Although there is a lot going on around Dallas this weekend, no one event stands above the rest. Choices include four different local theater productions, four concerts, a celebration of an iconic movie composer, a ballet production, a parody by two famous drag queens, and art exhibitions.
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, February 16
Lyric Stage presents Aida
Lyric Stage celebrates Black History Month with Elton John and Tim Rice’s Tony Award-winning Aida. Based on the Verdi opera of the same name, the epic tale of love, loyalty, and betrayal chronicles the story of an enslaved Nubian princess, Aida, who finds her heart entangled with Radames, an Egyptian soldier who is betrothed to the Pharaoh's daughter, Amneris. The production runs through Sunday at Majestic Theatre.
P1Harmony in concert
The worldwide success of K-Pop band BTS has opened the floodgates for the genre, as multiple other bands have started touring the United States in hopes of achieving their own dream. The latest is P1Harmony, a six-member boy group that's been around for less than three years, but is now on their fifth EP, including three that were released in 2022 alone. They'll perform at the Music Hall at Fair Park in support of their latest EP, Harmony: Set In.
Kitchen Dog Theater presents Man Cave
In Man Cave, Imaculada gathers her friends in a fortress-like mansion belonging to her absent employer, a wealthy Republican Congressman. Together the four women convert his luxurious basement man cave into their own spiritual war room and protective sanctuary from the violence of men, both real and supernatural. The production runs through March 5 at Trinity River Arts Center.
Friday, February 17
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "A John Williams Celebration"
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will pay loving tribute to the legendary John Williams, who just notched his 53rd Oscar nomination for The Fabelmans and wrote a new ESPN anthem for the TCU-Georgia football national championship. Led by conductor Damon Gupton, the DSO will perform selections from the multi-Oscar winner's iconic catalogue, including Schindler’s List, Harry Potter, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Star Wars, Jaws, Jane Eyre, Born on the Fourth of July, and more. There will be three performances through Sunday at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Avant Chamber Ballet presents Alice in Wonderland
Katie Puder’s Alice in Wonderland first burst onto the stage in 2013 in an explosion of color, stage magic, and inventive choreography. Alice encounters a cast of extraordinary and instantly recognizable characters, from the highly strung Queen of Hearts to a playing card corps de ballet, a sinuous caterpillar and a nutty Mad Hatter. There will be three performances through Saturday at Moody Performance Hall.
Trixie and Katya Live
Thelma and Louise. Romy and Michelle. Trixie and Katya. Trixie and Katya Live is a parody homage to the classic girls’ road trip buddy comedies from the '90s and 2000s to today, from drag classics To Wong Foo and Priscilla, to Crossroads and Barb and Star, presented as an outrageous and absurd comedic musical drag show spectacular. They'll perform at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie.
Theatre Frisco presents Side by Side by Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim was a leading composer of musical theater over the last 50 years. In this award-winning revue of his early work, some of the most unforgettable songs from the master are presented in one magical evening. The production features music from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, alongside classics written with musical theatre giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, and Richard Rodgers. The production runs through March 5 at Frisco Discovery Center.
Colter Wall in concert
Colter Wall is a Canadian singer-songwriter with a deep and knowing voice. He started learning guitar at the age of 13, playing the music of rock bands such as AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. He later moved on to folk music, placing equal importance on crafting songs as well as carrying older songs into the present day. He's released three albums in his career, most recently 2020's Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs. He'll play at The Factory in Deep Ellum.
Saturday, February 18
Papa Roach and Falling in Reverse in concert
That the co-headlining tour by Papa Roach and Falling in Reverse is called "Rockzilla" tells you all you need to know, as it will be a monster night of rock music. Papa Roach are the elder statesmen of the concert, having been around since 1993. They're not just relying on their old hits, though, as they released their 11th album, Ego Trip, in 2022. Falling in Reverse has released four albums in their career, but they're touring in support of their new EP, Neon Zombie. They'll play at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory.
Cara Mia Theatre presents To DIE:GO in Leaves, by Frida Kahlo
To DIE:GO in Leaves, by Frida Kahlo is a production inspired by Kahlo’s paintings and biography. The result is a journey through the lifetime of Mexico’s most famous painter and a worldwide icon. The play tells a story as much through movement and imagery as dialogue. Performances in English and Spanish will be performed in repertory, with six performances in English and five in Spanish. The production runs through March 12 at Latino Cultural Center.
Kem and Ledisi in concert
R&B legends Kem and Ledisi will perform at Texas Trust CU Theatre at Grand Prairie as part of their The Soul II Soul Tour. Kem has released six albums in his career, most recently 2020's Love Always Wins. Ledisi has released 12 albums in her career, most recently 2021's Ledisi Sings Nina. They'll be joined by special guest Musiq Soulchild.
Sunday, February 19
Kitchen Dog Theater presents Man Cave at Trinity River Arts Center through March 5.
Dallas Museum of Art opening and closing
Sunday is moving day at the Dallas Museum of Art, with one exhibit opening and another closing. Opening is "Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools: 300 Years of Flemish Masterworks," a traveling exhibition that introduces over 130 works of art from The Phoebus Foundation’s rich collection of Flemish artwork that illustrate the remarkable developments in art production that took place in Flanders from the 1400s through the 1600s. Closing is Matthew Wong: "The Realm of Appearances," the first museum retrospective and U.S. museum exhibition devoted to the late painter Matthew Wong, featuring approximately 60 paintings created by Wong during his short yet prolific career.
