Am I the only one that screamed "Falcor!" at the end of that video? The Red Bull Soapbox Derby race is only ONE of many, many amazingly awesome things going on this weekend: There's a fashion show on a floating runway, the Observer's Brewfest, dogs invading a water park and Pride Weekend. This is one for the record books, and those nerds at the Weather Channel say it won't get hotter than 82 degrees. Perfect. Be a pal and share this list with your party posse, then form a game plan. You'll need one to conquer all of this fun. Oh, and remember to click the event titles for more information. I'll see you out there. (I'll be the one crashing a luck dragon.)
Thursday 9.13 Grand Opening of NYLO -- That swank new space in South Side is inviting you over for a neighborly visit: just don't bring a giant fruit basket or things will get messy. The big party happens Thursday at the decadent new SODA Bar from 7:30 until close (oh, it's free to get in), but if you go early (7:30 to 9) you can snag some hand-passed appetizers down in the lobby. Be a party scavenger; it's why I like you.
Vinyl Thoughts -- It's a vinyl toy collector's fantasy night, with dozens of hand-crafted collectables available for purchase. Now in its third installment, we've come to love this event, hard. It's free to get in, there are drinks, last time spontaneous break dancing occurred and shopping those Munny, Dunnys and other -unny's is just a damn good night. This year it's being held at Life in Deep Ellum, and has added on a Friday event where you can watch superstars of the movement create work live, at ATAMA.
Coco Peru at the Rose Room (Two Nights) -- This queen is serving up some Pride Weekend realness. In from Brooklyn to show us how a Yankee tucks her doodle, this drag show promises east coast glam. Check her out.
RAW: Natural Born Artists at Texas Theatre -- It's a celebration of local talent delivering every art form, from independent film to fashion, and visual art to music. The whole thing takes over the Texas Theatre for a night, so pop on in and get an artful immersion. Four Nights: Four Decades at the Power Station -- I know I sound like a broken record about this, but if you haven't gone to the Power Station for this video art series, call in sick to life and go this Thursday. Each week has been great, and where else will you experience work by highly influential artists of this medium? College maybe, but who wants that? Nobody. There's a beer sponsor and the whole thing is free. Tonight's decade: the 1990s.
Friday 9.14 LOL at House of Blues -- Going down in the White Swan Building at House of Blues, Paul Varghese leads a crew of local misfit comedians in a stand-up throw-down spectacular. Hang with Varghese, Aaron Aryanpur, Jason James, Linda Stogner and Adam Shumate for this 9 p.m. show. Opening Party for Dallas VideoFest -- This festival has been going strong for 25 experimental years! There's a big party Friday, celebrating that milestone with themed rooms, loads of video highlights from fests past and lots of really wonderful creative types. Get a ticket and go. You'll thank me later.
Man With A Movie Camera With Original Live Score by Montopolis -- This 1929 silent film is one of the great works or cinematic art. Also, it's mind-bendingly cool. Austin band Montopolis wanted to give it one, final touch so it created a live musical score, which it'll play live for one night at Texas Theatre. See it, or hate yourself forever.
Opening Weekend for the New Dallas Performance Hall -- It's a party that won't quit. Starting on Thursday, but really hyping up on Friday with separate performances by Sarah Jaffe and the greatest soul/funk band to ever make you testify, The Relatives. While catching those two giant names will cost you a couple bucks, the rest of the weekend is loaded up with free cultural performances, and everyone's getting in on it. Go see our newest space: it's beautiful.
Saturday 9.15 Wags and Waves -- Your dog's dreams are much simpler than yours. They involve hundreds of dogs romping in water -- oh, and you're there! Make that happen on Saturday when NRH20 Water Park celebrates its final day of the season by letting dogs cruise down the lazy river and take over the wave pool. Who let the dogs out? You did. But first you checked and made sure their vaccinations were up to date. (I know that last bit isn't in the jock jam, but it is mandatory for Wags and Waves purposes.)
Dallas BrewFest! -- It's because we love you that we're going to get you plastered. True fact. Here at the Observer we care about your soul, but your liver? That's your territory. Join us this Saturday at ONE GIANT BEER SAMPLING. Last year we had this event at the zoo, but this year we're going high brow and having it in the Arts Districts, right next to all of those museums that you love. Due to the added dose of class, you should probably bring your own monocle. Also, music by Cody Canada and the Departed.
Wakestyle: The Craziest Fashion Show You've Ever Seen -- You'll get to test both Billabong's new Fall line AND the surface tension of water at this runway affair, because the models will parade out on a FLOATING RUNWAY as professional wakeboarders jump around them, performing crazy aerial tricks! Insane. Free. And sponsored by VitaminWater so your hydration is covered. It goes down at Hydrous in Allen.
Red Bull Soap Box Derby Race -- Watch as Dallas' finest groups and businesses, and Ku De Ta (JK. But really K.D.T.: Where's my membership card?) race homemade derby cars and crash into things! It'll be major. Oh, and FREE.
Opening at the MAC -- You can squeeze a little culture into your Saturday, you're not an animal...yet. The McKinney Avenue Contemporary is presenting a new show by photo surrealist painter and local legend, Roger Winter. A former SMU professor of 26 years, Winter molded a lot of minds and shared his passion with many eager students. Five of them will have work in a side-by-side exhibition titled "Under the Influence." This runs from 5:30 to 7:30 and is FREE.
SNAFU at Oliver Francis Gallery -- There are 16 artists (local and national) on the bill for this group show at OFG, including the Mayor's daughter, Michelle Rawlings. Remember her? She presented Photoshopped images of Papa Bear Rawlings in bondage gear last time she was around. Good times. It's FREE and runs from 6 to 10 p.m.
Sunday 9.16 Pride Parade and Festival -- What's that? You can only venture out for brunch after this crazy weekend? Sorry, not happening. This Sunday is the annual Pride Parade and Festival in the gayborhood, so you're going to need to party a little longer. Drape yourself in the rainbow and go support your brothers and sisters over on Cedar Springs. Plus, it's an excuse to dance in the afternoon! "Roustabout" Opens at Webb Gallery -- There is no better day trip than a visit to Webb Gallery, the little outsider art gallery in Waxahachie run by local gurus of fabulous eccentricity, Bruce Lee and Julie Webb. They open a new group show on Sunday and there's music! It's FREE and runs from 3 to 7 p.m.
