Almost every event on the list this weekend around Dallas will have another one complementing it. There will be performances by three comedians, two local theater productions, two concerts, and two dance performances, one of which will take place alongside a symphony concert. The one outlier will be the return of a long-running film festival.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, April 18
Roy Wood, Jr.: Happy To Be Here
Comedian Roy Wood Jr. was one of the longest-serving correspondents in the history of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, appearing from 2015 to 2023. During his tenure, Wood used The Daily Show’s brand of satire to shed a light on serious issues like Chicago gun violence, police reform, LGBTQ+ discrimination, ICE deportations and PTSD in the Black community. His recent credits include guest starring roles in Netflix’s comedy series Space Force, AMC’s Better Call Saul, and The Last O.G. on TBS. He'll perform at House of Blues Dallas.
54th Annual USA Film Festival
The 54th annual USA Film Festival will feature 24 separate programs, including tributes to iconic actors and filmmakers, new feature films, and short film showcases. Among the highlights will be tributes to actors Martin Sheen and Billy Dee Williams, both of whom will be in attendance; a 40th anniversary screening of Footloose, with screenwriter/songwriter Dean Pitchford in attendance; actor John Magaro in attendance for his new film, LaRoy, Texas; and more. The main festival will be at Angelika Film Center in Dallas through Sunday, with the Billy Dee Williams tribute on April 26.
WaterTower Theatre presents Satchmo at the Waldorf
Satchmo at the Waldorf is a one-man, three-character play in which the same actor portrays Louis Armstrong, the greatest of all jazz trumpeters; Joe Glaser, his white manager; and Miles Davis, who admired Armstrong’s playing but disliked his onstage manner. It takes place in 1971 in a dressing room backstage at the Empire Room of New York’s Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where Armstrong performed in public for the last time. just four months before his death. The production runs through April 28 at WaterTower Theatre in Addison.
Laufey in concert
At just 24 years old, Icelandic-Chinese-American songwriter Laufey has already been dominating the charts with her first two albums of jazz, R&B, and pop tunes. Her second album, 2023's Bewitched, went all the way to No. 1 on the Billboard Jazz chart, and a respectable showing of No. 23 on the overall Billboard 200. She'll perform the second of two shows at Winspear Opera House, with support from Grace Enger.
Majestic Theatre presents Amy Sedaris
Amy Sedaris is a prolific actress, author, comedian, and rabbit educator who has appeared often on screen, both large and small. Her recent work includes movies like Ghosted and Somebody I Used to Know, and the Disney+ series The Mandalorian. On the heels of appearing at the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin, she'll perform at Majestic Theatre.
Friday, April 19
NTPA Repertory Theatre presents The Producers
In the musical The Producers, a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his mild-mannered accountant come up with a scheme to produce the most notorious flop in history, thereby bilking their backers (all "little old ladies") out of millions of dollars. Only one thing goes awry: the show is a smash hit. The production runs through April 28 at North Texas Performing Arts in Plano.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre presents Rising Excellence
Audiences can get a glimpse into the future of dance with Dallas Black Dance Theatre's Encore company as they present Rising Excellence, which features innovative choreography and performances by some of the most talented emerging artists in the field. DBDT's internationally recognized company members embody the next generation of artistic greatness. There will be performances on both Friday and Saturday at Moody Performance Hall.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Troupe Vertigo
Fusing together elements of cirque acrobatics, classical dance, and contemporary theater, Troupe Vertigo brings audiences on a spellbinding journey through the world of artistic movement. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform a variety of pieces, including Holst's “Jupiter” from The Planets, music from the Pixar film Up, and excerpts from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, while the dancers perform. There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Desi Banks: The Purpose Chaser Tour
Desi Banks is the ultimate triple threat – actor, stand-up comedian, and entrepreneur who's swiftly becoming a household name; known for his razor-sharp wit and hilarious comedic timing. He's toured with likes of Mike Epps, Deray Davis, Kountry Wayne, Gary Owens, Lavell Crawford, and more. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.
Saturday, April 20
Troupe Vertigo will perform alongside the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at Meyerson Symphony Center, April 19-21.
Blue October in concert
Houston rock band Blue October rose from relative obscurity in the late '90s/early 2000s to become one of the bigger groups of their genre in the 2010s, scoring five top 5 albums from 2011-2018. Known best for songs like "Hate Me" and "Into the Ocean," they'll play at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving in support of their 2023 album, Spinning the Truth Around (Part II).
Walk among the treetops at Go Ape!. Photo courtesy of Go Ape!