It's that time again. Fried food, bird shows, no bird shows (sad face), and a visit with your old buddy, Big Tex. The State Fair of Texas officially opens Friday, and as usual we've got your go-to guide of what to do when you get there. We've also got suggestions on which days NOT to go -- cough, Friday, cough. But whatever you do, make your plans now. You do not want to miss dipping your funnel cake in your Funnel Cake Ale. The fair stays open through October 19. General admission is $17. More info is at bigtex.com.
Thursday, September 25 Fort Worth Oktoberfest It's Fort Worth's turn to host its version of Oktoberfest, the German holiday that Americans use as an excuse to drink loads of beer, eat pretzels and be merry. Festivities kick off Thursday evening at the Panther Island Pavilion (395 Purcey St.). Tickets are $5 to $10 per day, or $15 for a three-day pass at prekindle.com.
Augustin Hadelich at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Jaap van Zweden conducts Haydn's Symphony No. 98 and the Bach-Webern Ricercar from The Musical Offering. Solo violinist is the renowned Augustin Hadelich. Catch performances at the Meyerson on September 25 through 27 at 7:30 p.m., or Sunday, September 28, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets start at $41. More information at mydso.com.
Merritt Tierce's Love Me Back Local author Merritt Tierce will be reading passages from her debut novel, Love Me Back, and signing copies at the Wild Detectives at 7 p.m. Thursday.
7522- Pix: The Deep Ellum Photo Challenge Everybody takes pictures of and in Deep Ellum. That's probably what inspired Kettle Art Gallery's next exhibition, which is an open-call photo challenge that kicks off Thursday night. Through Sunday, September 28, the photographer's goal is to capture Deep Ellum in one image. All chosen images will be displayed in an exhibition October 2. On your mark, get set!
Friday, September 26 The Brothers Size One of the 21st century's greatest playwrights, Tarell Alvin McCraney earned a reputation for his well-spun characters and an overwhelming sense of urgency in his plays. Perhaps there is no better example of his work than the Brother/Sister Plays, a trilogy that takes a sharp look at family life. This month, Jubilee Theatre mounts the Texas premiere of the second play in the series, The Brothers Size. A portrayal of brotherhood in a complicated world, this play tells the story of two young men in the Louisiana bayou. See it in previews starting 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $18; The Brothers Size runs through October 26.
Northern Exposure Some of the city's greatest galleries come together to take their artists north for a show at The Gallery at Visit Addison. An array of styles and media come together for this group show that shows off what those suburbanites are missing. The opening reception takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Margaret Smith Add a little funny to your life with Emmy-award winning comedian Margaret Smith. She'll be performing four sets at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub (5321 E. Mockingbird Lane) at 8:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $10 to $15 each at prekindle.com.
Urban Theater: New York Art in the 1980s Ongoing: A great museum exhibition can serve as a time capsule. When The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth opens its newest exhibit, Urban Theater: New York Art in the 1980s, visitors will be sent back to one of the most exciting decades in contemporary art history. Think Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jeff Koons, Jenny Holzer, Cindy Sherman, Julian Schnabel and Andy Warhol for starters. Their work and more will be on display in this re-examination of an era that continues to prove influential. See it at The Modern (3200 Darnell St.) through January 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. General admission is $10. More information at themodern.org Saturday, September 27
Spectrum Dance Theater From the publicity stills, this show looks damn sexy. Our dance writer, Danielle Georgiou notes that "Donald Byrd and Spectrum Dance Theater have become the go-to for contemporary dance." See the show at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets are $12 to $135 and available at attpac.org.
Autumn at the Arboretum While we're on the subject of the weather, which our weather gods tell us is changing from hot to slightly less hot, let's discuss one of the best places in Dallas to enjoy the great outdoors. It must be nice to be the Arboretum, which celebrates the four seasons like a holiday that never ends. Spring brings the serenity of pastel blooms, but Autumn at the Arboretum brings the fun of pumpkins and a hay bale maze. As the fall foliage turns a crisp brown, the expansive gardens fill with the fun of a fall festival. Visit the Pumpkin Village, wander the grounds and watch the colors change daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dallas Aboretum and Botanical Garden (8525 Garland Road). Admission is $15 for non-member adults and available at the gate on a first come, first served basis. More information at dallasarboretum.org.
2theExtreme: Math Alive! Earlier this week, our music blog pointed out that the Perot Museum would be an awfully fun place to go when you're baked. Perhaps to their newest exhibition, "2theXtreme: Math Alive!," which strives to make math relevant through interactive displays that include skateboarding and other street sports. This exhibition runs during regular museum hours from September 27 through January 4, 2015. Admission is free for museum members, $15 to $21 (including museum admission) for non-members. Visit perotmuseum.org for more information.
Sunday, September 28
Good Morning, Vietnam! If you didn't binge watch Robin Williams films on Netflix to celebrate the life of one of film's greatest actors, or if you're still looking for more, The AT&T Performing Arts Center will present a free screening of Good Morning, Vietnam!, as part of its Sunset Screenings series at Annette Strauss Square, 2403 Flora St. See it at 8:30 p.m. Sunday. The event is free, though RSVPs are encouraged so you can snag the sweet seats up front. Visit attpac.org/series/sunsetscreenings for more.
