• Home
  • popular
  • Events
  • Submit New Event
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • News
  • Restaurants + Bars
  • City Life
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Real Estate
  • Arts
  • Society
  • Home + Design
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Innovation
  • Sports
  • Charity Guide
  • children
  • education
  • health
  • veterans
  • SOCIAL SERVICES
  • ARTS + CULTURE
  • animals
  • lgbtq
  • New Charity
  • Series
  • Delivery Limited
  • DTX Giveaway 2012
  • DTX Ski Magic
  • dtx woodford reserve manhattans
  • Your Home in the Sky
  • DTX Best of 2013
  • DTX Trailblazers
  • Tastemakers Dallas 2017
  • Healthy Perspectives
  • Neighborhood Eats 2015
  • The Art of Making Whiskey
  • DTX International Film Festival
  • DTX Tatum Brown
  • Tastemaker Awards 2016 Dallas
  • DTX McCurley 2014
  • DTX Cars in Lifestyle
  • DTX Beyond presents Party Perfect
  • DTX Texas Health Resources
  • DART 2018
  • Alexan Central
  • State Fair 2018
  • Formula 1 Giveaway
  • Zatar
  • CityLine
  • Vision Veritas
  • Okay to Say
  • Hearts on the Trinity
  • DFW Auto Show 2015
  • Northpark 50
  • Anteks Curated
  • Red Bull Cliff Diving
  • Maggie Louise Confections Dallas
  • Gaia
  • Red Bull Global Rally Cross
  • NorthPark Holiday 2015
  • Ethan's View Dallas
  • DTX City Centre 2013
  • Galleria Dallas
  • Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty Luxury Homes in Dallas Texas
  • DTX Island Time
  • Simpson Property Group SkyHouse
  • DIFFA
  • Lotus Shop
  • Holiday Pop Up Shop Dallas
  • Clothes Circuit
  • DTX Tastemakers 2014
  • Elite Dental
  • Elan City Lights
  • Dallas Charity Guide
  • DTX Music Scene 2013
  • One Arts Party at the Plaza
  • J.R. Ewing
  • AMLI Design District Vibrant Living
  • Crest at Oak Park
  • Braun Enterprises Dallas
  • NorthPark
  • Victory Park
  • DTX Common Desk
  • DTX Osborne Advisors
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2012
  • DFW Showcase Tour of Homes
  • DTX Neighborhood Eats
  • DTX Comforts of Home 2013
  • DTX Auto Awards
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2017
  • Nasher Store
  • Guardian of The Glenlivet
  • Zyn22
  • Dallas Rx
  • Yellow Rose Gala
  • Opendoor
  • DTX Sun and Ski
  • Crow Collection
  • DTX Tastes of the Season
  • Skye of Turtle Creek Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival
  • DTX Charity Challenge
  • DTX Culture Motive
  • DTX Good Eats 2012
  • DTX_15Winks
  • St. Bernard Sports
  • Jose
  • DTX SMU 2014
  • DTX Up to Speed
  • st bernard
  • Ardan West Village
  • DTX New York Fashion Week spring 2016
  • Taste the Difference
  • Parktoberfest 2016
  • Bob's Steak and Chop House
  • DTX Smart Luxury
  • DTX Earth Day
  • DTX_Gaylord_Promoted_Series
  • IIDA Lavish
  • Huffhines Art Trails
  • Red Bull Flying Bach Dallas
  • Y+A Real Estate
  • Beauty Basics
  • DTX Pet of the Week
  • Long Cove
  • Charity Challenge 2014
  • Legacy West
  • Wildflower
  • Stillwater Capital
  • Tulum
  • DTX Texas Traveler
  • Dallas DART
  • Soldiers' Angels
  • Alexan Riveredge
  • Ebby Halliday Realtors
  • Zephyr Gin
  • Sixty Five Hundred Scene
  • Christy Berry
  • Entertainment Destination
  • Dallas Art Fair 2015
  • St. Bernard Sports Duck Head
  • Jameson DTX
  • Alara Uptown Dallas
  • Cottonwood Art Festival fall 2017
  • DTX Tastemakers 2015
  • Cottonwood Arts Festival
  • The Taylor
  • Decks in the Park
  • Alexan Henderson
  • Gallery at Turtle Creek
  • Omni Hotel DTX
  • Red on the Runway
  • Whole Foods Dallas 2018
  • Artizone Essential Eats
  • Galleria Dallas Runway Revue
  • State Fair 2016 Promoted
  • Trigger's Toys Ultimate Cocktail Experience
  • Dean's Texas Cuisine
