This weekend in Dallas is as eclectic as you get, with everything from tennis to heavy metal concerts to celebrating the French on the docket. You also might want to stock up on sunscreen, as many of the events will have you enduring triple-digit heat.
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 11
World Team Tennis: Texas Wild vs. Orange County Breakers
World Team Tennis, a coed league in which each set is played in a different single or doubles format, has existed in one form or another for 40 years. But this is the first time the league has had a team in the Dallas area, with the Texas Wild playing their inaugural season at the Four Seasons Resort in Las Colinas. The team, led by doubles stars Bob and Mike Bryan, plays for the first time at home this week and end its very quick season on July 24.
Spank! The Fifty Shades Parody
There was no more talked-about book over the past couple of years than Fifty Shades of Grey, thanks to its not-so-subtle attempt at arousing mostly female readers. Not surprisingly, others have been quick to ride its coattails, including the makers of Spank!, which satirize the book in four shows at Majestic Theatre.
Friday, July 12
Megadeth in concert with Slash, Black Label Society, Device, HELLYEAH and Newsted
The concerts at Gexa Energy Pavilion so far in 2013 have been heavy on country and pop music, so it's about time those who prefer something a little harder get a chance to enjoy a show. They get a big opportunity here, as 97.1 The Eagle holds its annual BFD fest, headlined by Megadeth and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.
Summerland Tour 2013: Everclear, Live, Filter and Sponge
Fans going to this concert may find themselves a little confused at first, as the venue previously known as Palladium Ballroom is putting on its first concert since changing its name to South Side Ballroom, partly to honor the surrounding neighborhood. Whatever its name, it's still one of the better live music venues in the area, as visitors will see when it hosts this quartet of '90s bands.
Saturday, July 13
The Sixth Floor Museum 2013 Living History Series: Buell Wesley Frazier
The Sixth Floor Museum has been commemorating the upcoming 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy all year long, and the latest guest may be the most compelling yet. Buell Wesley Frazier worked with Lee Harvey Oswald at the Texas School Book Depository, drove him to work on that fateful day and witnessed the assassination. He discusses his role in this special event.
John Mayer in concert with Phillip Phillips
John Mayer has had a lot of recent drama in his life, whether it was trying to recover from career-threatening throat surgeries or his off-and-on relationship with Katy Perry. But he's finally getting back to what he does best, going out on tour in advance of his upcoming sixth album, Paradise Valley. He's joined at Gexa Energy Pavilion by American Idol winner Phillip Phillips.
Alamo Drafthouse presents outdoor screening of Dazed and Confused
The excitement over the upcoming opening of Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson gets ramped up with the first of four Rolling Roadshows to be held in the theater's parking lot. In addition to watching the classic movie under the stars, enjoy an outdoor pinball arcade, a muscle car show and a DJ playing the best in '70s rock.
Sunday, July 14
2013 Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Lovers of Asian film get their niche scratched at this eight-day festival at Angelika Film Center Dallas, with 55 screenings featuring films from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Asian-American filmmakers. The centerpiece film for the festival, which runs July 11-18, is Drug War, a Chinese thriller making its Southwest premiere on Sunday night.
2013 Bastille on Bishop
Celebrating Bastille Day, France's national holiday, may seem like a stretch for people in Dallas, Texas. But the Bishop Arts District has embraced the tradition the past few years, taking to the streets to eat mussels cooked by top area chefs, enjoy accordion music, ogle French cars and, of course, drink plenty of French wine.
John Mayer plays Gexa Energy Pavilion with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips on July 13.
Walk among the treetops at Go Ape!. Photo courtesy of Go Ape!