Man Up.
This Sunday is National Grilled Cheese Day, so it seems only appropriate to bring up the following study which says that folks who love grilled cheeses get laid way more than those celibate, cheese sandwich abstainers. Oh, and they're more likely to be happy, too.
But what if you're lactose intolerant? Or counting calories? Or not that big a fan of cheese? Or just a person that knows the secret to happiness goes deeper than any magical cheese/butter/bread combos?
You can still lead just as happy an existence, so long as you're looking in the right places. That in mind, here's more than a few places to seek a little joy this weekend. — Cory Graves
Friday
Red Bull Sound Select Presents: Man Man at Dada
After attending college in Philadelphia, where he studied screenwriting, Ryan Kattner decided to focus his penchant for the written word into shorter works like songs. So, without any real music training, Kattner started his first band, Man Man. Then he adopted the stage name Honus Honus and began cranking out eclectic, piano-driven Gypsy rock. A decade later, Kattner has released five pretty varied records with an ever-rotating cast of backing characters — save for percussionist Chris Powell (aka Pow Pow), who has stuck around since damn near the beginning, and played a big role helping craft the band's most recent effort, 2013's On Oni Pond. More recently, Kattner's been taking some time off the road to demo the next Man Man record and to begin work on a solo LP. The band makes an exception for tonight's Dallas show, though, which you can attend for just $3 by RSVP'ing here in advance. Otherwise, for more info on this show, check out our interview with Kattner. — CG
Texas Rangers Home Opener at Globe Life Park
Does the prospect of watching the two worst teams from the division last year battling for the bogus Silver Boot trophy not sound enticing enough for ya? How about the chance to score some bacon-flavored cotton candy? Derek Holland makes his 2015 debut at the Rangers' first home game of the season. — CG
Chipper Jones at Three Links
Future Hall of Fame Atlanta Braves third baseman and his new Austin-based duo will head up this four-band bill with a batch of mostly-instrumental, Delicate Steve-like tunes. Notlando and Trai bo open. — CG
The Veronicas at Aloft Hotel
The Australian pop duo kick off a five-date run playing at select Aloft Hotels with a performance at the Downtown Dallas location. Interesting. You know what else is interesting? Neither of these girls is named Veronica. They are twin sisters, though, so I imagine it'd be pretty weird for two siblings to share the same first name. — CG
Dallas International Film Festival
The 10-days-long affair, which kicks off this weekend looks to be full of some heavy-hitters in addition to its usual mix of world and U.S. premieres, shorts film blocks, repertory screenings and local films. Of special note is this year's focus on movies coming out of Germany (including one documentary entry about Dallas basketball icon Dirk Notwitzki), its repertory Blues Brothers screening (with director John Landis in attendance) and, what I'm most excited about, the fact that The Lego Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are being honored with the Tex Avery Animation Award presented by local animation studio Reel FX. Also worth mentioning is the fact the earlier-announced films already featured some big stars in their casts — Chris Evans, Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman, among them. Now, with the full lineup out — and featuring more than 165 films in total — it's safe to say that there's something for everyone here. Still, here are the ones we're most stoked on. — Javier Fuentes
Yonder Mountain String Band at Granada Theater
You say “progressive bluegrass,” I say “poor man's Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.” Let's call the whole thing off. — CG
Roxy Roca at The Foundry (Free)
Hey blues brothers, listen up: If you haven't checked out Roxy Roca yet, you should. Blackbook Magazine hailed the nine-piece soul band the best of SXSW 2013, and they're from Texas. What's not to like? — Chase Whale
Cory Morrow at Billy Bob's
Thanks to the help of compatriots of guys like Pat Green, Cory Morrow's carved out a niche for himself as one of the Texas country scene's elder statesmen. Tonight he holds court at the world's largest honky-tonk. — CG
Owen Temple at Dan's Silverleaf
