Weekend Event Planner

These are the 9 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

As is often the case, it's a music-heavy weekend here in Dallas. The fun thing about this grouping, though, is that you'll be able to experience said music in a variety of venues, most of them outside. Besides music, you can also catch the opening and closing of two separate art exhibits, play with LEGOs in Irving, or see some really short plays.

Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, August 11

George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum presents The National Parks - Select Images
The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service with a special exhibit featuring modern, iconic photographs by American photographer Mark Burns. The photographs were taken by Burns from 2011 through 2015 and include each of America’s 59 national parks. The exhibit is on display through August 30.

Bud Light Party Convention with Jason Derulo and Brett Eldredge
You can get down into the mire of real politics, or you can enjoy Bud Light's "campaign" with this special concert at Klyde Warren Park, featuring appearances by Jason Derulo and Brett Eldredge. The event is free with a catch: The only way to get tickets is to win them. Both KISS FM and Mix 102.9 are giving away tickets, or you can enter the digital sweepstakes.

AXS TV Concerts Hosted by Mark Cuban: The Monkees
The Monkees were named one of our best summer concerts, but that was for their concert on June 28 at Winspear Opera House. Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban has convinced them to come back to town to kick off his AXS TV concert series at the Bomb Factory, giving fans a chance to get more up close and personal with the iconic band.

Friday, August 12

Brick Dallas/Fort Worth
Prepare to build, play, and be entertained at Brick Dallas/Fort Worth at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. Along with jaw-dropping creations will be live-action build demonstrations, workshops, contests, the official LEGO store, and exclusive Brick show merchandise. The convention takes place through Sunday.

DFW Restaurant Week Food and Wine Festival
We already told you about this two-day event at Main Street Garden in our food and drink events roundup, but that was for the eating and drinking aspect. On the entertainment side, there are going to be performances by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Friday and Magic! on Saturday, allowing you to dance off the calories you consume earlier in the evening.

Disturbed & Breaking Benjamin in concert with Alter Bridge & Saint Asonia
Living up to their name, Disturbed has gotten some notoriety recently for their somewhat disturbing cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence." That song appears on their 2015 album, Immortalized, which will be showcased during this co-headlining concert, alongside Breaking Benjamin, at Gexa Energy Pavilion.

Saturday, August 13

Gwen Stefani in concert with Eve
The fact that you can get in to see pop superstar Gwen Stefani, as well as her opening act, Eve, for as little as $10 (courtesy of a 4 for $40 lawn seating deal) has to be one of biggest steals in recent memory. Fresh off her stint on The Voice, Stefani is killing it with her most recent album, This is What the Truth Feels Like, which details her love for boyfriend, Blake Shelton.

Kitchen Dog Theater presents 3rd Annual One-Minute Play Festival
If you love theater but think plays take way too long, Kitchen Dog Theater's annual One-Minute Play Festival is for you. Taking place at Trinity River Arts Center through Monday, it features 60 brand-new One-Minute Plays by more than 30 playwrights, each of whom tries to get their vision across in just 60 seconds.

Sunday, August 14

Dallas Museum of Art presents Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty closing day
If you've been procrastinating on seeing the Dallas Museum of Art's latest showcase exhibit, Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty, this is your last chance, as the show closes on Sunday. The first retrospective of Penn’s work in nearly 20 years features over 140 photographs, including iconic images from his oeuvre, as well as previously unseen or never exhibited photographs.

Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty is closing August 14 at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Photo by Irving Penn

Irving Penn: Beyond Beauty is closing August 14 at the Dallas Museum of Art.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen