Weekend Event Planner

Sam Smith and Ringo Starr top best weekend events in Dallas

It's another music-heavy weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth, with events featuring a couple of living legends, an homage to a recently-passed master, a newcomer who's taken the world by storm and a local singer who may be about to break out nationally.

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, October 9

Patio Sessions: Luke Wade & No Civilians with Kirk Thurmond
Fans of The Voice were wowed along with the coaches when Fort Worth's Luke Wade belted out Otis Redding's "That's How Strong My Love Is" in his blind audition. While he waits for the live shows to start, Wade will play a free show along with his band, No Civilians, as part of the Patio Sessions series in Sammons Park. They'll be joined by opening act Kirk Thurmond.

Dallas VideoFest 27
It may not have the cachet that other film festivals in the area do, but for 27 years Dallas VideoFest has been home to a wide array of thought-provoking movies. Now through Sunday at Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson and next weekend at Angelika Film Center Dallas, the Video Association of Dallas will screen hidden gems from around the world you won't get to see anywhere else.

Sam Smith in concert
There may be no bigger singer in 2014 than Sam Smith. The Brit released his debut album, In the Lonely Hour, in May, and thanks to hit songs like "Stay With Me" and "I'm Not the Only One," he's been a staple on radio ever since. The lucky few who have tickets will be able to listen to his soulful voice in the relative intimacy of House of Blues Dallas; the next time he comes back to town, he's sure to be in a bigger venue.

Friday, October 10

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch
There are famous composers, and then there's the late Marvin Hamlisch. One of only a dozen people to reach EGOT status (those who have one at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award), Hamlisch left his mark all over the entertainment industry throughout his nearly 50-year career. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and guests like Jodi Benson and Donna McKechnie will honor Hamlisch's legacy with three concerts Friday through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Living Colour in concert with Buffalo Black
Last year, Living Colour came to town to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its debut album, Vivid, which featured the iconic "Cult of Personality." Now the group is coming back to the Kessler in support of its upcoming new album, Shade, with support from opening act, Buffalo Black.

Saturday, October 11

Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band in concert
No matter what he's done in the 44 years since the Beatles broke up, Ringo Starr has always come across as the least valuable of the Fab Four. His fans know better, of course, and they'll pack Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie to hear him and his All-Starr Band, which now includes people like Todd Rundgren and Gregg Rolie, play the hits.

Steppin' Out Live with Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen is a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor whose career has been as versatile as it gets. He'll show that nimbleness in this show at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson, when he pays homage to Broadway, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. with a program full of song and dance.

Art Garfunkel in concert
The name Garfunkel has come up again in pop culture recently, but in a funny way, as the comedy duo Garfunkel and Oates have used Art Garfunkel's notorious second fiddle status as a way to earn laughs. Like Ringo Starr, Garfunkel deserves better, and there's no way to better appreciate his music than by attending this concert at Majestic Theatre.

Friday, October 12

Southwest Airlines Freedom to Fly Celebration
In case it's somehow flown under your radar, the Wright Amendment, which kept Southwest Airlines from flying directly from Dallas to any state that it didn't border, finally comes to end on October 13. To celebrate the amendment's demise, Southwest is holding a free blowout party at Klyde Warren Park, complete with performances from Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison, Jack Ingram and Robert Earl Keen.

The late composer Marvin Hamlisch will be honored by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra with three concerts, October 10-12, at Bass Performance Hall.

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra

The late composer Marvin Hamlisch will be honored by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra with three concerts, October 10-12, at Bass Performance Hall.

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Bicycling News

TxDOT funds $285 million for pedestrian and bicycle trails in Texas

TxDOT

Bike trail

The Texas Transportation Commission has approved more than $284.8 million for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that will help improve safety, mobility, access and quality of life for people across the state.

According to a release, these federal Transportation Alternative funds will go toward 73 projects statewide — four of which are in the Dallas area — that will build sidewalks, shared use paths, dedicated bicycle lanes, and pedestrian bridges.

They will also be used for the development of active transportation plans that will help communities plan for non-motorized connected networks.

“This significant investment will make it safer and more enjoyable for people to walk and bike in their communities while improving access across the state,” says Texas Transportation Commissioner Robert “Robie” Vaughn in a statement. “By expanding transportation options, we can build more connected communities and a more connected Texas, while enhancing the quality of life for everyone.”

Examples of statewide projects include upgraded sidewalks, shared-use paths for biking and walking, on-street bicycle lanes, and safety enhancements like school zone upgrades, pedestrian crossings and lighting.

Examples of local projects include improving a shared-use path between Seagoville Road and McKinzie Road in Balch Springs; and building a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over an active Union Pacific railroad line between White Rock Lake and the Great Trinity Forest.

The four Dallas projects include:

Midtown Dallas Inc.: Midtown Dallas Shared Use Trail / Shared Use Path — $10,463,200
DART: Cotton Belt Silver Line Rail Trail, Phase 3a / Shared Use Path — $25,000,000
City of Balch Springs: Southeast Trail, Phase 1A / Shared Use Path, Sidewalks — $6,443,000
City of Dallas: Trinity Forest Spine Trail, Bike/Pedestrian Bridge — $10,903,200

While collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists make up a small percentage of traffic crashes in Texas, they account for 1 in 5 traffic fatalities. All of these projects will provide safer conditions for people who walk or use bicycles or wheelchairs.

More specifically, 27 projects will improve pedestrian safety in areas identified as potential risks in the Texas Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. And 29 projects are intended to provide safer routes for children walking and biking to schools.

Funding comes the federal Transportation Alternatives program, and are awarded after a competitive call for projects from cities and counties across the state.

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