Journalist Dan Rather will be "in conversation with KERA's Krys Boyd" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. The Arts and Letters Live program of the Dallas Museum of Art will take place across the street from the DMA at First United Methodist Church, 1928 Ross Ave. Rather, 86, who brought us the CBS Evening News for 44 years and was on the scene in Dallas reporting for CBS on Nov. 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was killed, will be talking about his newest book, What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism. (Co-author is Elliot Kirshner.) The collection of Rather's original essays focuses on what matters most in our country. (It's not tweets.) For what matters on a daily basis, join the million-plus followers on Rather's News & Guts Facebook page. Tickets for the talk were sold out at press time, so check your favorite reseller. You might get lucky. For more information, visit dma.org/all. First United Methodist Church, 1928 Ross Ave., 7:30 p.m., sold out, dma.org/all. – Reba Liner
In what’s becoming an annual tradition, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is once again performing Camille Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3, popularly known as the “Organ Symphony.” Majestic but also feverish, the “Organ Symphony” is arguably Saint-Saëns magnum opus, a brilliant survey of his life as a composer and performer. Messiaen’s marvelous “L’Ascension” and Francis Poulenc’s “Organ Concerto” complete the program. Versatile organist Vincent Dubois joins the DSO; Jun Markl conducts. There are four performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-18, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. All performances take place at the Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St. Tickets start at $19. Find more information at mydso.com. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., 7:30 p.m., $19 and up, mydso.com. – Jonathan Patrick
Pianist-songwriter Tori Amos hasn’t visited Dallas in a while, but she’ll appear Friday at Toyota Music Factory to play songs from her latest album, Native Invader. The new album addresses a mix of universal and personal subjects, from American politics to her mother’s stroke. More so than Amos’ past work, Native Invader whispers with quiet meditation. On this tour, she’s onstage solo, which befits the stripped-down nature of her new material. It’s just Amos singing behind a piano, with minimal backing tracks serving as accompaniment. Her new music pairs well with classic material such as “Crucify,” “Silent All These Years” and “Cornflake Girl.” Amos is known to dive deep into her catalog and rearrange familiar tunes during live performances. Even if you’ve seen her before, you’re guaranteed to see a completely different show this time. Toyota Music Factory, 316 W. Las Colinas Blvd., 7:30 p.m., $39-$50, musicfactory.com. – Jeff Strowe
The Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., celebrates the music, dance, ceramics, artistry and food of Islamic culture with its Islamic Art Festival: The Language of Exchange. The four-day festival, which began Wednesday, includes a full schedule of lectures on the influence and range of Islamic art, musical performances by American Bedouin, the Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir of Dallas and more, plus exhibits from the Keir Collection of Islamic Art. Thursday’s 7 p.m. keynote talk is “Influence and Inspiration: Islamic Art in the Keir Collection.” Sheila R. Canby, curator in charge of the department of Islamic art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will speak in the Horchow Auditorium about highlights from the Keir Collection, which includes works from 13 centuries of Islamic culture. The festival continues through Saturday, and it’s free to attend. For a full listing of events, visit dma.org/IslamicArtFestival. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., 7 p.m., free, dma.org/IslamicArtFestival. – Patrick Williams
Sid & Nancy screens at the Texas Theatre Saturday, with a punk show behind the screen to follow.
