It's the last weekend in April, which means that there are more movies to see at another film festival. There are also two huge music festivals, shopping for a cause, great theater, a hilarious comedian and more, so your choices are most certainly not lacking
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, April 23
Thrift Studio
The annual Thrift Studio is no ordinary thrift store. For one, it features a series of specially designed vignettes full of designer goods for sale. And the whole thing is for charity, with proceeds going to Dwell with Dignity, which helps families escape poverty and homelessness. Thursday's preview party is followed by the actual pop-up shop at Dallas Design Center, which is open through May 23.
USA Film Festival
April is the month that movie lovers in Dallas-Fort Worth always look forward to, as it contains not only the just-finished Dallas International Film Festival, but also the USA Film Festival. The 45th annual event, taking place at Angelika Film Center through Sunday, presents more than 20 feature films and short film programs, including sneak peeks at films like Mr. Holmes and Welcome to Me.
Dallas Theater Center presents Sense and Sensibility
The last show of the 2014-2015 Dallas Theater Center season has the company returning to its roots at Kalita Humphreys Theater once again. This time they take on an adaptation the classic Jane Austen novel, a romantic comedy about the marital hopes, unpredictable misadventures and sincere sisterly bonds of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. The play runs through May 24.
Friday, April 24
Earth Day Texas
Although the actual Earth Day was on April 22, Dallas extends the celebration a few days with this festival at Fair Park, taking place through Sunday. The annual event seeks to elevate environmental awareness and influence the way Texans think, live and work through exhibits, presentations, entertainment and more. And if you missed it, Texans could stand to be a lot more eco-friendly.
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival
The golden triangle of spring arts festivals is complete with the annual Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, taking place at Quakertown Park through Sunday. Featuring more than 2,000 professional and amateur performers in a variety of musical genres on six stages and artists of all types hawking their wares, it's an arts lover's paradise.
Saturday, April 25
2015 Prairie Fest
Getting out and enjoying the splendor of nature is part of what makes spring in Texas so fun, which is pretty much what the annual Prairie Fest at Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth is all about. The one-day event features music, storytelling and dancing on solar-powered stages, along with wildflower tours, arts and crafts, games, and more.
2015 Edgefest
The annual Edgefest from 102.1 KDGE, taking place once again at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, is a reliably entertaining affair that includes bands and singers both big and small. Among the headliners at this year's festival are The Offspring, Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, Hozier, Vance Joy and a special DJ set from Girl Talk.
DADA Spring Gallery Walk
More than 35 art spaces throughout Dallas and North Texas — including Arlington, Irving and Denton — open their doors from noon-8 pm for this all-day affair for art lovers. Presented by Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA), the tour is a chance for ambitious enthusiasts to see the full spectrum of galleries and special exhibitions in one day — for free. You can download a complete guide with all the details.
Sunday, April 26
Toadies in concert
A month after helping to reopen the Bomb Factory in Deep Ellum, the Toadies introduce their new beer from Martin House Brewing Company with a special concert at the brewery. Everyone attending the event gets a souvenir pint glass, three beers and the first chance to try this year's Toadies beer, Bockslider.
Marc Maron in concert
It's taken comedian Marc Maron longer than some to get to the top of his profession, but he's enjoying the ride now. He has a top-rated podcast, WTF with Marc Maron, a sitcom called Maron on IFC and he continues to be an in-demand stand-up comic. He brings his Maronation tour to Dallas with this stop at the South Side Music Hall in the Gilley's complex.
Kristen Wiig stars in Welcome to Me, one of the movies screening at the USA Film Festival, going through April 26 at Angelika Film Center Dallas.
