Little Rock, AR – (Contributed) – Aug. 18, 2025 – Little Rock Public Radio, in collaboration with Arkansas NPR affiliate stations KUAF and KASU, will host the third annual NPR Tiny Desk Contest: Arkansas Showcase in October.
This event shines a spotlight on emerging local musicians, featuring the top three Arkansas entrants selected from NPR’s national Tiny Desk Contest. It will take place Saturday, Oct. 18 at The Hall, located at 721 W. 9th St. in downtown Little Rock.
More than 50 artists from across the state submitted performances for consideration, representing genres from folk to hip-hop. This year’s showcase will feature Maestro3000 of Jonesboro, Sarah Lily of Bella Vista, and Mildenhall of Fayetteville.
“Each year, it’s inspiring to see more musicians entering the contest and raising the bar with their songwriting, musicianship and unique voices,” said Grace Zafasi, director of development at Little Rock Public Radio. “Arkansas has an incredible depth of talent, and if you love music and are looking to discover your next favorite artist, Tiny Desk is the perfect place to find them.”
Event details:
- Doors open at 5 p.m.; show begins at 6 p.m. with 30 minute sets from the selected artists
- Tickets range from $15 to $75, with a variety of seating options available
- Vendor booths include Thrive Music Services, Earth Beads & Jewelry, and By Broderick, with
food trucks such as Smashed N’ Stacked
The event is presented with support from Lost Forty Brewing, Southern Bancorp, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Garver, and KWilkins Consulting, with additional support from Just Peachy and Moonlight Mixes.
The Arkansas Showcase expands opportunities for musicians and communities alike, forging connections between artists, fans, public media, and civic stakeholders. This event continues to grow as Little Rock Public Radio strengthens its commitment to elevating local talent.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Little Rock Public Radio, a service of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, is the NPR affiliate for central Arkansas. The station operates KUAR 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, reaching more than 80,000 listeners each week across broadcast, streaming and digital platforms.
