Central Track Staff
Get Crackin’.
Something fun to do this time of year is re-watching holiday classics like Home Alone, and its sequel, which notably features our once and future king. Something you shouldn’t do, no matter how inspired you feel after watching Kevin McCallister take down the baddies is trying those same boobie traps IRL.
As some YouTube experimenters recently discovered, you’d probably die.
For some safer bets on how to have fun and not die this weekend, why not try some of the following out instead? — Cory Graves
Friday
Dark Rooms Farewell at Dada
Dark Rooms is leaving Dallas for L.A. But first, the hometown heroes will head a lineup of Blue the Misfit, Sam Lao and Picnictyme – maybe for the last time?! — OM
Game Grumps Live at The Bomb Factory (Sold Out)
Be a part of a live recording of the Game Grumps web series as Dan and Arin stop in Dallas to play some video games. — OM
Wreck the Halls at Dark Hour Haunted House
For those sick of staying off the naughty list – or of the 24/7 holiday music stations – there’s Christmas at a haunted house, complete with Krampus, eggnog and corn candy. Well, maybe skip the corn candy. — OM
A Merry Little Christmas Show: Ricki Derek at Granada Theater
A longstanding Dallas tradition, Ricki Derek and his orchestra celebrate the holidays Sinatra-style. Frankie says have yourself a merry little Christmas, babe. — CG
Nearly Naked Nutcracker at Viva’s Lounge
I’m not going to take a cheap shot at the weird implications of the title “Nearly Naked Nutcracker” (wait… oops), but this Broads and Panties event is part titillation and part and part, um, OK so maybe it’s mostly just titillation. — Chelsea Upton
SIMS at Three Links
Hopefully Doomtree member SIMS closes out the year in style by showing off a new track or two from his upcoming solo album More Than Ever that’s set to hit the market in January. Air Credits opens. — OM
Ian Moore at Poor David’s Pub
The Austin singer-songwriter closes out his 2016 touring year with an acoustic holiday performance in Dallas. Lucky us. — OM
Randy Rogers at Billy Bob’s
Randy Rogers Band’s 2016 was marked by the release of Watch This, his second collaborative LP with frequent touring buddy Wade Bowen. He’ll fly solo here, with no one to hold his beer while you watch him do this, and he’ll do it all over again tomorrow, too. — OM
Seeker at Reno’s Chop Shop
The hometown hardcore metal trio comes home during its penultimate stop while on tour with Hollow Earth. Kaliya, Baring Teeth, Cesspool of Corruption and Speed Priest open. — OM
Ruthie Foster, Charlie Belle at Kessler Theater
The Texas native won the 2016 Koko Taylor Award for Best Traditional Female Artist by the Blues Foundation. She stops in Dallas with Charlie Belle, a brother-sister duo that made waves last year. — OM
Becky Middleton Single Release Party at Spinster Records
BYOB and your own ugly Christmas sweater to celebrate the release of “I’m Still Here,” Becky Middleton’s new single. Lometa and Matthew McNeal also perform. — OM
Bands, Toy Drive and a Funky Fresh at Goodfriend
Live music from Joshua Ray Walker and Slow Moving Snakes. Beer and burgers. Donated toys will go to WFAA’s Santa’s Helpers Toy Drive. — OM
Saturday
25th Anniversary Party at Lizard Lounge
Get down with no delay, as Beastie Boys DJ Mix Master Mike cuts faster, holding down the 1s and 2s at this big anniversary blowout for the Camila Vargas cartel’s home base. Cause nobody can do it like Mix Master can. — CG
Tex-Mex Holiday Fiesta with Flaco Jimenez and Augie Meyers at Kessler Theater
The Grammy-award winning Tejano group features a couple members of the legendary Texas Tornadoes. They’ll spin some holiday classics with a Tejano twist. Ajua! — OM
Holiday Trading Post Pop-up Market at 400 South Hall Street
Featured vendors like Shinola, Hari Mari, Shannon Brewing Co. and several other trendy brands will be on site. Also, organizers say, a few “special” guests. Considering those organizers include the Warstic bat guys, and their company is co-owned by some cool celebs, there’s some interesting potential there for sure. — OM
The Roast of Jerry Jones at Dallas Comedy House
The DCH continues its series of roasting fictional characters by roasting a real person who only happens to act like a cartoon most of the time. — CG
Ten-Year Anniversary at Alliance Skate Park
Alliance Skate Park is celebrating 10 years of kickflips and ollies with skating legends Mike McGill and Eddie Elguera. — OM
Kixpo: Coats, Cans & Kicks Charity Event at Epocha
