Performing arts of all stripes will be featured this weekend in and around Dallas. They include a film festival, four local theater productions, a symphony concert, two dance productions, two opera events, a comedian, and a kids TV show come to life.
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, January 23
Denton Black Film Festival
The Denton Black Film Festival was created to address under-representation in film and media by giving Black stories an audience and Black creatives a platform. Highlights of the 2025 event include opening night film The Spook Who Sat By The Door, the documentary Bastards of Soul, narrative feature Mister Gates, and closing night film Champions of the Mic. Events will take place through Sunday at multiple venues, including Alamo Drafthouse Denton, Campus Theater, Margo Jones Performance Hall, and more.
NTPA Academy presents Freaky Friday
When an overworked mother and her teenage daughter magically swap bodies, they have just one day to put things right again. By spending a day in each other's shoes, Katherine and Ellie come to appreciate one another's struggles, learn self-acceptance, and realize the immeasurable love and mutual respect that bond a mother and daughter. The production, performed by students of the North Texas Performing Arts Academy, will have five performances through Sunday at Willow Bend Center of the Arts in Plano.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Symphonie Fantastique"
Symphonie Fantastique is a work of opulent orchestral colors and effects that tells a “fantastic” story, starring Hector Berlioz himself, besotted with a Shakespearian actress. The passion-propelled story follows the love-sick hero’s drug-induced visions to a glittering ball, the march to the scaffold and a demonic Witches’ Sabbath with the Dies irae pounding out a hair-raising theme amid tumult. Conductor Giedrė Šlekytė makes her Dallas Symphony Orchestra premiere leading Strauss’ "Oboe Concerto," with Principal Oboe Erin Hannigan in the spotlight. There will be four performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Theatre Three presents Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical
Debbie Does Dallas is a lively stage adaptation of the infamous 1978 adult film that follows Debbie Benton, a small-town girl with big dreams of becoming a Texas Cowgirl cheerleader in Dallas. Determined to raise funds for her trip to Dallas, Debbie and her friends embark on a series of misadventures, blending comedy, music, and cheeky humor along the way. This production will take place in the Theatre Too space at Theatre Three through February 23.
Friday, January 24
Art Centre Theatre presents Old Age Ain't for Sissies
A single spotlight on an old man with a guitar and a ukulele opens on a stage in front of an unsuspecting audience. A verbal autobiography that spans over 80 years of living, spiked with some acerbic humor and handmade songs that touch on various elements of life that everyone has or will experience in their lifetimes: Babyhood, childhood, teen angst, marriage, children, jobs, travel, heartbreak, divorce, death, and a multitude of other subjects. The production will have three performances through Sunday at Art Centre Theatre in Plano.
B. Moore Dance presents The Parlor Room
In partnership with vocalist Damon K. Clark, this collaborative production brings together classical music and contemporary works in an intimate setting with a live chamber group. Audiences can step into The Parlor Room and become intrigued in a reimagined world of opulence and creativity, where the ambiance of traditional elegance meets the excitement of contemporary performance. The production, part of AT&T Performing Arts Center's Elevator Project, will have three performances through Sunday at Wyly Theatre.
TITAS/Dance Unbound presents Ballet Hispanico: CARMEN.maquia
Ballet Hispanico’s CARMEN.maquia is a Picasso-inspired contemporary take on Bizet’s beloved classic. The physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and flamenco. With minimalist black-and-white costumes evoking the paintings of Pablo Picasso, the production is highly original and full of elaborate partnering, a bold and electrifying reimagining of the tragic tale. There will be three performances through Saturday at Moody Performance Hall.
Dallas Children's Theater presents Pete the Cat
Pete the Cat thinks life is an adventure no matter where he winds up, so the minute the groovy blue cat meets The Biddles, he gets the whole family rocking. Well, everyone except for young Jimmy Biddle, the most organized second grader on planet Earth. So when Jimmy draws a blank in art class during the last week of school, it turns out Pete is the perfect pal to help him out. Based on the popular Pete the Cat series, the production runs through February 23 at Dallas Children's Theater.
Saturday, January 25
Dallas Opera presents The Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert
The Hart Institute provides training and career support for the next generation of women conductors, to address the gender imbalance that exists at the helm of the world’s opera orchestras. Participants will lead the acclaimed Dallas Opera Orchestra and vocal soloists in several operatic selections - and audiences will get a unique performer’s-eye-view of the conductor. The event takes place at Winspear Opera House.
Drew Lynch: The Faking It Tour
Comedian and actor Drew Lynch gave a Golden Buzzer performance on Season 10 of America’s Got Talent, where he finished in second place. In February 2023, Lynch released his second special, And These Are Jokes. He also appeared in a recurring role in the final season of the IFC series Maron and appeared on TBS’ Conan. He'll perform for one night only at Majestic Theatre as part of his The Faking It Tour.
Sunday, January 26
Wild Kratts Live! 2.0: Active Creature Power!
Wild Kratts Live! is a theatrical stage show based on the hit animated TV series. Stars Martin and Chris Kratt will engage the audience in a classic Wild Kratts story as they activate some fan favorite Creature Power Suits and go “Off to the Creature Rescue!” With the help of the Wild Kratts team - and the audience members - the Kratt Brothers confront a comic villain and help bring the creatures of the animal world to safety once again. There will be two performances on Sunday at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Dallas Opera presents The Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Family Recital: Christian Gerhaher
In a rare U.S. appearance, revered German baritone Christian Gerhaher is joined by his longtime pianist Gerold Huber for this season’s Titus Family Recital. The formidable duo will perform a program featuring lieder by Robert Schumann, a complete survey of which they have recorded to great acclaim. The recital will take place at Moody Performance Hall.
Wild Kratts Live! 2.0 | Active Creature Power! will be at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie on January 26.
