Don't be embarrassed. We know why you're here. You forgot. Entirely forgot that this is the weekend Hallmark has decided everyone should celebrate the woman who gave you life. The woman crucial to your existence. She wanted to bring a human life into the world, and that human life was you. This weekend your one job was to not make her feel regrettably irresponsible for birthing you. And it looks like you failed. Or you had failed until you found this list. Let us help you salvage the day. We've compiled a few places to grab a bouquet of flowers, a few activities that aren't sold out (yet!) and if you're looking for a gift guide from one mother to yours, we've got that too.
Brunch and a Gondola Ride If you're looking for an experiential brunch, this is one of the few that didn't sell out within hours of being announced. Because, unlike you, quite a few humans knew that Mother's Day was May 10 long before today. This $40/person brunch includes a 15-minute ride around the Las Colinas Canal. When she asks why you're driving all the way to Irving, tell her you couldn't quite afford a trip to Venice.
Scarborough Renaissance Festival Give mom the royal treatment with an anachronistic Mother's Day brunch. At 11 a.m. Sunday, there will be brunch for the whole family that includes Henry VIII for just $20 on top the admission. It never looks last minute when you head to a destination festival.
Swiss Avenue Historic Home Tour There's nothing that says family like out-of-your-budget house hunting. Oh, was that just my childhood? Well, it's a Dallas tradition to hang out on Swiss Avenue on Mother's Day weekend and peek inside the city's most historic homes. Tours on Sunday are from noon - 6 p.m. Plus, you can package it with the champagne brunch from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in Savage Park with music by The Matt Tolentino Band. The cost of the brunch is $25 per person. Contact Amazing Caterers at 214-564-7348 for reservations.
Mother's Day at the Arboretum So, you've probably noticed by now that most of these ideas have a pretty optimistic outlook on the weather forecast. Especially this one. But if you find the afternoon is sunnier than it's supposed to be (freaking weathermen, amirite?), the Dallas Arboretum is top of the list for a thoughtful, last minute way to show mom you love her. General admission is $15. Brunch is unlikely.
Sense and Sensibility We're going to make an educated guess that your mom likes Jane Austen. Not because she's a woman, but because older people read books. And Austen writes darn good ones. Combine that with a highly skilled company like Dallas Theater Center, and you're in for a treat. There were still a handful of tickets available when we checked, so snag 'em while the snagging is good.
Go to the Dallas Museum of Art This is an evergreen suggestion that works for any weekend. There is no more pleasurable afternoon activity, no matter the weather forecast. There are some great exhibitions there right now. Admission is free but shell out the money for the Michaël Borremans: As sweet as it gets special exhibition, it's worth every penny.
All My Sons If you want to see a family drama more devastating than your own, may we highly recommend WaterTower Theatre's production of All My Sons? Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning play written in 1947 is a heartbreaking story of a family torn apart by secrecy, lies and World War II. The curtain is at 2 p.m. Sunday.
SOLUNA Festival: Phantasy Quartet for Oboe + Strings Thus far we've been impressed with the offerings at the inaugural Soluna Festival and Sunday's event looks just as interesting, plus the location tickles our adventure bones. Imagine chamber music played within the cavernous galleries of the Dallas Contemporary, filled with three incredible art exhibitions. It's going to be magical. It's an evening activity, so you'll have plenty of time to tend your hangover from Saturday-night drinking. Tickets are just $19.
African Amedia If your mom is interested in discovering the heartbeat of Dallas, or wants an experience more challenging than multiple pitchers of mimosas, here's one of our art event picks for the weekend: Described as a satirical art exhibition and performance piece, African Amedia is a fictional television network created by Dallas-based artist Adu meant to highlight "some of the negative portrayals, generalizations and stereotypes the media casts against African Americans." It's a multi-genre exhibit with mature content, and Adu calls it an open letter intended to inspire relationships "based on content of character, not color of skin." See the exhibit and performance during the opening reception at the African American Museum of Dallas (3536 Grand Ave.) 7 p.m. Sunday. More at africanamedia.org.
Where to grab flowers or treats Pop-up Bake Sale, Saturday May 9 Over Easter weekend, we fell a little bit in love with this pop-up bake sale and flower shop run by Lily Hanson (pastry chef at Urbano Cafe) and Skye McDaniel (Murray Street Coffee Shop). Head to East Dallas from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and grab some goodies for mom that look twice as thoughtful as you are. It will be at 1410 N. Fitzhugh Ave., next to Urbano Cafe and Jimmy's Italian Market in Old East Dallas.
DIRT Design Studio I can tell you as a woman, there's nothing more exciting than getting an arrangement from DIRT. They go far beyond the typical flower choices, with both plants and flowers available to pick up on your way to Mom's. Open at 11 a.m. Sunday.
Corner Market Flowers For one reason or another, this has been the go-to flower shop for the men in my life. So between my sister's husband and various of my own suitors, I've seen quite an array of beautiful flowers come from this shop. Plus, its location at the corner of McCommas and Greenville Avenue makes for an easy pop-in, pop-out. The shop is open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.
