What: Cool Thursdays Series: Emerald City Band
When: Thurs. Oct. 5th @ 7:00PM
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TX 75218
Why: Dallas Arboretum will present Emerald City Band as part of its Cool Thursdays Fall Concert Series. In addition to the coolest view of White Rock Lake, attendees can bring picnics and beverages or purchase food items from some of DFW’s favorite food trucks. Emerald City Band burst onto the Dallas music scene in 1983 and never looked back. The 13-piece, 3-horn section super group electrifies every audience with a combination of high-energy dance songs from the past with the hits of today. Emerald City’s ability to entertain is only rivaled by their extensive ability to get the audience up on the dance floor. This super group has taken their energy all over the world, from Dallas to New York, Paris, Dublin, Los Angeles and South America.
What: Rick Springfield and Richard Marx: Full Acoustic Sets
When: Thurs. Oct. 5th @ 8:00PM
Where: Majestic Theatre
1925 Elm St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: ‘80s heartthrobs Rick Springfield and Richard Marx join forces for a stripped-down storyteller’s acoustic concert featuring hits like “Jessie’s Girl” (Springfield) and “Right Here Waiting” (Marx).
What: Wings Over Dallas Airshow
When: Fri. Oct. 6th – Sun. Oct. 8th @ 9:00AM -5:00PM
Where: Dallas Executive Airport
5303 Challenger Dr., Dallas, TX 75237
Why: The Commemorative Air Force hosts the Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow. Plans for the 2017 show include a 75th anniversary commemoration of the Doolittle Raid, the heroic U.S. counterattack on Japan after Pearl Harbor. A flying reenactment of the Raid will combine 8 B-25 bombers, spectacular pyrotechnics, sound effects and narration into a pulsating history lesson. The guest of honor will be Texas native Dick Cole, who at age 101 is the last surviving Doolittle Raider. More than 80 WWII-era aircraft are set to participate in the airshow. The aerial activities will be supported on the ground by personal appearances from numerous WWII veterans, living history reenactment groups and military vehicles.
What: Southlake Oktoberfest
When: Fri. Oct. 6th – Sun. Oct. 8th @ 5:00PM (Fri) and 10AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Southlake Town Hall
1400 Main St., Southlake, TX 76092
Why: Wiener dogs will race and march in a parade, bands will perform on two stages, and plenty of food and beer vendors will be on hand at Southlake Town Square for the city’s 16th annual Oktoberfest. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend the free fest, which also features arts and crafts booths and a kids’ area to keep the younger set entertained. Free shuttle service from White’s Chapel United Methodist Church
What: Arts & Letters Live: Dan Brown
When: Fri. Oct. 6th @ 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Where: McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
6405 Boaz Ln., Dallas, TX 75205
Why: DMA’s Arts & Letters Live will present the international bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code and Inferno, Dan Brown. Brown will discuss his new novel, Origin, writing chart-topping works, and making blockbuster movies, as well as his trademark interests in codes, science, religion, and art. His newest novel, Origin, thrusts Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon into the dangerous intersection of humankind’s two most enduring questions, and the earthshaking discovery that will answer them. VIP tickets include a reserved front section seating and a signed hardcover book.
What: DanceAfrica
When: Fri. Oct. 6th & Sat. Oct. 7th @ 7:30PM
Where: Moody Performance Hall
2520 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: The Dallas Black Dance Theatre presents DanceAfrica, a bold, colorful and multi-cultural celebration of African arts and culture for the entire family inclusive of The Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance Ensemble. On Saturday, Annette Strauss Artist Square turns into a global market venue offering entertainment, crafts, fashion, artifacts and food trucks from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Free. This year is a tribute to national DanceAfrica founder Dr. Charles “Baba Chuck” Davis with his favorite mantra, “Love, Peace and Respect for Everyone,”
What: Pink Peppermint Project presents GlamCon
When: Sat. Oct. 7th @ 7:30AM
Where: Lofty Spaces
816 Montgomery St., Dallas, TX 75215
Why: GlamCon debuts a one-of-a-kind and first of its kind event celebration in Dallas. Thousands of women have been touched or affected by breast cancer. In their first event, GlamCon will celebrate 200+ survivors and patients with a day of beauty resources for their skin, empowerment workshops for their spirit, & networking with inspiring women for their soul. Presented by Dallas lifestyle brand & beauty blog “Style Follows Her.”
