What to Do in Dallas This Weekend: Sept. 24-26

Have you memorized my State Fair of Texas guide yet? Great! Then you know that this weeks-long celebration begins today. I hope to see you soon at the lunchtime parade in downtown Dallas.

Tonight

Maybe I was inspired by Sarah Reiss’ piece in the October issue of D Magazine, or maybe I’m just going through a phase, but beer has sounded exceptionally good to me this week. What luck, then, that two of Dallas’ upscale grocers are hosting beer-riffic events this weekend. Tonight is Oyster Bar Night at Whole Foods’ Lakewood store. What it entails: oyster shucking and eating, live music, and beer (Shiner and Pabst will be on hand, but I’m eager to try the Fireman’s #4, a blond ale from the Hill Country). You’ll also be able to sample and buy clams, and prepare them at home. Carla at Whole Foods passed along this simple but drool-worthy recipe.

Meanwhile, Brewtopia has sprouted up on Lovers Lane. Tonight’s celebration includes a Beer Roundup and Magic Hat sampling.

If you time it right, you can probably hit both spots before heading south to Oak Cliff for jazz by Jeff Golub and Eric Darius’ at the Bishop Arts Theater Center. True, this isn’t thrashy, head-bangy music—for that you might need to skip the beer and go hear Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax—but these guys are talented musicians, and the venue is perfect for a jazz concert.

Saturday

Mark your calendar and synchronize your watches: The fair’s Dairy, Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy Goats Costume Contest commences at 6 p.m. in the Swine Arena. This is going to rule, people. You may also want to check out All About Uptown Festival, but I’m thinking goats in outfits is pretty hard to top.

Later on, you may want to see the Drive-by Truckers at House of Blues, unless you were in Frisco earlier for Oysterfest and are all hipstered out. Don’t be a weakling—put on a freshly washed vintage Western shirt and man up.

Sunday

Well, well, well. What have we here? More beer, you say? Paired with delicious food? My, what a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Too bad it’s sold out. You can always try winning tickets to the Libertine’s beer dinner next week (find the details on our Dallas food blog). That doesn’t solve your immediate food needs, however. But I know what will: Sunday Hangover Brunch at Horne & Dekker.

Next, how about a little shopping on Greenville Avenue? Get a new shirt, some toys for the kids, maybe a bauble for the wife—and something to wear to the Black Crowes or RUSH concert later on.

This itinerary barely scratches the surface of all the great things to do in Dallas. Check out what else is in store the next few days, and have a great weekend.