Weekend Event Planner

Big-name headliners fill the bill for this weekend's best Dallas events

This is a weekend for big-deal headliners in music and comedy — among them a legend who performs for what he says is the final time and two established comedians who really know how to make us laugh.

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, February 18

2016 Thin Line Festival
The annual Thin Line is a film, music, and photography festival held over five days in multiple venues around Denton. Thin Line delivers an engaging program of high-quality documentary films, world-class music, and a diverse selection of photography. Event venues include Campus Theatre, UNT on the Square, Golden Triangle Mall, Rubber Gloves Studio, and Dan's Silverleaf.

Barry Manilow in concert
The 72-year-old Barry Manilow has been entertaining the masses for more than 40 years, releasing 29 albums over the course of his career, including two in 2014. Manilow plays at American Airlines Center to perform one last time as part of his — you guessed it — One Last Time Tour, Manilow's way of thanking his fans for their undying support through the years.

Friday, February 19

Riverdance 20th Anniversary Tour
Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland, nothing has carried the energy, sensuality, or spectacle of Riverdance. Debuting in 1995, the dancing style has developed into an international phenomenon, in big part thanks to the presence of the legendary Michael Flatley. Flatley has retired, but Riverdance lives on, as you can see at this performance at Allen Event Center.

Improv Arlington presents Jay Pharoah
Saturday Night Live has churned out more than its fair share of comedy stars over the past 40 years, and Jay Pharoah has cemented his place on that list. Pharoah is mostly known for his wide array of uncanny celebrity impressions, including Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, and Kanye West. He shows some of those and other funny things during his five shows Friday through Sunday at the Improv Arlington.

Saturday, February 20

2016 Mardi Gras Texas Style
In the category of "better late than never," you can celebrate Mardi Gras Texas Style a full 11 days after Mardi Gras actually occurred. The one-of-a-kind music festival features 28 of the hottest Texas county music acts on five stages at the Automobile Building at Fair Park. There is even an after-party featuring Vanilla Ice, who's about as non-country as you can get.

Marlon Wayans in concert
Actor/comedian Marlon Wayans has been a mainstay in the comedy industry for more than 20 years, first as a founding cast member of In Living Color and now for his seemingly never-ending supply of parody movies, including the recent Fifty Shades of Black. Wayans performs at the House of Blues Dallas as part of his Scandal-Less Comedy Tour.

Sunday, February 21

Carly Rae Jepsen in concert with Fairground Saints
Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen burst onto the scene in a big way back in 2011 thanks to the inescapable "Call Me Maybe," a song that made her a big name even before she had truly established herself. Thanks to her acclaimed follow-up album, Emotion, she's now proven that she's no one-hit wonder. She plays at the House of Blues Dallas as part of her first headlining tour, with help from opening act Fairground Saints.

Carly Rae Jepsen plays at House of Blues Dallas on February 21 alongside Fairground Saints.

Photo courtesy of Carly Rae Jepsen

Carly Rae Jepsen plays at House of Blues Dallas on February 21 alongside Fairground Saints.

movies concerts dance comedy

Pickleball News

Indoor pickleball concept from Georgia bounces into Frisco

Ace

Pickleball paddles face off.

There's a new indoor pickleball concept coming to Dallas: Called Ace Pickleball Club, it's a growing chain from Georgia, making its Texas debut in Frisco in an old BuyBuy Baby space at at 2930 Preston Rd. #600. According to a release, it opens July 12.

Ace Pickleball was founded in Roswell, Georgia in 2023, and calls itself the only facility of its kind, delivering a member-focused approach and all-inclusive pricing.

Professional-grade cushioned courts and a welcoming community create the optimal playing experience for all skill levels. The chain currently has 15 locations across the U.S. including Colorado, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

They emphasize an inclusive community with unlimited open play, and offer clinics, tournaments, social events, and ball machine reservations. They also offer paddle demos so that members can test out the newest technology from a variety of brands to find their favorite.

When they open, they'll offer free introductory pickleball clinics for beginners to go over the rules of the sport and feel more comfortable as they learn about the game.

Ace Pickleball ClubAce Pickleball Club

Indoor facilities have an advantage in that they're impervious to weather so players can play year-round.

The Frisco location is a nearly 33,000-square-foot facility with 11 full-size courts and one dinking court designed to welcome players of all skill levels. Memberships are $129 monthly with the first month free.

Bringing the concept to Frisco is Juan Menchaca, a former corporate worker who is a pickleball player himself. When he and his wife relocated to the DFW area in May 2023, he brought with him a lifelong dream of opening a sports facility.

Introduced to pickleball by his brother-in-law, who is now training to go pro in pickleball, Menchaca was instantly hooked by the game’s fast pace, simple rules, and strong sense of community.

Opening a dedicated pickleball facility felt like the ideal first serve into the world of sports.

“I saw the demand I knew Ace Pickleball Club was the right fit,” Menchaca says. “The model is perfect for all skill levels across the Frisco community. I’ve always wanted to create something people could rally around, and this not only provides that, but helps in bringing our community closer.”

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