Following in the footsteps of guys like Robert Earl Keen and Guy Clark, Austin-based folky Owen Temple has taken up the Texas country torch. It's both nostalgic and unforgettable. — Lauren Rushing
Wesley Geiger at Twilite Lounge (Free)
The tallest and gangliest of the Texas Gentlemen, Wesley Geiger released his years-in-the-making debut LP late last fall. Tonight you can see what all that fuss was about, as he plays cuts from his country-tinged, Laurel Canyon-inclined catalog for free at this one. — Pete Freedman
Corey Holcomb at Addison Improv
Having some relationship issues? The “ghetto Dr. Phil” might be able to help you out. Can't be any worse than the real Dr. Phil, right? Holcomb performs at the venue through Sunday. — Stephen Young
Dallas Art Fair at Fashion Industry Gallery
In conjunction with Dallas Art Week, FIG's showing works from 90 artists, including painters, sculptors, photographers, videographers and more. — CG
Mga-Czar & Tunk at Texas Theatre (Free)
Can you kick it? Recently, Kixpo announced its upcoming 10th sneaker-centric expo will take place at The Bomb Factory on July 18. Ahead of that, Kixpo will present this free concert from Dallas hip-hop vets Mga-Czar and Tunk, that'll also see the release of a new joint effort from the pair. — CG
Frisco Roughriders vs Arkansas Travelers at Dr. Pepper Ballpark
For the second game of its still young season, the Rangers' AA affiliate takes on Angeles farm club the Arkansas Travelers. As with most Friday home games, fireworks will follow. — CG
Eli Young Band at Lone Star Park
Baseball ain't the only thing starting up this weekend, there's also live racing at Lone Star. Not only can you win money taking part in the sport of champions, but you can catch a free Eli Young Band concert as well. — CG
Saturday
Big Texas Beer Fest at Fair Park Automobile Building
Pace yourself, because at the fourth annual Big Texas Beer Fest, some 400-plus beers will be available for tasting, representing over 100 craft breweries throughout the country. For a full list of confirmed breweries participating in the event, check this page. The Birds of Night and Shotgun Friday each perform as well. — CG
Atomic Music Festival at The Bomb Factory
In the vein of its popular South by So What events, Third String Productions brings its next fest indoors, into the newly air conditioned confines of The Bomb Factory. Heading up its Atomic Music Festival is SBSW vets Between the Buried and Me, along with Animals as Leaders, Tesseract, Entheos, The Red Chord, The Atlas Moth, In Search of Sight, Design of Destiny and Pardon Me, Devil. — CG
One-Year Anniversary Celebration at So & So's
One of our favorite Uptown haunts celebrates a year in business with all sorts of revelry, including a DJ set from the always masterful J.T. Donaldson. — PF
Gabriel Iglesias at Verizon Theatre
The morbidly obese stand-up has been called a comic genius by a number of critics who are, no doubt, impressed with his wide array of material which includes jokes about his weight, food, his propensity to wear Hawaiian shirts and overuse the term “fluffy.” — CG
Iska Dhaaf, Howlin' Rain at The Foundry (Free)
howlin rain, iska dhaaf at foundry
Seattle duo Iska Dhaaf released its album Even The Sun Will Burn last spring, an album three years-in-the-making. It's full of highs you can dance to, lows you can cry along with and hits upon just about every genre of popular music there is at one point or another. Howlin' Rain also performs at this free, chicken-filled show. — Ashley Gongora
Billy Collins & Aimee Mann at Winspear Opera House
Aimee Mann is regarded as one of the best singer-songwriters of our generation. She even wrote some songs for one of the greatest films of our time, Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia, which gained her an Oscar nomination for “Best Song.” But this isn't purely a music event. Mann and famed poet Billy Collins are in town as part of the DMA's “Arts and Letters Live” series to discuss their respective crafts. — CW
Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway
Turns out beards aren't just for hipsters; fans of both Duck Dynasty and NASCAR are big fans of them as well, it turns out. Quack, quack, quack, quack. — CG
Tour de Taco at The Wild Detectives
