5 Things to Do, July 11-15

Dallas is still in mourning. We need opportunities for distraction, community, quiet exertion and some plain ol’ escape into fantasy. You’ll find a little of everything amongst our suggestions for the week:

Welcome to Night Vale: Ghost Stories
7 p.m. Monday, July 11
Majestic Theatre
1925 Elm St.
$25-$30
Do you believe in ghosts? If you’re a character from the desert town of Night Vale, damn straight you do. And if you aren’t, chances are, you’re already tuning in to the Welcome to Night Vale podcast twice a month to find out about the ghostly goings-on in the fictional town. Of course, you may be doing so while very still, and hidden under a blanket. Community radio host Cecil Palmer (Cecil Baldwin) is bringing the same broadcast creep factor to the Majestic stage, while special guest Erin McKeown supplies the music. Tickets are available at liveatthemajestic.com.

Dallas Historical Society presents Pour Yourself Into History
6 p.m. Tuesday, July 12
San Francisco Rose
3024 Greenville Ave.
Free
In light of recent tragedy, some people are disowning the city of Dallas, wanting to claim it no more. But we should be standing with it, and learning more about each other, about where we live, is a small but valuable action. Dig down and get invested in the place we want to change and build up again with the Dallas Historical Society at the San Francisco Rose, a bit of history in its own right. Admission is free; food and drink available for purchase. After the DHS night, a quick search for our own Jim Schutze’s book on race relations in Dallas, The Accommodation, will provide some fantastic reading.

RBM’s Wednesday PM Road Ride
6 p.m. Wednesday, July 13
Richardson Bike Mart
1451 W. Campbell Road
Free
It’s officially the season of the two wheels. Whether you subscribe to the Lycra or the cargo, you may be keen to ride in a rally longer than a lap around the lake or up the trail. Richardson Bike Mart offers several group rides throughout the week to help you get geared up for your big ride … or to just keep some good pedal power and release some mid-week stress. The Wednesday PM Road Ride leaves the shop at 6 p.m. and goes anywhere from 20 to more than 35 miles depending on the participants. Average speed is 16-18+. Headlight and taillight recommended, while helmets are required. Slower speeds don’t feel left out: Check out the Saturday leader-assisted rides. Visit bikemart.com.

Bastille on Bishop
6 p.m. Thursday, July 14
Bishop Arts District
Bishop Avenue
Free
Every year, we have to prepare ourselves for the clowns. And every year, we smack our heads and say, “Those are French mimes, not clowns, dummy! Never mind the painted faces, take me to the cheese!” And then, every year, we think, “This is about more than cheese; this is about wearing stripes — wait, no, it’s about French culture — didn’t you know French people settled here? What are you doing to your digestive system? You’re not 20 anymore! Enough cheese!” Don’t tell our guts, but Bastille Days Dallas has now expanded to two opportunities to bring out the family (pets welcome) for some French street fun. From 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, enjoy Go Oak Cliff’s annual Bastille on Bishop featuring wine and food (reserve wine glasses in advance, and purchase libations and treats with tokens), as well as music, performance by the Circus Freaks and shopping. Didn’t get enough, Bastille on Flora takes the encore the next night in the Arts District (wine and food also available for tokens). Pre-purchase for $25 per reserved wine glass, and $24 per 4-pack of tokens at bastilledallas.com.

Asian Film Festival
Various times, Friday, July 15
Angelika Film Center
5321 E. Mockingbird Lane
$5-$15
In its 15 glorious years, the one thing that always rings true about the Asian Film Festival of Dallas is this: There’s never enough time. We want it to go twice as long so we can make sure we see all of the films we want (which is practically everything) and still have some time to digest it all before being forced back to reality. This year features more than 30 films (feature-length; the shorts would blow that count sky high) presented from Thursday, July 14-July 21 at the Angelika Film Center, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane. On Friday alone, you have the opportunity to take in a sci-fi thriller (Strayer’s Chronicle), a mystery/thriller (Nessun Dorma), an exciting world premiere (The Mahjong Box), a crime drama (Fallen Angels), an historical drama (Journey from the Fall), a horror film (Bedevilled), and more (including the shorts). All you have to do is schedule yourself wisely. And not miss anything awesome in this incredibly well programmed festival for the rest of the week. No pressure. Film tickets are $5-$15; do yourself a favor and buy the VIP pass for a reasonable $199. For passes, a complete schedule and details on each film, visit asianfilmdallas.com.