Central Track Contributor
Take The Edge Off.
Here's a fun fact: Yesterday was YouTube's tenth anniversary. And do you know what the first video ever uploaded to the site was? A 19-second clip of co-founder Jawed Karim at the zoo, talking about the size of the elephants', um, trunks.
My how far we've come. But was that really the most exciting thing going on back then? Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. It's hard to say for sure.
What's certain, though, is that you won't want to look back at the current weekend a decade from now and wonder if you really made the most of it. Don't second guess yourself. Think long and hard about what you're going to do. Future you is counting on it. — Cory Graves
Friday
Peter Hook at Granada Theater (Sold Out)
Peter Hook & The Light are an English rock band, formed in May 2010 by the former Joy Division and New Order bassist, Peter Hook. The band is noted for performing the Joy Division and New Order albums live, depending on the tour. Tonight's all about the former, and this set list will feature classic Joy Division albums Unknown Pleasures and Closer . — Lauren Rushing
Inter Arma at Three Links
Richmond, Virginia's Zeppelin-nodding metal outfit Inter Arma's most recent release is a one-song EP. That one song, though, lasts an astounding 46 minutes. This Relapse-signed outfit doesn't shy away from the heavy or the epic. Yautja, Pinkish Black and Cleric open. — CG
Lee Fields & the Expressions at Dada
If you're looking for something on the more soulful end of the Friday night spectrum, then Lee “Little James Brown” Fields & The Expressions are more than capable of fulfilling that need. Fields' long spanning career increases the sense of anguish to those lost lover ballads that have no doubt inspired many a drunken, 3 a.m., post-breakup text. So, you might want to go ahead and delete your ex's number prior to the show. Y'know, just in case. — Porttia Portis
Ray Wylie Hubbard at Kessler Theater
Oak Cliff native Ray Wylie Hubbard recently released a new album, The Ruffian's Misfortune. Ahead of its release, he talked with Elmore Magazine about the album's first single, “Hey Mama, My Time Ain't Long”, calling the track “a folk rock anthem Jonathan Tyler and I wrote to be performed at the Rapture or Armageddon, whichever comes first … or in a south Texas biker bar during a DEA raid.” The track, it's worth pointing out, will also appear on Tyler's upcoming solo record, Holy Smokes, which is due out this summer. For two nights this weekend, he'll celebrate that release in his old stomping grounds. Dallas' Ronnie Fauss opens. — CG
Doug Burr (Album Release) at Dan's Silverleaf
Earlier this month, Doug Burr officially released his fifth LP, Pale White Dove, a raw and electrified batch of tunes that stands in stark opposition to the frail, folkstuff of 2010's O Ye Devastator. This weekend, Burr will celebrate the album's release with a hometown performance. For now, check out the new video for ballsy blues romper “White Night — Black Light” here. — CG
Faizon Love at Addison Improv
Faizon Love has had his fair share of controversy — from assault charges to Kat Williams calling him a snitch — but there's no denying he's a funny guy. You may know him from his roles in several movies, including Elf, Couples Retreat and Friday. But have you seen his stand up? Well, if not, or if you have and would like to see him again, you can this weekend. He'll have two shows Friday night: one starting at 8 p.m. and the other at 10:30 p.m. He'll also perform on Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and again on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. — Carly Seitz
Matt & Kim at House of Blues
Aggressively happy indie duo Matt & Kim have come a long way since the days it was playing shows around town at DIY spots like 1919 Hemphill. Though they've graduated to festival stages these days, it'll be hard to top the band's last House of Blues show, where confetti, balloons and smiles reigned supreme, and where Kim literally danced on top of the crowd. No hamster ball needed. Your move, Wayne. — CG
Annabelle Chairlegs at Crown and Harp (Free)
When we say that Austin's Annabelle Chairlegs is a poor man's Black Angels, we mean it not disparagingly. It's not that the more simplified psych rockers necessarily sound like carbon copies of their more successful townsmen, it's just that for the actual poor among us, this free show is a nice alternative. Waco's Loafers and Fort Worth's Doom Ghost open. — CG
Cinewilde Presents: Velvet Goldmine at Texas Theatre
