Things To Do This Weekend.

Say A Prayer For Chvrches.

After years of planning, Dallas finally gets its #JFK50 day in the sun as the eyes of the entire country turn to us on this, the 50th anniversary of John F Kennedy's assassination.

Ironic, then, that the forecast today calls for rain.

Anyhow, from the big, city-sanctioned, Downtown-closing-off celebration tribute in Dealey Plaza to seemingly hundreds of unauthorized, borderline creepy observances going on all over town, there's plenty of action to find in Dallas all weekend long.

Depending on your level of morbid curiosity, you can basically spend your whole weekend focusing on a five-decades-old assassination. Fortunately, for those looking to avoid feeling too macabre, there's plenty else going on this weekend, too.

Friday
Hunter Hayes at Verizon Theatre
In 1998, the then six-year-old Hayes got one of his earliest tastes of fame when he performed Hank Williams' Jambalaya on the Nickelodeon game show Figure it Out. The best part of watching that clip — besides Hayes' ridiculously affected Creole accent — is the part where you realize that the years have been far kinder to Hayes, a bona fide country superstar these days, than All That cast members Lori Beth Denberg, Josh Server and Kel Mitchell, who served as the episode's “celebrity” judges. — Cory Graves

Dirty River Boys at Granada Theater
Before heading back into the studio to record a new album, the El Paso-based Dirty River Boys will be playing Granada this weekend. Look for them to play their new single “Desert Wind,” which features a much more rock n' roll direction. It will also be one of the band's last few shows before going on hiatus to record, so get ready to party. — Jeremy Hughes

Chance the Rapper at Trees
Thanks in part to his unique set of pipes, Chance the Rapper's Acid Rap has easily established itself as one of the hottest hip-hop debuts of the year. But his meteoric rise over the past 12 months shouldn't come as a huge shock to anyone all that familiar with the man's career arc. In fewer than 10 years, he's gone from purchasing his first hip-hop album to being visited backstage by Madonna after one of his shows. — CG

Ha Ha Tonka at Dada
As much as the Missouri band's name conjures up images of a certain '90s WWF wrestler, it's still somehow not as cringe-worthy as the band's previous name, Beatchen. And it hasn't prevented the Bloodshot Records signees from becoming one of the bigger Americana acts going. — CG

Steve Vai at House of Blues
Sure, Steve Vai's name is one of the most common results to Internet search queries for “douchiest guitar players of all-time” — and, really, there's no denying he's a Grade-A wanker — but he did write the guitar parts for the oft-overlooked Ralph Macchio vehicle, 1986's Crossroads, and, for that, he gets a free pass from us. — CG

War is Hell (Partial Screening and Other Events) at Texas Theatre
As one might expect from the venue where Lee Harvey Oswald was apprehended, there's a veritable buttload of activity at the historic Oak Cliff theatre this weekend, and it's all centering around the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination — including a screening of the same Cry of Battle/War is Hell double-feature that Oswald snuck into on that fateful day. Also today at the Texas? A dramatic, staged reading of portions of the Warren Commission, which contains statements from the former Texas Theatre employee who tipped off police to Oswald's whereabouts. And? A screening of Oliver Stone's JFK in 35mm print. Oh, and here's a note for you conspiracy buffs: War is Hell actor Baynes Barron, who reportedly was on screen at the exact moment of Oswald's arrest, was born the same day as JFK. So there's that. — CG

Nevada Hill Benefit Show at Rubber Gloves
Bludded Head mastermind, visual artist and rock poster designer extraordinaire Nevada Hill was recently diagnosed with melanoma, but lacks the insurance to pay the medical costs necessary for treatment. So, to help alleviate a portion of the five-figure medical expenses Hill has already racked up, Hill's ex-Drug Mountain bandmate Britt Robisheaux began organizing a series of Drug Mountain reunion/benefit shows around the region. This one will feature sets from New Fumes, Early Lines, Pinkish Black, Drug Mountain and Douche, along with a raffle and silent auction of rare, signed memorabilia of all sorts. — CG

