Courtesy of Blade Rave
Audio By Carbonatix
This list is refreshed every week. Bookmark this page for weekly updates on arts and culture happenings in Dallas.
In a city this big, there’s something to do every single day of the week. How could there not be? Dallas is a destination for festivals, traveling art exhibitions, stand-up comedy circuits and literally everything in between. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a curated, weekly guide of top picks you won’t want to miss. And the ways to fill your schedule don’t stop here — check out our full events calendar for even more ways to get through the week in North Texas.
We don’t know about you, but we’ll be at one of the many niche raves this weekend.
Monday, Aug. 17
Sweet Pill
AM/FM, 1950 Market Center Blvd.
Initially, this breakout Philly emo band canceled their planned tour in support of this spring’s sophomore effort “Still There’s a Glow,” citing personal reasons and, notably, the high cost of touring. But they’ve since regrouped and are kicking off the redo effort this week in Dallas. Deux Visages and Bike Routes open, and $1 from every ticket sold goes to charity group Calling All Crows and their work mobilizing music fans and artists to fuel feminist movements.
Tuesday, Aug. 18
Mamamoo
Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth
Like their compatriots, BTS, who were in town last weekend, Mamamoo is fresh off a three-year break of its own while members of the K-pop girl group focused on their solo projects. And that time to grow individually characterizes much of their newly released “4WARD” EP. “This album marks the beginning of a brand-new journey,” group member Solar recently told us. “It’s a project that truly highlights our newfound maturity and the individual musical growth each of us has achieved.” Tickets start at $57.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
World Famous: Girls Night Out The Show
TX Tea Room, 2815 Main St., Ste. B
With their greased-up, chiseled physiques, these Magic Mikes promise to put the “hump” in this Hump Day with their fully interactive male revue. Tickets start at $25, but you’ll also want to bring a healthy stack of paper money to tuck into waistbands.
Thursday, Aug. 20
Dallas Wings vs Indiana Fever
American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave.
Before moving to the AAC permanently next season, Dallas’ WNBA squad hosts its third and final game at the venue for this year. The trial run is ending with a banger, too, as the team is set to host controversial stars Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham up against Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd at what is sure to be a really heated affair. Tickets start at $80.
Heated Rivalry Comedy Show
Punch Line Irving, 310 W Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 130, Irving
I, for one, cannot stop thinking about a certain short hockey player with stupid freckles and a weak backhand. Unfortunately, neither the next book in the “Heated Rivalry” series nor Season 2 of the hit TV show is due out until next year. Thanks to LA comedy vets Erin Cholakian and Madison Teresa and their traveling gay hockey variety show, however, we can all delay yet another reheating for a little while longer. Tickets are $32, and the puck drops at 7:30 p.m. sharp.
Chocolate & Art Show
Lofty Spaces, 816 Montgomery St.
True to its name, this is the sort of outing that lends itself to coming home with both a new piece of living room décor and a tummy ache. Included with admission (earlybird tickets are $15 online) are live art demonstrations, chocolate tastings from local vendors, live music and a gallery of works for sale. Oh, and there won’t be any kids in this proverbial candy store, as this is a 21-and-up event.
Friday, Aug. 21
Benson Boone: “Wanted Man Tour”
American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave.
The recent Best New Artist Grammy nominee hits Dallas on Friday. Looking to shed the one-hit wonder tag the internet saddled him with early on, the pop sensation has been going all out during his second major tour of the year to prove his staying power. Tickets start at $150, but moonbeam ice cream and backflips are included.
’til Midnight at the Nasher
Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora St.
The museum’s recurring monthly series offers yet another chance to peruse its collection for free. In addition, there’ll be a trio of musical performances ranging from opera, to contemporary soul and jazz; a screening of “National Treasure”; and a Cajun-themed catering menu. Best part of all, it’s free. Stay classy, Dallas!
Kandi Burruss: “I Do. I Did. I’m Done!”
House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St.