  • Real Weddings Dallas
  • Real Housewives of Dallas
  • Jan Barboglio
  • Wildflower Arts and Music Festival
  • Hearts for Hounds
  • Okay to Say Dallas
  • Indochino Dallas
  • Old Forester Dallas
  • Dallas Apartment Locators
  • Dallas Summer Musicals
  • PSW Real Estate Dallas
  • Paintzen
  • DTX Dave Perry-Miller
  • DTX Reliant
  • Get in the Spirit
  • Bachendorf's
  • Holiday Wonder
  • Village on the Parkway
  • City Lifestyle
  • opportunity knox villa-o restaurant
  • Nasher Summer Sale
  • Simpson Property Group
  • Holiday Gift Guide 2017 Dallas
  • Carlisle & Vine
  • DTX New Beginnings
  • Get in the Game
  • Red Bull Air Race
  • Dallas DanceFest
  • 2015 Dallas Stylemaker
  • Youth With Faces
  • Energy Ogre
  • DTX Renewable You
  • Galleria Dallas Decadence
  • Bella MD
  • Tractorbeam
  • Young Texans Against Cancer
  • Fresh Start Dallas
  • Dallas Farmers Market
  • Soldier's Angels Dallas
  • Shipt
  • Elite Dental
  • Texas Restaurant Association 2017
  • State Fair 2017
  • Scottish Rite
  • Brooklyn Brewery
  • DTX_Stylemakers
  • Alexan Crossings
  • Ascent Victory Park
  • Top Texans Under 30 Dallas
  • Discover Downtown Dallas
  • San Luis Resort Dallas
  • Greystar The Collection
  • FIG Finale
  • Greystar M Line Tower
  • Lincoln Motor Company
  • The Shelby
  • Jonathan Goldwater Events
  • Windrose Tower
  • Gift Guide 2016
  • State Fair of Texas 2016
  • Choctaw Dallas
  • TodayTix Dallas promoted
  • Whole Foods
  • Unbranded 2014
  • Frisco Square
  • Unbranded 2016
  • Circuit of the Americas Dallas
  • The Katy
  • Snap Kitchen
  • Partners Card
  • Omni Hotels Dallas
  • Landmark on Lovers
  • Harwood Herd
  • Galveston.com Dallas
  • Holiday Happenings Dallas 2018
  • TenantBase
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2018
  • Hawkins-Welwood Homes
  • The Inner Circle Dallas
  • Eating in Season Dallas
  • ATTPAC Behind the Curtain
  • TodayTix Dallas
  • The Alexan
  • Toyota Music Factory
  • Nosh Box Eatery
  • Wildflower 2018
  • Society Style Dallas 2018
  • Texas Scottish Rite Hospital 2018
  • 5 Mockingbird
  • 4110 Fairmount
  • Visit Taos
  • Allegro Addison
  • Dallas Tastemakers 2018
  • The Village apartments
  • City of Burleson Dallas
  • Choctaw Dallas 2018
  • Love In Motion
  • CultureMap Dallas Holiday Pop-up Shop 2017
  • Stylemaker Awards 2017 - Dallas
  • Dallas Charity Challenge 2017
  • Top 100 Restaurants in Dallas 2016
  • Brown Forman Cocktail Chronicles Dallas
  • Stylemaker Awards 2016 Dallas
  • Texas Traveler Dallas
  • Dallas Charity Challenge 2016
  • House of DIFFA 2016
  • Learn more about Holiday Pop-up Shop
  • Unbranded 2015
  • The Innovators
  • Ghost Tequila
  • Events and Adventures
  • Dallas Bike Ride
  • Cottonwood Art Festival fall 2018
  • Woodchuck Cider Dallas
  • Anderson Canyon Dallas
  • Uptown Dallas Inc.
  • MidiCi
  • State Fair 2018 editorial series
  • Center for Disc Replacement
  • Tony's Restaurant Dallas
  • Huffhines Art Trails 2018
  • Partners Card Dallas 2018
  • Ida Mae Home
  • Greystar Novel Bishop Arts
  • Boss Women
  • Fresh Arts Dallas
  • LVL 29
  • Cirque Du Soleil Amaluna Dallas
  • GiftingMap Dallas
  • Sixty Five Hundred
  • Balcones Dallas
  • Holiday Pop-Up Shop Dallas 2018
  • Education Opens Doors
  • Alto
  • Omni Dallas Fame Fest
  • Cantabria at Turtle Creek
  • Junior League Dallas 2019
  • Galveston 2019 Dallas
  • Sunnyland Furniture
  • Dallas Tastemaker Awards 2019
  • Vivian's Boutique Spa
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2019
  • Omni Barton Creek Dallas
  • Wildflower 2019
  • Woodford Reserve Dallas
  • Bank of America Kaaboo
  • Bryan's House
  • Weekend Event Planner Dallas
  • Fredonia Hotel
  • Choctaw Country
