5 Things to Do, August 1-5

What do we want? To take a break from watching politicians on television! When do we want it? Now! The couch can wait; the headlines will still be there tomorrow. And don’t worry, we even threw some political history into our daily suggestions for this week to make the transition a bit easier. 

Path to the Presidency
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, August 1
George W. Bush Presidential Center
2943 SMU Blvd.
$17

We’ve watched a lot of talking recently. There have been so many proclamations. There has been mud slung. And there were so, so many balloons. But there’s a lot more than talking and big, bold statements that goes into achieving the highest position in the United States. Presidential campaigns are multi-faceted forces of wonder. Yes, even the bad ones. Landmark campaigns in history are the focus of the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s special exhibit, Path to the Presidency. This seems an incredibly appropriate time to go and revel in how campaigns have changed over the years. Maybe buy some balloons after your visit. Check out bushcenter.org for details.

Patina Green Home and Market’s Preservation Cooking Class
6 p.m. Tuesday, August 2
Luscombe Farm
8649 Luscombe Farm Drive, Anna
$85

There’s that clash of feelings you get when you go to a restaurant and the seasonal menu has changed: Part of you completely respects the place for spotlighting ingredients that are growing and at their best right now, while part of you is super pissed and unapologetically sad that your root veggie hash or whatever isn’t immediately available. But here’s the thing: You can learn skills that can make the seasons — or, at least, their ingredients — last all year, and from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Patina Green Home and Market is going to show you how with a preservation-themed cooking class. You’ll need to throw down $85 for a ticket (if they’re still available; if not, check out the rest of their awesome classes), before you head to Luscombe Farm in Anna. The ticket includes teachings on techniques like pickling and smoking, and other ways to extend the life and value of food. Tastings will be served, as well as wine and iced tea. Visit patinagreenhomeandmarket.com.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s Circus Xtreme
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 3
American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave.
Tickets start at $12

Almost exactly three months ago, the elephants of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performed their final act as circus performers. They trunk-to-tailed in Rhode Island, but all will be calling a Florida conservation center home. That may have marked the end of an era, but the “Greatest Show on Earth” still goes on. The new touring show Circus Xtreme goes on 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, in fact, and continues with many showtimes through August 14 at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. Get ready for extreme spectacles like the Human Cannonball, the Mighty Ibarra and the Wheel of Steel, the Incredible Concrete Jungle Display, and so many acrobatic stunts. And obvious-but-fair warning: There will be clowns! Tickets are $12 to $105, but of course, it’s still free to protest the use of animals, if watching tigers, camels, dogs and more perform isn’t your thing. Visit ringling.com for more show info, and ticketmaster.com for tickets.

Everything’s Coming Up Profits: The Golden Age of Industrial Musicals
7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 4
The Texas Theatre
231 W. Jefferson Blvd.
$12

With all the convention mayhem these last few weeks, we’ve all seen a lot of video packages. If you work in a career that hosts its own conventions, however, chances are you’ve seen more entertaining presentations at those events during the breakfast buffet. From energy to cereal to pet food, giant corporations have paid top dollar for motivating and informative video musicals for their employees, and those videos were never meant to be seen in the outside world. That’s right; American-Standard had a musical called “The Bathrooms are Coming!” Steve Young began amassing an amazing collection of corporate musicals from the 1950s to 1980s during his research for Letterman sketch “Dave’s Record Collection” and now offers up a live compilation of in-house promotional packages along with commentary. The Golden Age of Industrial Musicals takes over the Texas Theatre on Thursday (doors at 6:30), but try to keep the vintage propaganda from altering your mind too much. Visit thetexastheatre.com for tickets.

One Man, Two Guvnors
8 p.m. Friday, August 5
WaterTower Theatre
15650 Addison Road
Tickets start at $20

Managing a schedule for one job is difficult enough, but managing two becomes particularly tricky. Make some time in yours to head to WaterTower Theatre for a Friday preview performance that will make you feel grateful for your relatively drama-free day-planner. Based on the classic Italian comedy, Servant of Two Masters, but with a decidedly British spin, One Man, Two Guvnors tells the story of Francis Henshall as he finds himself employed by two bosses. And those two bosses must never cross paths on his watch. To further complicate things, neither boss can find out Francis has his second job. The swinging '60s-set romp features a live backing band, plenty of British pantomime, and, as is custom, some disguise and mistaken identity. Showtimes through August 28 include 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays (and August 20 and 27), which means that technically on those days, Francis has a third job: making ticket-holders laugh. Visit watertowertheatre.org.