You can get a little bit of everything with the slate of events in and around Dallas this weekend. You can get a little mystery from a new theater production and a master magician. You can get a little culture with an outdoors classical music concert and a ballet production. You can enjoy music from yesteryear at three different concerts. Or you can learn how to volunteer at a special event.
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 31
Dallas Theater Center presents White Rabbit Red Rabbit
White Rabbit Red Rabbit is a lively, global sensation that no one is allowed to talk about. The actor who will perform this play has never seen it. In fact, there is a new actor every performance, and they’ve only been told what is absolutely necessary. Slyly humorous and audaciously pointed, this theater entertainment meets social experiment is unlike anything, and will make you question everything. The production will run at Wyly Theatre through July 1.
David Blaine Live
Death-defying magician David Blaine, known for his exceptional fusion of magic and stunt work that is unlike any other modern-day performer, will bring his mind-blowing tour to the Music Hall at Fair Park. While other magicians astound with their sleight-of-hand, Blaine's trickery is more about him being willing to do physical things that others would never attempt.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents 2018 Parks Concerts
As part of their annual Parks Concert series, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform an outdoor concert at Timberglen Park. Led by Assistant Conductor Ruth Reinhardt, the DSO will put on a program featuring light classics, patriotic tunes, and other popular fare. Make sure to bring your blankets and chairs and settle in for an evening of music under the stars.
Friday, June 1
Texas Ballet Theater presents Swan Lake
Texas Ballet Theater will close its 2017-2018 season with Swan Lake, featuring orchestral accompaniment. This classic tale of a mischievous sorcerer, Von Rothbart, and his spell on Princess Odette is one performed by companies around the world, but Stevenson’s Swan Lake is condensed into two acts instead of four. The production will have five performances through Sunday at Winspear Opera House.
Paul Simon in concert
For over 50 years, Paul Simon has been entertaining the masses, first as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel and then as a solo artist. Now 76, Simon is bringing his touring days to an end with his Homeward Bound — The Farewell Tour, which is making a stop at American Airlines Center. You can expect to hear many of his hits, including "The Sound of Silence," "Mrs. Robinson," and "You Can Call Me Al," among others.
Kitchen Dog Theater presents New Works Festival
Kitchen Dog Theater will present its 20th annual New Works Festival, offering an expanded series of nine staged readings over three weekends. Showcasing some of the newest and most exciting voices and visions in contemporary theater, the winning plays are selected from almost 850 annual submissions from around the globe. The festival will take place at Trinity River Arts Center through June 17.
Saturday, June 2
VolunteerNow presents Voly in the Park
Voly in the Park is a volunteerism festival featuring hands-on volunteer projects, live entertainment, and 75 nonprofits in need of volunteers. Presented by VolunteerNow at Klyde Warren Park, it includes onsite activities like creating pet enrichment toys with the SPCA of Texas, creating “junk art” with Keep Dallas Beautiful, hanging out with a mini horse from Equest, building homeless kits with OurCalling, and more.
The Polyphonic Spree in concert with Medicine Man Revival
Shows by The Polyphonic Spree are not as plentiful as they used to be, so it's always great when you have another opportunity to see them live. And it's even better when you get to see them for free, which is what will happen with this concert in the Box Garden at Legacy Hall in Plano. They'll be joined by another hometown band, Dallas' Medicine Man Revival.
Poison and Cheap Trick in concert
It'll be a night of throwback music at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving when Poison and Cheap Trick co-headline this concert. Poison, which will have its original lineup intact, has released seven albums in its career, with the latest being 2007's Poison'd! Cheap Trick is still giving its fans new music, releasing both a regular album and Christmas album in 2017.
Dallas Theater Center presents White Rabbit Red Rabbit at Wyly Theatre through July 1.
Cowboys fans were out in full force.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Tailgating is all about the food.Photo by Ashley Gongora
An array of beverages ensured guests had fun all night.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Buffalo shrimp and blue cheese grits from McRae's American Bistro & Cocktails won the best dish of the night.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The silent auction inspired competitive bidding.Photo by Ashley Gongora