Shout It Out with Mikal Cronin.
For us, the day after Christmas was always one of the most bittersweet out of the whole year. There were still new toys left to try out, but once noon rolled around, we'd have to vacate the living room while our moms started stripping the house of any and all signs of holiday spirit.
Today won't be like that. Not if we can help it.
On this day after Half-Christmas, we rejoice in the fact there are still 182 days left until that real holiday hangover comes.
Plus, there are plenty of distractions around tonight to keep our minds on other things.
Mikal Cronin at Dada
Moonhearts bassist and vocalist Mikal Cronin continues his tour supporting his second solo album, MCII, at Dada. As Cronin told us earlier this week, his new effort's a more ambitious affair than his 2011 debut. But don't worry: There are still plenty of fuzzy, lo-fi guitar licks and “hot-and-bothered” vocals to be found. — Stephen Young
Vinyl Preservation Society DFW at The Crown & Harp
Tonight, the Vinyl Preservation Society holds its first-ever meeting at The Crown & Harp following a long-time residence at The Barley House. This month's themes are “Perhaps you should have stayed with the band” and “The best song you've never heard.” Good luck figuring out something for the second theme, as we're guessing this group has probably heard just about everything. As for the first, though? Pretty much any of Mick Jagger's solo work should suffice. — SY
Wondercrust presents: Cosmos: War of the Planets! at The Grotto
The Wondercrust Movie Watchers Club presents a screening of the spaghetti sci-fi epic Cosmos: War of the Planets! at The Grotto in Fort Worth. The movie features an evil overlord named Blue Balls, a female David Bowie impersonator and a glowing hallucinogenic sex orb. Sounds like a fine piece of cinema to us. — SY
Mac Miller at Palladium Ballroom
Mac Miller, who just reached the legal drinking age, will grace Dallas with his presence tonight. And, as he told us yesterday, the guy's clearly grown a lot since his last album, which mostly found him sharing stories about grocery shopping when high. Chance the Rapper, Vince Staples and The Internet open. —Jessica Petrocchi
Vegan Beer Dinner at The Libertine
Take a break from all those burgers you've been having and find out what summer produce is on the menu tonight at the Libertine's Vegan Beer Dinner. The five-course meal comes with options like Quinoa-Avocado verine, nectarine tomato gazpacho and apple mint sorbet. Reservations are required. — JP
Girl School at Deep Ellum Brewing Company
Craft beer pro tip: The closer you get to a brewery, the better their beer tastes. Here's another one: Though it's an industry historically dominated by men, there's really no reason whatsoever why women can't get in on the craft beer game fun. Hosted by The Dallas Diva, tonight's women-only beer school aims to get ladies more involved in the local beer scene while showing how DEBC's brews pair with different foods. — JP
Cyndi Lauper at the House of Blues
We'll say it: If Lauper doesn't sing “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” tonight, you have our permission to throw your drink and leave. Or maybe not, actually. The singer just turned 60 last Saturday and she's still rocking hard, so this might not be all that cool of a move. The Real L Word stars Hunter Valentine opens. —JP
Jub Jam at The Kessler
While mostly known for their funny impersonations and patented “hot sports opinions,” the hosts of 1310 KTCK-AM The Ticket's Dunham and Miller morning show will be showing off their musical talents tonight. George “Jub Jub” Dunham mostly handles the reins here, leading the way on a concert and silent auction to benefit The Senior Source. His own country outfit The Bird Dogs will be perform, too, alongside Bobby Duncan, Steve Helms and Deryl Dodd. The show also marks the debut of Ticket host Gordon Keith's new band. —JP
Cruel Summer: A Tribute To Kanye West at Zubar
A week removed from the release of Kanye West's latest album, Yeezus remains pretty much the only thing anyone wants to talk about in the music world. Credit DJs Niro and Tyrone Smiley for capitalizing on that fact at tonight's Zubar offering, where they'll only be playing songs by West, featuring West and produced by West. There's no cover at this one, either. And well drinks will only cost you $2 until midnight. — Pete Freedman