Get Some Fresh Ink, Ogle Some Scantily-Clad Ladies, Swim and Sleep With Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Storm the Bastille and More.
Most every bar, restaurant, movie theater and, well, anywhere else with a screen of some kind will be hosting big World Cup finals watch parties this weekend. That’ll be a big player around town and, hell, all over the globe to be sure.
But there’s more to life than soccer football, and there’s plenty other things to fill up your free time this weekend. Here are your best bets. — Cory Graves
Friday
24-Hour Tattoo Marathon at Elm Street Tattoo
For $13 (plus $7 tip) you, too, can join the “13” club. It’s a Dallas tradition. — CG
Elm Street Tease at Three Links
Weekends at rock clubs are typically reserved for rocking. But not if 2016 International Queen of Burlesque Minxie Mimieux has anything to say about it. Here she and other top national burlesque performers — like Vegas’ Kalani Kokonuts – will once again take over Links for their two-year anniversary show. — CG
Bryce Bangs (Album Release) at Granada Theater
So, this is kind of interesting. Somehow, this guy with no major local press, a minimal online presence, and fewer than 600 Facebook likes is holding his album release show in the Granada’s big room. That’s to say nothing of the man’s potential. He’s got a Black Keys El Camino vibe going on, which there’s definitely a large commercial market for. It’s just… curious. That’s all. The great Ottoman Turks and Andy Pickett open. — CG
Scratch Session: DJ Z-Trip at It’ll Do Club
This summer, the team at Dallas event promotions company Banjos to Beats has teamed with It’ll Do to book a six-event series called “Scratch Sessions” that will to town some of the biggest names in hip-hop DJing history: Fresh Prince partner-in-crime DJ Jazzy Jeff, Beastie Boys jock Mix Master Mike, mash-up pioneer Z-Trip, legendary rap record producer Just Blaze, Jurassic 5 member DJ Nu-Mark and Def Comedy Jam vibe curator Kid Capri. The idea of bringing in such legendary names in the rap game, says Banjos to Beats co-owner Josh Smith, is to highlight an often-disregarded part of hip-hop history. “To understand hip-hop, you have to understand that it all started with the DJ,” Smith says. “Before the rappers took center stage, the DJ was the party starter. The DJ was the star. So, with Scratch Session, we want to help tell hip-hop’s story by paying homage to that fact — and since we happen to have It’ll Do, one of the world’s elite DJ’s clubs, in our own backyard, this series just seemed like a natural progression.” — Pete Freedman
Deafheaven, Drab Majesty at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
Deafheaven can be described in any number of ways. The band itself seems most keen on a generic “metal” label — even as most critics tend to categorize it within the more-specific black metal subgenre. Still, there are many other mentions that the band earns. Among them? Post-rock, shoegaze and hardcore descriptors that in fact all work, at least in some capacity. Drab Majesty and Uniform open. — Mikel Galicia
Michael Blackson at Addison Improv
The one-time Kevin Hart bro — the two were tight before Blackson went in on Hart for infidelity, accused him of not writing his own jokes, and saying he could ‘whoop his ass’ in a fist fight – is in Addison through the end of the weekend performing his original material. — CG
Hairspray at Winspear Opera House
The musical adaptation of John Waters’ most recognizable/mainstream feature hits the Dallas stage once again. The hit Broadway musical runs through July 15. — CG
Kevin Fowler at Billy Bob’s
As country as country could possibly get, Kevin Fowler nearly redefines the genre with his hardcore honky-tonk tendencies. Fowler’s impeccable talent for turning complete clichés into full-fledged, kind of enjoyable songs, and his familiar local bar dude sound and attitude are hard not to like — or at least not actively loathe. Anyway, two-step your way over to the stockyards this weekend if you’re looking for an answer to the question: “How country are ya?” — Chrissi Chetwood
Musiq Soulchild at Music Hall at Fair Park