The “Real Housewives of Atlanta” icon is in her Broadway era. Following up her role in “& Juliet” this spring, the Grammy-winning singer/songwriter is back with a one-woman show that is loosely based on her high-profile relationship with – and subsequent divorce from – Todd Tucker. Tickets are $100, and there are meet-and-greet opportunities for additional fees. Bring it on down!
“The Birdcage”
Texas Theatre, 231 W Jefferson Blvd.
Come as you are, as one of the biggest, if not most important, pieces of queer cinema from the ‘90s is back on a big screen in glorious 35mm for one night only. You’ll laugh at the farcical hijinks of Nathan Lane and Robin Williams playing a cabaret owner and a drag performer and cry that things haven’t changed nearly as much as they should have in the last 30 years. Tickets are $14.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Super Sapphic Rave
Ruins, 2653 Commerce St.
Girly Pop Hours is throwing a dance party that’s by women and for women. It’ll feature house music courtesy of Heaven Above and Gemini Twin, go-go performances, local vendors, and nobody on the guest list that isn’t female-aligned. This one is 21 and up, and tickets are $12 pre-sale and $15 at the door.
Blade Rave: Vampire Bloodbath
Puzzles Deep Ellum, 2824 Main St.
One of Deep Ellum’s newest clubs is throwing a dance party that’s bound to be a bloody good time. At midnight, they’ll be recreating that club scene from “Blade” where blood rains down from the ceiling to a New Order soundtrack. In addition to the bloodletting, there’ll be vampire go-go dancers and blood bag cocktails. This one is 21 and up, and tickets are $23 for general admission.
Broadway Rave
RBC, 2617 Commerce St.
The Deep Ellum club where there was notoriously an actual bloodletting back in the day is throwing a dance party by musical theater kids and for musical theater kids. Unlike the competing raves going down in the neighborhood this same night, this one is 18 and up. Tickets are $25.
Sanrio & Y2K Mash Up Market
Main Street Garden Park, 1902 Main St.
Did you know Hello Kitty is not a cat at all, and a little girl named Kitty dressed in a cat suit? You’re guaranteed to run into several folks who can explain how that works at this night market dedicated to Hello Kitty and friends, along with plenty more nostalgic non-Sanrio-related 2000s-era finds. The free-to-attend event runs from 6-10 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 23
National Dog Day
Backyard Dallas, 505 N. Good Latimer Expressway
Your pups have probably been trapped indoors a bit more than usual in these so-called dog days of summer. So they’re probably due for some stimulation and a party in their honor. From local vendors, pup cups and flash tattoos, there should be a little something for both of you on this afternoon of sensory. If you don’t have a dog yet, there’ll be some adoptable Australian Shepherds on site for meeting and greeting. And 100% of your $7.77 ticket proceeds will benefit a pair of local canine foundations. Dogs, of course, get in for free. It is their national day, after all.
Pedal Around Dallas
Smoky Rose, 8602 Garland Rd.
There are two surefire ways to shed some pounds right now: you can eat the tainted, diarrhea-inducing lettuce, or cycle around East Dallas in triple-digit heat. Only one of those options, however, includes complimentary burritos and beer — or the ability to keep them down. Meet up at the Smoky Rose this weekend, and you’ve even got two routes to choose from, depending on whether you’ve got 17 or 48 miles in you. This group ride is free to join, but you must register ahead of time.
Continuing Events
Treasures of the Pharaohs, through September 2027
Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
On display into next year, over 130 Egyptian artifacts from Dynasty I (3100 BC) to the Ptolemaic period (321 BC) are at the Kimbell. In the museum’s words: “Organized into six thematic sections, the exhibition examines the pharaohs’ authority, the people who served them, religious beliefs, everyday life, the recently discovered “Golden City,” and ancient Egyptian funerary traditions. Monumental granite sculptures, elegantly designed gold jewelry, carved and painted stone stele, lavishly decorated sarcophagi.” The museum is free, but tickets for special exhibits can be reserved ahead of time.
