January events taking place across the state

Rediscover the charm of Victorian Eureka Springs in a relaxed post-holiday search for special treasures, many at reduced prices, during the Eureka Springs Gallery Associates' Secret Season on Jan. 1-31. Most of the nine gallery associates on Spring Street and one at the Crescent Hotel are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, phone 479-253-7679 or visit http://artofeureka.com.

An opportunity to stroll beautiful downtown Hot Springs and enjoy some of the finest contemporary art in America takes place Jan. 2 during the city's Gallery Walk. On this day the art galleries stay open until 9 p.m., often with music and complimentary refreshments. For more details, phone 501-625-0554 or visit www.hotsprings.org.

"Dearly Departed," a comedy centering on an "average dysfunctional" family attending a funeral, runs at the Imperial Dinner Theatre in Pocahontas Jan. 3-Feb. 1. See how this family can turn one of the most somber occasions humorous. For more information, visit www.ImperialDinnerTheatre.com or phone 870-892-0030.

Each year, about 100 bald eagles migrate to the Bull Shoals area. On Jan. 9-10, during Eagle Awareness Weekend, the Bull Shoals-White River State Park will offer activities centered around this national symbol. Events will include lake and river tours, guided bird walks, guest speakers, live bird demonstrations, kids' activities and live entertainment.

Admission is free, except for the lake and river cruises. For more information, phone 870-445-3629 and visit the Web site, www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Nothing says comfort like a steaming bowl of soup on a cold winter day. The "Soup's On" during the Basic Training: Second Saturday Chef's Series set for Jan. 10 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton. Learn all about classic soups - cream soups, stock-based, pureed and bisques. The class will learn basic techniques used in making soup and will practice making and garnishing several types of soup.

The cost is $69 per person plus tax. For more information, phone 501-727-6220 and visit www.uawri.org.

A King's Day Mardi Gras Kick Off will take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the Rowdy Beaver Restaurant & Tavern in Eureka Springs. The Krewe of Krazo will announce its dukes and duchesses and king and queen of the royal court for Eureka Gras, a Mardi Gras celebration in the town. The kick off event will include King Kake, dancing, second line strutting and more. For more information, phone 479-981-9551 and visit www.Krazo.Ureeka.org.

Parkin Archeological State Park in Parkin will host a Primitive Pottery Workshop on Jan. 10. Learn how Native Americans from the region used local clays and primitive methods to make useful pots. Participants will make their own pottery using natural materials from the nearby St. Francis River. For more information, call Parkin Archeological State Park at (870) 755-2500 or log on to www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Eagle Awareness Weekend at Petit Jean State Park near Morrilton will be Jan. 10-11. During these two days devoted to the bald eagle, our national symbol, a variety of programs will be offered. There will also be a trip to nearby Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge to look for wintering bald eagles. For details, phone 501-727-5441 or visit www.petitjeanstatepark.com.

Oaklawn's 105th Live Racing Season returns Jan. 16 through April 11 in Hot Springs. Admission is $2. There is simulcasting and gaming all year long at the park. Call 501-623-4411 or visit www.oaklawn.com for more details.

Reserve Jan. 16 on your calendar now because that's when the Dallas Black Dance Theatre comes to Hendrix College Staples Auditorium in Conway. The theatre, founded by Ann Williams over 30 years ago, is the oldest, continuously operating professional dance company in Dallas. The ensemble performs a mixed repertoire of all kinds of interpretation, including modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works by created by such well-known choreographers as Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Alonzo King and others. There is no charge and the curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. The college is located at 1600 Washington Avenue. Contact the Hendrix Special Events Office at 501-450-4545 or check www.hendrix.edu/specialevents for more information.

The 43rd Annual Tri-Lakes Coin Show takes place Jan. 16-18 at the Hot Springs Convention Center in Hot Springs. With the release of the new state quarter series, the new historical nickel series, and the presidential gold-colored dollar, interest in U.S. Coins has grown. For more information visit www.hotspringscoinshow.com or call 501-624-0074.

Take six young people who are in the middle of puberty and add grown-ups who have barely made it out of childhood then throw them into a heated competition and you have the 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This two-time Tony Award-winning national touring production comes to Little Rock on Jan. 20-22 as part of Celebrity Attractions. Discover how all involved learn that winning isn't everything and that just because you lose doesn't make you a loser. The tuneful, offbeat and sometimes heartwarming show offers members of the audience the chance to be a part of the on-stage action as spelling competitors. The production is recommended for those ages 12 and up and will be presented at Little Rock's Robinson Center Music Hall, 300 West Markham. The Celebrity Attractions Web site -- www.CelebrityAttractions.com - has additional details.

Warfield Concerts presents a performance by award-winning Chanticleer at the Lily Peter Auditorium in Helena-West Helena on Jan. 20. Chanticleer, known as "America's favorite chorale ensemble," was recently inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame. For more information, log on to www.WarfieldConcerts.com.

Lake Charles State Park in Powhatan will host a Bluebird House Workshop on Jan. 24. Learn how to make an outdoor birdhouse that will provide nesting habitat for Eastern bluebirds. For more information, contact Lake Charles State Park at 870-878-6595 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

Hey ladies! Do you need some fun time just for you after the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Then make plans to head to Sheridan on Jan. 29 for the Grant County Ladies Night Out. The event, which is held at the Sheridan Recreation Center, is from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will feature over 50 area vendors showcasing everything from health and wellness to beauty products and tips, jewelry, accessories and handmade crafts, a bridal fair, a prom fashion show, plus performances by local talent. There will be drawings for prizes. Kristin Walker at 870-942-2142 or kris@joeandkris.com can provide additional information. Or take a look at www.gcladiesnightout.com.

Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy takes place Jan. 29 at Historic Perot Theatre in Texarkana. The multimillion dollar ultra-violet set showcases an international cast of acrobats, contortionists, and aerialists who climb, spin, balance and tumble into all sorts of fun, giant jungle creatures--all set to original music. For more information, phone 903-792-4992 or visit www.trahc.org.

Beginning Jan. 30, Center on the Square in Searcy presents "The Foreigner," the comedic story of "Froggy" and Charlie. Charlie is terrified of talking to strangers, so "Froggy" tells everyone he is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English! To learn more, call Center on the Square at 501-368-0111 or log on to www.CenterontheSquare.org.

Watch one of the first tunes you learned as a kid come to life in this Arkansas Children's Theatre production of "Three Blind Mice." The main characters - three young mice - set out in search of cheese in the Big Kitchen World. They also want to discover if the farmer's wife is as mean as the song says she is. Their adventure takes them on a journey during when they become trapped. It takes a most unlikely hero to save them. Come see the play to find out who the rescuer is and laugh along with this modern version of al old favorite Mother Goose nursery rhyme. Dates for the performances are Jan. 30-Feb. 15 at the Arkansas Arts Center in downtown Little Rock's MacArthur Park on East Ninth Street. Call 501-372-4000 for more information on check www.arkarts.com.

A celebration of our nation's symbol happens Jan. 30- Feb. 1 at DeGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck during the 30th Annual Eagles Et Cetera Festival. Programs featuring the American bald eagle and other birds of prey will make the weekend "fly by." There will be eagle-watching lake tours, guided bird walks, owl prowls, live bird demonstrations, slide presentations, games and more. The Little Rock Zoo will present programs to area schools during the week and give live raptor demonstrations and performances on Friday and Saturday. Call 501-865-2801 or visit www.degray.com for more information.