Compared with some 102nd birthdays--extra serving of pudding (tapioca sounds festive), Wheel of Fortune AND Jeopardy, new slippers, deck of large-print playing cards--staying up past midnight does sound pretty damn exciting. That's how the Dallas Museum of Art celebrates a century plus two. It stays open until midnight as part of its third Friday of each month event called Late Nights at the Dallas Museum of Art, during which special events and activities take place from 6 p.m. to midnight throughout the museum. January's birthday celebration edition is also a tribute to the current exhibit Splendors of China's Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong, giving part of the festivities an Asian theme: Lee's White Leopard Kung Fu School will lead a lion dance parade down the Concourse, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas will host a screening of Hero starring Jet Li, kids can learn yoga and take home a piece of Chinese calligraphy, adults can learn Chinese embroidery and calligraphy and Shueh-li Ong, "Singapore's only Theremin diva," will present her electronic music that combines Asian-inspired vocals, punk rock themes and ambient dance music performed on synthesizers, a Theremin and the Chinese guqin, a stringed instrument. In addition, Brave Combo will play from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Atrium, Arts and Letters Live's Literary Café (featuring college-aged writers) will debut its new season and there will be gallery tours on the hour from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Those are just a few of the highlights of the night. It's enough to tire anyone out--no matter what birthday you're celebrating this year. Admission to the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., is $5 to $10. Children under 12 are admitted for free. Call 214-922-1200. --Shannon Sutlief
Kilt and Kin
1/23
If you thought e.e. cummings was obtuse, you might want to stay away from Scotland, where poets such as Robert Burns are famous for lyrics such as these: "When Death comes in wi' glimmerin blink/An' tips auld drucken Nanse the wink/May Sautan gie her doup a clink/Within his yet." We're baffled, too, but such a Scottish dialect might go down easier on Sunday at the Robert Burns Open House, held from noon to 5 p.m. at the British Emporium, 140 N. Main St., Grapevine. Wear a kilt, eat free Scottish food and celebrate the life of the 18th-century poet--or at least the parts of it that make a bloody bit of sense. Call 817-421-2311. --Sam Machkovech
Mean Streets
1/22
Were it not labeled as nonfiction, one would think Forrest Haskell's 12th and McGraw was straight from the imagination of a man hooked on Road to Perdition and '40s noir. But to think that the author, as a boy in Detroit, actually lived this story--working side by side with his schemingly entrepreneurial father to pull off shady deals as bookmakers, loan sharks and a variety of other rackets--sounds almost too good to be true. But, as LeVar Burton always told us on the subject of books, "you don't have to take our word for it." Maybe Haskell will spill a few details himself at the 12th and McGraw book signing on January 22 at 4:30 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, Stonebriar Centre, 2601 Preston Road, Frisco. Call 972-668-2820. --Michelle Martinez
Bridal Party
1/22
Ah, a spring wedding: a quaint chapel, precious young children and dear elderly relatives, fluffy white dresses and fluffier white cakes--and the most god-awful bitch of a Bridezilla making sure her special day is pure hell for everybody else. From miserable bridesmaids in straitjacket-like dresses to florists and caterers berated like common serfs, the Bridezilla phenomenon has become worthy of reality television. Hapless fathers (footing the enormous and ever-growing bill) and grooms (having second thoughts about this suddenly loony woman as a partner for life) can merely stand by and pitifully mutter "Yes, dear" while mothers of the Bridezilla emerge as heinous henchmen. If you want to see the Bridezilla phenomenon at its (next to) monstrous worst, then check out the Dallas Bridal Show on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway. Admission is $10 or $5 for children 13 and under. Visit www.bridalshowsinc.com. --Jay Webb
Body Talk
1/21
Movies like Singin' in the Rain and Dirty Dancing, even Napoleon Dynamite, make me want to lock my doors, turn up the stereo and invent dance moves in front of the mirror singing into my hairbrush. Hey, playing air guitar in your socks launches careers--just ask Tom Cruise. Dance communicates emotions, from "my parents are outta town" to "I'm in love," without using words. Learn some new body language when LMRA Ballroom Dance Activity offers The Fun Dance, a casual meet and greet that allows singles to rub shoulders, snuggle up and swing out. From the tango to the two-step, the language of dance transcends age, nationality and political affiliation. It's time to unlock your door and show 'em what you got. Twirl or waltz to Lockheed Martin Recreation Association, 34 Bryant Irving Road in Fort Worth, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday. Tickets are $7 at the door. Call 817-294-2540. --Danna Berger