Get on your bikes and ride — to the taco stand, that is. And then after that? To another and another. This leisurely ride will start and end at The Wild Detectives, leaving at 1 p.m., and eventually add up to nine or 10 miles — but not before making frequent pit stops at Oak Cliff taquerias Cool & Hot, Taqueria Tiquicheo, El Pueblo, Mi Tierrita Taqueria y Pupuseria and Los Torres Taqueria. Oh, and remember to bring some cash, because while a lot of these stands don't accept plastic, they will gladly accept your sweaty ass dollars. — CG
Jackmaster at It'll Do Club
As opposed to most touring DJs, which are really producers finding a way to monetize their craft, Glasgow-born Jackmaster is just a straight up DJ. How many of those other DJ sets would be greatly improved were they not busy trying to shoehorn in their own jams all night long, though? — CG
Father Murphy at Rubber Gloves
Everything is better in Italian. Case in point. Anyway, Father Murphy is un gruppo musicale that makes noise rock Italiano. Awen, Wiving and Orgullo Primitivo open. — CG
Information Society at Granada Theater
The Star Trek-loving '80s synth-pop outfit gets the band back together tonight at Granada, where they'll maybe play some songs that aren't “What's On Your Mind,” too. — CG
Punch Brothers at House of Blues
If you love Nickel Creek, then Punch Brothers, too, should be in your radar, as the wonderful Chris Thile fronts both bands. This man is a frikin' wizarding-ninja hybrid of badassery behind a mandolin. — Chris Escarfullery
Shadows of Jets at The Prophet Bar
For the uninitiated, Shadows of Jets is divorce pop project headed up by former Maren Morris sideman Taylor Tatsch, and is filled out Morris' old bassist Graham Smith, Orbans guitarist Kenny Hollingsworth and Burning Hotels drummer Mike Ratliff. Panic Volcanic, Inside Voices and I am the Albatross open. — CG
Selfie: The Art Ball After-Party at Dallas Museum of Art
Tickets are $250 a pop, but you'll get to party with DJ Solange, aka Beyonce's sister. What's it worth to you? — CG
Defeater at Dada
Defeater had to lay low in 2014, due to the fact that frontman Derek Archambault had to a undergo hip replacement surgery, which was crowd-funded by the band's fans. All rested and recouperated, the melodic hardcore outfit is back on the road again, stopping through Dallas, where it'll perform with Counterparts, Capsize, Better Off and Hotel Books. — CG
Flyleaf at Gas Monkey
Headlining Revolver's kinda sorta sexist Hottest Chicks Tour is hard rocking Texan outfit Flyleaf. Joining them are other “chick” bands, The Agonist, Fit For Rivals, Diamante and Falling For Scarlet. — CG
Jarabe de Palo at Trees
Dallas isn't the only place experiencing feelings of nostalgia for all things '90s it turns out. Jarabe de Palo is a '90s rock outfit from Barcelona, whose name roughly translates to wood syrup has collaborated with everyone from Celica Cruz to Ricky Martin and Alanis Morissette through the years. El Foco de Atelier y Mayta open. — CG
Daphne Willis at Twilite Lounge (Free)
Daphne Willis is a Chicago (or is it Nashville?)-based Folk&B (a genre we, admittedly, just made up to describe her folkly R&B hybrid sound) artist with Texas roots that's been making quite the name for herself of late — especially around Dallas where she performs more than a lot of actual local bands. — CG
Slideluck II at Strauss Square
For just the second time ever — and first since 2012 — New York City-based organization Slideluck brings its art-meets-pot-luck-dinner event back to town. A shareable dish doubles as your cover to get into this community-focused art venture. — CG
Dallas Derby Devils Home Opener at Nytex Sports Centre
So much sports happens this weekend. Here, the Death Row Rumblers, take on the Suicide Shifters, andthe Wrecking Crew takes on The Slaughterers. It's $12 to get into this season opening bout, or just $75 for a season ticket. Roll on. — CG
Alabama Shakes Sound And Color Listening Party at Good Records
Alabama Shakes has a critically hailed new LP coming out April 21. You can not only hear that sucker in-full at this listening party, but also snag a free Alabama Shakes tote bag and enter to win a test pressing of the record too. Rawk! — CG
Dallas Stars vs Nashville Predators
The Dallas Stars might not be making the playoffs this year, but their efforts should be applauded nonetheless. The team did rack up more goals than any other franchise in the NHL this season. Too bad its defense wasn't quite as dominant. Oh well. The team's a young one, and this is the last chance to see them play this season. — CG
Grades of Absolute Truth (Album Release) at Three Links
