“Now is the winter of our discontent...” 

Well… not yet, really.  Although the winter season technically doesn’t begin for another month, the end of daylight savings time has got us in a bit of a head spin. The sun is setting earlier, Thanksgiving is in a week, and it seems like just about everyone is already preparing for winter break. Where did fall go? 

Regardless of the recent gloomy skies, this weekend is going to chock-full of energy and excitement in Little D. Not able to swing Oaktopia tickets this year? Don’t fret, Dentonites. 
This weekend is packed with live music across various Denton venues, big and small. There’s a huge weekend-long block party at Backyard on Bell with two stages and tons of live music.

Wanna warm up with some indoor fun? Alt venue Bean Cave is hosting a great house show, Paradise Island is showcasing feminist art with Cool Schmool, and Denton Community Theatre is performing Richard III for its finale weekend. If you find yourself still seeking something with a little more fire and flair, there’s a drag show at Rip Rock’s featuring some familiar faces from bars up and down Fry Street.

The urge to cuddle up with blankets will be strong, but you could get outside and see the art, music, and entertainment that makes Denton special. 

Here’s your weekend update, Denton.

Thursday 11/16

Richard III
Denton Community Theatre
11/16-11/18 : 7:30 p.m.
11/19: 2:00 p.m.
All ages
Ticket prices: $22 adults, $18 seniors, $15 students, $10 children under 12

“Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end!”

The second and final weekend of the Denton Community Theatre’s production of Richard III begins this Thursday, and you are NOT going to want to miss your chance to see it. Shakespeare’s classic tragedy follows the blood-filled rise and fall of a man in search of ultimate power. The play has been brought to the Denton stage thanks in huge part to director Brad Speck. Besides assembling an amazing cast and crew for the production, Brad Speck has had custom suits of armor made for the show, as well as trained the show’s stars in both choreography and sword-fighting.

There are several show dates this weekend; there’s no excuse not to see this fantastic production’s finale weekend!

Weirdo Vision: A Pop-Up Apparel Shop
Harvest House
8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
21+

Enhance your wardrobe, enhance your life.

Come score some weird threads at the Harvest House Weirdo Vision pop up apparel shop this Thursday! Unique designs from Meat Paw Studios will be present in the form of hoodies and a wide array of t-shirt styles. Meat Paw will also be showcasing some spooky individual paper prints for sale alongside the featured apparel. There’s also going to be live music via local electronic flavors YSA and Sanford Black. 

Friday 11/17

Jessica Curran Album Release + Reinventing Jude + Leoncarlo
Andy’s Bar
8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
18+: $7 presale, $10 at the door
21+: $5 presale, $7 at the door

Jessica Curran’s debut album is coming out to the public this Friday and we are HERE for it!
Denton artist Jessica Curran has returned home from her travels in Stockholm where she’s been studying and recording. Jessica Curran goes on at midnight, after soulful powerhouse Reinventing Jude and instrumental savant Leoncarlo. 

Hovvdy, William Austin Clay, National Velvet
Bean Cave
8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

There’s a rad and –very- special show going down at alt/house venue Bean Cave this Friday. 
Austin artist Hovvdy will be playing as well as Denton artists William Austin Clay and National Velvet. As always: respect the house and its inhabitants!

Backyard Block Party
Backyard on Bell
Pre-party 11/16: 8 p.m. 
Block Party 11/17 - 11/18: 3 p.m.
Presale tickets: $17 with tax
All Ages

This is going to be the party of the year, y'all.

Backyard on Bell is hosting a huge block party this weekend because they love Denton, live music, and having a good time. Friday’s lineup is stacked with Heavy Baby Sea Lugs, FELT & FUR, Honey and Salt, and more. Saturday is also stacked with Austin bands Sailor Poon, Hikes, and Whit, as well as Denton groups Dome Dwellers, Fun Button, Mother Tongues, Orcanaut, and more. If that hasn’t already ignited enough excitement, BYOB is also hosting a pre-party show free to those who hold 2-day passes.. Throughout the weekend, visual projections and live art installations will be available for perusing thanks to talented local artist Emily O’Connor. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. 

Saturday 11/18

Crossroads Bar New Location Grand Opening
Crossroads Bar: 1125 E. University Drive
6pm-2am
21+

Celebrate Crossroads Bar’s new digs on East University Drive this Saturday. Grab a beer and bring your friends out to see their new place, nestled in the same strip mall where Denton favorite Mable Peabody’s once resided. Help the Crossroads team in break in their new stomping grounds alongside owner and operator Richard Underwood. Bottoms up!

Queens of Fry Street
Riprock’s Bar & Grill
10pm-2am
21+

Sashay, you stay!

Fry street is hosting its first ever drag show, and for a good cause; this fabulous event is donating all proceeds raised to OUTreach Denton, a safe resource that offers support and help for local LGBTQIA+ individuals in need of fellowship. Bars across Fry Street will be sending in one of their own to Riprocks in full drag to compete for the title of best queen! Buy a drink and bring your dollar bills for this charity party!

Cool Schmool: A Feminist Art Show
Paradise Island
6pm-12am

This show is about Intersectional feminism.

Paradise Island is hosting Cool Schmool, a show dedicated to the art, music, poetry, and writings of intersectional feminists from all walks of life. Poets Daisy Salinas, Anjelica Fraga, and Erin Jordan will be presenting their own individual pieces, and music by Ojos, Lorelei K, National Velvet, Elida Catts, and Coin Toss Girl will be playing all night long. There will also be several chances to take home something unique and special thanks to vendors/artists like Muchacha Fanzine, Recovery Art Shop, Elicia Praga, Weaver Zines, marcylink, and more.
Come out, respect the venue, and support your local feminist creatives!

Sunday 11/19

Elk River Sessions Vinyl Release & Free Live Show
East Side Social Club
12pm-8pm
FREE///$5 suggested donation

Elk River Sessions comes to East Side bearing energetic music and kind-hearted intentions. 
The Elk River Sessions group is a collaborative effort of 20 different Denton musicians, all of whom traveled together to the Ozarks in order to produce a fiery and adventurous album in three days. Busman’s Holiday, Friday Mean, Criminal Birds, and The Birds of Night will open up for the Elk River Sessions groups: River Band, Yup Band, Mountain Band, Brush Hogs, and Eagle Band. Pan Ector will have a station set up for printing limited-edition Elk River Sessions shirts, and food trucks will be open serving up local flavors all night. 

While the show itself is free, the Elk River Sessions family is asking that attendees consider contributing small donations of $5, purchasing digital copies for $10, or participating in a special silent auction in order to raise money for friend and loved one Traci Batson as she works to pay off resulting medical bills from her struggle with MS. 

Header image by Cristopher Rodgers