Central Track Staff
We’ve Got Spirit, How ‘Bout You?
According to new research, drinking up to four cups of coffee per day every day is perfectly fine and normal and OK for you and not bad at all and has no ill effects. If you drink more than that and do it for a long time, it can lead to some side effects like depression, but sticking to four cups a day every day is, well, fine.
Making a habit out of drinking five cups of coffee per day can be bad. Anxiety, hypertension, low sperm counts and other side effects can happen.
Making a habit out of checking our site before you head out of the house for the evening, though, has no ill effects. It can, however, lead to less hassle, more bang for your buck and an overall more enjoyable evening. — Cory Graves
Friday
Sweet Spirit at Three Links
Austin’s A Giant Dog is not only an exciting rock band, but they put on maybe the best live show out there at the moment. Sharing a few members — including its histrionic lead singer — is Sweet Spirit, which is basically A Giant Dog on steroids (aka backed by a horn section). — CG
David Sedaris at Winspear Opera House
David Sedaris is one of the funniest people of all time. He’s not a comedian or an actor per se, but he is an enormously talented writer and speaker. He’s also the brother of the kooky Amy Sedaris (Strangers With Candy), which explains a lot. Some of his best books include Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. If you’re not a fan of reading, that’s alright because Sedaris’ books are best listened to. After all, he is the narrator of his stories and listening to him read them makes it all the better. No telling what he has in store for this event, but be prepared to run the gamut of emotions. — Roberto Aguilar
Lil Wayne at South Side Ballroom
“You niggas suck like Tony Romo, no homo / And I’m all about my money, I get paid for promo” — Lil Wayne
FunkJazz Kafé: Diary Of A Decade at Texas Theatre
The history of Atlanta’s underground music scene from the ’80s to aughts as narrated by Chuck D, with appearances from talking heads like Erykah Badu, Janelle Monae, George Clinton, Outkast, Lil John and many more. — CG
Vice Palace Tapes Recording Session at Aqua Lab
The roving music venue known as Vice Palace got out of the booking game back in November. The Vice Palace name, however, lives on as a tape label. What’s more, it’s probably the only tape label anywhere that’s not only received grants from the City of Dallas, but one from SMU as well. Kallohonka, Lord Byron and Felt & Fur perform live here, the results of which will be recorded and released via cassette at a later date. — CG
Dallas Medianale: Intermedia Performances + Opening Reception at The Greenzone
Dallas Video Association’s biannual weekend of experimental moving image art continues with live audio-visual performances from Kristin Reeves, Limited Hangout and Wikkid_Beat, who are coming in from Kentucky, Austin and Los Angeles, respectively. — CG
NXNT at UNT
NX35 may not be happening this year, or 35 Denton as it has become known, But NXNT lives on, bringing you performances from acts like Jessie Frye at the UNT Union and Library Mall. Go Mean Green. — CG
Atlas Genius at House of Blues
Atlas Genius is like a slightly more musically capable teen-girl rock band. They’ve got a clear target audience and don’t care to delve much outside of that. — Paul Wedding
Brant Bjork at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
The old Kyuss drummer brings his stoner rock solo project to the House That Richard Rawlings Built. — CG
Morgan James at Kessler Theater
The Broadway actress (Motown: The Musical, Godspell) and sometimes Postmodern Jukebox vocalist hits town with her soul/R&B solo project. — CG
Stabbing Westward at Trees
Just save yourself. — CG
Tech N9ne at Gas Monkey Live
Somehow, over the last few years, Tech N9ne, one of the most successful independent rappers ever, has aligned himself with the likes of the Insane Clown Posse and their hyper-loyal juggalo fan base. It makes sense why an artist unaffiliated with the major label system would want to attract a built-in group of fans as wholly-devoted as ICP’s, but, for whatever reason, the so-called juggalo family has embraced Tech N9ne right back. Expect plenty of face paint among the Gas Monkey crowd tonight — more than usual, we mean. — CG
