Music is the main attraction at most big events in Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend. Fans of rap/hip hop, low-key pop and rock, heavy metal, and R&B/soul all have a chance to catch a live show.
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, August 14
Under the Influence of Music Tour
There could be more than a few people under the influence of both music and a little something extra at this festival-like concert at Gexa Energy Pavilion, which features a slew of rap/hip hop artists. The lineup includes Wiz Khalifa, Jeezy, Tyga, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich Homie Quan, Sage The Gemini, Mack Wilds, IAMSU and DJ Drama.
Pegasus Theatre presents None of the Above
Pegasus Theatre is known for its fun and visually baffling Living Black & White productions, but the latest, None of the Above, comes from its Churchmouse shingle. It's a rom-com about a privileged teen girl who battles wits — and more — with her bookish SAT tutor. The play runs at Bath House Cultural Center through August 30.
Friday, August 15
2014 KXT Summer Cut: The Happy Funtime Fest
Fans of KXT, the indie music branch of KERA, come out in droves to Gexa Energy Pavilion for the annual Summer Cut festival. This year's version is stacked, featuring headliners Death Cab for Cutie, Iron & Wine and The Hold Steady, along with The Oh Hellos, The Wild Feathers, Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, The Unlikely Candidates, The Orbans and Valise.
Dallas Arts District after-hours activities
If it's the third Friday of the month, that means it's time for the after-hours activities around the Dallas Arts District. Late Nights at the DMA is an evening of art, jazz and dance inspired by the jewelry design of Art Smith, 'til Midnight at Nasher Sculpture Center features a concert by Whiskey Folk Ramblers followed by a screening of Where the Wild Things Are, and Crow Collection After Dark is set around the world of painter B.G. Sharma.
Saturday, August 16
1964: The Tribute
There are lots of different Beatles tribute bands that claim to be the best — the local A Hard Night's Day among them — but 1964: The Tribute, who play at Bass Performance Hall, go above and beyond. The group re-creates an early 1960s live Beatles concert, with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles and onstage banter. This concert also features the Debbie Brooks Orchestra.
2014 Dallas One-Minute Play Festival
Sure, anybody can write a two-act, three-hour play that has multiple story arcs, but it takes a truly special playwright to come up with a satisfying one-minute play. Kitchen Dog Theater gets in on the growing national trend by staging close to 60 one-minute plays by more than 30 playwrights three times through Monday at McKinney Avenue Contemporary.
Sunday, August 17
Nine Inch Nails in concert with Soundgarden
The brains behind Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, has gotten a lot more mainstream these days thanks to his association with director David Fincher, a collaboration that has resulted in an Oscar, a Golden Globe and steady film work. His day job is on display at Gexa Energy Pavilion, as NIN headlines this concert, with none other than Soundgarden as opening act.
Keyshia Cole in concert
Fans of Keyshia Cole haven't had too much trouble finding her, as she's been the star of multiple reality shows on BET, including a third one coming soon. She comes back to Dallas to promote her music, though, as she plays at the House of Blues Dallas in support of her forthcoming sixth album, Point of No Return.
Keyshia Cole plays at House of Blues Dallas on August 17.
