Let's-a Go!

With the second annual Elm St. Music and Tattoo Festival taking over Deep Ellum this weekend, there's much to do in Dallas these next few days, indeed.

As such, there's a good chance you'll find yourself in a dark place at some point this weekend, wishing there was a way to rub in how much more fun you are having than your social media followers.

Alas, Huffington Post just posted some tips on how to take effective selfies in low-lighting circumstances.

So feel free to gloat away.

Friday
Elm St. Music and Tattoo Festival in Deep Ellum
Friday the 13th is something of a sacred holiday in the tattoo industry — and one that finds many folks opting to commemorate the day by getting the number permanently inked on their bodies. While 50 of the world's best tattooers are busy inking the number 13 on folks all day at The Prophet Bar, a shit-ton of bands will be doing some celebrating of their own throughout Deep Ellum. They include: MXPX, Allister, Measure for Measure at Trees, Dale Watson, The Von Ehrics, Convoy & the Cattlemen, Sleepin' Rattlers, Los Skarnales, Spies Like Us, Rude King, Scary Cherry & the Bang Bangs, The Assassins, Dallas Uber Alles and Street Arabs. $25 will buy you a one-day pass to catch each of these acts — or, for $50, you can club hop all weekend long. — Cory Graves

Jesse Rya at House of Blues
Jesse Rya — better known these days as the North Texas internet superstar who you may remember as one of the “three random guys” who were having a full-fledged jam session in front of an Irving Kroger — performs for the hometown crowd tonight. After an impressed by-passer posted a video of the session to his Facebook, the trio received more exposure than they ever imagined possible and even had the opportunity to perform Jimmy Kimmel Live! alongside Trey Songz, Juicy J and Aloe Blacc. Check out the rising star tonight at House of Blues. — Chrissi Chetwood

Say Anything at Granada Theater
Say Anything has always created a predictable enough brand of catchy, pop-punk tunes, and, when the band releases its new Hebrews LP next week, you can expect more of the same. Well, except for the fact that frontman Max Bemis says that some of the new songs are sung in Hebrew, and there are a few others completely devoid of guitars. Who knows? It can either be a hit or miss, really. Might as well check it out for yourself.Ashley Gongora

What So Not at It'll Do
What So Not, consisting of Australian electronic artists Flume and Emoh Instead, broke out in 2011 with their 7 Dollar Bill EP, and, since then, each have been making moves working together and on their own. While their show today over at It'll Do Club isn't listed as part of the Mothership Tour (with Skrillex, Dillon Francis, DJ Snake and Milo & Otics), it's bound to be one that will satisfy your electronic/ EDM cravings just the same — even if, rumor has it, Flume might not be making this one, either. — Chris Escarfullery

Centro-matic at Good Records
Back on June 3, Denton ex-pats Centro-matic released its 11th LP, Take Pride In Your Long Odds, which the band will celebrate with a pair of Dallas shows this weekend. Pick up a copy of the new album here, along with the band's 1996 debut Redo the Stacks, which was reissued on vinyl back in April. — CG

Battle Royale at Inwood Theatre
Fans of Hunger Games — or at least the part where teens are battling one another to the death — should check out Battle Royale. Not for kiddos, this film takes place in a broken Japan, where the government sends bad kids to a desert island and requires them to fight one another until the least man standing. Why this film is so much better than the former is the realism of the gruesome deaths — nothing is held back. It's not for the easily faint, either. Catch it tomorrow night, too. — Chase Whale

Bruce Wood Dance Project: Touch at Dallas City Performance Hall
Determined to share the love that its recently deceased founder Bruce Wood had put into his life, the members of the Bruce Wood Dance Project will be premiering to the world Mr. Wood's last original work, TOUCH, while also revisiting his earlier work, HOME. The BWDP plans to make both this week's shows nights of celebration with the help of Ginny Mac, who'll fill the lobby of the Dallas City Performance Hall with music before the curtains draw, as the show ends and during intermission. A Q&A former city council member Veletta Lill will follow Friday's performance. — CE

Pecan Lodge Brisket and Cabernet Tasting at The Wine Poste
Before you get your Friday the 13th tattoo tonight, head over to the Wine Poste for some tasty drinks and eats. Once again, the folks here are throwing another one of their popular food and wine tasting events. On the docket? Four highly acclaimed international Cabernet- and Bordeaux-based blends with half-pound portions of brisket from the illustrious Pecan Lodge. Oh yeah. — CW

Son of Stan, Crushed Stars at Kessler Theater
Last week, part-time Fort Worth resident Jordan Richardson gave us a sampling of his forthcoming sophomore album. “The Lady That's Around Me” feels very much like a continuation of the vibe put forth by last year's Divorce Pop — the main difference being the immediate sense that this is now a band with some shows under its belt. The energy of the band's live offerings is something that definitely shines through from the very first spin of the sweaty, dog-days-of-summer pop jam. It shines even more though, on an actual stage. Crushed Stars opens with a solo acoustic set. — CG

