Spring just beginning in Arkansas Events around the Natural State taking place in March

Editor's note: The following if the second of a two-part series about events happening around Arkansas in March.

UCA to present "Coast to Coast - From Broadway to Hollywood."

Reynolds Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas will be the setting for "Coast to Coast - From Broadway to Hollywood." The pops concert by the Conway Symphony Orchestra begins at 7:30 p.m. on March 8. It will feature a range of favorites from The Great White Way to themes from Hollywood blockbuster movies. From the hits of yesteryear to today's classics, the audience will be singing along to the tunes everyone knows and loves from both stage and screen. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children. The symphony's Web site -- www.conwaysymphony.org -- has more information. Or it can be obtained by calling (501)269-1066 or e-mailing symphony@conwaycorp.net.

Birding Workshop at Lake Village

Amateur birders will want to check out Lake Chicot State Park's upcoming Birding Workshop being held in Lake Village. Join the park interpreter for a weekend of birding, including how to use binoculars, birding tips and how to identify specific birds. The workshop is being held March 8-9. For more information, call Lake Chicot State Park at (870)265-5480 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Bill Cosby to perform at Robinson Center Music Hall

Legendary comic actor and author Bill Cosby will be in Little Rock on March 9 at Robinson Center Music Hall. One of the most beloved and well-know comedians performing today, Cosby is known for his humorous take on everyday life. His renown career has covered television, including his groundbreaking role in I Spy plus two top comedy series, movies, stand-up comedy and more. Performances will be at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are available through Celebrity Attractions -- www.celebrityattractions.com -- or by calling (501)244-8800. Robinson Center Music Hall is located in downtown Little Rock at the corner of Markham and Broadway.

27th annual Jungle Boater Race

The 27th annual Jungle Boater Race, an eight-mile canoe race on the Mulberry River, will be March 9 and is based at the Turner Bend Store in Ozark. The race section of the Mulberry River contains Class II whitewater with numerous tight curves and rapids. Categories include men's tandem, women's tandem, men's solo, women's solo, mixed tandem, and parent-child. Boats are started one per minute. For more information, phone 479-667-3641 or email turnerbend@arkansas.net.

Syllamo Stage Run

Set for March 14-16, the Syllamo Stage Run is a three-day, trail running stage race covering more than 150 kilometers in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. The runs will be held within the Sylamore Ranger District in the Mountain View area. Ninety percent will be on single-track trails, including the North Sylamore Creek Trail, Sylamore creek horse trails, and the Syllamo mountain bike trails. Individual and team events are offered this year.

Race headquarters will be at Blanchard Springs Campground pavilion. There is no race day registration and entries are limited to 100. For registration and more information, phone (501)454-4391 or visit www.3daysofsyllamo.org.

40th Annual Jonquil Festival

The 40th Annual Jonquil Festival will unfold March 14-16 in Washington at Historic Washington State Park. This three-day festival heralds the coming of spring to southwest Arkansas. Thousands of yellow jonquils welcome craftspeople, entertainers, and visitors to this historic park. Unique crafts and delicious foods are available each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as tours of the park's historic buildings. For more information, phone (870)983-2684.

2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration

El Dorado's 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration happens March 15 at Oil & Heritage Park. The event will feature a free concert, giveaways, costume contest, green beverages and the ever popular "Union County Rock-Paper-Scissors" championship. 2007 champion Charley Hankins defends his "Rock-Paper-Scissors" crown against competitors of all ages from throughout the region. For more information, call (870)862-4747.

St. Paddy's Parade in Eureka Springs

Anyone wearing the color green can join in the St. Paddy's Parade on March 15 on the historic downtown streets of Eureka Springs. The parade will include floats and walking clubs led by Grand Marshal Bob Grudek, who is the Carroll County Sheriff. For more information, phone Dan Ellis at 479-239-4466 and visit www.StPaddy.Ureeka.org.

Bat House Workshop

Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan will host a Bat House Workshop on March 15. Learn how bats can actually be beneficial to your yard and the ecosystem. The workshop also includes a program about bats that call Arkansas home. To learn more, contact Lake Charles State Park at (870)878-6595 or check out www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Artifact ID Day in Parkin

Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin will host an Artifact ID Day on March 15. Archeologists will be on hand to provide insight (not appraisals) on identification and age of objects and artifacts. To find out more, call Parkin Archeological State Park at (870)755-2500 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

All Things Green Weekend at Lake Chicot State Park

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with All Things Green Weekend at Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village on March 15-16. Help sow a native plant garden in the bird sanctuary, all the while helping local wildlife that enjoys feasting on the native plants. Various programs about gardening, native plants and backyard habitats will be held throughout the weekend. For more information, call Lake Chicot State Park at (870)265-5480 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

7th annual Ozark Folk School

The 7th annual Ozark Folk School will take place March 16-21 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View.

