It's a throwback kind of weekend in and around Dallas, as multiple events attempt to take you back in time. You can ride in an almost 90-year-old airplane, go back to when the circus was king, celebrate one of the most iconic singers of all time, enjoy visits from cast members of some famous TV shows, sing along to a classic '80s album with a legendary band, look at centuries-old art, or revisit the work of the Bard once again.
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 25
Experimental Aircraft Association presents 1929 Ford Tri-Motor Airliner Rides
Recall the energy, passion, and excitement of the Roaring ’20s by flying aboard the Ford Tri-Motor at Dallas Executive Airport. Known as the first luxury airliner, the Ford Tri-Motor redefined world travel and marked the beginning of commercial flight. All ticket proceeds support the Experimental Aircraft Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the Spirit of Aviation with everyone. The event goes through Sunday.
Dallas Summer Musicals presents Circus 1903
Cirque du Soleil became famous two decades ago for removing animals from the circus, but with Circus 1903, they are back and more beautiful than ever in puppet form. Featuring the most amazing, dangerous, and unique acts from all four corners of the globe, accompanied by the largest-ever performing African elephant, Circus 1903 transports the audience to the golden age of circus. Dallas Summer Musicals presents the show through June 4 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
Friday, May 26
Texas Tribute to Elvis Festival
We are fast approaching the 40th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, and Elvis fans can honor his life and music at the Texas Tribute to Elvis Festival, taking place at Southfork Ranch. Expect a weekend of music, celebrity appearances, on-stage interviews with Elvis’ friends, and an Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest. The festival goes on through Sunday.
Famous Monsters Convention
Famous Monsters has been the leading authority on all things horror, sci-fi, and fantasy for nearly 60 years. The Famous Monsters Convention, taking place at Sheraton Dallas, features the directorial team of Shin Godzilla, a 30th anniversary celebration of Star Trek: The Next Generation with various cast members, and the Lone Gunmen of the X-Files, among others. The convention goes through Sunday.
U2 in concert with The Lumineers
It's been almost eight full years since U2 last had a concert in Dallas-Fort Worth, when they played what was then called Cowboys Stadium soon after it opened in Arlington. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their seminal album, The Joshua Tree, U2 will perform it in its entirety, along with other hits from throughout their career. The stop at AT&T Stadium includes a performance by The Lumineers.
Saturday, May 27
The Elevator Project: Fables & Fairytales from Around the World
As part of the Elevator Project, AT&T Performing Arts Center and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs present Fables & Fairytales from Around the World, featuring Afiah Bey. Bey is a Griot, oral historian, traveling storyteller, musician, poet, and part of the West African traditional story-keepers. Bey is joined at Hamon Hall inside Winspear Opera House by Eldrena Douma, a Pueblo storyteller, and Delilah Buitron, a Spanish storyteller.
Sunday, May 28
Dallas Museum of Art presents "Visions of America: Three Centuries of Prints from the National Gallery of Art" opening day
"Visions of America: Three Centuries of Prints from the National Gallery of Art" surveys how America and its people have been represented in prints made by American and non-American artists between 1710 and 2010. The DMA presents more than 150 outstanding prints from 100 artists such as Paul Revere, James McNeill Whistler, Winslow Homer, Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Grant Wood, and more.
BFD 2017
Get ready for a day full of hard-core rock as iHeartMedia’s 97.1 The Eagle presents BFD 2017, a concert at Starplex Pavilion featuring performances by heavy metal and hard rock bands like Stone Sour, Papa Roach, Three Days Grace, Skillet, the Pretty Reckless, Fozzy, and Dorothy.
The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Sonnets
Over the past five years, Shakespeare Dallas and AT&T Performing Arts Center have presented staged readings of every single one of Williams Shakespeare's works. The 40th and final performance in the series is Sonnets, hosted by well-known Shakespeare aficionado and comedian William Sutton. City officials, arts community, and local celebrities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will participate in the two-and-a-half-hour event reading of all 154 of the Bard’s sonnets at Sammons Park. In addition to the Sonnets readings, the afternoon also includes a pre-show discussion, two intermissions, and a post-show Q&A with cast and creative team.
U2 plays at AT&T Stadium on May 26, along with opening act The Lumineers.
