June 3-9
Maxwell and Jill Scott
We're suckers for both of these neo-soul artists, so this bill delights us. And we've been jonesing for Maxwell this spring, ever since we saw American Idol's "Big Mike" Lynche perform his version of Kate Bush's This Woman's Work. That stirring song aside, Maxwell and Jill both wanna make us get our freak on.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
Cost: $47-$150
Info: www.ticketmaster.com
'The Angel Play: a Suicide Burlesque' A tantalizing title for the opening play of Hip Pocket Theatre's 34th season. Written and directed by artistic director Johnny Simons, The Angel Play opens at a campsite in the foothills of a remote wooded area, where there are strange apparitions a-poppin'. The ghostly visitors include a cloud of burlesque and heavenly angels. We likey. Also, before the play on opening weekend, check out the backyard music, from David Tripp Band (Friday), EclectHics (Saturday) and Christa Russell (Sunday).
When: 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday through June 27 (doors at 7 p.m.)
Where: Hip Pocket Theatre, 1950 Silver Creek Road, Fort Worth
Cost: $15 ($10 for seniors); opening night admission is two-for-one. (No online ticket sales for this special; just call for a reservation.)
Info: 817-246-9775; www.hippocket.org
'Metropolis' We'll take any excuse to see Fritz Lang's beautiful silent 1927 masterpiece. The futuristic dystopia -- largely regarded as the granddaddy of all great sci-fi films -- looks in on a world divided into two halves: a grossly opulent, booming city, and a subterranean world where the workers slave for, quite literally, the upper crust. The version showing at the Dallas Center for Architecture is the 2001 restoration (not the newest that has just been released to some theaters), which features the original orchestral score.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Dallas Center for Architecture, 1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas
Cost: $10 donation
Info: 214-742-3242; www.dallascfa.com
Concerts in the Garden The Fort Worth Botanic Garden's summer musical festival (with the FWSO and friends) is in full bloom, and we're falling to pieces over this weekend's lineup, notably Sunday's showcase: Crazy ... for Patsy Cline. Julie Johnson, who made the rounds in Always ... Patsy Cline, will remind us of that unparalleled, heartachey voice. Friday's band is Pardi Gras, giving you dance tunes from the '60s through the '90s; Saturday it's '80s cover band the M80s. We're forecasting partly neon with a chance of Dippity-Do.
When: 8 p.m. Sunday (gates open 6:30 p.m.)
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
Cost: Lawn seating: $16 advance, $20 at the gate, free for children 10 and younger; table seating: $23-$43 in advance, $26-$46 at the gate,$11-$43 in advance and $11-$46 at the gate for children
Info: www.fwbg.org
'Before Night Falls'
This is the closing weekend of the Fort Worth Opera Festival, so it's your last chance to see Don Giovanni, The Elixir of Love and the much-buzzed-about Before Night Falls, the Jorge Martín opera that made its world premiere here May 29. The opera is based on a memoir about the life of Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas, though most people (OK, us) might know it from the 2000 film starring Javier Bardem.
When: Don Giovanni, 8 p.m. Friday; The Elixir of Love, 8 p.m. Saturday; Before Night Falls, 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Bass Hall, Fort Worth
Cost: $17-$154
Info: 817-731-0726; www.basshall.com; www.fwopera.org
Imogen Heap We haven't seen this indie darling in person, but we've heard our own Preston Jones rave about her and her "nimble, reedy and devastating soprano." We are now ready to be devastated by a soprano. It's time.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie
Cost: $25
Info: www.verizontheatre.com
Dallas Flamenco Festival Why do we always feel a little better when there are castanets? Why question. We'll just watch, listen, clap and dance. Check out this weekend's events: Tablao at the Ocher House Theater in Dallas on Saturday, and España!! Si Señor at De Tapas Dinner Theater in Addison.
When and where: 9 p.m. Saturday at the Ocher House Theater (825 Exposition Ave., Dallas); 7:30 p.m. Sunday at De Tapas Dinner Theater (5100 Beltline Road, Addison)
Cost: Tablao, $15-$20; España!! Si Señor, $30-$45; flamenco workshops start at $45 (Call or visit website for details.)
Info: www.dallasflamencofestival.com
Dog Days of
Denton Formerly known as Dog Days of Summer, this two-day festival is now in its 17th year. You and your friendly dog (emphasis on friendly) are invited to bark in the sun (and shade) and take in a pet parade, live entertainment, pet demos and performances by canines and their trainers, "Glamfur" photos, contests and arts, crafts, and eats. Note: aside from your dog being friendly, it must also be on a leash and have collar tags showing that vaccinations are current.
When: 5-8:30 p.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday
Where: Quakertown Park (formerly Civic Center Park), 321 E. McKinney St., Denton
Cost: Free
Info: www.dogdaysdenton.com
Live Band Karaoke at Spencer's Corner This kind of karaoke will test your chops. You don't perform to a CD soundtrack, but with a live backing band. Hmmm ... maybe they should rename it dare-aoke? Bonus: $3 you-call-its.
When: 9 p.m. Sunday
Where: Spencer's Corner, next to Ridgmar Mall, Fort Worth
Cost: $3 for guys; gals free
Info: 817-652-6090; www.spencerscorner.net
'Wicked' Elphaba is back, my pretties. The Broadway blockbuster, based on the novel and its flip-flopped perspective on The Wizard of Oz, played Dallas in 2007. This time, the Tony- and Grammy-winning show has a few cool fan perks: There will be a daily day-of-performance lottery for a limited number of $25 orchestra seats. (See details on website.) Also, check out all kinds of Wicked-related stuff going on at the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, including a giant "World of Wicked" display, shopping deals, prize drawings, giveaways and Wicked merchandise. And at 11 a.m. Saturday, two Wicked cast members will present a free live performance (in Grand Court near Neiman Marcus), followed by an autograph session.
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through June 27
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas
Cost: $35-$145
Info: www.dallassummermusicals.org
'Mother and Child' This film takes us into the life of a 50-year-old physical therapist (Annette Bening), the daughter she gave up for adoption 35 years ago and an African-American woman looking to adopt a child of her own. Sound like a downer? Consider the rest of the terrific cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Naomi Watts, Jimmy Smits and Bening, who is "at her blistering best," according to Rolling Stone critic Peter Travers.
When: 6 and 8:15 p.m. Friday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 2 and 4:15 p.m. Sunday
Where: Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Cost: $8.50; $6.50 for members
Info: www.themodern.org
Me & Pooch
Full disclosure/bias alert: This classic-rock cover band features our dear friend and DFW.com contributor Andrew Marton on keyboard. But Pooch and company do rock. They cover all the classic bases, from Elvis and the Beatles to Van the Man, John Mellencamp and Santana. They even take a detour into the '90s with Sublime. And, if they're all buzzed enough, Blister in the Sun by the Violent Femmes. (Fingers crossed!)
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Where: The Pour House, 2725 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth
Cost: $5
Info: www.pourhousefw.com
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