Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: May 1

The Florence and the Machine show tonight at Palladium is all sold out. You know what’s not sold out?  Next week’s hilarious double bill featuring Marilyn Manson and a scantily-clad Cindy Lou Who The Pretty Reckless, fronted by the erstwhile actress Taylor Momsen. They’re both profoundly guilty of eyeliner abuse, so it’s a match made in someone’s heaven. If that speaks to you, feel free to buy a ticket or two. But speaking of hilarious, here’s a video of Ellen Degeneres “reading” 50 Shades of Grey. I bet I don’t even have to tell you how I feel about that book.

The best possible thing you could do tonight, besides proudly attend your mom’s award ceremony where she’ll be recognized for 20 years of teaching, babysitting, building up the world’s strongest immune system, and generally being a hero to elementary school children and their parents, is go see Manhattan at the Magnolia Theatre, part of the FrontRow sponsored Big Movie series. It plays twice, once at 7:30 and then again at 10, just to make your life extra easy. Woody Allen’s black-and-white opus holds an interesting place in my heart, for reasons that involve the amazing Film Forum and of course that magical city. You shouldn’t miss seeing this on a nice big screen. And now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go search for flights. But you should enter FrontRow’s giveaway, because you could win tickets to the movie tonight plus popcorn, which is a great deal because the last time I was at the Angelika, I was dismayed to find that popcorn costs as much as an Italian sub from Jimmy’s.

Let’s say you are a crafty person who enjoys stamps. Lest you think that you, crafty person, are doomed to pre-cut stamps forever, graphic designer Alison Vieger is here to rescue you. Tonight’s class at Oil & Cotton will instruct folks in the art of potato stamps as well as rubber carving, so those who are so inclined can go around putting his or her unique brand on everything. Much like those odd Plano graffiti artists Tim mentioned this morning.

For more to do tonight, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 30

On a dark day for the Dallas Theater Center’s production of Next Fall, the Kalita Humphreys Theater happily does not stay empty.

Tonight, the DTC Guild has put together a staged reading of Ladybug, Ladybug Fly Away Home, with almost all of the original 1979 cast members. This a bit of a peek back in time, if you will, that includes last year’s Best of Big D actress Elly Lindsay and the show’s original director, Chris Henrie. Henrie will join the DTC’s current artistic director, Kevin Moriarty, for a talk back after the reading. Ticket proceeds support the DTC.

Also this evening, the Texas Theatre starts up a Monday night trivia game, the increasingly popular Geeks Who Drink pub quiz. While this is somewhat less intriguing to me than a Whedonverse-specific trivia night, I am nonetheless a general sort of dork who enjoys both a good gin and tonic and the chance to see if I really am smarter than my friends. Get a team together and make up a funny name so you can win extra prizes. The overall winner gets a bar tab, which is obviously useful for all future visits.

For more to do tonight, go here. And if you haven’t yet, vote for your favorite arts groups, local musicians, sports teams, and the like in our Best of Big D survey.

Things To Do In Dallas This Weekend: April 27-29

Today is a day for music, unless like me you are all set for an incredibly classy theatrical experience in a non-traditional venue. That’s right, folks. I am attending Silence of the Clams. At S4.

Friday

The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, smartly poaching a concert that’s usually a sell out for the DSO, hosts indie darling Ben Folds this evening. His sensitive, piano-driven indie rock anthems get the full orchestral backing for what will probably be one of his more sedate shows. As opposed to the one where he arranged for someone to throw himself off the balcony during “Jesusland.” You can still snag tickets, but they are inching up into the pricey stratosphere.

Personally, if I was not getting my horror movie parody on, I’d try and make the Mayer Hawthorne show at Palladium Ballroom. I irrationally love this guy, no matter how derivative his soulful sound might be. It was one of the best concert experiences I ever had in New York (at Webster Hall, no less), and I was really sad last year when a concert featuring him as an opening act got canceled. Now he’s a headliner, and I am thrilled. Listen to “Your Easy Lovin’ Ain’t Pleasin’ Nothin’” and “Green Eyed Love” for extra convincing.

