Event planner

West Side Story and the Fort Worth Stock Show top the best events in Dallas this weekend

One of the underrated benefits of living in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is the quality of the theater scene. Top-quality venues are natural attractions for national tours, and a plethora of local theater companies ensure that hardly a day goes by without at least a few interesting productions taking place.

That's certainly the case right now, as theater dominates this week's best events. Below are your 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, January 17

Performing Arts Fort Worth presents West Side Story
West Side Story is one of those musicals that will never go out of style, even though its history goes back 55 years and counting. Part of that is the fact that the original production and subsequent movie both earned multiple awards, but mostly it's that the songs — "Tonight," "I Feel Pretty" and "Somewhere" — are timeless. The national tour stays at Bass Performance Hall through Sunday.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Nat Geo Live: Robert Ballard
You may not know the name Robert Ballard, but you know what he's accomplished. He's done extensive work on ocean floors around the world, most notably discovering the wreckages of the Titanic and the Bismarck. He tells the audience at Winspear Opera House about those adventures, as well as his tireless work that continues in places like the Mediterranean and Atlantic.

Friday, January 18

2013 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
Fort Worth loudly and proudly proclaims itself to be Cowtown, so it's no surprise that one of its biggest annual events is the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. With the focus on the livestock shows, demonstrations and the rodeo, with a carnival/midway as a sideshow, it's almost like the State Fair in reverse. The cattle extravaganza lasts until February 9 at Will Rogers Memorial Center.

TITAS presents The Joffrey Ballet
Showing off the variety of its programming, the Winspear Opera House hosts one of the country's preeminent ballet companies two days after a talk about deep sea diving. The Joffrey Ballet performs Le Sacre du Printemps (Rite of Spring), a classic by choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky that is celebrating its 100th anniversary. They perform Friday and Saturday night.

Saturday, January 19

Los Lobos in concert
For a 40-year-old band, Los Lobos has remained remarkably consistent. It's had the same main four members for nearly its entire existence, and its reign as the top Chicano rock band has been unchallenged since the mid-1980s. They don't have any new material out now, so you're guaranteed to hear a bunch of the classics at two separate shows at The Kessler.

Dallas Theater Center presents King Lear
The first Dallas Theater Center production of 2013 is actually a co-production with Rhode Island's Trinity Repertory Company and the final one of the Shakespeare series, which has included Henry IV and The Tempest. They are sure to make great use of the space inside Wyly Theatre, giving the tragedy of King Lear extra oomph. The play runs through February 17.

Sunday, January 20

Addison Theatre Center presents Zero
If you came across a man talking to himself on a street corner, you'd likely avoid him or ignore him. But you won't want to do either of those things when Danny O'Connor inhabits the personas of six different characters in his one-man show, ironically called Zero. The play, which runs at Addison Theatre Centre through February 9, also serves as a benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Danny's brother Robert, who co-wrote the show.

Uptown Players presents Broadway Our Way 2013
Speaking of shows for a good cause, Uptown Players puts on their annual fundraising show, Broadway Our Way. A send-up of a variety of Broadway shows past and present, this year's version pits Uptown's men and women against each other. The show runs through January 27 at Kalita Humphreys Theater.

Dallas Theater Center presents King Lear at Wyly Theatre through February 17.

Stephen Berenson and Brian McEleney in King Lear, presented by Dallas Theater Center

Photo by Mark Turek

Dallas Theater Center presents King Lear at Wyly Theatre through February 17.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen