Baseball, rock-n-roll and crawfish, oh my!

Crawfish and rock-n-roll make for a good combination of events set to take place in the Fort Smith region during the next few weeks.

Following are details on four upcoming events. (For a more detailed list of events, link here to The Social page of The City Wire.)

ROCK OF AGES
“Rock of Ages” brings the history of rock tunes from the 1980s’ back to life.

The musical is set to play at 7:30 p.m., April 30 at the Arkansas Best Corporation Performing Arts Center in the Fort Smith Convention Center.

The worldwide party musical Rock of Ages features a mix of 28 rockin' 80's tunes including Don't Stop Believin', We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive, Here I Go Again, Can't Fight This Feeling, and I Want to Know What Love Is.

In 1987 on the Sunset Strip, a small town girl met a big city rocker and in LA's most famous rock club, they fell in love to the greatest songs of the 80's.

This five time 2009 Tony nominee ROCK of AGE is an arena rock love story told through the mind blowing, face-melting hits of Journey, Night Ranger, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benetar, Twisted Sister, Poison, Asia, Whitesnake and many more. Don't miss this awesomely good time about dreaming big, playing loud and partying on!  (Some of the costumes, dancing, and language may not be appropriate for children under the age of 14.)

The show is sponsored by Sparks Health System, and is part of the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Season of Entertainment. Link here to purchase tickets.

CRAWFISH BOIL FOR GIRLS INC.
The annual tasty event supporting Girls Inc. in Fort Smith returns May 11, with tickets set at $25 per individual or $50 per family.

The event is held at the home of Luann and George Moschner (address provided when receiving ticket) and the crawfish provided by Jennifer and Tom Kelly. Link to the Girls Inc. website to learn how to buy tickets.

Girls Inc. of Fort Smith is committed to providing a safe environment with educational and recreational programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges.

Girls Inc. informs policy makers about girls’ needs locally and nationally. The organization educates the media about critical issues facing girls. In addition, the organization teaches girls how to advocate for themselves and their communities using their voices to promote positive change.

In 1934, Girls Inc. of Fort Smith was established to meet the needs to area girls. The Belle Grove Center was opened and served as a place to provide clothing, health needs, and recreation for the “under privileged” girls. In 1970, Nancy Orr Center was built on Old Greenwood Road. Until 2007, both centers provided to the Fort Smith community. Now the Nancy Orr Center serves as the center of operation. After 76 years of providing to the Fort Smith community, Girls Inc. looks forward to continuing their efforts to make every girl strong, smart, and bold.

RIVER VALLEY BASEBALL CLINIC
On May 14-15, the River Valley Chevy Dealers will host a free instructional clinic for youth baseball players. Coached by Ripken Baseball, participants will learn the essentials of throwing, fielding and hitting.

The clinic is one of more than 200 Chevrolet is hosting this year as part of the Chevrolet Youth Baseball Program. Chevrolet has sponsored free, public baseball clinics for children across the country since 2006.

The first clinic is held between 6 and 9 p.m. on May 14 at the Field of Dreams Sports Complex in Van Buren.

The second clinic is set for 6 to 9 p.m. on May 15 at the Goldtrap Gardner Boys and Girls Club in Fort Smith.

Spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and registration will close two days before each clinic date. Link here for the online registration process.

WOMEN TO WATCH
The opening reception of Arkansas Women to Watch 2013 is set for 5 to 7 p.m., May 2, at the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum.

Arkansas Women to Watch 2013 is curated by Caroline S. Brown and showcases textile-based works and featuring the work of five artists including: Louise M. Halsey of Little Rock; Barbara Cade of Hot Springs; Jennifer Libby Fay (formerly of Rogers); Jane Hartfield of Fort Smith; and Deborah Kuster of Conway. These works are influenced by world travel and exploring the relationship between art, nature and spirituality.

Women to Watch 2013 is a project of the Arkansas State Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which is a non-profit volunteer organization established as an affiliate of the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), located in Washington, D.C.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts brings recognition to the achievements of women artists of all periods and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring and researching art by women and by teaching the public about their accomplishments. The Arkansas State Committee is proud to bring talent from the state to the forefront, and the national stage.

Link here to the art museum website for more event information.