Theatre. Learn more.
November 11: 48th Annual Collectors Show and Sale, Arkansas Arts Center, MacArthur Park . Learn more.
November 13: Super Sunday Free Family Funday, Arkansas Arts Center, Alice Pratt Brown Atrium, 12 noon. Free.
November 15: The June Freeman Lecture Series presents Ken McCown, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, Arkansas Arts Center, Lower Lobby Lecture Hall, 5:30 p.m. Free. Presented by the Architecture + Design Network.
November 16: Movies at MacArthur: Journey to Normal-Women of War Come Home, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 503 E. Ninth. Free, popcorns and drinks provided, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 
November 17: RecyclART, MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, 5:30-7:30 p.m . Hosted by Goodwill Industries and Keep Little Rock Beautiful. Drinks from Stone's Throw Brewing, food and fun. Vote on the winning sculpture. Benefits KLRB school recycling grant program. Tickets $10, at the door. Learn more .
November 18: Feed Your Mind Friday, Arkansas Arts Center, Stephens Inc. Visitors Center, 12 noon. Free. Collector Paul Bash shares insights on starting an art collection.
SoMa
South Main Street 
November 12-13: Pie Palooza at the Loblolly Soda Fountain, 1423 Main Street, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Loblolly's amazing ice cream paired with Honey Pies PIE slices galore. 
November 13: A Walk in Her Shoes , ESSE Purse Museum, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
November 19: Block Party Beer Festival for Midtown Billiards, in front of MIdtown, 2-6 p.m. $20. Live music, street food and food trucks, games and great beer. Presented by SoMa, Lost Forty Brewing, Rebel Kettle Brewing Co., Flyway Brewing, Diamond Bear Brewing Company, Central and Moon Distributors, Core Public House, North Little Rock Argenta, Ozark Beer Company, Raduno Brick Oven & Barroom, and South on Main.
Argenta Arts District
In Downtown North Little Rock. For more information link here.
November 10: Dogtown Film Series: 2001- A Space Odyssey, Argenta Community Theater, 7 p.m.
November 11-19: Electile Dysfunction
, The Joint, 301 Main. Comedy. Fridays and Saturdays.  Learn more .
November 17: Argenta Acoustic Music Series: Alex de Grassi, The Joint Theater & Coffeehouse, 7:30 p.m. Grammy winning composer and guitarist known for intricate finger-picking technique and fusing a variety of guitar traditions. Learn more.
November 25-January 14: The Main Thing's Fertle Holiday, The Joint Theater, 301 Main Street. Original two-act comedy about the family's trouble-ridden holiday reunion in Dumpster, Arkansas. Learn more.
Verizon Arena
In Downtown North Little Rock,
1 Verizon Arena Way. For ticket information link here (Verizon Arena) or here (Ticketmaster).
November 25 Amy Grant & Michael W. Smith, on sale
November 30 Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Ghosts of Christmas Eve, on sale 
December 4 Jeff Dunham Perfectly Unbalanced Tour, on sale
December 22 Arkansas Razorbacks v. Sam Houston State, on sale
January 16 WWE Raw
January 31 Harlem Globetrotters, on sale 
March 3  Twenty One Pilots
March 8 Green Day, Revolution Radio Tour, on sale
March 19  Winter Jam, $10 donation at the door
April 22 Red Hot Chili Peppers, on sale 11/11
August 3 Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Soul 2 Soul, The World Tour 2017
On Exhibit
A snapshot of temporary exhibits offered at museums and other organizations and businesses throughout the downtown area can be found online here. 
Downtown Walks, Runs & Cycling 
November 24: Go!bbler Turkey Trot at Go!Running, The Heights, 8 a.m. Free, canned food donation requested for Arkansas Foodbank. Learn more.
March 4-5, 2017: Little Rock Marathon. Benefits 
Little Rock Parks and Recreation.  Learn more.
May 5, 2017: 10th MacArthur Park 5K. 
Benefits MacArthur Park.

Downtown Update  
November 10, 2016
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Downtown Notes
Congratulations  to Downtown Little Rock Partnership members receiving  Design 2016 Awards recently by the Arkansas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects: Nabholz Construction Corporation, contractor, Fayetteville Montessori Primary School, honor award, Fayetteville; Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects, Riggs CAT Corporate Headquarters, honor award, Little Rock; and AMR Architects, Parking Deck 101-A Study in Urban Infill, citation award, Little Rock.
Rock Town Distillery was also receiving accolades this week, receiving high praise in the 2017 Whiskey Guide by Jim Murray, who scored the Barley Bourbon a 95, saying "Totally magnificent..." Learn more.
Some facts from Mayor Mark Stodola at today's Robinson Center re-opening:

Total visitors to Arkansas annually: almost 6.2 million

Total visitors to Pulaski County: almost 28 million or 22% of Arkansas's tourism visitation

Total travel expenditures in Pulaski County: $1.8 billion contributing $69,314,347 to the state,, $31,092,926 locally; 25% of total travel spending in Arkansas comes form Pulaski County.

