Sure, fall doesn’t officially start until the equinox next Wednesday. But as far as North Texans are concerned, autumn begins as soon as the Dallas Arboretum kicks off its beloved seasonal event.

Autumn at the Arboretum comes alive this Saturday, September 18, and will run through October 31. As always, the acclaimed festival includes a Pumpkin Village filled with 20-foot-tall decorated pumpkin houses; the display incorporates 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash sourced from the West Texas town of Floydada. You’ll also find 150,000 fall-hued flowers–marigolds, chrysanthemums, and more–blooming across the Arboretum’s 66 acres.

The festival, which is now in its 16th year, has adopted a Bugtopia theme for 2021. Expect to see photo-worthy displays like towering insect topiaries, a bug-themed maze, and an 18-foot-long dragonfly crafted from plants. An Insect Encounters tent will feature hands-on programming like live insect demonstrations, nature-inspired art projects, expert chats, and a beneficial insect release, where attendees can handle and release bugs that will pollinate the Dallas Arboretum. On Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, kids are treated to face painting, a petting zoo, music classes, and a shoppable pumpkin patch. Family Fun Weekend (October 9-10) and Halloweekend (October 30-31) will include similar family-friendly offerings.

Adults will find plenty to do, too. In A Tasteful Place garden, guests can sample bites prepared with seasonal produce like figs, rosemary, and sweet potatoes. On Mondays, enjoy complimentary cooking classes with Chef Aaron Hubbard. On Tuesdays, attend demonstrations on everything from flower arranging to vegan baking. Wine Wednesdays will feature wine tastings and pairing tips. Each weekend features live music from local bands.

The six-week Autumn at the Arboretum festival is rounded out with guided walking tours, horticulture demonstrations, harvesting classes, and a plethora of other fall-themed activations. Check out the entire itinerary here, and keep an eye on the Dallas Arboretum Instagram account, @thedallasarboretum, for a first look at this year’s displays.

Event admission is $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $12 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for Dallas Arboretum members and children under two.

New Stories: New Futures
Aug. 20 & 21, 9 pm–1 am | Pioneer Tower

AURORA and The Arts Council of Fort Worth team up for this two-day exhibition curated by Dr. Lauren Cross and DooEun Choi. New media works by the Turkish-born Refik Anadol and the Italian artist Quayola will be projected on all four sides of the tower in the Cultural District. At its base will be installations by a group of 10 North Texas artists, meant to be in dialogue with the works above, that include historical and contemporary narratives of Fort Worth.

Casablanca
Aug. 1 | Rooftop Cinema Club

Rooftop Cinema Club is revitalizing the drive-in, setting itself apart from competitors with an outdoor music festival-​​
inspired vibe at its Heritage Village location. Wireless headphones allow attendees to lounge in stylish deck chairs and beanbags for romantic date nights or family trips to the movies. (We think this screening of the 1942 Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman classic is made more for the former.) For the 21-and-up crowd, the venue has a cocktail bar in the back, near the luxurious air-conditioned restrooms; on your way back, stop by a wooden table for a quick game of Connect 4 or Jenga, pre- or post-flick. Popcorn and snacks are available for purchase, or you can hit up the local food trucks parked at Rooftop Cinema’s entrance.

Spinning in the Clouds: Summer DJ Series
Aug. 6, 13 & 20, 7:30–11 pm | Reunion Tower

Reunion Tower hosts a Friday night DJ series in its GeO-Deck after the tour groups and looky-loos have left the observation deck for the day. The lineup for this month: DJ Zamora (Aug. 6); DJ K-Sprinkles (Aug. 13); and DJ Reave (Aug. 20). At 470 feet above the city streets, name a better view for a party anywhere in town.

August Dollar Days
Aug. 1–31 | Dallas Arboretum

For the entire month, visitors can tour the Arboretum’s grounds (including A Woman’s Garden, with its sculpture and infinity pool) for $2, with parking discounted to $5. Food and drink specials include $1 sodas, juice, and Popsicles; $2 root beer floats and hot dogs; and $4 brownie sundaes.

Dog Days of Summer
Aug. 4, 11, 18 & 25 | MUTTS Canine Cantina

Every Wednesday, the dog-friendly food-and-drink franchise provides ice baths and refreshing water activities for pets to combat the summer heat. Their owners can cool off with $4 draft beer specials.

