Weekend Event Planner

Big-name headliners fill the bill for this weekend's best Dallas events

This is a weekend for big-deal headliners in music and comedy — among them a legend who performs for what he says is the final time and two established comedians who really know how to make us laugh.

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 18

2016 Thin Line Festival
The annual Thin Line is a film, music, and photography festival held over five days in multiple venues around Denton. Thin Line delivers an engaging program of high-quality documentary films, world-class music, and a diverse selection of photography. Event venues include Campus Theatre, UNT on the Square, Golden Triangle Mall, Rubber Gloves Studio, and Dan's Silverleaf.

Barry Manilow in concert
The 72-year-old Barry Manilow has been entertaining the masses for more than 40 years, releasing 29 albums over the course of his career, including two in 2014. Manilow plays at American Airlines Center to perform one last time as part of his — you guessed it — One Last Time Tour, Manilow's way of thanking his fans for their undying support through the years.

Friday, February 19

Riverdance 20th Anniversary Tour
Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland, nothing has carried the energy, sensuality, or spectacle of Riverdance. Debuting in 1995, the dancing style has developed into an international phenomenon, in big part thanks to the presence of the legendary Michael Flatley. Flatley has retired, but Riverdance lives on, as you can see at this performance at Allen Event Center.

Improv Arlington presents Jay Pharoah
Saturday Night Live has churned out more than its fair share of comedy stars over the past 40 years, and Jay Pharoah has cemented his place on that list. Pharoah is mostly known for his wide array of uncanny celebrity impressions, including Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Denzel Washington, and Kanye West. He shows some of those and other funny things during his five shows Friday through Sunday at the Improv Arlington.

Saturday, February 20

2016 Mardi Gras Texas Style
In the category of "better late than never," you can celebrate Mardi Gras Texas Style a full 11 days after Mardi Gras actually occurred. The one-of-a-kind music festival features 28 of the hottest Texas county music acts on five stages at the Automobile Building at Fair Park. There is even an after-party featuring Vanilla Ice, who's about as non-country as you can get.

Marlon Wayans in concert
Actor/comedian Marlon Wayans has been a mainstay in the comedy industry for more than 20 years, first as a founding cast member of In Living Color and now for his seemingly never-ending supply of parody movies, including the recent Fifty Shades of Black. Wayans performs at the House of Blues Dallas as part of his Scandal-Less Comedy Tour.

Sunday, February 21

Carly Rae Jepsen in concert with Fairground Saints
Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen burst onto the scene in a big way back in 2011 thanks to the inescapable "Call Me Maybe," a song that made her a big name even before she had truly established herself. Thanks to her acclaimed follow-up album, Emotion, she's now proven that she's no one-hit wonder. She plays at the House of Blues Dallas as part of her first headlining tour, with help from opening act Fairground Saints.

Barry Manilow plays at American Airlines Center on February 18 as part of his One Last Time Tour.

Barry Manilow/Facebook

Barry Manilow plays at American Airlines Center on February 18 as part of his One Last Time Tour.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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