It feels like the theme of the first full weekend in May is philanthropy and fun. Among the events in which you can partake are fundraisers for a theater company, education group, and lemonade makers, as well as a big arts festival, fantastic dancing, and two concerts with recognizable names.
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, May 5
Uptown Players presents 14th Annual Fundraiser: Broadway Our Way
The Uptown divas return for another entertaining weekend of Broadway music with plenty of twists, laughs, and surprises. Playing at Kalita Humphreys Theater through Sunday, the fundraising production will include songs from recent Broadway hits and revivals such as Motown the Musical, First Date, Kinky Boots, and Beautiful, as well as classic favorites like Cabaret, Funny Girl, Sweet Charity, Chicago, The Life, and Guys and Dolls.
Friday, May 6
Big Thought presents Big Night
The inaugural Big Night is a casual, adults-only evening under the stars at the Trinity River Audubon Center that benefits education nonprofit Big Thought. The event features live music by Paradise In the Sun, craft beer and wine, gourmet tapas, a s'mores bar, a student art exhibition, and a 90-minute bird show that includes audience interaction.
Texas Ballet Theater presents First Looks
Texas Ballet Theater's 2015-2016 season comes to a close with First Looks, featuring a trio of performances. Running through Sunday at Dallas City Performance Hall, it will include Without Borders, a world premiere by Val Caniparoli; Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16; and Voluntaries by American choreographer Glen Tetley.
Saturday, May 7
2016 Lemonade Day
On the annual Lemonade Day, kids will have lemonade stands set up all over Dallas and the surrounding area to learn about being an entrepreneur. Some of the larger areas around Dallas that will have stands set up are Highland Park Village and Preston Hollow Village. You can see every Lemonade Day location via this handy map.
Swiss Avenue Historic District Mother's Day Home Tour
Swiss Avenue in Dallas stands as one of the finest examples of an early 20th century neighborhood in the entire Southwest. Its eclectic mix of homes represents virtually every popular residential design style of the day. The weekend-long festivities include a vintage auto exhibit, children's area, live music, and an art fair. For a special treat, enjoy Mother's Day brunch in Savage Park with an advance reservation.
2016 Cottonwood Art Festival
Now in its 47th year, the semi-annual Cottonwood Art Festival is a juried show featuring over 240 artists exhibiting their museum-quality work in 14 different categories. The festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday at Cottonwood Park in Richardson, also features a variety of local bands and other fun activities.
Sunday, May 8
Kris Allen in concert with Luke Wade
Veterans of TV music competitions will collide at The Kessler on Sunday when Kris Allen, winner of season 8 of American Idol, and Luke Wade, who made the quarterfinals of season 7 of The Voice, will perform. Allen is touring in support of his new album, Letting You In, while Wade, who calls Fort Worth home, will soon release a new EP.
Paul Simon in concert
With icons like David Bowie, Merle Haggard, and Prince dying in 2016, we need to appreciate our music legends when they come to town. The 74-year-old (!) Paul Simon is still putting out great work, including the forthcoming album Stranger to Stranger, which makes him even more of a treasure. He will play at Winspear Opera House.
Music legend Paul Simon will play at Winspear Opera House on May 8.
Polish gingerbread at Gourmet European Market.Photo courtesy of GEM