Oaktopia has delivered another stellar lineup, as versatile as it is fresh. From the cold, hardened storytelling of Atlanta rapper 21 Savage to the candied trap of Lil Yachty to the raunchy electronic music of Tobacco, this year’s festival promises a lot. Notable local talents include Blue, the Misfit and The John Stewart, two of our city’s principal hip-hop figures. Spanning two days and featuring 31 other artists, Oaktopia 2017 offers adventurous listeners plenty of sounds to explore this year. Deep Ellum, Friday and Saturday, $15-$175, oaktopia.com. – Jonathan Patrick
Texas Theatre presents two cool punk films with a punk rock show after the screenings. The first film to roll is a new 4K restoration of D.O.A.: A Right of Passage, the 1980 rockumentary about punk’s provocative origins. It centers on the Sex Pistols’ first tour of the United States in 1978, which ended with the band’s break up. D.O.A. includes footage of the Sex Pistols’ performance at the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas, and the film also features live performances by The Dead Boys, Generation X, X-Ray Spex, Sham 69 and more. The second flick on the bill is a new 4K scan of Alex Cox’s 1986 classic story of doomed love, Sid & Nancy, starring Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious. D.O.A. screens at 7 p.m., and Sid & Nancy rolls at 9 p.m. Friday at Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson Blvd., with a “Behind the Screen” concert following the films at 11 p.m. featuring Pissed Grave, Mind Spiders, The Eggshells and Sailor Poon. Tickets for each film cost $10, and the concert is $7 — with a discounted bundle price of $20 available for both films and the punk rock show. For tickets, visit thetexastheatre.com. Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson Blvd., 9 p.m., $7-$20, thetexastheatre.com. – Daniel Rodrigue
Facebook’s Timehop feature is a real kick in the teeth for anyone who voted for a certain Democratic candidate. The popping up of pantsuited solidarity pics stings almost as sharply as pics of a long-gone beloved pet. But as much as it sucks for her voters, we’re guessing the one-year anniversary of Trump’s win sucks way more for Hillary Clinton. For those who still carry the “I’m With Her” torch, there’s An Evening With President Bill Clinton and the Honorable Hillary Clinton at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W. Las Colinas Blvd. in Irving. The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee and former president will speak, take questions and surely address What Happened. Tickets start at $69.50. Find them at livenation.com. Toyota Music Factory, 300 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, 7:30 p.m., $69.50 and up, livenation.com. – Merritt Martin
If you’re curious how an independent musician garners a large audience without compromising her music, look no further than Ani DiFranco for an example. DiFranco makes folk music with a DIY, punk ethos. She is touring off her 20th studio album, a collaboration with MILCK called Binary, and she continues to draw engaged audiences night after night. DiFranco, who also runs her record label, puts on shows that feel intimate, and each city hears a slightly different set list. MILCK opens the show. Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., 9 p.m., $42-$58, granadatheater.com. – Eric Grubbs
Wring your hands and fret over the ever-earlier encroachment of the holiday season all you want, but after this tire fire of a year, we deserve some good cheer stat. That’s why we’re throwing off the usual cynicism and embracing any and all things even vaguely magical, twinkling or wonder-filled, and the Magical Winter Lights at Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway in Grand Prairie, more than fills that bill. From Friday through Jan. 7, you can experience zillions of colorful lanterns divided into five themed attractions: Magical Wonderland, The Lone Star State, Dinosaur Land, Mystery of the East and Christmas Candyland. When you’ve had all the twinkling you can take, catch one of two nightly performances of the MWL Chinese acrobatic show or get some face time with Santa or a favorite fairy-tale princess. And if all that’s not enchanting enough, take a whirl in the carnival, where you’ll find plenty of rides, games and fair grub. Tickets to this happy holiday diversion are $21 for those ages 13 and older, $13 for seniors and kids ages 4-12, and free for the easily awestruck 3 and younger crowd. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit magicalwinterlights.com. Magical Winter Lights is open from 5-10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie, 5-11 p.m., $21, magicalwinterlights.com. – Jennifer Davis Lamm
Local advocacy group Go Oak Cliff will host the eighth annual Blues, Bandits and BBQ event at Kidd Springs Park. On Friday, more than 30 teams of barbecue artisans will gather to sacrifice a barnyard's worth of mammals to the Smoky Goodness God. Basically, they'll prep for the competition while live music plays and revelers partake in food and drinks, which will be available for purchase. Picnics are encouraged. On Saturday, a $20 wristband gets you access to barbecue tasting and subsequent barbecue voting, which begins at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit radio station KNON-FM and James S. Hogg Elementary School. Kidd Springs Park, 711 W. Canty St., Friday and Saturday, $20, see Facebook. – Kathryn DeBruler
Dallas Observer Music Awards nominee Mothership plays Curtain Club Saturday.
