Weekend Event Planner

These are the 11 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Although there are still nods to the pandemic, the slate of events this weekend in and around Dallas is one of the strongest indicators that we may be on the other side of the COVID-19 mountain. They include a variety of concerts, theater productions, and dance productions, a new type of outdoor movie, and notably, two festival-type events with crowds gathering together once again.

Below are the best to spend your precious free time this weekend.

Thursday, June 3

Old 97's in concert
The Old 97's started a new tradition in Dallas a few years ago, the Old 97's County Fair, that features a variety of performers, rides, food, and more. This concert at Grandscape in The Colony will not be as festive as that event, but it will feature a headlining performance by the legendary Dallas band, along with The 40 Acre Mule and Joshua Ray Walker.

Theatre Three presents The Music Man
The Dallas theater company Theatre Three is putting on a new production, although it won't be at their home base. In perhaps a nod to The Music Man itself, the production about fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill will travel to three different outdoor venues over the next month, starting with the Coppell Senior Center through June 13. After that it will go to Union Coffee Shop, June 16-27, and Texas Discovery Gardens, June 30-July 4.

Todd Snider in concert
Singer-songwriter Todd Snider is one of those musicians who is renowned despite never having achieved real mainstream success. A relatively late bloomer — he released his debut album in 1994 at age 28 — he used a connection with the late John Prine to come out of the Memphis music scene. He's gone on to release 19 albums, including the new First Agnostic Church Of Hope and Wonder. He'll play two shows — one Thursday and one Saturday — at The Kessler.

Shakespeare Dallas presents Hamlet Project
Shakespeare Dallas' Hamlet Project will feature 16 actors putting on solo performances inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet. The catch is that each actor only has 24 hours to prepare. The performances, which will feature original monologues written by Migdalia Cruz and Erik Ehn, will include local actors like Christopher Llewyn Ramirez, Salley Nystuen Vahle, Ivan Jasso, Christie Vela, and Allison Pistorius. The production will take place Thursdays-Sundays through June 13 at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre.

Rooftop Cinema Club: Summer Series at Heritage Village
After delaying its planned May 27 opening, the Rooftop Cinema Club will officially open its new Summer Series at Dallas Heritage Village. Instead of the drive-in option they offered in 2020, this one will have spacious cinema-style seating, including adjustable deckchairs and beanbag chairs, facing a 30-foot movie screen. The experience will also include wireless headphones, food trucks, a full bar, and outdoor games to enjoy before each screening. Opening weekend, dubbed Nineties Weekend, includes films like Jurassic Park, 10 Things I Hate About You, Friday, Clueless, Poetic Justice, and Scream.

Friday, June 4

Galleria Dallas presents Turtle Creek Chorale: "Stronger" opening day
Galleria Dallas will showcase the Turtle Creek Chorale in two different ways this weekend. The first is "Stronger," an exhibit that details the group's history and mission to entertain, educate, unite, and inspire. Now in its 41st year, the group has now grown to more than 250 members who contribute to performances and community outreach. To go alongside the exhibit, the group will put on two performances in the mall on Saturday. The exhibition will remain on display through June 30.

Taste Addison
At Taste Addison, guests can sample fare from a wide array of Addison dining destinations, listen to musical entertainment, this year headlined by Flo Rida on Friday and Third Eye Blind on Saturday, stroll the marketplace, or take in presentations and craft activities. Kids 12 and younger can enjoy the Adventure Grove, a specially-ticketed play area with games, attractions, a petting zoo, and more. The festival will take place on Friday and Saturday at Addison Circle Park.

Kitchen Dog Theater presents New Works Festival Commission Series - In The Works
To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, Kitchen Dog Theater dedicated its entire season this year to new plays by BIPOC writers, including a reimagined New Works Festival Staged Reading Series called In the Works, featuring commissioned new plays by four emerging playwrights of color. The plays will be presented virtually on Fridays and Sundays this weekend and June 11-13, performed by Kitchen Dog Theater friends and alums from across the country.

Ballet North Texas present Cinderella
Cinderella is the ultimate classic fairy tale. The timeless story embodies an element of unjust oppression and triumphant reward. Audiences will journey with Cinderella as her fireside dreams are turned to reality by her Fairy Godmother, and she is whisked off to the Prince’s dazzling ball. Ballet North Texas will present three performances at Winspear Opera House through Saturday.

Dallas Pride Weekend
Dallas Pride is back with a celebration to raise awareness and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Taking place in person at Fair Park Coliseum, the event will feature two days of entertainment from groups/people like Marsha Dimes, Uptown Players, Kennedy Davenport from RuPaul’s Drag Race, The Cast of the Rose Room, Sister Helen Holy, an ensemble of the Turtle Creek Chorale, and others. In addition to the in-person experiences, the event will also be streamed online for those who feel more comfortable watching from home.

Bruce Wood Dance presents UNITE
Bruce Wood Dance will present UNITE, featuring captivating works by Bruce Wood and world premieres by Omar Román De Jesús and artistic director Joy Bollinger. The program will include Sombreristas, created for Bruce Wood Dance by De Jesús; the world premiere of Blue by Bollinger; the return of Bruce Wood’s masterpiece, Requiem; and the return of Wood’s last completed work, Hide Me Angel. There will be three performances through Sunday at Moody Performance Hall.

The Old 97's will play at Grandscape in The Colony on June 3.

Photo courtesy of Old 97's

The Old 97's will play at Grandscape in The Colony on June 3.

concerts movies dance event-planner theater

Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen