Weekend Update: 12/1 - 12/4

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—holiday lights brighten the Square, the smell of wassail fills the air, and live music sweeps the landscape of Denton, TX. It’s time to finally grab winter clothes (okay, maybe fall clothes) from the attic; so pile on those layers and make this another weekend to opt outside. If you’re more of the indoorsy type, there are plenty of events to suit your fancy. Take a quick glance and let this list help you on your way.

Thursday, December 1

Topophilia: Fall 2016 BFA Photography Exhibition
Cora Stafford Gallery, 5 p.m.

The graduating University of North Texas Bachelor of Fine Arts Photography students invites you to Topophilia: Fall 2016 BFA Photography Exhibition. Featuring works from twenty-two participating artists, this exhibition runs through until December 3rd. Join them Thursday for the opening reception at Cora Stafford Gallery in the Oak Street Hall. Enjoy light refreshments as you see what these hardworking students have been up to. And it's FREE! 

Midway Poetry Night
Midway Craft House, 7 p.m.

Enjoy a porter with a little poetry—perhaps a Saison per stanza (kidding...)—at Midway Craft House on Thursday. And back by popular demand, Elana Patrice Nelson will host Poetry Night once again at this beloved beer mecca. Though the authors being read are not listed on the event page, we’re hoping for a wide range of classics to obscure. Craft beer and poetry—true denton authenticity.

The Movie Music of John Williams
Murchison Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.

Relive some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters with a concert, featuring four decades worth of scores from famed film composer John Williams. This Grammy, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominee has composed fantastic scores for such noteworthy films as ET, Indiana Jones, and Return of the Jedi. Performed by the Wind Ensemble and conducted by Nicholas E. Williams, this sui generis symphonic show takes place in Winspear Hall at the Murchison. Tickets are $8-$10; FREE for UNT students.

The Dentonite Presents: Free Advance Screening of Why Him?
Cinemark 14

Who doesn’t love going to the movies? The smell of popcorn and pigging out on oversized boxes of candy are some of our personal favorite pastimes, and there’s just something oddly thrilling about watching a movie that you can’t just add to your Netflix queue. It’s tough on the budget but lucky for you, you can get the movie theater experience for FREE. Bonus: You get to catch Why Him?, a comedy featuring James Franco and Bryan Cranston before anyone else. Register here for your tickets and make sure you show up early so you snag a seat.

Friday, December 2

Criminal Birds and Moon Waves
Harvest House, 8 p.m.

After the Holiday Lighting Festival, it up with a few beers and a lot of great music at Harvest House. Denton’s own Criminal Birds take the stage with their dynamic indie psych-rock sound, and Dallas-based rock ‘n’ roll band Moon Waves showcases their “unique blend of past and present” melodies. Sounds like a pretty rad Friday, y’all—get out there! FREE. 21+.

2016 Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
Downtown Square, 5:30 p.m.

It’s that time of year again, Dentonites! Head to the Square for the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival and enjoy an evening of festivities. Along with the lighting of the tree, there will be plenty of live music, food, and family fun to be had at this annual community affair. This event is FREE (excluding costs of food and certain activities), though they’re asking for toy donations to benefit Elves Shelves—a nonprofit that helps our community during the holidays. We’d say that sounds like a wonderful trade. Lights will be lit at 5:30 p.m.

FILTH, Felt & Fur and Locations
Taps & Caps, 8 p.m.

Taps & Caps is really on point with their lineups lately and they’ve got two can’t miss shows back to back this weekend. Locations is an audio and visual experience brought to you by Lily Taylor and Sean Miller, based from Dallas. Felt & Fur and FILTH bring the local noise goodness with some tantalizing industrial/experimental soundscapes. Cover charge for 18–20 is $3 and $1 for 21+. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 3

Jingle Brawl Mashup
Lone Star Indoor Sports and Events Center, 5 p.m.

Rough up your Saturday and delve into the world of derby with the North Texas Roller Derby’s Jingle Brawl Mashup. Featuring skaters from across the metroplex, this holiday-themed double-header promises hard-hitting roller derby action. Admission is $10 at the door; $5 with a student ID. B.Y.O.B. (but no glass) and B.Y.O.C. (bring your own chair). First whistle at 5:30 p.m.

Dome Dwellers, TOMKAT, Tråi Bo
Taps & Caps, 8 p.m.

Join Taps & Caps for a night of local love. Denton trio Dome Dwellers, who’ve recently released their Sophomore EP, Ivory Tower, will be showcasing their neo-psych rock sounds. TOMKAT joins to let their “airy, dreamlike textures” soar from their electronic instruments, and Tråi Bo brings the art-rock. (If you were anticipating catching Dark Rooms, that show has been moved to Saturday, Dec. 17.) Cover charge for 18–20 is $3 and $1 for 21+. Music starts at 8 p.m.

West Oak Coffee Bar 2-Year Anniversary
West Oak Coffee Bar, 5 p.m.

West Oak Coffee is turning 2 and this birthday party is gonna be awesome. In addition to happy hour prices on all their craft beer and wine, Armadillo Ale Works will be in the house doing a tap takeover featuring Brunch Money. Pan Ector will also be on-site live printing four brand new designs so don’t miss your chance to add another gem to your t-shirt collection. If all of that isn’t enough for you, there will be cake.

Sunday, December 4

Annual Christmas Tea
The Chestnut Tree, 1 p.m.

Conclude your fun weekend with The Chestnut Tree’s Annual Christmas Tea. For $40 per person, you’ll receive three courses that will be served in traditional afternoon tea service fashion. With everything from; corn and jalapeño jack cakes, to artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit to white chocolate peppermint macarons—each paired with tea—this event sounds too delicious to miss. Reservations are required; see event page for details.

White Elephant Holiday Raffle Party
East Side, 6 p.m.

Join Thin Line Fest for their White Elephant Holiday Raffle Party at East Side. They’ll have raffle tickets available for purchase, with a chance to choose a wrapped holiday gift as your prize. The gift list prizes and raffle ticket costs are still TBA, so keep an eye on the event page. All proceeds will benefit this long-running/local documentary film fest. Beer and prizes: our kind of party.