“Smooth” wasn’t Rob Thomas and Santana’s only collab. The Matchbox 20 singer also co-wrote 2002’s “Nothing at All” for the guitar slinger, which featured Musiq on vocals. The Philly-bred R&B man hits the land of Ferris wheels this Friday. — CG
Yellow Submarine at Inwood Theatre
Journey through the Sea of Holes, back to Pepperland for this 50th anniversary, midnight screening of the trippy Beatles cartoon musical. — CG
Friday the 13th: “Peelings” at Sunset Art Studios (Free)
It’s an art show featuring illustrations and wood-cut paintings by Wheron and drawings, paintings and masks by Violete Miro, all of which are various kinds of peels/rinds/covers as it were. And because it is Friday the 13th, some of the designs from the show will be available to get tattooed on site. — CG
Poets on X+ Lucky Friday the 13th at Mighty Fine Arts
At this poetry open mic, they’ll go as far as to provide a live, electronic backing band sound(s). Should help drown out some of those crickets. I kid! — CG
The Fantasy Footballers Podcast: Live at Canton Hall
Not just a clever name, these sports nerds — emphasis on nerds — really do just spend their whole show talking about their fantasies, all of which happen to be about fake, internet football leagues. — CG
Shane Smith & the Saints at Gas Monkey Live
Shane Smith & The Saints are a folk rock band spawning in the wave of folk-rock bands that came after Mumford and Sons got big. They sound a lot like Mumford and Sons as well, whether you consider that a good or bad thing is up to you. Alls we know is they’re starting to get really big themselves. As are openers Shea Abshire & the Nighthowlers and Jamie Wyatt for that matter. — Paul Wedding
Hotter Than Hell Burlesque at Kessler Theater
Leggy New York rocker Sydni Deveraux, otherwise known in international burlesque circles as The Golden Glamazon, headlines La Davina’s new show along with LA-via-Tokyo-based performer Nikita Bitch Project, the pop-culture-influenced, self-proclaimed Godzilla of Burlesque. — CG
Wine 101 Tasting at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Pappas Bros. is the only restaurant in Dallas to employ a Master Sommelier, an Advanced Sommelier and two certified sommeliers as full-time wine professionals. While that may seem overly decadent, there is indeed a level of expertise needed to navigate the restaurant’s 33,000-bottle wine cellar, which contains some bottles than span back decades. Since its inception in 1973, only 158 North Americans have passed the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam. So who better to teach you about wine than these experts? — CG
Saturday
Funnier Than a Mutha Comedy Festival at Verizon Theatre
Lavell Crawford (aka Saul’s bodyguard Huell Babineaux from Breaking Bad) brings his comedy fest to town. Also appearing on the bill are headline-caliber names like Bill Bellamy, Dominique, Huggy Lowdown and Guy Torry. — CG
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Granada Theater
Kiwi Ruban Nielson and his backing band make a deceptively funky brand of lo-fi psych that’s helped catapult these rag-tag rockers to the top of the genre. Four albums deep into their career, UMO is probably second in the field only behind Tame Impala in terms of popularity. Shamir opens. — CG
Langhorne Slim, Ruby Boots at The Rustic
Langhorne Slim recently took part in a big all-star tribute to Tom Petty at this year’s Bonnaroo festival. He was a fitting addition to names like Sheryl Crow and members of My Morning Jacket and Wilco, among tons of others, as his back catalog often gets confused for Petty material – that is, when it is not getting mistaken for Jason Isbell or Bob Dylan. Bloodshot Records signee Ruby Boots opens. — CG
Ludovico Einaudi at Music Hall at Fair Park
The 62-year-old Italian pianist hits Texas for the first time in his long and lauded career. You may remember him from such baller moves as composing a classical piece to raise awareness about the melting of the polar ice caps and then playing it live near an Arctic glacier. It’ll be a bit warmer here. — CG
Paramore, Foster the People at Toyota Music Factory
