It's not often that anything other than music or theater headlines the events in Dallas, but this is one of those rare weekends. Three separate events feature big name comedians, with two of them taking place at the second-biggest venue the area has to offer. You can also catch a Tony Award-winning musical or four unique concerts.
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, February 9
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the landmark American musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask. It's a genre-bending, fourth-wall-smashing musical sensation that tells the story of one of the most unique characters to ever hit the stage. Hedwig Robinson is out to set the record straight about her life, her loves, and the botched operation that left her with that “angry inch.” The production is at Winspear Opera House through Sunday.
Improv Addison presents Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia has gone from amateur night at the world-renowned Laugh Factory to headlining around the world. Appearances on In Living Color, The Arsenio Hall Show, Moesha, and An Evening at the Improv eventually led to his own Comedy Central show, Mind of Mencia. He's performing six sets through Sunday at Improv Addison.
Friday, February 10
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Pines of Rome
As part of its Texas Instruments Classical Series, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Pines of Rome, featuring a special appearance by pianist Emanuel Ax. Selections for the concert, playing three times through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center, include Rouse Symphony No. 5, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2, and Respighi's Pines of Rome.
The Comedy Get Down
Unless you live in New York or Los Angeles, you rarely get a chance to see more than one well-known comedian in one night. The Comedy Get Down, taking place at American Airlines Center, offers that opportunity, as comedic legends Cedric the Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, George Lopez, and Charlie Murphy team up for a night of hilarity.
Saturday, February 11
Dashboard Confessional in concert with Vinyl Theater
Given that Florida rock band Dashboard Confessional has not released a full album since 2009's After the Ending, you can be excused if you have forgotten about them and hits like "Hands Down" and "Vindicated." But with a recent band member overhaul and an EP featuring versions of songs by The 1975 and Justin Bieber, they may be on the comeback trail. They play at House of Blues Dallas with opening act Vinyl Theater.
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Denise Lee: From Anna Mae to Tina
Cabaret artist Denise Lee takes you on a journey through the songs that transformed the shy Anna Mae Bullock into the rock legend Tina Turner. The performance follows Turner's career through music and stories of the singer’s rise, struggles, and triumphs. The show take place in Hamon Hall inside Winspear Opera House.
Sunday, February 12
Jeff Dunham: Perfectly Unbalanced
Comic/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, along with his cast of hilarious characters, comes to American Airlines Center as part of his Perfectly Unbalanced tour. Over the past 46 years, Dunham's world famous characters — Walter, Achmed, Bubba J, Peanut, and Jose Jalapeno — have made him one of the most popular comedians in the world.
Sara Watkins in concert
First praised for her work as a founding member of bluegrass group Nickel Creek, multi-instrumentalist Sara Watkins has gone on to an acclaimed solo career. This concert at The Kessler in support of her third album, Young in All the Wrong Ways, will be a unique, up-close, and personal experience with Watkins and her music.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is at Winspear Opera House through February 12.