Vitruvian Nights Live
Aug. 12 & 26 | Vitruvian Park

Catch Matchbook 20 (a Matchbox Twenty tribute band, naturally) on August 12 at this free music and entertainment series at Vitruvian Park in Addison. Two weeks later, Emerald City headlines to close out the month.

Committed: Mad Women of the Asylum
Aug. 1, 2 pm | South Side on Lamar

Cry Havoc Theater Company presents an immersive production about the lives of six women who were wrongly institutionalized in the late 1800s. Set in the basement, the production leans on the creepy location to emphasize the horrific act of women being removed of their agency.

Arts & Letters Live: Charlotte McConaghy

Aug. 4, 7 pm | Virtual

International bestselling author Charlotte McConaghy joins Arts & Letters Live for a discussion about her new book, Once There Were Wolves, scheduled to hit shelves the day before her appearance. This is one of three national events for her follow-up to 2020’s Migrations. Join the author as she takes readers inside the story of a woman’s mission to save wolves in the wild Highlands of Scotland. (Recording will be available until August 18.)

Anime at the Modern
Aug. 20–22 | The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Marc Hairston and Christine Veras curate this three-day celebration of anime. The celebratory event opens with Mind Game (2004), is followed by Patema Inverted (2013) and Earwig and the Witch (2020), and ends with Masaaki Yuasa’s Ride Your Wave (2019, pictured). Hairston and Veras introduce each film with critical and thoughtful commentary about the films’ societal themes.

Wunder Series
Ongoing | Harwood District

The Harwood District’s bars, restaurants, and—of course—samurai museum have banded together to make sure there is a reason to visit seven days a week. Find the schedule of free live music and interactive exhibitions on the website.

Addison After Dark: Pints & Pups
Aug. 21 | Addison Circle Park

You can find local beer tastings, pet supply vendors, and a dog trick contest at this canine-​concerned edition of Addison’s monthly After Dark festival series. Bring your dog for a concert by Burning Hour (led by Dave Sharrock and Eddie Allen) at 7:30 pm. If you don’t have your own pup, you can rent one for the night.

Focus On: Henry Ossawa Tanner
Aug. 17–Jan. 2, 2022 | Dallas Museum of Art

This exhibition of painter Henry Ossawa Tanner’s work demonstrates how the artist’s utilization of biblical themes grew throughout his acclaimed career. The Thankful Poor and Christ and His Mother Studying the Scriptures (pictured) are key examples of his incorporation of familial and religious upbringings in his practice.

Public Works Dallas: A Little Less Lonely
Aug. 10 | Dallas Theater Center

Normally around this time, the Dallas Theater Center puts together a big summer pageant, with a cast drawn from regular Dallasites. This year, because of the pandemic, it has been replaced by a filmed theatrical production, A Little Less Lonely, directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo. The cast is smaller than usual but will still manage to involve some 60 community members from across Dallas.

Better
Through Aug. 15 | Dallas Museum of Art

Social practice artist Mel Chin details the importance of solidarity between Asian Americans and Black Americans in a public banner on the DMA’s Ross Avenue Plaza (the third in a series of artist-designed banners hung there). Chin’s design, a visual expression of “Black Lives Matter” in Chinese, highlights the communal plight of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities against societal injustice.

Whether you prefer a straightforward workout class in a community park or a fancy fitness event followed by shopping, one of these free summer happenings is sure to please. Here are a dozen ways to break a sweat without breaking the bank this June and July.

CRISP & GREEN x Fit Social Club Class

Saturday, June 26, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | CRISP & GREEN in University Park | Free

Healthy fast-casual restaurant chain CRISP & GREEN is continuing its free workout series all summer. Attendees will enjoy complimentary agua frescas and can pick up a CRISP & GREEN salad for a post-workout lunch. Tomorrow’s high-intensity ‘Ignite’ class from Fit Social Club promises to offer a total body burn. Bring your own mat.

CRISP & GREEN x BEYOND Studios Pilates Hybrid Interval Training Class

Sunday, June 27, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | CRISP & GREEN in University Park | Free

BEYOND is combining its two signature classes, BEYONDPilates and BEYOND500, for a workout that’ll burn your whole body. Bring your own mat.

CRISP & GREEN x Camp Gladiator Class

Saturday, July 10, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | CRISP & GREEN in University Park | Free

This full-body boot camp workout is suitable for all levels; beginners are welcome and can modify the routine if needed.