Mike Brooks
Coming on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, the latest exhibition of John Herrin still lifes at Photographs Do Not Bend Gallery, 154 Glass St., Suite 104, carries a gorgeous and devastating weight. It’s a small exhibition, but the impact looms large: captivating floral portraits taken at various stages of beauty and decay against a pitch-dark background. What gives? The background is courtesy of Houston after Hurricane Ike. Herrin’s own home, without power, was shrouded in darkness closing in around these almost majestic blooms casually carried home and displayed by his wife before the storm struck. PDNB kicks off the showing with an artist reception from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, and the exhibition runs through Dec. 30. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Admission is free. Visit pdnbgallery.com. PDNB Gallery, 154 Glass St., Suite 104, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., free, pdnbgallery.com. – Merritt Martin
Bruce Wood’s vision of dance was that performances should transform the audience in some meaningful way and stick with them well after the curtain goes down. Although Wood died away three years ago, this vision and legacy endures as Bruce Wood Dance’s affecting and sometimes profound performances strive for maximum impact. Its latest show, Rise, brings together three original contemporary works that explore themes of grit, struggle, empathy and hope in a riveting performance. Included are Joy Atkins Bollinger’s "Hillside"; Bruce Wood’s "Lay Your Burdens Down"; and "The Only Way Through Is Through", also by Wood. The effect is inspirational and transfixing, giving audiences a sense of optimism to take home with them. Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St. Tickets are $25 to $100 and can be purchased at brucewooddance.org. Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St., 8 p.m., $25-$100, brucewooddance.org. – Jennifer Davis Lamm
A work from Tom Sachs' Tea Ceremony exhibit at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
courtesy Nasher Sculpture Center
At 12:01 a.m. the third Thursday of November, the new batch of Beaujolais wine is released in accordance with French law. This red, fruity wine known for its drinkability is kind of a big deal, in other words. And if you can’t be in France, the next best thing is to head to CiboDivino Marketplace for an afternoon of French food and wine. Cibo chefs Daniel Puelo and Ryan Olmos will whip up some tasty bites such as mini croque-monsieurs, and Julien Eelsen of Whisk Crepes Café will bust out the customizable crepes. Glasses of Beajolais Nouveau will be sold, food will be eaten, pleasure will be had — how very French, indeed. What it be: French Beaujolais Nouveau at CiboDivino Marketplace. CiboDivino Marketplace, 1868 Sylvan Ave., noon to 5 p.m., free, cibodivinomkt.com. – Kathryn DeBruler
Dallas-based trio Mothership has the market on local metal and heavy rock 'n' roll cornered. Best Metal Act winner of last year's Dallas Observer Music Awards and nominee for the same title this year, Mothership is playing hot on the heels of a cross-country tour. The band will release its latest album at Curtain Club on Saturday night with local punk trio From Parts Unknown (also on this year's ballot for Best Punk Act) and stoner rock band Wo Fat in tow. Curtain Club, 2800 Main St., 8 p.m., $10-$15, curtainclub.com. – Diamond Victoria
Haven't had time to delve through the thousands of records released last month that pertain to the government's investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy? Visit the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, 411 Elm St., for "What Has the Government Been Hiding? 54 Years of Secrets & the Release of the JFK Records," a program about the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. NPR's Dave Davies will moderate a conversation with authors Larry Sabato and Philip Shenon at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets, $15, are sold out at jfk.org, so hopefully you have a friend who plans ahead. General admission tickets to the museum's permanent exhibition will still be available. Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, 411 Elm St., 2 p.m., sold out, jfk.org. – Emily Goldstein
If art lovers and tea fans were depicted via a Venn diagram, there would probably be a lot of overlap. And that would certainly be the case for Tom Sachs, the artist who has turned his love of tea into an interactive, informative exhibit. Sachs built a tea house and all of its accouterments from commonplace materials and, in doing so, made himself into the El Greco of Earl Grey. Two or three visitors will be selected to participate in tea ceremonies hosted by Sachs' colleague Johnny Fogg on Saturday and Sunday. The tea house's walls will be removed so that visitors can watch the ceremony, which is slated to last longer than one hour. Tickets may be purchased for $10. Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St., 3 p.m., $10, nashersculpturecenter.org. – Kathryn DeBruler
Find out what details of JFK's assassination the government has been hiding Saturday at the Sixth Floor Museum.
