The Springs Magazine

09/10/2025

Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month with Discounts All September

Formerly known as “Show Me Your Library Card,” the program, now called “Power of the Card,” celebrates National Library Card Sign-Up Month by connecting library users with discounts at participating businesses across central Arkansas.

Power of the Card has expanded to include the regions surrounding the Central Arkansas Library System, Faulkner County Library, North Little Rock Public Library System, the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System, the Saline County Library, and, of course, the Garland County Library.

In Garland County alone, dozens of businesses have generously offered deals and discounts to library patrons who simply present their library card. These specials include offers such as free admission, dollar amount, or percentage off a purchase, free or discounted services, and more. A full list of participating businesses and their discounts will be posted to the Library’s website, www.gclibrary.com/powerofthecard, by the end of August. Power of the Card spans all of September, so plan to visit partner businesses accordingly.

Don’t have a library card? There’s no better time than now to get one. Garland and Saline County residents can apply for a full-access library card in person at the library or apply for a digital card online.

For more information about all of the library’s services and offerings, visit www.gclibrary.com, call 501-623-4161, or visit the library in person at 1427 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs.

09/10/2025

A Golden Milestone: HS Concert Band Celebrates 50 Years

The Hot Springs Concert Band proudly invites you to its 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert, recognizing half a century of musical excellence, local tradition, and shared history.

The extraordinary event will take place Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Woodlands Auditorium in Hot Springs Village, featuring special performances by Dr. Craig Hamilton and Kallen Esperian.

Relish the opportunity to see Dr. Craig Hamilton, the esteemed former principal conductor of the Hot Springs Concert Band and one of Arkansas’s leading music educators, return to the stage and lead selections that pay tribute to the band’s rich history.

Adding even more star power, the concert will showcase the breathtaking vocals of Kallen Esperian, whose artistry and emotional power have moved and inspired audiences of all ages worldwide.

The Hot Springs Concert Band – one of Arkansas’s most beloved and enduring musical organizations – will present a program that journeys through five decades of favorite selections, cherished memories, and new surprises.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter or discovering these talented musicians for the first time, this is a rare opportunity to be a part of local history. Don’t miss this celebratory event, sure to be filled with soaring melodies and inspiring lyrics, nostalgia, and community spirit. All are invited to attend the concert as they honor 50 years of music, friendship, and tradition.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through www.hsvticketsales.com.

09/10/2025

River To Ridge: Arkansas’s Wildlife Management Areas

By Erin Wood
Years in the making, River To Ridge: Arkansas’s Wildlife Management Areas is a field and travel guide across the wildly varying terrain of the state’s natural areas. But thanks to the soothing photography and descriptive prose, readers don’t have to leave the comfort of their chairs to feel immersed in healing outdoor scenes.

From Bayou Meto to Sylamore, profiles of state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) take up the bulk of the book, but the state’s nature centers and even its hatcheries get their turns in the sun, too. And while several WMAs are well-known by hunters or outdoor enthusiasts, some of the best work in this hefty opus is shown in the discovery of smaller WMAs, off the beaten path of even some of the savviest Arkansawyers.

Editor Jeff Williams shares, “We wanted to make it part adventure guide, part travel planner, with lots of background and information for hunters, anglers, paddlers, campers, birders, and anyone else who enjoys the outdoors. Besides WMAs, it includes nature centers, water trails, fish hatcheries, and many more locations owned or operated by state, federal, and nonprofit agencies.”

At nearly 500 pages and illustrated with nearly 500 photographs, From River To Ridge is an affordable ($20) and informative tome on what makes the Natural State so natural. Thanks to editors Jeff Williams and Kirsten Bartlow and the many state writers and specialists who contributed, it’s an achievement all Arkansawyers can enjoy.

To purchase a copy, visit agfc.com/rivertoridge, the Game and Fish Commission HQ in Little Rock at 2 Natural Resources Drive, or your favorite independent local bookstore.

Hot Springs native Erin Wood is a writer, editor, and publisher in Little Rock. She owns and runs etaliapress.com.

Wood is the author of “Women Make Arkansas: Conversations With 50 Creatives” (2019) and editor of and a contributor to “Scars: An Anthology” (2015).

