Lesson for the weekend: sometimes, an eyeball is just an eyeball.
Friday
This evening, the Nasher Sculpture Center hosts an adult art party to help you get your creative juices going again. This “make stuff” class from artists Sally Glass and Cassandra Emswiler also features music—pretty sure it’ll be FrontRow’s very own music editor, Christopher Mosley, behind the selections—and refreshments.
I don’t know a single person who didn’t love the Drive soundtrack (don’t ruin this for me, contrarians of the world), much like I’d be hard-pressed to name someone who isn’t into the movie’s leading man. You can relive the magical moments of musical discovery with tonight’s Glass Candy and Chromatics concert at the Granada. Producer Johnny Jewel is the common denominator between the two, a rare “star” producing talent with a signature style. For Glass Candy, he’s accompanied only by frontwoman Ida No. His enthusiasm behind the synthesizer is something to see.
Finally, it’s the red carpet night for the Lone Star Film Festival, which actually kicked off yesterday. I waited to mention it because there’s one particular film screening tonight that I’m interested in seeing: Bob Birdnow’s Remarkable Tale of Human Survival and the Transcendence of Self. As you might recall, that was originally a one-man play written by the Texas Theatre’s Eric Steele and directed by the Dallas Theater Center’s Lee Trull. It’s now a feature-length film starring local talent (they kept the play’s lead, Barry Nash) and making its Texas debut. FrontRow’s Peter Simek has it in his top five picks for the Fort Worth festival. Bird Birdnow starts at 9.m. at the AMC Palace 2 in downtown Fort Worth.
Saturday
Saturday afternoon, the Undermain Theatre combines forces with the Video Association of Dallas to present the speeches of John F. Kennedy at the Dallas Museum of Art. They’ll dig into rarely-seen recordings of President Kennedy while actors perform some of his greatest speeches (including the one he prepared, but never gave).
At the Dallas Contemporary, there’s Alive for 35. They’re staying open for 35 hours (the celebration starts Friday) in honor of their 35 years of existence. If you are an insane person awake by 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings, drop in on the Sunrise Yoga session led by Yelizaveta Nersesova. It isn’t a party without drinks and cake, which will be brought out at the Big Birthday Bash that starts at 8 p.m. In between, there’s tons of stuff to do. Take a look here. The exhibition and arts programs are free, but you’ll need tickets for the Saturday evening events.
If you’re planning to participate in North Texas Beer Week, there’s a good kick-start event happening in Fair Park. The Brewvolution features tons of craft brews and tasty bites. Expect to see local favorites such as Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Community, and Lakewood Brewing Co. alongside offerings from Sixpoint, Brooklyn Brewery, Dogfish Head, and Austin’s Jester King. As a feel-good bonus, a portion of proceeds will benefit the North Texas Food Bank. Tickets include tasting samples, and additional samples are $2 each. Over on SideDish, beer person Matt Shelley has a look at the upcoming week’s best bets, which include Rahr & Sons ninth anniversary party Saturday afternoon.
Sunday
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowing of the Ring, in concert. I couldn’t resist. It’s like a nerd siren song. The Dallas Pops interpret Howard Shore’s symphonic score live as you relive the journey of perpetually hungry hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Pippin, and Merry as they leave the comfort of the Shire and set off toward Mordor on a quest to destroy the One Ring. Yesssss.
Finally, Sunday marks your last opportunity to revisit the Prohibition era with A Night at the Cotton Club at the Meyerson. The Dallas Symphony Pops will take us up to Harlem for an evening of the foot-tapping, soul-stirring melodies of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway, and George Gershwin. The music of these extraordinary musicians once filled the Cotton Club, the whites-only establishment that amassed considerable cultural influence throughout the 1930s. Luckily, the era’s more odious policies haven’t survived. Sort of. You can sip your bubbly in the lobby without fear. So, progress.
For more to do with yourself this weekend, go here.
