Now that we've survived Mother's Day, we enter a slow grind until the end of the month, when you can finally drink all your cares away on Memorial Day weekend. These next few weeks might not be easy, but they don't have to be boring. It's going to be difficult to resist the urge to eschew pants in favor of bad Chinese takeout and Disney movie marathons, but suck it up, buttercup -- you need to get out there and experience something interesting.
When you're bored, you're boring, which means that you should probably check out one of these five interesting culture events going on this week. This week's lineup has everything -- craft beer! indie music! podcasts! -- that you'll need to sound much more interesting during conversations at your weekly book club or bowling league.
Patio Sessions: Valise With Golay Sammons Park Thursday, May 14 Free
Local music is great, but it's even better when it's free. Put it in a chill downtown setting and now your Thursday evening is looking damn near idyllic. The AT&T Performing Arts Center's Patio Sessions are always a strong showcase of local and national talent, and this week's show is no exception. Joined by Fort Worth songwriter Golay, Dallas-based indie band Valise will perform an evening of laid-back music. Don't forget to bring extra cash for food trucks and booze vendors.
2015 Main Street Fest Downtown Grapevine May 15-17, 2015 Free-$20
As much shade as we toss at the suburbs, Grapevine's annual Main Street Fest is inarguably awesome. Texans love their craft beer, and there will be over 50 to choose from if you spring for the separately ticketed Craft Beer Experience. Skip the pricey carnival midway games and spend your dollars at the small businesses and boutiques that line Main Street -- art is a better investment than poorly made stuffed animals.
CONFAB Vol. 3 Dallas City Performance Hall Thursday, May 14 $13
Talking about public parks is important, especially if you plan to enjoy one of the free green spaces in our city. In this iteration of CONFAB, a "community conversation," folks who are experts in the world of urban parks will gather to talk about the future of the little slices of heaven that dot Dallas' landscape.
#thinkspeak: Jad Abumrad Dallas City Performance Hall Friday, May 15 $25
Thanks to the success of Serial and the like, podcasting is having a moment right now in the pop culture consciousness. Of these successful podcasts, Radiolab is consistently one of the most interesting. Host Jad Abumrad will discuss his unique style, which blends music, sound and journalism in a way that is new and interesting. We may very well not give a shit about podcasts in six months, but this will still be one of the most interesting talks you see all year.
Pitch Perfect Sing-a-long Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Friday, May 15 $6-9
If your knowledge of this cult teen classic is aca-awesome, you're going to want to head to Fort Worth for a dirt-cheap screening of Pitch Perfect. As Fat Amy and the gang engage in their carefully choreographed shenanigans, you can play along with sing-along bingo for a chance to win passes to the Fort Worth Film Society's annual festival in Sundance Square. We can't think of a better way to spend Friday night than with The Bellas.
