Heed the call of the great outdoors at the Trinity River Audubon’s Birds & Brew event. Guests will have after-hours access to trails and exhibits. After you’re done with the E/I portion of the evening, head to the decks overlooking the butterfly gardens, Trinity Forest and wetlands, where libations from three local breweries will be served. There will also be birds of prey from Window to the Wild on hand to ensure things don’t get too rowdy. Tickets are $6.
What it be: Birds & Brew
When it do: 6 p.m. Thursday, July 16
Where dat is: 6500 Great Trinity Forest Blvd.
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Farmers Branch is known for two things: hating immigrants and loving food trucks. Just kidding! They’re only known for hating immigrants, but that’s about to change! Tastes & Tunes is Farmer Branch’s summer food truck series, which will feature myriad food trucks as well as craft beer, wine, live entertainment and a slight undercurrent of political unrest. What it be: Tunes & Trucks
When it do: 5-8 p.m. Thursday, July 16
Where dat is: 12611 Denton Road, Farmers Branch
*****
What has four courses, is paired with cocktails, and is all yours for $65? Dinner at Bolsa this Thursday! Designed with Bruichladdich Distillery's The Botanist Islay Dry Gin in mind, the menu will feature ingredients from Mulcahy Farms and include dishes like smoked, cured and roasted shellfish, roasted chicken with crispy hearts, liver mousse and a manipulation of figs. Yes, please. What it be: The Botanist Dinner at Bolsa
When it do: 6 p.m Thursday, July 16
Where dat is: 614 W. Davis St.
*****
Will there be a brisket in a brisée? Find out what French-Texas culinary fusion is all about at Paris Meets Dallas, an ongoing culinary event. Rosewood Mansion executive chef Bruno Davaillon will be joining chef Christopher Hache from Les Ambassadeurs restaurant and pastry chef Jérôme Chaucesse (named France’s best artisan, or Meilleur Ouvrier de France, in 2015) as they prepare a six-course menu sure to be just as fancy as their last names. Dishes include lobster with pickled peach and black garlic, black bass with chanterelles and beef carpaccio. The price is $115 per person without wine pairings or $230 with. Call 214-443-4747 for reservations.When it do: Friday, July 17 through Friday, July 24
Where dat is: 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd.
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Fair Park is having another Food Truck Frenzy. As legend has it, this event gets its name from Fair Park’s resident ghosts, who like to eviscerate hungry crowds. The ghost bit isn't true*, of course, but you’ll be pleased to find that there is, in fact, a whole host of food trucks participating in this event. Enjoy your lunch from Ruthie's Rolling Cafe, Texas Burrito Co. or The Butcher’s Son and then cap things off with dessert from Mr. Snowie as you take in the surroundings at Fair Park’s esplanade. *but maybe though
What it be: Food Truck Frenzy
When it do: 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday, July 17,
Where dat is: 3939 Esplanade Place
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If a late afternoon spent chowing down on brisket, ribs and beer-can chicken sounds like your kind of time, then I suggest you head to Glass Cactus at The Gaylord this Friday. A full spread will be served, including all the sides and three glasses of craft beer or wine per person. There will also be chef demonstrations and goodie bags. Tickets are $85.
What it be: VIP Barbecue, Craft Brew and Wine
When it do: 4-6 p.m. Friday, July 17 Where dat is: 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine
*****
Is a crank-off: A) What inevitably happens when the octogenarian crowd gets together for coffee and doughnuts.
B) An annual gathering of the hipsters, involving Model-T’s, handlebar mustaches and absolutely zero self-awareness.
C) An ice cream competition in Denton, where everyone’s a winner. Because sugar.
If you picked option “C,” you are correct! Reward yourself with a pat on the back and tickets to this event. They’re $15 each, which may not seem like a prize right now, but you have to think of the long-term reward. Picture this: It’s so hot outside that you’re seeing mirages as you stroll down Walnut Street. But then, someone offers you ice cream. It’s butter brickle flavor, whatever that is, and it melts into a cool puddle on your tongue. And then, like magic/you paid for it, other people start giving you ice cream: first mint chocolate chip, then violet and Madagascar vanilla bean. On and on and on until finally, a winner is announced. And then you go home. And you know that yes, you are the true winner, for you got to samp. it. up.
What it be: Ice Cream Crank-Off on Walnut
When it do: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18 Where dat is: 115 W. Walnut St., Denton
*****
Beer and yoga: for when you want your chakras aligned and your inhibitions loose. The Collective Brewing Project in Fort Worth is offering one hour of yoga and two pints of beer for $20. The only downside is that you have to do all the weird stuff with your body before they’ll give you the brews. But as they say, there’s no beer without bow posture up to ear. What it be: Beer Yoga
When it do: noon-2p.m. Saturday, July 18
Where dat is: 112 St. Louis Ave. Fort Worth
*****
Come see what makes Belgium so great, other than its chocolate and Flemish Renaissance architecture, as the Lakewood location of The Gingerman marks Belgium Independence Day. Taste your way through a variety of Belgian brews and enjoy food pairings for $40 per person. Call 469-607-1114 for more information.When it do: 3-5 p.m. Saturday, July 18
Where dat is: 6341 La Vista Drive, Dallas
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