  • Valencia Group Hotels Dallas
  • Turtle Creek Conservancy
  • American Heart Association
  • Visit Fredericksburg
  • State Fair of Texas 2019
  • Vine Connections Dallas
  • The Post Oak Hotel Dallas
  • Summer Getaways Dallas
  • Dallas White Party 2019
  • BestHotelRates.com Dallas
  • VRBO Dallas
  • Fairmont Dallas
  • Texas Wine Talk Dallas
  • Clean Origin
  • FIG Finale 2019
  • Dallas Chocolate Festival
  • Real Weddings Dallas 2019
  • Oskar Blues Wild Basin Dallas
  • DIFFA 2019
  • PY1
  • Cottonwood Art Festival fall 2019
  • Huffhines Harvest Fest
  • City of Addison
  • Aloft Plano
  • Deep Ellum Brewing Co
  • Park and Palate
  • Partners Card 2019
  • Natiivo Dallas
  • The Statler
  • Felix Culpa
  • Cigar City Margarita Gose Dallas
  • Visit Plano Dallas
  • AT&T Performing Arts Center
  • Reliant Bright Ideas Dallas
  • Gift Guide 2019 Dallas
  • Hilton Anatole
  • Winestyr Dallas
  • Skyhouse Frisco
  • Crook Marker Dallas
  • Getaways Dallas
  • Waterford Market
  • Educational First Steps
  • Divvy Homes
  • Dallas Tastemaker Awards 2020
  • Strike and Reel
  • CBD Take Out Dallas
  • Father's Day Gift Guide 2020 Dallas
  • Matthews and Associates Dallas
  • Methodist Health System
  • Trinity Falls
  • Calibrate Dallas
  • Cornershop
  • Travel Juneau Dallas
  • Nine Banded Whiskey Dallas
  • Grandes Vinos Dallas
  • Dallas Museum of Art
  • Cutwater Spirits Dallas
  • Realty Austin Jean Bruns Dallas
  • Babe Wine Dallas
  • Fit in the City
  • RV Share Dallas
  • Recovery Resource Council
  • Fine Art America Dallas
  • Regen IV Wellness
  • W Austin Dallas
  • Inwood Village
  • Pinstack
  • Brixos Dallas
  • Foxtrot Dallas
  • Omni Dallas 2020
  • Lalamove Dallas
  • Gift Guide 2020 Dallas
  • Auction Section
  • Samsung 2020 Dallas
  • Greystar Eastline Residences
  • Mothers Day Gift Guide 2021 Dallas
  • Wrangler Dallas
  • First-time Homebuyers Dallas 2021
  • Dogfish Head Dallas
  • Texas Original
  • Thirdhome Go Dallas
  • LovBe Dallas
  • WHITE RHINO COFFEE
  • Visit Frisco
  • Where to Eat
  • SOUTH PADRE DALLAS
  • Plaza at Preston Center
  • Pioneer Dallas
  • Claire St Amant podcast Dallas
  • West Village
  • Byron Nelson
  • Pilates Methodology
  • The Other Art Fair
  • Nasher Dallas
  • San Marcos Dallas
  • DALLAS TASTEMAKER AWARDS 2021
  • CENTRAL MARKET
  • Luck Springs Dallas
  • Bandera Dallas
  • PORT ARANSAS DALLAS
  • Milan Laser
  • Testing Testing
  • SINGLE PROMOTED TEST
  • SINGLE PROMOTED TEST 2a
  • Arden testing editorial series dallas
  • eventdetail
  • Promo Alerts
  • promoted
  • Rectanglo.com Dallas
  • Texas Motorplex Dallas
  • Addison Restaurant Month
  • Proximo Spirits Dallas
  • River Blues Festival
  • The Neighborhood Guide
  • Greystar Broadstone Knox
  • Bordeaux Dallas
  • Total Events DFW
  • Modelo recipes Dallas
  • Watters Creek
  • 2021 Gift Guide
  • Music Lane Dallas
  • 2022 Tastemaker Awards
  • Athletic Brewing Dallas
  • Bud Light Next Dallas
  • EnerGenie Dallas
  • Modelo Fighting Spirit Dallas
  • El Paso Dallas
  • Grandscape
  • Highland Park Village Dallas
  • Visit Lubbock
  • JW Marriott San Antonio Dallas
  • Waco CVB Dallas
  • Richardson
  • Texas Restaurant Association Dallas
  • Travel Texas
  • Blossom Hotel Dallas
  • Visit Garland
  • Assembly Park
  • test series aug 23
  • The Tailgate
  • Bourbon Takeover
  • W Dallas Hotel
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • js-test-1
  • JS-TITLE
  • jacob test (title)
  • js test 3 (title)
  • js test 4
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Suggestions
  • Arden test series
  • This needs to be the internal name for the series
  • Authors
  • PTO US Open
  • The Louise
  • Cottonwood Art Festival 2022
  • Log in