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Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 26

You know what is fairly tasty? The skillet-fried chicken at Chicken Scratch. You know what is also tasty, but only to mosquitoes and maybe fictional vampires? My extremely rare blood type. Owners of that lovely outdoor space, please, please get some citronella candles. Or keep some non-smelly non-aerosol bug spray on hand. It’s creepy-crawly bitey ouchy season.

So many good things to do this evening. First, the first of (hopefully) many David Dillon Symposiums kicks off at the Dallas Museum of Art. In honor of David Dillon, the late, great Dallas Morning News architecture critic, the University of Texas at Arlington has launched the David Dillon Center for Texas Architecture, an initiative of the School of Architecture that will encourage faculty and student research. The center’s inaugural symposium will feature New Yorker architecture critic Paul Goldberger as its keynote speaker, who will address attendees in the Horchow Auditorium tonight. Over the course of two days, our city’s thinkers will examine the nature of architectural criticism today, following Goldberger’s keynote address with a number of panels (including a discussion led by FrontRow’s own Ben Lima, among many others). You can still get tickets to one or both days.

Also this evening, fans of National Geographic’s Crittercam can meet the program’s brainchild, Greg Marshall, not to be confused with Garry Marshall, purveyor of everything-but-the-kitchen-sink romantic comedies that are neither romantic nor comedic. This four-course dinner at Del Frisco’s helps fund Marshall’s unique form of wildlife research.

Finally, I recommend finishing off your Thursday at the Gin Mill, a place that not only features my favorite spirit in its name but also plays host to one of my favorite local musicians, percussionist Jonathan Merla. He’s very talented. He was also my awesomely fun prom date, back in the day, so I’m not biased or anything. “Écouter Jouir” features DJ Adam Pickrell on the decks and Jonathan Merla doing what his does best with traditional Latin percussion.

For more to do tonight, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 25

Remember my long multi-week journey into the mostly pointless night of Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84? Right. I didn’t like that book. But I soldiered on because I’ve read almost everything else he’s written, and generally enjoyed the experience.

The first book of his that I read was not, in fact, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. It was Norwegian Wood, a pretty, nostalgic story about a man reminiscing about his two very disparate college lovers. And of course, the title comes from that great Beatles song. Anyway, the Texas Theatre’s Kimono Club will screen last year’s film adaptation, directed by Tran Anh Hung. This is an amazing opportunity to see it, since its U.S. release didn’t start until this past January—and of course, only in the usual select cities.

If you wear a kimono, your first beer is free. And as always, there will be karaoke after the film. I’ve narrowed my song choices down to two. Since the show starts at 9:30 pm, you could go pretty much anywhere for dinner, but why not try the still new-ish Chicken Scratch? Pretty pictures of fried chicken will convince you.

Also this evening, the Dallas Opera’s The Magic Flute continues to delight. Yes, I know, you could go see it for free at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday. But I don’t want to go to the Death Star and also I’m busy on Saturday. So, tonight  at the Winspear sounds much better. Our classical critic, Wayne Lee Gay, recommends this comedic opera highly.

For more to do with you Wednesday evening, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 24

There are only a few things I love more than television. Maybe this is sad. But it’s also a true fact. Another true fact is that I don’t actually watch Modern Family on any sort of regular basis. I hear good things, obviously, from everyone and his or her mom and also every Emmy broadcast from the last two years. I also really enjoyed that New York Magazine supercut of Sofia Vergara yelling.

The fact that I haven’t watched the show religiously doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t enjoy hanging out with the cast and creators and talking shop for awhile. You can sort of do this tonight at the Winspear, with the Modern Family panel that the Brinker International Forum has lined up. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell, and Eric Stonestreet, members of the show’s Emmy-winning cast, will participate in a discussion about what makes their show such a hit. Co-creator and executive producer Steve Levitan will chime in, and the audience will get a chance to submit questions for the Q&A portion of the program at the end of the night. Sounds excellent. But sadly, it does not appear that the food trucks are planning to stick around the Arts District beyond lunch. Eat elsewhere before (it’s probably already too warm for my quick, close by favorite, Mai’s), or try your luck at a place in One Arts.