Dan Phillips at Outpost American Tavern
Noticed some changes over at Oak Cliff's Outpost American Tavern as of late? They're not happening by accident. The space was recently taken over by Chris Jeffers, who also owns The Foundry and The Belmont. And, just as he's done at those spot, Jeffers has already started to ensure crowds that quality live music offerings will be a big part of his business model. Tonight, for example, his newest spot will see a special solo acoustic set from True Widow's Dan Phillips, followed by a DJ set from Phillips as well. — CG

Silent Disco at the Green Elephant
By now, you surely know the Silent Disco concept: Once a month, a whole cast of DJs descends upon the Green Elephant, with three performing at a time as attendees, donning headphones that pick up frequencies from the DJ booths, switch as they please between the three channels of songs being offered up. It's a good time — and an even weirder spectacle to take in once you've removed your headphones. This week's DJs include Black Market Pharmacy, Mikey Rodge, Candy Red, Bastard Mike and more Mars Pluto . — Pete Freedman

Saturday
Chvrches at South Side Ballroom
All in all, Chvrches' Dallas debut back in June was a lot like a first date: There was a ton of excitement beforehand, some fantastic stuff during the course of the evening, and a few personality quirks that weren't so fun. So it'll be interesting to see how, or if, things have changed since the band did release its debut full-length in the interim. On their best songs, such as “Now Is Not The Time,” “Recover” and “Gun,” the band was a sight to behold at that last show, full of nervous energy and shimmering vocals, and illuminated to an almost stereoscopic effect by some particularly interesting stage lighting. — Stephen Young

KNON Presents: Remembering JFK at Texas Theatre
Following Friday's long list of wide-ranging — and semi-creepy — JFK tributes at the theater, KNON will manage to up the morbid factor tenfold during this station fundraiser, where guests will be served the same meal JFK enjoyed the last day of his life. Yikes! — CG

Susie Phillips and Carrie Marill at Conduit Gallery (Opening)
Opening in Conduit's main gallery this weekend are new exhibitions by longtime Dallasites Susie Phillips and Carrie Marill. Since the '70s, Phillips has seen her work displayed in buildings all over town. In her newest exhibition, entitled Still Crazy, Phillips moves between pastel and cut-paper collages, while making nods at her past exhibition, Crazy Quilts. — CG

Rusko at Lizard Lounge
In the last seven years, British DJ Rusko has not only been at the forefront of pushing dubstep into the mainstream, but he's pretty much been the only person who has been able to pull off the near-impossible feat of finding a way to keep the much-maligned genre continuously sounding fresh. That said, it's always equal parts amusing and unexpected when the DJ speaks ill of the genre he helped create and when other artists that cite his as an influence on their own sounds. — CG

A$AP Ferg at Trees
Read our interview with A$AP Ferg here. — CG

JFK 50th Anniversary Collection (Record Release) at Top Ten Records
Shortly before he was murdered by Lee Harvey Oswald, Dallas police officer JD Tippit was seen using the payphone inside Oak Cliff's Top Ten Records — an artifact that remains in the shop to this day. It's there that this collection of JFK-inspired tunes released by Norton Records will celebrate its release. Homer “Lee Harvey Was a Friend of Mine” Henderson will perform. Following the event, the party will move to the Lee Harvey's bar, where Henderson and friends will perform deep into the night. — CG

Movembird at J&J's Pizza on the Square
For the second straight year, Denton throwback rockers The Birds of Night will host a beard-centric Movember event to raise money to “support research and awareness of prostate and testicular cancer as well as mental health issues.” Joining the Birds in performing on the bill will be fellow Denton luminaries Daniel Markham and Fishboy. — CG