What We Would Drink at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
At $55, this wine tasting may sound a tad pricey. But more than the wine itself, what you're really paying for here is the restaurant's unparalleled expertise. Pappas Bros. is the only restaurant in Dallas to employ a Master Sommelier, an Advanced Sommelier and two certified sommeliers as full-time wine professionals. While that may seem overly decadent, there is indeed a level of expertise needed to navigate the restaurant's 33,000-bottle wine cellar, which contains some bottles than span back decades. — CG

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial at Angelika Film Center
Everyone's favorite alien is back on the big screen this weekend. Join E.T. and a young Drew Barrymore as they bring back the nostalgic fun — riding bikes across the moon and getting a friendly pint-sized creature back to his home planet. — CW

Corey Holcomb at Addison Improv
Having some relationship issues? The “ghetto Dr. Phil” might be able to help you out. Can't be any worse than the real Dr. Phil, right? — Stephen Young

Panic at Crown and Harp (Free)
Considering how prone to cancelling shows Morrissey is these days — hey, he just cancelled the remaining dates on his current U.S. tour earlier this week — local Smiths/Morrissey cover band, Panic, is now arguably the most reliable source to hear those bands' material. — CG

Saturday
Elm St. Music and Tattoo Festival
Show off your fresh ink at another busy night of shows in Deep Ellum. Bands playing tonight include The Reverend Horton Heat, Scott H. Biram, The American Fuse, Austin Lucas at Trees, The Vandals, Riverboat Gamblers, Mugen Hoso, Stymie, The Whigs, Papa, Dead Flowers, Brutal Juice, Slobberbone, Mike Dillon Band and even the guys behind Punk Rock Karaoke. $25 will get you into the whole thing, as well as the tattoo convention going on over at The Prophet Bar. — CG

Kixpo at Irving Convention Center
What's new in the world of sneakers? It's a question we often ask ourselves. But with no good means to find out the answer, we at times admit to feelings of hopelessness. The Kixpo 2014 Sneaker & Streetwear Expo aims to help in this regard. It's the largest event of its kind in the world. The eighth annual shoet-tastic convention will feature 50,000 square feet of sneaker and streetwear culture under one roof. Can you kick it? Yes you can! — Jessica Petrocchi

Chris Tucker at Verizon Theatre
Following his 25 million dollar deal that came from his involvement with Rush Hour 3, things didn't go quite so well for Chris Tucker. After an unplanned five-year hiatus, Tucker went back to work in 2011, doing what got him to the silver-screen in the first place, stand-up comedy. After his breakthrough return Silver Linings Playbook, Tucker is back on the road again for his Payback tour. See the man who started out on the Def Comedy Jam circuit get his groove back this Saturday, June 14th, at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prarie. Tickets range from $35 to $55 and the show starts at 8 p.m. — CE

One Night Stand at The Barry Whistler Gallery
The Barry Whistler Gallery in Deep Ellum will be holding a one-night-only exhibit, fittingly titled One Night Stand. Featuring the works of Arthur Pena, Sally Glass, Nathan Green and Luke Harnden, this one promises to be a great one. Opening night is Saturday, from 6 to 8 p.m. — SM

Centro-matic , True Widow and Cliffs of Insanity at Kessler Theater
The second of two release shows the Denton ex-pats will perform in Dallas this weekend will go down in Oak Cliff. Even better? True Widow was just added to this bill earlier this week when Pleasant Grove had to drop off due to a scheduling conflict. John Dufilho's new-ish Cliffs of Insanity project opens. — CG

Straight Tequila Night and Van Darien (Album Release) at Double Wide
Before '90s country cover band Straight Tequila Night takes the stage, newcomer Van Darien will perform cuts from her folky, new Beau Bedford-produced EP, Silent Sparrow, which she'll perform with help from members of Somebody's Darling and Whiskey Folk Ramblers. — AG

East Dallas Gallery Day
Time to dust your walking shoes off, art fans. This weekend, you're going to be enjoying art on the go. Which, because we live in the grand state of Texas, may not be a good thing. But there's no fighting it: On Saturday, galleries across Deep Ellum, Expo Park and Downtown Dallas will be open for the East Dallas Gallery Walk. As the name implies, you'll be walking at least a little if you check it out. And since the weather is supposed to hover around the low 90s, you can probably safely expect to see pit stains and wet brows among other mediums on display. But don't let that deter you form some amazing art on display at various spots, a full list of which you can find here. — Scott Mitchell

H I D E O U T ::: Discotheque + Market at House of Plates' Secret Underground Bodega
We can't tell you exactly where the Dallas music and food bloggers (and event-throwers) behind House of Plates will host their event this weekend. For that info you'll have to RSVP using the above link and fork over a ten spot. We do know, however, that Ronnie Heart will perform, several hip local business will set up pop-up shops, and the underground elite will revel in its collective superiority. All we're saying is it should be a good time. — CG

