I’ve said this before, and I’ll say this again: the dearth of breakfast tacos downtown is a real tragedy. Also, I watched the last ten minutes of Sharknado last night, so I’m ready to get weird this weekend and hack up some great whites.
Friday
Or go see a Japanese comedy about a failed actor who stumbles into the life of an actual assassin. Almost the same. But seriously, the Asian Film Festival kicked off yesterday over at the Angelika, but it will run for seven more days. Peter Simek has a guide to the best of the fest over on FrontRow, but I’ll spoil tonight’s pick a little. He suggests Key of Life, the aforementioned movie about the actor turned assassin from director Kenji Uchida. Go to Urban Taco for dinner, mainly because I want breakfast tacos so badly right now that basically any taco sounds good, but also because that tamarind margarita is great.
Taste of Dallas also begins this afternoon and continues through Sunday. The nice thing about going today is that kids under 12 get in free for “family fun night,” and the rides and games are free, too. Don’t miss bites from Mesa and Lockhart Smokehouse.
Saturday
My friend Brian lives near Bishop Arts. Brian also likes food. Brian has been obsessively stalking Zoli’s Facebook page for months, waiting for the New York-style pizza place to open up in the old BEE spot (still sad about that). Eventually Brad noticed that Brian had “liked” every single photo Zoli’s had ever posted. I don’t doubt that there are people who feel this same level of anticipation for the Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson, which doesn’t officially open until August. However, Saturday is the first in a series of free outdoor movies in the Drafthouse parking lot. So close, and yet so far. Dazed and Confused will start around sunset, and you will find food trucks, giveaways, and booze for purchase.
Meanwhile, Babb Bros. BBQ & Blues hosts a whiskey-fueled fundraiser for Hunger Busters, a program that provides needy kids within the Dallas Independent School District with access to adequate food outside of school hours. There’s food, drink specials and Forty Creek whiskey cocktails, plus live music from four different blues bands. There’s no cover or ticket cost, but you can drop a donation in buckets throughout the Trinity Groves restaurant.
Sunday
Happy Bastille Day! Celebrate the peasant uprising by heading to Oak Cliff for the annual Bastille on Bishop block party. It’s mostly mussels and public drinking, but families are out and about, too. You’ll see Vespas, troubadours with accordions, mimes, crêpe stands (yay), dancing, and more than one reveler dressed in a French maid costume getting ready to dust the competition in the relay race. If you want to drink (even if you’re not into wine), get a ticket/wine glass in advance. They run out every year. They’ll also have a limited stash of Kronenbourg and a Champagne cocktail, if you don’t want wine. If not, it’s free to attend. Just show up with cash for food.
If you’re worried about parking, fear not. The Methodist Dallas Medical Center has opened their parking lot at the corner of Bishop and Colorado. It’s free, and there will be pedicabs for those disinclined to perambulate.
For more to do tonight, go here.
