Cory Graves
Whig Out.
Now that it's finally getting too cold for the ALS ice bucket challenge, the Internet has been in search of new and meaningful ways to get its challenged-based ya-ya's out. Enter former Dallas Observer contributor Andrea Grimes, who has recently seen her taco or beer challenge catching on.
The premise is pretty simple, writes Grimes: “Eat a taco. Drink a beer. Donate money to an abortion fund.” To date, the campaign has raised over $30,000 for abortion funds nationwide.
In any case, it sounds like an excellent way to begin one's evening. Only instead of videotaping your endeavor and endlessly annoying all of your social media friends, you should probably just go out and celebrate your good deed for the day at one of the following places.
Merle Haggard at Bass Performance Hall
A night before his longtime pal Willie Nelson plays a benefit show at Gilley's, fellow country legend and frequent Nelson collaborator Merle Haggard will do his thing over in the Fort. Now if we could only get Pancho and Lefty to play at the same venue on the same night…
The Whigs at Dada
Athens-based trio, The Whigs, is an easy enough band to enjoy. The band does just enough with its blend of straight ahead bar rock and slight alt-country leanings to offend absolutely no one, while remaining, generally speaking, catchy as hell. While they might not be the most original outfit out there, they know enough about big guitar riffs and pop hooks to please its audiences just the same.
Clerks at Sundown (Free)
Here's a chance to see the extremely low-budget flick that launched director Kevin Smith's career and gave birth to his famous Jay and Silent Bob characters on a bigger screen than you've probably got at home. Unlike Dante Hicks, you are supposed to be here today.
The Cyanide & Happiness Show Premiere at Alamo Drafthouse
Since launching in 2004, Cyanide & Happiness has become one the Internet's most popular web comics, racking up more than a million hits per week despite its often crude nature. Tomorrow the now-Dallas-based comic will launch its latest venture, an animated series. Local audiences can catch a sneak peek of the series' first episode at tonight's screening, where the comic's creators will in attendance.
Candlelight Walk on Henderson Avenue
Jumpstart your holiday shopping with this Henderson Avenue's decades-long candlelight walk tradition. Or just enjoy later hours and the sales most of the shops on the street will offer up this brisk eve.
The Hard Pans at Twilite Lounge (Free)
After 19 years together, Austin alt-country outfit The Gourds officially went on an indefinite hiatus as of last year. Enter The Hard Pans, a continuation of the group, of sorts, that features Gourds frontman Jimmy Smith and multi-instrumentalist Claude Bernard among its ranks, and picking up the roots rock torch from its forbearers.
Oral Fixation: “Train Wreck” at Texas Theatre
For a taste of the kind of heartfelt, oft-humorous true life tales of some of the city's most interesting characters, check out our newly-launched podcast, which features audio from the series' “Go With the Flow”-themed edition. Tonight's Oral Fixation event, meanwhile, will feature a collection of tales bound together by a “Train Wreck” theme.
We Were Promised Jetpacks at Trees
Scottish post rock/indie hybrid, We Were Promised Jetpacks, returns to town with its big, boomy sound, endless hooks and unstoppable rhythm section. They'll also bring with along a new, fifth member of the band, and copies of Unraveling, the band's just-released third LP, its first in three years.
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