Social Science: Elemental at Perot Museum
So here’s your chance to finally drag your old ass out of the house and for once get to enjoy the museum without having to hear screaming children — or the blathering of anyone under 21 for that matter. Grab a cocktail and a babysitter and head to this month’s edition of the Perot Museum’s monthly, after hours, adults-only programming. — Ashley Gongora
Smitty & Friends Celebrity Topgolf Tournament
Play virtual golf with ex-Houston Texan Wade Smith and Real Housewives of Dallas housewife Leeanne Locken and others in the sake of raising money for Smith’s childrens charity. — CG
“I Always Wanted to be a Tenenbaum” Art Opening at The Good Pagoda
Ogle Royal Tenenbaums charicatures whilst dressed as a Tenenbaum and reciting Tenenbaums quotes to your fellow Wes Anderson akolytes. And it’s not even Halloween! — CG
Over the Top + 3 Nations Beer Release Party at Texas Theatre
A 35 mm screening of an action movie about arm wrestling and the first chance to taste a new 3 Nations brew inspired by the riveting bit of ‘80s cinema?! Kick ass! — CG
Decks in the Park: After Dark at TownHouse
More like Decks Out of the Park, amiright? — CG
Dwight Yoakam at Billy Bob’s
Country icon and current torch-bearer for the Buck Owens-pioneered Bakersfield sound, Yoakam, will be doing his thing at the World’s Largest Honky-Tonk. RIYL guitars, Cadillacs and/or hillbilly musics. — CG
Disco TX: Life on Mars at The Stoneleigh Penthouse
These are wildly fun. Here is some proof. Cheggit and get those costume ideas churnin’. — CG
@TheMovies: National Treasure at Cinderblock
Cinderblock’s dusting off the tried and true concept of screening a beloved bit of cheeseball cinema, while comedians tweet jokes about said film, which show up on a twitterfall next to the screen. It really is funny, if done before. — CG
Paul Van Dyk at South Side Music Hall
Grammy-winning German trance producer Paul Van Dyk will preside over this dance party with the type of authority few others can match. Different publications have named him the No. 1 DJ of all time at various points in his career, meaning you may never again shake… your… rump-ah… to a more expertly curated blend of electo jams than at this very party. — CG
The World Famous Tony Williams Presents Uncle Pete’s Parade at RBC
Aspiring artists, grab those notepads. Created and hosted by Grammy award winning and multi-Platinum singer/songwriter The World Famous Tony Williams, this event features live music as well as encouraging those artists out there to embrace their style. Rahim Quazi and others also perform. — Sidney Johnson
Saturday
Taco Libre at The Shed at Dallas Farmers Market
I survived Taco Libre 2016 — and, by that, I really mean I survived myself. It was a lot to take in. There were some 20 standout DFW taco shops on hand, in addition live music performances, professional wrestling matches and all kinds of booze, too. Basically, Taco Libre practically dared its attendees to overindulge. And I did. And now, after having a year to recover, I’m ready to do it again. — Alex Gaskin
Fortress Festival at Fort Worth Cultural District
We wonderhow Fortress Festival will bode in its debut two-day run this weekend in Fort Worth’s Cultural District this Saturday and Sunday. Has the dearth of good, large-scale outdoor fests of late left a fest-shaped hole in our collective hearts that Fortress Festival will slide right into? Or, as a region, has the novelty of the festival worn off? Fortress Fest certainly seems like it’s putting itself in a position to succeed. Its impressive first-year lineup has done the brand plenty of favors in this department, with organizers taking something of a calculated risk and booking acts above the pay-grade of most start-up fests. To wit, Run the Jewels, Flying Lotus, Houndmouth, S U R V I V E and Wolf Parade are among Saturday’s headliners. — CG
HUMP Festival at Texas Theatre
You won’t ever find the porn films screened at this Dan Savage-curated festival online. Ever. By ensuring that no participant’s life will ever be ruined, and without any long-term negative ramifications, all kinds of quote-unquote regular folks like you and me will submit clips of themselves fucking for your enjoyment at this thing. And then they’ll go back to their straight jobs, their kink-less bosses and co-workers none the wiser. — CG
