Spend Saturday night in the Design District Head to the West Dallas haven of fine art for a few gallery exhibition openings. At Red Arrow Contemporary, catch a modern exploration of printmaking in the latest exhibition Stay Up All Nite, featuring the work of Austin art collective, Industry Wrecking Crew. Then, head to Laura Rathe Fine Art for Night in White, a celebration of photographer George Krause. Other openings include Holly Johnson Gallery's opening of Otis Jones and Bret Slater and Circuit 12 Contemporary's opening of Lagoon by Lucas Martell.
Thursday, June 26
Legendary Locals of Oak Cliff Dallas has been tuned into Oak Cliff for the past few years, in large part because of the gentrification of the Bishop Arts District. Suddenly distinctions like North Oak Cliff and the rise of the culinary arts prove valuable for real estate companies who develop a neighborhood that many might argue was already a vibrant place to live. For decades this area of Dallas has given rise to the likes of Stevie Ray Vaughan, T-Bone Walker, and other names equally recognizable and influential in music, sports, religion, politics and more. These people and their stories fill the aptly titled book, Legendary Locals of Oak Cliff by Alan Elliot, Patricia K. Summy and Gayla Brooks. The authors will discuss and sign copies of their book at the North Oak Cliff Branch Library (302 West 10th Street) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The event is free. More information at dallaslibrary.org.
:Pure Duration: This weekend Jeff Gibbons and Gregory Ruppe continue their three-week experimental film series. These piece are only viewable at night from the streets of Expo Park at Beefhaus (885 Exposition Ave). Stop by from 9 - 11:55 p.m. Here's the artist statement: " : the hallucinations of bugs makes it hard to concentrate / flying all around my head and disappearing where my clothes meet my skin / i swat at them and people think i'm insane / i probably smell like fruit :" Read more here.
This Land is Your Land We think it's about time we acknowledged NorthPark Center as one of the city's hidden treasures. This shopping mall/walking art exhibition plays hosts to artists that would make many city museums blush. Recently the work of Iván Navarro took over the mall, in the form of three water tower structures titled This Land is Your Land. The installation is on view Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. from now until May 2015 on Level One of NorthPark. For the next year, every time a lady who just dropped a grand on a Fendi clutch will feel the plight of the American immigrant on her way to grab a latté with the girls. More info at northparkcenter.org.
Friday, June 27
Les Miserables The musical about a man whose life was changed by a small act of thievery takes the stage in a very different way at the Dallas Theater Center starting this weekend. It's a total re-telling of the original musical -- for example, the rotating stage is gone -- and we're betting on it being better than ever before. Catch pay-what-you-can night at 8 p.m. Friday or another night starting at $15. For show times and details, visit dallastheatercenter.org.
CinéWilde Mixmaster film writer Travis Box says::" BIG JOY: The Adventures of James Broughton is a documentary about a man viewed by some as a quintessential West Coast bohemian and by others as a dead ringer for that aging creative writing professor who was always a little too eager to dispense shoulder massages. Sure to be an entertaining evening whether you find yourself inspired or good-naturedly rolling your eyes at Broughton's particular brand of Om Ah Hum Beat verse and full frontal nudity. As with all of CinéWilde's meticulously curated screenings BIG JOY will be accompanied by several bonus events including a pre-show forum at 8:30 PM and an after party featuring readings, music, and an open mic for anyone who wants to contribute to the festivities. Tickets are $10. Visit www.thetexastheatre.com."
Saturday, June 28
Dogs & Dogs: Deep Ellum Pup Party Celebrate the dog days of summer at kettle Art Gallery from 2-6 p.m. Saturday with an afternoon dedicated to the pooch in your life. Hang out with your pup in an art gallery when The Upper Paw brings treats, Wild About Harry's hot dogs, and get your pet portraits from Darlene Schaper. Free treat-packed backpacks for the first 75 pups, courtesy of The Upper Paw.
Susan Sleaze Fest & VHS Swap Perhaps the most off-beat item on this list, Total Twit & THRWD Present Susan Slease Fest & VHS Swap, an art punk video fundraiser for the nu-cinema piece LAZY SUSAN! [Sponsored by VHShitfest and Adjust Your Tracking: The Untold Story of the VHS Collector]. If you've been looking for something to do with your old copies of childhood VHSes, head to this swap at 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by djs and a few bands. More info.
Queerbomb Modeled after similar celebrations in cities like Austin, QueerBomb Dallas' inaugural party at Julius Schepps Park at 8 p.m. Saturday is like no other LGBT celebration ever has in Dallas. Before a proud procession from the park into Deep Ellum, local speakers will present an open-mic forum where people can air thoughts on social justice. After, the fancy-pants, but still free, QueerBomb Ball will be hosted at whimsical venue The Quixotic World (2824 Main St) to celebrate the lives and identities of gay, lesbian, transgender, gender non-conforming, and bisexual people of all ages and all stripes. More information at Queerbombdallas.org.
I'm (Moving on/Alright) Dr. Robert Milnes' work exemplifies the versatility and expressiveness of ceramics; his pieces play with color and form, combining philosophical themes with influences drawn from Native American traditions, early Chinese and Japanese pottery, and Mayan carvings. His latest exhibition, I'm (Moving on/Alright) at Cohn Drennan Contemporary, 4118 Commerce, opens with a reception at 6 p.m. Saturday and continues through July 26. More information at cohndrennancontemporary.org.
Sunday, June 29
Asleep at the Wheel It shouldn't make you sad that kids these days haven't heard of Bob Wills. After all, they're the ones missing out. One of Texas' greatest musicians, he gave the world Western swing and most of his music is just one Youtube search away. But if you feel it's your duty to educate the young ones, grab a few whippersnappers and head to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden at 8:15 p.m. Sunday for Roy Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, the nine-time Grammy winning band that pays homage to the greatness of Wills. Tickets start at just $18, so you'll still have plenty of cash for beer. More information at fwsymphony.org.
The Museum is History The Dallas Museum of Art airs out its vaults for its latest exhibition of over thirty works, spanning from the 1950's to the 90s'. Gavin Delahunty, the DMA's new Hoffman Family Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, selected staples of the museum's collection as well as some more obscure pieces for this showing. See The Museum is History will be on the walls until Nov. 16 and admission is free. For more information on the exhibit visit dallasmuseumofart.org.