True Widow at Double Wide
True Widow has been on something of a roll these last couple of months. Nationally buzzing these days thanks to kind shoutouts from the likes of Pitchfork and NPR, the Dallas-based stonegaze trio released its third LP, Circumambulation, earlier this fall and supported Chelsea Wolf on a month-long tour. At this one, they'll play in one of the smallest venues in town you'll ever find them in these days — secret shows in the basements of Denton houses notwithstanding, of course. Get there early to catch the Houston-based Black Congress, too: They're an incredibly heavy psychedelic noise rock outfit that rarely gets out on the road. You won't want to miss hearing their new album, Unfortunate Hubris, in this intimate live setting. — JH

Western Swing Dance For Team Fox at Sons of Hermann Hall
In addition to its weekly Wednesday night swing dance lessons, Sons of Hermann Hall will play host to this Western swing fundraiser, which will benefit the Michael J Fox Foundation, the leading funder of Parkinson's research worldwide. Professional square dance caller Wayne Shoemaker and swing band Shoot Low Sheriff will provide the entertainment. — CG

Dallas Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival at Fashion Industry Gallery
There will be over 150 different kinds of whiskey available for sampling at this celebration of jazz-era decadence. Before you get too crazy, just remember what Mark Twain used to say: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” — CG

Rhett Miller at Granada Theater
Just like every year about this time, the CF Concert Series brings headliner Rhett Miller and host Gordon Keith of 1310-AM The Ticket to the Granada for a Cystic Fibrosis benefit. Like they've done in various years past, Salim Nourallah and The O's will also join Miller on this year's bill. — CG

The Marshall Tucker Band at Gas Monkey Bar and Grill
By this point, you've already formed an opinion regarding classic rockers The Marshall Tucker Band. What you really want to know is who is still kicking around this current incarnation of the band. These days, frontman Doug Gray is the only original member still left. Seems most of his bandmates called it quits in the mid-'80s, and the group's primary songwriter, Toy Caldwell, died in '93. — CG

Besnard Lakes at Dada
Back in April, just a couple of weeks after Montreal psych poppers Besnard Lakes released its fourth LP, the band hits up Dada on its way to play Psych Fest in Austin. Our own Karlo X. Ramos wrote that he found that Besnard Lakes show “particularly dazzling on a visual note thanks to a trippy light-and-fog setup that went nicely with [the band's] shoegazey sound.” — CG

Ed Kowalczyk at Kessler Theater
If you have any free time, you should totally investigate the demise of '90s alt-rockers Live in recent years. It's perhaps one of the ugliest splits in recent memory. We won't spoil too much, but let's just say you might want to permanently adopt the phrase “lead singer fee” into your lexicon. Anyway, that explains why the band's former frontman Ed Kowalczyk will be all alone onstage during tonight's appropriately named “I Alone” acoustic tour. Oh, and he still plays all of the band's old hits, in case you were curious. — CG

Travis Tritt at Billy Bob's
In his “Here's a Quarter” days, there weren't many names in country music as big as Tritt's. In recent years, though, he's turned to primarily solo acoustic touring, and covering songs by bands such as Nickelback. I wish that was a joke. — CG

Sarah Jaffe at Dan's Silverleaf
Like she did last fall Sarah Jaffe is headlining back-to-back nights at the Denton club where she once worked as a bartender. And, also like last year, both nights will probably sell out pretty easily. So advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended. Son of Stan opens night one. — CG

Retracing the Steps of Lee Harvey Oswald at The Grassy Knoll
With the downtown streets re-opened following the city-sanctioned JFK memorial events, the Bike Friendly Oak Cliff crew will lead interested parties on a bike ride to see sites like Oswald's old home and the site of JD Tippit's murder. Dressing up is encouraged, although we're not quite certain what that entails. Just don't be the guy biking through Dealey Plaza dressed as the post-assassination Kennedy, OK? — CG

Tex Edwards at AllGood Cafe
Judging from old YouTube clips of Edwards performing at the Deep Ellum eatery in recent years, the former Nervebreakers frontman hasn't slowed down a bit. Back in June, the vocalist performed '70s punk favorites such s “My Girlfriend is a Rock” at the restaurant. — CG

