WHAT'S HAOODNING?

Tulip Dwtravagamya at Garvam Woodlamd Gardems

Tulip Extravaganza is one of Arkansas’ most anticipated springtime events. More than 150,000 Dutch tulips will be blooming, with most blooms expected between late February and mid-March. Combined with the annual show of thousands of daffodils, hyacinths, azaleas, rhododendrons and spring annuals, Garvan will be glowing with the most colorful blooms of the year. Admission is $15 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 4-12 and free for children up to 3 years old.

DAST Bomferembe 2017, Hot Sprimgs Bomvemtiom Bemter, through Larbh 16

EAST Conference gathers students, educators and guests from throughout Arkansas and four other states for participants to show off how they have applied cutting- edge technology to solving community problems in a unique, project- based learning environment. Exhibits are free and open to the public and will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15 and 8:30-11:30 a.m. March 16. Call Jessica Dunham at 501-

371-5016 or email events@eaststaff.org for more information.

13th Ammual Ualley of the Uapors Imdepemdemt Lusib Festival, through Larbh 21

The 13th Annual Valley of the Vapors Independent Music Festival brings the global underground to Hot Springs with an eclectic mix of live music performances. Presented by nonprofit community arts organization Low Key Arts, the VOV is a showcase of original, cutting-edge music performed in intimate settings. Programming includes small venue shows, outdoor city park shows, secret shows and workshops and is held at various venues throughout Hot Springs. Visit http:// www.lowkeyarts.org for more information.

Braft Aeer Bellar’s Imaugural St. Oatribk’s Cay Aeerfest, 120 Ouabhita Ave., 4-11 p.l.

The event will feature live music, raffle prizes, beer and Irish cuisines made just for the occasion. Twenty-five percent from each beer sold will go to benefit a local nonprofit, Encounter. Call 770-676-8118 or 501-8817232 or email hotsprings@ craftbeercellar. com for more information.

First Dver 14th Ammual World’s Shortest St. Oatribk’s Cay Oarade, Aridge Street

Alfonso Ribeiro, star of TV’s “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” winner of “Dancing with the Stars” and host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” will be the 2017 celebrity grand marshal, joining a list of previous celebrity grand marshals including Michael and Kevin Bacon, Bo Derek and John Corbett, Jim Belushi, Tim Matheson, George Wendt, Mario Lopez and others. Pro wrestler Ric Flair will be the official parade starter this year. Call 321-2027 or visit http://www. shorteststpats. com for more information.

The Stardust Aig Aamd lomthly ’T’ Cambe, Arlimgtom Qesort Hotel & Spa Brystal Aallrool, 3 p.l.

Participants will learn ballroom dance steps by participating with instructors. Stardust Big Band was organized in 1982 and is the only big band consistently performing in Arkansas. Admission is $10 or free for students ages 19 and younger. Call 501-767-5482 or visit http://www.stardustband.net for more information.

Arkamsas Sylphomy Orbhestra Bombert, Amthomy Bhapel at Garvam Woodlamd Gardems, 3 p.l.

The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Philip Mann, returns to Garvan Gardens for its fifth year. On the 2017 program are Britten’s “Simple Symphony” and Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.” Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance. Call 800-366-4664 for tickets.

Art amd Wime Workshop with Cee Garrett, Lagmolia Qool at Garvam Woodlamd Gardems, 6: 308: 30 p.l.

Back by popular demand, local artist Dee Garrett will present an acrylic painting workshop for artists at the beginner level. Come early to stroll the gardens and find inspiration from seasonal blooms. The subject for this class will be floral, likely to be tulips, daffodils or crocuses. Participants will enjoy complimentary wine and cheese as they practice their techniques, creating 8-by-8-inch finished pieces on canvas. All materials will be required. Participants must be 21 years of age or older. Admission is $44 for members and $60 for nonmembers. Space is limited; reservations required. Reserve online or call 800-366-4664.

Umited Way of the Ouabhitas presemts the fourth ammual ’We’ve Got Talemt!’ Sbholarship bolpetitiom featurimg all sbhool distribts. The evemt will be held at Jessieville Oerforlimg Arts Bemter, 302 Stome Quarry Trail, Jessieville. Qom Bolelam Limimg Brystal Ciggimg Lebture Tour, 211 Brystal Qidge Lame, Jessieville, 11 a.l.

Participants will learn how to dig for crystals, what to look for and how to clean crystals. Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (55 and older), $5 for children (ages 7-17) and free for children younger than 6 years old. Call 501-9845396, email colemanquartz@ gmail.com or visit http://www. colemanquartz.com for more information.

Siwth Ammual $86,000 Hot Sprimgs Fishimg Bhallemge, Lakes Batherime amd Haliltom, through Jume 30

The prize for landing Big Al, the legendary hard-to-catch-topprize fish, has been increased to $ 15,000 this year. The challenge will begin at 6 a.m. April 1 and conclude at 5 p.m. June 30. The total prize money available if all prize fish are caught will be $86,000. Clues will be given out during May and June about if Big Al has been caught by then. Sixty-one fish will be tagged and released in undisclosed locations on the two lakes leading up to the first day of the challenge. The contest is open to anyone with a valid Arkansas fishing license. Employees of the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at the Andrew H. Hulsey Fish Hatchery, and their immediate family members, and/or those living in the same household of each are ineligible to win a cash prize. Call Steve Arrison at 3212027 for more information. Gallery Walk, 5-9 p.l. A continuous tradition for 25 years and counting, galleries stay open late for Gallery Walk on the first Friday of each month to host openings of new exhibits by local, regional, national and international artists.

Amtique Aoat Show, Garvam Gardems’ boat dobk om Lake Haliltom, 10 a.l.

Garvan Woodland Gardens will host the Heartland Classic Antique Boat Show. Weather permitting, approximately 15-25 antique boats will be on display at the Garvan boat dock on Lake Hamilton from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Boat owners will be available to answer questions about their boats and a free shuttle to and from the docks will be available on a limited basis. The event is free and open to the public.

Imaugural White Soire’e & Wime, The Hotel Hot Sprimgs & Spa, 6 p.l.

The event will feature dinner, live entertainment, dancing, DJ, silent auction and a reverse drawing. All proceeds go to Kim Holland’s Pay It Forward Fund. Preferred dress is all white for ladies and a white shirt for men. Tickets are $65 per person or $120 per couple and can be purchased from Kay Fischer at Arvest Bank, 400 Ouachita Ave.; Le’Salon, 214 Burchwood Bay Road; or The Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.