It’s all about the music and art this weekend in Denton- where it’s at, who’s playing/performing/showcasing it, and where it takes you.

Denton Blues Fest is bringing the funk back this weekend for its 19th year, Voertman’s is hosting a zine party, and the resurgence of XxEmo_ForeverxX has all of us ex-scene kids excited. Denton Community Theatre is putting on a raunchy play, a certain house venue is hosting a stacked show, and Cool Beans is having a celebration for Mexican Independence Day.

Did I mention there’s going to be a creepy clown costume contest this weekend? 

Because there is. 

Here’s your weekend update, Denton. Start planning.

Thursday 9/14

Midnight Opera/MNKR/Dome Dwellers
Dan’s Silverleaf
9pm-12am
$7
Start your weekend off the right way with some mad decent live music.
Dallas glam rock band Midnight Opera (formerly Siamese), Denton’s fav math rock band Dome Dwellers, and the ever-busy MNKR (feels like they’ve had a billion shows recently--- that’s dedication, dude) will be playing a show at Dan’s this Thursday. $7 gets you into the show. 

DCBC’s IT's A Creepy Clown Costume Contest
Denton County Brewing Company
7pm-11pm
FREE
Are you afraid of clowns? Did watching 1990’s IT as a child scar you for life? Do you purposefully hide popup ads on Facebook that show trailers for the new IT? Do you fearfully check for news updates about clown sightings across DFW every October? 

Then this event might not be for you. 

For everyone else, this’ll be scary fun. Dress up in your most terrifying clown garb for a chance to win some Denton County Brewing Co.  prizes. Seasonal taps from Clown Shoes Beer company will be featured, including their Pecan Porter, Bourbon Barrel Aged Pecan Porter, Clementine Wit, and their Evil Crawfish Imperial Red Ale. Getting a flight of these gets you 10% off a growler fill of any one of the four. DCBC will also be playing the 1990 film IT in full, so prepare your best Pennywise impression. 
. 

Friday 9/15

Denton Blues Festival
Jazz Fest Area
FREE
(Fri, Sat, and Sun)
Blues Fest is back! 
Bring your lawn chairs, your kiddos, and your coolers out to Quakertown Park for the 19th annual Denton Blues Festival, put on by the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce. The fest kicks off on Friday night with karaoke and continues through the weekend with live blues acts, local art, and Denton vendors on Saturday and Sunday. Featured artists include Redd Velvet, Walter “Wolfman” Washington, Dana Fuchs, and much, much more. 

Vandalizing the Pops Carter piece of art isn't going to stop the Dentonites from kicking up feet and chilling to bluesy beats. 

Sordid Lives
Denton Community Theatre
7:30pm-10pm
Friday night marks the opening night of Denton Community Theatre’s rendition of the dark comedy “Sordid Lives”. The play, written by Del Shores, follows a small Texas town as it collectively reacts to the untimely and scandalous death of a resident. There’s sex, lots of dark humor, and adult references, so families be forewarned—this fun event might be more suited for a date night, so hire a sitter!

If you can’t make it to opening night, no worries- there will be more opportunities to catch the show on these September dates: 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24

Soul Patrol Album Release + Puddin Taine + Strong Work
Andy’s Bar
9pm-2am
$5 cover
Let’s dance, folks. It’s been three years since funk rock band Soul Patrol released an album, but wait no more--- Soul Patrol premieres their second album at Andy’s this Friday. Strong Work opens at 10pm and groovy Puddin Taine is set to close the night, so you know it’s going to be a good time. 

Saturday 9/16

Mexican Independence Day
Cool Beans
7pm-2am
¡Viva México! Come celebrate 16 de Septiembre at Cool Beans on Fry. They’ve got specials on margaritas and all domestic beers, including $2 single margs and $6 marg pitchers. As a special treat, Sylvia Martinez, a local Mexican artist, will be showcasing their artwork at 7pm and Tacos Del Rey will be selling street tacos starting at 8pm. 

¡Celebramos!

Trai Bo + Sad Cops + Duo Contra + Chilldren of Indigo + Nodji
Happy House
8pm-1am
$5 suggested donation
Holy house show, Batman! 
Happy House has a hella stacked lineup prepared for Saturday. Sad boy vibes from Sad Cops and  sultry sounds from Chilldren of Indigo will be present. Duo Contra, Trai Bo, and Nodji will also be rippin’ it Saturday at Happy House. Respect the house and be sure to bring money for band donations and merch. 

If you don’t know where/what Happy House is, ask your local house show savant.

XxEmo_ForeverxX Vol. II
Andy’s Bar
9pm
FREE
IT’S NOT JUST A PHASE, MOM- THIS IS WHO I AM!

Dig out your old Chucks, layer on some eyeliner, and throw on your old Panic! At the Disco shirt because there’s going to be another installment of Emo Forever this Saturday. The lovechild of Denton’s Matt Battaglia and Christopher Rodgers, XxEmo_ForeverxX is a self-indulgent throwback to simpler times when your biggest worry was choosing what angst-filled song was featured on your Myspace profile page and whether or not your crush was live on AIM.  

If you were fortunate enough to witness the first round several weeks ago, you’ll remember just how sweaty, loud, and emo-motional it got.  Come for the nostalgia, stay for the My Chemical Romance sing-a-longs. 

Sunday 9/17

Backyard Market
Eastside Social Club
2pm-6pm
FREE
Mimosas, football, local goods. Backyard Market at East Side is back for the fall after a too-long summer hiatus. Local shops will be out with goods for your perusing pleasure, Sunday brunch drinks will be present, and football will be up on East Side’s many screens. As always, East Side’s patio is pet and child friendly, so be sure to bring your family along.

Denton Zine & Art Party
Voertman’s
3pm-8pm
FREE
Get crafty at Voertman’s this Sunday.

Denton’s choice art gallery + art supplies provider, is hosting a Zine Party this Sunday afternoon. Entry is free, but don’t leave your wallets at home- there’s going to be plenty of cool and interesting local art pieces, zines, and more up for grabs here. Featuring a DIY “make your own zine” table, live music performances, art, and lots and lots of zines, this event is a great way to round out and close a chock-full weekend. 
 

Header image by Christopher Rodgers