The Ultimate Guide to Your Dallas Weekend, Feb. 4-7

Do This! 
Nothing says Catholicism like a bigass parade filled with plenty of costumed people riding on floats and tossing multi-colored beads. The Oak Cliff Mardi Gras Parade is this weekend, and since it seems to grow every year, it's fair to say this year will be bigger and better than ever. The parade weaves its way through Oak Cliff's Bishop Arts District around 2 p.m. Sunday. 

If anyone ever tells you, “No one cares about art in Dallas,” send them straight to For the Love of Kettle. This annual event features the work of hundreds of artists from all over the city at various price points sold off in an energetic frenzy during a one-night-only event. Seriously, the lines are around the block. Beloved Kettle Art Gallery (2650 Main St.) throws this annual party as a way to pay the rent for the year and because it's a really good time. If you plan to buy, camp out before the doors open at 7 p.m. If you just want the spectacle, stop by anytime before 10 p.m. Admission is free, but bring your wallet because you'll probably leave with some art. More at kettleart.com

If you're seeking a little inspiration for your weekend, you'll find it in the teenagers at DaVerse Lounge. The program, which empowers young people through spoken word and performance, culminates this Friday night. From 7-10 p.m. at Life in Deep Ellum (2803 Taylor St.) teams from around the metroxplex come together for an event that combines spoken word, music and visual art.

Eat This!
Hungry for fried chicken? You might not think to stop at a barbecue spot, but that's exactly what we're telling you to do. The Slow Bone, it turns out, has kickass fried chicken. 

If you're looking for where to eat during the Super Bowl, we've got you covered with barbecue, pizza and burger recommendations galore.

If you're looking for a competition with less balls and more spice, or if you want the best of both worlds, Three Links is hosting its annual chili cook off on SuperBowl Sunday, which means you can scarf down some meat and beans (depending on how Texan the chili is) while you mourn the absent Cowboys. 
Drink This!
What's that? You're out in Denton and you're looking for a drink somewhere that's not filled with co-eds? Try Barley & Board. They've got food that looks amazing, but more important, they have a killer cocktail menu with delicious concoctions like the Honey Hole (gin, honey, lemon) and the Sam Bass’ Bullet (bacon-infused rye, maple syrup, house bitters). And in about a month they'll be cooking up their own brewskis as well. 

Sometimes you pour one out for the homies you've lost; sometimes you drink one down for the homies resurrected. The latter is the case with Dallas Beer Kitchen, the cozy little bar at the tip top of Lowest Greenville Ave. After announcing it would shutter, it found a way to stay in business and that's great, because their beer selection is killer. 

You know what is a damn good cider? The Crackberry at Bishop Cider Co. It's a little tangy, not too sweet, and it's a pleasant pinkish color. It's served at limited taps around town, including The Grapevine, or you can pop into the shop in Bishop Arts and stick around a while.
Hear This!
Before you make your Thursday night plans, read this. The music community has rallied around one of the city's magical musical couples to help support them through a hard time. A benefit concert for Becki, Kevin and Felix Howard will be held Thursday night at Trees, featuring Sarah Jaffe, Kaela Sinclair, the Vandoliers and more. There will be a live auction with art and goodies donated by numerous local creatives. Tickets are $10.

Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 24 and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 headline the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's offerings this weekend, directed by our beloved but soon to depart Maestro Jaap van Zweden. If you love 'em, you gotta let 'em go, right? Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets start at $19.

The experimental space in The Cedars, Pariah Arts, brings together artists and musicians for an evening of boundary-pushing sonic pleasures. Maneesh Raj Madahar, Hello! Scenic Dreams, Kelvin Lords and Deflowered Electric Flesh Bride present what I can only imagine to be some wonderfully fucked up shit at 10 p.m. Saturday. $5 at the door. 
Watch This! 
Teatro Dallas' 17th International Theatre Festival takes over Dallas Children's Theater this weekend. The only festival in town that brings in international theater to perform alongside Dallas companies, the weekend features Danielle Georgiou Dance Group's Pizzicato Porno, as well as the performance artist Violeta Luna, Laboratorio de la Máscara & Idiotas Teatro, and more. It runs Thursday through Saturday.

Do you like your evenings served up with a side of comedy? Do you enjoy a hearty helping of laughter with your beer? Are you hungry for a room filled with jokes, sketch comedy and all-around funny people? Well, The Laugh Supper plans to cook up a buffet line of funny. At 11:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, this comedy troupe performs its newest show at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre (5400 E. Mockingbird Lane). They've promised a show to fill the heart of single people and bring couples closer together. Plus the bar will be serving booze. Tickets are $12. More at thelaughsupper.com.