Thursday, March 28, 2024 Mar 28, 2024
73° F Dallas, TX
Advertisement
Things to Do in Dallas

Things To Do In Dallas This Weekend: May 31-Jun 2

By Liz Johnstone |
Image
atwood
Margaret Atwood.

I can’t get over M. Night Shyamalan’s claim that he ghost-wrote She’s All That. Finally, a twist from him that I didn’t see coming. (And probably a j0ke you definitely saw coming.)

Friday

Well, this is easy. Margaret Atwood is here tonight, so wherever she is, that’s where you should be. The Canadian author makes an appearance as part of the Dallas Museum of Art’s Arts & Letters Live/Distinguished Writers series, but rather than hosting her in the Horchow Auditorium, her event has been moved to First Presbyterian Church in order to accommodate even more adoring fans. Of which I am one. You should follow her on Twitter, because she is awesome. For this particular talk, she’ll discuss her distinguished writing career and her creative process, then focus a bit on the influence of mythology on her work, particularly (and unsurprisingly) The Penelopiad, a version of The Odyssey told from Penelope’s perspective. This coincides nicely with the Dallas Museum of Art’s new exhibition, The Body Beautiful in Ancient Greece.

Also tonight, the Texas Theatre has a 35 mm print of Animal House. Yes. Yes. After you watch this John Belushi/John Landis college party classic for what’s hopefully not the first time, there’s a Toga! Toga! party DJed by Sir Scott Mack. Greek attire is not required, but definitely suggested. And easy, presumably. Yank that sheet off your bed, wrap, and go. Right? NYU didn’t have frats.*

Saturday

Speaking of mythology, the Undermain Theatre has revived their production of An Iliad, with the excellent Bruce DuBose and Paul Semrad reprising their respective roles from last fall’s clearly successful run. You can read our critic’s original review right here before you go, and they’re offered $2 domestic beers and $3 wine for opening weekend. Not a terrible, terrible deal.

My good pal Pam, who is visiting Dallas very soon, teared up when she met Ira Glass. I kinda promised I wouldn’t tell anyone this, but since Joss Whedon is the only famous-type person I’d cry for, my meeting-Ira-Glass story is not as good. Anyway, he’s in town to do a live This American Life at the Winspear Opera House. From all reports, his last Dallas appearance was an inspiring evening that reinforced the value of good stories, well told. For this particular presentation, Glass will mix his show on stage using pretaped quotes and music. There will also be a “best of” segment that showcases the show’s greatest hits.

Finally, there’s KXT’s Summer Cut concert at Gexa Energy Pavilion. Last year’s inaugural show with the Flaming Lips was considered quite the success, and this year folk-pop-rock band The Avett Brothers headlines what organizers are calling “The Happy Funtime Fest.” I’ll tell you this much: I’m not going to be as happy as I could be at any open-air event until this humidity takes a long hike off a short cliff. The Avett Brothers joined by blues-rock group Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, indie duo Matt & Kim, Americana-rock band Dawes, and many more. Our music critic, Christopher Mosley, has more about the festival over on FrontRow.

Sunday

If you just can’t get enough of the musical Wicked, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has a concert for you. The Stephen Schwartz musical offered funny diddies like “Popular” and soaring songs of inspiration like “Defying Gravity,” tunes that are recognizable even for folks who haven’t seen it performed live. Under the baton of Richard Kaufman, the DSO tries its hand at the show’s hits (accompanied by Broadway stars Emily Rozek and Julia Murney), plus favorites from musical theater canon such as Ragtime, Gypsy, and more.

For more to do this weekend, go here.

* Okay, NYU had frats. They were terrible.

 

Related Articles

Image
Arts & Entertainment

Here’s Who Is Coming to Dallas This Weekend: March 28-31

It's going to be a gorgeous weekend. Pencil in some live music in between those egg hunts and brunches.
Image
Arts & Entertainment

Arlington Museum of Art Debuts Two Must-See Nature-Inspired Additions

The chill of the Arctic Circle and a futuristic digital archive mark the grand opening of the Arlington Museum of Art’s new location.
By Brett Grega
Image
Arts & Entertainment

An Award-Winning SXSW Short Gave a Dallas Filmmaker an Outlet for Her Grief

Sara Nimeh balances humor and poignancy in a coming-of-age drama inspired by her childhood memories.
By Todd Jorgenson
Advertisement