The last time I was in the general vicinity of Dada in Deep Ellum, some friends and I witnessed a drunken loon get laid out by a bouncer. An explanation quickly circulated—the guy was causing trouble inside, so the bouncer dragged him outside, and put him to sleep. With his fist. Moral of this story: do not cause trouble here. People just want to listen to some music, okay, and tonight Sucré (a three person endeavor with instrumentalist Jeremy Larson, Stacy King from Eisley, and Darren King of MuteMath) celebrates their recent CD release and plays a set. The band has been featured on Hello Giggles and the middle guy’s dandified get up in their press photo reminds me of someone I used to know (Gotye has ruined this phrase forever). I’m not sure if these are good or bad associations, but if you like the group, tickets are a supremely reasonable $8.

For more to do this evening, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 23

It’s here! Best of Big D culture voting, I mean. Go select your favorite artists, musicians, and thespians, and then come back to me.

Tonight, the Rangers take on the New York Yankees, with Derek Holland pitching. The Rangers will also honor longtime player Pudge Rodriguez, who announced his retirement from the MLB last week after his final season with the Washington Nationals. He’ll throw out the ceremonial first pitch. If we win, I get to do a lot of gloating to NYC friends via all-caps text messages, so I really hope that happens. Beyond all the usual reasons, of course, like hometown loyalty, extreme bandwagoning, etcetera. Also, fans under the age of 13 get a Transformers action figure. Shia LaBeouf not included. This is really for the best.

Elsewhere this evening, Oil & Cotton hosts their third and final “Mom’s Night Out” art event. The collective supplies everything you need to make something lovely out of charcoal and/or pastel, and you’re encouraged to bring booze, snacks, or both. Oak Cliff artist Emily Riggert will be on hand to help tease out your inner Picasso.

For more to do tonight, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas This Weekend: April 20-22

First, read Tim’s excellent report on how Museum Tower threatens the Nasher (and other parts of the Arts District). Second, make plans to attend the Nasher’s Soundings concert tonight. Third, never bring a pound of gummy bears to a beer tasting. Now you know.

Friday

The program this evening is called “A Dialogue of Caprice and Masterpiece,” which already sounds just gorgeous, and features pianist Alexander Madzar and violinist Anthony Marwood (who has been described by British press as “the magic violinist,” and has also performed in the nude for a theatrical production of Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale). Obviously this is someone you want to hang out with. They’ll start with solo performances of contemporary work by Luciano Berio, Jörg Widmann, and Claude Debussy, then tackle Schubert and Bartók for a bit of a more intense finish. Willard Spiegelman wrote an article in the February issue of D that talked about the importance of this musical programming. Usually Soundings sells out, but you can still get tickets to tonight’s concert online.

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Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 19

If I wasn’t already doing something (top secret) for SideDish this evening, I’d be making my way to Paul Quinn College.

Why? Tonight is PQC’s annual A Community Cooks fundraiser. Carol checked in on the football field-turned-farm last week, and this week you can see it for yourself without ever having to get your hands dirty. The last time I set foot on anything resembling a “farm,” (i.e. the time my friend Pam wanted to go strawberry picking in New Jersey for her birthday) I ended up splattered with mud and helping Pam’s boyfriend move the car so she was indefinitely trapped in a Porta Potty. Such juvenile antics will not occur this evening. To date, the students and caretakers of the organic farm have produced over 4,500 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies, with a minimum of 10% donated to needy South Dallas families. This year, the fundraiser will include a ribbon cutting ceremony for the farm’s expansion, and funds from the evening will help PQC continue to make improvements.

Participating guest chefs, who will serve dishes to guests on the field between the cantaloupe and the sweet potatoes, include Jeff Harris from Bolsa, Matt Balke from Bolsa Mercado, Janice Provost and Chad Houser from Parigi, Tim Bevins from Craft, Tre Wilcox of Marquee, Jason Maddy from Oak, Jon Stevens from Nosh, Matt McCallister from new venture FT33, and plenty more. You can still get tickets.

Also tonight, Judy Blume is at the Dallas Museum of Art for their BooksmART series. I have read, as I’m sure most of you have, as well, most or all of her books. However, it’s the 40th anniversary of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, the first in the beloved Fudge series. In honor of this, there will be a post-talk celebration where Blume will sign books (you can bring one well-loved favorite from your home library). Just note that this event will take place at First United Methodist Church on Ross, right next door to D headquarters and across the street from the DMA.

