Music, as it often is, is the theme of the best events around Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend. You can get your fill courtesy of a jukebox musical, an annual indie music showcase, an R&B/soul extravaganza or, if you so choose, a festival devoted to hard rock and heavy metal.
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 30
Bonton Farms Neighborhood Celebration and Mural Unveiling
In a bid to bring fresh food to an area in dire need of it, Bonton Farms opened earlier this year to serve the Bonton neighborhood in South Dallas. This event is an effort to bring more attention to the good deeds being performed there, as a large-scale community mural called Bonton Blessing, conceptualized by visual artist Matthew Brinston and farm director Daron Babcock, will be unveiled.
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Motown the Musical
No matter what your favorite classic Motown song may be, chances are it'll be sung during Motown the Musical, which brings its national tour to Winspear Opera House through August 16. The production follows Motown founder Berry Gordy as he builds the classic record label, working with legends Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and many more.
Friday, July 31
Gorilla vs. Bear V: Jamie xx, Lower Dens, Tei Shi, Yumi Zouma, Prince Innocence and DJ Sober
Gorilla vs. Bear is a Texas-based music blog that annually puts on an indie music showcase, bringing in some of its favorite acts from around the world. This year's edition, once again taking place at Granada Theater, will feature performances from Jamie xx, Lower Dens, Tei Shi, Yumi Zouma, Prince Innocence and DJ Sober.
Boney James and Brian McKnight in concert with Chrisette Michele
In yet another co-headlining concert pairing two artists you wouldn't normally put together, jazz saxophonist Boney James and R&B singer Brian McKnight will entertain the masses at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie. James is broadening his horizons with a new soul album, futuresoul, while McKnight released a Greatest Hits album in 2014. They'll be joined by opening act Chrisette Michele.
Saturday, August 1
Podcast Movement 2015
Podcasting has boomed in popularity in recent years, with a number of podcasters using the platform to become celebrities in their own right. This weekend-long podcasting convention at Omni Hotel in Fort Worth will feature appearances by Sarah Koenig from Serial, Marc Maron from WTF with Marc Maron and Aisha Tyler from Girl on Guy. Koenig will also be at Winspear Opera House on Monday as part of ATTPAC's #thinkspeak series.
311 in concert with The Green
Alt rockers 311 have had a steady if unspectacular career since debuting more than 20 years ago. They'll play at the South Side Ballroom in support of their 2014 album, Stereolithic. They'll be joined by opening act, Hawaiian reggae band The Green.
Sunday, August 2
2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival
The annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival brings together some of best hard rock and heavy metal bands around. This year's edition at Gexa Energy Pavilion will include Slayer, Hellyeah, Sworn In, Code Orange, Thy Art Is Murder, Kissing Candice, Whitechapel, Jungle Rot, The Devil Wears Prada, King Diamond and Sister Sin.
Prince Fielder presents Uncork for a Cause
Although the Texas Rangers have fallen back a bit this year, first baseman Prince Fielder is still tearing it up, ranking fourth in batting average. At this event at Max's Wine Dive in Dallas, featuring Fielder's own wine, he'll help to do a little good off the baseball field as well, as proceeds will benefit Promise House and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation.
Slayer is one of the headliners at the 2015 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, taking place at Gexa Energy Pavilion on August 2.
