Another glorious fall weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth, and another great line-up of fun events. Once again, there are a slew of big name concerts happening, and don't sleep on a certain website that's celebrating its first birthday in a big way.
The only downside to the start of the cooler fall weather is that you don't have nearly the same number of big events taking place outdoors. Of the ones that made our list this week, only two can really claim an outdoor element.
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 10
Matt Nathanson in concert with Joshua Radin
Matt Nathanson and Joshua Radin are two singers who've earned their followings by having their music showcased on multiple TV shows, most notably Scrubs. Each blends together rock and folk music for a sound that's engaging, soothing and eminently relatable. They'll both show off their chops at House of Blues Dallas.
CultureMap Dallas First Birthday Bash
Yep, it's our birthday, and we want to celebrate with you! Head out to the Crow Collection of Asian Art for great food from the likes of Belly & Trumpet, Boulevardier, Slow Bone and Zoli's NY Pizza Tavern, great music from Seryn and DJ Lucy Wrubel and great art at the Crow Collection. It's our way of saying thank you for helping us become bigger and better every day.
Vampire Weekend in concert with The Olms
Vampire Weekend has been on a steady rise over the past five years, and with the 2013 album Modern Vampires of the City debuting at #1, the group can probably be considered one of the biggest rock bands in the world, even though it remains steadfastly independent. Vampire Weekend plays at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie with The Olms as opening act.
Friday, October 11
The Eagles in concert
Much to the delight of their fans, The Eagles are a band that just can't stay away. Its members have proclaimed multiple times that they would never get back together again, only to eventually give in and give the world what they really want. Their latest reunion is the current History of the Eagles tour, which comes to American Airlines Center on Friday and Saturday. Prepare for all their biggest hits, plus some solo hits from Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
George Lopez in concert
George Lopez may not be the most popular comedian on the circuit today, but he's certainly the most resilient. He's achieved goals that most comics would kill for, like his own sitcom and his own talk show, but both of those were relatively short-lived. You can't keep a good stand-up down, though, and with this concert at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, he'll prove his fortitude once again.
Saturday, October 12
2013 Texas-Oklahoma Party on the Plaza
Obviously the big party for the annual Red River Rivalry game between Texas and Oklahoma will be a few miles away at the Cotton Bowl, but if you find yourself without a ticket, watching the game on the big screen at AT&T Plaza outside American Airlines Center is a great alternative. Plus, the price — free — is one that can't be beat.
Clint Black in concert
The 51-year-old Clint Black has long been in the semi-emeritus phase of his career. He hasn't released a new album since 2005, choosing instead to put out the occasional compilation set, including this year's When I Said I Do in collaboration with Cracker Barrel. But his voice is as strong as ever, which he'll use to sing his hits at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson.
Sunday, October 13
PBTF Ride for Kids and Cure the Kids Car/Truck Show
If you see a ton of motorcycles on I-35W on Sunday morning, it's all for a good cause, as they'll be riding in the annual Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Ride for Kids. The ride will start and end at Texas Motor Speedway, after which the track will host a car and truck show. Although all of it is free, make sure to open up your wallets a bit to support this charity.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Timon of Athens
One would imagine that even those who fancy themselves experts in all things theater might have a tough time placing exactly where Timon of Athens came in William Shakespeare's writing career. But if you've come this far in Shakespeare Dallas' effort to put on staged readings of all of Shakespeare's works — this is No. 10, by the way — you can't miss this one, taking place once again in Hamon Hall inside the Winspear Opera House.
Yours truly will celebrate its first birthday at the Crow Collection of Asian Art on October 10.
Figure skater Mariah Bell. Getty Images