Mother's Day weekend has arrived, and if you've procrastinated on finding dear old Mom a gift, we're here to help. This weekend offers great opportunities, including a tour of a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, country star Kenny Chesney at Jerry World, or a diamond hunt in the dirt of Lone Star Park.
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 9
Lexus Broadway Series presents Fela!
The latest Broadway musical to hit the stage at Winspear Opera House is the Tony Award-winning Fela!, a musical about the life of African composer/activist Fela Kuti. Kuti was influential in the rise of the Afrobeat genre, and the show explores both that and his political life. The production runs through May 19.
The Killers in concert with The Virgins
The Killers have come a long way since the halycon days of "Mr. Brightside" in 2003. Like any good band, they've toured incessantly, endearing themselves to fans around the world, especially in the United Kingdom. But they're back on this side of pond at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie in support of their latest album, Battle Born.
Friday, May 10
2013 FLYINGHORSE
Booker T. Washington High School for Performing and Visual Arts is one of the top high schools in the nation, and this event helps to celebrate all the creativity that comes out of it. The fundraiser, which starts at Wyly Theatre before moving to Booker T's theater, features performances by the best the school has to offer and jazz legend Branford Marsalis.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Full Moon Fever: A Tribute to Tom Petty
The title of this concert implies that the Dallas Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to rocker Tom Petty by themselves, but in actuality they are supporting Full Moon Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band. Expect to hear Petty classics like "Free Fallin," "Into the Great Wide Open" and "Last Dance with Mary Jane" when they take the stage at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Saturday, May 11
Summer Adventures in Fair Park
Last weekend was so packed that we completely forgot to include the kick-off of this event, which brings an early bit of State Fair of Texas flavor to Fair Park. Luckily for everybody, the event continues on weekends through May and every day starting in June. In addition to stuff like fair food and midway games, Fair Park is dotted with misters, play pools, water rides and other things to keep you cool as the weather warms up.
2013 Homegrown Music & Arts Festival
This annual festival has gotten bigger and better every year, and its fourth annual edition at Main Street Garden includes not only local talent like The Polyphonic Spree, The O's and A.Dd+, but also bands from around Texas. In all, 15 different bands on two separate stages perform. In between sets, you can visit a variety of booths featuring local vendors.
2013 Jack FM "Jack's Throwback" Festival
It must be tribute-band weekend, as this music fest takes DSO's lead by featuring those who earn a modicum of fame by emulating their musical heroes. Among the 15 bands playing at Gexa Energy Pavilion are Back in Black, Led Zepplica, Joshua Tree, Red Not Chili Peppers and Faux Fighters.
Kenny Chesney in concert with Eric Church, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves
Jimmy Buffett was just in town last weekend, and this weekend his heir apparent comes to town. Like Buffett, Kenny Chesney just oozes laid-back coolness. All of his tours in the 21st century have had some kind of tropical theme, including the current No Shoes Nation tour, and he just released his own rum. Apparently the island atmosphere appeals to a lot of people, as Chesney and his opening acts will take over Cowboys Stadium.
Sunday, May 12
Mother’s Day Diamond Dig at Lone Star Park
What better way to honor Mom on her special day than by having her be a literal gold (okay, diamond) digger on the track at Lone Star Park? The first 500 females 21 and over through the gates get to go crazy for a $2,500 diamond. But even if you don't go home with the booty, you can still enjoy a day of horse racing in the midst of Triple Crown season.
Dallas Children's Theater presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley
The second-to-last Dallas Children's Theater show of the 2012-2013 season is a new one for the company, the Southwest premiere of The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley. We're not exactly sure how they're going to pull off portraying a character who's, you know, flat, but we can't wait to see what they come up with. The show plays through June 3.
Kenny Chesney hits the stage at Cowboys Stadium on May 11.
Figure skater Mariah Bell. Getty Images