It’s so hard to get into the swing of things when the week starts out with a holiday. You skip all that Sunday night dread, relish not being in the office all day, and then the rest of the week somehow feels that much lighter. Even if your job still requires your presence on Memorial Day, the people you’re getting paid to deal with seem a little happier. You can keep that holiday vibe going all week long, thanks to a packed-out local arts calendar that features plenty of reasons to celebrate.
"Running With Bonnie and Clyde"
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, May 30
Hall of State
3939 Grand Ave.
$55
Never fear, history buffs: The Dallas Historical Society’s annual Running With Bonnie and Clyde tour does not actually involve running. So there’s no need to train and gear up; this is a guided tour, complete with vehicular transport and an Olive Garden lunch. Now that you know this is not a marathon — and that breadsticks are involved — you can shift your attention to the history behind Clyde Barrow and his lady friend, Bonnie Parker, a cold-blooded pair whose brutal crime rampage stands in stark contrast to the weird romantic notions most people have about them. Author John Neal Phillips knows all the gory, sad and twisted details; he’ll take participants on a tour of sites relevant to the crime spree and delve into the murders, myths and legends from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, May 30. The tour begins and ends at the Hall of State in Fair Park and tickets (inclusive of lunch) are available at dallashistory.org for $55.
“Born to Be Good”
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 31
Dallas City Performance Hall
2520 Flora St.
$15-$35
Inside Out is a good movie for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that it isn’t Frozen. But it has its merits outside that as well: Besides just being plain funny and endearing, it’s based on actual neuropsychology. The emotions portrayed by cartoon characters are rooted in real human development and behavior, making their shenanigans all the more relatable. Author, professor and scientist Dacher Keltner was a consultant on the blockbuster movie and he’ll be in Dallas to expand on the concepts at play in the movie, as well as to discuss his book Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life. Buy tickets at dma.ticketleap.com.
Britten: Noah’s Flood
7 p.m. Wednesday, June 1
Cathedral Guadalupe
2215 Ross Ave.
Free
One of the most inclusive operas ever written was penned by Benjamin Britten, specifically to be performed in community venues (like churches and large halls) and to be sung by amateurs. The result is Noah’s Flood, a moving, enthusiastic and fun performance that uses the voices of children to represent animals herded onto Noah’s ark in a tale of faith, mystery and inspiration. Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Karina Canellakis leads a widely varied and wildly talented group of musicians, singers and dancers in this free community event.
Fan Expo Dallas Kickoff “An Evening with William Shatner”
7 p.m. Thursday, June 2
Dallas Convention Center
650 S. Griffin St.
$199
There’s never been a better time to be a fanboy (or fangirl): Half the movies out this summer are superhero-themed, there’s a Star Trek television reboot on the horizon and now when you make Dalek references, people get you. Celebrate this new reality at a massive expo featuring celebrity appearances from Stan Lee, William Shatner, Peter Mayhew, Nichelle Nichols and many more. Attractions include tons of cosplay eye candy, dance parties, panels, workshops, artist meet and greets and much more. The event kicks off on Thursday night with a special session celebrating 50 years of Star Trek with one of its highest profile stars. William Shatner will share stories, insights and thoughts on the pop culture phenomenon that’s so crucial to geek culture. Visit fanexpodallas.com for tickets.
Mothers and Sons
8 p.m. Friday, June 3
Kalita Humphreys Theater
3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.
$25-$40
Terrance McNally’s Mothers and Sons snips a mere 90 minutes out of the lives of four people, yet somehow covers a massive swath of cultural change, societal evolution and family dynamics. Uptown Players stages the Tony-nominated play that charts the evolution of the gay male experience in the United States over the past 30 years, while also plumbing the depths of a mother’s loss. Marjorie Hayes takes on the outsize role of Katharine Gerard, a Dallas mama who visits her deceased son’s partner in New York City and is confronted with a range of emotions — from discomfort to overwhelming grief — when she meets his current partner and their son. The emotional drama, packed with tense dialogue and powerful confrontation, will be performed at Kalita Humphreys Theater beginning Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 19. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and at 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $25 to $40 at uptownplayers.org.