It's here, finally. Well, if you count Thursday as the weekend. And we do. No need to slack off, get planning on how you'll make your fun this weekend. What's that expression? Oh yeah, carpe diem.
Thursday, October 16 New Works by Justin Terveen Earlier this year, USA Today named the Dallas skyline Readers' Choice for 2014 Best International Skyline. Look, I love Reunion Tower as much as the next Dallas lifer, but I'm guessing a lot of the votes were swayed by Justin Terveen's stunning images. The Trinity River has never looked better than through Terveen's lens. See an array of his cityscape photographs when Kettle Art Gallery (2650- B Main St.) debuts his new works in a solo exhibition that opens at 7 p.m. Thursday. More info at kettleart.com.
Driving Miss Daisy, previews Dallas Theater Center hearkens back to the deep South and a crotchety matron who was once driven around by Morgan Freeman (at least in the movie). It's one of those Southern stories e'eryone ought tew know. See it in previews this weekend, or through November 16 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater (3636 Turtle Creek). Tickets are available at attpac.org or by phone at 214-880-0202.
Teotl: The Sand Show For its newest show Cara Mia Theatre Company lugged ton after ton of sand into an abandoned warehouse in Trinity Groves. The actors in Teotl: the Sand Show play in what at first glance looks like an oversized sand box. Designed in collaboration with Prism Co., a fledgling company earning a reputation for its innovative use of physicalized theater, this show uses masks and fight choreography to explore ancient Aztec mythology. Writer and director, Jeffrey Colangelo, says he was hoping to create the environment of an archaeological dig. Take the journey during a preview at 8 p.m. Thursday, or at another performance through November 2. The show takes place at 500 Singleton Blvd. Tickets range from $12 - 25. More information at caramiatheatre.org.
Save White Rock Theater Of all the things on this list, you could make the most impact on the city with this one. At 4:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Latino Cultural Center, the Cultural Affairs Commission will vote on the allocation of funds to either save or deaccession (as in, discard) the White Rock Theater. Show up, raise a stink, support public art.
Deep Ellum Wine Walk What's not to love about Deep Ellum? There are fun restaurants, bars, shops, oh and Thursday, there's a wine walk. One more reason to love the neighborhood. Glasses will be available for $5 on this walking tour of the participating venues. Grab 'em at the information station outside 2646 Main Street. The walk lasts from 5 - 8 p.m.
Preservation Dallas Forum Here's another important conversation happening in the city of Dallas Thursday. This week, downtown Dallas was put on the endangered places list by Preservation Texas. There's a public forum taking place at 6 p.m. at the Dallas Public Library downtown (1515 Young St.). Show up, listen, learn how to make your voice heard.
Moda de La Muerte Fashion Show Get to know the women behind Rag Parlor and find the perfect Halloween costume at this fashion show at Elm Street Bar (2810 Elm St) at 9 p.m. Thursday.
Friday, October 17
Dreamarchitectonics The Dallas Contemporary gets a new audio visual installation by Frank + Lee Dufour of Agence 5970. Opening reception from 7-9 p.m. Friday with an artist talk at 7:30 p.m. Free.
'Til Midnight at the Nasher The last 'til midnight of the season takes place Friday night with performances by Jeff Mitchell & The Phonophreaks at 6 p.m. and Ishi at 9 p.m. Visit nashersculpturecenter.org for more information.
ReMix from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra The latest offering from the city's orchestra is a program geared at symphony newbies, with shortened length and a drink included. The "Song of the Symphony" focuses on the importance of the song in music history, running the gamut from Mozart to Gerswhin. Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $19 and available at mydso.com.
See also: Dallas Symphony Orchestra Shakes Things Up With Boozy Nights, Beautiful Music of ReMix
Dallas Black Dance Academy See the students as they grow into their leotards at St. Matthew's Cathedral Arts at 7 p.m. Friday in the Great Hall, 5100 Ross Ave. Admission is free. Visit cathedralartsdallas.org.
Laughter Is Music to Our Ears Laugh your butt off with the Alternative Comedy Theater this weekend. They'll perform sketches at 11:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday night, which will allow you to go about your day and show up late, possibly tipsy for a late night of laughs. Head to Pocket Sandwich Theatre, tickets are $12; call 214-821-1860 to reserve. Saturday, October 18
John Pomara's Digital-Distractions For his latest work, John Pomara found himself interested in the way digital technology simultaneously connects us and disconnects us. Everyone has that friend who's in constant communication with everyone except the people in front of him. These communicative "visual distractions" were the impetus for his new abstract works that debut at the Barry Whistler Gallery (2909-B Canton St.) at 6 p.m. Saturday. See Digital-Distraction during the opening reception or through November 29. More information at barrywhistlergallery.com.
3rd Annual Polawalk Dust off that old Polaroid camera and head to the State Fair for the 3rd Annual Polawalk, organized by Instafilm DFW. This group of old school photo junkies will meet at 12 p.m. Saturday in front of Big Tex to snap some shots of the fair crowd.
Rawlins Gilliland's Happy Murder Stories Those campfire stories of yesteryear are about to look like child's play in light of Rawlins Gilliland's Happy Murder Stories. The unofficial Dallas Poet in Residence channels Edgar Allen Poe as he regales a packed house at the Kessler Theatre (1230 W. Davis St.) with the all-too-true stories of his brushes with death, or, perhaps, something worse. Fresh off the heels of his wildly popular "Rated [R]awlins" storytelling show, and just in time for Halloween, Gilliland promises an evening that will keep you on the egde of your seat. Sold out, but still awesome.
Sunday, October 19
Texas Veggie Fair If you've filled up on corny dogs and the variety of fried novelty foods packed into calorie heavy balls at the State Fair of Texas, you can clean out your stomach at the 2014 Texas Veggie Fair. This fiber-conscious event will leave you feeling better than you arrived. Styled in some ways after its namesake, this FREE event features food, music, games, yoga, and a beer garden. It's dog and kid friendly, but leashes are encouraged for both. The event takes place in Reverchon Park (3505 Maple Ave.) from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday. More info at texasveggiefair.com.
Sonnets with Music, Part 1 Shakespeare isn't just one of the theater's greatest writers, he also wrote some damn good poems. He was particularly talented at penning those little 14 line monsters known as sonnets. This weekend Shakespeare Dallas, in keeping with its goal to stage every word the Bard ever wrote, presents Sonnets with Music Part 1. Part of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, this two day presentation includes sonnets, as well as a presentation of The Phoenix and the Turtle, conceived and directed by Shawn Magill, of Home by Hovercraft fame. See the show at 3 p.m. Sunday or 7 p.m. Monday for just $10. More information at attpac.org.