Festival of Ideas at Dallas City Hall (Free)
The idea (heh) behind The Dallas Festival of Ideas is to bring together and inspire the people of Dallas to come up with ways of improving the city. The two-day event will feature panels, interactive discussions, live music, performances and several keynote speakers. There will be multiple zones installed throughout the festival to show attendees ways to be more healthy, become more educated, how to write better and more. The Polyphonic Spree will play, too. — PW
Dallas Book Festival at J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
The day-long celebration of literature packs 75 separate free events into the libraries seven floors over the course of eight hours. Several famous authors will be on hand signing books and participating in various events, too. — CG
Pixies at The Bomb Factory (Sold Out)
Without Kim Deal, the Pixies will probably always seem somewhat incomplete. Even though they’ve vowed to maintain a female presence in the band — for now, Paz Lenchantin is serving as the current bassist — no one can really take Deal’s place. While the band says there’ll always be a space in the band for Deal when and if her Breeders schedule allows, she won’t be with them tonight. Maybe if you close your eyes and tilt your head in just the right way, though, it can still feel like the old days just the same. — Porttia Portis
Jared’s Epic Nerf Gun Battle 2 at AT&T Stadium
For your $16 ticket, you’ll get access to a $17 self-guided stadium tour, and the chance to break a Guinness World Record set by this same crew last year. — CG
Wall of Orange at Kessler Theater
Wall of Orange, which features former members of The Tomorrowpeople, is set to make its live debut here. The Angelus and Sudie open. — CG
Toadies Post-Game Concert at Globe Life Park
Following his Texas Rangers ad that ran during the Super Bowl, Vaden Lewis and the rest of his Toadies bandmates continued their partnership with the ball club by recording the 1908 classic “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The band will keep the partnership rolling with a post-game concert following a contest with the division-rival Angels. — CG
Opening Day at Aunt Stelle’s SnoCones
Aunt Stelle’s serves three different sizes of snow cones with tons of awesome flavors. As such, the line is long at most times of the day. Don’t worry your pretty heart, though. It moves pretty fast. But keep in mind: This spot is cash only, people. — Dominique Gonclaves
Smile, Smile Again at Ochre House
A surreal new Justin Locklear musical makes its world premiere this weekend. It’s about a soldier in the middle of some trench warfare during WWI but, really, it’s about so much more. — CG
Brandy Clark and Charlie Worsham at The Live Oak
Two of Nashville’s better songwriters will co-headline this tour, which has been getting all kinds of love from the CMTs and The Boots of the world. Anyone that can rock marigold-colored Chucks while playing country music and get away with it is OK by me. — CG
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival at Quakertown Park
Aaron Neville and jazz performances on seven stages over three days. Plus crafts and food and other family-friendly fest trappings. — CG
DFW Music Festival at Verizon Theatre
Don’t mind the mind-numbingly generic name, this “festival” actually boasts some pretty decent acts, including KC & JoJo, Scarface, Next, 112, Bun B and Mike Jones. Who? — CG
Easton Corbin at Billy Bob’s
Unlike Worsham, Corbin cannont rock the marigold Chucks on stage. He’s a little more country than that. — CG
Fort Worth Aviation Museum’s Hops & Props
Tastings of craft beer flights and war reenactments?! What a pairing. — CG
Bark in the Park: World’s Largest Dog Day at Dr Pepper Ballpark
Suck it Rangers, this gimmick from your AA affiliate boasts more dogs than your own bring-your-dogs-to-the-park day. Don’t have a pup to bring? Adopt one when you get there. Who are the Rough Riders playing? Does it really matter? — CG
“One Night Only” at RE Gallery (Free)
See some kids crayon refrigerator drawings but done by an adult, for one night only. — CG
Containment Breach: Ghostbusters Party! at The Nines
I ain’t afraid of the biggest paranormal-themed party Dallas has ever seen. — CG
