It seems like only yesterday we were gearing up for corny dogs and carnival rides, but now it's time to bid farewell to Big Tex and the State Fair of Texas. If you haven't made the trip to Fair Park yet, do so this weekend because Big Tex's massive jeans are going to the dry cleaners for a much-needed wash when the fair packs up on Sunday. But if you've already sampled the latest in fried gastronomy (our vote goes to the fried pineapple upside down cake), then avoid the fried-food coma in favor of another culinary adventure happening this weekend.
Next to hipsters planking bars and dumbasses coning in drive-thrus, food trucks are the biggest trend to hit the city this year. With 40 or so trucks rolling around the city, you've probably sampled a few of their mobile offerings, but now's your chance to really sink your teeth into the food truck scene at Ten for 10: Water for Africa's Food Truck SmackDown tonight at Sunset Lounge. Geoarino's, Gandolfo's and Nammi are just a few of the trucks participating in the showdown, and expect to see newer trucks like So-Call Tacos vying for awards for best overall food truck, coolest concept and tastiest food.
For $75 ($125 for VIP) you'll get samples from all participants and three drink tickets, plus your votes will determine the winners of the Food Truck SmackDown. VIP tickets get you in the preview party before the 7:30 p.m. party and secure you five drink tickets. There's also a cash bar, plus live music from Duo Domino Effect. Proceeds from the benefit will go to Ten for 10's efforts to bring clean water to Rwanda. Purchase tickets at tenfor10.org. After the jump, see what else is happening this beautiful and cool weekend.
45 Fest and The Art of the Guitar Friday, October 21, at Kettle Art and Club Dada Earlier this year the community lost two talented musicians and members of Deep Ellum's tapestry when Frankie Campagna, better known as Frankie 45, and Adam Carter committed suicide. Both were members of Spector 45, and now artists and musicians are coming together to honor their legacies and raise awareness about suicide at 45 Fest and The Art of the Guitar auction. At 7 p.m. tonight, there's a silent auction at Kettle Art featuring functional guitars painted and decorated by 45 or so artists including Robb Conover, Cabe Booth and Amber Campagna. Over at Dada, see Hello Lover, Here Holy Spain and The Marfalites, plus seven other performers. Information about suicide prevention and hotlines will be available, and Animal Anthony Delabano, drummer for Spector 45, will perform with his new band, the Black Habits. You can also hear Frankie 45's previously unreleased music on a new 24-song CD that also features live tracks and demos. A minimum donation of $10 gets you in both events. For more information, visit kettleart.com.
48 Hours of Hell Friday, October 21, through Sunday, October 23, at your frightening choice of location We've been reminded of all the the times we wanted to shield our eyes with a popcorn tub during the Mixmaster's Horror Movie Countdown and maybe one day your haunting masterpiece will make the list, but you'll have to produce that film first if you're going to join the ranks of Carpenter and King. That's why you should grab your camera and potential onscreen victims for 48 Hours of Hell, a filmmaking contest sponsored by Texas Filmmakers and the Video Association of Dallas. It's kind of like the 24 Hour Video Race in that you'll get a location, prop, theme and line of dialogue to use, along with an allotted amount of time to produce, edit and turn in your short film. The only difference is that you've got 48 hours to churn out four to eight minutes of horror. Location, theme and the other elements will be revealed at 10 p.m. tonight on the 48 Hours of Hell website, and it's not too late to register alone or with a team for $125. Films must be turned in between 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday at one of the drop-off locations in the metroplex. All shorts will be screened beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Silver Cinemas in Denton, and the top three winners will get cash prizes. Visit 48hoh.com to register and get all the details.
A Samurai Nosferatu Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, at KD Studio Theatre We love a good vampire flick, even old stuff like the 1922 German classic Nosferatu based on Bram Stoker's Dracula. But you know what that movie is missing? Samurai swords. Yeah, we said it. Thankfully, Level Ground Arts' latest production, A Samurai Nosferatu, retells the story of Dracula but with silk aerial dancers and Kabuki dancers. Oh, and samurai swords. Now that's the kind of theater that keeps us enthralled, plus it's sure to keep the little ones away. See A Samurai Nosferatu at 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday through October 29. Tickets are $20 and available at levelgroundarts.com.
2nd Annual Blues, Bandits & BBQ Saturday, October 22, at Lake Cliff Park There will be 750 pounds of meat being cooked up this Saturday, and those grills aren't being fired up at Fair Park. No, all that glorious smoked brisket, ribs and chicken will be cooked at the 2nd Annual Blues, Bandits & BBQ in Oak Cliff this Saturday from noon until 6 p.m. Sixteen barbecue teams will fire up their grills tonight to prepare for the crowds of meat lovers tomorrow, and there's music from Bobby Patterson, Andrew Tinker and others to hold you over while you wait in line for a plate of barbecue. Admission is $10, but you'll have to purchase a $15 wristband as well to taste the competitors' barbecue entries. That wristband also allows you to cast your vote in the People's Choice competition, but if you don't want to sample the 750 pounds of meat, you can buy a meal from Lockhart Smokehouse or Spiral Diner at their booths. Visit gooakcliff.org for tickets.
Worldfest Saturday, October 22, and Sunday, October 23, at Addison Circle Park Where can you enjoy traditional Ethiopian cuisine while watching Romanian dancers? Worldfest, of course. If you haven't had a good Venezuelan meal or taken in a Bollywood performance in a while, now's your chance to do so as the cultures of Europe, Asia and the Americas come together for two days of celebration at Addison Circle Park. There's something for everyone, so take a trip to the FunAsiA Fest for dancing and fashion tips or visit the Moroccan Village for handmade crafts and a Moroccan wedding. Worldfest is free and open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Visit addisontexas.net to see the schedule of events, parking information and menus.