CRISP & GREEN x Title Boxing Club Class

Saturday, July 17, 10 to 11 a.m. | CRISP & GREEN in University Park | Free

Beginners are welcome at this high-intensity, equipment-free shadowboxing class. Bring your own mat.

CRISP & GREEN x PureBarre Barre Class

Sunday, July 18, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | CRISP & GREEN in University Park | Free

Experience PureBarre’s infamous muscle toning and lengthening exercises with this barre class.

Zumba Class at Fabletics

Saturday, July 3, 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Fabletics at Legacy West | Free

This Zumba workout promises to be an intense and energetic class that’ll make you sweat.

Dance2Fit Class at Fabletics

Sunday, July 4, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Fabletics at Legacy West | Free

High-energy music will drive this aerobics-meets-dance workout.

Session Pilates Class at Fabletics

Saturday, July 10, 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Fabletics at Legacy West | Free

After Session Pilates leads this workout, attendees can shop at Fabletics with an exclusive discount.

Jazzercise Class at Neighborhood Goods

Sunday, July 18, 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Neighborhood Goods at Legacy West | Free

Though this workout is again hosted by Fabletics, it will take place inside Neighborhood Goods. After class, enjoy discounts at both retailers.

Summer Bod Saturdays with Camp Gladiator

Every 4th Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. | The Boardwalk Pavilion in Plano | Free

These full-body strength and cardio workouts are hosted by coaches from Camp Gladiator Plano. Bring your own mat and water.

CorePower Yoga Sculpt Classes at Mockingbird Station

Saturday, June 26 and Saturday, July 10, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Mockingbird Station | Free

Mockingbird Station’s Summer Strong series is a health and wellness-focused activation with free fitness classes and spa services, shopping discounts, raffles, food vendors, and a DIY flower arrangement bar. Each event in the series runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the workout starting at 9:30. The June 26 and July 10 iterations include yoga sculpt classes from CorePower Yoga.

9Round Kickboxing Class at Mockingbird Station

Saturday, July 17, 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. | Mockingbird Station | Free

The final event in the Summer Strong series includes a high-energy, 30-minute workout from Mockingbird Station’s kickboxing studio, 9Round.

Spring Shopping Stroll at Highland Park Village

Saturday, May 1 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Stop by Highland Park Village on May 1 to experience the first Village-wide event since the pandemic began. This spring celebration includes live music, giveaways, and exclusive discounts at several storefronts, like 20 percent off at James Perse and Frame. You can also snag a seasonal bouquet at the Bunches Flower Co. truck, snap photos in a vintage VW bus, and try cocktails and mocktails galore. Click here to learn more.

The Market at Park Lane

Saturday, May 1 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Head to The Shops at Park Lane every first Saturday to shop The Market, which pops up on the lawn between Starbucks and I Love Juice Bar. Enjoy live music and shop products like vegan pastries by Wilder Sweets, beaded earrings by Kismet Jewelry, and woodcut art prints by Scout Ryman. Follow @shopsatparklane for additional details.

Mother’s Day Market at Flea Style Frisco

Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To pick up a last-minute Mother’s Day gift, check out Flea Style’s outdoor marketplace. A dozen local vendors will set up shop outside Flea Style’s Frisco storefront. Past markets have featured vintage goods, handmade jewelry, and artisan-crafted apparel and accessories. Shoppers will also enjoy drinks and specials inside the Flea Style store. Follow @fleastyle for more information.

The Boho Market at Klyde Warren Park

Saturday, May 8 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Boho Market, one of North Texas’s largest artisan marketplaces, pops up all over town, from Victory Park to CityLine. The May 8 event will be held at Klyde Warren Park. Expect to see booths from dozens of local makers, like hand-poured candles from Henry’s Daughter, baked goods from PamCakes & Bakin, and vintage home décor from The Elevated Abode. Keep an eye on The Boho Market’s website for details and future event dates.

Like all of us, the Nasher Sculpture Center has a lot of plans that are on hold. Some of them indefinitely and, I imagine, some forever.

In place of those plans, most of us instead have a year (and counting) that we can’t get back. March 11, 2020–???? is a still-growing pothole in our collective memory waiting to swallow nostalgia or at least run it off the road—that is, whenever we get enough distance to start remembering this cursed period of time, or the strength to actually do it. I hope and believe I will acquire the former at some point. I doubt I’ll get the latter. I’ve put most of the past year through a paper shredder in my mind already.

