OFF DUTY LIFE >>06-22-07

Irish music, dance Saturday

Irish Music and Dance with St. Louis Irish Arts will be held today and Saturday at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View. There will be concerts each evening with a matinee performance at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday featuring the former winners of All-Ireland Championships. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12. Visit the Web site www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for more information.


Butterfly Festival this weekend

The 11th Annual Butterfly Festival is today and Saturday at Mount Magazine State Park, 16878 Hwy. 309 South in Paris.
There will be activities for butterfly lovers of all ages. Guest speakers and park interpreters will lead walks and talks exploring butterfly biology and gardening.

Hiking Hint: People usually see more butterflies and other wildlife when they explore on their own in quiet groups of three to five, as butterflies are startled easily. Children will enjoy make-and-take crafts. There will be handmade arts and crafts and other festival activities held simultaneously down the mountain in Paris. Admission is free. For more information visit www.butterflyfestival.com.


Blues Festival set in Ft. Smith

The 17th Annual Riverfront Blues Festival is today and Saturday Harry E. Kelly Park in Fort Smith. This year’s line up is top-notch with headliners Indigenous on Friday and Kenny Wayne Shepherd performing on Saturday. Festival line-up, blues in the schools and other information can be found on the Web site www.riverfrontblues.org.

Admission is $5 adults; kids under 12 free with an adult.


Bluegrass music slated at park

The 26th Annual Summer Bluegrass Festival runs through Saturday at Lester Flatt Memorial Park, 50 Lester Flatt Drive, Vilonia. There will be bluegrass and gospel music, food vendors, concessions, jam sessions, arts and crafts, swimming and fishing. Showers, restrooms, dumping station, park security are available. No alcohol permitted. Admission is $10 daily; $25 3-day pass and $8 to camp.


Opera in Ozark ends July 20

The 57th Annual Opera in the Ozark 2007 Summer Festival runs through July 20 at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Center, 16311 Hwy. 62 West, Eureka Springs. The 2007 season operas are “Falstaff” by Verdi, “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart, “Susannah” by Floyd, and “Little Red Riding Hood” by Barab. Tickets are $15 and $20. Call 479-253-8595 or visit www.opera.org for more information.