Velvet Goldmine takes you into the world of glam rock, with a story about a journalist who hunts down Bowie-esque pop star Brian Slade to find out what happened to him after he faked his murder and fell off the map. The movie won an Academy Award for “Best Costume Design,” so get inspired and come dressed in your very best for the costume party that will take place after the flick. Also at the after-party, ZHORA, Ethereal and The Queer Show, TEEN SLUT and PseudoQueen will all perform in addition to Gabriel and Travis Box's DJ set. And if you want to come before the movie, there will be an interview a local queer musician (TBA). — CS
Magic, Burlesk and Sideshow at Confetti Eddie's Magic Parlor
It's not uncommon of quote-unquote starving artists to pick up a second job to help make ends meet. What is somewhat uncommon is for an artist to become a magician by night. Artist and gallery owner Edward “Confetti Eddie” Ruiz did just that. And tonight he'll perform on his home turf, the studio where he builds and practices his latest illusions. Magician Trigg Watson, singer Lyric Laveau, sideshow performer and sword swallower Jai Le Bait will join in the fun as well. Seats are limited. — CG
Griz at Trees
GRiZ is a DJ and producer from Michigan. A former member of LEAK, he now travels all across the states and plays at festivals such as Electric Forest. His tracks include “Ill Type Moves,” “Rock n' Roll,” “P B & J (Pretty Busted and Jank)” and a crazy remix of Aerosmith's “Dream On”. EDM boys and girls, check out GRiZ at Trees for your electronic fix. —LR
Critical Mass at Main Street Garden Park (Free)
This group of cyclists are setting out to prove that two wheels are definitely a sufficient mode of transportation, despite the less-than bike friendly Dallas roads and monstrous SUVs that dominate them. But that's just what we need, right? Cars aren't all that great. I can store a bicycle in my apartment, but when I tried to do that with my car, all sorts of wreckage ensued. The group ride starts at 8 p.m. on the last Friday of every month and, from there, cyclists will dominate the roads, overturning every car in their wake and setting a new standard of road etiquette that demands bikes be taken seriously. — Chelsea Upton
Face to Face at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
Favorite '90s pop punk outfit Face to Face is doing the rare three-night stand at Gas Monkey this weekend, performing a different of its first three albums each night in their entirety. Thursday is 1992's Don't Turn Away, Friday is 1994's Don't Turn Away and Saturday is the band's 1996 self-titled effort. Radioactivity, From Parts Unknown and Sons of Bitches will open each of those shows, respectively. — CG
Natalie Prass at Sons of Hermann Hall
Ex-Jenny Lewis touring keyboardist Natalie Prass grew up in Virginia and spent a year a Berklee College of Music before relocating to Nashville and crafting a demo on her iPhone that led to her early paying gigs. Last year, the singer-songwriter set off on her own with a heartbreaking solo LP full of retro sensibilities, emotional string swells and tasteful horn embellishments. This weekend, she brings her first-ever solo tour to Dallas, along with Bee Caves. — LR
Son of Stan, Blue, the Misfit, Tidals, Making Movies, SuperSonic Lips at Lola's
Built upon a heavy foundation of Afro-Latino rhythms, Making Movies has created a bilingual (English and Spanish), psychedelic re-envisioning of the Latin American musico. If you didn't catch the band's most recent Dada show, you're in luck, as the Kansas City outfit returns to North Texas, this time, hitting up the Fort along with Blue, the Misfit, Tidals, SuperSonic Lips and Son of Stan. — LR
Blockhead x Mono/Poly at It'll Do Club
East Coast meets West Coast at It'll Do, where New York hip-hop producer, Blockhead, and California electronic producer Mono/Poly meet in the middle. Do not pass 'Go,' do not collect $200, but do dance your ass off for just $5. — CG
Saturday
Edgfest 2015 at Toyota Stadium
Performing at this year's incarnation of alt-rock station 102.1-FM The Edge's annual summer music festival will be The Offspring, Modest Mouse, Death Cab For Cutie, AWOLNATION, Hozier, Vance Joy, Dirty Heads, New Politics, Banks, Yelawolf, Robert DeLong, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, The Kooks, Joywave and Girl Talk. That's a whole lot of radio-friendly rock. — LR
Leo van Doeselaar at Meyerson Symphony Center