Jack-FM Throwback Festival at Gexa Energy Pavilion
You may have to mentally prepare yourself for what is being called the largest throwback of the year. Yeah, Jack FM's Throwback Fest is sure to attract today's wanna-be punk rock youngsters, soccer moms and drunk step-dads alike along with some of the worst indications of the '80s and '90s era — feathered hair, torn to oblivion jeans, too-tight leather pants, and maybe even a rat tail or two — but besides all of the eyesores you're more than likely to run into, you'll enjoy 15 bands on three stages, paying tributes to bands like Queen, Nirvana, Fleetwood Mac, Greenday, The Cure, Van Halen, Metallica, The Smiths and more. — CC

Whiskey Myers at House of Blues
This Tyler quintet is just as likely to score with the hard-drinking, red-dirt crowd as it is with the Zeppelin-adoring stoner set. So saddle up if taking a bunch of downers and listening to a psych-tinged Americana jam session sounds up your alley. The Wind + The Wave opens. — CG

Lil Flip at Hailey's
Lil Flip is performing at Hailey's in Denton tonight because he can do dat. And also because he probably doesn't have much else to do these days. — CC

Spaceballs at Strauss Square
Whether you've seen it once or a million times (or never!), Mel Brooks' intergalactic classic is a must-see on the big screen. Enjoy it from a blanket on the lawn of Strauss Square this evening and pretend you're in your very own Eagle 5! Wear a black trash bin on your head and go as Dark Helmet! Or put pizza on your face and go as Pizza the Hutt! Bring your dog and make him Barf! (Don't do that, actually.) Whatever you do, just don't miss it, Dink. — James Wallace

Aaron Lewis at Billy Bob's
In recent years, the former Staind frontman has gone back to his “roots.” Now he's a little bit country and a little bit butt-rock (and roll, we suppose). — CG

Decade: The Public Trust 10-Year Anniversary
On Saturday in Deep Ellum, The Public Trust is holding an exhibit called “Decade” that's also fittingly named, as it celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the gallery that launched in Denton later moved to Deep Ellum in 2007. Featuring everything from prints to installations, the show will kick off at 6 p.m. — SM

Sunday
Mario Kart 64 Tournament at Three Links
Can you stand the heat of Bowser's Castle? Are you steady enough to hit all three jump-shortcuts on Koopa Troopa Beach? Have you the guts to even try the make-or-break cheat on Rainbow Road just once? Come find out in this afternoon's, day-long, 32-person racing competition for the ages. Entry is $10, with our champion taking home $200, our second-place finisher earning $100 and our third-place finisher getting $20. Find the official sign-up details here. By all means, though: Come out and hang, either way. We'll have multiple TVs and systems set up for goofing around, battle matches and side competitions. As Peach says: “Here we go!” — PF

Vans Warped Tour at Gexa Energy Pavilion
A great way to kick off this summer is getting hot and sweaty at the annual Vans Warped Tour. While the lineup may not necessarily be quite as great this year as it has been in years past, you can still get that killer tan you've been wanting. Bands attending Warped Tour this year include Anberlin, Crizzly, Cute Is What We Aim For, Crown The Empire, Mayday Parade and about a gazillion more. — AG

Elm St. Music and Tattoo Festival at Three Links
Wind down the five-day music and tattoo festival with one last hurrah. Putting a cap on things will be The Reverend Horton Heat's Jim Heath performing a solo set, plus offerings from Homer Henderson, J. Charles & the Trainrobbers and Slowride. — CG

The Past is a Grotesque Animal at Texas Theatre
Six albums into of Montreal's career, the band made the dramatic shift from technology-shunning, '60s-aping to making some of the most interestingly chaotic, electronic-influenced pop music of the aughts. For the seven albums that followed the sea change in philosophy, frontman Kevin Barnes took to writing and recording most of the works himself, partially alienating his friends, family and bandmates in the process, and discovering alter egos in the depths of his personality. For seven years, filmmaker Jason Miller (American Horror Story, Sons of Anarchy) has followed the band while putting together his doc, The Past is a Grotesque Animal, which is undeniably the most revealing examination of Barnes struggles to reconcile the value he places on art versus how he treats those around him. While those deficiencies may not make Barnes the greatest role model, they are part of what makes him one of the most interesting artists of our time. — CG

Andy Grammer at House of Blues
We wonder if the singer of the positivity-promoting single “Keep Your Head Up” realizes that his song is so played out that, at this point, hearing it makes us want to do the exact opposite? But if a gratifying message is something you're lacking in life, then by all means join Andy Grammer tonight at House of Blues as he continues to spread his words of positivity on his summer tour across the country. — CC

Trinity River Revel at Trinity River Corridor
Ever wondered what the underside of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge looks like? No? Well, you still might be interested in the next phase of West Dallas' makeover, which includes the grand openings of four new projects tonight (read: the Continental Avenue Pedestrian Bridge, The Trinity Skyline Trail, The West Dallas Gateway Plaza, The Sylvan Avenue Bridge). — CG

James Taylor at Verizon Theatre
The “Fire and Rain” singer will perform his greatest hits with his all-star band at this one. It should be a lot less sleepy than some of his previous, solo acoustic stops through town. — CG

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

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