Have you heard about the ACANSA Arts Festival? The inaugural festival kicks off Sept. 23 for five days of performing and visual arts at venues across Little Rock and North Little Rock. The goal is to inspire public appreciation for the arts and provide enriching cultural experiences in central Arkansas.

The festival opening will take place at the Arkansas Governor's Mansion from 5-7 p.m. Sept. 23, hosted by First Lady of Arkansas Ginger Beebe ($75).

Parents can check out the full schedule to find ideas for your next date night, or attend one of the family-friendly events. Here are five we think families will enjoy!

1. The main draw for families with young children will be the free family day at MacArthur Park from noon-6 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 27). Artists in the Park, hosted by Arkansas Arts Center, will focus on visual arts. From noon-2 p.m., activities will be geared to children: Expect art activities, a performance by Brian Kinder, plus more family-friendly music groups at 2 p.m. Watch as artists produce and sell art throughout the afternoon, and grab delicious bites from the food trucks.

2. Another highlight for families is Street Corner Symphony, a hip, Nashville-based a capella group, at Connor Performing Arts Center at Pulaski Academy (7-9 p.m. Sept. 26; $20, students $10). The group placed second in NBC's reality show, "The Sing-Off."

3. Dance lovers won't want to miss the Dallas Black Dance Theatre at North Little Rock High School East Campus (7-9 p.m. Sept. 27; $20, students $10). The Dallas-based troupe is a contemporary modern dance company that mixes jazz, ethnic and spiritual works.

4. Lastly, families who love history will enjoy the free exhibit of Disfarmer photos at Argenta Gallery in North Little Rock (4-8 p.m. Sept. 25-27). The black and white photographs were taken by an eccentric photographer from Heber Springs, who charged townsfolk and visitors a quarter to have their photo taken in the early '40s.

5. After viewing the exhibit, visitors can also see a play about the photographer at the Argenta Community Theatre (8-10 p.m. Sept. 25-27; $30, students $10 on Sept. 26 only).

To purchase tickets or view the full festival schedule, visit AcansaArtsFestival.org.