Y'all got that beer-can helmet polished up yet? What are you waiting for? You're going to need your hands free if you want to place opening weekend bets at the track, dig in the popcorn over at the film festival and stroke your imaginary beard while staring pensively at canvases during the Dallas Art Fair. We're about to have so much fun. Start strategizing now: Share this list with your pals and click on the event titles for more information.
Thursday Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash Sure, right now the name of this shopping affair sounds silly, but once you save up to 80% on clothes by national and local designers like Status and Lucy Dang, you'll be chanting "Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash" as your mantra. There's cocktail sampling, spa services and a DJ to inspire your "shop dancing."
Celebrate Uptown Kicking off today, this three-day event lets you give money to Katy Trail while doing things you would likely have been doing anyway. It starts tonight with a concert by Austin's Spazmatics and continues Saturday with shopping parties and Monday with fancy dinners. Dallas International Film Fest If ever there was a fest that demanded a couple of cheat days, it's this one. Blow off work, create a plan of attack and take in 10 days' worth of documentaries, shorts and features during DIFF. You can purchase individual show tickets or go all baller and buy a festival pass. Either way, make sure you see at least a couple independent movies while you have the chance; many won't return to a theater near you.
Friday 4.13 Dallas Art Fair Is it luck or a curse that we have the Dallas Art Fair and DIFF on the same weekend? Either way, there's no excuse for boredom, not when F.I.G. is overflowing with contemporary art from 75 different galleries! You can buy a day pass if art immersion is your goal, or go flashy with a badge -- the latter will get you into lots and lots of champagne parties.
Superior Donuts Aside from being the most deliciously named play in the history of Dallas, Superior Donuts is also garnering a lot of praise. It's a story by Tracy Letts about alienation, friendship and secrets taking place in a hand-me-down doughnut shop. It's on its final weekend, so get the sweet stuff while you can. The Biennial(s) Art Fair has ignited a beautiful off-shoot of ancillary projects this weekend, the largest of which is the Dallas Biennale, an 11-venue exhibition of work by artists all over the world. Nested within the Biennale is another biennial -- I know, your brain just made that same noise Rice Krispies do when milk is poured on them. Mine too. It's strange, confusing and very experimental (read: cool and interesting). Click the title for more background.
Saturday 4.14 The Original MUD Run Think Woodstock meets boot camp at a marathon.
Fountainhead A new group of artists and enthusiasts has formed called The Art Foundation, and their first event is a real pisser. Using the grainy black and white photo from Duchamp's "Fountain" (yeah, the inverted urinal), a whole mess of artists will refashion it to reflect their own commentary on the iconic piece.
Sunday 4.15 Wells Fargo Dallas Symphony Derby Ponies! Hey guys, the race track reopens this weekend and during Sunday's annual Symphony Derby you can gamble while wearing a giant hat! Best day ever? Yes.
La traviata Don't you dare short-sell yourself by thinking opera is a thing for the elite, because it ain't. Classics, such as La traviata, will stir up more emotions than that time you chugged four energy drinks while wearing a nicotine patch. It's got it all -- disapproving parents, duels with rival lovers, gorgeous arias you're bound to recognize and tragic illnesses.
Tuesday 4.17 Oral Fixation Go early, because last month's installment of this storytelling series filled up the big room at Kitchen Dog Theater (inside the MAC). You'll hear a hand-picked cast of locals reading their very true essays on the topic "Have a Field Day." Think podcast "The Moth" but a little twangier.
