Event planner
Eddie Vedder, Dallas City Lights and Mary J. Blige: The best events in Dallasthis weekend
Eddie Vedder plays the Music Hall at Fair Park November 15.Eddie Vedder/Facebook
The kickoff for Dallas City Lights takes place at Main Street Garden November17.Photo courtesy of Dallas City Lights
Mary J. Blige hits the stage at American Airlines Center November 18.Photo courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
UPDATE: Sorry to say, but Mary J. Blige has postponed her Sunday concert. Whenever she makes her way back to town, we'll let you know.
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We're just a week away from Thanksgiving. And although retailers have been in the holiday mode for some time now, the season is about to kick into high gear. That means that alongside the usual concerts, theater productions and other great events, you have chances to get in the holiday spirit.
Below are your 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, November 15
Eddie Vedder in concert with Glen Hansard
Eddie Vedder is someone who puts his all into his music, whether as the frontman for Pearl Jam or in his solo career. He's making his return to Dallas a little later than expected, as a back injury forced him to back out of his planned gig at the Music Hall at Fair Park in April. He's bringing along Glen Hansard, one half of former group The Swell Season and star/composer of the movie Once.
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents MacHomer
Actor Rick Miller has certainly found a unique niche; he's mashed together Macbeth with The Simpsons and come up with something that can please theater purists and pop culture junkies equally. MacHomer, playing for one night only at Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, has Miller voicing more than 50 Simpsons characters in a truncated version of Shakespeare's classic play.
Friday, November 16
Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain
The juxtaposition between the 5-foot-2 Kevin Hart and the gigantic American Airlines Center is a funny visual, although it's not likely that will make it into Hart's stand-up act. Hart hasn't let his relatively short stature hold him down. He's become one of the best-known comedians in America, packing arenas and starring in movies like Think Like a Man.
The Wallflowers in concert
Dallas has been Dylan central as of late. Bob Dylan came through town just two weeks ago. Now son Jakob, along with his band The Wallflowers, is here to entertain the masses at Palladium Ballroom. The Wallflowers are touring for the first time in seven years, in support of their new album, Glad All Over.
Saturday, November 17
Dallas City Lights 2012
And so it begins. Fully five days before Thanksgiving arrives, you can get into the Christmas spirit as the Main Street corridor in downtown Dallas lights up for the holidays, and Santa Claus himself makes an appearance. Most of the activities take place at Main Street Garden, including the lighting of the signature Christmas tree.
Theatre Three presents Crazy for You
Most theater companies use this time of year to present a holiday-themed production, but Theatre Three is going against the grain with the Gershwin brothers classic, Crazy for You. The musical, playing through December 15, is basically an excuse to put a ton of great Gershwin songs together in one place, from "Someone to Watch Over Me" to "I've Got Rhythm."
Sunday, November 18
The Trains at NorthPark
The trains celebrate 25 years this holiday season, and it's something that kids young and old look forward to every year. As always, the trains take a tour of landmarks both local and national, from Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge to the White House to Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, so your entertainment will also support a good cause. The trains stick around until January 6.
Mary J. Blige in concert with Brandy and Kendrick Lamar
The weekend ends with a performance from "The Queen of Hip Hop Soul" at American Airlines Center. Blige has held that title for 20 years and shows no sign of relinquishing it anytime soon. Expect songs spanning her entire career, with a focus on her latest album, My Life II ... The Journey Continues.
