Welcome to a new year, Dallas! That means you've got a clean slate just waiting to be dirtied. Start strong this weekend with art openings, two visits by George Takei (Oh, myyy!), football ragers, classical music, films, burlesque shows, zine release parties and more. We've got it all in this weekend list, so alert your party squad, click the event titles for more information and make a plan. Then, go show 2014 that you're in charge. I'll see you out there. (I'll be the one following Takei around, disguised as a mountain of Tribbles.)
Thursday, 1.2 Being John Malkovich -- In Spike Jonze's latest, we see Joaquin Phoenix learn true intimacy through his advanced operating system in Her. But even his first full-length feature, Being John Malkovich played with odd mental inner workings. Revisit Jonze's early release in 35-mm goodness tonight when Texas Theatre airs out the eccentric cinematic classic.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story -- Explore Holly's final years through words and music in this stage revue, running through February 1.
Friday, 1.3
George Takei Signs Oh Myyy -- He's gone from being an officer on Star Trek to dominating the Internet, and on Friday you can attend a meet and greet with George Takei when he beams into Madness Games and Comics to sign his new book from 6 to 8 p.m.
Cotton Bowl Classic Parties -- Good luck getting tickets to the Cotton Bowl, those little rascals are sold out. Still, you can pop into a viewing party, a pre-party a tailgate party or all of the above and celebrate the day with other super fans. We've picked out some highlight events.
Viva Dallas Burlesque's That '70s Show -- Those dames of Viva! always bring the glam, and on Friday night they'll add a teased-out, hip-hugging, discolicious bonus as they tribute the '70s at Lakewood Theater.
Spiderweb Salon Winter Formal -- Toast creativity in Denton on Friday when Spiderweb Salon throws a showcase of spoken word, music and performance art at Dan's Silverleaf. There's also a silent art auction benefiting Denton Friends of the Family and a zine release. Basically, it's all the best stuff in life. Cover is just $5. Kyle E. Evans:Transmission Archaeology -- Pariah Productions and the Union studio and gallery bring this exploration of cathode ray tube television technology and analog video transmission to the Cedars. Yup, it's a throwback to analog, set to look at our current, past and future means of communication. Check it out Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Bettie Page Reveals All -- What you notice in other films and programs designed to suss out the life of Bettie Page is the star's absence. She became a recluse and born-again Christian later in life, shying away from the spotlight. In the new doc Bettie Page Reveals All, not only does Page tell her side of things, she serves as the film's narrator. Yes, that is awesome. Local burlesque broads Black Mariah, The Dirty Blonde and Vivienne Vermuth honor her with a pre-screening shake-up for Friday's event. Tickets cost $12.
Foto Friday at Makerspace -- From drone building to subversive knitting circles, you've got to wonder if there's any niche interest not being enjoyed at our favorite maker hangout. Well, if you're more of a shutterbug than a builder, check out Foto Friday every other week. You'll meet other enthusiasts through conversation and lectures, plus there's open access to the dark room. It's free to attend. Saturday, 1.4
Watch Kayla at Texas Theatre -- Her video art has been popping up around town and on Saturday you can see a heartier dose of Kayla Escobedo's work in the Safe Room gallery up inside Texas Theatre. Filmed on location, the exhibition, presented as a looped GIF projection, will represent the artist's relationship with Texas, space and self. The opening runs from 6 to 10 p.m.
George Takei at the Fort Worth Symphony -- What doesn't George Takei do? Actor, playwright, gay rights activist, author and Facebook dominator, Takei's got it locked down. On Saturday he'll narrate the Fort Worth Symphony's evening of Sci-Fi music, as they play music from Close Encounters, Star Trek, Star Wars and more. Ian Bostridge at the Dallas Performance Hall -- A regular guest at Covent Garden, English National Opera and the Bavarian State Opera, international opera star Ian Bostridge will mark the debut of the Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Art Song Recital Series on Saturday. He'll do selections by Benjamin Britten, Charles Ives, Noel Coward and Cole Porter as well as the original 12-song version of Franz Schubert's "Winterreise."
Behind the Screen at Texas Theatre -- After Kayla's art show, have a beer and check out DFW's best stand-up. Starting at 11 p.m., $5 gets you access to a makeshift comedy club housed behind Texas Theatre's film screen. That's where you'll get sets from comics Andrew Woods, Christopher Darden, Clint Werth and Brad LaCour.
Shen Yun -- Running Thursday through Sunday, Shen Yun brings more than 100 dancers, musicians and performers to the Winspear to work their way through folk dances and traditional vocal performances, blowing through nearly 400 stunning costumes in the process.
Sunday 1.5 Raging Bull at Alamo Drafthouse -- The reviews on Scorsese's newest have been interesting. Some rave that Wolf of Wall Street makes for three of the most exciting hours of film you'll see all year. Others have panned the thing for glorifying a character who financially ruined so many. But you know what other Scorsese flick released to a critic cage match? That's right: Raging Bull. Now considered a cinematic cornerstone, time has worn well on the boxing tale. Rediscover it on Sunday at the Alamo where Wolf of Wall Street is also playing.