2% hotel room tax: $2.7 million annually

Statehouse Convention Center: more than 200 events each year with over 300,000 patrons

Impressive numbers!
Clinton School Speaker Series
All events are free and open to the public. To reserve your seat RSVP here or call 501-683-5239. Learn more here about the programs listed below. All programs are held in the UA Clinton School Sturgis Hall unless otherwise noted.
November 10: The Robinson Center: Honoring the Past - Anticipating the Future-6 p.m. at the Robinson Center. Panel discussion on the history and future of the Robinson Center.  The panel includes:  Mark Stodola (Mayor, City of Little Rock);  Bruce Moore (City Manager, City of Little Rock);  Gretchen Hall (president & CEO, Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau);  Kevin McClurkan (management partner, Ennead Architects); and  David Porter (principal, Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects).  Moderator: Skip Rutherford (dean of the Clinton School of Public Service)
November 14: Sandboxes to Ballot Boxes-Creating a Local Children's Movement with Margaret Brodkin, 12 noon. 
November 15: Physics Wunderkid Taylor Wilson, 12 noon.
November 16: Incarceration in Arkansas-A Public Health Crisis and A Call to Action with Nickolas Zaller, 12 noon.
November 17: Locally Laid-How We Built a Plucky, Industry-Changing Egg Farm from Scratch with Lucie Amundsen, 6 p.m. Book signing to follow.
November 22: From Banking to the Thorny World of Politics with former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, 6 p.m. Book signing to follow.
Around Downtown
November 10-12:  Holiday House 2016, Statehouse Convention Center.  26th annual three-day shopping extravaganza with more that 180 specialty merchants, hosted by  Junior League of Little Rock.  Learn more.
November 11-13: The Wiz , The Weekend Theater, 1001 W. 7th. Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz come alive in this Broadway musical with rock, gospel and soul music. Learn more .
November 11: 2nd Friday Art Night, 5-8 p.m., link here. Free trolley rides, free parking at 3rd & Cumberland. Supported by Copper Grill, 300 Third Tower.
Bella Vita Jewelry: Peek i nto Udelko's mobile clothing boutique, parked outside Bella Vita's shop. Inside Bella Vita are handmade jewelry designs, a Hot Chocolate Bar with Loblolly Creamery and complimentary wine. Lafayette Building, 523 S. Louisiana.
Arkansas Capital Corporation Group: B Sides, a selection of artworks by Michael Warrick and Robert Bean. 200 River Market, #400.
Historic Arkansas Museum: Opening reception for Kimberly Kwee and David Scott Smith. Live music by Nick Devlin and Brian Nahlen. 200 E. Third.
Butler Center Galleries: Exhibits include Little Golden Books, Fired Up: Arkansas Wood, Fired Cermaics and Studio Art Quilt Associates. Featured music by BantuNauts Raydio. Featured Artist, David Scott Smith. 401 Presient Clinton Avenue.
Cox Creative Center: Chronicas de lo Ejimero, drawings and paitnings by Maria Botti Villegas. 120 River Market Avenue.
Old State House: Live music by Mariachi America plus hands-on art activities for every one. Tasty treats and beverages and craft beer from Stone's Throw. 300 W.Market.
Matt McLeod Fine Art Gallery:  108 W. Sixth. Landscapes/Dreamscapes-At the Crossroads of Observation and Memory, a two-woman exhibition featuring Arkansas artists Jeanie Lockeby Hursley and Dominique Simmons. Candy, beer, food and wine.
November 12:  Opus Ball, debut of newly renovated Robinson Center ballroom. Benefits  Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.  Learn more.
November 16: Employment Law Seminar, Wright, Lindsey & Jennings, WLJ Conference Room (Floor 23), Bank of America Building, 200 W. Capitol. Also available via webinar. RSVP by November 11 to Roben Sullivant, email. Free.
November 16-19: CARTI's Cirque du Festival, Statehouse Convention Center, Wally Allen Ballroom. Learn more.
November 17:  Chamber Music Society of Little Rock in "The Eternal Song," Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 310 W. 17th, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Admission $25, free for students.
November 17:  Brown Bag Lunch Lecture, Old State House, 12 noon. Features Dr. Jan Ziegler on Project REACH-Researching Early Arkansas Cultural Heritage.
November 18: Little Rock Regional Chamber 2016 Annual Meeting, Statehouse Convention Center, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Featured speaker is Robert L. Johnson, founder and chair of the innovative business network, The RLJ Companies, as well as Black Entertainment Television (BET).  Learn more.
November 18:  Dancing Into Dreamland 2016, Dreamland Ballroom, 800 W. Ninth, 7-10 p.m. Benefits restoration of the ballroom.   Learn more. 
November 19: Cabaret & Chardonnay, The Weekend Theater, 1001 W. 7th, 6:30 p.m. Benefits The Weekend Theater. Learn more.
November 20: Kent Walker Artisan Cheese Pairing, Kent Walker Artisan Cheese, 323 S. Cross.  Featuring six cheeses from the Le Petit Roche Line with complementary wine. $35 per person. Dessert by Brown Sugar Bakeshop. Learn more.