In the Nasher’s case, where those plans should be, exhibitions meant to be open now, there is “Nasher Mixtape,” curated by Catherine Craft. On view through September 26, the show is drawn from the Nasher’s permanent collection, though almost a third of the works are making their debut at the museum, and many others haven’t been seen in a while. There are familiar names (David Smith, Joan Miró, Nancy Grossman, Martin Puryear) and newer ones (Nicole Eisenman, Melvin Edwards, Maren Hassinger).

Craft has created 10 micro-exhibitions, or “tracks,” and each of those tracks functions a bit like its own mixtape. I’m thinking specifically of Track 3, “The Ends of Minimalism.” Walking into one of the Nasher’s main galleries, first you come across Scott Burton’s Untitled: Two Chairs (1979), the lacquered steel sort of mirroring William Tucker’s Building a Wall in the Air (1978), situated diagonally across from it, both of them dark and functional. (Or, at least, functional looking in the case of Tucker’s piece.)

Between them is one of the Nasher’s newest acquisitions, Judy Chicago’s bright and playful Rearrangeable Rainbow Blocks (1965), and—to me, anyway—it’s a perfect and natural arrangement, even though they don’t seem to have much in common other than their simple lines. Negative space is filled in, the riot of color is given a frame. It just feels right together. It’s exactly the way I used to make a mixtape, the differences fitting together like two hands holding.

Another highlight: in the downstairs gallery you’ll find Track 9, “Love and Delight,” made up of works from Raymond and Patsy Nasher’s first two decades collecting art—it’s a conspiracy wall of connections. One red thread goes between the curves of Jean (Hans) Arp’s Torso With Buds (Nu aux bourgeons) (1961) and Isamu Noguchi’s Gregory (Effigy) (1945). Another between Andy Warhol’s Portrait of Patsy Nasher (1978) and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled (1985), sharing a scene more than anything formal, but both lifted up by their proximity. The entire room has these pairings and common reference points.

Both of these tracks are worth seeing on their own, and they’re just two of the ones that Craft has put together. Spend some time with all, and you’ll see the Nasher in a new light. And maybe have something worth remembering.

More Exhibits to Check Out

The Barre Code Class at Klyde Warren Park

Free | Klyde Warren Park | Sunday, March 21, 9 a.m.

Mindfulness Meditation Class at Klyde Warren Park

Free | Klyde Warren Park | Saturday, March 27, 11 a.m.

Center yourself with this free meditation class on the lawns of Klyde Warren Park. Each student will have 12 feet of personal space as they practice breathing techniques, mindfulness exercises, and more. Bring your own mat.

Mindful Monday Yoga Classes at Omni Dallas

$25 | Omni Dallas | Every other Monday

This socially-distanced class series takes place in the heart of downtown Dallas, on the Pegasus Lawn at the Omni. At the March 29 class, attendees will enjoy 45 minutes of Yoga Sculpt. After the workout, grab a free margarita at the Owner’s Box restaurant. Bring your own mat.

Pure Barre Class at Crisp & Green

Free | Crisp & Green University Park | Sunday, March 28, 11 a.m.

Crisp & Green, a healthy restaurant chain, recently arrived in North Texas. Each store is hosting free fitness classes to get to know its neighbors. This Pure Barre workout offers a total body workout with low impact, high-intensity movements. Stay for lunch after class–a portion of the proceeds will benefit Genesis Women’s Shelter.

Hike + Yoga at Cedar Ridge Preserve

$20 | Cedar Ridge Preserve | Sunday, March 28, 3 p.m.

Head to Cedar Ridge to take part in an hour-long yoga class and group hike on one of the Preserve’s tranquil trails. Each ticket covers the suggested entrance fee to the Preserve and a donation to the Audubon Dallas group, which maintains the park. Bring a mat, mask, sunscreen, bug spray, and water, and be sure to wear shoes with traction.

One-Year Anniversary Events at The Movement Loft

Free | The Movement Loft | Saturday, April 3, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Movement Loft, known for its curated roster of fitness and wellness classes and events, is celebrating its first anniversary. At this April 3 event, attendees can try out mini fitness classes, then test The Movement Loft’s signature apothecary products like facial mists and yoga mat sprays.

