If you're looking for more than fireworks this Fourth of July weekend, you've come to the right place. Live music abounds around Dallas-Fort Worth, including two co-headlining concerts, a country music extravaganza, the start of a classical music festival and an appearance by some big Latin pop rockers.
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, July 2
Dallas Holocaust Museum presents Ground Zero 360: Never Forget opening reception
Aside from the obvious date in September, there may be no better time for the Dallas Holocaust Museum to open a Ground Zero exhibit than Fourth of July weekend. Honoring the victims and first responders of the attacks on 9/11, the exhibit displays the work of Nicola McLean, a New York-based Irish photographer who captured powerful images in the days following the attacks. The photos are on display through August 25.
Friday, July 3
Billy Bob's Texas Fourth of July Picnic
Willie Nelson may have moved his annual Fourth of July picnic back down to Austin this year, but Billy Bob's Texas has put together its own enviable country music festival. Over two days, the likes of Merle Haggard, Ryan Bingham, Green River Ordinance, Chris Stapleton, American Aquarium, Turnpike Troubadours, Jerry Jeff Walker, Hayes Carll, Corb Lund and Shinyribs take the indoor and outdoor stages.
David Gray and Amos Lee in concert
England and the United States come together for a special soul-inflected concert co-headlining David Gray and Amos Lee at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie. Gray comes back to town for the second time in a year in support of his 2014 album, Mutineers, while Lee is touring in support of his latest album, Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song.
Saturday, July 4
Dallas Winds presents A Star-Spangled Spectacular
There's just something about the Fourth of July that can get you in the mood to hear some classical music. The Dallas Winds oblige with its annual Star-Spangled Spectacular concert at Meyerson Symphony Center, at which the group plays the most patriotic wind band tunes in an endless parade of dazzling musicianship.
Third Eye Blind and Dashboard Confessional in concert
Co-headlining tours are all the rage during the summer, and this one, pairing two turn-of-the-century bands, will surely draw its fair share of fans. Third Eye Blind, which recently released its fifth album, Dopamine, and Dashboard Confessional, which hasn't put out any new music since 2009, plays at South Side Ballroom, both hoping to regain some of their former glory.
Sunday, July 5
Fine Arts Chamber Players presents Basically Beethoven Festival
A month full of concerts from Fine Arts Chamber Players honoring the work of Ludwig van Beethoven starts on Sunday at Dallas City Performance Hall. The first one features performances from rising star clarinetist Ridge Garner, pianist Anastasia Markina and a feature performance by Texas Camerata. A new concert takes place every Sunday in July.
Mana in concert
Since being formed in the late 1980s, Latin pop rock group Mana has been one of the most successful Mexican bands ever. The group has earned four Grammys and seven Latin Grammys, among a host of other awards. Now they play at American Airlines Center in support of their latest album, Cama incendiada.
Mana performs at American Airlines Center on July 5.
