1. Merle Haggard, plus Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic: This week is the time to get your dose of classic country. Merle Haggard performs Saturday night at Billy Bob's, and then, on Independence Day, it's the return of Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic, an all-day indoor/outdoor concert that includes Johnny Bush, Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Joe Shaver and others -- Willie headlines, of course. Fireworks, you know it. Merle is 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Billy Bob's Texas in the Stockyards. $15 general, $35 reserved. Willie's Picnic starts at noon Wednesday in Rodeo Plaza. $35, $45 at gate. 817-624-7117; www.billybobstexas.com
2. Fourth of July goodness: There's a ton of options to get your fireworks on in DFW. For a complete list, see page XX. Here's a quick breakdown of some of the majors: Fort Worth Symphony closes Concerts in Garden with Old Fashioned Fireworks Picnic (Monday-Wednesday), www.fwsymphony.org; Addison's Kaboom Town is 5 p.m.-midnight Tuesday, www.addisontexas.net; The Lone Star Stars and Stripes is Wednesday at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie (events before races, fireworks and music after), www.lonestarpark.com; and in Dallas, the Fair Park Fourth is 4:30-10 p.m. Wednesday, www.fairpark.org
3. Arlington Fourth of July Parade: And if you'd rather skip the night crowds for fireworks events, try this long-running parade, the state's biggest. Starts at 9 a.m. Wednesday, in the downtown/University of Texas at Arlington area, with an after-picnic in Heritage Park. 817-330-9USA; www.arlington4th.org
4. The Bomb-itty of Errors: Yo yo, holler for this hip-hop version of Shakespeare's shortest play, The Comedy of Errors, which will feature mad rhymes and original music by the crew at Second Thought Theatre. Fie, beeyotches. Thursday through July 15 at Bryant Hall at the Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. $22.50 (pay-what-you-can for previews). 214-616-8439; www.2tt.com
5. Lucian Freud: Portraits: Any time your last name is "Freud," there's gonna be connections to psychotherapy. You won't need that after seeing the new Modern exhibit, featuring the sometimes disturbing paintings of the man some consider one of the great portrait artists of the 20th century. Sunday through Oct. 28 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth. $10. 817-738-9215; www.themodern.org
6. Ruby Jane: The young fiddle prodigy, who writes songs, too, has toured with Willie and Asleep at the Wheel, so she's already got cred. She performs at 8 p.m. Friday at McDavid at McDavid Studio, 301 E. Fifth St., Fort Worth. $18.70. 817-212-4280; www.basshall.com
7. Pecha Kucha: The sixth annual Fort Worth celebration of Pecha Kucha, which brings together artsy types for discussion and various causes, is this year co-presented by Amphibian Stage Productions. It features artists, designers, photographers, food from Shinjuku Station and more. 7-9 p.m. Friday at Artspace 111, 111 Hampton St., Fort Worth. Free (donations appreciated). 817-692-3228; www.artspace111.com
8. New Edition: All of 'em are back, including Ralph Tresvant and yes, Bob-BAY. Johnny Gill, too. Think they will have a tribute to Whitney? (Too soon?) 8 p.m. Friday at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie. $49-$125. 800-745-3000; www.axs.com
9. Avenue Q: Now that this Tony-winning naughty puppet musical has been licensed for regional theaters, it'll be interesting to see how they design the puppets. Early word for Theatre Three's season-opening production is that they are smashing. Previews begin Friday, opens Monday and runs through July 29 in Theatre Too!, the basement space at Theatre Three, 2800 Routh St., Suite 168, Dallas. Previews are $10-$40; regular performances $35-$40. 214-871-3300; www.theatre3dallas.com
10. Jack's Throwback Festival: This could be the biggest concert EVER, what with the music of R.E.M., the Police, the Cure, Depeche Mode, AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Van Halen, Guns N Roses, U2, the Eagles, Journey, Van Halen and Def Leppard. Except that it's all by cover bands. (What, no Heart or the Go-Go's?) 6 p.m. Saturday at Gexa Energy Pavilion, 1818 First Ave., Dallas. $12.17-$48.37. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com
11. Dirk Nowitzki's 2012 Heroes Celebrity Baseball Game: Basketball season's over, and Lebron James finally got his title. The guys who whipped Lebron and the Heat in 2011 are getting together for their annual baseball bash. Dirk's the host, but Jason Terry, Delonte West, Mark Cuban, coach Rick Carlisle, plus Cowboys legend Daryl "Moose" Johnston will be among the stars swinging for the fences for charity. 6 p.m. Saturday; activities start at 3:30 p.m.. $7-$16. Dr Pepper Ballpark, 7300 RoughRiders Trail, Frisco. www.heroesorganization.org
12. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: You've probably seen this Andrew Lloyd Webber musical so much you're sick of it, but you probably haven't seen it directed by Joel Ferrell for the Dallas Theater Center. Whatever his take, it won't be the same-ol' same ol'. Currently in previews, it opens Friday and runs through Aug. 12. AT&T Performing Arts Center, Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St., Dallas. $15-$90. 214-880-0202; www.attpac.org