Weiner Fest will bring dachshund races and more to Plano’s Legacy Hall on July 26.
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Basketball star Michael Jordan has a run-in with Bugs Bunny in the 1996 animated hit Space Jam, which will have a free screening on Aug. 1 at 8:45 p.m. at Halperin Park as part of the Oak Cliff Film Festival.
Warner Bros.
Comedian Tisha Campbell will perform July 24-25 at Mic Drop Comedy in Plano.
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The Fort Worth Stockyards will host a number of free events for National Day of the American Cowboy on July 25, including a parade, armadillo races, live music and more.
Lola Lavender-Hardisty
GUIDE PICKS FOR JULY 24-JULY 30
NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY
FREE Celebrate the history and heritage of the American cowboy at this family-friendly event featuring live music, a parade, a matinee rodeo, Old West comedy gunfight shows, a fiddle showcase, cow-milking contests, cowboy poetry, face painting, armadillo races and more. John Wayne: An American Experience, a museum in the Fort Worth Stockyards honoring the legendary actor, will offer $5 off admission as it celebrates an expansion to mark its fifth anniversary. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the Stockyards website for a full schedule of events.
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July 25 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Fort Worth Stockyards. All events are free, except for admission to the John Wayne museum. fortworthstockyards.com.
ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF DALLAS
The Asian Film Festival of Dallas is celebrating its 25th anniversary with four days of screenings highlighting Asian and Asian American cinema. Founded in 2002, the festival has showcased more than 600 films and has become one of North Texas’ longest-running film events. This year’s lineup features 27 films from seven countries and regions, including a world premiere, two North American premieres and a U.S. premiere. Anniversary programming includes a screening of the acclaimed South Korean zombie thriller Train to Busan. Some screenings will also feature filmmaker Q-and-A sessions, and there will be a reception and a closing night celebration. Check the website for a full schedule.
Continues July 24-26 at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. Individual tickets are $15-$20, or get an all-access festival badge for $250. asianfilmdallas.com.
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Best known for her starring roles on the hit sitcoms Martin and My Wife and Kids, Tisha Campbell has spent decades entertaining audiences as an actress, singer and comedian. In recent years, she has returned to her standup roots, drawing on personal experiences, family life and behind-the-scenes stories from her long Hollywood career. Campbell first gained attention in films like School Daze and House Party before becoming one of TV’s most recognizable comedic performers. Fans can expect an evening of candid storytelling, sharp observations and the charismatic humor that has made Campbell a beloved entertainer across multiple generations. Comedian and actor Guy Torry (Def Comedy Jam, American History X) will open the show.
July 24-25 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at Mic Drop Comedy in Plano. $31 for general admission, $42.50 for VIP. micdropcomedyplano.com.
More than 200 vendors will offer a range of vintage clothing, sneakers, collectibles, jewelry, streetwear, accessories and more at this mega swap meet. What began in 2017 as DFW Vintage Swap Meet has grown to become what organizers call the largest buy-sell-swap marketplace in Texas. In addition to the chance to rummage for rare treasures, attendees will find giveaways and live music performances at Dallas Market Hall.
July 25 from noon to 7 p.m. at Dallas Market Hall. $5 for general admission, $10 for VIP. swapcon.org.
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‘YOU SHOULD KNOW PODCAST PRESENTS: THE YSK HOUSE TOUR’
Hosted by best friends Peyton Hardin and Cameron Kennedy, the You Should Know Podcast has built a large following thanks to the duo’s easygoing banter. Hardin launched the podcast in 2019 with the idea that he would bring on different guests and ask questions about topics that he thought people should know about, hence the show’s title. But the show soon took a turn, as the Pflugerville native began to tell humorous stories about his experiences playing junior college basketball. That’s when Kennedy joined the show, as the two shared stories about their time in school, on the court and off, and other topics. Guests who tune in now will find unfiltered conversations, personal stories, pranks and plenty of viral moments, as Hardin has amassed more than 3.5 million followers on TikTok. The duo have taken their show on tour, and fans can catch them on stage at the Majestic Theatre for one night only.
July 25 at 8 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas. $39.64-$85.99. axs.com.
DRONEART SHOW: HARRY POTTER
The skies over Grand Prairie will be filled with Harry Potter imagery, as 1,200 illuminated drones re-create your favorite characters and moments from the film franchise. Attendees will get an LED wristband, making them a part of the visual spectacle. A live electric violinist will play music from the Harry Potter film soundtrack, adding to the mood. Themed treats and drinks, including Butterbeer, will be available. And exclusive merchandise including wands, scarves and collectibles will be available for purchase.
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July 24-25 at 9 p.m. at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Grand Prairie. $27.90-$108.90. Free for children 2 and younger. feverup.com.
The Omni Dallas Hotel is hosting its second silent disco of the summer, this time with the theme of “Party in the USA.” The soundtrack will feature top American hits to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday, played under the stars with the Dallas skyline as a backdrop. Guests can arrive at 8 p.m. for drinks and a social hour before the dancing begins at 9 p.m. Each attendee will be given LED wireless headphones that glow with the beat, and three music channels will be available to ensure guests can find something to keep their feet moving. Signature cocktails and Tex-Mex-inspired food options will be available for purchase at the 21-and-up event.