Zapruder Film © 1967 (Renewed 1995) The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Who says dogs can’t enjoy the cold weather just because eons of evolution gave them thick layers of fur and the ability to lower their metabolic rate in order to preserve their internal heat? Even pooches can enjoy the winter season when there are events like the DOGSDFW’s annual Polar Plunge at the Paradise 4 Paws pet resort, 3010 N. Airfield Drive. Pets at the Polar Plunge can enjoy the facility’s premiere play areas and indoor grass and go for a swim in the bone-shaped pool regardless of the temperature. The event will also have festive holiday photo moments set up so guests can find an excuse to put their pets in their annual holiday newsletters and will feature a visit from Santa. (Yes, kids, Santa also gives presents to the good dogs and cats out there.) The Polar Plunge goes down from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 (including up to two dogs) and can be purchased online at eventbrite.com. Paradise 4 Paws, 3010 N. Airfield Drive, noon to 2 p.m., $15, eventbrite.com. – Danny Gallagher
American Idol’s winners have been hit or miss, but Fantasia Barrino was one of the hits. She won the reality TV competition in 2004 and has since been performing on stages from Broadway to the Music Hall at Fair Park. It’s been 12 years since 33-year-old Barrino released her first studio album, Free Yourself, and in that time, she has won a Grammy and seen her debut go platinum. In October, she released her sixth studio album, Christmas After Midnight. Fantasia livens up Christmas standards such as “This Christmas” and James Brown’s “Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto” with her soulful rasp, and she’ll play songs from the album Sunday in Dallas. Even first-time listeners who just want a fun way to kick off the holiday season will get a kick out of her powerful voice and upbeat arrangements. Music Hall at Fair Park, 909 1st Ave., 8 p.m., $49-$100, liveatthemusichall.com. – Nicholas Bostick
Monday
Now more than ever, it's important that we make our voices heard. And what better way to express your voice than by standing on a stage and commanding an audience’s attention with a well-written monologue? The Bishop Arts Theatre Center’s Monologue Project will host its regular monologue series Monday, featuring performances from some of America’s most celebrated African-American women writers. The show includes serious and comical original monologues by writers such as Amy Evans, Pia Wilson, Charlayne Woodard, Mfoniso Udofia and Chisa Hutchinson performed by local professional and student actors who talk about the unique and important roles black women have played in the fabric of America. The show starts at 7 p.m. on the main stage of the theater center, 215 S. Tyler St. Admission is free. Visit bishopartstheatre.org for more information. Bishop Arts Theatre, 215 S. Tyler St., 7 p.m., free, bishopartstheatre.org. – Danny Gallagher
Tuesday
Here’s a tip for future editors of a certain alternative newsweekly: Never tell your staff of tone-deaf young hipsters that you really like the a capella group Pentatonix (shout out to Arlington) or that Pitch Perfect is one of your favorite movies of all time. The look of supercilious disdain that crawls across their mugs will make you want to smack them good, and that’s not allowed, even here. So it would definitely not be cool to say that GOBSMACKED! sounds aca-awesome. GOBSMACKED! is an a capella, family friendly stage show offering a range of street-corner harmonies, live looping and beatboxing along with “an urban tale of love, loss and redemption,” according to its press materials. OK, that last part does sound a little lame, but still, a cappella is aca-greatness. Hear it at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. Tickets, $29 to $75, can be found at attpac.org. Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., 7:30 p.m., $29-$75, attpac.org. – Patrick Williams
Wednesday
If you have little ones at home, you know Peppa Pig. You probably watch Peppa Pig every day. Every. Single. Day. But if the kids can't get enough, join Peppa and her British buddies for Peppa Pig Live!, a new show featuring life-size puppets. The singing, dancing, games and surprises begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Place. Tickets are $29.75 to $59.75 at axs.com. VIP passes are $149.75 and include — we kid you not — a pink-carpet photo op with the cast and after-party access. Verizon Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie, 6 p.m., $29.75-$59.75, axs.com. – Emily Goldstein
Please the little one in your life by taking them to see Peppa Pig Live! at Verizon Theatre Wednesday.
