That's right, Crispin Glover wants to be your Valentine. Your favorite cinematic oddball spends two nights at Texas Theatre this weekend.
Want more? Fine. How about a massive burlesque festival starring international talent? There's also art, a robot opera, live flamenco, a silent film set to live music, comedy and loads more. So c'mon, you freaky lovers and lucky singles: Let's do this thing.
Share this list with your party crew and click on the headlines for more information. I'll see you out there. (I'll be the one tickling Crispin Glover.)
Friday 2.14 Thin Line Film Festival -- Denton's biggest film festival grows larger during its 2014 incarnation, 'cause the doc-heavy program added a music offshoot. Bands, films and parties round-out the five-day rager, so plan to spend a good chunk of time in Little D through February 16. Pablo Francisco at Addison Improv (through Sunday) -- Will the real Pablo Francisco please stand up? He's worked the circuit for more than a decade, gaining a dedicated following through his channeling. His most famous impression is Movie Trailer Guy, but Francisco's got a whole body stack of personalities crammed in that dome piece of his. Let the gang entertain you during his four-day Improv run.
Dallas Burlesque Festival -- Dallas does a lot of things well, and our burlesque scene tops that list. We see that annually during the Dallas Burlesque Festival, which also pulls in talents from around the world and other (lessor) 49 states. It runs three nights at House of Blues.
Back Door Comedy Club -- Aaron Aryanpur headlines this comedy showcase, with support from Linda Stogner and friends. Forgot to get your babe one of those gift-things? No sweat. Your $35 ticket scores you a box of chocolates and a glass of Champagne: Just pretend you planned it all out.
Pretty Things Peep Show at the Kessler -- Is there such a thing as "old timey titties?" Maybe, but the preferred billing is "vintage vaudeville." Pretty Things doesn't just shake what their mammas gave 'em, they also walk on glass, swallow swords and juggle chainsaws. Yeah, it's THAT kind of Valentine's.
Death and the Powers (AKA, the mother effin' ROBOT OPERA!!!) -- Developed at MIT by Todd Machover, this new opera has everyone talking in binary code. With a hyper-modern score and a libretto centered around a mainframe afterlife, you'll want to snuggle with your favorite cyborg and watch the world fall apart. ROBOTS!
Peter Ligon: It's Gettin' Dark, Too Dark to See at The Safe Room -- Whether painting, printmaking or drawing, Ligon digs into his visual material, providing an oddly attentive look at a thing you missed. For his newest show, opening upstairs inside Texas Theatre this Friday, he's exhibiting work painted at night. You'll see shapes encumbered or amplified by limited lighting along with the beautiful messiness it spurs. It's free and runs from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Rise of Flamenco at Dallas City Performance Hall -- Dallas Observer Mastermind and all-around powerhouse Delilah Buitron doesn't just dance flamenco -- she seduces. If you haven't seen her yet, just buy a damn ticket. She'll perform this work with the Dallas Flamenco Festival cast to live music by the Orchestra of New Spain. (Also on Saturday.)
Saturday, 2.15 Crispin Hellion Glover at Texas Theatre (Also Sunday) -- Counterculture superstar and cinematic oddity Crispin Glover gets awkward at Texas Theatre this weekend. He'll read from a series of illustrated books while projections illuminate the tales behind him. Then, you'll get one of two films, depending on the night, along with a preview of his newest project. Glover is known for his accessibility, so if you've got questions he'll give you facetime during the post-show book signing. Check it out: He's one of the good ones.
There's A Scavenger Hunt in the Design District! -- For its second birthday, local gallery Red Arrow Contemporary is going all-out. They've organized an old fashioned scavenger hunt with grown-up prizes, like restaurant gift cards and hotel stays for two. Dough raised goes to help nourish Red Arrow's coming chrysalis into a curator-in-residency program. For the Love of Artists at Kettle -- Last week you poured into Kettle for its annual fundraiser exhibition For the Love of Kettle. This Saturday, the cash generated switches direction, going back to the artists who made last week's show. That means you can score more work by your favorite talents, or finally snag your first piece of local art. It starts at 7 p.m., but arrive early. It's a biggie and work sells fast.
Lily Hanson: a little bit exactly like at RE Gallery -- Dallas-based artist Lily Hanson has spent several years photographing dioramas built by children, primarily in little shows at malls and other public spaces. Here she paints those photographs and builds upon the paintings with diorama-specific supplies -- papier mâché, candy and play dough. Explore these artworks based on tiny worlds during the opening exhibition, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Craig Ferguson at McFarlin Auditorium -- Ferguson smashes F-bombs like Gallagher explodes watermelons, fools. See him without all of those precious television vulgarity sanctions when he performs, sans leash, Saturday.
Jeff Dunham at American Airlines -- You know, I once interviewed Dunham over the phone while he was shopping for fix-it supplies at Home Depot. I asked him if he'd ever explored the seedy underbelly of the X-rated puppet show circuit. He grew extremely uncomfortable and said he needed to go find his wife. Wholesome ventriloquy only, people. That's what you'll see at American Airlines this Saturday. (Tell Jeff I sent you.)
Michael E. Smith at the Power Station -- Sculpture and installation artist Michael E. Smith creates beautiful weightlessness out of inanimate objects. Garden hoses, car parts and organic matter bend and fold into stunning new forms. He's got a solo show opening here in Dallas that looks pretty major. Go. It's from 4 to 7 p.m.
Sunday 2.16 North American Reptile Breeders Show -- "Herper? I barely know 'er!" Say this, and other great reptile-specific phrases at this gathering of cold-blooded critter enthusiasts. And you thought exotic pets went out of vogue in the late '90s. Silly you.
Sunrise, Featuring A Live Musical Score -- The last time local audiences saw F.W. Murnau's 1927 film was during the first Oak Cliff Film Festival, when Austin experimental band My Education handled the score. This Sunday it gets aired out as part of ArthouseFW's new silent series, and you'll get a new take on the music, thanks to Oak Cliff's own, Robert Edwards. Even better, it's happening in the Kimbell's new Piano Pavilion.
