Arts & Culture in University Park

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra speeds up audiences’ heartbeats from adagio to allegro with a thrilling lineup of classical and contemporary performances. Radiating the enthusiasm and boasting the musical chops of the Fab Four themselves, Twist and Shout will give the symphony a night off on May 11, taking the stage for a night of Beatles classics sure to delight hair-shaking moptops and headbanging whiskbrooms. The Meyerson's world-class acoustics and magnificent, shoebox-style chamber will imbue hits including "Hey Jude," "Yesterday," and "A Hard Day's Night" with a epic quality—not unlike having Charlton Heston read a grocery list aloud.

The AT&T Performing Arts Center is a cluster of cultural facilities and venues at the heart of the Dallas Arts District.

Since age 3, Dana Bailey has been twirling to her own beat, progressing from childhood cha-chas to appearances in promotions for Pepsi and JC Penney. After studying under instructors in California and New York City, Dana now offers pintsize patrons the same opportunity to get a head start in the performing arts with child and teen dance classes. She enlists working industry pros to wrangle kids as young as 2.5 in tap, ballet, and tumbling classes atop pliable wood and marley floors.

The boys' tap, jazz, and hip-hop classes accommodate a demographic often overlooked by the dance industry and prepare a studio team for local and national performances. Instructors regularly glean pointers from top national choreographers to craft classes such as Teen Hip Hop, which equips students with basic moves and combos that, much like the prom held outside the Grammys, are set to a soundtrack of current hits.

Movie Tavern transfixes one's taste buds and imagination by blending all-digital cinema with premium seating and sit-down dining. Moviegoers are encouraged to arrive 45 minutes prior to showtime, so that they can leisurely peruse an extensive menu of chef-inspired American cuisine, from kobe beef sliders to pizza and sandwiches. Nimble and unobtrusive servers slip in during the show to deliver orders, and can be called on for more drinks or dessert with the push of a button. At select locations, guests can opt to sip margaritas or signature cocktails at the bar before heading in to see a show. Audiences get to enjoy first-run films every week, retro cinema every Tuesday and Thursday evening, and breakfast food paired with early morning movies on Saturday and Sunday. While geared toward adults, the family-friendly establishment also serves finger food for kiddies along with film-inspired dishes. Guests can head to the bar or straight to the movie without ordering food, giving them some latitude in shaping their night out.

Additionally, Movie Tavern treats audiences to myriad benefits with their membership program. Anyone can sign up for free online to receive one free movie ticket on the spot and one free ticket every year on their birthday, as well as invites to screenings and other special events.

The six-headed hydra of spontaneous comedy known as Four Day Weekend has been wreaking havoc on North Texas doldrums since 1997. Critically adored by the metroplex’s most prominent presses, the group squelches laughter droughts with their weekend bouts of unscripted hilarity. The professional troupe of cut-ups, many with film and Second City Conservatory of Chicago credentials, happily share the tricks of the trade in their four-level training center. Emphasizing “truth in comedy,” the curriculum covers fundamentals such as characterization and long-form improv, giving students the tools they need to extract their inner hilarity or survive an hour in a prop closet with Greg Proops.

Off Through the Woods is an adventurous fairy-tale musical that follows a few familiar faces, red hoods, and oinking snouts as they head out on a journey into the great unknown. Check out Arena's Facebook page for some inside information and a sneak preview of the production. Arrive at your preferred showtime to take in the original sights and sounds and to find out exactly what lies on the other side of the rainbow.