South Dallas indie hip-hop artist Justin “Grades of Absolute Truth” Griffin wrote his latest EP while on a cleanse, hence the reason he titled it The Sensless EP. The batch of so-called high brow rap earns its release tonight, where G.O.A.T. performs alongside GOBI and Terrence Spectacle. — CG
Troy Cartwright at Double Wide
The bro country backlash is real. Seriously, it's like all anyone with even the most remote interest in the genre can talk about. And when it does, there'll be a batch of honest songwriters like Troy Cartwright left to takeover. That's what makes the young Dallasite's debut LP for Sony records one to watch out for this year. It's going to take some people by surprise, and not just locally. — CG
Sunday
Easy Slider Late Brunch at Double Wide
the always incredible Easy Slider Truck, which plans to extend brunch options in town by a few hours through a new partnership with the Double Wide. Together, these entities are teaming up to host a new Sunday concept called “Late Brunch,” starting this Sunday. “It's exciting because we had our first food truck service ever at Double Wide back in 2011,” says Easy Slider co-owner Miley Holmes about the partnership. “We make a good team — birds of a feather and all that. And it's Late Brunch — from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — because no one who had a good Saturday can leave the house before then.” The plan for the event also includes a new brunch menu from Easy Slider. Naturally, all the items are sliders, but diners can still look forward to classic brunch dishes with unique twists, such as breakfast sandwiches, a smoked salmon bagel slider, patty melts and a still-in-concept item incorporating doughnuts. Inside the bar, there will also be drink specials like the “Papa Mosa,” which mixes High Life and Tang for $3, or the “Mama Mosa,” which substitutes beer with champagne for an extra dollar. — Porttia Portis
Guardians of the Galaxy & Weird Science Double Feature at Granada Theater
Breathe easy, movie lovers: Guardians of the Galaxy is here to save the day. The tenth film from Marvel Studios — and clearly one of its best, not to mention the most punk rock — Guardians isn't really the kind of superhero movie you're used to seeing. It has all the action and flashy sequences it needs to entertain and wow you, sure. Of course it does; the genre requires it. But it also arguably has more attitude than any superhero movie that's come before it. Simply put: It is groot. But, hey, we all are. — CW
Rockstravaganza at Wits End
We said it more than once now, but the 11-year-old drumming prodigy we saw at 35 Denton was the absolute highlight of that festival. Even better? This festival is comprised of nothing but those lil baby rock 'n' roll prodigies — 700 of them, in fact. — CG
Night Drive at Three Links
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Two guys realize they're dating the same girl at the same time because said girl tragically passes away. No, it's not the premise behind a bad '90s sitcom, it's actually the story of how Austin electro-pop duo met. If only everyone could handle their potentially awkward situations as gracefully as Night Drive, what a wonderful world this would be. — PP
Welcome to Night Vale at Majestic Theatre
The popular podcast is a real hit, despite the fact that it's basically a fake news program geared towards a fake dystopian town. The truth is out there, though it may or may not be found at this live taping. — CG
Coal Chamber at Gas Monkey Live
Georgia-based, Norwegian aggrotech outfit, Combichrist, will bring its heavy-as-shit offerings to Dallas, where local audiences will find themselves perpetually wondering whether to mosh or rave. It's just one click on the emotional roller coaster fellow hard-edged acts Coal Chamber, Filter and Saint Ridley will take you on. — CG
Bryan Adams at Allen Event Center
After scoring his first six-string sometime in the warm months of 1969, Adams became such a revered rock 'n' roller that Dallas opted to name one of its high schools after him. Bob's Burgers executive producer Jim Dauterive graduate from there. #themoreyouknow — CG
That Guy Dick Miller at Texas Theatre
Veteran character actor Dick Miller has appeared in hundreds of films, most of which are b-movie fare, and several of which have been shown as part of Texas Theatre's monthly Tuesday Night Trash screenings. It's only fitting, then, that the same theatre would also show a documentary based on his life. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.