Many of this weekend’s events involve charity and looking out for those in need – and here’s another one. ‘Tis the season, and all that. As the name implies, they’ll be collecting canned goods, coats and shoes for those less fortunate. — CG
Santa Cause Pub Crawl on West 7th (Fort Worth)
Participating in this crawl will be a whopping 15 bars, which will explain all the drunks stumbling around in Santa suits this Saturday. — CG
Joe Gorgeous, Siamese, Tele Novella at Shipping & Receiving
Theatrical glam rock, macabre pop rock and some good timin’ post-grunge all on one bill. And we’re not saying which is which, because you really gotta see all these. — CG
Locked & Loaded: Moving Panoramas at Armoury, D.E. (Free)
The fast-rising Austin-based trio is playing in Dallas for free. The group didn’t follow up 2016 with new music, but it did a wide-ranging national tour that – let’s emphasize this again — stops in Dallas for free. Moon Waves and Native Fox open. — OM
Goodnight Ned, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, The Birds of Night, Jackie Darlene at Double Wide
Since releasing its so-called “fringe folk” debut back in 2012, Dallas’ Goodnight Ned has honed its chops with a hefty load of live gigs and refined its sound to include nods to The Band, The Rolling Stones and the fellow harmony-rich retro-rockers Dr. Dog. The band further expanded its sound with its sophomore LP and a couple of lineup shifts which have left them no less fun to catch in a live setting. — CG
Yule Ball at The Downtowner (Denton)
A Sadie Hawkins dance in the theme of the Hogwarts Yule Ball. Sounds magical! — CG
Onesie Party at Henderson Tap House
Eat brunch and drink all the alcohol in a onesie. Canned food, unwrapped toys and dog food are all acceptable contributions. Despite your footie PJs, you are an adult. — OM
Bicycle Toy Run for Vogel Alcove at Dallas Bike Works
Many of this weekend’s events involve charity and looking out for those in need – and here’s another one. ‘Tis the season, and all that. As the name implies, they’ll be collecting toys for those less fortunate, and then riding bicycles about it. — CG
House Harkonnen, Barb Wire Dolls at Three Links
Grungy Greek punk band Barb Wire Dolls only formed in the 2010s, but it’s sound is one heavily rooted in ’80s metal. House Harkonnen, one of Dallas’ loudest bands, also performs. — CG
Cirque Musica at Dr Pepper Arena
A family-friendly, holiday-themed acrobatic celebration of the jolliest of seasons. — OM
Junior Brown at Granada Theater
An American original and Austin’s best-kept secret, Junior Brown should definitely be on your list of must-see acts in Texas. Tonight, Mr. Brown will serenade you with his savory country twang, dazzle you with his patented guit-steel prowess, and maybe even surprise you a bit with a song or two inspired by past trips to town. — Nicole Arnold
Mark Farina at It’ll Do Club
San Francisco house pioneer Mark Farina will drop by It’ll Do tonight, where he’ll drop a bunch of down-tempo dance numbers for a bunch of folks who’ve dropped whatever’s necessary to keep up with the Mushroom Jazz DJ. — CG
Mobley at The Prophet Bar
Austin’s alt-hip-hop artist brings his subversive love songs three hours north. Catch Fever opens. — CG
Sunday
Holiday Trunk Show with Camille & Laura at The Wine Therapist
Handmade jewelry, pickled goods and other homemade and handcrafted goods, perfect for giving or receiving. Oh, and wine! — CG
North Texas Stands With Standing Rock at Lola’s Saloon
Luke McGlathery, Joe Savage, Vincent Neil Emerson and a dozen more performers will play this benefit, because the fight’s not truly over, just temporarily halted. Hit the link to see which supplies they’re looking for/what your $15 door donation is going towards. — CG
Wax at Trees
WAX is the totally cool guy the other rappers totally wanna be like. His Cookout Chronicles Tour also boasts performances from slighly less cool dudes The Palmer Squares, Tyler Sloan and Grades of Absolute Truth. Kidding. — CG
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at Winspear Opera House
Oh, what a night, the 17th of December in 2016. What a very special time for you, which you’ll later remember. What a night. — CG
Mele Kalikimaka Swizzle’s Holiday Pop-Up at Green Door Public House
Think it’s too cold for a luau in December? Wait a few minutes. That’s a joke we think is only about Texas, though they make it literally every place. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our event directory.