Look, you've been treating earth pretty poorly. You drive an SUV, don't recycle as much as you should, and let's not even discuss how much Tupperware you own. Sure, Earth Day was technically Tuesday, but don't you think you owe your home planet a little bit more love? Lucky for you, the biggest Earth Day celebration in Dallas takes place this weekend with events kicking off Saturday and culminating in a free concert from The Polyphonic Spree at 5 p.m. Sunday. Earth Day Texas 2014 gives us all plenty of ways to honor and celebrate old Mother Earth from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday in Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave. There will be exhibits, vendors, entertainment and celebrity appearances all geared toward sustainable lifestyles, or techniques to make your home and garden more earth-friendly. Admission is free.
Thursday, April 24
Seminar at Theatre Three Writers get a bad rap. People tend to think we're pretentious snobs who gaze at our navels all day, praying for the next great American novel to exit our fingertips. And while that may mostly be true, we're also in great need of mentorship, companionship and love just like everyone else. Navigating the waters of life with the shortcomings of a writer's brain is exactly what Seminar is about. On Broadway, it starred the rolling r's of Alan Rickman's British accent. Here, it stars a cast of feisty Dallas actors. See it in previews for 10 bucks this weekend beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday at Theatre Three, 2800 Routh St.
Turtle Creek Chorale's Sweeney Todd For a musical with a main character as villainous as the demon barber of Fleet Street, Stephen Sondheim's music is beautiful enough for the most poignant love story. And maybe if you squint your eyes enough, Sweeney Todd is a love story. Maybe it's love for meat pies. Or love for slicing necks. Regardless, Turtle Creek Chorale's concert version of the musical is sure to be beautifully sung. See it at City Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St., at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Tickets start at $39 at turtlecreek.org.
Experimental Music and Film in the Cedars If you're looking for an evening off the beaten path, here's an event for you. The Union is the studio/exhibition space of Eli Walker, Kelly Kroener and Joshua von Ammon who are all a part of the art collective, Homeland Security. They're hosting an evening of experimental music and film featuring improvisational grindcore solo percussion and guitar, as well as a 60 minute film by Kurtz Frausun. The Union studios are located at the corner of Browder and Gano in the Cedars. It all goes down at 8 p.m. Thursday and the studios will be accepting donations to support the musician.
Semigloss. Magazine's 5th Issue Release Party In today's cultural landscape, it's hard for a magazine to stay relevant, or even stay in business. But Sally Glass' brainchild, Semigloss. Magazine, is more work of art than magazine, which might explain its sustained life. If you haven't happened upon one in the Nasher Sculpture Center gift shop, you're missing out. You can buy them online here, or you can swing by the issue release party 8 p.m. Thursday at the Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson St. There will be videos, music, mags and drinks at the bar. For the latest issue, the magazine collaborated with Dallas Biennial 14, which is bound to create some great content.
Friday, April 25
Pancakes and Booze Art Show You read that right. This one night only party combines three things I know you love: pancakes, art and booze. There will also be music and body painting (well, that's sort of art). It's $5 to get into The Quixotic World Theatre House & Magikal Event Space, 2824 Main St. For more information visit pancakesandbooze.com.
Todd Barry's Crowd Work Tour It's rare that you walk into a room hoping someone will make fun of you. I mean, nobody's self esteem is that high, is it? But Friday night is a little different, because being the brunt of Todd Barry's jokes is part of the fun. Head to Sons of Hermann Hall (3414 Elm St) and actually be a part of the poking and action yourself. Tickets are $14 to the show at 8 p.m. Friday.
Bondage Expo Dallas We know you have unfulfilled fantasies. They're vivid and personal. And private. No really, please don't tell us. Daydreams are better when shared, but that's what the Bondage Expo Dallas is for. Friday through Sunday, enter a safe space where you can unleash your inner kink. There will be sessions on tension, rope control, predicament bondage and the various styles and techniques of suspended sex play. Meet purveyors of rope and leather while you indulge in old habits or enter new worlds of exploration at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dallas Downtown, 1015 Elm St. Registration is $129 at bondageexpodallas.com. Read this week's cover story about the expo here.
Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure at Dallas Theater Center The fully functioning sociopath detective moves into the Wyly Theatre this weekend to tackle a case of blackmail that leads them into the lair of his arch-enemy, Professor Moriarty. Chamblee Ferguson stars as Holmes in this play by Stephen Dietz, based on an original work by William Gillette and Arthur Conan Doyle. Kevin Moriarty (no relation) directs. Friday's performance is pay-what-you-can and starts at 8 p.m. at the Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St. The show continues through May 25, with tickets $15 to $115. Visit dallastheatercenter.org.
T.J. Griffin's Animal Instinct at RO2 Art There's a certain whimsy to TJ Griffin's work. In this series he explores cartoonish imagery to combine ancient symbolism and animalistic figures. RO2 Art, 110 N. Akard St., hosts an opening reception from 7-10 p.m. Friday. Saturday, April 26
Gallery Walks There are two gallery walks in Dallas on Saturday afternoon and if the weather holds up, it should be a beautiful afternoon of art. We picked our top 10 shows here. If you're inclined to cycle, head to the DADA Bike Swarm that gathers at 1:30 p.m. at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center, then heads out at 2 p.m. riding first to Design District and then onto Deep Ellum. Plus, there's an after party at Twilite Lounge. Just don't drink and bike.
Spare pARTS Flea Here's a list of things sure to make your Saturday better: dog park, market, beer garden, food trucks. This pop-up event at the corner of Sylvan and Fort Worth Avenue from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hopes to be the first of many such afternoons. The Fort Worth Avenue Development Group hosts this event, with the focus on community and sustainability.
Recess at WAAS Gallery School's out at WAAS Gallery. There will be music, curated by -topic, a fashion show of Dallas' trendsetters, and art in the gallery. Tickets are $15 before 7 p.m. and $20 after. Stop by the gallery at 2722 Logan St. beginning at 5 p.m. and stay all night.
2014 PhotoTXcetera Photography and Digital Festival The photographic renaissance is fully alive, with fully accessible artists, photography workshops and the advent of Instagram. Celebrate this art form at a weekend long festival at Valley View Mall, 13331 Preston Road, with hundreds of photographs on display beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday. The free event will feature the work of Texas photographers and digital artists in two concurrent art shows, and will offer panel discussions and lectures on topics as varied as electron microscope photography, fashion photography, portraiture, photojournalism and landscape imagery.
Sunday, April 27
Better Block Birthday Urban planning gets a lot of attention. In Dallas, forward thinkers are mapping out ways to tear down highways and build parks in thin air. If these progressive minds have their way, this will be the city of the future, complete with walkable neighborhoods, well-traveled bike trails and sustainable resources. One such urban planning initiative, The Better Block Project, turns one this weekend and it's throwing a birthday party. Swing by the intersection of Tyler and 7th Streets in Oak Cliff for a block party from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday. There will be food trucks, bocce courts, public art, music and more. Entry to the party is free. More information at betterblock.org.
Texas Frightmare Week Texas Frightmare Wekend is just around the corner, so the Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson is kicking off the festivities early with a week of screamers. First up, is a 3-D screening of The Creature From The Black Lagoon at 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 and available at alamodrafthouse.com/richardson