July 25 from 8 to 11 p.m. on the Pegasus Lawn of the Omni Dallas Hotel in downtown Dallas. General admission for two guests is $20.52 online. eventbrite.com.
SHOWTIME SATURDAY: DAVID CHICKEN
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FREE Expect a fun, high-energy performance as three-time Emmy Award-winning musician David Chicken stops by the Galleria Dallas for the mall’s weekly kids’ show. Known for his ultra-catchy original songs, the entertainer frequently invites young audience members to join him on stage to sing, play instruments and be a star. He’ll set up on Level 3, near the Play Place.
July 25 at 11:30 a.m. at Galleria Dallas in Dallas. Free. galleriadallas.com.
Get ready for a dachshund day afternoon, as Legacy Hall celebrates everyone’s favorite elongated doggies. Dachshund owners are invited to bring their furry friends to the festival, which will include local vendors, pet portraits, a Sausage Stampede (a.k.a. weiner dog races), a weiner dog costume contest, a jewelry and hat bar, and more. A yappy hour will offer free pup cups and organic dog treats. Whether you own a weiner dog or just like to be around cute pups, this family-friendly event promises plenty of tail-wagging fun.
July 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at Legacy Hall in Plano. Free with online RSVP. prekindle.com.
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‘JEOPARDY! INTERACTIVE’
If you’ve ever sat at home watching Jeopardy! and felt like you could do better than all those big-brained contestants, then this event is for you. The popular game show is leaping from the TV screen to the big screen at a pair of local Alamo Drafthouse locations, with an interactive experience that will pit theatergoers against one another to win prizes. The evening will follow the familiar Jeopardy! format, with participants using their phone or tablet to buzz in and play against other competitors in real time. There will be two rounds, Daily Doubles and Final Jeopardy!, just like the TV show. And don’t forget to answer in the form of a question.
July 29 at 7 p.m. at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in Denton and Lake Highlands. $15. drafthouse.com/dfw/show/jeopardy-interactive.
Established in 2011, the Oak Cliff Film Festival aims to showcase independent filmmaking in this event that takes place at the neighborhood’s theaters, art venues, bars and small businesses. A pre-festival cocktail party for badgeholders will take place July 29 at 7 p.m. at The Oak Cliff Assembly. The Dakota Fanning film The Sun Never Sets will open the festival on July 30 at 8 p.m. at the Texas Theatre, followed by a free opening-night party with DJ Sober. On Aug. 1 at 8:45 p.m. at Halperin Park, the festival will host a free 30th anniversary screening of the animated film Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan. That will be one of a few festival nods to 1990s nostalgia, with others including screenings of Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 classic Pulp Fiction (with co-screenwriter Roger Avary in attendance) and This Is Buzz, a documentary about the influential ’90s MTV series Buzz. Check the website for a full schedule.
July 30-Aug. 2 at the Texas Theatre and other venues in Oak Cliff. Festival passes are $38 for a ‘90s Bundle, or $250 for an all-access VIP pass. Tickets to individual screenings are also available. Some events are free. filmoakcliff.com.
MESQUITE CHAMPIONSHIP RODEO
Mesquite calls itself the Rodeo Capital of Texas, and the summer months offer ample evidence to back up that assertion. Head out to Mesquite Arena every Saturday through Aug. 29 for the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, one of the longest-running rodeos in the country. In addition to bull riding, barrel racing, bronc busting and other rodeo events, attendees can enjoy the MCR Summer Concert Series, which brings country music to the arena after every rodeo. Bleu Edmondson will perform July 25, followed by David Adam Byrnes on Aug. 1. The season also features themed nights like “First Responders Night” on July 25 and “Dollar Hot Dog Night” on Aug. 1.
Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through Aug. 29 at Mesquite Arena in Mesquite. Tickets start at $11.65 for ages 3 and up, and younger kids can get in for free. mesquiterodeo.com.
‘SEAN KENNEY’S NATURE POP! MADE WITH LEGO BRICKS’
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden has unveiled a series of larger-than-life nature sculptures made from more than 800,000 Lego bricks. Scattered throughout the garden are more than 40 animal and plant sculptures, including a panther poised to pounce, a curious fox on the prowl and a mama bear carrying her cub. Made by Sean Kenney, an acclaimed New York City-based artist whose Lego creations have been exhibited internationally, the sculptures are paired with facts about the subjects they depict, making the exhibition educational as well as eye-catching. Kenney, whose work has been featured on ABC’s Good Morning America and other shows, has written several children’s books on creating Lego sculptures. In honor of the World Cup, visitors who wear a soccer jersey can get half-price admission throughout July.
Through Sept. 7 at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free with garden admission. General admission is $14 for ages 16 and up, $12 for seniors ages 65 and up, $8 for children ages 3-15 and free for younger kids. fwbg.org.