Weekend Event Planner

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

Alex Bentley
May 31, 2018 | 6:00 am

You can get a little bit of everything with the slate of events in and around Dallas this weekend. You can get a little mystery from a new theater production and a master magician. You can get a little culture with an outdoors classical music concert and a ballet production. You can enjoy music from yesteryear at three different concerts. Or you can learn how to volunteer at a special event.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, May 31

Dallas Theater Center presents White Rabbit Red Rabbit
White Rabbit Red Rabbit is a lively, global sensation that no one is allowed to talk about. The actor who will perform this play has never seen it. In fact, there is a new actor every performance, and they’ve only been told what is absolutely necessary. Slyly humorous and audaciously pointed, this theater entertainment meets social experiment is unlike anything, and will make you question everything. The production will run at Wyly Theatre through July 1.

David Blaine Live
Death-defying magician David Blaine, known for his exceptional fusion of magic and stunt work that is unlike any other modern-day performer, will bring his mind-blowing tour to the Music Hall at Fair Park. While other magicians astound with their sleight-of-hand, Blaine's trickery is more about him being willing to do physical things that others would never attempt.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents 2018 Parks Concerts
As part of their annual Parks Concert series, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform an outdoor concert at Timberglen Park. Led by Assistant Conductor Ruth Reinhardt, the DSO will put on a program featuring light classics, patriotic tunes, and other popular fare. Make sure to bring your blankets and chairs and settle in for an evening of music under the stars.