An Evening With Eleven Hundred Springs at Double Wide
Stumble into the Double Wide, trying hard not to fall, they’ve got just what you’re looking for. There, you’ll find something to cure your ills, and if the well whiskey won’t do it, the cheap Lone Stars surely will. — CG
Strike First Pop-Up Shop/Gallery at 14203 Proton Road (Dallas)
The soccer-inspired Strike First brand is unveiling its spring/summer collection at this party, which will also feature music, food and some soccer-related activities. — CG
Firebeatz at Lizard Lounge
Here we fucking go. — CG
State Champs at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
The So What?! vets headline this rowdy, young-skewing pop-punk bill. Against The Current, With Confidence and Don Broco open. — CG
Sorority Noise, Sinai Vessel and The Obsessives at The Dirty 30
The venue formerly known as The Underpass gets resurrected this weekend, now under the same ownership as Fort Worth metal venue Tomcats West. Though it never really lived up to its potential in the past, we have higher hopes for the space this time around given that Third String Productions is taking over the booking. They’ve got buzzy, TSP-style bookings like this one lined up all weekend long. — CG
Faded Deejays at Dada
A mixed back of Latino dance jams spanning a wide breadth of genres, like cumbia, reggaeton, booty, hip-hop and trap. DJ DL, SOI, Mutemor, Storm, Lil’ Chris and Roc-It also spin. — CG
Hypnotic Donuts and Beer Pairing at On Rotation
Four off-the-wall donuts paired with four off-the-wall beers. Simple – and delicious – as that. — CG
Max Stalling at Dan’s Silverleaf
A longtime Dallas-based Texas Country singer, Stalling’s biggest hit to date is called “I Ain’t Drinking Alone.” So, um, make sure he isn’t doing that here. — CG
Super Fantasy Mercado 2 Closing Reception at Southwest Center Mall
An artist-curated installation/pop-up shop hawking limited edition goods. But make no mistake, there are bigger artistic/geopolitical statements being made here, too. Catch it before it goes the way of Blockbuster Music. — CG
Extreme Racing for Charity at Lone Star Park
Play the ponies, but also the Ostriches and zebras and camels, oh my! It ain’t just horsies being raced at Lone Star this weekend. — CG
We’re Gonna Die at Second Thought Theatre
Listen up local music fans: This new cabaret-style performance boasts some mighty local music synergy. It was written by Young Jean Lee, directed by Jake Nice and stars Rat Rios performing to a score provided by a Honor System and Black Taffy collabo. This is the first of four performances. — CG
Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science at Majestic Theatre
Food Network host Alton Brown is frequently referred to as the Mr. Wizard of the kitchen, because the Iron Chef commentator’s initial claim to fame was the science-heavy cooking program Good Eats. Who knew cooking was so complicated, right? Anyway, he’ll bolster that Bill Nye of the culinary world image with dorky comedy and tons of experimenting with foodstuffs — some of which may or may not require those in the first few rows to don ponchos. — CG
Roast Of Betsy Devos at Dallas Comedy Houuse
DCH likes to do this thing where fictional characters are roasted Friars Club style either by fellow fictional characters or their creators. A wholly funny concept. And while DeVos is, technically, a real person, it’s sometimes more comforting to believe an Education Secretary that can’t even spell the most basic words isn’t really real. — CG
Sunday
Fortress Festival at Fort Worth Cultural District
Purity Ring, Peter Hook & the Light, the Slowdive reunion, ALVVAYS, Nathaniel Ratelife & the Night Sweats and Whitney are among the upstart fest’s Day 2 headliners. — CG
An Evening With Bill Maher at Music Hall at Fair Park
Test your limits with the boundary-stretching comedic stylings of Bill Maher at this one. Notorious for his political commentary and cheeky observations on his HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher, he’s sure to make you laugh, think and take an honest look at life. He’ll probably even manage to push a few of your buttons in the process. — Porttia Portis
Todrick Hall Presents: Straight Outta Oz at The Bomb Factory
