5 Things to Do, June 20-24: Do Yoga in the Park, then Get Cheesy with Scardello

This week marks the arrival of legit summer, with the longest day of the entire year upon us today. And if pagan rituals aren’t your bag, then maybe carpe some diem and load up your calendar with some extra arts and culture events instead? You’ll find plenty of options below.

Reunion Podcast Live
9 p.m. Monday, June 20
Crown and Harp
1914 Greenville Ave.
Free

This live podcast event pumps up the volume on Lower Greenville as it brings together poetry, experimental beats, and conversations about art, music, news and media. Join Reunion creator and host Christopher Kolleade as he talks with Rodney Blu, host of the Burning Bridges podcast, plus Dallas Rising’s Marty Olivo and Ja’Cory King of Live from the Underground. To top off this heavy-hitting roster, there will also be $3 drink specials and giveaways. This event is 21 and up.

National Yoga Day 2016
6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Free

Celebrate deep breathing, downward dog and the rise of athleisure fashion at this free yoga class taught by power yogi Britt Rainwater. Purveyors of Asian fusion fast food, Pei Wei, host an event that engages your core and your consciousness for a fun hourlong workout, followed by samples of their new quinoa entrées. The first 50 attendees can claim a swag bag, and all participants can enter for a chance to win LuLuLemon yoga mats or an unlimited month of exercise classes from ClassPass. Visit Facebook for more.

Noble Rey Gets Cheesy with Scardello
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22
Noble Rey Brewing Company
2636 Farrington St.
$25 to $30

This is a deliciously decadent summer diversion featuring Farmers Market cohabitators Noble Rey Brewing Company and artisan cheese whizzes Scardello. They’ve combined forces for this intricate, pungent and delightful pairing event marrying two of the best things that ever happened as a result of fermentation. Participants will enjoy four beer selections from Noble Rey and eight of Scardello’s best cheeses. Tickets can be purchased here.

Kitchen Dog New Works Festival: The Thrush & The Woodpecker
8 p.m. Thursday, June 23
Undermain Theater
3200 Main St.
$15 to $20

There’s nothing quite like theater in its formative stages. Though the finished products are polished, staged and (mostly) coherent, newly completed plays are still delightfully rough around the edges. They may be a bit raw, with emotions slightly unbridled and dialogue honestly askew. And while we generally expect our theater experiences to be smooth and well honed, sometimes it’s worth a less polished experience just to see the genesis of a piece. The 2016 Kitchen Dog Theater New Works Festival offers just that, with its presentation of Steve Yockley’s The Thrush & The Woodpecker, a mother-son drama that’s revenge-driven and ominous — transitioning quickly from ordinary thematic material to something completely unexpected. Buy tickets here. 

Commerce Street Market
6 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 24
Alta West Commerce Pavilion
444 W. Commerce St.
Free

The night time is the right time for shopping — especially in the summer. Because, let’s face it, who wants to try to work their way through a mall full of summer-breakin’ kids or attempt browsing an outdoor market when the sun is blazing and the heat index is 108? The Commerce Street Night Market gives us a welcome break from both of those bothers, with added doses of appeal in the form of unique, artisan and local wares plus live music, pop-up classes and beers. The West Dallas market will bustle with more than 20 vendors like up-and-coming jewelry/accessory purveyor Bella and Chloe, paper-pushers The Ruffly Owl Paper Co. and custom growler-makers Haus of Growlers. Local tamale gurus Casa Masa will be on hand to teach their edible art form at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., or you can get all boho and learn to make a floral hair accessory. Registration is required for hands-on participation in the pop-up classes; see littledmarkets.com for more info.