There are two themes to the best events in Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend. One, of course, is the holiday season, as nearly every featured event revolves around celebrating it in one way or another. The other is make-up events, as the ice storm this past weekend forced the postponement of a couple of significant outings.
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, December 12
Lexus Broadway Series presents The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
It's not a holiday show, but theater lovers are still getting a gift with the national tour of the Tony Award-winning Porgy and Bess. Set to the timeless music of Ira and George Gershwin, it's an epic romance that features songs like "Summertime," “It Ain’t Necessarily So” and “I Got Plenty of Nothing.” The production plays at Winspear Opera House through December 22.
Our Productions Theatre Company presents Sweater Curse: A Yarn About Love
Arts and media journalist Elaine Liner has been writing about the Dallas theater scene for a long time, and now she's about to become a part of it. Her debut play weaves together her obsessions with knitting, great literature that mentions knitting, old movies in which Bette Davis knits, and the knotty problems of romance. It plays at MCL Grand Theater in Lewisville through Sunday.
Friday, December 13
Klyde Warren Park Ice Skating Rink
The ice brought on by Winter Storm Cleon should be mostly gone by Friday, which means it's the perfect time for Klyde Warren Park to introduce its long-anticipated ice skating rink. It's actually not ice; it's a synthetic surface called Super-Glide that acts like real ice, which means you can skate in both cold and warm weather. The rink is open every day through January 31.
Reliant Lights Your Holidays 2013
Okay, let's try this again. The first attempt at starting a new holiday tradition in the Dallas Arts District was postponed due to the ice storm, but all systems are go for this Friday. Expect lots of family-friendly activities, including a snow park on top of the reflecting pool in Sammons Park, along with lighting of 250,000 LED lights and a fireworks display.
Ricki Derek's A Merry Little Christmas Show 2013
Local crooner Ricki Derek has been paying homage to the classic jazz/big band sound for years, and this show brings back the feeling of the old Bing Crosby Christmas specials. Derek and a few special guests play two shows at the Scat Jazz Lounge on Friday before bringing their act to Dallas on Saturday for two shows at Lakewood Theater.
Saturday, December 14
Perot Museum of Nature and Science First Anniversary Celebration
It's only been a year since the Perot Museum of Nature and Science first opened its doors, but it's become so ingrained in Dallas that it feels like it's been here much longer. The museum hosts a special event in its outdoor plaza featuring music, cake and an encore performance by the dance troupe BANDALOOP, who memorably scaled the building at its opening.
Christmas in the Stockyards 2013
Another event postponed due to weather, the annual Christmas in the Stockyards at the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards celebrates the holidays the cowboy way. Expect a Cowboy Santa, pony rides, chicken roping, petting zoo, caroling, Fort Worth Herd Cow Camp, holiday parade and, of course, a Christmas tree lighting.
The Women's Chorus of Dallas presents Baby It's Hot Outside
The Women's Chorus of Dallas wants to get your mind off of the recent freezing temperatures with the beach-themed Baby It's Hot Outside. Joined by the Les Amis String Quartet at Dallas City Performance Hall, they put a warm spin on holiday classics and other works.
Sunday, December 15
Richardson Theatre Centre presents Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge
Dallas Theater Center is presenting the traditional version of A Christmas Carol, but Richardson Theatre Centre has gone in another direction with this play. In this version, the ghosts spur on Scrooge a little too quickly, as he arrives at the Cratchits' house while Mrs. Cratchit is in a flurry preparing for the holidays. The comedy runs through December 29.
Lone Star Wind Orchestra presents Joyful and Triumphant: A Holiday Concert
Some of the most talented youth musicians the area has to offer are on display at this concert presented by the Lone Star Wind Orchestra. The LSWO Youth Winds and J.J. Pearce High School Wind Ensemble play a variety of music at Dallas City Performance Hall, from holiday favorites to rousing classical pieces.
Ricki Derek presents his annual Merry Little Christmas Show at the Scat Jazz Lounge on December 13 and Lakewood Theater on December 14.
Leela's Holiday House is really three different festive destinations. Leela's/Facebook