THURSDAY 6/13
Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre continues, with its one non-Shakespearean show of the season, “Oliver!” The musical is based on the Dickens classic “Oliver Twist,” and it will be performed at UCA’s Reynolds Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, $27. Fans of gothic folk are advised to check out Maxine’s, which will host folk/blues-tinged duo Some Dark Holler and country-informed singer/songwriter Bonnie Whitmore, 8 p.m., free. Live at Laman continues this month with The Mercers and Charlotte Taylor, Laman Library, 7 p.m., free. If you’re looking for some classic rock-inspired Red Dirt sounds, don’t miss Micky & The Motorcars. Oklahoma singer/songwriter Samantha Crain returns to White Water Tavern, with Parker Milsap, 9:30 p.m. If for some reason you’d like to observe a charlatan hoodwinking the bereaved and credulous live and in-person, you’re in luck, because “psychic” and TV host John Edward will be at Robinson Center Music Hall, 7 p.m., $45-$95. Fans of sketch comedy will probably want to check out Red Octopus Theater’s “Electric Octopus,” 8 p.m. Thursday through Friday. Grown-ups only, as usual.
FRIDAY 6/14
Here’s one that’s sure to pack out White Water Tavern: Cory Branan, performing with Pawtuckets alum Andy Grooms, 9:30 p.m. You can catch Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing” on a pay-what-you-can basis at The Village at Hendrix, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Sunday. Up in Northwest Arkansas, TheatreSquared presents its 2013 Arkansas New Play Festival, which includes staged readings of four new plays, a showcase of 10-minute plays by Arkansas high school students and the annual 24-Hour Play-Off, Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., $7-$10.
SATURDAY 6/15
Magic Springs hosts Contemporary Christian Music star TobyMac, with Capital Kings, Timberwood Amphitheater, 9 p.m., $50-$60. 2013 Simply Red: A Night of Stars is a fundraiser for the Arkansas AIDS Foundation, with live entertainment, heavy hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and more, Argenta Community Theater, 6:30-10:30 p.m., $60-$100. This year’s Jefferson-Jackson Dinner features keynote speaker Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan, Statehouse Convention Center, 7 p.m. Vintage goods buffs will want to head on over to the first South Main Vintage Market, which will have vintage and antique goods for sale, The Bernice Garden, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
MONDAY 6/17
Jazz legend and “Schoolhouse Rock!” composer Bob Dorough will perform at The Afterthought, 8 p.m., $5.