Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals | June 12, 7:30 p.m. | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
The singer, songwriter, and multi- instrumentalist first made his eccentrically punctuated name known to a wider audience in 2015. That’s when he showed up on six songs from Dr. Dre’s Compton. But he’s been quietly climbing the ranks of the music world for a decade now. You can listen to .Paak’s music for the first time and it’ll still sound familiar, steeped in classic soul without getting bogged down with nostalgia. With his four-piece band, The Free Nationals, he’s found a happy balance of hip-hop, funk, soul, and R&B. After releasing Oxnard last year to mixed reviews, he came back with Ventura in April. If Oxnard (named after his hometown) was his attempt at heavier rap music, Ventura is a quick retreat to his soft soul roots—and it hits harder for it. It features cameos by the likes of Andre 3000 and Pharrell Williams, but the best might be the guest appearance by Motown legend Smokey Robinson on the slinky “Make It Better.” Joining him on tour are the supremely talented bassist and musician Thundercat and Canadian singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco.
Dallas Pride | June 1 & 2 | Fair Park
The annual celebration moves to Fair Park from Cedar Springs, and from September to June. It starts with the Miller Light Music Festival on Saturday and continues with the 36th annual Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Sunday.
Penny Candy | June 5–July 14 | Wyly Studio Theatre
In Pleasant Grove, a 12-year-old boy and his father run a candy shop out of their one-bedroom apartment, but the business turns from sweet to sour as the neighborhood sees a surge in violence. Penny Candy is a new work by the Dallas Theater Center’s playwright-in-residence (and Pleasant Grove native) Jonathan Norton.
Camp Nowhere | June 22, 6 p.m. | Dos Equis Pavilion
This debut festival hits Austin, Dallas, and Houston over the course of three days with a lineup heavy with EDM and a touch of pop. Featured acts include Odesza, Zhu, Gryffin, and Robotaki, plus singer Chelsea Cutler.
Independence Day Celebration | June 29, 5 p.m. | Klyde Warren Park
Celebrate America’s birthday a few days early in Dallas’ favorite urban park. Ice cream vendors will bring out cold treats, the U.S. Army’s 36th Infantry Division Band will perform, and a fireworks show will unfold above the East Lawn.
Anjelah Johnson | June 1, 7 & 10 p.m. | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Actress and comedian Anjelah Johnson may be better known for her alter ego, Bon Qui Qui, a disgruntled fast food employee born on MADtv who’s released two albums and gone on her own comedy tour. Watch Johnson’s special, Not Fancy, on Netflix to get a taste of her humor when she’s being herself.
David Park: A Retrospective | June 2–September 22 | Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
The Modern explores the body of work painter David Park left behind in his first major museum exhibition in more than 30 years. The artist (who died in 1960) abandoned years’ worth of canvases at an East Bay dump in 1950, reinventing himself as the founder of the Bay Area Figurative movement.
Dreamhack Dallas | May 31–June 2 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
If Dallas wasn’t already considered a hub for e-sports, the arrival of Dreamhack—the world’s largest LAN party and computer festival—ought to rectify that. High-stakes tournaments (namely Counter-Strike: Global Offensive), cosplay, an expo, and live music are included.
Jennifer Lopez | June 24, 8 p.m. | American Airlines Center
J.Lo is on the edge of 50, but she’s just getting started. Unbelievably this is her first-ever U.S. headlining tour and it aims to prove her staying power as one of the world’s foremost entertainers. Expect energetic choreography, sparkling costumes, and two decades of hits.
Juneteenth Unity Weekend | June 14–17 | Various locations
Dallas Southern Pride, the official host of Dallas Black Pride since 1997, continues its tradition of holding a Juneteenth Festival and Pool Party. This time, the weekend has grown to include a new Mega Party featuring singer-actress Keke Palmer and a Unity Barbecue at Bachman Lake.
Sneaker Con Dallas | June 29 & 30 | Dallas Market Hall
Now in its 10th year, Sneaker Con is undoubtedly the greatest sneaker show on earth, an epicenter for both youth culture and consumerism. Here, teenagers and lifelong sneaker heads gather to buy, sell, trade, and marvel at rare and sought-after kicks.
A-Kon | June 27–30 | Fair Park
A-Kon, the anime/gaming/ music/cosplay convention, returns this month with myriad activities. Fans can meet and greet their favorite voice actors and cosplayers, see J-pop acts straight from Japan, and take part in whatever a Lolita Tea Party is.
Jimmy Buffett | June 8, 8 p.m. | Dos Equis Pavilion
Parrotheads, it’s time to flock together, as Buffett and his Coral Reefer Band hit town just as the summer heats up. Let the inventor of Gulf Coast country whisk you away to Margaritaville with his greatest hits.
Taste of Dallas | June 7–9 | Dallas Market Hall
The 33rd annual Taste of Dallas is a weekend-long food festival featuring more than 40 chefs, restaurants, and exhibitors from which to sample. This year, there’s a new Taste of the Neighborhoods event focusing on hot spots like Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, and West Village.
Juice Wrld | June 8 & 9, 8 p.m. | The Bomb Factory
The Chicago-born SoundCloud rapper had a mainstream breakthrough last year with the emo-rap anthem “Lucid Dreams.” He’s touring with Ski Mask the Slump God to promote his second album, Death Race for Love; the duo is also set to release a mixtape called Evil Twins later this year.
Paul McCartney | June 14, 8 p.m. | Globe Life Park
After kicking ass at last year’s ACL Festival, Sir Paul decided to add four extra stops to his Freshen Up tour, including Globe Life Park. He’s on the road to promote his newest album, Egypt Station, but of course he’ll also be playing classics from The Beatles’ heyday. You’ve heard of The Beatles?
Monet: The Late Years | June 16–September 15 | Kimbell Art Museum
This exhibition focuses on the final phase of Monet’s career, a fruitful period from 1913 to his death in 1926. Sixty paintings will be on display, including dozens of Monet’s beloved waterlily scenes, as well as lesser-known works borrowed from major public and private collections.
Texas Summer Jam | June 15 | The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Nothing says festival season in Texas like a concert thrown by Whataburger. Country music is on the menu, with the Randy Rogers Band headlining a lineup that also has William Clark Green, Ray Johnston Band, Wynn Williams, Holly Tucker, and others.
Empire of the Sun | June 11 & 12, 7 p.m. | House of Blues
The Australian alt-electro duo is celebrating 10 years of catchy indie pop and theatrical stage costumes. Two Dallas dates give you a chance to relive hits like “We Are the People,” “Alive,” and, yes, “Walking on a Dream.”
Aladdin | June 6–23 | Music Hall at Fair Park
Ahead of the live-action movie, your favorite Disney tale is taking you to a whole new world again. The hit Broadway musical, from the producer of The Lion King, promises to dazzle with all-new music, incredible choreography, and flashy costumes.
Hugh Jackman | June 19, 7 p.m. | American Airlines Center
He’s The Greatest Showman, Wolverine, Jean in Les Misérables. Jackman has done it all in Hollywood and on Broadway, and he’s now showing off his impressive performance skills on his first world tour, when he will revisit the music from his most popular roles.
