Summer is the perfect time for road trips and staycations, which might be how you're choosing to spend this weekend. And if you're looking to do that, we've got a few recommendations for both (see Road Tripping, Staycations). But if you're planning to spend the weekend in Dallas and want to add an event or two to your agenda, we've got you covered.
Thursday, July 24
Wordspace's Sci-Fi Book Club Everyone's favorite part of book club is the wine and the conversation, which you can do Thursday night at Wild Detectives even if you haven't read Arkady & Boris Strugatsky's Definitely Maybe. Well, you probably should read the book if you're planning to contribute to the conversation. But you can still listen and drink wine. Head to everyone's favorite book store at 314 W 8th St., the conversation starts at 7 p.m. and will be hosted by Wordspace and led by Deep Vellum Publishing Company's Will Evans.
ART PARTY: A City Under the Influence Thursday's Fashion Art Network event breaks the mold of previous parties, because FAN invited Darryl Ratcliff to curate a party called, "A City Under the Influence." He's invited music acts Sudie and Ronnie Heart to provide the jams; Elissa Stafford will present video and performance art; Patrick Romeo created an installation piece; and Fred Villanueva teamed up with Cupcake Wars competitor Lauren Lee to create edible art. Tickets are $10 and include cocktails. Party runs from 8 p.m. - midnight.
See also: Party Under the Influence of Art Thursday Night
Genie Visions: Josh Bank's Solo Exhibition The Magnolia Theatre's Second Floor Bar keeps its art fresh, thanks to a partnership with downtown Dallas taller Ro2 Art, which curates exhibitions. Thursday night the work of Josh Bank takes over with monotypes and small edition prints. See the work at the opening reception from 6-9 p.m. Thursday or anytime you're catching a flick through August 31.
Psycho From Texas Sometimes it does the soul good to kick back and watch a killer B-movie. The Texas Theatre (231 W. Jefferson Blvd) knows this, which is why they're screening a 35-mm print of the 1975 flick Psycho from Texas (also known as Wheeler) at 9:15 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $5. Visit thetexastheatre.com for more details.
Friday, July 25
Christmas in July Oh the weather outside is frightful.... and there are really not "buts" about it. If you'd like to pretend it's a more temperate month, head to the Bishop Arts District for Christmas in July, a neighborhood event that decorations, carols by local musicians Fox and the Bird and Kirk Thurmond, sweet treats and Santa Claus. Oh, and rumors of snow at 7 p.m.
Hotter than Hell Burlesque If you like Dallas burlesque, than you probably already know about La Divina Productions' annual Hotter than Hell show. Before the unseasonably cool months of June and July wander into what's sure to be a thermometer-breaking month of August, submerge yourself in a different kind of heat. There are only so many ways to describe a striptease before the words "sexy" or "seductive" become redundant. But if anyone knows how to shake things up, it's the ladies of La Divina. They heat up the stage of the Kessler Theatre (1230 W. Davis) at 9 p.m. Friday with new routines and old favorites. Tickets start at $26 and are available on prekindle.com.
The Boy From Oz The Boy From Oz might be most well known as the sexy Hugh Jackman musical that overtook Broadway a few years ago. Beyond that it's just a fun jukebox musical about Australian songwriter and entertainer Peter Allen, former husband to Liza Minnelli, who apparently was the only person on the planet not to realize Allen was gay. (His songs included "Don't Cry Out Loud," "I Honestly Love You" and "I Could Have Been a Sailor.") For the Uptown Players' production, the local abs of Alex Ross fills in as the lead character. He made not have Wolverine's clout, but he's got a much better singing voice. (If you're reading this, Hugh, I'm sorry. And also my contact info can easily be found on this website). See the dashing gentleman take the Kalita Humphreys Theater (3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.) stage at 8 p.m. Friday or anytime through August 10. Tickets start at $30 and are available at uptownplayers.org.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me Laura Palmer is found dead in her sleepy logging town of Twin Peaks. And because it's a TV show by David Lynch dark secrets are revealed that shock these middle Americans. Eventually the show was cancelled, but not without a movie. And at 10 p.m. Friday night the Texas Theatre will screen the 35-mm version of that film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, on the big screen. It's part of a fundraiser for the Unique Home for Girls and the Sarah Zumwalt Middle School Arts and Music programs. The evening will also have a Twin Peaks themed silent art auction and late night performances by Vulgar Fashion and Def Rain.
Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour It's hard to believe that it's been 5 years since we lost the world's greatest pop star. And we're not entirely convinced that a Cirque du Soleil show is the way we want to commemorate him, but it's what we've got this weekend. So take it or leave it. The nation tour stops at the American Airlines Center Friday with tickets starting at $66... which is not cheap, but we can't even begin to imagine the licensing fees on that music.
Saturday, July 26
Legends Never Die Rhythmic Souls' new show Legends Never Die: A Revival of American Tap Dance Heroes pays tribute to the most beloved and well-known scenes from the movie musicals of the '30s and '40s with a modern twist. See the glamour! The quick feet! The shuffle ball changes! Dig in to the small Dallas company, which will be on tap at 1:30 p.m. July 26 and July 27 at Pocket Sandwich Theatre and tickets are $10-$15. More information at pocketsandwich.com.
Alika Herreshoff's The Imp of the Perverse Earlier this year, Alika Herreshoff was one of five Houston artists in a show at Ware:Wolf:Haus that was one of the better painting shows we've had this year, and certainly the most contemporary, which is where he connected with RE Gallery, which hosts his first Dallas solo exhibition this weekend. His work in The Imp of the Perverse draws inspiration from literature to painting, to comics and psychology, referencing both Edgar Allan Poe and Rene Magritte. His use of vivid colors and fluid figures is tantalizing, which is why we wanted to peek into the studio. In anticipation of the opening at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, we chatted with Herreshoff about where he's from, how he uses inspiration, and what keeps him painting.
Rocky Horror Show's Open Call Have you ever wondered how you were going to channel your love of Rocky Horror into a something worthwhile? Have you ever fancied yourself an undiscovered Broadway star? The Dallas Theater Center is looking for you. Technically you won't have any lines and you won't make any sweet cash, but if you're looking for a post-work activity or want your 15 minutes of cult fame, the theater center is inviting you to the Wyly Theatre from 3-4 p.m. Saturday, July 26 for an opening casting call. And if your next question is, "should I dress up?" By god, yes.
See also: DTC Does the Time Warp for 2014-'15 Season of Nine Shows
Sunday, July 27 Who is Bozo Texino? There's something mysterious, admirable, yet heartbreaking about the vagabond character in the American narrative. Who are the tramps? The hobos? Who is Bozo Texino? is the full length film from artist, filmmaker and Richardson High School grad, Bill Daniel that documents the tradition of railworker boxcar graffiti, one of the artistic outputs of many American hobos. It seeks out one such artist, Bozo Texino, who scrawled his name under numerous hand-drawn cowboy hats on the side of trains. Daniel spent time living in boxcars on his hunt this elusive artist, chronicling the stories of one of America's most obscure folk arts. See the film, Who is Bozo Texino?, at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Alamo Drafthouse (100 S. Central Expressway, Richardson). Daniel will be in attendance and will also screen a rare 16mm print of his short film about the Austin band, Butthole Surfers. Tickets are $7 and available at drafthouse.com.
Inside)(Outside (wo)manorial's newest online exhibition, Inside)(Outside, explores international variations of performance art concerned with topics of gender and opens on the Web site, Sunday at midnight. Curated by local artists, Courtney Brown and Allison Starr, known collectively as Performance SW, the work exhibited is meant to challenge the ephemeral nature of performance art, as well as the performative nature of gender roles. And come August 16, participating artists will visit Oak Cliff in the flesh for what Brown calls a "Deep dive into performance art."
See also: Take a Deep Dive into Performance Art with (Wo)manorial's New Exhibition Inside)(Outside
Quest for Quality Pop-Up Dinner The founder of the Promise of Peace Community Garden, Elizabeth Dry, works with Dallas County to give youths on probation the chance to grow and nurture their own veggies and fruits. This weekend you have a chance to support Promise of Peace and eat a delicious four-course meal at the Quest for Quality Pop-Up Dinner at 3015 in Trinity Groves, 3015 Gulden Lane, from 5-8 p.m. Sunday. Chefs Sharon Van Meter of 3015, Graham Dodds of Hibiscus, and Ryan Barnett from Green Grocers will prepare a four-course meal, including wine from Oak Cliff Cellars and a chocolate treat from Dr. Sue's Chocolate. Tickets to the dinner are $49 per person and may be purchased online by visiting promiseofpeace.us.
