5 Great Dates For April

La Traviata

The Dallas Opera takes up Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s popular opera. This particular production is carried over from the Florida Grand Opera, but with an all-new cast. Greek soprano Myrtò Papatanasiu makes her American debut as Violetta Valéry, the lovely and respected courtesan whose life takes a tragic turn when she risks everything for love.
The Beach Boys

Stubborn artistic vision and slick commercial viability happily reunite as the Beach Boys finally rejoin forces with founding visionary Brian Wilson. Wilson enjoyed an active solo career for decades long after making records such as Pet Sounds, which infamously influenced the Beatles, while the rest of the elder statesmen of surf music embarrassed themselves on the oldies circuit. Wilson’s involvement adds a certain amount of credibility that isn’t quite there when his group is just grinning through the hits. This should satisfy both obsessive pop historians as well as the average KLUV listener. Apr 26, 7 pm. Verizon Theatre, 1001 Performance Pl., Grand Prairie. 972-854-5050. axs.com.
Modern Family Panel

One of our favorite videos that made the rounds on the Internet last year was a little gem called “Shouting! With Sofia Vergara.” The clips present proof positive that Vergara, who plays the character Gloria on a teensy, tiny little show called Modern Family, is possibly the world’s greatest yeller. And who are we kidding? Modern Family is a giant success, beloved by fans and critics alike. And if you are a fan residing in North Texas, it is your lucky day. Or moment at grocery you spent flipping through this magazine, whichever. Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell, and Eric Stonestreet, members of the show’s Emmy-winning cast, will give a panel discussion on what makes their show such a hit. Co-creator and executive producer Steve Levitan will chime in, and the audience will be given a chance to submit questions for the Q&A portion of the program at the end of the night. Apr 24, 8 pm. Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St. 214-880-0202. attpac.org.
White Rock Home Tour

We saw you peeking in a few windows last weekend at White Rock Lake. Instead of getting arrested for trespassing, we recommend you check out this home tour, now in its sixth year. The White Rock Home Tour features all midcentury modern houses, and proceeds benefit Hexter Elementary School. Apr 21¬22. 9729 Edgepine Dr. 214-906-3110.whiterockhometour.org.
Celebrity Waiter Gala Benefiting the Child Abuse Prevention Center

As the former executive chef at The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and The Commissary in One Arts Plaza, John Tesar has served a lot of people in Dallas dinner. But for one evening only, he’ll actually deliver the meal to your table. Tesar is just one of many local personalities ready to fetch you an extra bread basket for an excellent cause at the Celebrity Waiter Gala. Other “waiters” include Miss Texas Brittany Booker and Reality Steve, famous for his scoops and spoilers for TV shows like The Bachelor and The Real Housewives series. The evening begins with a cocktail hour and continues with a seated dinner. Apr 21, 6:30 pm. Omni Hotel Dallas, 555 South Lamar St. 214-370-9810. childabusepreventioncenter.org.