LITTLE ROCK — Whatever your interests - movies, art or music - there are all kinds of events and attractions across central Arkansas to draw your eye this summer, and all of them are free, or close enough that it shouldn't matter. Hey, it's hard times, right?

SETH, the sidebar lists all of the movies schedules. please put that near this part of the story. lauren may have art from last week's Movies in the Park.

Movies in the parks

If shelling out an arm and a leg for tickets and popcorn at the movie theater just doesn't sound appealing, look no further than the local park to take in a free flick. Riverfront Park and Midtown Bryant will host free showings all summer long, and come September, you can add Conway to the list (again).

Set up at the Riverfest Amphitheatre off the River Market District in downtown Little Rock, Movies in the Park is in its own words an effort to "help foster a sense of community and enjoyment in downtown Little Rock and throughout central Arkansas by bringing people together to enjoy a movie in a unique setting along the scenic banks of the Arkansas River." Now in its third year, the program offers a different feature every Wednesday night, beginning when the sun goes down. Admission is free.

In the same vein but boasting a slate of all family-oriented, G-rated movies is Movies in the Park at Midtown Bryant, a community development located on Commonwealth Drive, just across Arkansas 5 off Interstate 30, Exit 123. Here the features are on Friday nights, but admission is still free. Bring a blanket, the kids and a love for Disney-Pixar. Showtime is "around 8 p.m."

Though currently on break for the hottest months of the year, downtown Conway has its own outdoor movies to offer, too. Called Silver Moon Cinema and presented by the city parks department and local volunteers and business sponsors, the showings are on an inflatable screen set up at the corner of Oak and Locust streets. For admission, the organizers request a $1 donation, which all goes to charity. Since the 2004 launch of the program, it's raised more than $40,000. Showtime is at sundown on Saturdays - twice in September and October and once in November.

Art on foot

has file art of 2nd Friday Art Night.

There are dozens of art galleries open throughout central Arkansas, and most weekends you can make a Friday night of strolling through a handful of them. It all depends on where you are.

On the first Friday of each month, the galleries of Victorian downtown Hot Springs keep their doors open until 9 p.m. Don't be surprised to find music or complimentary refreshments along the way, and chances are good you might get a chance to chat with some of the artists whose work is on display.

The second Friday of each month is the time to be in Little Rock for Second Friday Art Night, with participating galleries and museums throughout the River Market district. There's a shuttle to get around, and dining options abound. Festivities last from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Come the third Friday, head north of the river for the Third Friday Argenta Artwalk, where "dozens of local artists will display and sell their work 'in unexpected places' on Main Street in North Little Rock from Broadway to 8th Street." Meet artists, shop if you want, and grab some grub. The walk lasts from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For an art fix on other weekends or anytime really, think about stopping into the Arkansas Arts Center in downtown Little Rock, open every day but Monday with free admission to most exhibits and galleries.

Local luminaries

From the animatronic figure of Johnny Cash that will sing and strum at the touch of a button to the classic Ford Thunderbird owned by Jim Ed Brown (of The Browns and Grand Ole Opry fame), there's quite a lot to see at the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame, located only a short drive from the metro in the Pine Bluff Convention Center. From instruments to gold records, photos to stage outfits, the collection of artifacts centers on the standouts who have been inducted into the 13-year-old institution (inductions are held once every two years). The list of these honorees is long and spans all forms of entertainment - movies, music, TV and stage. Among them are performers as well as writers, producers and directors. Many are native sons or daughters, but induction really only requires some kind of strong Arkansas tie, as with country music legend Conway Twitty, aka Harold Lloyd Jenkins, who was born in Mississippi but whose family moved to Arkansas when he was 10.

A museum tour can be brief or lengthy, depending on how much you want to invest in it. But either way, the financial commitment is the same - admission is free.

Movies in the Park - Riverfront Park

July 1 When Harry Met Sally

July 8 The Bourne Supremacy

July 15 Curious George

July 22 Juno

July 29 Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Aug 5 People's Choice

Movies in the Park - Midtown Bryant

June 26 Horton Hears A Who!

July 3 A Bug's Life

July 10 Meet The Robinsons

July 17 Ratatouille

July 24 Toy Story

July 31 Chicken Little

August 7 Monsters, Inc.

August 14 The Wild

Silver Moon Cinema - Conway

September 12 - Pursuit of Happyness

September 26 Wall-E

October 10 The Wizard of Oz

October 31 Ghostbusters

November 21 Christmas Vacation