Weekend Event Planner

These are the 13 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

This weekend features a nice variety of things to do that will take eventgoers all over the Dallas area. They include a film festival, several theater productions (including a tour of a Broadway musical), three national comedians, the unofficial start of baseball season, a concert from a legendary singer, and more.

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, January 25

Denton Black Film Festival
The Denton Black Film Festival, celebrating 10 years of showcasing Black culture, will showcase cinema created by and/or featuring people of the Black diaspora. Visitors can immerse themselves in some of the best artistic showcases of Black cinema, music, spoken word, art, and more. The festival will go through Sunday at Theatre Denton, and feature a special concert by Kirk Whalum at Margo Jones Performance Hall on January 28. The festival will be extended virtually through February 5.

Broadway Dallas presents Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
An uplifting comeback story like no other, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical is the inspiring journey of a woman who broke barriers and became the Queen of Rock 'n’ Roll, featuring her much-loved songs. One of the world’s best-selling artists of all time, Turner won 12 Grammy Awards and her live shows were seen by millions, with more concert tickets sold than any other solo performer in music history. The production runs through February 4 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Friday, January 26

Prism Movement Theater presents La Maupin: The French Abomination Staged Reading & Workshop
La Maupin is based on the true story of Julie D’Aubigny, bisexual duelist and opera singer who was famous for dueling men and wooing their women. Through a beautiful mix of sword fighting and dance, the show details her almost too incredible to believe exploits, exploring Julie’s journey to find happiness and acceptance as a queer woman way ahead of her time. This event at Latino Cultural Center will feature a reading of the newest draft of La Maupin, followed by a talk back with the audience about the play, which will have its world premiere in July.

Art Centre Theatre presents Stop the Presses
Freedom of the press is threatened when Sleazy Tab Lloyd gains control of The Clarion and stuffs each issue with utter nonsense. Everyone will groan and howl at the jokes. Of course, all ends well when the villain is defeated in the hilarious finale, and Aspen and Jack head down the wedding aisle. The production runs through February 11 at Art Centre Theatre in Plano.

Tim Dillon: American Royalty Tour
Acclaimed comedian and podcaster Tim Dillon is known for The Tim Dillon Show. He has graced both Netflix and Comedy Central with his comedy specials, and also has a new book, Death By Boomers. His unique brand of cultural commentary and satire has established him as one of the nation's top comedic voices. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.

Garland Civic Theatre presents I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, the longest running off-Broadway revue in history, has been revised for the 21st century. The celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as “the relationship.” Through sketches and songs, it explores the journey from dating and waiting to love and marriage, moving into the agonies and triumphs of in-laws and newborns, trips in the family car, and pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. The production runs through February 11 at Granville Arts Center in Garland.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Rajaton Sings Queen"
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will revisit favorite Queen songs with Finnish sensation, Rajaton. The six-person singing group will sing Queen’s greatest hits, including “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “I Want It All,” “Somebody to Love,” “We Are The Champions,” and more. There will be three performances through Sunday at the Meyerson Symphony Center.

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory presents Brian Regan
Stand-up comedian Brian Regan has two Netflix specials, Brian Regan: On The Rocks and Brian Regan: Nunchucks And Flamethrowers. He also starred in his own Netflix series, Stand Up And Away! With Brian Regan, a half-hour series executive produced by Regan and Jerry Seinfeld that combines sketch comedy and stand-up. He'll perform at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

Saturday, January 27

Texas Rangers Fan Fest
The Texas Rangers will present their annual Fan Fest, giving fans their first chance in 2024 to interact with the reigning World Series Champions. The event at Globe Life Field in Arlington will feature autograph sessions with current Rangers players and alumni, photo opportunities with the Commissioner’s Trophy, on-field activities like running the bases, wiffle ball home run derby, bullpen fast pitch, inflatables, and more.

Photo by Kelly Gavin Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers Fan Fest takes place at Globe Life Field in Arlington on January 27.