The monumental C.B. Fisk Opus pipe organ, which serves the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, includes 4,535 pipes, and has been called “one of the most important organs to have been built in this or any century” by the American Guild of Organists. Tonight, Grammy-winning Dutch organist will be using that sucker to crank out some Bach, Franck, Brahms and Saint-Saens. — CG
The Birds of Night (Album Release) at Three Links
Denton America's The Birds of Night is a band that make nostalgically glazed Rock and Roll. Their songs are made from sun-drenched guitars, reverberating vocals, and loosely tightened drums. Since its jangly, Strokes-y debut, the band has evolved into much darker outfit, a fact which really rears its head on the pseudo Sabbath-y new album, which earns its release at the show. Jonas Martin and The Fieros (remember The Fieros?!) open. — LR
Vice Palace One-Year Anniversary at 2516 N. Beckley Avenue
Roving DIY space Vice Palace will hunker down at the 2516 North Beckley Avenue warehouse space in West Dallas to celebrate its first full year of merrily meshing the Dallas music, visual and performing arts by asking five local entities — Lower Greenville venue Crown & Harp, independent record label Dallas Distortion Music, independent concert promotions agency King Camel, underground arts zine THRWD and yours truly at Central Track — to curate the night's five musical acts, who'll also be joined by a night-opening fashion show. Electro-popper Rat Rios will perform for King Camel, electronic noise-makers iill will perform for DDM, ambient soundscape artists Lily Taylor & Sean Miller will perform for THRWD, Pleasant Grove rapper $kaduf will perform for Crown & Harp, and Plain Jane Francis and Tony Q will perform on our behalf as part of what should be among one of the more diverse bills this town's seen in some time. Tickets to the show are $15, with all of the money raised going to support the artist themselves; neither Vice Palace nor any of the entities behind the night's curation stand to make a dime off of the event. — Pete Freedman
Wo Fat at Dada
Fuzz your brains out this weekend with heavy, local noise mavens Wo Fat, Fuzz Evil, Switchblade Jesus and The Cosmic Trigger. — CG
Dan Deacon at Trees
DFW event listers Do214 is turn one, a fact they'll celebrate with Dan Deacon, a performer known for his large-scale, interactive and “Simon Says” type of performances. A dance-off? You got it. Pleas to touch the head of the person in front of you? Done. Building a bridge of humans? Absolutely. Party Static, Ben O'Brien and Prince Rama will be there, too. — Heather Abbott
Parsons Dance Company at Winspear Opera House
Despite their similar names — and the fact that both are based in New York City — Parsons Dance Company and Parsons New School of Design are not related, in case you were wondering. But it doesn't make either of them less prestigious. The dance company is internationally renowned just like the school, only Parsons Dance Company is known for its performing art skills in contemporary dance, not visual arts like Parsons New School of Design is. Still, the eight dancers making up the group are a site to see, so catch them this Saturday at Winspear Opera House. — CS
Alpha Tau Omega Crawfish Boil at College Park
It's that time of year again; it's crawfish season, but it won't be for much longer. Alpha Tau Omega's crawfish boil is one of two this Saturday, so you can choose whichever is closest to you. The fraternity's boil is a wee bit cheaper ($20, whereas the one at The Frisco Bar is $25), if that makes any difference. Also, this one will benefit the Dallas Victims of Crime. — CS
Lone Star Vintage Show at Dallas Market Hall
With a large selection of vintage clothing, antiques, furniture and more from 150+ dealers from all across the country, the Lone Star Vintage Show is one show you don't want to miss. Considering the dealers are from all around and not just the Dallas-Fort Worth area or all of Texas, you know there's sure to be a good selection, because the dealers aren't all competing with each other at the same thrift stores, estate sales etc to find everything. Or maybe it will all suck. We can't say for sure, but with an entrance fee of only $6, it may be worth checking out this Saturday and/or Sunday. We recommend going on Saturday if you can, though, so you can have first pick. — CS
Annual Crawfish Boil at The Frisco Bar
If you love crawfish but feel like the one Alpha Tau Omega is hosting in Arlington is too far from you, you may be in luck; The Frisco Bar is also putting on a crawfish boil this Saturday in Frisco. The event will raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Collin County. Also, in addition to crawfish, there will be plenty of live music and activities for the kids to enjoy. — CS