Temperatures in North Texas remain dangerously low, and thousands of individuals, families, children, and pets without shelter are in dire need of temporary housing and other resources to stay safe and warm. Unfortunately, the organizations that serve them are already stretched thin. Social distancing protocols have limited capacities at local shelters, and many warming centers are filling up, too.

If you are in a position to help, there are many ways to lend a hand. If you have nonperishable food or beverages to donate, several organizations will distribute them directly to those in need. If you have a surplus of household goods, like cleaning products, toilet paper, or blankets, you can drop them off at facilities that are running low. And if you have the means to give monetarily, your donation will have a greater impact than ever. Financial support is critical so that these organizations can continue to provide their services without interruption.

Whether you’re comfortable visiting a socially distant exhibition or you prefer to stick close to home, here are seven ways to celebrate Black heritage, community, and culture this February.

Denton Black Film Festival (Virtual)

January 27 – February 1

This virtual event isn’t limited to cinema; the five-day lineup includes dozens of documentaries and short films, as well. The 2021 schedule also features music and spoken word performances, visual art displays, workshops, yoga sessions, and more. Tickets start at $24.99; purchase yours here.

Black Vegan Chefs of Dallas at Dallas Public Library (Virtual)

February 13, 20, and 27

Next month, the Dallas Public Library will host a free virtual series focusing on local Black vegan chefs. These culinary pros will share their secrets for crafting filling and flavorful plant-based meals–and don’t worry, that includes far more than salads. Each Saturday, a chef will sit for a live-streamed interview and/or give a cooking demonstration, then host a live Q&A. First up is Cynthia Nevels of Soulgood on February 13. To learn more about the significance of the series and what to expect, check out dining editor Rosin Saez’s coverage here.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre Cultural Awareness Series (Virtual)

February 20

On February 20, the Dallas Black Dance Theatre will perform Cultural Awareness, a stunning production of activism through movement. This series pays homage to the Black Americans who have fought for civil rights for decades. The first piece, The Mourner’s Bench, is an emotional solo choreographed by Talley Beatty in 1947 to represent the Black experience in the post-Civil War South. The second, Odetta, was choreographed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing and is set to the music of Odetta Holmes. The virtual event starts at 7 p.m. on February 20. Tickets are $30 per household and can be purchased here.

Hair Story: Myths, Magic, and Methods of Black Hair

Through February 13

Curated by local artist LaShonda Cooks, this collection at the African American Museum of Dallas explores the cultural, economic, political, and spiritual significance of Black hair. You’ll find works by Dallas-based artists like Ciara Elle Bryant, Art-Fro Kreationz, Danielle Demetria, Feniix Raii, and more. The museum is open Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. and admission is free. Read Natalie Gempel’s coverage of the exhibit here, then plan your visit.

Black Is Beautiful DFW Art Exhibition at Galleria Dallas

Through February 29

Last June, photographer Yesi Fortuna opened her Dallas studio to the Black community for free portraits, hoping to capture and celebrate Black resilience and show solidarity through art. The result is a collection of 30 black-and-white portraits that depict individuals, families, and community leaders. The free exhibition is located on Level 1, across from the Apple Store. Learn more here.

Black Girl Magic Pop-Up Museum

Through March 14

This interactive experience was created to celebrate Black culture and pay respect to the Black women who have made their mark on history. Some rooms are somber; the Say Her Name mural honors victims of racial violence and police brutality. Others are uplifting, like a Manifest wall filled with inspiring female leaders. You’ll also find a rotating selection of works by local artists. Black Girl Magic limits capacity to 25 guests an hour and masks are required. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children. Get yours here.

The Fight for Civil Rights in the South

Through May 31

This special exhibition at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum captures the bravery of Black Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. Selma to Montgomery by James “Spider” Martin showcases the historic march to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, while Courage Under Fire by Joseph Postiglione highlights the Freedom Riders, whose peaceful protests on public buses were met with violent resistance. The museum is operating at 25 percent capacity and masks and social distancing are required. Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students; click here to reserve.

Dr. Dennis Gross Peel Mobile | Friday, Jan. 22 to Sunday, Jan. 24

Dr. Dennis Gross, a cult favorite brand for skincare enthusiasts and estheticians alike, is hitting the road next weekend with a mobile pop-up. The Peel Mobile–an homage to the company’s bestselling chemical peel pads–will offer free skincare consultations, product samples, giveaways, and more. Catch the Peel Mobile in Fort Worth next Friday and in West Village next Saturday and Sunday. Find details about the truck’s exact location and its COVID-19 precautions here.

