Weekend Event Planner

The Barber of Seville and Chelsea Handler top best weekend events in Dallas

Spring has officially sprung, and temperatures are skyrocketing. So, naturally, this weekend features ... a lot of indoor events. But don't worry: There is one place celebrating the season, along with great offerings in the fields of comedy, theater, music and opera.

Below are your 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, March 27

Performing Arts Fort Worth presents Forbidden Broadway
If you love Broadway shows but can't afford to see everything you want, Forbidden Broadway is almost the next best thing. The show lovingly makes fun of a slew of recent and classic Broadway shows, like Porgy and Bess, The Book of Mormon and Wicked, rewriting songs to hilarious effect. It plays at Bass Performance Hall for one night only.

Marc Cohn in concert
Having only one hit song can be a blessing and a curse for some singers, but folk rocker Marc Cohn has made it work for more than 20 years. Best known for "Walking in Memphis" off his debut album in 1991, Cohn has nonetheless forged out a solid career, as he still plays with the likes of Bonnie Raitt. He plays at The Kessler.

Friday, March 28

Dallas Opera presents The Barber of Seville
The Dallas Opera is closing its 2013-2014 season with one of the most popular operas of all time. Composed by Gioachino Rossini, the comic opera has crossed boundaries for almost two centuries, making its way into film scores and Bugs Bunny cartoons. It runs at Winspear Opera House through April 13; the April 11 performance is simulcast at AT&T Stadium.

Chelsea Handler in concert
She's never been one to play nice, but Chelsea Handler has been stirring up things more than usual in the promotion of her new book, Uganda Be Kidding Me. During the Oscars, Handler took over the Huffington Post's Twitter feed and piggybacked on wins by 12 Years a Slave in a way some deemed racist. You can hear other ways she offends when she hits Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.

Saturday, March 29

One Day University: Eight Short Films Every Movie Lover Should See
The Dallas International Film Festival starts April 3, and you can prep for its 11 days of films with this One Day University at LOOK Cinemas. Hosted by visual arts professor Douglas Leclaire and Dallas Morning News film critic Chris Vognar, the event includes short films that have won Academy Awards or Best of Show honors at prestigious film festivals.

Klyde Warren Park presents 2014 Spring Celebration
The event organizers at Klyde Warren Park appear to be the beneficiaries of the expected warm temperatures this weekend, as they put on a day-long celebration of spring. The event includes music from Open Classical and Sara Hickman, exercise with the YMCA, other kid-friendly activities and, of course, plenty of sunshine.

Betsey Johnson Meet and Greet
Some fashion designers are known only for their clothes, but Betsey Johnson is known as much for her unique personal look as she is for her whimsical designs. Expect both to be on full display when Johnson makes a personal appearance at Dillard's NorthPark to promote her line. Photographs with Johnson and tote bags are free for a lucky few, while those who buy something from the line get a special thank you gift.

Sunday, March 30

Dave Barnes in concert
Acoustic Christian rock singer Dave Barnes has gained a steady following since his debut in 2004, thanks in part to his reliable release schedule of one album every two years. He comes to Dallas in support of his sixth album, Golden Days, which was released at the end of January. His popularity is underscored by the fact that he plays two shows on the same day at The Kessler.

Improv Addison presents D.L. Hughley
Once upon a time, D.L. Hughley ranked high up in the comedy world, starring on his own sitcom and making film appearances aplenty. His star has faded a bit since the early 2000s, but he's still has funny as ever. He's playing six shows at the Improv Addison Friday through Sunday, but because he's only doing one show Sunday night, it's a good bet he'll cut loose big time then.

The Dallas Opera presents The Barber of Seville at Winspear Opera House through April 13.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Opera

The Dallas Opera presents The Barber of Seville at Winspear Opera House through April 13.

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Racket sports

Trendy Austin padel club Padel39 lobs first DFW location into Carrollton

Photo by Juan J Valdes

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A popular padel club from Austin is serving up its first location in Dallas-Fort Worth: Padel39 has purchased and taken over the existing Dallas Padel Club, at 3000 Belmeade Dr.

According to a release, multimillion-dollar renovations are underway and are expected to be complete by summer 2026. The revamp includes:

Seven new outdoor courts are being added to the current three indoor courts (with completion expected by March 2026).
Full food and beverage capabilities for a premium sports bar that is open to the public.
A fitness area for members that is affiliated with HYROX, recovery areas, wellness facilities (sauna, cold plunge, etc.), upscale locker rooms.
Upscale lounging and coworking space.

For those not up on their racket sports, padel is a cousin of pickleball, tennis, and racquetball. The sport has been wildly popular in Spain and Latin America for decades and is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. Like pickleball, it's a doubles game played on a small court, and players hit off glass walls.

Padel was invented in Acapulco, Mexico, by Enrique Corcuera; Padel39 bears the first two numbers of all Acapulco ZIP Codes.

Padel39 co-founders Will and Naomi Boyce.Photo by Juan J Valdes

The company was founded in 2024 by husband-and-wife William Boyce and Naomi Boyce; William played tennis for the University of Texas at Austin.

Padel39 currently has two locations in Austin, with a third opening in March. They say they aim to open 12 to 15 Padel39 clubs in Austin, Dallas, and Houston by 2028. After Carrollton, a location will open in central Dallas in late 2026/early 2027, they say.

“We currently introduce 200+ new players to the sport each month, while maintaining a core group of repeat clients who return for the fitness, competition and vibrant community,” William Boyce says in the release. “Each new location fulfills our vision to put Padel39 and Texas at the epicenter of the padel community.”

In addition to offering courts to play on, Padel39 features on-court programming, tournaments, social events, and physical wellness opportunities such as courtside Pilates and morning yoga.

Padel39 Padel39 courts and lounge areas at a location in Austin. Photo by Josh Graziadei

While Padel39 offers memberships, all guests are welcome to play, they say. According to the website, each club is priced differently. At the flagship location in Austin, Padel39 memberships start at $89 per month or $890 per year, but players can also rent courts as needed for 90 minutes at $30.

“We set out to create a modern take on a country club; a place where members and guests could ‘play and stay,’” Boyce says. “We’ve built that and more. We work to improve the experience for our guests each day.”

Outdoor construction on the Carrollton club is expected to be completed by March. Indoor food and beverage, fitness and lounging renovations will be finished by summer, they say. The club will remain open during renovations.

padel pickleball sports