More than 20 traditional craft classes are offered including blacksmithing, pottery, jewelry making, knife making, quilting, basketry, wood carving and loom weaving. Extracurricular activities include free Southern mountain folk dancing, a "gallery walk" of instructor and student work, a Blanchard Springs Cavern tour, a documentary film showing, and a music instructors' concert.

Tuition is $250 for the five-day workshop week, with some classes having additional materials fees. Lodging and meal package plans are available. Reservations are required. Phone (870)269-3851 and visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for more information.

Belsinger to teach herb course

Susan Belsinger, chef and author of "Not Just Desserts" and "The Creative Herbal Home," will lead "Living the Herbal Life," a week-long course on the use of herbs to enrich your life. The course is one of many offered March 16-21 during the Ozark Folk School at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View.

The class will concentrate on cooking with herbs, emphasizing the art of flavor and sensory experience. Belsinger will also teach an introduction to aromatherapy and how to create home herbal spa products including sugar scrubs, spritzers and herbal foot soaks. Students should bring six 1/2-pint jars, a drinking jar or mug, a knife, scissors, cutting board, apron and a box or basket in which to carry their projects home.

The cost is $250 plus a $35 materials fee. Reservations are required and lodging and meal packages are available. For more information, phone (870)269-3851 or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.

25th annual Arkansas Fiddler's Convention

Open jam sessions as well as performances will take place during the 25th annual Arkansas Fiddler's Convention set for March 20-23 at the North Arkansas College South Campus in Harrison. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information, phone (870)741-1789 and visit www.harrisonarkansas.org.

"Art With An Altitude" in Eureka Springs

"Art With An Altitude" is the theme for the 18th annual Eureka Springs Kite Festival, which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 22 at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own kites. "Kite-making is a 'green' sport. It gets kids away from the TV and video games and it's wind-fueled," explained Kaleidokites co-owner Steve Rogers. He added, "It's a great photo-op event, too. These aren't just your mega-store mass-produced kites. These are works of art."

Kite aficionados are expected to attend from the Kansas City Kite Club, Tulsa Wind Riders and other area clubs. Several world-class kites worth more than a thousand dollars apiece will be featured.

Admission to the kite festival is free. Regular admission prices apply for tours of the refuge. This annual event is one of the refuge's most attended days of the year. Proceeds help finance the rescue of and sanctuary for the tigers, lions, cougars, leopards and other animals housed there.

The kite festival is part of "The 45 Days of April," Eureka Springs' outdoor tourism month. Eco-tourism and outdoor events are planned in the city from March 15 to April 30, 2008. For more information contact Kaleidokites at 479-253-6596 or 888-836-6251.

7th Annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest

The 7th Annual Ozark Foothills FilmFest will be held in Batesville on March 28-30 at the University of Arkansas Community College. This festival's commitment to showcasing work by emerging and established filmmakers from Arkansas and neighboring states remains strong since it's beginning in 2002. The festival features an eclectic celebration of cinema arts, including screenings of independent features, shorts and animation, as well as a showcase of works by Arkansas filmmakers. Several events are planned to mark the 100th birthday of Arkansas's own Louis Jordan, including a tribute concert, lectures and a screening of his films. For more information, visit www.ozarkfoothillsfilmfest.org or phone (870) 251-1189.

Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra performs the Great Russian Masters

The Great Russian Masters provide the theme for the Pine Bluff Symphony Orchestra's 4 p.m. concert on March 30. Key works by the masters to be performed include Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla by Mikhail Glinka, the father of Russian nationalism; Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Symphony No. 2 by Alexander Borodin, one of the members of the revolutionary "Russian Five," and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, featuring celebrated young pianist Gleb Ivanov. Tickets are $25 and $30 for adults, $8 and $12 for students. The Pine Bluff Convention Center Auditorium is where the concert will be held. Contact the symphony by phoning (870)536-7666 or e-mailing pbsymphony@pbreynoldscenter.org for more details.