It's spring break for many people around Dallas-Fort Worth, and even though traveling is a lot of fun, the slate of events going on this weekend is a pretty big enticement for sticking around town.
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, March 13
Spring 2014 CultureMap Social
We love to party with our readers, and if our past events are any indication, this is going to be another memorable one. Drop by The Woolworth in downtown Dallas for special cocktails whipped up by mixologist Mike Hernandez; music from the Danny Church Band; and swag from the likes of The Joule, Exhale Spa and Fluellen Cupcakes.
Elton John in concert
One day after Miley Cyrus took over American Airlines Center, they'll take a squeegee to the place for the arrival of Elton John. He has long since left his own hard-partying days behind him and has now settled into a musician emeritus role. This stop is part of his All the Hits tour, so you know you'll get "Rocket Man,""Bennie and the Jets," "Your Song" and more.
Friday, March 14
2014 South by So What?! Music Festival
If trekking down to South by Southwest is too much of an effort for you, you can stay here and see a ton of the bands right in your backyard. Around 150 bands play on multiple stages set up around the field at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie Friday through Sunday, including headliners The Used, Taking Back Sunday, Bring Me The Horizon, Of Mice & Men and Asking Alexandria.
Spring Break Block Party 2014
The Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and Crow Collection of Asian Art all hold monthly after-hour events, but because spring break is coinciding with this Friday, they're going all out with a full-on block party. Each museum will throw open its doors for special events like concerts, tours and movies, and Flora and Harwood Streets will be lined with food trucks, booths and more.
St. Vincent in concert
The last time we laid eyes on St. Vincent, she was teaming up with the Talking Heads' David Byrne for a memorable album and tour in 2012. Now she's back out on her own promoting her self-titled fourth solo album, which is already her most-popular effort to date after only a couple of weeks in release. She plays at the House of Blues Dallas.
Saturday, March 15
2014 Dallas St. Patrick's Parade and Festival
The annual Dallas St. Patrick's Parade and Festival seems to get bigger every year, with thousands of people lining Greenville Avenue from the parade's starting point just south of Northwest Highway to its terminus at University Boulevard. When it's over, you can also stick around for a concert with Ludacris at Energy Square, although that, unlike the parade, isn't free.
Arts & Letters Live: Dave Barry
If the day is going to start off with the craziness of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, it's probably best to have a low-key evening. Arts & Letters Live at the Dallas Museum of Art is there with a solution, welcoming in humorist and author Dave Barry, who talks about his latest book, You Can Date Boys When You're Forty: Dave Barry on Parenting and Other Topics He Knows Very Little About.
Sunday, March 16
Last chance for theater
There aren't many noteworthy new events going on Sunday, so why see some great theater before it leaves town? I Love Lucy: Live on Stage, playing at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth all week, Dallas Summer Musicals presents We Will Rock You at Music Hall at Fair Park and Out of the Loop Fringe Festival at Addison Conference Centre all wrap up their runs.
Elton John plays at American Airlines Center on March 13.
