Weekend Event Planner

Final Four and Dallas International Film Festival headline packed weekend of events

There are some weekends where you have to search far and wide for things to do. This is not one of those weekends. Pretty much all you have to do is take one step out your front door and you will be inundated with major events happening all over Dallas-Fort Worth.

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, April 3

Yo-Yo Ma: A Fort Worth Symphony Gala
It's the rare list of top classical music performers that doesn't have cellist Yo-Yo Ma at or near the top. The in-demand musician, making his first appearance with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Bass Performance Hall, is the headliner for the orchestra's annual gala, during which he helps them play an all-Dvorák program.

2014 Dallas International Film Festival: Words and Pictures
The 2014 edition of the Dallas International Film Festival kicks off with this centerpiece screening of Words and Pictures, a romantic drama starring Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche, at Dallas City Performance Hall. The festival goes on to feature more than 170 movies through April 13, with most of the screenings taking place at Angelika Film Center Dallas.

Friday, April 4

2014 Deep Ellum Arts Festival
The Deep Ellum Arts Festival is arguably third on the list when it comes to this weekend's major events, but with its focus on music and art, it definitely serves a different kind of audience than the other two. Hundreds of artists hawk their works in booths lining Main Street in Deep Ellum, while bands and other performers put on shows on five different stages Friday through Sunday.

2014 NCAA March Madness Music Festival
One of many ancillary events associated with the Final Four, this is definitely the biggest, as the three-day festival at Reunion Park features some of the biggest names in music, including Jason Aldean on Friday, Tim McGraw and The Killers on Saturday, and Fun and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band on Sunday. Just be prepared for massive crowds — a free event this big will bring out everybody and their mothers.

2014 ARTsPARK After Dark
A prelude to the main ARTsPARK at NorthPark Center on Saturday, ARTsPARK After Dark is a new event featuring a night full of entertainment and interactive arts activities. Among the performers are the SMU Southern Gentlemen, SMU Belle Tones, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Maguire School of Irish Dance and Rudy Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers.

Saturday, April 5

George W. Bush Presidential Center presents The Art of Leadership: A President’s Personal Diplomacy
Former President George W. Bush has gained notoriety in recent months for his previously unknown artistic skills, painting everything from his dogs to Jay Leno. Now some portraits of various world leaders he did go on display at the George W. Bush Presidential Center as part of this new exhibit, going on through June 3, detailing Bush's time on the foreign stage during his presidency.

2014 NCAA Men's Final Four
Probably 65,000 of the 80,000 fans expected to attend the NCAA Men's Final Four at AT&T Stadium won't have great seats, but when you have one of the world's largest HDTVs right in front of you, the experience is just about being there. In the Saturday semi-finals, Florida plays Connecticut and Wisconsin goes up against Kentucky. The winners face off in the national championship game on Monday.

Sunday, April 6

Perot Museum presents The World's Largest Dinosaurs
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science already has a world-class dinosaur exhibit on display on its fourth floor, so bringing in "The World's Largest Dinosaurs" feels a little like showing off — but in the best possible way. The traveling exhibit, staying at the Perot through September 1, features multiple activities involving sauropods, including a life-size, 60-foot-long Mamenchisaurus.

Karmin in concert
The biggest concert on Sunday happens a few blocks away at Reunion Park, but if you don't feel like braving the masses, seeing Karmin at the House of Blues Dallas is a good alternative. The pop duo have been making waves for a few years thanks to their addictive YouTube videos, and they just released their debut album, Pulses.

Bruce Springsteen is the undisputed headliner at the headliner-heavy March Madness Music Festival, taking place April 4-6 at Reunion Park.

Photo by Jo Lopez

Bruce Springsteen is the undisputed headliner at the headliner-heavy March Madness Music Festival, taking place April 4-6 at Reunion Park.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen