You know you live in a great city when you can hit an R. Kelly concert one night and a dark Irish comedy the next. Dallas is just diverse like that, and there's nothing wrong with embracing it.

Below are some widely varying 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 8

R. Kelly in concert with Tamia
Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie is definitely a mixed bag of musical stylings. One week ago the venue hosted Bob Dylan, and now it welcomes the genius behind the "Trapped in the Closet" song and video series. R. Kelly is synonymous with R&B in the 21st century, and he, along with opener Tamia, show you why Thursday night.

Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts presents Broadway's Next H!t Musical
You — yes, you! — can take credit for creating a great musical number if you go to this show at the Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts in Richardson, playing through Sunday. That's because it's actually completely improvised, with the actors coming up with songs, lyrics and even dance moves based upon audience suggestions. Time to update your résumé.

Friday, November 9

Kitchen Dog Theater presents The Beauty Queen of Leenane
Kitchen Dog Theater, which makes its home at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary in Dallas, has long been known for its interesting and sometimes challenging show. The latest is a story set in Ireland, but it's theme is universal — the overbearing mother. This dark comedy, which runs through December 8, may give you a new appreciation for the mother figures in your life, assuming they aren't the ones on which this story is based.

Good vs. Evil: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert
The title of this event is a bit of a misnomer, as chefs Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert are actually good friends. But their reputations precede them. Bourdain is the fiery world traveler while Ripert is the French guy who makes friends everywhere he goes. They talk about their careers and food in general during their session at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.

Saturday, November 10

UPDATE: The White Rock Lake Festival has been canceled because of high winds and a bad weather forecast. It will possibly be rescheduled sometime next year.

2012 White Rock Lake Festival
White Rock Lake is one of the treasures in Dallas, and if you don't get out there as much as you should, make time for this festival. You get to enjoy fare from a bunch of food trucks, listen to music from a series of great local artists, and, best of all, the proceeds go toward beautifying the very lake that's hosting the event.

"Oswald Has Been Shot!" Memories from November 24, 1963
The 49th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy is nigh, and to commemorate that event, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is hosting a panel of people who have firsthand memories of Lee Harvey Oswald being shot two days after Kennedy died. Reading history books is good, but hearing from those who witnessed it is even better.

Sunday, November 11

2012 Travel & Adventure Show
This two-day extravaganza at the Dallas Convention Center, which starts Saturday, is a potpourri of cool stuff to do. There are physical activities like zip lining and rock climbing, presentations from travel celebrities and chefs, and even animals from the Dallas Zoo. You even get to walk on water — sort of — in fun bubble rollers.

Lee DeWyze in concert
Chances are you know the name Lee DeWyze only if you're a fan of American Idol, as he was the winner of season 9 of the reality TV competition. He hasn't had nearly the same level of success as former winners like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, but he's still got loads of talent to put on display in the intimate McDavid Studio at Bass Performance Hall.