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It’s Friday, Little Rock! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Harvard debate champs Jack Liu and Shangyu Wu, The Pirates of Penzance, and MJ + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Convention bureau reports gains: Little Rock’s tourism tax revenue hit a record in 2025 as collections kept climbing after the pandemic, a boost for local hotels, restaurants, and venues residents count on — read the full story.

Certified instructors, practical kitchen skills: Arkansas Cooperative Extension offers ServSafe training statewide to strengthen food safety and public health. In 2025, more than 90 classes served restaurants, food trucks, schools, hospitals, and other businesses — see what’s taught and why.

Top-ranked high school debaters: Little Rock Central juniors Jack Liu and Shangyu Wu made Arkansas history, winning the Harvard national debate tournament. They will compete at the Tournament of Champions in Kentucky in April — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Paint pottery with your preschooler
• Celebrate style and support Easterseals Arkansas
• Swap seeds, savor art and music
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

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🫶 We got your back

Vegan comfort, unlocked: The Utopia Deli slings plant-based cheesesteaks, Cowboy Chik’n subs, and loaded fries that blow past “for a vegan place” caveats… just plain delicious. Keep it handy for nights you want indulgence without the drag, with zero compromise on flavor.

Treasure-hunting, upgraded: With 22,000 square feet and 140+ vendor booths, Midtown Vintage Market turns “I’ll pop in” into “I need a cart.” Browse constantly changing finds, from shabby-chic to classic antique, plus the surprise you didn’t know you needed until today.

Brows that stay put: If your routine needs fewer steps and more “I woke up like this,” Blue Rose Beauty & Brow Artistry offers microblading, ombré brows, lip blush, and lash enhancements that look like you, just more polished. Expect smudge-free mornings and effortless definition, without the daily pencil fuss.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🌷 Vintage Market Days Spring Event @ Arkansas State Fairgrounds | Friday (3/6) at 10:00 AM – Clear the trunk and point it toward Vintage Market Days, where handpicked vendors sling vintage, farmhouse, industrial, and cleverly repurposed finds. Expect live music, good food, and specialty sips, plus the smug joy of scoring the piece your mother swore you did not need.

☠ The Pirates of Penzance @ Wildwood Park for the Arts | Friday (3/6) at 7:30 PM – Gilbert and Sullivan are dropping anchor in town with The Pirates of Penzance, a cheeky operetta packed with swashbuckling, romance, and that tongue-twisting Major-General patter song you secretly know. Expect earnest orphans, bumbling buccaneers, and an ingenious paradox, served with crisp harmonies.

🏞 Hike Two Rivers @ Two Rivers Bridge & Park | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Meet at the base of the bridge for a riverfront ramble to the peninsula bathrooms, the most honest landmark in town. Turn back for 4 miles, or take the big loop for 5, 6, or 7. Expect good company, easy bragging rights, and excellent scenery.

👩 Spotlight Tour: Women Artists @ Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | Saturday (3/7) at 10:30 AM – If you’ve been meaning to give your eyeballs a culture day, drop into AMFA for a free docent-led wander spotlighting women artists. It is friendly, engaging, and actually informative, so you can nod thoughtfully, ask smart questions, and impress the grandkids later.

🐾 Spay & Neuter Scootin’ Boogie: Tattoos for Tails @ Bark Bar | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Chip in for Tender Tails Care Project, grab a $25 square, and you might snag a $450 tattoo session with Megan Ivy at Lucky Bella. Community raffle, pop-up market, and adoptable dog meet and greets. Karma loves a little ink, so claim your numbers early.

🐰 Needle-Felted Wool Bunny Bum @ South Main Creative | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Debbie from Whispering Wool is teaching a beginner-friendly needle-felting class where you’ll sculpt an absurdly cute bunny bum tucked into spring grass in a little terra cotta pot. Perfect for Easter, and your sanity. Limited spots, ages 12+, register online, $40 class, $25 materials.

🕺 MJ @ Robinson Center | Saturday (3/7) at 7:30 PM – The Tony-winning MJ musical moonwalks into Robinson Center, serving up the Dangerous-era story behind the hits, crisp choreography, and real-deal craft. Not a tribute act, a peek inside the machine. Wear sequins, or sensible shoes.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 2026 BDB100 Registration Kickoff Party @ Subaru – 11:00 AM
• 3/6 Robert’s 30th Birthday Show @ Vino’s Pizza-Pub-Brewery – 6:00 PM
• 3/6 Atlanta Rhythm Section and more @ Ron Robinson Theater – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Elephant and Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” @ Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts – 2:00 PM
• 3/7 Jet420 Oyster Bar @ The Oyster Bar – 6:00 PM
• 3/8 Champagne Dance Party @ Richardson Ballroom – 2:00 PM
• 3/8 The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and more @ Revolution Music Room – 7:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Little Rock report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 64°F – Precip: 17%

A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

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Tomorrow – High: 76°F – Low: 53°F – Precip: 88%

Showers and thunderstorms before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53. North northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

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Take a peek inside →