Music fans will be in heaven this weekend, as four separate events will highlight songs from the past and bring back plenty of retro good feelings. They include a musical based on a '90s movie and three concerts headlined by big-name singers or bands. Also on tap is a big boat sale, a celebration of a new way to date, late-night art events, a huge soccer tournament, and a chance to be part of a world record.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Monday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, July 20
2017 DFW Summer Boat Expo
Summer has long been underway, but it's never too late to find a boat at the DFW Summer Boat Expo, the largest boating event in North Texas. This show, taking place through Sunday at Dallas Market Hall, features more than 450 boat and watercraft models from over 20 North Texas boat dealers. Attendees can find their next boat or the accessories needed to better enjoy the on-water lifestyle.
Dallas Summer Musicals presents The Bodyguard
Based on the smash hit film, the award-winning musical The Bodyguard stars Grammy Award nominee and R&B star Deborah Cox. The musical, playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park through July 30, features a host of irresistible Whitney Houston classics, including “So Emotional," “Saving All My Love," “I Have Nothing," “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and, of course, “I Will Always Love You.”
Friday, July 21
Bracket Dating App Launch Party
Bracket is a recently launched dating app that matches 16 users in tournament-based brackets based on profile preferences and a user-generated rating scale. To celebrate its launch, Bracket is hosting an exclusive launch party at Community Beer Company, featuring an open craft-beer bar, tasty bites from Abe’s Flavor Flave food truck, a DJ spinning jams all night, photo booth, swag, giveaways, and more. Use the code “CultureMap” for a $10 ticket discount.
Late Nights at the DMA / Nasher Sculpture Center presents 'til Midnight
Both the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center are offering some late night fun on Friday. The DMA's event is themed around its "Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion" exhibit, with visitors encouraged to dress up like Lady Gaga to get in for half price. The Nasher has concerts by Bryce and Sudie, followed by a screening of the great 2016 movie, Sing Street.
Saturday, July 22
2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup Semifinals
All has gone as the home fans had hoped, and the U.S men's soccer team, following a 2-0 win over El Salvador, will be in the Gold Cup semifinals taking place at AT&T Stadium, facing off against Costa Rica. The winner of the match on Saturday will then go on to the Gold Cup final, taking place on July 26 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
2017 World's Largest Super Soaker Battle
The 2nd Annual Super Soaker Battle at Maverick Stadium in Arlington is going for a world record. The current record held in the Guinness Book of World Records for “largest water pistol fight” is 3,875 participants. The goal for this event, which includes food, fun, games, giveaways, and more," is to get over 4,000 participants, but the actual number could be much larger. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to Hope for the Warriors.
The Righteous Brothers in concert
With a string of No. 1 classics, including the most-played song in radio history, "You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’," the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts for four decades. Although Hatfield died in 2003, Medley has kept The Righteous Brothers alive with new member Bucky Heard. The two will sing The Righteous Brothers' biggest hits at Arlington Music Hall.
Don Henley in concert
Legendary singer Don Henley is doing a special concert at American Airlines Center in celebration of his 70th birthday. The once-in-a-lifetime event will feature songs spanning Henley's entire career, from the Eagles and his vast solo catalog. Henley will be joined by several very special guests throughout the night.
Sunday, July 23
Earth, Wind & Fire in concert with CHIC ft. Nile Rodgers
Two of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands — Earth, Wind & Fire and CHIC ft. Nile Rodgers — will co-headline 2054 The Tour at American Airlines Center. 2054 The Tour features a guest DJ and a specialized seating configuration toward the front of the stage, where seats will have additional space between them to encourage audiences to dance the night away.
Deborah Cox stars in The Bodyguard at Music Hall at Fair Park through July 30.
