This weekend there are plenty of reasons to leave the house and no, 50 Shades of Grey is not one of them. From masquerade balls, to an '80s prom at Doublewide, to video art screenings, performance art, theater and more. We've compiled a list of what we recommend you spend the next few days doing in Dallas.
Thursday, Feb. 12 The Wartime Escape Curious George is a frequent bedtime player in my house, where the little ones love his tales of marginally acceptable monkey behavior. But behind the hijinks is an even more fascinating backstory, which begins in a place without many happy endings. His creators, Margaret and H.A. Rey, were German Jews visiting France when the Nazis invaded in 1940. Their harrowing escape to America -- during which they carried the original manuscripts for the beloved children's series -- took five months. It's a history more extraordinary than any of the mischievous little monkey's adventures with bikes, dump trucks or kites. The Wartime Escape at the Dallas Holocaust Museum (211 North Record St.) chronicles the Reys' ordeal through illustrated prints by Allan Drummond plus archival material. It opened Wednesday and will be on view through June 20 during normal museum hours, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. An opening reception, featuring author Louise Borden, who penned The Journey That Saved Curious George, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. General admission is $10; visit dallasholocaustmuseum.org for more info. - Jennifer Davis-Lamm
Brahms Piano Concerto Dallas Symphony Orchestra, in something of a reverse sequel to last year's performance of his Piano Concerto No. 2, presents Brahms' grand Piano Concerto No. 1. Undoubtedly, the composition deserves a mighty player, and in the robust Yefim Bronfman the work finds a fitting suitor. Beautiful and subtle one moment, fierce and thundering the next, Brahms first large-scale orchestral composition is an elegant, variegated goliath from volcanic start to sweeping finish. Intermission's silence is broken by Richard Strauss' oft-sneering Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life), a glowing exhibition which celebrates Strauss' own genius as much as the glory--and tribulation--of archetypal heroism. Performances take place February 12-14 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday February 15 at 2:30 pm. Jaap van Zweden conducts. Tickets start as low as $19. More information at mydso.com. - Jonathan Patrick
David Cross' Hits It's often said that art is subjective. We've all heard a friend rant and rave about something and wondered, "Is it actually worth paying X-amount of dollars to experience it? Will I agree that it's good?" Well, David Cross is tackling that issue head on. Following in Radiohead's footsteps, Cross is allowing viewers to pay what they want to see his new film Hits, which satirically explores the residents of a small town in America and their hunger for fame. If you're ... uh ... buy-curious, show up to Texas Theatre (231 W. Jefferson Blvd.) at 7 p.m. Thursday and decide the value of Cross' work for yourself. Find more info about this one-time screening at thetexastheatre.com - Lucas Buckels
For the Love of Artists Last Saturday night, Kettle Art hosted its annual "For the Love of Kettle" exhibition, in which all the proceeds from the show go to support the gallery right around tax season. The line stretched around the block, with people lining up more than an hour before the space opened. This week, they flip things up with "For the Love of Artists," during which all the proceeds go to support the artists. Get there well before 7 p.m. and prepare to fight your way to your favorite piece. More at kettleart.com.
Friday, Feb. 13 Dallas Medianale Screenings Those of you who are late to the Dallas Medianale party aren't out of opportunities to join in on the fun. The experimental film festival that took over the McKinney Avenue Contemporary (3120 McKinney Ave.) at the beginning of January still has a few tricks up its sleeve before it ends in March. Up next is a series of seated screenings in the MAC's black box theater, curated by video artist and educator Michael A. Morris. At 7:30 p.m Friday you'll be treated to a compilation of videos with the theme "The Lost Worlds." Following at 8:45 p.m. is Experimental Response Cinema, a collection that will focus on films from Austin. Morris has done a great job curating Medianale events thus far; the evening is sure to be entertaining, educational and to draw an interesting crowd. While you're there, also make it a point to check out the video art installation in the adjacent galleries, Call and Response. Francis Alys' work in the exhibit has recently been replaced with a piece by Micah Stansell, so there's something new to see, even if you've already passed through. Admission to the event is free, but RSVP through Eventbrite to guarantee your spot, as seating is limited. More info at videofest.org. - Caroline North
Who's Afraid of Chuck and George? Think of Who's Afraid of Chuck and George as a roast on canvas, where -- rather than having insults hurled at them -- two artists will be lovingly caricatured by friends and fellow artists. In fact, nearly a hundred contributions will line the walls of CentralTrak, the UT Dallas Artists Residency (800 Exposition Ave.), demonstrating the immense respect and affection that Brian Jones and Brian Scott have generated in their 25 years in the Dallas arts community. The pair -- who are partners in life and frequent collaborators in art -- go by "Chuck and George," and even if you don't know them, you know their work. Jones did an iconic series of Big Tex in flames that you surely saw after the fiery incident in 2013; Scott's grotesque imagery includes studies of carnies and male genitalia. Given their fondness for private parts and general campiness, it'll be interesting to see what kind of tributes their friends come up with. View Chuck and George through the adoring eyes of dozens of their peers during the opening reception from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday. The exhibit continues through April 4. Admission is free; see centraltrak.org for more. - JDL
