Another September weekend in Dallas, and another one where music dominates the landscape. Every day brings one big name or another in settings as diverse as the intimacy of The Kessler to the great outdoors of Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth.
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 12
Fun in concert with Tegan and Sara
Fun was undoubtedly one of the "it" bands of 2012, riding high on the success of songs like "We are Young" and "Some Nights." As could be expected, things have quieted down a bit for them in 2013, but that doesn't mean they won't put on a hell of a show when they stop by Gexa Energy Pavilion. They are joined by opening act Tegan and Sara.
Lucinda Williams in concert with the Kenneth Brian Band
Lucinda Williams is one of those singers who's a star without really being a "star." In country circles, she's as respected as anybody in the business, even though she has never had the drawing power of other performers. Her self-titled debut album is one of her most acclaimed, and she performs it in its entirety at Annette Strauss Square, with the Kenneth Brian Band as opening act.
Friday, September 13
Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley in concert with Brett Eldredge, the Cadillac Three and the Jukebox Mafia
Gexa Energy Pavilion has at times seemed to be Billy Bob's East thanks to the parade of country stars who have graced its stage in 2013. With the outdoor venue's season coming to a close soon, it's only appropriate that two more big stars, Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley, team up for another celebration of the genre. They are joined by Brett Eldredge, Cadillac Three and Jukebox Mafia.
Dallas Theater Center presents A Raisin in the Sun
Dallas Theater Center has been known for elevating the art of theater in the Dallas area, and they attempt to do so again with A Raisin in the Sun, the first production of the 2013-2014 season. The groundbreaking play about a black family that moves into a white neighborhood plays at Wyly Theatre through October 27. It runs concurrently with Clybourne Park, a pseudo-sequel, in October.
CitySquare presents A Night to Remember featuring Diana Ross
This annual fundraiser for CitySquare, a group that works to fight poverty in Dallas, has previously drawn big names like B.B. King, Steve Martin and Bill Cosby for entertainment. The charity has done it again this year, nabbing R&B/soul legend Diana Ross as the headliner for the gala at Winspear Opera House. The 69-year-old Ross will ensure the event lives up to its promise to be a night to remember.
Saturday, September 14
2013 Dia De Los Toadies
Although the first two Dia De Los Toadies were in the general vicinity of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the annual festival had been a central Texas mainstay until this year, its first at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth. The festival starts on Friday with an acoustic set led by the hometown Toadies, but things kick into high gear on Saturday when bands like Gary Clark, Jr., Eisley and The O's perform.
Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell in concert with Rhett Miller
Emmylou Harris has been associated with Rodney Crowell from the beginning of her career, recording one of Crowell's songs, "Bluebird Wine," on her debut album, Pieces of the Sky. Thirty-eight years later, the two are still working together, recently putting out an album of duets, Old Yellow Moon. They play at Majestic Theatre with Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller as opening act.
Sunday, September 15
Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade 2013
It's time once again to celebrate gay pride in Dallas. Uptown Players has been putting on a Pride Performing Arts Festival for the past week, and now the main events take center stage, with both the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade down Cedar Springs Road and the Festival in the Park at Robert E. Lee Park taking place on Sunday. This year's grand marshals are Cece Cox and Robert Emery.
Jimmy Webb in concert with Grace Pettis
Jimmy Webb may not have the cachet of some of the other musicians in Dallas this weekend, but he's had as big an impact as any of them, writing classic songs like "Up, Up and Away," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park." He's a great singer of his own right, and he comes to town in support of his 2013 album, Still Within the Sound of My Voice. He's joined by opener Grace Pettis.
Fun graduates to the big stage at Gexa Energy Pavilion on September 12.