Friday, June 1

Texas Ballet Theater presents Swan Lake
Texas Ballet Theater will close its 2017-2018 season with Swan Lake, featuring orchestral accompaniment. This classic tale of a mischievous sorcerer, Von Rothbart, and his spell on Princess Odette is one performed by companies around the world, but Stevenson’s Swan Lake is condensed into two acts instead of four. The production will have five performances through Sunday at Winspear Opera House.

Paul Simon in concert
For over 50 years, Paul Simon has been entertaining the masses, first as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel and then as a solo artist. Now 76, Simon is bringing his touring days to an end with his Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour, which is making a stop at American Airlines Center. You can expect to hear many of his hits, including "The Sound of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "You Can Call Me Al," among others.

Kitchen Dog Theater presents New Works Festival
Kitchen Dog Theater will present its 20th annual New Works Festival, offering an expanded series of nine staged readings over three weekends. Showcasing some of the newest and most exciting voices and visions in contemporary theater, the winning plays are selected from almost 850 annual submissions from around the globe. The festival will take place at Trinity River Arts Center through June 17.

Saturday, June 2

VolunteerNow presents Voly in the Park
Voly in the Park is a volunteerism festival featuring hands-on volunteer projects, live entertainment, and 75 nonprofits in need of volunteers. Presented by VolunteerNow at Klyde Warren Park, it includes onsite activities like creating pet enrichment toys with the SPCA of Texas, creating “junk art” with Keep Dallas Beautiful, hanging out with a mini horse from Equest, building homeless kits with OurCalling, and more.

The Polyphonic Spree in concert with Medicine Man Revival
Shows by The Polyphonic Spree are not as plentiful as they used to be, so it's always great when you have another opportunity to see them live. And it's even better when you get to see them for free, which is what will happen with this concert in the Box Garden at Legacy Hall in Plano. They'll be joined by another hometown band, Dallas' Medicine Man Revival.

Poison and Cheap Trick in concert
It'll be a night of throwback music at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving when Poison and Cheap Trick co-headline this concert. Poison, which will have its original lineup intact, has released seven albums in its career, with the latest being 2007's Poison'd! Cheap Trick is still giving its fans new music, releasing both a regular album and Christmas album in 2017.

Texas Ballet Theater will present Swan Lake at Winspear Opera House, June 1-3.

Swan Lake
Photo courtesy of Texas Ballet Theater
Texas Ballet Theater will present Swan Lake at Winspear Opera House, June 1-3.
event-planner
news/entertainment

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Dallas intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

Dallas flip-flop brand Hari Mari steps into brave new world of women's boots

Acclaimed pastry chef to open sweet shop on foodie East Dallas corner

Apartment rents finally start to decline in Dallas and across the U.S.

CMT Awards

Texas will host CMT Music Awards for the first time ever in 2023

Hannah J. Frías
Nov 4, 2022 | 2:12 pm
Carrie Underwood Kelsea Ballerini Moody Center
Getty Images for CMT
Airing April 2, 2023, the awards ceremony will be hosted in Texas for the first time ever.

Big news for country music fans: During Carrie Underwood's sold-out show in Austin on November 2, CMT Music Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini came on stage to announce that the CMT Music Awards will come to the city's new Moody Center next year. Airing Sunday, April 2, 2023, the fan-voted awards ceremony will be hosted in Texas for the first time ever.

Ballerini will return as the event's co-host for the third year in a row, which she also shared during Underwood's set. The Austin stop of Underwood's "Denim and Rhinestones Tour" was the perfect time to share the announcement, since Underwood currently holds the title as the winningest artist in CMT history. According to a release, she has garnered a total of 25 trophies, and she will be the first performer for the 2023 show.

