Central Track Staff
Let Me Out.
Websites are fun. Like this one, for instance, that lets you type in a line of text, then it scours tons of videos of President Obama’s speeches and instantly clips the appropriate sections, allowing you to make Obama say anything you want. It’s great.
Actually, it’s so great that the site’s been too overwhelmed over the weekend to handle the increase of traffic sent its way. While you’re waiting for it to come back up, we’ve thought of a few other ways to kill some time. — Cory Graves
The Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair at Majestic Theatre
Rejoice! The Smashing Pumpkins are back…again. The venerable rock band is on its In Plainsong tour, which means that they have stripped down to acoustic levels. Even better news is that Jimmy Chamberlin, the band’s original drummer, has returned to action. What may be even more remarkable is that Liz Phair is joining the bill. She hasn’t played in the states for six years. Glad to have everyone back. — Roberto Aguilar
Ellie Goulding at Verizon Theatre
Ellie Goulding is on a rocket-powered upswing in her musical career. Ever since her 2010 debut release, Lights, she’s exploded with awards, praise and two more albums. She’s on tour supporting her latest release, Delirium, which she described as “an experiment — to make a big pop album. I made a conscious decision that I wanted it to be on another level.” The band Years & Years opens. — RA
Lucinda Williams at Kessler Theater
For the second of three straight nights, Lucinda Williams will be performing at The Kessler Theater. She’s fresh off the release of her latest album The Ghosts of Highway 20, an album that “is literally a map of my life in a lot of ways,” Williams says. She will be joined by Buick 6, a country-rock trio from Los Angeles. — RA
Suscon at Courtyard Dallas Medical/Market Center
The world of body suspension has come a long way since it was first practiced by people interested in primitive body modification practices circa the 1970s. (A quick Wiki search shows that it stems from ancient rituals of the Native-American Mandan tribe.) Now, there are international organizations representing the people who are hooked on suspension. The 2016 Dallas Suspension Convention is set up as a workshop and showcase for suspenders and curious alike. Some of the classes include Rigging Theory, Knot Tying and Skin Prep, anything to help keep this dangerous but intriguing practice as safe as possible. — RA
Bill & Ted Double Feature at Alamo Drafthouse (Dallas)
If you’ve never seen the Bill & Ted movies, don’t feel too bad. Now is your chance to catch up on all the stupid slang and dumb jokes all your friends have been quoting since they were kids. Excellent Adventure follows the air-head duo as they travel back in time to collect historical figures for a history class presentation. Sound silly? Well, that’s because it is. Bogus Journey takes you into the Afterlife with the vapid pair as they make deals with Death to get back on Earth where their band Wyld Stallyns has an epic concert to perform. Yup, also silly as all hell. — RA
Akira at Alamo Drafthouse (Richardson)
Anime isn’t always purple hair and cat ears. Akira‘s got motorcycle gangs, freakin’ laser beams and lots of explosions. The film, based on best-selling graphic novel, Steamboy, is regarded as one of the best science fiction films of all time – George Lucas saw it and said, “Oh shit. That is one of the best science fiction film of all time.” Actually, he didn’t say that. But he did say it was “remarkable.” If George Lucas said it, it must be good. Catch the two day midnight showings Friday and Saturday. — Jessi Pereira
Official Dallas Stars Watching Party at South Side Ballroom
In case you hadn’t noticed, Your Dallas Stars are doing the playoffs thing right now. Thus far, they’ve put a whooping on the overmatched Minnesota Wild, but that was at home. Now that the team’s headed up North, you’ll have to settle for watching them on a screen somewhere. Why not here, at the team’s official watching party? — CG
Official Dallas Mavericks Watching Party at Henderson Tap House
In case you hadn’t noticed, Your Dallas Mavericks are doing the playoffs thing right now. Thus far the Thunder put whooping on the overmatched Mavs in the first game of the series. Win or lose, why not watch the game with a bunch of fellow MFFLs? The ManiAACs will be there, and a few people will win tickets to see the game in person when they get back to Dallas in a couple days. — CG
