15 Awesome Things to Do in Dallas This Weekend, August 21 - 24

We've got quite a weekend up our sleeves for you. From theater to sideshows to film screenings and art exhibitions, we've shuffled up the cards and stacked the deck just for you. You might call it magic, we call it the Mixmaster.

Thursday, August 21 Artpocalypse The summer is coming to an end, marking a beginning for the art season , which typically flourishes Fall through Spring. Of course, Kettle Art Gallery isn't afraid of a little heat. The Deep Ellum space keeps artists on the walls year round and this upcoming exhibition might be titled Artpocalypse, but it's hardly the end of anything. The work in this four man show includes strong artistic voices thoughtful social commentary and a great deal of humor. Ranging from Johnny Hawkins' graphic design to Richard L. Ross' metanarrative series (whatever that means!), this display promises explosions of variety and a cast of colorful characters. See the work at the free opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Thursday at Kettle Art (2650-B Main St.) or during gallery hours through September 6. More information at kettleartgallery.com.

Authors Elizabeth Mikesch, Luke Goebel & May-Lan Tan - Reading and Signing Spend time with three authors and their books. Elizabeth Mikesch is the author of NICETIES: AURAL ARDOR, PARDON ME; May-Lan Tan is the author of Girlyand her debut collection, Things to Make and Break came out this year; Luke B. Goebel is the author of FOURTEEN STORIES| None of Them Are Yours, to be released in September of 2014. Swing by Wild Detectives at 7 p.m. and get to know them and their work.

Scooter Show and Roman Holiday Screening Get to know the scooters of Oak Cliff on the patio of Oddfellows at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and then stick around for an outdoor showing of the Audrey Hepburn classic, Roman Holiday, presented in collaboration with the Texas Theatre.

Friday, August 22

Dallas Prints at RO2 Art In collaboration with Iron Frog Press, RO2 Art hosts an invitation exhibition of work by more than 20 artists in printmaking. See the show at the opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Friday or through September 7.

RAW Dallas Allure We're still trying to decide how we feel about these RAW parties. We love/hate the spectacle and all-inclusiveness. For what it's worth, there's another one happening at 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $20, but as we pointed out last month, who you buy it through matters.

Social Sciences: Identity Have you ever wondered if beer makes you more fun to be around? Do you find yourself building an identity based on how other people treat you? Or is your job the most "you" thing about you? Identity is a tricky thing. Insecurities and egos are two of the biggest obstacles for friendships, relationships and everyday encounters. But what makes you, you? Do you want to find out while sipping a cocktail at the Perot Museum on Friday night? This month's theme for the adults-only night at the museum, Social Science, is "Identity." Grab a date, buy a $18 ticket ($13 for members), and head to the Perot (2201 N. Field St.) at 7 p.m. Friday. More information at perotmuseum.org.

Dark Side of the Rainbow Our writer Travis Box, recommends a pre-puff or two before you see this Wizard of Oz, Pink Floyd mash-up at the Texas Theatre this weekend. It starts at 9:30 p.m. Friday and tickets are $10.50.

The Year of the Rooster The first in the Arts District theater series known as The Elevator Project is Upstart Production's The Year of the Rooster, a play about cockfighting. Opens at the Wyly Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday. Individual tickets available for $20 or subscribe to all six shows for $100. More info at ticketdfw.com.

See Also: ATTPAC's The Elevator Project Begins with a Rooster's Crow.

Confetti Eddie's Magic Show Exposition Avenue is a strange little street filled with diversion and magic. No, really, magic. You'll know Confetti Eddie's magic parlor (823 Exposition Ave.) by the smaller-than-life dinosaur out front -- an artifact of his own creation. Inside, you'll be welcomed into a show that is equal parts art and magic. He performs tricks with cinematic perfection, shrinking the un-shrinkable and making permanent things disappear -- like heads, for one. Working with his lovely assistant Karleena, he fills his magic show with marvels that will make your jaw drop. It's your chance to grab tickets to see the Magic Show, which takes place at 8:15 p.m. Friday. They're $20 each, but they disappear faster than Karleena's clothes -- and you won't want to miss that trick. More information is available at sidetour.com. Saturday, August 23

Design District Market at Dallas Contemporary At the Design District Market, there's a new kind of dumpster diving. Sure, the implications of a treasure hunt are totally accurate, but the finds are from local vendors and the dumpster is filled with clean, blue water. Bring your wallet and clean towel to the Dallas Contemporary, 161 Glass St., from noon - 8 p.m. Saturday. There will be food trucks, free beers and live music. More info at dallascontemporary.org/ddmarket.

Split Seconds From 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, the Bath House Cultural Center opens its doors for an exhibition that uses photography to blur moments into larger periods of time. Eight artists will display work around this theme.

Satellites by Christopher Blay Art can't talk to you. But wouldn't that be one hell of a conversation? Just think of Mona Lisa's stories or the things Duchamp's Fountain has seen. This idea of one-sided dialogue has become bothersome to Liberian-born artist Christopher Blay - currently in residence at CentralTrak. After all, he can speak (we have witnesses) and even still he's found a lack of feedback and immediate response to his work. To break out of this "closed loop" as he calls it, he's constructed an installation called Satellites. He crafted it using cheap umbrellas and windshield sunscreens. This is the same man who's created a "spaceship," a "time machine," and recently a version of Noah's ark for the Nasher Xchange public art program. See it at CentralTrak, 800 Exposition Ave, during the opening reception from 8-10 p.m. Saturday. More information is available at centraltrak.com.

See also: Christopher Blay Built a Satellite as a Bridge Between Artist and Audience

Sideshow Spectacular Fire eaters, sword swallowers, and bearded ladies. It's a night of old fashioned freak show magic that you won't want to miss. The party starts at 9 p.m. at the Doublewide. For an entry fee of $12, you'll get illusions, music from The Free Loaders, and cheap drinks.

The Wizard of Oz & the Singapore Slingers It's been 75 years since the world was introduced to the cinematic interpretation of the Frank L. Baum novel, The Wizard of Oz. This weekend, we'll be celebrating the anniversary at The Texas Theatre, with the city's favorite swing band, The Singapore Slingers. See it at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Immediately following the screening, The Singapore Slingers will play songs from the same era. Tickets are $15; visit prekindle.com to purchase.

Sunday, August 24

The Hottest Half Running outside in August is not recommended by doctors. If I remember right, it has something to do with ozone levels, allergens, and....oh,yeah... the heat. But if you feel setting common sense aside or need to punish yourself for something, then Community Beer Company's got your back. At 7:30 a.m. Sunday show up at the little brewpub, 1530 Inspiration Dr., wearing as little clothing as possible. The Hottest Half is a joint half-marathon and 10K race along the Trinity Trails. Which course you pick is a signal of exactly how mentally unstable you are. If you survive, there will be beer and a cooling tent at the finish line. We're hoping they'll also send a search crew to peel the rest of us off the sidewalk. Entry fee is $50 and available at hottesthalf.com.

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