What: Cottonwood Arts Festival
When: Sat. Oct. 7th – Sun. Oct. 8th @ 10:00AM
Where: Cottonwood Park
300 S. Cottonwood Dr., Richardson, TX 75080
Why: Now in its 48th year, the semi-annual Cottonwood Art Festival is a juried art show that showcases a variety of fine art and fine craft from more than 200 artists from around the world. Patrons have the opportunity to meet and talk with the artists. The festival also includes live music from top local bands, food trucks, a craft beer garden, and a children’s art area. Admission is free.
What: Retropalooza
When: Sat. Oct. 7th – Sun. Oct. 8th @ 10:00AM
Where: Arlington Convention Center
1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011
Why: This celebration of all things retro features free-play arcade and console games, cosplay, vintage toys, vendors booths, panels and just about any form of nostalgic pop culture you can think of. Some top YouTube personalities are also scheduled to appear.
What: Lowest Greenville Fall Festival
When: Sat. Oct. 7th @ 11:00AM
Where: Lowest Greenville
1145 Peavy Rd., Dallas, TX 75218
Why: The Lowest Greenville Festival will feature food, drinks, music and local vendors. The fun will spill out onto the patios of area businesses, with pop-ups lining the streets offering everything from art and local jewelry to face painting and balloons for the kids. To ensure no one goes thirsty throughout the day, of-age attendees can purchase seven-ounce Mason jars for $10 in front of Blind Butcher. Then, Mason jar in hand, you can sample up to 10 different cocktails being poured at participating locations. Many businesses will be offering something special, including local artists’ original prints, live bands, handmade jewelry, Henna tattoos.
What: Dallas PorchFest
When: Sat. Oct. 7th @ 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Where: Buckner Park
4550 Worth St., Dallas, TX 75246
Why: Celebrate the grand re-opening of Buckner Park at the 2nd annual PorchFest. Throughout the day, local musicians will perform on the front porches of homes along Worth Street. There will also be local art, food and a painted rocks hunt for the kids (2PM). Performers include Jenna Clark, Big Ass Brass Band, Dallas Wind Symphony, Dallas Police Dept. Choir and more. Event proceeds are going toward the planting of 50 trees, repair of more than 1,500 feet of sidewalk and other community beautification projects.
What: Frisco Arts Walk
When: Sat. Oct. 7th @ 12:00PM – 7:00PM
Where: Texas Sculpture Garden at Hall Office Park
6801 Gaylord Pkwy., Frisco, TX 75034
Why: Now in its 2nd year, Frisco Arts Walk Frisco Arts Walk is a day of art, music, dance and hands-on fun for kids including carnival games, crafts and puppet-making. Enjoy interactive performances; street musicians; artists-at-work; a pop-up food truck park; and children’s area complete with bounce houses, face painting and instrument petting zoo. Take a docent-led tour of the Texas Sculpture Garden with works by Texas artists. Take in a performance at the Hall Park amphitheater with the award-winning University of North Texas Lab Bands and Jazz Singers. New this year is a chance to be part of the show. Presented by Steinway Hall Plano, amateur musicians may sign up for a 10 minute Red Carpet performance experience of a lifetime.
What: Tacolandia
When: Sat. Oct. 7th @ 4:00PM – 7:00PM
Where: Dallas Farmers Market
1010 S. Pearl Expy., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Sample unlimited tacos, from street style to urban contemporary, at the third annual Dallas Observer Tacolandia. The festival will feature live music, beer wine and cocktails available to purchase.
What: Faith Hill & Tim McGraw: Sou2Soul The World Tour
When: Sat. Oct. 7th @ 7:30PM
Where: American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: The country music super couple brings Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017 tour to AAC. The tour celebrates the 10th anniversary of the couple’s record-breaking Soul2Soul II tour, the highest-grossing multi-year country music tour of all time, and the first time Faith Hill has toured since 2007.
What: FloMo Food Truck Fest
When: Sun. Oct. 8th @ 11:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Parker Square
1500 Cross Timbers Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75028
Why: 25 food trucks, 55 vendors, 2 live bands, a kids’ zone, a pet zone and all day entertainment. Proceeds benefit: Congregation Kol Ami, Journey to Dream and the Jordan Harris Foundation.
What: Southern Fried Circus Fest
When: Sun. Oct. 8th @ 3:00PM & 7:00PM
Where: Irving Arts Center
3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75062
Why: More than 35 artists from around the country will come together for the 3rd annual Southern Fried Circus Festival Act Development Showcase. This showcase will feature all levels of performers from amateur to professional. Performers submit original pieces to present to an audience and professional panel to receive constructive comments ranging from character development, showmanship, technicality, originality and more. Each show brings a complete different cast of performers and acts, and the 7 pm show will feature performances by members of their professional panel.
