Weekend Event Planner

These are the 10 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

As July comes to a close, you can enjoy the beginning of the end of summer with a trio of big-name concerts, an unnerving new theater production, a visit with a Real Housewife, or two events with some of the funniest people 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 28

The Tribe presents Hypochondria
The latest production from The Tribe, Hypochondria, is an off-beat play that lives at the intersection of healthcare, health insurance (or lack thereof), young women’s bodies, young women’s voices, everyone’s anxiety, trying to fall in love, and pop music. There are four performances at Margo Jones Theatre in Fair Park through Sunday.

Friday, July 29

Texas Rangers Hall of Fame Luncheon
There have been many beloved players in Texas Rangers' history — Nolan Ryan, Pudge Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre — but Michael Young leads the way for a lot of fans. The shortstop/third baseman/all-around good guy is officially being inducted into the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame at this luncheon at the Arlington Convention Center, and he's being honored before the Rangers' game against Kansas City on July 30.

Clotheshorse Anonymous presents Stephanie Hollman of The Real Housewives of Dallas
The first season of The Real Housewives of Dallas was a love/hate relationship for many. For those who fall on the "love" side of things, you can come to this event at Clotheshorse Anonymous for a meet-and-greet with Stephanie Hollman, and the opportunity to shop Hollman's closet right off the showroom floor while enjoying food, drinks, giveaways, and a City + Sky trunk show.

Blink-182 in concert with A Day To Remember and All-American Rejects
Of all the bands to still be going strong after 20 years in the music business, Blink-182 doesn't automatically come to mind. Yet here they are, scoring only their second No. 1 album with the just-released California. They are playing at Gexa Energy Pavilion alongside opening acts A Day to Remember and All-American Rejects.

Improv Arlington presents Mo'Nique
Academy Award-winning actress Mo'Nique was fierce in her performance in 2009's Precious, but her career has otherwise been based on laughter. She starred on the sitcom The Parkers and on her own talk show, The Mo'Nique Show, and has continued to tour as a stand-up comedian. She's performing four times over two days at the Improv Arlington.

Saturday, July 30

Reunion Lawn Party
The second Reunion Lawn Party of the summer has a sporty feel, as Texas Motor Speedway takes over the lawn at Reunion Park, bringing games, giveaways, and crazy cars like a bathtub car, recliner chair, and 1970s gold van. The party also features live music from former Voice contestant Hannah Kirby and the jazzy crowd-pleaser Tin Man Band.

Rascal Flatts in concert with Kelsea Ballerini and Chris Lane
Sometimes it seems like country group Rascal Flatts gets taken for granted. There are bigger or flashier country artists out there, but few have been as consistently great as this trio, who have a streak of eight No. 1 albums going, including their latest, 2014's Rewind. While fans wait patiently for new music, they can enjoy the hits at this concert at Gexa Energy Pavilion. Up-and-comers Kelsea Ballerini and Chris Lane serve as opening acts.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company
Founded by Amy Poehler, the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company performs a night of provocative sketch comedy and absurd improv. A veritable incubation lab for comedy talent, the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company cast is hand-picked from the best improv comedians in the country. The touring company is performing at Dallas City Performance Hall.

Sunday, July 31

Texas Theatre and Majestic Theatre present Rock 'N' Roll Summer Series
The Rock 'N' Roll Summer Series comes to a close with yet another classic music documentary, Don't Look Back, by D. A. Pennebaker. Playing at the Texas Theatre, the film covers Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan. It's a must-see for any music or movie buff.

Meghan Trainor in concert with Hailee Steinfeld and Common Kings
In a period of just two short years, Meghan Trainor has gone from an unknown to something close to a superstar. Based on the ubiquity of "All About that Bass," her 2015 debut album, Title, went to No. 1. Striking while the iron is hot, she's quickly followed that up with her sophomore album, Thank You, which she's highlight in this concert at Allen Event Center. She's be joined by singer/actress Hailee Steinfeld and Common Kings.

The Tribe presents Hypochondria July 28-31 at Margo Jones Theatre at Fair Park.

Photo courtesy of The Tribe

The Tribe presents Hypochondria July 28-31 at Margo Jones Theatre at Fair Park.

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Movie Review

Dark comedy Friendship covers male bonding with copious cringing

Photo courtesy of A24

Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in Friendship.

Comedian Tim Robinson has gained a cult following thanks to series like Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave, in which his brand of cringe comedy is on full display. The former Saturday Night Live writer/performer has had a few small movie roles over the years, but he’s now getting his first starring role in the off-kilter Friendship.

Robinson plays Craig, a mild-mannered suburbanite with a wife, Tami (Kate Mara) and son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Craig has a boring life that involves little more than going to his middle manager job while wearing the same clothes day after day, anticipating the next Marvel movie, and helping Tami out with her at-home floral business.

He gets a jolt of energy when Austin (Paul Rudd) moves into the neighborhood. The two men seem to hit it off, with Austin - a weatherman at a local TV channel - even taking Craig on a couple of impromptu adventures. But when Craig commits a couple of faux pas at a group gathering at Austin’s house, their bond starts to fracture.

Even though the film is written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, it’s clear that Robinson had a big influence on the style of comedy it features. There are no big set pieces with a slew of jokes coming one after another. Instead, the film forces the audience to try to vibe with the very particular type of wavelength it’s giving off, one that could almost be called anti-comedy for the way the laughs come out of left field.

The 100-minute film is full of random comedic moments, like Steven kissing Tami on the lips, Craig being obsessed with his plain brown clothes, a group sing-along, and more. More often than not, it’s the way Craig reacts to both normal and abnormal situations that gets the laughs. The character is needy and oblivious, two traits that combine to make many of his actions cringeworthy.

Perhaps most importantly for this type of movie, there are many things in the story that go unexplained or don’t make sense. Seemingly crucial elements are brought up only to fade away just as quickly, while other parts that appeared to be throwaway sections get callbacks later in the film. DeYoung and Robinson are determined to keep the audience on their toes the entire time, never knowing what to expect next.

Robinson has the perfect face for a story like this, one that’s bland enough to blend into the background but memorable enough to sell the jokes. His demeanor is also excellent, never becoming too expressive, even when he gets angry. With long hair, a mustache, and a certain swagger, Rudd is a great complement to Robinson. Only in a film like this would an everyman like Rudd be considered the suave and cool one.

There will be some that will see Friendship and come away wondering what the hell they just watched. But anyone who goes in knowing that they’re about to witness a comedy that challenges their sensibilities will likely have a great time.

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Friendship is now playing in select theaters.

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