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Turtle Creek Fine Arts Festival
If the old adage is correct — that beauty begets beauty — this biannual festival in one of Dallas' most stunning outdoor spaces seems an appropriate setting to test that theory. More than 100 locally based artists will draw from Reverchon Park's natural aesthetics, all the while offering original pieces for sale. Watch demonstrations and participate in hands-on art activities, hear live acoustic music and purchase paintings, photography, sculptures, leather and metalwork, blown glass, jewelry and more. There will be a children's area, food trucks and an Emerging Artists Pavilion.
Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Reverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave., Dallas. Limited parking at Reverchon Park; additional parking at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas. Free admission. Vendor prices vary. turtlecreekartsfestival.com.
Dallas PorchFest
Imagine a neighborhood where homes are wrapped not with verandas, patios or lanais but instead have stages ever-poised for live music performances. Peak's Addition in East Dallas will temporarily transform into this feel-good utopia during an altruistic community event. Stroll from house to house as local bands and soloists sing to the open skies. There will also be beer and wine tastings, with offerings from Peticolas Brewing Co. and Pegasus City Brewery, and food, homemade dog treats, and arts and crafts for sale. Proceeds benefit Zaragoza Elementary School's outdoor learning and music programs and other neighborhood projects.
Oct. 5 from noon to 6 p.m. along the 4700 and 4800 blocks of Swiss Avenue, Dallas. Free admission. dallasporchfest.org.
DanceAfrica
For Dallas Black Dance Theatre's 14th annual festival honoring African culture, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago will perform "progressive interpretations of ancient and contemporary African dance" during dual shows at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District. Watch dancers and drummers create a "unique synthesis of dance, rhythm, music and folklore" on the evenings of Oct. 4 and 5. But that's not all: During the daytime Oct. 5, DBDT will host a free festival and marketplace in nearby Strauss Square. Watch performances on the outdoor stage, play family-friendly games and browse arts, crafts and items from local vendors.
Performances: Oct. 4-5 at 7:30 p.m. at Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St., Dallas. $35. attpac.org.
Festival and Marketplace: Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Strauss Square, 2389 Flora St., Dallas. Free admission. $7 for parking at Lexus Red Parking Garage, 2403 Flora St., Dallas. dbdt.com.
AlienCon
Storming the gates of Area 51 felt a bit extreme — even for those who believe "the truth is out there." If a risky road trip to Roswell isn't your style, stoke curiosities about intergalactic beings and supernatural specters at this convention dedicated to aliens, ghosts and the humans who court conversation with them. Meet the meme-famous star of Ancient Aliens, Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, as well as professional ghost hunters and experts. There will be interactive panel discussions, artifacts and exhibits, merchandise, autograph opportunities, a costume contest and more.
Oct. 4-6 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St., Dallas. $62 for one-day general admission; multiday and VIP passes available. thealiencon.com.
Tacolandia
Taco 'bout Tex-Mex heaven. Sample selections from more than 30 vendors such as Resident Taqueria, Taqueria La Ventana, Tortas Insurgentes and Halal Mother Truckers at this outdoor foodie fest. Offerings range from "urban contemporary to authentic street-style," and vendors will receive awards for top tastes in various categories. Tickets include unlimited food samples, and there will be beer and cocktails for purchase.
Oct. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood St., Dallas. $35 for general admission, $75 for VIP. For ages 21 and up with valid ID. tacolandiadallas.com.
Lebanese Food Festival
Lebanon's traditional cuisine features elements you might recognize from other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern nations such as Greece, Israel and Iraq. Taste tabouli, hummus, falafel, kebabs and more — all "homemade, like Mama makes it" — during this 23rd annual festival in Lewisville. There will be dabke and other folk dances and cultural performances, plus music by DJ Yoonis, a children's play area and Lebanese souvenirs and gifts for purchase. Support the host church through a silent auction and raffles.
Oct. 4-5 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Oct. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, 719 University Place, Lewisville. Free admission and parking. ourladylebanon.com.
Southlake Oktoberfest
It's the prost! wonderful time of the year throughout North Texas, and Southlake is known for its elaborate festivities. The city's annual Oktoberfest features three days of shopping, food and live entertainment styled after Bavaria's traditional fall festival. Three stages offer a diversity of performances from tribute bands to authentic German music. Dress in lederhosen and dirndls, indulge in brats and beer, and cheer on darling dachshunds in Oct. 5's wiener dog race.
Oct. 4 from 4 to 11 p.m., Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Oct. 6 from noon to 8 p.m. at Southlake Town Square, 1560 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake. Free admission. Free parking and shuttle service at White's Chapel United Methodist Church, 185 S. White Chapel Blvd., Southlake. southlakechamber.com/oktoberfest-home.
Tarrant County Pride
Honor the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots during this 38th annual celebration of equality, inclusion and love over hate. Downtown Fort Worth will host a parade starting at 11 a.m. Oct. 5 that will feature rainbow floats and representatives from local organizations in festive costumes. It will travel Commerce Street from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Water Gardens where there will be a festival with a market, live entertainment and family-friendly activities until 6 p.m. The weekend's celebrations culminate on Oct. 6 with a picnic at Trinity Park featuring a Kids Zone with bounce houses and more, music, shopping, health and wellness information, field games, contests and other outdoor activities.
