See a different side of LR at first Alley Party of fall
Downtown Little Rock has a lot to offer, from restaurants and shops to theaters. But it also has alleys — passageways that people generally only see as places to hurry past or through on their way to work or to dinner or to catch a show.
But today, one of those alleys will be a destination in its own right when the Downtown Little Rock Partnership presents the first Alley Party of the fall season.
“An Alley Party is basically a block party but set in a tucked-away part of downtown that people don’t usually go to,” explains organizer Anderson Penix of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership. “This is just a way to get people to see a different side of the city … but also get together and give people something to do on a Thursday night.”
The party series began last year with a party in October and then continued with three more in April, May and June this year.
Each party is in a different location, including, so far, the space between Central Arkansas Water and Christ Episcopal Church and an alley behind Samantha’s Tap Room.
“We want to make sure we don’t retread ground,” Penix says. “There are so many tucked-away places, there are hundreds of places in Little Rock and downtown Little Rock especially that would make a great location for one of these parties.”
This particular party will be next to and hosted by the Little Rock Tech Park on Main Street.
Another sponsor and important presence at the party will be the Arkansas Rice Federation, which will show an informational video and may have Rice Krispies treats for snacking.
Penix says, “They’re reaching more into our urban center and trying to show people here in Little Rock the importance of Arkansas rice for the whole state and also the city. We’re looking forward to including them and making that connection between rural and urban in Arkansas.”
As for the party itself, Penix says, “It’s just music and drinks and people just filling a unique space.”
Stone’s Throw Brewing will sell beer and there will also be wine for sale and tunes supplied by the Buh Jones Band, which was a big hit at the June party.
“Their playlist was all over the place and it was just great,” Penix says. “Everybody’s going to have a good time with whatever they play.”
Despite the beer and wine, this is not an adults-only party. Children are “more than welcome” and so are well-behaved dogs.
There are two more parties planned for this year: one Oct. 19 by the Central Arkansas Library System’s Main Library and the other on Nov. 9 near Vino’s.
Penix says, “It’s just a good time to get out of your office, get out of your home, break out of your routine and enjoy Little Rock.”