You know it's a big weekend of events when a concert at American Airlines Center doesn't make the cut. No offense to Avenged Sevenfold fans, but when you have a couple of huge local events, multiple other big name concerts and two festivals going on, something has to give.
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 17
Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts presents Blame It on Valentine, Texas
Jaston Williams and Joe Sears have been entertaining Texas theater fans for years with their Greater Tuna series, but with Blame it on Valentine, Texas, Williams goes out on his own, turning to his childhood in the tiny — and real-life — Valentine for hilarious stories about his antics, his parents, neighbors and more. The production will play at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson through Sunday.
Jessie Ware in concert with Mikky Ekko
You may not know who Jessie Ware is yet, but chances are that won't be the case for long. Already hot in her native United Kingdom, she's just beginning to heat up on this side of the pond thanks to the April release of her debut album, Devotion. With a soulful sound similar to Adele, she's bound to gain fans. She'll play at the South Side Ballroom with Mikky Ekko.
Friday, October 18
2013 Index Festival
The second annual Index Festival, taking place at multiple locations in Deep Ellum on Friday and Saturday, showcases a variety of so-called independent bands and artists. National acts like Andrew Bird, Girl Talk and Devotchka and locals like Sarah Jaffe and Telegraph Canyon headline the lineup of 60 bands for two days of non-stop musical ecstasy.
Nasher Sculpture Center presents 'til Midnight - 10th Anniversary edition
This year's Fall Block Party in the Dallas Arts District is more notable than usual, as it coincides with the Nasher Sculpture Center's 10th anniversary. The Nasher will pull out the big guns for their free Friday night celebration, welcoming Somebody's Darling and Alpha Rev in concert. In addition, the return of Aurora: Light of Convergence will light up nearly every corner of the arts district, making for an especially fun atmosphere.
Michael Buble in concert
You won't find more opposite styles of music than the big band/jazz/pop that Michael Buble will bring to American Airlines Center on Friday and the aforementioned metal-fest happening on Saturday night. Buble, supporting his new album, To Be Loved, will pack 'em in thanks to his goofy personality and his retro-yet-still-current set of pipes.
Saturday, October 19
TEDxSMU 2013
The ideas will be flowing from every crevice of Dallas City Performance Hall when TEDxSMU invades the venue with its 2013 edition. Everyone from scientists to journalists to humorists to theater performers will be on hand for what has become one of the more anticipated events on the Dallas calendar. Build up your stamina, though — the all-day event gets started bright and early at 9 am.
2013 Lamar Street Festival
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of what's now known as the South Side on Lamar building, there will be a full-on festival with lots of food trucks, artists lining the streets showing off their wares, tours of the building and music from a variety of local bands, including Erykah Badu, Carolyn Wonderland and Home by Hovercraft.
Boy George in concert with Mark Vedo and DJ Red Eye
The appearance of Boy George in the Dallas area is a rare enough occurrence to warrant celebration, but anyone dreaming of reliving his glory days from '80s as a solo act and as a member of Culture Club may be disappointed, as this concert at the It'll Do Club will strictly showcase his skills as a DJ. He'll be joined by Mark Vedo and DJ Red Eye.
Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Kevin Nealon in concert
Saturday Night Live has ebbed and flowed throughout its 38-year history, but Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Kevin Nealon were three members of one of its strongest casts in the late '80s and early '90s. Each has gone on to varying degrees of fame since then, but they all still know how to bring the funny, as they'll show at the Allen Event Center.
Sunday, October 20
Nasher Sculpture Center presents 10+ Celebration Day
The Nasher Sculpture Center has been stoking the fires for their 10th anniversary celebration and Nasher Xchange project all year long, and their big day has finally arrived. The museum will offer free admission, longer hours and a host of fun activities. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also trek to all 10 Nasher Xchange projects around the city, which will be on view starting Saturday through February 16, 2014. Each Xchange site will also have special opening day activities on Saturday; go to the Nasher site for details.
Wil Wheaton vs. Paul and Storm
Comedy and music will collide when Paul and Storm and actor/writer Wil Wheaton go head-to-head on the stage of Granada Theater. Paul and Storm are a comedy duo behind a series of geek-related happenings, including w00tstock, WookieLeaks and the LearningTown web series. So dig out that Star Trek: The New Generation costume you keep for such occasions and get your nerd on.
Sarah Jaffe will be one of 60 bands at the Index Festival in Deep Ellum on October 18 and 19.