Little Rock (LRCVB) event listings also posted here.

Live music in Little Rock this weekend posted here. (Arkansas Times)
Robinson Center
426 W. Markham

November 12: Opus XXXII. Benefits the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Learn more.

November 19-20: Arkansas Symphony Pines of Rome. Learn more.

November 26 Home for the Holidays with The Ten Tenors. Celebrity Attractions.

December 1: Joe with special guest Eric Benet. Tickets here.

December 3-4 Elf, The Broadway Musical. Celebrity Attractions.

December 9-11: Ballet Arkansas-The Nutcracker 2016 accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Learn more.

January 13-15 Cinderella. Celebrity Attractions.

January 29: Don Henley with JD & the Straight Shot. Tickets here.

March 8-19 The Phantom of the Opera. Celebrity Attractions.

March 28 The Brain Candy Live, tickets on sale here October 28. 
River Market District
November 12: Bobby's Bike Hike   Saturday Tours,  River Market Pavilions. 
November 12, 19 : Downtown Little Rock Navigators Tour, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 90-minute tour with walking tour guide and streetcar ride, free, no reservations needed. Saturdays through November 19. Meet at La Petite Roche Plaza, located in Riverfront Park near the base of the Junction Bridge, ending at the President Clinton Avenue trolley stop. Presented by LRCVB, Downtown Little Rock Partnership and Rock 
November 12: In celebration of the 12th anniversary of the grand opening of the Clinton Center, enjoy free admission to the  Clinton Library.
November 12: Wetland Walk-a-bout, Central Arkansas Nature Center, 2 p.m. Free.
November 14: Loving Premier with Director Jeff Nichols & Lost Forty, CALS Ron Robinson Theater, 5:45-9 p.m. Also presented by Rock City Eats. Benefits Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site's Tiger Foundation. Tickets, $35. Learn more.
November 20: Turkey Mythbusters, Central Arkansas Nature Center, noon. Free. Discuss turkeys, myths, habitat, diet and their history in Arkansas. Learn more.
Nearby DLRP Member Events
November 12: Trojans Homecoming Tailgate, Jack Stephens Center, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Food trucks and activities. First 750 students eat free. UALR and Rock City Eats partner for the first basketball game of the Trojans season, playing Central Baptist at 3 p.m.
November 14: Doing Business with the City of Little Rock Seminar, Willie Hinton Neighborhood Resource Center. Seminar to teach entrepreneurs about the procurement process and offer onsite registration for business notifications. Free, registration required here or call 501-379-1505.
November 15-17: Unemployment , Pulaski Technical College,  Center for Humanities and Arts Black Box Theater, Main Campus, 3000 W. Scenic Drive.  North Little Rock. Premiere of new play by Arkansas playwright Werner Treischmann. Comedy for all ages featuring cast of six students. November 15, 2 p.m.; November 16, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; November 17, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Free. Open to the public.
November 19: Arkansas Arts Center Museum School Sale, Arkansas State Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Members only Preview Party November 18, 6-9 p.m. Learn more.
Save the Dates
November 28: Capital Hotel Tree Lighting, 5 p.m.
November 29: Tree Lighting for Centers for Youth & Families, The Plaza at Main & Capitol. Presented by The Hat Club and Downtown Little Rock Partnership. Through January 2.
November 30: Evening of Wishes, Albert Pike Masonic Center. Benefits Make-A-Wish Mid South. Featuring Justin Moore. Learn more.
November 30-December 24: A Christmas Story, Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Learn more.
December 4: Holiday Cheer with the Department of Arkansas Heritage. Afternoon open houses at Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosiac Templars Cultural Center, Old State House and the Governor's Mansion. Free trolley ride.
December 4: Ballet Arkansas Nutcracker Tea, Capital Hotel.
December 4, 11, 18: Sundays with Santa, Capital Hotel.
December 5: Arkansas Remembers Pearl Harbor, Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, in honor of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Learn more.
December 10: Teddy Bear Tea, One Eleven, Capital Hotel.
December 17: Gingerbread House Decorating, Capital Hotel.
December 19-22: Story Time with Santa, Capital Hotel. Santa will read The Night Before Christmas and call each child in attendance out by name.
December 31: New Year's Eve "Downtown Abbey" Wine Dinner Dance, The Empress of Little Rock.
January 27: Arkansas Preservation Awards, Albert Pike Masonic Center.
January 29: Little Rock Soup Sunday 2017, Statehouse Convention Center. Benefits Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
April 8: Riverfest Springfest
May 4, 6: Tabriz, The 25th Celebration, Arkansas Arts Center
June 1-4: 40th Anniversary Riverfest
October 7: Main Street Food Truck Festival. Benefits Downtown Little Rock Partnership.