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Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 18

As if everything in this super cute shop isn’t enough to convince you that a trip to Fort Worth is in order, one of our loveliest voices embarks on a three day concert at the Modern Art Museum this evening.

Betty Buckley, a Tony Award winner and a Texas native, was perhaps last seen by Dallas folks during the Dallas Theater Center’s wonderful production of Arsenic and Old Lace. But if you’ve ventured to Cowtown since then, Buckley been teaching master classes in song interpretation and readying her solo touring show, Ah Men! The Boys of Broadway. Perhaps because she’s performed “Memory” too many time to count and “Mr. Mistoffelees” not nearly enough, she’ll take on Broadway classics generally reserved for men. Think selections from Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls and Pippin. Pianist Christian Jacob will accompany Buckley’s crazy good vocals. If you can’t go tonight, there are two other chances to catch the concert. Buckley also wrote a guest column for the Times in February about that whole American Idol fuss that’s worth a read.

Fans of Brad Goreski, the stylist turned reality TV star (formerly of Bravo’s The Rachel Zoe Project, now with his own show), will be thrilled to learn that Brad himself will be at the Brooks Brothers in West Village this evening, signing copies of his book, Born to Be Brad. Show up looking dapper.

For more to do tonight, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 17

It IS Kelly Kapoor story hour. (Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers, in Matt & Ben.)

I don’t really watch The Office anymore, but I used to. As obnoxious as she is, Kelly Kapoor is one of my favorite characters—I mean, think of all the great stuff she says. And then that old episode, Drug Testing, when she launches into a crazy monologue and Dwight just shrieks, “This is not Kelly Kapoor story hour!” A) This is how I imagine some of my friends feel about me 45% of the time, and B) I wish it was the Kelly Kapoor story hour, kind of all the time. Probably because I don’t actually have to hang out with her.

Anyway, the actress Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly and whose book I read not too long ago, got her comedy break with an off-Broadway show she co-wrote and starred in with a funny friend from college, Brenda. (Tip: those are apparently good to keep around.) It’s called Matt & Ben, and it’s about that time the screenplay for a movie called Good Will Hunting fell from the sky and into the collective lap of a pre-Oscar Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. This version of events actually explains a lot. Echo Theatre, as part of their Echo Reads series, presents a staged reading of the play at the Bath House Cultural Center. This means good times for all. And yes, Matt and Ben are played by ladies. This is my pick. Go check this out, if only to see where a great funny brain got off the ground. Also yes, I realize that’s sort of a weird image.

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Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 16

I rarely recommend wide-release films here, but I do like to try and and trick you into reading other stuff I write. Last week I went nuts for The Cabin in the Woods, a rather long-awaited release for fans of Joss Whedon and/or Drew Goddard. It was filmed between seasons one and two of Whedon’s TV series Dollhouse, an interesting note because I think there are plenty of (welcome) thematic similarities between the two, but shelved after MGM went bankrupt.

But now it’s here. I liked it quite a bit, and I tried to keep my FrontRow review as spoiler-free as possible. A.O. Scott is more middle of the road, and has a point about winking undermining actual terror. But since I don’t enjoy jumping out of my skin every two seconds, I was fine with that. I think you should see this movie. It’s Monday. What else do you have going on?

I feel like all I’ve done lately is talk about screenings, but I can’t help it. I’d tell you to go to the delicious sounding Victory beer dinner at the Moth, but it’s sold out. And the Dallas International Film Festival is still going on, with a couple of worthy films repeating today. You can see all our festival coverage on FrontRow, but Jason Heid says that if you like mariachi music (I mean, really like it), then you will enjoy Mariachi Gringo. It screens at 1:30 pm at the Magnolia, so maybe that’s a long lunch. My famous friend, Bradford Pearson, adds that the line for last night’s Mariachi Gringo showing was down the stairs and all the way out the door, so get there early. “Muy popular,” were the actual words he used. So bilingual.

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Things To Do In Dallas This Weekend: April 13-15

Have you ever wanted to see People Newspapers’ Bradford Pearson work his interview magic live? You can. Tonight. On a stage right outside the Magnolia. 6:30 pm. Be there, or be sorely uninformed about the movies at the Dallas International Film Festival. There will be chairs set up, but you could also commandeer one of Union Bear’s outdoor tables and have beer while you listen. If it’s not pouring, that is. And if it is, this whole thing will be moved inside Union Bear anyway.

