The arrival of September means that temperatures are finally starting to drop down to bearable, which makes it the perfect time to enjoy some outdoor fun. Four separate concerts in and around Dallas will allow you to do just that, as well as an art gallery appreciation day. There will also be two new theater productions, a new art exhibit, a classical appreciation of female singers, and an appearance by a sitting Supreme Court justice.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, September 6
Dallas Arboretum presents Cool Thursdays Concert Series
After a two-month break, the Dallas Arboretum picks its Cool Thursdays Concert Series back up with a concert by The Wildflowers, a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute band. In addition to the coolest view of White Rock Lake, attendees can bring picnics and beverages or purchase food items from food trucks. The series will continue every Thursday through October 25.
Friday, September 7
AT&T Performing Arts Center and Interabang Books present An Evening with Sonia Sotomayor
While the confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh go on in Washington, D.C., current Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor will come to Wyly Theatre to celebrate the release of her two new children’s books, Turning Pages: My Life Story and The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor. Sotomayor will discuss her life story, from her birthplace in the South Bronx through her journey to become the first Hispanic and third woman appointed to the Supreme Court.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Women Rock"
This concert by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra was always going to be a fun one, but as it will feature the music of the recently departed Aretha Franklin, along with Tina Turner and Pat Benatar, it will be even more special. The concert, taking place at Meyerson Symphony Center through Sunday, will feature songs like “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Proud Mary,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “I Love Rock and Roll,” “Respect,” and more.
South Dallas Cultural Center presents Hollow Roots
Hollow Roots, by award-winning playwright Christina Anderson, questions the notion of a “post-racial” society. Diving into one woman’s quest to understand her identity, she asks if it is possible for a person to live their life unaffected by race or gender. The play, running at South Dallas Cultural Center through Sunday, follows the woman’s journey, accompanied by a vivid videoscape of her mind’s eye and live cello music recalling the sounds of her childhood.
Echo Theatre presents Hurricane Diane
In Echo Theatre's latest production, Greek god Dionysus comes back to Earth disguised as permaculture specialist "Diane." She plants seeds of seduction in a quiet little cul-de-sac to launch her ultimate plan: take back Mother Earth with a Backyard Bacchanal that ushers in a new era of Dionysian Worship and destroys the cookie cutter HGTV-obsessed America. The play will run at Bath House Cultural Center through September 22.
Saturday, September 8
DADA Fall Gallery Walk
The Dallas Art Dealers Association will present its annual Fall Gallery Walk, where art enthusiasts, private and corporate collectors, artists, designers, and visitors to Dallas can enjoy a full spectrum of gallery openings and special exhibitions. From downtown to north Dallas, DADA member galleries will showcase new exhibitions, art talks, and more. Go to the event website for a full list of participating venues.
Luke Bryan in concert with Jon Pardi and Morgan Wallen
If you haven't seen Luke Bryan in concert in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in recent years, you haven't been trying. Bryan is as consistent a performer as they come, appearing somewhere in the area every year since at least 2012. He'll be back at Dos Equis Pavilion to play in support of his 2017 album, What Makes You Country. He'll be joined by opening acts Jon Pardi and Morgan Wallen.
Alice in Chains in concert
Alice in Chains is part of the quartet of rock bands that made it big out of Seattle, Washington in the late '80s/early '90s, alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. Thirty years later, despite the deaths of two of their founding members, Alice in Chains is still rocking, touring in support of their sixth album, 2018's Rainier Fog. They'll play at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.
Sunday, September 9
Meadows Museum presents "Dalí: Poetics of the Small, 1929–1936"
The Meadows Museum at SMU presents the first in-depth exploration of the small-scale paintings of Salvador Dalí (1904-1989). The exhibition will include nearly two dozen of Dalí’s small-scale paintings that reflect Dalí’s distinctive Surrealist style, with familiar but distorted figures often set against a dramatic or barren landscape. The exhibition will be on display through December 9.
Scorpions in concert with Queensryche
Believe it or not, German rock band Scorpions has been around for over 50 years, though they didn't release their first album until 1972. Best known for hits like "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and "Wind of Change," they've released 18 albums in their career, including 2015's Return to Forever. They'll be joined at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory by the equally legendary rock band, Queensrÿche.
Meadows Museum presents "Dalí: Poetics of the Small, 1929–1936" starting on September 9, running through December 9.
Amber Barth of Skate VIDA performs after the tree is lit.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The rink will be open through January 5, 2026.Photo by Ashley Gongora