Ten years later, Paramore is still churning out hits, as evidenced by last year’s After Laughter LP, perhaps the best-reviewed release the band’s ever had, and the crowd’s reaction to its songs at last year’s Verizon show. By now, Paramore knows its audience. But, more important, it knows what its audience wants. Oh, and don’t forget to wear those pumped up kicks, because Foster the People is opening up this time around. — Breanna Loose
Play On, Dallas! Launch Party at Main Street Garden Park
This new local art project will place three pianos around town (Pegasus Plaza, Dallas Farmers Market and Love Field) where — from July 14 through September 15, at least — anyone can feel free to go up and play away. It’s a concept that’s spawned many a viral video in dozens of other cities around the globe. The project will kick off with a launch party at Main Street Garden Park this Saturday at noon, where three world-class pianists will break in the instruments with a free concert. — CG
Ice Cream Social at SiNaCa Studios
It’s time to turn the furnaces off for the summer at Fort Worth’s hip glass blowing studio. Bring an object to sandcast before the flames go out, eat some Melt ice creams and take home some discounted pieces from their stellar artists. — CG
Upsetting’s Everything I’ve Done So Far Album Preview Party at Spinster Records (Free)
If you thought Teenage Sexx’s band name was upsetting before, well, now it really is. Literally, the band changed its name partly to coincide with a new, now-more-emo sound. The band’s upcoming Everything I’ve Done So Far LP — its first album as Upsetting and its first release for the Dallas label State Fair Records – officially drops July 27. But you can listen to it in full at this free-to-attend, BYOB party. — Pete Freedman
Dead Man + Concert at Texas Theatre
Here, Jim Jarmusch’s 1995 arthouse Western gets the 4K treatment. After it screens, internationally-known Dallas stonecore band True Widow and heavy Austin outfit Troller perform sets behind the screen. — CG
Jimmie Vaughan at Kessler Theater
Despite being raised not too far from this venue, the older brother of Texas blues legend Stevie Ray Vaughan is known as “The Godfather of Austin Blues.” As a member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, he popularized “Tuff Enuff” and “Wrap it Up,” two of the most used songs in the history of advertising, we’d guess. Tonight, he’ll return to perform near his old stomping grounds. — CG
Chris Lake at Lizard Lounge
British. House. Music. — CG
Truck Yard’s Fourth Annual Luau
Throw on that tacky Hawaiian shirt you grabbed on vacation that one year and get laid lei’d. Crack your own coconut and they’ll fix it up with some booze, too. How on-theme! — CG
Parker County Peach Festival
Life is peachy! Especially when you travel back to yesteryear for this old-timey town fair. It ain’t just about fruit, folks. Last year, 40K people attended the fest of yore. — CG
Kill the Noise at Stereo Live
A mad swirl of electro, house, dubstep and drum and bass will hit Stereo Live in full force this weekend as hit-maker and Fool’s Good giant Kill The Noise comes to town to do just as his name implies. And, hell, he’ll accomplished half of that simply by throwing his name on the bill. Quite simply: he’ll kill it. — Brian Knowles
Dip Dyeing Dallas at Centre
World famous sneaker customizer Quonito is in town giving a workshop on dyeing your own kicks. Custom dyed shoes will be available for purchase, and one lucky person will win a free pair. — CG
Bastille on Bishop in the Bishop Arts District
Beyond being the basis for a classic Rush song, this French holiday is of particular meaning to North Texas — or, more specifically, Dallas. Among the first settlers in the city were the group of French ex-pats who formed the Utopian La Reunion colony in 1855. Ever since, Dallas has had a French influence and various landmarks named after the colony — including Reunion Tower and Reunion Arena (RIP). To celebrate, the Bishop Arts District is hosting its sixth annual Bastille on Bishop block party featuring star chefs, wine tastings and an outdoor market. Go check it out and show off your newly-found knowledge about the day’s local origins. — Stephen Young
