By pure coincidence, this weekend in Dallas events can be split exactly in half. If you're into theater and the arts, you'll want to head out on Thursday and Friday. If you're more into music and pop culture, Saturday and Sunday have what you're looking for.
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, March 7
TeCo Theatrical Productions presents 11th Annual New Play Competition
The Dallas theater scene is never at a loss for talented playwrights, and this competition at Bishop Arts Theatre Center in Oak Cliff exemplifies that. TeCo Theatrical Productions presents six plays by seven playwrights Thursday through Saturday, with the winner announced Sunday night. The winner receives a $1,000 cash prize and bragging rights for 2013.
Performing Arts Fort Worth presents Million Dollar Quartet
We talked last week about the everlasting appeal of Elvis Presley, and, lo and behold, this week brings another example. Million Dollar Quartet is a Tony Award-winning musical based on a famous recording session involving Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins in 1956. The jukebox-style features songs by all four singers, although not the exact ones featured in the recording. The show plays at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth through Sunday.
Friday, March 8
2013 Out of the Loop Fringe Festival
Every year, WaterTower Theatre puts on the Out of the Loop Fringe Festival to give lesser-known theater and dance companies a chance to showcase their talents. The 10-day festival kicks off Thursday night with WaterTower's own entry, The Ugly One, but goes into full gear over the weekend with a variety of plays, dance performances, improv comedy, poetry and more. The festival goes through March 17 at Addison Conference Centre.
Nasher Sculpture Center presents New Music at the Nasher
There are plenty of venues where you can listen to classical music in the Dallas Arts District, from Meyerson Symphony Center to Dallas City Performance Hall. But if you prefer your cellos and pianos a bit more intimate, the Nasher Sculpture Center hosts monthly concerts that not only let you get up close and personal with musicians, but also hear new works by talented composers as well. This session, dubbed "Counterpoint and Invention," features cellist Jay Campbell and pianist Conor Hanick.
Saturday, March 9
Vaden Todd Lewis in concert with Will Johnson
Vaden Todd Lewis is Dallas music royalty, as he's been part of two groups — the Toadies and the Burden Brothers — that have defined rock music in the region for the last 20-odd years. Lewis flies solo for this show at The Kessler, playing an acoustic set a la MTV Unplugged. Opener Will Johnson is no stranger to these parts either, fronting the Denton alt-country band Centro-Matic.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in concert
Breathe deep, children and teenagers of the '90s — Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is celebrating its 20th anniversary. If you haven't followed the group since its heyday in the mid-'90s, you may be surprised to find out that the band has remained active for most of those 20 years. Bone Thugs will release its first new album in three years, The Art of War: World War III, this coming May, so expect a mix of new and old songs at House of Blues Dallas.
Sunday, March 10
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Joan Rivers
Joan Rivers made her name by never holding back in her stand-up routines, a style that's earned her as many detractors as supporters. She still knows how to raise hackles, given the blowback on her recent Heidi Klum/holocaust joke after the Oscars. But anyone who's bought a ticket for this show at Winspear Opera House is no stranger to her cutting remarks, so they're likely prepared to laugh uncomfortably at Rivers' shtick.
Aesop Rock with Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, Busdriver and Billy Woods
Macklemore may be the hot white rapper of the moment, but Aesop Rock has been the king of underground rapping for more than a decade. He's currently on tour in support of his seventh album, Skelethon, which came five years after his biggest success, None Shall Pass. He plays the Granada Theater alongside friends/collaborators Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, Busdriver and Billy Woods.
Joan Rivers hits the Winspear Opera House on March 10.
Cowboys fans were out in full force.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Tailgating is all about the food.Photo by Ashley Gongora
An array of beverages ensured guests had fun all night.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Buffalo shrimp and blue cheese grits from McRae's American Bistro & Cocktails won the best dish of the night.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The silent auction inspired competitive bidding.Photo by Ashley Gongora