Baboon at The Grotto
If you missed Baboon at The Grotto last year, don't make that mistake again. Baboon returns to Fort Worth with old friends Pleasant Grove and the incredible Wire Nest. Rawk. — LR
The Egg Salesman at The Ochre House
You've heard of milk men, and if you've seen Pink Flamingos, you've also heard of the eggman. It just so happens, however, that John Waters is not the only one to incorporate an egg salesman into one of his works. Playwright and director Matthew Posey has a new work, The Egg Salesman, which will premiere Saturday, April 25, at The Ochre House. You can catch it then or until May 16 Wednesday-Saturday. All showtimes are for 8:15 p.m. — CS
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Alamo Drafthouse
Why Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's IMDb rating is only 6.9/10 stars is a mystery to us. OK, so it's not that low, but the Rube Goldberg machines and the “Me Ole Bamboo” number are enough, we think, to earn it at least a 7.5/10 rating. But whatever. It's pretty good, and you should definitely go see it this Saturday, especially if you've never seen this Dick Van Dyke/Julie Andrews classic before. — CS
Deep Ellum Urban Race at Life in Deep Ellum
Regular scavengers hunts are already cool as they are, but the Deep Ellum Urban Race happening this Saturday? Even better. Not only teams venture out to find things as is the norm with scavenger hunts, but they'll also enjoy activities such as painting murals, crafting instruments and more. So round up some friends and sign up! — CS
History With a Twist at Dallas Heritage Village
No, it's not some history lesson or tour. It's a cocktail party. So, how does history play into the event? Well, for starters, it's at Dallas Heritage Village, which has several historic buildings. Also, the fox trot orchestra Singapore Slingers will perform some period jazz music, black-and-white silent movies will play in the background and there will be an antique car display to add to the historical atmosphere. But really, whether or not the night proves a success depends on you. If everyone comes in modern attire, the night is basically ruined. If you're that douche that goes to Halloween parties dressed in regular clothing, you better change your ways for this night. After all, if you're going to spend $75 (or $125 if you bring bae) to go to the party, what's a little more to get a legit costume from a local vintage shop? — CS
Reading and Painting at The Wild Detectives
Portland-bred fiction writer Luke B. Goebel will read his works while Dallas alt-rocker Matthew Brinston paints along to the words, letting Goebel's prose guide his brushstrokes. — CG
Dallas Brew Bus April Tour at Community Beer Company
We don't know that you'll really get enough samples at Bitter Sisters Brewing, Nine Band Brewing and Community Beer Co. — the three breweries on this Saturday's bus tour — to need someone to drive you, but just in case, you need not worry about it. It's better to be safe than sorry. A $50 ticket gets you a designated driver (at least for the duration of the tour, anyway), complimentary beer samples and a bit of food from the chefs at LUCK. You'll also get a commemorative snifter glass, which is the must-have type of glass to properly sniff (get the name, now?) your beer prior to tasting. — CS
North Texas Firkin Fest at Globe Life Park
A $35 general admission ticket to the North Texas Firkin Fest happening this Saturday gets you eight sampling tickets. Each sample ticket allows you one three-ounce sample of craft beer. Do the math, and that's only the equivalent of two 12-ounce beers. Sounds a bit pricey for an amount of beer that won't even get you tipsy, but not to worry. Additional sample tickets are only a dollar apiece (though you must buy them in sets of four), which doesn't sound too bad, especially when you think of all the beers you'll taste you may have otherwise never tried. — CS
Fight Night at Majestic Theatre
There was a time when The Majestic was one of the hottest joints in town. Hell, the spot's gorgeous interior hasn't change much since those days. Back then, boxing was the No. 1 sport in the land. And while that much most certainly has changed, you can pretend otherwise while watching Roberto Marroquin and Marcos Leonardo pummel the living crap out of each other for the USBA Jr. Lightweight Championship. — CG
Kent Dorn: “Into the Night” at The Safe Room
