ACANSA Arts Festival

08/31/2026

When Acoustic Guitar Magazine says "high energy performances...tight vocal harmonies...full-on shredding," they aren't kidding! ACANSA.org presents RYANHOOD Sat., Sept.12 @ 7:30pm at CALS Ron Robinson Theater.
Named ‘Best Group/Duo’ in the International Acoustic Music Awards, Ryanhood also won Tucson Music Awards for “Best Folk Band” AND “Best Rock Band”. Which is more accurate? Check 'em out at ryanhood.com/videos and let us know in the comments!
Get tickets today for RYANHOOD and the 11th ACANSA Arts Festival line-up in Little Rock and North Little Rock. Students 18 and younger attend free. The 2026 Festival is presented by ATG USA. Major sponsors include Cynthia & Walter Mashburn, Charlotte & Jim Gadberry, the Heflin Family and Legacy Termite & Pest Control.

(Acansa has no affiliation with the Central Arkansas Library System and our use of CALS Ron Robinson Theater does not constitute CALS’ endorsement of our agenda, mission, beliefs, viewpoints or policies.)

Videos. Ryanhood, from Tucson, AZ

08/30/2026

Everybody deserves a righteous night of music, moving and grooving with Rodney Block Collective. Join ACANSA.org on September 11, the first Friday of ACANSA Arts Festival of the South at The Sanctuary at Argenta. Block and his signature trumpet will raise the roof with JONATHAN BURKS (drums), WILLIAM KENDRICK (keys), COREY HARRIS (bass) and the unstoppable BIJOUX PIGHEE (vocals).

Whether you’ve seen Rodney onstage in Arkansas, Kansas City, or across the globe with Earth, Wind and Fire, members of the Marsalis family or Doug E. Fresh, he brings passion first wherever he performs. Don't miss this chance for weekend vibes!

ACANSA's 11th Festival is presented by ATG USA with support for Rodney Block Collective from the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Division of Arkansas Heritage. Major festival sponsors include Cynthia & Walter Mashburn, Charlotte & Jim Gadberry, Legacy Pest Control and the Heflin Family.
Rodney Block

08/29/2026

Limited seating! Visit ACANSA.org for tickets today. Okorie "OkCello" Johnson is an American cellist-songwriter whose artistry integrates cello performance, live-sound-looping, improvisation, and storytelling — all culminating in original compositions that collide classical with jazz, EDM, reggae, and funk. His music is inspired by the exploration of African Diasporic melodies and narratives and their intersection with people's perceptions and assumptions about the classical and European nature of the cello. As well, his work with improvisation attempts to embody the phenomenon of wordless prayer.

08/29/2026

Introducing our ACANSA.org Festival Intern!
Kylie "KB" Belverstone
KB is a theatre artist from Sherwood, Arkansas, and is a current Junior at with a focus in stage management. From ticketing and graphic design to learning about budgeting and public relations, KB is exploring a full range of duties in the nonprofit arts arena. They chose to work with ACANSA Arts Festival because of their focus on building community within the local art space. "I'm delighted to gain valuable experience while getting to be close to the wide variety of entertainment ACANSA has to offer to the entire community," KB says.


of Arkansas at Little Rock

08/28/2026

Looking for a quick rundown of all the entertainment in the 11th ACANSA Arts Festival of the South? Visit acansa.org and get your tickets today. No lie - we're here to satisfy!

08/21/2026

Acansa Gallery welcomes "Echoes & Narratives" an exhibit of paintings by Charles Peer. The show opens on August 21 during Argenta Arts District's 3rd Friday Art Walk, 5-8pm, and remains installed through September 11.

Acansa Gallery & Store

08/21/2026

The poster for ACANSA Gallery's current exhibit, ECHOES & NARRATIVES, reflects just a few of the paintings installed for Opening Night, Aug. 21, during Argenta Arts District's 3rd Friday Art Walk. Join us from 5pm to 8pm to meet artist Charles Peer and open the show!
Charles Peer / Echoes & Narratives ARTIST STATEMENT
As we rush through life, pausing only long enough to capture a milestone event or a picture-postcard scene, we often overlook the beauty found in the thousands of quiet, simple moments in between. Yet these are the moments that, when we truly allow ourselves to see them, enrich our “everydayness” with subtle but profound meaning, transforming the ordinary into something quietly extraordinary. These seemingly simple experiences hold the stories of who we are. They ground us, shape our memories, and become the echoes that linger long after the moment has passed.

Through Echoes and Narratives, I invite viewers to slow down and rediscover the beauty found in these unassuming scenes. My hope is that these pastel paintings evoke a personal memory, a familiar feeling, or a quiet sense of connection.

More importantly, I hope this collection encourages us to become more attentive to the fleeting moments, emotions, and places that often go unnoticed, for it is within these everyday experiences that we discover the richness of our shared history, our humanity, and our lives.
- Charles Peer

Opening tonight, “Echoes & Narratives,” an exhibit showcasing the paintings of Charles Peer Charles Peer Opening reception from 5:00 to 8:00. Stop in to see some amazing art and visit with Charles!

08/14/2026

See Acansa.org for tickets to a righteous night of music, moving and grooving with Rodney Block Collective on September 11, the first Friday of ACANSA Arts Festival of the South. Block and his signature trumpet will raise the roof at The Sanctuary at Argenta with JONATHAN BURKS (drums), WILLIAM KENDRICK (keys), COREY HARRIS (bass) and the inimitable BIJOUX PIGHEE (vocals).

ACANSA's 11th Festival is presented by ATG USA with support for Rodney Block Collective from the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Division of Arkansas Heritage.

Whether you’ve seen him onstage in Arkansas, Kansas City, or across the globe with Earth, Wind and Fire, members of the Marsalis family or Doug E. Fresh, Rodney brings passion first wherever he performs. Don't miss this chance for weekend vibes!

Acansa Gallery & Store

05/18/2026

Congratulations, CustomXM, on your 60th! Thanks for always being there for ACANSA Arts Festival and Acansa Gallery & Store and for all you do to support community and the arts in central Arkansas.
P.S. You sure know how to throw a great party!

04/17/2026

Check out Sidney McCoy's "Last Minute Favors" during Argenta Arts District's 3rd Friday Art Walk. Added bonus: some of our favorite "Collected" pieces from various estates are also available for viewing and purchase. 5pm-8pm Friday, 4/17, for opening night at Gallery & Store and on exhibit through May 9th.