“Both Austin and Nashville are two of the world’s greatest music cities and we couldn’t be more excited to announce the return of the CMT MUSIC AWARDS on CBS than with co-host Kelsea Ballerini surprising Carrie Underwood, our most awarded artist, in the middle of her incredible live performance at Moody Center – the exact venue where we’ll all be back exactly five months from today!” shared CMT Music Awards executive producers Margaret Comeaux, John Hamlin, Leslie Fram, and Jason Owen.

“Our fans are in for an unforgettable night of music with plenty of surprises, as the Live Music Capital meets Music City for the first time ever on a national stage in what will be a true country music extravaganza.”

The 2023 CMT Awards is the result of two years of planning between CMT, CBA, Paramount, and the Moody Center team. The show will make its global premiere exclusively on the CBS Television Network, available for both live streaming and on demand on Paramount+. For its inaugural year on CBS, the 2022 CMT Music Awards delivered 5.89 million viewers, a 529 percent increase from June 2021.

“The programming team at Oak View Group and Moody Center have spent the past two years cultivating this relationship and working to endear CMT, CBS and Paramount to Austin and our new, world-class arena," says Michael Owens, vice president of programming at the Moody Center, in the release. "CMT’s commitment to Austin reflects those efforts and we couldn’t be more grateful and excited to host them next year."

news/entertainment

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Dallas intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

Dallas flip-flop brand Hari Mari steps into brave new world of women's boots

Acclaimed pastry chef to open sweet shop on foodie East Dallas corner

Apartment rents finally start to decline in Dallas and across the U.S.

Get the Popcorn

Pocket Sandwich Theatre reveals opening date for new Carrollton space

Lindsey Wilson
Nov 4, 2022 | 11:45 am
Ebenezer Scrooge at Pocket Sandwich Theatre
Pocket Sandwich Theatre/Facebook

Pocket Sandwich Theatre will reopen with Ebenezer Scrooge.

After being tossed out of its Dallas home in 2021 — where it had presented melodramas, musicals, and family entertainment for more than three decades — Pocket Sandwich Theatre has not only found its new home but announced its grand re-opening date.

This mainstay of the Dallas theater community for the past 42 years has relocated to Historic Downtown Carrollton at 1104 Elm St. It will raise the curtain and welcome audiences for the 40th annual production of Ebenezer Scrooge beginning Friday, November 25, and running through December 23.

Tickets are already selling briskly, say owner Shanon Dickinson and partners Brad Dickinson, Jeff Vance, Nick Haley, and Kim Winnubst.

“We’ve dealt with construction delays, supply chain issues, and the inevitable challenges of transforming a historical building into a code-compliant space with modern-day conveniences, but we know our loyal patrons are going to love the new space," says Shanon Dickinson. "Audience members will still enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that we’re known for, but they will also see improvements in our ticketing/seating, an expanded menu, upgraded restrooms, and ample nearby parking. We’ve put a lot of thought and planning into this move to ensure a great experience for patrons, actors, and employees. We’re putting the final touches on everything, so we can’t wait for our opening!”

Widely known for their popcorn-tossing melodramas, the venue is also a haven for improvisation troupes, musical entertainers, stand-up comics, and local playwrights to showcase their talents. Late-night shows ranging from drag to movie sing-alongs were also popular.

Pocket Sandwich Theatre’s roots go back to 1980 in a small sandwich shop on Lower Greenville Avenue, when friends Rodney Dobbs and Joe Dickinson had an idea to bring back the artform of melodrama. The idea worked and as its popularity grew, the group moved to a new larger space on Mockingbird Lane and Central Expressway in 1990.

In 2020, the complex was sold amid the challenges of the pandemic. The City of Carrollton reached out, expressing interest in bringing the group to their area.

Ebenezer Scrooge will feature expanded show dates as Christmas approaches. The show is written by Joe Dickinson with music by Laurie Tirmenstein and additional lyrics by Rodney Dobbs.

