This mid-August weekend is another music-heavy one, with no fewer than five different must-see concerts on the docket. Even if those don't float your boat, you won't lack for quality entertainment.
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, August 15
Kidd Kraddick Public Memorial
Just under three weeks after Kidd Kraddick suddenly passed away, there will finally be a public memorial for him in AT&T Plaza, just outside American Airlines Center. Ben Folds, one of Kraddick's favorite singers, will perform. A Concert for Kidd's Kids featuring the Jonas Brothers and Jason Derulo, among others, will immediately follow the memorial at House of Blues Dallas. For anyone who can't get in, the concert will simulcast on the big screen at AT&T Plaza.
Heart in concert with Jason Bonham
It's long been acknowledged that Ann and Nancy Wilson, otherwise known as Heart, are living music legends, but that was made official this past April when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They're far from living in the past, though; they're touring in support of their 14th album, Fanatic, which came out in 2012. They'll play at Gexa Energy Pavilion with Jason Bonham as opening act.
Friday, August 16
Dallas Arts District Late Night Parties
It's time yet again for the monthly late night events at the three Dallas Arts District museums. The Dallas Museum of Art will have mystery-themed activities all night, including gallery tours and movies. Nasher Sculpture Center will feature a concert by Calhoun and a screening of Three Amigos. And the Crow Collection of Asian Art will have Asian beer samples and karaoke, among other things.
Lil Wayne, T.I. and 2 Chainz in concert
This concert featuring three hip hop heavyweights is called America's Most Wanted Festival, and even though that's probably to portray a tough-guy image, it's also apropos for them as musicians. Lil Wayne, T.I. and 2 Chainz consistently top the Billboard albums chart, and T.I. is even part of arguably the song of the summer, Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines." The three frequent collaborators will show off their skills at Gexa Energy Pavilion.
Saturday, August 17
Keith Urban in concert with Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch
Apparently a glutton for punishment, Keith Urban recently re-signed for a second season as judge on American Idol, even though the first go-around resulted in some of the show's lowest ratings. He's currently working on an ambitious new album, Fuse, which will be released on September 10. You can expect to hear a bunch of new songs and old favorites when he plays at Gexa Energy Pavilion with Little Big Town and Dustin Lynch.
My Bloody Valentine in concert
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and there's no truer musical example of that than My Bloody Valentine. The band recorded only two albums in the early '90s, but the second - Loveless - has been proclaimed one of the best albums of all time. No surprise, then, that the recent release of their long-awaited third album, m b v, was met with near universal praise. For those not in the know, you can see what you've been missing at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie.
Sunday, August 18
The Sixth Floor Museum presents The American President: Photographs from the Archives of The Associated Press
Sunday marks the official opening of the Sixth Floor Museum's latest attempt to honor the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. This exhibit, which will remain on display at the museum through October 27, showcases candid pictures of JFK and multiple other presidents taken by Associated Press photographers.
The Vampire Diaries Official Convention 2013
While there are lots of popular television shows on the air today, not many of them inspire the type of fandom that leads to holding conventions around the country. The CW's The Vampire Diaries is one such show, and its semiannual convention comes to Dallas for the first time, stopping at the Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport. Sunday is the day to go, as lead stars Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley will be on hand. Nina Dobrev, unfortunately, will be a no-show for the entire convention.
Fans of Kidd Kraddick can gather for a public memorial at AT&T Plaza outside American Airlines Center on August 15.
