Best Things To Do in Dallas This Weekend

Friday

For parents with hearts cold and dead after one too many princess movies, maybe a production of Disney on Ice: Frozen isn’t high up on your to-do list. But you’d be surprised at the power of a couple of ice princesses to melt your heart (and loosen your wallet). The show is a tightly choreographed and musical dream-come-true for the tiara-wearing set. Anna and Elsa might not generally get a warm welcome from you, but one look at the rapt eyes and big smiles on your kids’ faces when Olaf triple Salchows and you just might let all that go. The whole family will have serious frosty fun at the Allen Event Center, 200 E. Stacy Road, on Friday at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 24, at 1 and 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 25, at noon and 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 and up; visit disneyonice.com. Jennifer Davis-Lamm

Fun facts about the Harlem Globetrotters, basketball’s best-known comically showboating exhibition team: They first used the name New York Harlem Globe Trotters in 1929 but didn’t play in Harlem until 1968. Amoral warmonger Henry Kissinger was named an honorary teammate 25 years before civil rights icon Jesse Jackson. The ’70s were weird, man. And in 1981, the team’s plane made an emergency landing on an island resort undergoing a hostile corporate takeover and blocked the buyout by defeating a team of seemingly unbeatable robots after a dimwitted resort employee suggested the Globetrotters use their signature trick plays. The historic team plays at 2 and 7 p.m. Friday at Dr Pepper Arena, 2601 Avenue of the Stars in Frisco, and 1 p.m. Saturday at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. Gambling tip: Don’t bet on their opponents, the Washington Generals. They seem due for a win, but trust me. Tickets ($20 to $170), “Magic Passes” to visit and learn tricks from the players, and more info are at harlemglobetrotters.com. Jesse Hughey

Christmas at the Star is a free family-friendly event at The Star in Frisco, 9 Cowboys Way. From Friday through Dec. 22 on every Friday and Saturday night, there will be a tree lighting, a visit from Santa and holiday performances from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Dallas Cowboys Rhythm and Blue Dancers and the Drumline. You and your family will be able to get into the holiday spirit with the cold air, Santa and some young women shaking their pom-poms in your face. For more information, visit thestarinfrisco.com/christmas. Paige Skinner

The Texas Gentlemen are a Dallas-based rotating group of about 25 studio musicians who play with about five members at a time. They mix honky-tonk with rock 'n' roll and have shared the stage with Kris Kristofferson. Members come from all parts of the country — from Texas to Nashville and New York City — and although they play mainly country-inspired music, most were raised on the Beatles and '60s psych-rock. 8 p.m. Friday at The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis St., $20. Diamond Victoria

Elvis Costello has been a well-known musical figure for just a tad over 40 years now. The author of iconic jams like "Radio, Radio," "Alison," and "Watching The Detectives," among many others, is at the elder statesman phase of his career now. After all, his songs have now been around long enough to cycle through multiple generations. However, Costello chooses not to revel in past glories. He's back out on the road, after a recent cancer scare and all, touring the country in support of his latest album, Look Now. Recorded with his longtime backing band, The Attractions, who will also accompany him onstage, the songs contained within focus deeply on aging, mortality and the tricky nature of time. Contemplative matters, for sure. But like his best signature tunes, they're delivered with a spunky and sly enthusiasm that demands attention and begs for bobbing heads. Hear some of the new tunes and revel in the classics when the band commands the Winstar on a post-Thanksgiving Friday. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23 at The Global Event Center at The Winstar Resort and Casino, 777 Casino Ave, Thackerville, Okla., $24 and up at ticketmaster.com. Jeff Strowe

Eleven Hundred Springs has developed a devoted fan base over its 10-album career, walking a fine line between Americana, country and Red Dirt. The local favorite formed in 1998 by frontman Matt Hillyer. It's seen its share of lineup changes since, but Hillyer remains a driving force in the band. 9 p.m. Friday at Dan's Silver Leaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton, $12. Diamond Victoria

After — or entirely instead of — Black Friday shopping, you can head to Oak Cliff for a one-day celebration of big, bold, boozy black beers. You’ll get a flight with four variants of Sombre, Oak Cliff Brewing’s massive imperial stout. This is the only day to try these brews, so taste while you can. Flights will go for $18. Noon-10 p.m. Friday at Oak Cliff Brewing Co., 1300 S. Polk St. (Oak Cliff). Taylor Adams