Artist Kent Dorn will have his a show titled “Into the Night” on Saturday that will feature a collection of his works from over the last four years. In his works, Dorn parodies the idealism of early American landscape painting, which he manages to make rather depressing — with what the people over at The Safe Room describe as “a psychological terrain of desolation and mortality”. Who knew landscape paintings could be so conceptual? — CS
Jay Bailey, Ryan Rankin and Delaney Smith (Opening Reception) at JM Gallery
JM Gallery is one of Dallas' newest art galleries (it just opened last month on March 7), and this Saturday, it's having an opening reception for artists Jay Bailey, Ryan Rankin and Delaney Smith. It only lasts until 8 p.m., so you'll have plenty of time for stuff afterward. Y'know, make yourself feel “cultured” or whatever at a fancy, new art gallery and then get totally trashed at the bar, party or wherever else you plan to go to Saturday night. But hey, if you're planning on having a chill, Netflix night or whatever after the reception, that's cool, too. No judgment! — CS
Grand Opening at Texas Ale Project
“Texas Ale Project,” or “TAP,” if you wish to refer to it by its clever acronym, is Dallas' newest brewery, and it's starting things off right with a grand opening party. They're hoping for something big — quite literally, actually, as there will be a big hair competition in addition to a beard/mustache competition. At the event, you'll also be able to enjoy plenty of beer (duh, it's a brewery), food trucks, and live music from Madison King and J. Charles & the Trainrobbers. — CS
The Big, Sexy Burlesque Sing-Along at Texas Theatre
While the burlesque ladies, drag queens and dancers may not sing to the songs they'll perform to, that doesn't mean you can't! In fact, you are encouraged to sing along as the performers show off their skills. You don't need to worry about any drag queens stopping mid-performance to bitch at you for trying to steal their thunder. There will even be lyrics on the screen, so there's no need to worry about getting the words wrong, either. — CS
Doobie Brothers at Verizon Theatre
We once saw Michael McDonald perform a few of the Doobies' tunes at the Meyerson, which is sort of the same thing, only not really at all, so we feel qualified to tell you not to overlook The Doobie Brothers' Grand Prairie stop tonight. Or as the members of Steely Dan once told McDonald: “Go to the Doobies Mike! Squadle diddle dee!!” — CG
Sunday
Marc Maron at South Side Music Hall
Marc Maron is one of the biggest comics in the country right now, though it has much, if not more, to do with his much lauded WFT? podcast as it does his actual stand-up. Not to be overlooked is his ability to command a live audience from the stage, which is about as well-honed as they come. — CG
Bockslider Release at Martin House
Martin House Brewing Co. has paired up with Fort Worth darlings Toadies for another limited edition beer called Bockslider. A launch party will be held this Sunday. Unlike the band's last, more intimate performance at the brewery, this one is going to be a full-on outdoors rock 'n' roll set. Meaning? There are still tickets available. For $32, you can not only lock down a ticket for the performance, but you'll also get three free brews and a souvenir glass. — PP
Krokus at Trees
Hard-rocking Swedish glam metal outfit have been at it off and on since the mid-'70s. The “Screaming in the Night” outfit is mostly intact still, too, and in spite of the large number of members that've passed through its ranks, only the n00b drummer wasn't with the band at some point during its heyday. — CG
Master Pancake: Transformers at Alamo Drafthouse
Back when popular Austin cinema hecklers Master Pancake got started they were called Mister Sinus Theater 3000. Understandably the Mystery Science Theater 3000 folks were not too pleased, partly because of the similarity in names and partly because they didn't approve so much of all the cursing that went on during their running commentary. Since rebranding as Master Pancake they've patched up their relationship with the MST3K folks, and have even been joined in their live movie mockery by Mystery Science creator Joel Hodgson on occasion. Tonight they'll be making the three-hour drive north to send up Transformers. — CG
Boys Named Sue, Matt the Cat Trio at Double Wide
He's here, she's here, everybody drink beer. It's only fitting, as the beer-guzzling honky tonkers Boys Named Sue are celebrating musician Isaiah Evans' birthday at this show. Matt the Cat Trio and 40 Acre Mule will keep the good times rolling. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
