The first weekend in November features a slate of events where everything is on equal footing. Each event on the below list should be as entertaining as the next, including new local theater, a simulcast of a renowned opera, a tour of a TV show that celebrates bad movies, cycling on open streets in Dallas, an illuminating art experience, and two music legends in concert together.
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, November 1
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Copland's Appalachian Spring
Dallas Symphony Orchestra will present one of the quintessential pieces of American music, Appalachian Spring, in concert with Beethoven’s elegant Piano Concerto No. 2 and Elgar’s beguiling Enigma Variations. The concert, presented four times through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center, will highlight pianist Jonathan Biss, under the direction of Miguel Harth-Bedoya.
Ochre House Theater presents Elwood
Elwood is a musical comedy filled with dazzling spectacle, dance, and original music that spins a tale of a desperate man. Elwood is a recluse who lives in the piney woods who tries to save baby Elvis, who has come under his charge, from nefarious people who want Elvis for themselves. Innocence of a child's love and trust and Elwood's determination to protect baby Elvis at all costs lead Elwood down a road he never expected to journey. The production will run at Ochre House Theater through November 17.
Friday, November 2
Dallas Opera presents Carmen simulcast
The Dallas Opera will present a free public simulcast of the penultimate performance of Carmen by Georges Bizet. The simulcast will take place at Klyde Warren Park, just down the road from the production at Winspear Opera House. The event will include a Carmen costume contest for people and pets, the Tom & Jerry cartoon "Carmen Get It!," trivia contests, and more. The opera will also have one final performance on Sunday.
Second Thought Theatre presents State of Mind
Second Thought Theatre will present State of Mind, an event celebrating Second Thought and gathering support for the award-winning theater company. The event will include entertainment by actor/singer Janelle Lutz, and an appearance by featured guest, director/choreographer Joel Ferrell, who has directed multiple Second Thought productions. The fundraising event will take place at Sammons Center for the Arts.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 30th Anniversary Tour
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live 30th Anniversary Tour will feature, for the first time in 25 years, original host and MST3K creator Joel Hodgson back in the red jumpsuit as Joel Robinson. Alongside new MST3Khost Jonah Heston (Jonah Ray), Joel and the Bots will bring new movies and all new riffs and sketches. There will be two separately ticketed screenings with different movies at Majestic Theatre.
Saturday, November 3
Dallas Bike Ride
Dallas Bike Ride is a closed-road, recreational bicycle event that celebrates bicycling as a form of healthy living, fitness, transportation, and fun. The event features a 20-mile car-free bike ride throughout Dallas. Participants can choose from the full 20-mile course or a shorter 11-mile course. The event will feature on-course music and entertainment, rest stops with snacks and water, and a Finish Festival at City Hall Plaza with music, entertainment, food trucks, and other activities.
Festival at the Switchyard
The City of Carrollton will present the 9th annual Festival at the Switchyard, featuring performances by Stone Temple Pilots, Vertical Horizon, Tonic, and more. In addition to free concerts, the festival at Historic Downtown Carrollton will feature a full day of fun, with live entertainment, rides and games, activities for children of all ages, and an array of food vendors and festival booths for shopping.
Dallas Summer Musicals Gala: An Evening with the Best of Broadway
Dallas Summer Musicals will present its annual gala, An Evening with the Best of Broadway. The event will feature actors Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison, famed for their work in the musical-comedy television series Glee, renowned Broadway performer Shoshana Bean, and other surprise special guests. The event, taking place at the Music Hall at Fair Park, will raise funds for the non-profit Dallas Summer Musicals.
Aurora: Future Worlds
Immersive and engaging, Aurora is an expansive free public art event that transforms downtown Dallas into an open-air, urban playground of new media art. With installations of light, video, and sound presented in unexpected places, the sunset signals the transformation of the city into one of the nation’s largest outdoor exhibitions. The event centers on the iconic I.M. Pei-designed Dallas City Hall and stretches throughout Dallas.
Simple Minds in concert
Contrary to what you may think, the career of Simple Minds did not begin and end with their only No. 1 hit, "Don't You Forget About Me," from The Breakfast Club soundtrack. The Scottish duo is still releasing new music 40 years into their career, putting out their 19th album, Walk Between Worlds, this past February. They'll play at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.
Sunday, November 4
Flying Steps presents Flying Bach
Flying Bach, which stars Germany’s four-time world champion Flying Steps breakdance troupe, interprets the music of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “The Well-Tempered Clavier." The show combines Bach’s classical masterpiece with modern electronic beats and clever choreography. There will be two performances at Majestic Theatre.
Stephen Stills and Judy Collins in concert
Fifty years ago, singer-songwriter Stephen Stills met singer-songwriter Judy Collins, and their tumultuous love affair would be immortalized by Stills with his composition “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” The two icons of folk are touring for the first time together, playing music from their rich catalogs and their new album, Stills & Collins. They'll play at The Theatre at Grand Prairie.
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 30th Anniversary Tour will have two shows on November 2 at Majestic Theatre.
Padel39 co-founders Will and Naomi Boyce.Photo by Juan J Valdes 
Padel39 courts and lounge areas at a location in Austin. Photo by Josh Graziadei 