THURSDAY 10/15
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Taylor Branch comes to what’s bound to be a packed Sturgis Hall at the Clinton School to discuss his new book, “The Clinton Tapes,” 6 p.m., free (make reservations via 683-5239, and see Gerard Matthews’ interview with the author on page 35). At Christ Episcopal Church, the acclaimed 40-voice choir Gloriae Dei Cantores sings songs that stretch back two millennia and across 18 languages, 7:30 p.m., $10-$15. Central Arkansas’ finest jazz trio, the Ted Ludwig Jazz Trio, does double duty, kicking off its night at the Capital Bar, 5 p.m., before jumping to the Afterthought at 8 p.m. Party band Mr. Lucky covers everything from Alice in Chains to ZZ Top at Cajun’s Wharf, 9 p.m. $5. The canine fashion show PAWS on the Runway raises money for CARE for Animals at the Governor’s Mansion, 6 p.m., $50-$75. Hilarious Chicago improv and sketch comedy troupe “The Second City” continues its stay at the Rep (the last performances are on Sunday), 8 p.m., $20-$35.
FRIDAY 10/16
The Peabody launches its first fall RiverTop series with a performance by GoodSpeed, 9 p.m., $5 (the series runs through Oct. 30). Blistering local rockers Magic Hassle share a bill at White Water with American Gods, 10 p.m., $5. Fayetteville’s Boom Kinetic plays New Wave-inspired pop at Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $6. At the Afterthought, blue-eyed soul man Big John Miller belts out songs you know, 9 p.m., $7. Paul Morphis and Joe Sundell of the Damn Bullets play an acoustic show at Capi’s, 9 p.m., free. The Arts Center hosts Art on Tap, a beer tasting in celebration of the “World of Pharaohs” exhibit, 6 p.m., $25-$50. The musical “Falsettos” continues at the Weekend Theater, 7:30 p.m., $14-$18.
SATURDAY 10/17
The Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation inducts new members at the Statehouse Convention Center, 6:30 p.m. North Little Rock’s sludge metal kings Rwake share a bill at Downtown Music with Deadbird, Crankbait and Laser Flames on the Great Big News, 8 p.m., $7. Fayetteville-based good-time rocker Benjamin Del Shreve leads his band at Sticky Fingerz, 9 p.m., $6. The War Memorial swimming pool hosts a fundraiser for Paws Park at Murray Park, where dogs swim in the pool, $10-$15. In Benton at Denton’s Trotline, Shannon Boshears plays blues-rock, 8 p.m., free.