Parade and Festival: Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, 1502 Commerce St., Fort Worth. $5, free for children 13and under. tcgpwa.org.
Picnic: Oct. 6 from noon to 6 p.m. at Trinity Park, 2401 University Drive, Fort Worth. Free. tcgpwa.org.
Texas Latino Pride Music Festival
Honor Hispanic and Latinx contributions to LGBTQ culture during this celebration of diversity and inclusion. Expect salsa and Tejano tunes from DJ Mateo, Rafael Angel and Selena tribute band Bidi Bidi Banda. Celebrity guests include April Carrión from RuPaul's Drag Race, Kat Florek from Bad Girl's Club, Sleyla Edwards from the House of Alyssa Edwards, Houston-based Reign and beloved locals such as Alex Tiny B and Celestia Moon. In addition to music, the fun atmosphere will feature drag and live dance team performances, plus food trucks and a Univision interactive booth.
Oct. 5 from 2 to 10 p.m. at the Longhorn Ballroom, 216 Corinth St., Dallas. $10, $55 for VIP. texaslatinopride.com.
Plano Food and Wine Fest
Plano's upscale Shops at Willow Bend recently challenged traditional notions of outdated mall food courts by installing the District, a restaurant park overlooking a courtyard. This second annual festival draws attention to that cosmopolitan foodie feature with offerings from 25 local restaurants and food trucks and 100 styles of wine. There will also be grape-stomping contests, craft beer and cocktails, live music, and culinary and mixology demonstrations by local experts.
Oct. 5 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano. Free admission. $20-$60 for food and wine tasting packages. planofoodandwinefestival.com.
Dog Days of Denton
Organizers of this 26-year-old event say, "If imitation is the finest form of flattery, Dog Days certainly has a strong legacy" as they say it's the longest-running festival of its kind in Texas. Experience the O.G. of Odie-focused celebrations, which features canine talent contests from dog singing to superlative categories such as "longest tongue" and "owner look-alike." There will also be trick, obedience, dancing and agility course competitions, plus "GlamFur" photo shoots for $5. Meet 2019's "spokesdog," and take your own best friend — just remember a leash and proof of vaccination.
Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Texas Fairgrounds, 2217 N. Carroll Blvd., Denton. Free admission. Select activities require additional fees. dentondogdays.com.
Drummathon
Local rock drummer April Summers, who performs under the alter ego Crash Gordon in the '80s cover band Metal Shop Dallas, founded nationally recognized nonprofit Breast Cancer Can Stick It after beating an aggressive form of the disease in 2011. This annual fundraiser benefits the organization while also giving local talent a platform and opportunity to jam with celebrity drummers such as Sandy Gennaro (Joan Jett and Cyndi Lauper), Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean) and Lori Peters (Skillet). For spectators, this event features food trucks, autograph booths, silent auctions and raffles, plus drum lines and solos galore by top fundraisers.
Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas. Free admission. drummathon.org.
'The Peter Max Retrospective 1960-2019'
Pride runs deep throughout Texas, and our fair corner of the Lone Star State is no exception. If you would describe your aesthetic as "all things Dallas," this exhibition by pop art icon Peter Max will appeal with profound Dallitude. German-born painter Max left his mark across the second half of the 20th century with psychedelic reimaginings of the Statue of Liberty and the Chevrolet that Dale Earnhardt drove at the Winston all-star race in 2000. Pieces in this exhibition celebrate the sports, music and landmarks of Big D, with renditions of the world-renowned skyline and Dallas Cowboys paraphernalia painted in Max's vivid signature style.
Through Oct. 6 with public receptions on Oct. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. and Oct. 6 from from 1 to 3 p.m. at International on Turtle Creek Design Center, 150 Turtle Creek Blvd., Dallas. Free admission, but RSVP required at 866-900-6699 or dallas@roadshowcompany.com. roadshowcompany.com.
Richardson Community Band: 'Once Upon a Time'
Going further than a mere children's concert, this event instills a love of music through hands-on melody-making experiences such as conducting lessons and an instrument petting zoo, where they can pluck strings, slap skins and press buttons. Children's author Nancy Churnin will sign copies of her educational storybook Irving Berlin: The Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing before narrating a musical performance of the book. The RCB will continue with selections from How to Train Your Dragon, Moana and more in a performance hosted by classical music broadcaster Barry Samsula.
Oct. 6, starting at 2:20 p.m. at the Eisemann Center, 2531 Performance Drive, Richardson. Free admission. richardsoncommunityband.org.
Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast Jr.'
Bookish belles with an adventurous streak will love this live adaptation of Beauty and the Beast (1991), Disney'sanimated interpretation of the classic French fairy tale. Featuring professional actors and recommended for ages 5 and older, Dallas Children's Theater's production re-creates the story and songs of Belle, Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth, Chip, Mrs. Potts and more in a romantic musical tale of inward beauty and redemption. Expect a sea of yellow satin dresses as children prance through the Rosewood Center for Family Arts lobby, answering DCT's call to "be our guest" for a magical 90 minutes. Performances include an intermission, and there will be a special sensory-friendly production on Oct. 12.
Through Oct. 27 at Dallas Children's Theater's Rosewood Center for Family Arts, 5938 Skillman St., Dallas. $28-$35. dct.org.