I See Dallas Tour Company is hosting a tour of Dallas’ best dive bars. Attendees ride in a classic 1978 Cadillac limo to different spots — could be six locations or three; they say it’s up to the group in the car. Tour ticket includes the driving, not the drinking. 21 and older. 8 p.m.–midnight Friday. Meeting at Main and South Harwood streets (downtown).  Tickets: $45. Taylor Adams

Saturday

What can one say about a work that combines booming glam-rock anthems of the ‘80s with Broadway musicals? The words “Oh, God, no” and “For shit’s sake, why?” spring to mind, but other people dug the concept enough to make Rock of Ages a Broadway hit, earning five Tony Award nominations in 2009. See the story of a rock bar trying to hang onto its place on LA's Sunset Strip — there's a love story in there, too, so it's not all power chords and property development — as Rock of Ages 10th anniversary tour comes to The Theatre at Grand Prairie, 1001 Performance Place, Nov. 24. The show begins at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39.75-$99.75 at verizontheatre.com/events/detail/354665. Patrick Williams

If you're a member of Dallas Theater Center's Brierley Resident Acting Company, it's a fact: You have been cast or will be cast as Ebenezer Scrooge in a production of A Christmas Carol. It's Alex Organ's turn in the barrel this year in the Dickens classic adapted by Kevin Moriarty. You'll remember Organ for his roles with Shakespeare Dallas, Second Thought Theatre and Watertower, to name a few. The holiday masterpiece continues through Dec. 30 at the Wyly Theatre, 2400 Flora St. Saturday curtains are at 2 and 8 p.m. For tickets and show times Tuesday through Sunday, call 214-880-0202. Prices range from $20 to $103 plus handling fee. For more info, go to dallastheatercenter.org. Reba Liner

Nerdom has come a long way. These days, it’s the JV jocks, the plastics and the preps who have lost some serious popularity points. So let your geek flag fly this weekend at the Dallas Fantasy Fair at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. This annual celebration features a ton of things for lovers of all things comics and pop culture, including meet-and-greets with celebrities and creative types, including Space Ghost voice actor George Lowe and Marvel Comics artist Sam de la Rosa and opportunities to take home some cool collectibles. The Dallas Fantasy Fair will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 24-25. Admission is $20 for Saturday, $15 for Sunday and $30 for a full two-day membership. Student discounts are also available for $10 on Saturday and $7.50 on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased online at purchase.growtix.com/e/Dallas_Fantasy_Fair_2018. Danny Gallagher

Experience the magic of John, Paul, George and Ringo through Hard Night's Day tonight at Granada Theater. You could say they're almost the venue's house band given how often they play there, but tonight's show isn't just a run-of-the-mill gig. The tribute band is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beatles' seminal 1968 album The Beatles, often referred to as The White Album. 8 p.m. Saturday at Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., $19-$29. Diamond Victoria

Trees' 10th annual Toys for Tots is happening a little earlier than usual this year but still includes some familiar faces. Drowning Pool has played nearly every one of the venue's charitable events and is back tonight along with P.O.D., Islander and more. The event has collected more than 5,000 toys over the years for children whose families suffer financial strain. 8 p.m. Saturday at Trees, 2709 Elm St., $19.71-$38.50. Diamond Victoria

Sunday

The Texas Ballet Theater presents the holidays’ most iconic and dreamy entertainment tradition, The Nutcracker. Fueled by Tchaikovsky's sumptuous score, the ballet charms with its glittery aesthetics, deep veins of emotion and rich, timeless world-building. For newcomers and ballet die-hards alike, The Nutcracker offers dazzling sensation and serious art all in one shimmery, nostalgia-steeped package. There are eight performances: at 8 p.m. Nov. 23, 24, 30, Dec. 1, and at 2 p.m. Nov 24, 25, Dec. 1 and 2 at Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. Tickets start at $20. More info at texasballettheater.org. Jonathan Patrick

In keeping with the season, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents some of the most memorable and fantastical music in the repertoire, selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. Etched from wintry, magical dreamscapes and the glitz and familial comfort of the holidays, these two works explore the emotive force and pure imagination of one of history’s finest musical minds. The esteemed pianist Andrew Von Oeyen also performs Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto. There are three performances: at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 & 24, and 2 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Meyerson, 2301 Flora St. Tickets start at $48. More info at mydso.com. Jonathan Patrick