It’s fall in North Central Texas. What will the new season hold for you?
To find out, you could head over to Klyde Warren Park, where Major Tom Schick, a tarot master and fortune teller, will give free readings on Friday and Saturday evenings through Oct. 31 (also known as Halloween). Or you could keep reading to see what other happenings will be making Downtown Dallas the place to be as the leaves change and temperatures turn brisk.
With that in mind, fall is a great time to enjoy cinema al fresco. On Oct. 5, Tom Hanks’ pivotal role in “Forrest Gump” will be shown way, way larger than life as part of Main Street Garden’s Movies in the Park series. Meanwhile, the free Movies at the Dallas Farmers Market series will be screening “100 Foot Journey” on Sept. 22 and “Chocolat” on Oct. 20.
Of course, you’ll want to check out the harvest produce at the Farmers Market as well. But don’t forget that its sheds and pavilions will also be playing host to the third annual Tacolandia on Oct. 7. There, you’ll be able to sample tacos from more than 30 local vendors, all of them competing for top honors in categories such as “Best Barbacoa” and “Most Interesting Taco.” The event will also feature live music and cash bars.
For an even more spirited look at refreshment, check out the Dallas Museum of Art’s “Shaken, Stirred, Styled: The Art of the Cocktail,” which runs through Nov. 12. The exhibit features more than 60 pieces of gorgeously crafted barware and explores the evolution of the modern cocktail in terms of concoction, presentation and (of course) consumption. It also pairs nicely with the Ultimate Cocktail Experience, to be held Sept. 30 at Klyde Warren Park. The area’s best bartenders will work in teams to create six new bar concepts, serving up a grand total of 35 cocktails and six new variations on the Shirley Temple. The 21-and-up event is a fundraiser for Trigger’s Toys, a nonprofit that provides financial assistance and supplemental therapy to chronically ill kids and their families.
If said libations aren’t quite your cup of tea, perhaps you’d prefer to take in “Tom Sachs: Tea Ceremony.” Sculptor Sachs has reworked the traditional chanoyu, or Japanese tea ceremony, in his distinctive modern style. His bowls, caddies, whisks and other ritual accouterments will be on display at the Nasher Sculpture Center Sept. 16 through Jan. 7, 2018.
History buffs will want to make sure they have tickets to “The Assassin’s Assassin: A Case Study of the Jack Ruby Trial” on Sept. 27 at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Judge Brandon Birmingham and former Dallas County assistant district attorney Toby Shook will tell the story of this major trial using newly released documents from the original prosecution.
For an entirely different educational experience, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science’s “Journey to Space” exhibition, which opens to the public on Oct. 21 and runs through Dec. 31, promises to be out of this world. Hands-on displays will allow visitors to experience what it’s like to be onboard an orbiting space station.
As always, Downtown’s Arts District is a veritable cornucopia of cultural activity. The rock musical “Hair” celebrates its 50th anniversary with a one-of-a-kind production at the Wyly Theatre through Oct. 22. On Oct. 29, the Pink Music Festival comes to Strauss Square. Featuring performers such as the Red Wine Band and Paul Rodgers, the family-friendly event will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. And Nov. 2, funnyman — and surprisingly ace hoofer — Bill Engvall visits the Winspear Opera House.
Finally, for a journey closer to home, air up your tires and get ready for the Dallas Bike Ride on Nov. 4. Join the peloton on a 20-mile closed-road route that doubles as a tour of the city. It’s a great opportunity to get out and about with family and friends while taking in Dallas’ notable sights from a different point-of-view.
How will you be exploring all that our great city has to offer now that summer’s heat has broken? Which Downtown-centric fall activities are you most eagerly anticipating? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to share your plans and recommendations.