Whether you love it or hate it, it'll be impossible to ignore WWE's annual WrestleMania this weekend, as it'll take over multiple venues around Dallas-Fort Worth in a manner similar to the Super Bowl or college championship games. If that's not your cup of tea, rest assured we have many other choices for you.
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 31
WrestleMania Axxess
Leading up to the main event on Sunday, fans can indulge in all things WWE courtesy of WrestleMania Axxess at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Thursday through Sunday, fans will have unprecedented access to meet their favorite WWE Superstars, Divas, and Legends through a host of interactive fan experiences, including autograph signings and live NXT matches.
Sarah Jaffe in concert with Sam Lao
The appearance of Sarah Jaffe at the Granada Theater on Thursday is a double-edged sword. On the plus side, it's yet another chance to see this amazing musician in an intimate setting as she tours in support of her 2015 EP, Visions. On the other side, after having worked with the likes of Norah Jones, Eminem, and Pixar, we were sure Jaffe would have been given more opportunities to move onwards and upwards. The rest of the world's loss is Dallas' gain.
Friday, April 1
2016 Deep Ellum Arts Festival
The Deep Ellum Arts Festival, celebrating its 22nd anniversary, is expanding by shifting three blocks east to now begin at Malcolm X Blvd and end at Exposition Hall, outside the iconic Sons of Hermann Hall, which will also serve at the Festival’s new headquarters. There will be more than 200 juried fine artists showcasing their work and more than 100 musical performances on multiple indoor and outdoor stages over the course of three days.
Nasher Prize Dialogues featuring Doris Salcedo
The news that artist Doris Salcedo had won the inaugural Nasher Prize came months ago, but with Nasher Sculpture Center holding a gala dinner in her honor on Saturday, there will also be a couple of related events. The Dialogues event at Booker T. Washington High School will feature Salcedo talking about her artistic philosophy and practice, while Nasher Prize Community Day on Sunday will allow the public to view her work and experience other activities related to the prize.
Uptown Players presents End of the Rainbow
Uptown Players begins its 2016 season with the regional premiere of the 2012 Tony Award-nominated musical, End of the Rainbow. The production is a savagely funny drama, set during Judy Garland's "comeback" concerts in December of 1968. The show features an ensemble of Garland hits and is infused with the glamour and the melancholy of stardom. It will play at Kalita Humphreys Theater through April 17.
Saturday, April 2
National Videogame Museum Opening Day
When we profiled the men behind the National Videogame Museum in Frisco back in November, it seemed that museum's opening was imminent. It took a little bit longer than they had hoped, but the museum will officially open its doors on Saturday, allowing the public to see its vast collection of more than 100,000 videogame consoles, games, and artifacts from the past and present.
WWE 2016 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
WrestleMania week continues with the WWE's annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at American Airlines Center. In a bid to branch out from hardcore wrestling fans, the WWE has gotten in the habit of honoring celebrity inductees like Pete Rose, Drew Carey, Mike Tyson, and Arnold Schwarzenegger. This year's celebrity inductee will be Snoop Dogg, and breast cancer survivor Joan Lunden will also receive the second annual Warrior Award.
Let’s Dance The Tour 2016
One of the biggest earworms of 2015 was Silentó's "Watch Me (Whip / Nae Nae)," with the song and accompanying dance being the very definition of viral. If you still have it in your head, you'll want to attend this concert at South Side Ballroom, where Silentó will perform alongside other dance music singers such as iLOVEMemphis, DLOW, We Are Toonz, and 99 Percent.
Sunday, April 3
WWE WrestleMania 32
The ultimate event for wrestling fans, WWE WrestleMania 32 hopes to break an attendance record by taking over AT&T Stadium. All of WWE's biggest stars will be facing off in the preordained matches, including Triple H, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Shane McMahon, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, and more.
WWE heavyweight champion Triple H will be among the wrestling stars "fighting" at WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium on April 3.
