You may be concentrating on where to watch fireworks or making travel plans for a long four-day Fourth of July weekend, but don't sleep on what the rest of the weekend has to offer. Among other things, you'd miss the world premiere of a brand-new musical and possibly the biggest music star on the planet.
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, July 4
Fourth of July events
The Fourth of July is obviously dominated by parades, fireworks shows and other events all across Dallas-Fort Worth. It can get overwhelming, but we've compiled a list of the latest and greatest spots to catch all the action.
2013 Miss Texas Pageant
In the 83-year history of the Miss America Pageant, only three winners have come from the state of Texas, and none since 1975. A host of gorgeous women compete this week at Allen Event Center to be the person who may break that streak. Thursday night is the final preliminary competition; Miss Teen Texas is crowned Friday and Miss Texas on Saturday.
Friday, July 5
Dallas Theater Center presents Fly
Dallas Theater Center wowed with its last production, Fly By Night, and it attempts to do the same with the season-ender, Fly. Billed as a unique take on the Peter Pan story, the musical has the backing of several theater heavyweights, including writer Rajiv Joseph and director Jeffrey Seller. You can get swept away at the Wyly Theatre through August 18.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Music of the Rolling Stones
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra winds down its Concerts in the Garden series with this tribute to the rock group that'll never die, the Rolling Stones. You can rock out — at least as much as brass instruments rock — to songs like "Satisfaction" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash" at Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The symphony plays the Music of the Eagles on Saturday.
Saturday, July 6
2013 Color Mob 5K
Running for fun, and not necessarily to see how fast you can go, is all the rage these days, and the Color Mob 5K embodies that way of thinking perfectly. Taking inspiration from the Hindu religious festival of Holi, participants in the race at Fair Park are pelted with different shades of colored cornstarch at various points along the route.
Beyoncé in concert
Sasha Fierce has morphed into Mama Fierce, doting on her daughter Blue Ivy and dubbing her latest tour the Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. And you can likely put those pregnancy rumors to rest, as Beyoncé recently announced a fall leg to the tour, including another stop at American Airlines Center. So if you can't catch this show, you have another chance in five months.
Sunday, July 7
Fine Arts Chamber Players presents Basically Beethoven Festival
The Fine Arts Chamber Players celebrate the enduring greatness of Beethoven's music every Sunday for the next four weeks with special performances at Dallas City Performance Hall, the first time the festival hasn't been at Music Hall at Fair Park. Things kick off this week with a recital by young tenor Nicholas Garza and a feature performance by the quintet Imperial Brass.
Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines in concert
Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines are two Texas show business mainstays, known both for their great music and, at least on Maines' part, his musical progeny. The frequent collaborators are also known for their great shows together, which you can enjoy for free at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington.
Dallas Theater Center ends the 2012-2013 season with the world premiere of the new Peter Pan musical Fly, playing at Wyly Theatre through August 18.