Friday

The Internet is having a field day over the fact that some kids apparently didn’t know that the sinking of the Titanic was a real event and not just a plot point in a soppy James Cameron movie (or, more importantly, the reason Matthew Crawley becomes Lord Grantham’s heir). Resist the urge to lament the state of American education and head to the Hotel St. Germain for their commemorative Titanic At Sea “happy hour”. Choose either cocktails and hors d’oeuvres or dessert and champagne, then peruse the exhibit of photos, memorabilia, restored films, and documentaries.

Something else that may or may not get rained out is the Deep Ellum Food Truck Rally. Main Street between Malcolm X and Crowdus will be closed for the event, so plan to drive and park accordingly. Carpooling! It is so much fun. There will be live music from My Wooden Leg and Hares On a Mountain (as opposed to Hares In A Quesadilla or Hares In A Stew), plus a wide variety of stuff you might like to eat.

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Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 12

Hey, hello. Happy Dallas International Film Festival Day. Very exciting. If you want to go see movies for free, enter to win festival passes and ticket vouchers here.

Tonight is opening night, and Ted Mosby, Architect Josh Radnor’s Liberal Arts will screen at the Majestic Theatre. Ignore the fact that HappyThankYouMorePlease, Radnor’s irritatingly-named debut feature, was more or less unwatchable. This evening is all about the party. You can still snag individual tickets online.

Speaking of parties and, indirectly, Uptown (DIFF is taking over the Magnolia, pretty much), celebrate that fine plot of Dallas with a fun fundraiser for the Katy Trail and the McKinney Avenue Trolley. My golden retriever, Samwise Gamgee, had a lot of fun on the Katy Trail on Sunday. Let’s keep it nice, okay? A DJ kicks off this Cityplace/West Village soirée around 5 pm, and then Club Wood and ’80s cover band The Spazmatics take over. Five bucks gives you access to music, snacks, and drinks. As a bonus, it’s National Grilled Cheese day, and Ruthie’s Rolling Cafe, which will be parked nearby for the party, makes a mean one. (But Big State in Irving makes my favorite, in case anyone was wondering.)

Meanwhile, a few of us are gussied up to attend tonight’s Dining in the Dark fundraiser for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. I told my friend Michael that I was going to this, and then mentioned that technically, I’m legally blind (this is true—I’m one negative power away from having to order custom-made contacts). His response:  “I don’t know if you’re confused, but you don’t get any of the funds.” Duh. The Foundation helps folks suffering from retinal diseases like macular degeneration, funding research to save and restore sight. This is a good cause, so if you have deep pockets, consider eating in pitch darkness for an evening.

For more to do tonight, go here.

Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: April 11

Wondering which of the 110+ movies to check out during the Dallas International Film Festival? The fun officially starts tomorrow, but we’ve reviewed a few of the movies on FrontRow so you can start planning.

Also, I’m sure the thing you really want to do is stare at a screen tonight. But just in case, there are couple worth considering. The Texas Theatre is screening Raising Arizona, the Coen brothers’ screwball comedy that has the happy coincidence of being one of three tolerable Nic Cage movies. The film is 25 years old, if you can believe it, and you can see it on 35 mm. It’s been far too long since my last visit to Mesa, so I’d do that for dinner. Over at the Angelika in Mockingbird Station, there’s a showing of She Stoops to Conquer, a Royal National Theatre production broadcast live via satellite. The last time I went to one of these theater-as-movie screenings, there were serious technical difficulties. It was also pre-taped. I trust things will go more smoothly for Oliver Goldsmith’s comedy of manners. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth will also screen SSTC this evening, so everyone can just give I-30 a rest.

On a side note, I can’t believe the way Childish Gambino fans trashed rapper Danny Brown at their Palladium Ballroom show last week. He’s sworn never to return to Dallas, which is a shame, since he was one of the best things about 35 D and the only good thing about that miserable rainy Saturday. But much-beloved band The Hold Steady takes the stage there tonight, offering sensitive lyrics and Craig Finn’s signature conversational style. The Happen-Ins open.

For more to do tonight, go here.