Tony Rock at Arlington Improv
When your sibling is one of the best at what they do, it can be easy to stick to another line of work. But, in the case of folks like Brent Gretzky, Eddie Payton, Frank Stallone, Don Swayze, Charlie Murphy and Solange Knowles, it's sometimes the markedly more difficult task of trying to make a name for yourself outside of your sibling's shadow that proves much more worthwhile. Chris Rock's younger brother Tony does his thing tonight in Arlington, and tries to prove that he's more than just a sibling of note. — CG

John Wesley Coleman III at The Foundry
When Austin singer-songwriter John Wesley Coleman III ended up at this March's 35 Denton festival without his backing band (due to a scheduling conflict, they ended up in another city), things surely could have spiraled out of control. And they did, sort of, but in the most amazing way possible. Long story short: Coleman put together a makeshift backing band, proceeded to get hammered before his set, then danced with girls on stage, handed instruments and beers to folks in the audience, and had the entirety of Andy's Bar repeating a chant about how I-35 could suck a dick. If Coleman brings even a fraction of that unwieldy energy to this performance, it should prove to be a show for the ages. — CG

Hot Flash! Reunion at The Travis Basement (Free)
For three years, DJs Killtron, Schwa and Genova were a monthly staple around Dallas, particularly at the old, dearly departed Fallout Lounge. This reunion stands as one last hurrah from the former trio before Killtron moves to New York next month. — CG

Dinamo Azari at It'll Do
Talk about bad timing: Had this show gone down last week, this one would've been a full-on, full-group offering from the four-piece Canadian house and disco purveyors. Alas, just this past Monday, the group called it quits. But the show will go on, in a way, as band namesake Dinamo Azari will still make his way to the It'll Do Club to perform a set, albeit now only a DJ one. That's good news, maybe, for the venue staff, who no longer have to deal with the potential headache of adding proper staging to accommodate a four-piece group, but bad news, surely, for any die-hards out there. — PF

Sean Patton at Addison Improv
The New Orleans-based comedian Sean Patton will be doing his thing in Addison. He is not to be confused with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, not that anyone would really make that mistake. Patton's not what one would call the athletic-looking type — although, he did take a year's worth of stage-fighting classes once as a goof. Anyway, you can listen to him recounting the tale of an especially wild Mardi Gras eve in his hometown here if you're thinking about heading out to this one. — CG

Sunday
Robert Smithson in Texas at Dallas Museum of Art (Opening, Free)
In July 1966, Smithson was consulted by the New York-based architecture and engineering firm Tippetts-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratton to help develop the plans for the DFW International Airport. Although his plans never came to fruition, Smithson credited the experience with influencing his large-scale earthworks in the '60s. Though he died in a plane crash in '73 before any of his five planned Texas-based projects were completed, he's since become known as one of the most influential artists of the era. Some of Smithson's lesser-known drawings and photographs will be on display in this show. — CG

Vaz, Bludded Head, Strange Towers and Diamond Age at Rubber Gloves
Brooklyn noise rock trio Vaz are what remains of the '90s noise rock outfit Hammerhead. Regardless of how the group got to where it now is, the top of a bill of Denton-based racket-mongerers (read: Bludded Head, Strange Towers, Diamond Age) ain't a bad place to be. — CG

Sarah Jaffe at Dan's Silverleaf
Bethan opens the second night of Jaffe's two-night Dan's run. — CG

Ashley Myrick at The Prophet Bar
As she did at last month's RAW Artists event, local pianist Ashley Myrick will be bringing her “sequins and bunnies” show to a Dallas stage once again. Check out some video of that performance here to see exactly what you're in store for at this one. — CG

The London Police at Groove Hair Salon
Though world-renowned street artists The London Police were initially started in Amsterdam by a couple of UK ex-pats, a number of artists from all over the world have passed through the crew's ranks since its 1998 formation. Many have surmised over the years that, like the TLP crew, fellow UK street artist Banksy is actually a collective of artists as well. Unlike Banksy, though, The London Police are totally down for meeting and greeting. Give 'em the what-for this evening at Groove Hair Salon, where they'll be arting up the walls. — CG

To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.