Best Things to Do in Dallas this Week

Find yourself feeling a little bit of spring fever creeping in? We’ve got just the cure: Take five of these local arts and culture happenings this week, invite a friend or two to join you, wash them down with a cocktail …and see if you don’t feel better. There’s a wide range of remedies on the calendar, including intellectual discourse, political comedy, sips and bites, and even a chance to come to terms with the supernatural. Side effects include full tummies, satisfied curiosity and long-lasting cultural engagement.

Food Justice: At the Intersection of Food, Politics, Poverty and Public Health
1 p.m. Monday
Owen Fine Arts Center, SMU Meadows School of the Arts
Free

Have you ever heard someone talking about how eating healthy is no more expensive than eating junk food and wanted to smack them upside the head with their artisanal bottled water? Sure, in theory that’s probably true, but when you factor in transportation costs to get to a grocery store in parts of our city, look at the fact that a carton of raspberries is almost $5, and then consider educational disparities about what healthy food really is … it’s not that simple. Bryant Terry explores those issues and more in this discussion, which also features a cooking demonstration and a conversation about how poverty, sustainability and structural racism factor into dietary habits. The program will be repeated at 6 p.m. Tuesday night at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center.

Pour Yourself Into History with the Dallas Historical Society
6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday
Green Door Public House
Free

Though we spend a lot of time in Dallas lamenting the fact that we value the new and shiny over the historical, there's a surprising number of opportunities to learn about the city’s colorful background. For example, the Dallas Historical Society packages up little nuggets of historically relevant information into social gatherings — like their happy hour series “Pour Yourself Into History.” During the latest installment of the sip-and-learn event, you’ll hear all about the late 1800s-era building that accommodates Green Door Public House and the surrounding area. See Facebook for more.

Bar Politics: First Anniversary Edition
8 p.m. Wednesday
Absinthe Lounge
Free

It seems like just yesterday that Bar Politics started riling up local bar patrons with their own brand of colorful political discourse about tollroads, potholes and school boards. But no, it’s been a full year of comedy, panel discussions and general outrage about state and local politics — and since there’s no shortage of material, the series is entering its second year with gusto. Help Josh Kumler’s satirical theatrical endeavor blow out their candle during this milestone event featuring a look back at the issues discussed over the past year and an update on the most controversial topics. The night also features special performances, musical guests and surprise interviews.

Savor Dallas Arts District Garden Party
5:30 p.m. Thursday
AT&T Performing Arts Center
$50

Savor Dallas kicks off a weekend of epicurean ecstasy with a casual happy hour that’s part springtime celebration, part arts festival and fully delicious. Enjoy a blend of art, live music and performances that elevates food samples and wine tastings to art-form status, including bites from local culinary heavy-hitters like Hypnotic Donuts, SER Steaks and Spirits, Salum, Parigi, Velvet Taco and more. The wine and spirits list is varied and large enough to keep things flowing all night. Visit savordallas.com for tickets and the entire Savor Dallas lineup through Sunday, April 10.


“Ghost Quartet”
8 p.m. Friday
Life in Deep Ellum
$55

Get a springtime dose of all things dark and twisty with “Ghost Quartet,” a blend of song cycle and storytelling that turns the ghost story on its head. This innovative theatrical experience is staged in the round, mixing audience members and musicians, and sending chills up and down spines as four narratives unfold with dread, suspense and quirk via folk, gospel, jazz and pop music. Composer Dave Malloy brings his rapturously haunting show to Dallas as part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Off Broadway on Flora Series. Tickets are available at attpac.org. The show is 21 and up.