The locally sprung American Idol castoff and massive YouTube star’s third venture into musical theater is a semi-autobiographical take on his favorite Judy Garland film, where the main character leaves his Kansas of Plainview, Texas, following the yellow brick road to Oz Angeles. — CG
Cowtown Conjunto Festival at Billy Bob’s
Mexican conjunto, meaning group in Spanish, is music born from the introduction of the push button accordion to musicians living in Texas. It has been around since the late 19th century and is still going strong today. ¡Baile! — RA
Lecrae Post-Game Concert at Globe Life Park
You’ll probably be forgiven for skipping church to go this noon Rangers game, so long as you stick around for the post-game concert by the Grammy-winning Christian rapper. — CG
Starfruit (Album Release) at Good Records
The glamourous lo-fi outfit releases its debut 7-inch at this free in-store. Rat Rios and Yells at Eels also perform. — CG
Open Streets Skate Jam on West Magnolia Avenue
This annual party closes off some Fort Worth streets to traffic, turning them into a pop-up skate park. ‘nuff said. — CG
Women Galore Kick Off: Backyard Activism Day at The Wild Detectives
The now-annual feminist literary arts festival kicks off several days of planned events with this day-long gathering of speakers who’ll present on feminist/LGBT/advocacy issues. — CG
A Lot Like Birds at The Dirty 30
The old Underpass resurrection weekend closes out with another TSP show on Sunday. Hearts Like Lions, OWEL, To Live Again and The Idle Kind open. — CG
An Acoustic Evening With Brandi Carlile at Majestic Theatre (Sold Out)
Next week, a bunch of A-listers are releasing a cover version of Carlile’s 2007 album The Story. Rightly titled Cover Stories, the collection features heavy-hitters like Dolly Parton, The Avett Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, Pearl Jam and Adele doing her songs. Just shows the kind of respect she has among her peers. During this tour, she’ll be playing solo acoustic. — CG
Bryant Myers at Medusa
True Latin trap. — CG
Daley, Leela James at House of Blues
Like Rick Astley before him, the pipes of British R&B and soul singer Daley probably aren’t quite what you’d expect to be coming out of the lanky young ginger kid. Close your eyes, though, and you’ll agree that this guy’s the real deal. — CG
On the Trail of Lee Harvey Oswald: A Bicycle History Tour at The Grassy Knoll
Maybe you’re thinking of retracing alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald’s final movements or taking a trip along the so-called LHO Trail of Tears this weekend? If so, you can either do it at your own pace,in order of interest. Or you can do so on bicycle, following this pack of fellow, pedal-pushing conspiracy buffs. — CG
Dog Bowl at The Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl is turning into a massive dog park for this one. Just be sure you pick up after your dog so football players don’t step in any poop. — H. Drew Blackburn
AQUA: Oliver Heldens at SiSu
Oliver Heldens has been a big deal for longer than he’s been able to drink at his own shows. The now 22-year-old owns his own record label, Heldeep Records, and has worked with the great Tiësto on some pretty phat jams. But he’s not too big to play an upscale pool party every now and then. — RA
Joe Walsh at WinStar World Casino and Resort
Miss Walsh when he opened for Tom Petty at the AAC last weekend? Here’s your second chance at it. — CG
Aurelio Voltaire at The Church
Cuban-American goth cabaret performer Aurelio Voltaire Hernandez — or just Voltaire, thank you very much — brings his act to Dallas’ goth church. — CG
Skyline Half Marathon at Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge
If this is the first you’re hearing about this 13-mile run, there’s a greater than zero chance you’re not in good enough shape to make it across the finish line in one piece. — CG
Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet: Futurisme à Pied at Dallas City Performance Hall
A modern and updated take on a hundred-year-old dance work, embracing the “speed, technology, youth and violence” of the turn of the century Futurism movement. — CG
Dallas Medianale: Synesthésie at Nasher Sculpture Center
More experimental moving picture exhibitions, each dealing with synaesthesia — the phenomenon of seeing sounds, hearing colors, etc. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our event directory.