5 Free Culture Events To Keep Your Brain From Melting

We are so, so close to the time of the year when Dallas is actually a very lovely place to live, but we’re not there yet. Once this damn heat finally subsides, most of us plan to get back out there, and stop sitting on the couch swiping right on Tinder. Still, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of cool stuff going on in Dallas despite these disgusting temperatures, much of which is totally free, which is great considering your exceptionally high utility bills.

This week, you can dig into stand-up comedy, blown art glass, or even relive your junior high spelling bee glory without spending a single nickel. This list of totally free arts and culture events will help keep your brain from completely melting, even if it feels like your body already has.

Comedy Nite At The Twilite
Wednesday, August 19
Twilite Lounge
Free

When you’re in search of stand-up comedy in Dallas, it’s easy to come up short on options. This week, though, Twilite Lounge plays host to headliner Josh Johnson, who’s preparing to record his first live album with Gitmo Music. Outside of Johnson’s own unique brand of comedy, some of Dallas’ finest like Aaron Ayanpur will join Austin’s Jay Whitecotton for a night of jokes in this tiny Deep Ellum Bar. Also making an appearance will be Pete Freedman, editor-in-chief at Central Track, so be sure to prepare your best heckle.

Dallas Observer & Granada Theater Spelling Bee
Thursday, August 20
Sundown At Granada (Rooftop)
Free

Think you’ve got some serious spelling skills? There’s nothing left to do other than challenge your fellow drunken Dallasites at the Dallas Observer/Granada Theater spelling bee, hosted this year at the gorgeous Sundown At Granada’s rooftop patio. Dallas comedian Paul Varghese will host the adults-only event, and we’re assuming that hilarity will ensue once the shots are downed and the spelling commences. If you’re capable of spelling once you’ve had a few drinks, you could win a kick-ass Deep Ellum Brewing prize basket, which undoubtedly will contain lots of delicious beer.

Urban Scene: Art, Architecture, and Culture
Thursday, August 20
4505 Lorraine Ave, Dallas TX 75205
Free

It isn’t often that you find a gallery in someone’s home unless they’re some kind of millionaire art collector, but that’s exactly what Urban Scene’s monthly pop-up galleries offer. This one-night pop-up event will feature works from artists from Dallas and beyond, along with tunes from a live band. Here, you’ll be able to check out art from up-and-comers and established art world darlings alike, all without the stuffy setting of a museum or gallery.

Late Night
Friday, August 21
Dallas Museum Of Art
Free

The Dallas Museum of Art’s monthly Late Night series is easily one of the best arts events in the city, especially when you consider exactly how much you get to do for the low, low cost of free. This month’s event is a trip through the 20th century, which means that you’ll start your evening off with the loungey, ‘20s and ‘30s sounds of the Matt Tolentino Band, enjoy a walk through the Museum’s exhibits of 20th century art, and sing your heart out to nostalgic 80s karaoke jams. There will also be free yoga, food trucks, and plenty of other cool stuff going on, meaning that you have no excuse to skip out.

Mixing It Up
Saturday, August 22
Kittrell Riffkind Art Glass
Free

This gallery of art glass is decidedly off the beaten arts path, but you should definitely check out Mixing It Up, an exhibition of art glass and other mediums at the Kittrell Riffkind gallery in North Dallas. Here, you’ll find astonishing works of blown glass art in vibrant colors, along with various other mediums from the curators’ favorite artists. If your idea of gorgeous blown glass has largely been limited to pretty weed pipes, Mixing It Up will totally blow your mind, pun intended.