Outdoor Yoga Sculpt | Sunday, Jan. 24, 12 to 1 p.m.

CRISP & GREEN, a Minnesota-based restaurant chain known for its seasonally inspired salads and healthy meals, is making its debut in Dallas. To celebrate, they’re partnering with CorePower Yoga to host an outdoor yoga sculpt class. This cardio-heavy, yoga-based workout incorporates a hint of strength training with squats, lunges, and bicep curls. After class, enjoy samples of CRISP & GREEN’s smoothies. Register here.

Outdoor Barre Class | Saturday, Jan. 30, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Another partnership with CRISP & GREEN, this time with The Barre Code. This 50-minute signature Barre class is a total body workout that helps build muscle endurance and mental strength. No equipment, weights, or grippy socks needed–just bring your own mat. Register here.

Community Hike | Saturday, Jan. 23, 10 to 11:30 a.m.

This family-friendly guided hike will get you acquainted with Oak Cliff Nature Preserve‘s winding paths. You’ll be led by ExploreMore DFW, which strives to leave trails better than they found them. The hike is free, but donations are accepted and will go towards Texas Land Conservancy and DORBA, which help maintain the Preserve. Register here.

Social Run at Westlake Brewing Co. | Wednesday, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m.

Grab a friend and head to Deep Ellum for this no-pressure group run. The course takes you down historic Swiss Avenue; you can go as far as you’d like before heading back. Once finished, reward yourself with a pint of craft beer at Westlake Brewing Co. Register here.

Curbed Vanity: A Contemporary Foil by Chris Schanck

Jan. 17–Aug. 29

Dallas Museum of Art

Schanck, the Dallas-raised, Detroit-based artist and designer, is known for his Alufoil series, pieces of furniture composed of found objects that have been covered in aluminum foil and sealed with resin—a reference to the aluminum factory where he worked alongside his father while growing up here. For Curbed Vanity, Schanck’s first museum commission and solo museum presentation, he’s created a modern counterpart to the late 19th-century Martelé dressing table in the DMA’s collection. The designer’s abstract, aluminum vanity, made with discarded objects from his Detroit neighborhood, will be displayed alongside the silver antique from 1899 (inset), opening a dialogue about craftsmanship and materials. The focus installation is included in the DMA’s free general admission.

[img-credit id=”836293″]The Fight for Civil Rights in the South

Through Jan. 10

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

Combining two significant and powerful collections of photography—Selma to Montgomery by James “Spider” Martin, and Courage Under Fire by Joseph Postiglione—this special exhibition captures the bravery, violence, and horrors of Black Americans’ struggle for civil rights and social equality in the 1960s.

Dallas Opera Streaming

Ongoing

The opera leapt into action when performing arts venues were closed in March, launching an online streaming platform, TDO Network, that has now garnered more than 50 million views from an audience spanning 50 countries. From previously recorded concerts to weekly opera news briefs, the channel offers a rich assortment of programming.

In the Night Garden

Ongoing

Amon Carter Museum of American Art 

With “In the Night Garden,” Houston-based artist and Rice University professor Natasha Bowdoin creates a whimsical nature scene with huge insects, flowers, and botanicals inspired by 19th-century paintings, prints, and archival materials from the Carter’s collection.

Alonso Berruguete: First Sculptor of Renaissance Spain

Through Jan. 10

Meadows Museum

There are only a few days this month to catch the end of the first major U.S. exhibition dedicated to Spanish renaissance artist Alonso Berruguete at SMU’s Meadows Museum. The show includes two dozen sculptures, as well as three paintings from his Italian period and six drawings.

What the Constitution Means to Me

Jan. 26–31

Winspear Opera House

This 2019 Tony nominee (for Best Play) and Pulitzer Prize finalist is a funny and important look at the founding document and its biases, as explored through the personal story of playwright Heidi Schreck.

[img-credit id=”836291″]Art Reframes History

Through Apr. 4

Sixth Floor Museum

Drawing from the museum’s permanent collection, this exhibition considers artists’ interpretations of historical events, particularly the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy (naturally). Ten pieces that pull from various disciplines (photography, oil painting, music) present the perspectives of artists including Andy Warhol, Piet Wessing, and Jens Lorenzen.

