The biggest events in Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend represent a variety of interests — a couple of local music showcases, more comic book goodness, a compelling new opera, stand-up comedy and the final real football game for seven months.

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, January 29

 Once Around the Square Music Showcase
Fort Worth gets its chance to host the Tony Award-winning musical Once in a few weeks, and to promote the upcoming production, six local musicians do a little busking of their own around Sundance Square Plaza. Among the performers are Brandin Lea, Deanna Valone, Katie Robertson, Stephen Beatty, Jacob Furr and Taylor Craig Mills.

 Rhett Miller in concert with Daphne Willis
Seeing Rhett Miller live in concert hasn't exactly been hard to do in recent months, as the Old 97's frontman has appeared multiple times with and without his band. Miller doesn't have any new music to promote, but you don't need any new stuff when you have a catalog as fun and interesting as his. Miller plays at the Kessler alongside opening act Daphne Willis.

 Friday, January 30

 Marvel Universe Live!
Not to be confused with the Marvel Experience, which wraps up its two-week run at Fair Park on Sunday, this Marvel-themed event is a live-action show featuring superheroes like Spider-Man, Iron Man and Hulk doing aerial stunts, martial arts, motorcycle jumps and more. The action stays at American Airlines Center through Sunday before moving to the Fort Worth Convention Center the following weekend.

 Dallas Opera presents Everest/La Wally
The Dallas Opera is reaching for the heights with its latest production, Everest, which has four performances at Winspear Opera House through February 7. Set on the slopes of Mount Everest, it's a world premiere opera that confronts tragic events surrounding an ill-fated expedition. It's made extra special by a unique pairing with the final act of La Wally, another opera set in the mountains.

 Saturday, January 31

 Nasher Sculpture Center presents 360: Melvin Edwards
The Nasher Sculpture Center starts off 2015 with a retrospective of renowned American sculptor Melvin Edwards, who works primarily in welded steel. As part of the opening of the exhibit — his first touring show in more than 20 years — the sculptor talks about this retrospective and his long career.

 An Evening with Paula Poundstone
As anyone who listens to NPR's Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me! can attest, comedienne Paula Poundstone can be one of the funniest people on the planet when she's at her peak. Known for her unique brand of spontaneous observational comedy, Poundstone performs two shows at Dallas City Performance Hall.

 Sunday, February 1

 2015 DFW Winter Boat Expo
The temperatures (normally) stay on the cold side this time of year, so you may not be thinking about boating season. But the semi-annual Boat Expo at Dallas Market Hall, running through February 8, could get you in the mood nonetheless, showcasing new models from 20 area boat dealers, along with other related booths.

 Granada's Super Party
Although the dream of seeing the Dallas Cowboys in the Super Bowl again came to a crashing halt in Green Bay, the Super Bowl is still the Super Bowl, and most people are glued to a screen of some sort to check out the game, the commercials or both. Granada Theater does its part by hosting a free watch party of the Patriots taking on the Seahawks.

Rhett Miller plays at the Kessler on January 29 alongside Daphne Willis.

  

Photo by Mark Seliger

Rhett Miller plays at the Kessler on January 29 alongside Daphne Willis.