Weekend Event Planner

These are the 5 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Ray Wylie Hubbard performs as part of the Texas Music Revolution music festival.

Photo by Courtney Chavanell

While the majority of events in and around Dallas have either been postponed or canceled, there are a few that have popped up to offer the masses some entertainment while still adhering to the social distancing necessary during the coronavirus pandemic.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. While they're not all outside of the house, they all promise to provide a nice distraction from the everyday life.

Thursday, July 30

WaterTower Theatre presents I Am My Own Wife
This is the final weekend to stream WaterTower Theatre's production of I Am My Own Wife. Based on a true story and inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright, Doug Wright, over several years, the play tells the fascinating story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, an elegant and eccentric 65-year old German transgender woman who, against all odds, managed to survive both the Nazi onslaught and the repressive East German Communist regime. All ticketholders will have 24 hours after purchase to watch the play.

CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards
The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards is an annual celebration of talent in Dallas-Fort Worth's restaurant and bar communities, as selected by their peers. This year, the event is going virtual for the first time ever. We'll celebrate the nominees and unveil the winners in an awards show streamed on CultureMap. Tickets for the event bring the exclusive Tastemakers experience into guests' homes, complete with bites from featured nominees, complimentary premium beverages, swag, and more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the North Texas Food Bank.

Friday, July 31

Texas Music Revolution 24
KHYI 95.3 The Range will present its 24th annual Texas Music Revolution music festival. In deference to the ongoing pandemic, the two-day festival will now be a drive-in event at Southfork Ranch, with performers singing live on stage while guests watch from their vehicles in designated parking pods. Featured performers include Ray Wylie Hubbard, Chris Knight, Nikki Lane, Walt Wilkins, and more.

Saturday, August 1

Pocket Sandwich Theatre presents Martyn Lucas
Pianist Martyn Lucas will put on a fundraiser to benefit Pocket Sandwich Theatre. To raise money for the theater, viewers can make requests for songs by donations. They can also just enjoy the show as Lucas entertains with music, singing, piano, and conversation.

Sunday, August 2

Shakey Graves in concert
Margin Walker and Texas Lottery will present the next event in the Luck Happens series, a special streaming performance featuring Shakey Graves. Filmed at Enchanted Springs Ranch, this stream will be a cinematic performance from one of Austin's own. There will be opportunities to upgrade to VIP, unlock bonus footage of the band, and more.

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BBQ News

Tom Cruise fulfills vow to eat BBQ in Dallas on Mission Impossible tour

Tribal Cafe

Tom Cruise in Dallas

Movie star Tom Cruise promised he was going to eat BBQ in Dallas and he stood by that vow: While on a tour through Texas to promote his new filmMission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning, Cruise hit Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum on May 22, where he was treated to a spread that included a specially-made sausage.

Pecan Lodge is the perennial Dallas BBQ favorite that opened in Deep Ellum in 2014, known for its smoked brisket and "Hot Mess" loaded baked sweet potato. The restaurant's nods include being featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

The visit was no surprise to Pecan Lodge owner Justin Fourton, who shared in an interview that it had been discussed over a week beforehand.

"You don't believe it at first, and up until today there was a part of me that was like "I don't know if this is gonna happen or not,'" Fourton said in an interview with WFAA. "They had a list of several places they were considering and he had got a couple of personal recommendations and finally made the choice to come to Pecan Lodge."

Cruise's dining companions at the BBQ spot included the founders of Tribal All Day, the juice bar and cafe in Oak Cliff, who shared an Instagram post of a group posing with the actor inside Pecan Lodge.

Cruise was spotted greeting fans as he left the restaurant in a video posted online.

During his time in Dallas for Mission: Impossible, Cruise visited Dallas movie theaters including the IMAX at AMC NorthPark and the Cinemark on Webb Chapel Road. The official premiere for the film is May 23.

San Antonio was the first stop on the actor's tour. He visited Military City on May 22, signing autographs at Joint Base San Antonio before heading to a packed 2 pm screening of Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning at AMC Rivercenter.

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