Music and theater take center stage, often at the same time, in the slate of events taking place in and around Dallas this weekend. There will be two touring musicals, the first local production of an acclaimed musical, a big-name concert in a small venue, a unique show about a racial issues, and three separate music festivals taking advantage of the long Memorial Day weekend.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, May 23
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
In The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical the Greek gods are real, and they’re ruining Percy Jackson’s life. As a son of Poseidon, Percy has newly discovered powers he can’t control, monsters on his trail, and is on an epic quest to find Zeus’ lightning bolt to prevent a war between the gods. An adaptation of the novel by Rick Riordan (which was also turned into a 2010 movie), the production will run at Winspear Opera House through Sunday.
John Oates and The Good Road Band in concert
John Oates, one half of the best-selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, is also an accomplished solo artist. With Hall & Oates all but done recording new music, Oates has released five solo albums over the past 17 years, including 2018's Arkansas. He'll play at The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington with his band, The Good Road Band.
The Firehouse Theatre presents Bright Star
A little less than a year after the Broadway tour of Bright Star came to town, The Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch will present the first local production of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell's Tony-nominated musical. It tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set in motion when literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II. The production will run through June 9.
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical centers on Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, two diabolically charming step-siblings who place a bet on whether or not Sebastian can deflower their incoming headmaster’s daughter, Annette Hargrove. The musical, which features throwback hits by artists like Boyz II Men, Christina Aguilera, REM, NSYNC, and Britney Spears, plays at Wyly Theatre through Sunday.
Friday, May 24
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Haydn the Creation
Haydn’s most famous and enduring masterpiece is at once a deeply personal statement of his faith, and a massive, jubilant hymn of praise. The season-ending concert, highlighting soprano Carolyn Sampson; tenor James Gilchrist; and baritone Joshua Hopkins, will be performed three times through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Saturday, May 25
Sweet Tooth Hotel: Discotech
Sweet Tooth Hotel will present chapter three of their installation series, titled Discotech, which combines electronic music and new media to create interactive audio-visual installations. Guests will put on a pair of silent disco headphones and explore the newly expanded 5,000 square foot space, complete with a bar. The Instagram-able exhibit will be on display in Victory Park through at least September 30.
Oral Fixation presents Freedman's Town to Botham Jean: Stories For Racial Healing
Freedman's Town to Botham Jean: Stories For Racial Healing is a live storytelling show featuring seven diverse Dallasites sharing their true, personal stories about racial tension in Dallas. The storytelling experience, taking place at a different Dallas Public Library branch every Saturday through June 22, will provide historical context and a personal lens to racial tension between blacks and whites in Dallas.
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis in concert
There are lots of husband-and-wife duos who exemplify #CouplesGoals, but Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis belong near the top of any list. They have been married for 22 years, raised four children together, and supported each other's careers, which has included four collaborative albums, including the forthcoming Beautiful Lie, set for release on June 10. They'll play at The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts.
Sunday, May 26
Dallas Museum of Art presents Berthe Morisot: "Woman Impressionist" closing day
Sunday is the final day to see Berthe Morisot: "Woman Impressionist" at the Dallas Museum of Art. Dedicated to one of the founding members of the French Impressionist movement, Berthe Morisot (1841–95), "Woman Impressionist" focuses on the artist’s treatment of the modern figure through approximately 60 paintings from public and private collections around the world.
97.1 The Eagle presents BFD 2019 featuring Shinedown
Hard rock fans will be in heaven once again at 97.1 The Eagle's BFD, taking place at Dos Equis Pavilion. The daylong event will be headlined Shinedown, which released its sixth album, Attention Attention, in 2018. There will also be performances by Seether, In This Moment, Live, Thrice, Bad Wolves, The Glorious Sons, and The Dirty Nil.
Klyde Warren Park presents Memorial Day Music Fest
The first-ever music festival at Klyde Warren Park will feature performances across multiple stages throughout the day and into the night. Performers will include Jonathan Tyler, Blane Howard, Tatiana LadyMay Mayfield, Blacktop Mojo, The Effinays, and more. Between performances, guests can explore vendor booths, play in the family game zone, have their faces painted, and feast on bites from food trucks.
Exodus Music & Arts Festival
Gospel artist Kirk Franklin will host and headline the second annual Exodus Music & Arts Festival, taking place at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving. This festival, which champions the genre of gospel music, will feature performances by Franklin, Fred Hammond, The Clark Sisters, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Travis Greene, Vashawn Mitchell, and Kelontae Gavin.
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical will play at Winspear Opera House through May 26.
