Weekend Event Planner

These are the 15 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

It's a huge weekend in and around Dallas, not only with the number of events, but with the quality of them as well. They include a couple of big-name comedians, two concerts (including a co-headlining one for the ages), no fewer than eight separate theater productions, a dinosaur exhibition, rodeo on a massive scale, and a well-known actor in a one-man show.

Below are more 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, March 7

Katt Williams: The Dark Matter Tour
Stand-up comedian, actor, and rapper Katt Williams is known for his insightful, often polarizing material. The once emancipated teenager performs comedy on his own terms, giving an articulate, sharp dialogue that surfaces with names like Trump, Cosby, and NASA, but is rooted in evergreen conversations like politics, race relations, and police brutality - all a mere (and mirror) reflection of the American political landscape. He'll perform on Thursday and Friday at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

Brian Setzer in concert
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Brian Setzer has been at the forefront of the rockabilly genre since his debut as the lead singer of the Stray Cats in 1981. While he's occasionally gone away from that style, especially in his solo work, he's found the most success within it, which is why it's no surprise that this concert is called "Rockabilly Riot!." He'll play at Majestic Theatre in support of his 2023 solo album, The Devil Always Collects.

Rover Dramawerks presents Take the Couch
Natalie and Steve have just returned from taking their last child off to college, but they are not the stereotypical couple suffering from empty nest syndrome. They are ready for some alone time, and Steve has rented some X-rated movies to spice up their marriage. Then the doorbell rings, and their plans for a little romance are thwarted by nonstop visits from their dysfunctional family members, all of which make for a riotous romp of a weekend. The production runs at Cox Playhouse in Plano through March 23.

Uptown Players presents Fire and Air
Fire and Air, a play by acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally making its regional premiere, delves into the tempestuous relationship between two legendary figures in the world of ballet: impresario Sergei Diaghilev and dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. Diaghilev, the founder of the renowned Ballets Russes, and Nijinsky, a groundbreaking male dancer, form a complex bond that intertwines artistic brilliance, personal desire, and the conflicts that arise from the pursuit of artistic excellence. The production, taking place in the 6th Floor Studio Theater of Wyly Theatre, runs through March 17.

Friday, March 8

Jurassic Quest
Jurassic Quest features over 50 ultra-realistic, life-size animatronic dinosaurs. Visitors can interact with these huge creatures, learn about them, and even ride a few. There are also huge T-Rex and Triceratops fossil digs where young paleontologists can uncover long hidden dinosaurs bones, the “Dino Bounce” area with several dinosaur-themed inflatable mazes, face painting, dino crafts, and more. The event takes place in Centennial Hall at Fair Park through Sunday.

The American Western Weekend
The American Western Weekend offers fans a unique choice - to cheer on western sports’ finest, champion athletes, or root for the underdog “Contenders” chasing a $1 million bonus – through every rodeo, roping, and riding effort. The weekend is also big on the music side, as it will feature performances by country music star Luke Bryan and rapper Post Malone. The event takes place on Friday and Saturday at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age
In Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, Cumming covers all the bases: sex, death and bacchanalia, with a set list as eclectic as the man himself. Songs from Cabaret authors Kander and Ebb blend with contemporary favorites and even a self-penned paean against plastic surgery. He also discusses the effects of gravity, the time the mum from The Brady Bunch punched him, and what his dog taught him about the quality of life. He'll put on two performances at Moody Performance Hall on Friday.

The Hopeful Theatre Project presents Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
In the beloved Disney musical Beauty and the Beast, a young woman in a provincial town meets a terrifying Beast who is really a handsome prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his magical household might be doomed for all eternity. The production will have four performances through Sunday at Kalita Humphreys Theater.

Plague Mask Players presents The Taming of the Shrew
This production of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew by Plague Mask Players will be presented in the style of the 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy. The retro aesthetic will both amplify the humor and confront the story’s sexism, bringing out a dissonant twist reminiscent of The Twilight Zone. It will also be presented in Living Black and White, courtesy of Pegasus Theatre, creating the illusion of watching a '50s TV show come to life. The production, part of AT&T Performing Arts Center's Elevator Project, runs through March 17 at Wyly Theatre.

Garland Civic Theatre presents Follies
In Follies, the time is 1971, and theatrical impresario Dimitri Weissmann hosts a reunion of ex-Follies performers in his crumbling theatre, setting the stage for a parade of brilliant pastiche numbers, including "Losing My Mind," "I'm Still Here" and "Broadway Baby." Amid the reminiscing, two middle-aged couples confront some unpleasant truths about their past and present, coming face-to-face with the future. The production runs through March 24 at Granville Arts Center in Garland.

Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas presents Dear Brutus
In Dear Brutus, an eclectic group of guests are invited to an enchanting country house for Midsummers Eve. Their mysterious host, Lob, spins a tale of a mystical forest outside the home where they can find dreams and desires answered. Each with their own problems and each curious as to what their “second chance” at life may look like, the guests wander into the woods and seize the opportunity to explore a parallel version of themselves. The production runs through March 23 at Irving Arts Center.

Saturday, March 9

Photo courtesy of Billy Joel

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will play at AT&T Stadium on March 9.

Eisemann Center Presents: Jackie
In Jackie, actor Kait Haire portrays former First Lady Jackie Kennedy in a powerful and revealing narrative that begins on June 5, 1968, when she receives word of her brother-in-law Robert Kennedy’s assassination. Set in her 5th Avenue New York City apartment, the audience takes a journey with a distressed Jackie who’s wondering how she could possibly live through another great loss. The production will have three performances through Sunday at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Dallas Theater Center presents Every Brilliant Thing
Every Brilliant Thing is a surprising and immersive theatrical experience that speaks openly about depression, mental illness, and suicide. With poignant humor and joy, the production takes the audience on a journey through grief, healing, falling in love, and rediscovering all that life has to give. The production runs through March 24 at Wyly Theatre.

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks in concert
Two of the biggest names in music over the last 50 years will team up for a special co-headlining concert at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Joel, despite being one of the most prolific hit makers of the 20th century, has released relatively few albums in his career - only 14 since his debut in 1971. Nicks has been as proficient as a solo artist as she was as part of the group Fleetwood Mac, releasing eight albums on both sides. They'll both play all their hits, including Joel's first new song in 17 years, "Turn the Lights Back On."

Tom Segura: Come Together Tour
Comedian, actor, and writer Tom Segura is best known for his Netflix specials, Sledgehammer (2023), Ball Hog (2020), Disgraceful (2018), Mostly Stories (2016), and Completely Normal (2014). He also co-hosts the podcast Your Mom’s House with his wife, comedian Christina Pazsitzky, and 2 Bears 1 Cave with Bert Kreischer. He'll perform at American Airlines Center.

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Movie Review

Marty Supreme cements Timothée Chalamet as his generation's movie star

Courtesy

Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also got nominated for an Oscar for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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