As we reach mid-September — already?! — we find a good mixture between indoor and outdoor events, including one that can be experienced both inside and out. With temperatures expected to be at the lowest point in months this weekend, we highly suggest you take advantage of the events taking place in the open air.
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, September 11
Dallas Theater Center presents The Rocky Horror Show
When most people hear Rocky Horror Show, they think of the 1975 film starring Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. But the original stage version is on display for the next month at Wyly Theatre as Dallas Theater Center kicks off the 2014-2015 season with sweet alien transvestites, killer rock music and outrageous humor. You can do the Time Warp again through October 19.
Friday, September 12
Kings of Leon in concert with Young the Giant and Kongos
It's been six years since Kings of Leon hit their high point with the album Only by the Night, which included the hits "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody." Although their past two albums, including 2013's Mechanical Bull, have both sold pretty well, neither has produced hits of that level. You can see if they've still got it when they play at Gexa Energy Pavilion alongside opening acts Young the Giant and Kongos.
2014 Dia de los Toadies
Fort Worth originals The Toadies host their seventh annual music festival at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. This year features two days of performances, with Friday being an almost fully acoustic concert with the Toadies and Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller, followed by a full day of rock on Saturday with bands like Ume, Quaker City Nighthawks and Somebody's Darling.
Saturday, September 13
Act Like A Success featuring Steve Harvey
Actor/comedian Steve Harvey has built his own mini-empire over the past decade, using his unique perspective to dole out advice on relationships, life and more. This event at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie features Harvey talking about his just-released book, Act Like a Success, Think Like a Success, with help from special guests Lisa Nichols and Patrice Washington.
Aziz Ansari: Modern Romance Tour
Those few of us who know and love Parks and Recreation are sad that it will be ending soon, but you can get a little bit of that Parks flavor when star Aziz Ansari packs 'em in for a stand-up show at American Airlines Center. The comedian must be doing something right, as he upgraded from his appearance last year at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.
2014 Dallas Symphony AT&T Gala featuring Itzhak Perlman
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is taking a page out of the Dallas Opera's book and simulcasting their annual season-opening gala to the masses at Klyde Warren Park. Those inside Meyerson Symphony Center get an up-close look at master violinist Itzhak Perlman playing with the DSO, while those outside are treated to fireworks following the concert.
Sunday, September 14
Gay Pride Theater Festivals
The official gay pride day in Dallas is Sunday, September 21, but you can get started a bit early by attending one of two LGBT-themed theater festivals. TeCo Theatrical Productions' inaugural PlayPride LGBT Festival, which started last week, features six playwrights competing to win money for charity. The fourth annual Uptown Players Pride Performing Arts Festival is nine days of plays, cabaret performances and more.
TeCo's festival runs Friday through Sunday at Bishop Arts Theatre Center, while Uptown's fest takes place at Kalita Humphreys Theater through September 20.
Dallas Theater Center presents The Rocky Horror Show at Wyly Theatre through October 19.