For show info, ticketing, and reservations, visit www.pocketsandwich.com.

openingstheater
news/entertainment

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Dallas intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

Dallas flip-flop brand Hari Mari steps into brave new world of women's boots

Acclaimed pastry chef to open sweet shop on foodie East Dallas corner

Apartment rents finally start to decline in Dallas and across the U.S.

Movie Review

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is as wacky and over-the-top as expected

Alex Bentley
Nov 4, 2022 | 11:16 am
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is as wacky and over-the-top as expected
Photo courtesy of The Roku Channel

Evan Rachel Wood and Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

For over 40 years, “Weird Al” Yankovic has reigned as the world’s most popular comedy musician. Given the unserious nature of Yankovic’s songs, a movie about his life was never going to be straightforward. Taking inspiration from a 2013 Funny or Die video of the same name, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story plays out as – what else? – a parody of music biopics, which tend to have many of the same beats, such as a rough childhood, music providing a salvation, issues with drugs and/or alcohol, and, ultimately, redemption.

And so, hilariously, the young Al yearns to play the accordion and make up fake lyrics to real songs, only to be stymied by his well-meaning mom, Mary (Julianne Nicholson), and angry and violent dad, Nick (Toby Huss). After hearing things like “We agree that you should stop being yourself and doing the things you love,” he rebels by going to … a teenage polka party. (Unintentionally funny is that Nicholson recently played Marilyn Monroe’s mom in Blonde, a 1-2 punch that’s hard to beat.)

When Al (now played by Daniel Radcliffe) finally gets out of the house, he’s able to spread his wings and make the weird music he wants, overcoming the skepticism of record executives like Tony Scotti (played by Yankovic) with the help of mentor Dr. Demento (Rainn Wilson). When Madonna (Evan Rachel Wood) becomes his girlfriend to, in part, get the sweet bump that one of his parody songs can provide, it starts in motion a series of events too ridiculous to be true.

Directed by Eric Appel (who also made the short film) and written by Appel and Yankovic, the film can essentially be split in two. The first half is the more successful part, as the pure comedy of his parents' overreactions to his music tastes, the random ways in which he draws inspiration for songs like “My Bologna,” and other out-of-nowhere things never fail to draw a laugh.

Not content to play out the whole movie that way, the filmmakers make the second half into something … weird. Without spoiling anything, it radically shifts the perspective of Weird Al as both a musician and a person, a change that, while still objectively funny, takes on a much different tone. It also features less of his music, a decision that takes some of the early fun out of the film.

The film features a bevy of celebrity cameos, like Lin-Manuel Miranda as a surgeon, Conan O’Brien as Andy Warhol, and Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, as well as a pool party scene featuring a slew of ‘80s icons like Devo, John Denver, Pee Wee Herman, Tiny Tim, Gallagher, Divine, and Elvira. You never know who’s going to pop up next, giving the film an extra dose of enjoyment in addition to the story.

Radcliffe, though much shorter than the actual Weird Al (likely a joke in and of itself), is a great fit for the role, bringing the type of energy it deserves. Even when lip-synching (the voice when singing is definitely the real Weird Al), he’s all-in on the performance. Wood is also great, delivering a depiction of Madonna that’s even more out-there than the real-life version.

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story ultimately hits more highs than lows thanks to the funny “origin” stories around songs like “Eat It,” “Another One Rides the Bus,” and “Like a Surgeon.” You can give the filmmakers credit for trying something different, but like any popular musician, things are better when they play the hits.

---

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story is now streaming on The Roku Channel.

Evan Rachel Wood and Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

Photo courtesy of The Roku Channel

Evan Rachel Wood and Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story

filmmoviescelebrities
news/entertainment

CultureMap Emails Are Awesome
Get Dallas intel delivered daily.

We will not share or sell your email address.

most read posts

Dallas flip-flop brand Hari Mari steps into brave new world of women's boots

Acclaimed pastry chef to open sweet shop on foodie East Dallas corner

Apartment rents finally start to decline in Dallas and across the U.S.

Loading Next Story...