09/10/2025

There is a simple kind of magic in everyday moments—like the first delicate taste of Obatzda, the spiced cheese-butter-beer spread that feels both unexpected and utterly delightful. In a quiet morning glow, you slice a crisp radish and gently lift a whisper of that creamy, softly seasoned blend onto it. Suddenly, ordinary becomes extraordinary. It’s not about grand declarations or loud flavors, but a quiet joy that blooms in the small ritual of tasting something true to tradition, yet surprising in its comfort. This is beauty in the everyday: a humble radish, a lovingly crafted spread, and the soft thrill of discovery. Let your senses wander, your heart lighten, and embrace the warmth that lingers long after the last bite.

09/09/2025

Such a Drag! Learn “Stage Face” Skills from an Expert

By Lana Pierce
Ever wonder what it takes to put on that “stage face”? Have no clue how to begin? Emergent Arts hosts “Express Yourself! Drag Class” this fall, led by seasoned performer Jaxson James. This inclusive program offers expert guidance in makeup, styling, stage presence, and workshops on character development, costuming, and technique. Come learn and express yourself in this close-knit, supportive environment.

Classes will be held at Emergent Arts, 341-A Whittington Avenue in downtown Hot Springs, Wednesdays from 6-7:30 PM, September 10 until October 29. Just in time to show off your new skills for Halloween. For more information, contact Emergent Arts via Facebook: Emergent Arts HS or in person.

Lana Pierce is an author and 19-year veteran of the NLR Fire Department who lives in Hot Springs and owns RetroFit.

09/09/2025

Spa-Con’s burgeoning reputation as a venue for world-class cosplay celebrities has attracted two globally acclaimed cosplay experts to the Hot Springs comics and pop culture convention September 19 – 21.

“Evil Ted and Avera Cosplay will join Cowbutt Crunchies and Extreme Costumes as cosplay guests at Spa-Con 2025,” Visit Hot Springs Special Events Manager Alexis Hampo said.

“Cosplay has become such a big part of Spa-Con, and makers like Evil Ted and Avera Cosplay really show that,” Hampo said.

“Remember when Spa-Con was featured in the six-part documentary series, Alter Egos?” VHS Marketing Director Bill Solleder commented. “That series showcased a collection of cosplayers, from professional veterans to up-and-comers, and brought Spa-Con into the spotlight for attracting craftsmanship in cosplay.”

Evil Ted and Avera Cosplay will join a large roster of previously announced guest celebrities, including:

Laurie Holden, the star of the hits “The Walking Dead” & “The X-Files.”

Voice actors from the “Sailor Moon” TV series: Terri Hawkes, Susan Roman, and Ron Rubin.

Peelander-Z, the Japanese action comic punk band from outer space.

World-renowned costume creator Thomas DePetrillo, famous for his Extreme Costumes.

Cosplay duo Cowbutt Crunchies, who specialize in complex couture cosplay and pop culture-based designs.

Zeno Robinson, who voices Hawks in the “My Hero Academia” anime series.

Spa-Con tickets can be purchased at www.spa-con.org: Weekend Passes – $35. VIP Passes – $150.

For more information, contact Alexis Hampo at 501-321-2027.

09/09/2025

09/09/2025

Tuesdays are dedicated clay days and Wed/Thurs are a variety of materials and techniques.

Sign up: https://emergentarts.wildapricot.org/event-6184480

09/09/2025

Photo: Journalist and publisher, John Archibald, shares his research about Mayberry Springs.

The Garland County Historical Society (GCHS) will present John Archibald’s program “Mayberry Springs As I Knew Her” at noon, Tuesday, September 16, at the Garland County Library, 1427 Malvern Avenue.

The Mayberry Springs Inn (near Crystal Springs, Arkansas, on HWY 270 West) was established well before the Civil War. Many legends have grown up about the property, which was especially busy when Bear, Arkansas, and Silver, Arkansas, flourished during the gold and silver booms of the 1880s. In later years, it was the summer home of the Rector family.

Archibald will share much new research about the house and grounds. He’ll explore the role of Mayberry Springs in Native American times, the Civil War, the Silver and Bear mining booms, as a home to “Indian” Rector (the state’s first Olympian), preservation efforts to save the house, and the geology of the grounds. He will also share photos of the property, which were previously thought to have been lost.

Archibald is a career journalist with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Marquette University. He worked as a newspaper journalist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Agana, Guam; Hot Springs, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He worked for the Ouachita Area Council BSA based in Hot Springs and has worked as a historical preservation consultant. He has authored two books and publishes the monthly tabloid, Ouachita Life. When he isn’t slogging through the Ouachita mountains looking for long-lost history, he enjoys repairing old cars, farming sorghum, and letterpress printing.

