This weekend in and around Dallas features some big names both on and off stage. There will be a famous violinist, a trio of theater productions, including a national tour, a couple of big name comedians, a well-known burlesque artist, a tribute to a classic soul singer, celebrities hawking alcohol, and a children's movie festival.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, January 19
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Pinchas Zukerman
Pinchas Zukerman reigns as one of today’s most sought-after and versatile musicians. He is renowned as a virtuoso, admired for the expressive lyricism of his playing, singular beauty of tone and impeccable. At this concert, he will play and conduct Beethoven’s Concerto in D major and Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations. There will be four performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Broadway at the Center: Legally Blonde
Legally Blonde: The Musical is the ultimate Broadway tribute to Girl Power. Witness the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, sexism, snobbery, and scandal in pursuit of her dreams, and proves that you can be blonde and still the smartest person in the room. This sassy musical moves at a breakneck pace driven by memorable songs and explosive dances. The production will have four performances through Saturday at Winspear Opera House.
Improv Addison presents Maz Jobrani
Comedian Maz Jobrani is a founding member of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour. He has had two Showtime specials, Brown and Friendly and I Come In Peace. He is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, and released the book, I’m Not a Terrorist but I’ve Played One on TV, in 2015. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Addison.
Theatre Three presents The Elephant Man
John Merrick, an intelligent and friendly man shunned by Victorian-era society and called a “freak” due to his skin and bone disorders, is found abandoned. Under the care of physician Frederick Treves, Merrick begins to slowly evolve from an object of pity to an urbane and witty favorite of the aristocracy and literati, only to be denied his ultimate dream – to become a man like any other. The production runs through February 19 at Theatre Three.
Friday, January 20
Mainstage Irving - Las Colinas presents Ada and the Engine
Jane Austen meets Steve Jobs in Ada and the Engine, a poignant pre-tech romance heralding the computer age. As the British Industrial Revolution dawns, young Ada Byron Lovelace (daughter of the flamboyant and notorious Lord Byron) sees the boundless creative potential in the “analytic engines” of her friend and soul mate Charles Babbage, inventor of the first mechanical computer. Together, they envision a whole new world where art and information converge - a world Ada might not live to see. The production runs through February 4 at Irving Arts Center.
Dita Von Teese: Glamonatrix
Dita Von Teese comes to Dallas as part of her tour, Glamonatrix, a full evening of comedy and sophisticated striptease celebrating diverse beauty and individuality. Far from being a typical burlesque show, Dita elevates and modernizes the classic 1940s variety show in an inspiring and uplifting way. The performance will be at Majestic Theatre.
Eisemann Center presents The Music of Sam Cooke: A Change is Gonna Come
The Music of Sam Cooke: A Change is Gonna Come depicts the life and music of one of America’s most iconic and talented performers, the legendary Sam Cooke, featuring singer Bradd Marquis. Cooke pioneered soul by melding elements of R&B, gospel, and pop into a sound that was new and still coalescing at the time. His pioneering contributions to soul music led to the rise of Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and popularized the likes of Otis Redding and James Brown. The performance takes place at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson.
Saturday, January 21
Total Wine & More presents Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul of Dos Hombres Mezcal
Breaking Bad co-stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul had since a good time working together on that classic series that they wanted to keep collaborating after the show ended in 2013. They co-founded Dos Hombres Mezcal in 2019, and since then have made appearances around the country in support of the brand. They will appear at Total Wine & More in Dallas to engage with fans, share their passion for mezcal, and sign bottles of their signature spirit.
39th Annual KidFilm Family Festival
The USA Film Festival presents the 39th annual KidFilm, a two-day event featuring screenings of both classic and new live-action feature films, short film adaptations of beloved children books, and appearances from authors Peter H. Reynolds and Paul A. Reynolds. All programs, including screenings of The Wizard of Oz and 2019's Alfons Jitterbit - Class Trip Chaos, are free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The festival takes place at Angelika Film Center Dallas on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sam Morril: The Class Act Tour
Sam Morril is one of today’s fastest rising stand-up comics. Throughout his career, he has performed multiple sets on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late, Late Show with James Corden, and Conan. He’s also had stints on Last Comic Standing, America’s Got Talent, @midnight with Chris Hardwick, and Inside Amy Schumer. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.
The musical Legally Blonde will play at Winspear Opera House four times through January 21.