Jo Koy

Jan. 16 & 17

Winspear Opera House

If you liked his 2019 Netflix special, Comin’ in Hot, you’ll love the 48-year-old comedian’s now-resumed Just Kidding World Tour. Koy, a regular on Chelsea Lately, will keep you laughing with his ridiculous impressions and ’90s R&B singalongs.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

Ongoing

This beloved museum near Love Field is open with new safety precautions, including a limit of 50 percent capacity, touch-free exhibitions, and increased cleaning procedures. While many interactive elements have been closed, you’ll still find an intriguing array of exhibitions exploring the history of flight.

John Moreland

Jan. 21, 8 pm

The Kessler

In February, Longview-born, Tulsa-based singer-songwriter John Moreland released LP5—his first album in three years and perhaps his best yet—after taking a break from music. You’ll finally have a chance to hear the new material live as Moreland visits Dallas.

John Doe Livestream

Jan. 20, 8 pm

Granada Theater

The genre-spanning musician and co-founder of the legendary punk band X will perform a solo show live from The Cactus Cafe on the UT Austin campus. This show, the last in a series of livestream performances, will be mostly based on requests via Doe’s Instagram account.

Hair Story: Myths, Magic, and Methods of Black Hair

Through Feb. 13

African American Museum of Dallas

Dallas-based artist LaShonda Cooks curated this exhibition to explore the cultural, economic, political, and spiritual significance of Black hair through the work of local artists including Ciara Elle Bryant, Art-Fro Kreationz, Danielle Demetria, Feniix Raii, and others. Cooks’ own works, miniature portraits painted on palm leaves, will be gifted to their muses at the show’s conclusion.

Yoshitomo Nara

Opens Jan. 30 

Dallas Contemporary

The Design District art space reopens for the first time since March with a career survey of acclaimed Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara. Culled from paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs made from 2006 to present, the exhibition will consider Nara’s practice through an autobiographical lens, as well as in the context of larger cultural issues that have inspired his work.

Robert Spano and the Fort Worth Symphony

Jan. 7–9

Bass Performance Hall

Principal guest conductor Robert Spano leads an evening of stunning string music beginning with Jennifer Higdon’s Celestial Blue from the five-movement work “Dance Card,” a combination of ensemble and solo playing. Then featured violinist Stefan Jackiw will give a performance of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2. The evening draws to a close with Dvorák’s Serenade in E Major.

It’s here at last: the end of 2020. Cue the fireworks, pop the champagne, and say good riddance. Just do so from home, with only those you live with. Past New Year’s Eves have entailed bumping elbows at the bar or lounging at a house party with a Champagne flute in hand, but this year’s festivities will need to be a little more thoughtful. Though not comprehensive, we’ve compiled a list of things to do and eat, even if you’re welcoming 2021 from underneath your duvet.

Dallas Bach Society Presents Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

If your music tastes lean Baroque, the Dallas Bach Society presents a New Year’s Eve performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Four local violinists–Clare Cason, Ha Dang, Stephanie Noori, and Jacob Cortez–will take on the series of violin concertos in what is sure to be a joyful evening of reflection on the four seasons of 2020. The concert will take place in the Zion Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m., but a live-stream option is also available. Tickets start at $25 for access to the live stream and $60 for general admission. 

New Year’s Eve with The Rich Girls

The Rustic presents an infectious 80’s New Year’s Eve with a local six-piece band, The Rich Girls. They’re dedicated to classic 1980’s jams—think Hall & Oates and Prince—and guarantee an evening of carefree rocking. The event is free with an RSVP, but seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, and capacity will be capped to promote social distancing. Be sure to bring cash for The Rustic’s pop-up bars and beer tubs and come hungry for the full menu, which will be served all day. The concert is outdoors, so keep away from others.

New Year’s Eve with the Dallas Symphony

Bid farewell to 2020 with an elegant evening of waltzes from the Strauss dynasty at the Meyerson. The Dallas Symphony’s New Year’s Eve program is a tribute to a Viennese New Year tradition that began in the early 1900s. Though the Meyerson isn’t the Golden Hall Musikverein, where the concert is performed annually, it’s still an enchanting setting for the start of 2021. The hour-long show starts at 7:30 p.m. and tickets run from $50 to $140. (Due to social distancing protocols, seats are only available online in groups of two and masks are required.) For a special post-show dinner, hit the nearby Tei-An to indulge in the Japanese New Year soba tradition. Tei-An’s Premium NYE Omakase starts at 9 p.m. and includes Champagne and six courses. Or just get the food to go. 