For more information about GCHS, email Liz at [email protected] and follow GCHS on Facebook: Garland County Historical Society

09/08/2025

The Federal Reserve System affects virtually every aspect of our daily lives, but most people only have a vague notion of how it operates and what it does. If you have a checking or savings account, a mortgage, a credit card, a car loan, or an educational loan, for instance, Federal Reserve actions can affect the interest rates or fees you pay. Maybe you’re worried about inflation or whether industries in your region might be struggling?

Then it’s time to learn more about the Fed during a special program that will offer a clear and practical look at what the Fed does, how it supports the economy, and the tools available to help you stay informed.

Matuschka Lindo Briggs, senior vice president and regional executive of the Little Rock Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, will present “An Overview of the Federal Reserve” as part of the Ouachita Speaker Series. Expect an informative, accessible, and fun presentation.

Her talk is at 7 p.m. Sept. 9, in the Ouachita Room of the Ponce de Leon Center, 1101 DeSoto Blvd., Hot Springs Village. Tickets are $15 each or two for $25, available at www.hsvticketsales.com.

Admission is free for all students.

Ms. Briggs will also provide a snapshot of current economic conditions in Arkansas and across our region, along with easy-to-use resources that can help you interpret trends in your community.

The Ouachita Speaker Series brings inspiring and stimulating guest speakers to Hot Springs Village six times a year. It offers thought-provoking forums for educational enrichment and the exchange of ideas to adult and student audiences in Arkansas. Other speakers this Fall are Ken Goodman, whose topic will be the history of Hot Springs, on Oct. 14; and Ben Johnson, president and CEO of the U.S. Marshals Museum in Fort Smith, on the history of the U.S. Marshals Service and the artifacts you’ll find in the museum, on November 11. For more information, visit

Facebook: Ouachita Speaker Series.

09/08/2025

This fall, downtown Hot Springs will ignite with rhythm and flavor as two beloved Arkansas festivals merge into one extraordinary weekend: the Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival and the Spa City Food Truck Festival are teaming up for BEATS & BEANS: The Ultimate Blues and Bites Weekend, taking place September 26–27, at Hill Wheatley Plaza and the Bridge Street Entertainment District.

The event offers free general admission and an optional $100 VIP experience, creating a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere for music lovers, foodies, and festivalgoers of all stripes.

Headliners Set to Blow the Roof Off

Kicking off the weekend on Friday, Sept. 26, is Grammy-nominated Vasti Jackson, a Mississippi guitar legend whose soulful, electrifying style has supported icons like Bobby “Blue” Bland and Little Milton.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, the stage belongs to Paul Thorn, known for his unforgettable blend of Southern rock, Americana, blues, and country. Thorn has shared stages with Sting, Bonnie Raitt, and Jeff Beck, and now brings his signature grit to Hot Springs.

The full musical lineup includes:

Keith Johnson & The Big Muddy Band
Fred T. Band
OSO
Matthew Curry
Trey & Jason
Stan Street & The Hopeless Case Band
Jerry McCoy & The Groove Diggers
Tina Cossey Band
Steve Malec Band with special guest Brady Roseberry
30 Food Trucks. Zero Restraint.

Alongside the music, attendees can indulge in over thirty food trucks offering a global menu of mouthwatering eats. From crispy wings and gourmet sliders to street tacos, deep-fried desserts, and bold international dishes, the Spa City Food Truck Festival promises a culinary experience as diverse and dynamic as the music.

A New Cultural Collision

“This isn’t just two festivals on the same weekend—it’s a full-scale cultural fusion,” said event organizers. “We’re bringing together the soul of the blues & roots music with the soul of the street through incredible music and unforgettable food. It’s going to be loud, flavorful, and absolutely unforgettable.”

Event Details

What: Beats & Beans – The Ultimate Blues & Bites Weekend
When: Friday & Saturday, September 26–27
Where: Hill Wheatley Plaza + Bridge Street Entertainment District, Downtown Hot Springs
Admission: Free General Admission | $100 VIP Experience
More Info: BigSteamMusicFestival.com
Follow: Facebook: Spa City Food Truck Festival
About the Event

Big Steam Blues & Roots Music Festival and Spa City Food Truck Festival brings you: Beats & Beans, a celebration of music, flavor, and Southern culture, uniting the rich legacy of blues and roots music with the sizzling creativity of modern street food.

Held in the heart of Hot Springs, Arkansas, this free, two-day experience invites attendees to dance, feast, and connect with a vibrant community of artists, chefs, and fellow festival lovers. Get loud. Get messy. Get fed.
Beats & Beans is coming — and it’s gonna shake the streets.