Eisemann Center for Performing Arts presents Judy Collins featuring the Richardson Symphony Orchestra
Singer Judy Collins comes to Richardson as part of her Wildflower Tour, accompanied by the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Collins has inspired audiences with sublime vocals, boldly vulnerable songwriting, personal life triumphs, and a firm commitment to social activism. The performance will be at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts.

Stavros Halkias: The Fat Rascal Tour
Stavros Halkias is a comedian, actor, and writer originally from Baltimore. He’s a former co-host and founding member of the podcast Cum Town and was a staff writer and regular performer on the MSG network’s late night show, People Talking Sports and Other Stuff. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.

Sunday, January 28

Dallas Museum of Art presents Abraham Angel: "Between Wonder and Seduction" closing day
After almost five months, Abraham Angel: "Between Wonder and Seduction" will come to a close at the Dallas Museum of Art. Assembling nearly all his known surviving works, Abraham Ángel: "Between Wonder and Seduction" introduces U.S. audiences to this legendary artist with the first major survey of his work in over 35 years. During his brief three-year career, Ángel developed a unique artistic style that successfully captured the rapidly changing society and culture of Mexico in the early 20th century.

Dallas Opera presents The Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert
The opera world’s most brilliant young conductors will take the podium for an evening of opera selections featuring The Dallas Opera Orchestra at The Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors Showcase Concert. Dallas Opera's Hart Institute is an artistic and leadership program that builds and advances the careers of women conductors with the talent and drive to pursue major positions with opera companies worldwide. The concert will be at Winspear Opera House.

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Outside Ideas

New podcast series uncovers hidden gems found at Texas parks

Better Outside podcast host Morgan O’Hanlon

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Podcast host Morgan O’Hanlon captures ambient sound from a river.

Outdoorsy Texans have a new way to keep track of conservation initiatives within Texas' parks. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) launched a new podcast on May 21 called Better Outside, available on all major podcast platforms.

A press release promises that listeners will "travel the woods and waters of Texas through an array of awe-inspiring stories about conservation, recreation and the outdoors."

The podcast does mean "travel" in a literal sense, taking listeners out in the field to experience the environments firsthand. They'll have a knowledgeable guide in host Morgan O’Hanlon, who is a senior writer at Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, as well as TPWD executive director David Yoskowitz.

“People are at the core of conservation work in Texas,” said Yoskowitz in the release. “I’m excited for you to hear their voices straight from the field, so they can share why the work they do matters and the impact it makes.”

$David Yoskowitz and Morgan O\u2019Hanlon recording Better Outside podcast$ David Yoskowitz and Morgan O’Hanlon record in the studio as well as in the field.Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)

Some examples of the work featured include creating a new trail across the state, touring an existing park, and restoring bighorn sheep (which were on the brink of being wiped out by 1900) in West Texas. Another episode in the Hill Country follows feral hog bounty hunters. Although well-informed listeners may already know about some of these subjects, the podcast specifically hopes to focus on hidden gems and expanding horizons.

“I love adventure sports and am excited to inspire people to try new, and sometimes scary, things,” said O’Hanlon. “In our episode on the Devils River, I took my non-outdoorsy mom on one of the state’s most feared paddling trips. You’ll hear straight from her about the challenges I put her through — and why she would do it again.”

Better Outside isn't TPWD’s first podcast. It was Under the Texas Sky, which launched in 2019 and followed similar themes, with a notable focus on culture. Some episodes followed the Indigenous history of Texas parks, cowboy poets, and chefs who are involved in sustainable farming and cooking. Under the Texas Sky stopped being made when its host, longtime Passport to Texas radio host Cecilia Nasti, retired.

The new podcast is sponsored by the Austin-based Whole Earth Provision Co., which originally opened in 1970 as a real-life manifestation of the Whole Earth Catalog, and is now a cross between a camping, home goods, and outdoorsy gift store. It operates six locations in total in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas.

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