We're probably not alone in feeling that this has been a long week, but thankfully the weekend is here. Sometimes the best way to shake off a hard week or -- in the case of most of Observer staffers, a week of illness dubbed "the crud" -- is to dance your ass off.
Tom Russotti is currently in Dallas as an artist in residence at CentralTrak, but tonight he's hosting a dance party that will bring out the competitive nature inside you. The Drinking and Dancing Competition (see the video above of the event in San Francisco) is exactly what you think it is, but with a few strict rules.
There are two categories -- choreographed dance and freestyle -- and participants must complete dances in either category while drinking spirits or beer. You have to polish off your booze before your song ends, while showing off mad moves and not spilling your drink all over the floor and your friends. Just remember, you're being scored. Dancers will be eliminated in each category until only two drunk, dancing fools remain.
If you want to get in on the choreographed competition, then send a video of your smooth stylings to Tom directly ([email protected]), and head to Sons of Hermann Hall at 8 p.m. to murder your liver on the dance floor. Admission is free. Visit drinkinganddancingcompetition.com for more information.
After the jump, see what else we're planning to do this weekend.
Natasha Leggero Friday, July 22, and Saturday, July 23, at Hyena's Comedy Night Club Dallas If you haven't seen Natasha Leggero, now's the chance to see the comedian before she really takes over your television. Leggero is a judge on NBC's Last Comic Standing, and she recently taped a pilot for the network with former Reno 911ers Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon. She also released a comedy album earlier this year, Coke Money, which coincidentally was tossed around as the title of our upcoming memoir. See Leggero bring her smart-ass chops to Hyena's in Dallas at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. tonight or 8 and 10:30 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $12 to $17. Call 214-823-5233 or visit hyenascomedynightclub.com.
L'Amour Fou Friday, July 22, through Sunday, July 24, at the Modern 50 years is a long time to spend in a partnership, but that's exactly what designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge did. Their lengthy, sometimes rocky, relationship is chronicled in the documentary, L'Amour Fou. Their relationship spanned five decades of fashion, travel and drug and alcohol abuse (on the part of Saint Laurent). Berge was with his partner until Saint Laurent's death in 2008. The film also shows the fashion designer doing what he did best, designing beautiful couture and ready-to-wear fashions. Catch the documentary at the Modern Museum in Fort Worth today through Sunday. Tickets are $8.50, $6.50 for museum members. Visit themodern.org/magnolia for showtimes.
Melting Daily, continuing through Friday, August 12 at Cameron Gallery Yeah, yeah, yeah. We hear your gripes and we agree: It's too damn hot in the city for anyone to be outside. That's why this week's Master List features air-conditioned events. If you want to see some hot art and not melt in the oppressive triple digits, check out the Melting exhibition which features paintings from Italian artist Videh. Videh is currently the artist in residence at the Aloft Hotel, and you can see him paint live while sipping cocktails at the x wyx bar in the hotel Wednesdays through Sundays. The artist, who's also into meditation, teaches classes at the hotel including "Disappear into the Painting" and "Painting What Is There." Come meditate on his works daily though August 12 (Videh's residency continues through the end of July). Visit thecamerongallery.com for more information.
28th Annual Friends of the Plano Library Book Sale Continuing through Saturday, July 23, at Plano Centre There are very few book sales that make Half Price Books seem, well, pricey, but the Friends of the Plano Library Book Sale, which started yesterday, definitely makes you rethink the idea of a steal. Over 100,000 books, DVDs and CDs are on sale for less than two bucks. That means you could fill a bookshelf for less than you'd spend on dinner at a mid-range restaurant. Or you can buy just a few books and still have dinner. The sale continues today and tomorrow. Admission is $5 a person, $10 for families and free for Friends of the Plano Library members. Visit friendsoftheplanolibrary.com.