-topic Ruins Deep Ellum at The Ruins
The expat is back to ruin the Deep all over again. Koolquise, Ric Jones, DJ Mike B, Stephen Carmona, B. Anderson and Nezi also perform at this homecoming party. Organizers ask that you kindly don’t make off with any of their belongings. — CG
Nelly at Lava Cantina
It’s getting hot in here. How hot? So hot that the multiple alleged rapist will probably take off some of his clothes to deal with the heat on this outdoor stage. — CG
The Belles of Burlesque at Trees
Sexy, award-winning dancers from all over the state will band together to tittilate with stripteases, comedy, circus acts and magic. A feast for the senses – especially the ones in your pants. — CG
Velvet Hammer 5K Social Run at Peticolas Brewing Company
Work off a tiny bit of that beer belly with a three-ish mile fun run/walk. Then add back to it with three full-size tastings and some hot breakfast. Do it all over again next month. — CG
Cool Out at Off the Record
The popular Dallas dance party/hangout is sure to be packed to the gills with cool kids for this one. Expect plenty of strange games, funky thangs and zero trap musics. — CG
Barbecue Bus at Hop Fusion Ale Works
All aboard as the meat-loving shuttle ventures out to the Fort for the first time. The thing meets up at HopFusion at 1 p.m. and hits three Funky Town ‘cue spots for plates of brisket, ribs and sausage. And when you’re too full to walk, this thing’ll wheel you back home. — CG
Saturday Night Fever: Ladies on the Mic Night at The Nines
It’s ladies night, and it’s no gimmick. These fiery female emcees spit straight fire. Headliner Sa-Roc is the only female signed to Rhymesayers. And local openers Mokah Soulfly and Alsace Carcione are some of the finer performers in town, gender notwithstanding. Still it’s awesome that they’re getting the shine here as the music industry, especially the rap game, is sadly still far too big a sausage party. — CG
Sunday
CW Stoneking at Three Links
C.W. Stoneking represents the last vestiges of a bygone musical era, namely the raspy blues rock of the early ’50s. In terms of controversy, it pales in comparison to the current market. That doesn’t mean Stoneking won’t be able to embody an element of danger at his Dallas gig this weekend. Greg Schroeder opens. — Calvin Cashen
Violent Femmes, Echo & the Bunnymen at Toyota Music Factory
Violent Femmes captured a sense of teen unease with its unhinged 1983 self-titled debut, elevating the outfit from obscure favorites to Platinum-status indie rockers. Now decades into a career of making neurotic, melody-driven acoustic punk jams, the Femmes still appear to retain a youthful charm. Nice to see they’re still so playful after all these years. — CC
The Fixx at Granada Theater
One thing leads to another. — The Fixx
Karina Garcia, Wengie, Natalies Outlet at Trees
The extremely popular YouTubers – Wengie has more followers than anyone else in her native Australia, FYI – got big with their slime videos, pranks, lifehacks and crafts. They’ll show off some of this skills in the three-dimensional world at this high-dollar, all-ages event. — CG
KNON Film Festival at Texas Theatre
The documentary fest kicks off at 2 p.m. with a screening of The Organizer, with showings of Punk in Africa, Shake Sister Shake and Every Night’s a Saturday Night immediately following. Find full synopsizes of these at the link above. — CG
Laugh Your MASS Off: Chris Tellez, Drew Woods at Main At South Side
The DFW-born, Austin-honed comics are back to split the sides of the musician-owned Fort Worth rock venue. Still-local comedians TJ Riggio and Alvin Newsome open and, as always, host Brian Breckenridge will keep the laugh train rolling along. Cover is free, but donations for the performers are highly encouraged. — CG
Chops and Hops at Texas Ale Project
Technically, this event starts at Maverick Harley Davidson, where fatbottomed boys and girls alike will get on their bikes and ride over to TAP for the rest of the party. The finish line features beer, vendors, art and a raffle to win a new hog. Ride on you dads of anarchy. — CG
Elm Street Tattoo cover photo by Karlo X. Ramos.