New Year’s Eve with Bryce Bangs

Local artist Bryce Bangs is bringing his bluesy rock to the Granada for a toe-tapping New Year’s Eve celebration. The release of his self-titled sophomore album previously sold out the Granada, and his New Year’s Eve show promises all the same grit and soul. Doors open at 9 and tickets run from $24 to $53. The Granada’s seating chart has changed to enforce social distancing and tickets are sold by the table.

Prohibition: A New Year’s Eve Celebration with the Fort Worth Symphony

Relive the roaring 20s with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s Prohibition: A New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium. The concert will transport the audience to a time of gangsters and intrigue with classic songs like Edith Piaf’s La Vie En Rose and Gus Kahn’s Dream a Little Dream of Me. Tickets are $44 to $99, and the performance runs from 7:30 to 9:00 with no intermission.

Fireworks Over Reunion Tower

This year, you can catch the Over the Top fireworks at Reunion Tower from your couch, a downtown-facing balcony, or a room at the adjoining Hyatt Regency. Wherever your New Year finds you, tune in to the show on NBC 5, Youtube, or Facebook and hit the music soundtrack on Jack FM. Grab your favorite takeout, pop the Champagne, and watch 2020 burn in fiery glory (pajamas optional).

Food & Drink

Tulum’s Mexican NYE Special

For $75, which includes a mini to-go bottle of sparkling wine, dig into homemade sope with grilled octopus with black beans and chorizo sauce, chayote squash soup with fried yuca root, seared halibut or short rib birria. For dessert, Chiapas chocolate mousse cake with raspberry and cocoa fried rice.

Sixty Vines New Year’s Eve To-Go Kits

Sit back and relax, Sixty Vines will take it from here. The wine-fueled restaurant has to-go kits with salami, cheese, filets with grilled shrimp, and one side. It wouldn’t be Sixty Vines without wine. Get a 375-mL bottle of rosé and brut, plus sunglass, confetti, sparklers, and a curated Spotify playlist to round out the party vibes. Add on a la carte tap wines for 50% off or a champagne flute tumbler for $15, which they can bring in for a complimentary glass of Vine Huggers Sparking Wine all year! Each kit is $150 and serves two people.

Gorji Restaurant Multicourse Takeout Menu

Modern Mediterranean cuisine by way of a three- or four-course dinner ($83–$96) is sure to help welcome in 2021. Choose from dishes such as pan-seared scallops, venison tenderloin with cognac sauce, wild-caught salmon, bone-in pork chop and langoustine tails with garlic-gorgonzola smashed potatoes, and more. Don’t forget dessert: housemade kefir cheese with medjool dates and pomegranate reduction, or go for a classic chocolate cake. Throw in a bottle of rosé brut for toasting at midnight. (15 percent of all wine proceeds are donated to the North Texas Food Bank.) Call 972-503-7080 to order.

Perry’s Steakhouse New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Feast

Pick up a three-course meal—a holiday feast for four with a selection of prime rib, NY strip, rack of lamb, pork lasagna, pork chop, sides, dessert, the whole works—at $60 to $80 per person. Not included in the prix fixe menu but totally lush and NYE-worthy is lobster tail and bacon-wrapped scallops. Order online.

Second Floor at The Exchange NYE Packages

Get a peek of the newly opened Second Floor at The Exchange in the AT&T Discovery District with their New Year’s to-go package. The kit contains all the necessities for a successful New Year at home: Veuve Clicqout Champagne, Golden Osetra Sturgeon Caviar and crème fraiche, a 16-ounce, 42-day dry aged NY strip with bordelaise, chocolate truffles, and a $50 gift card for the Second Floor. Preorder is required for pick up on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, and the cost of a package is $495. If you feel comfortable dining in, there’s also a seven-course tasting menu by Brian Zenner of Ounce and Peja Krstic of Ichi Ni San taking place on New Year’s Eve by reservation only for $95 a head.

Asian Mint’s Holiday Menu

Hit Asian Mint’s holiday menu before it’s gone and start 2021 off right with Thai beef noodle soup and curry crab rice. Tamarind shrimp sounds like the perfect side for the Reunion Tower fireworks broadcast. All locations are closed New Year’s day but open until 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.