One thing that is certain: Denton is never short of community events. Warm up your weekend (or by the looks of the forecast, you’ll need to cool down) by dancing your way back to the ‘90s, checking out a few intimate shows, and getting some last-minute holiday shopping done. Let this list guide you to your adventures in #dentoning. Stay busy but cozy or cool, Dentonites.

Thursday, December 15

90’s Night in the Backyard
BackYard on Bell, 8 PM
Put on your hyper color tee (don’t forget the t-shirt tie) and dig out those butterfly clips and scrunchies, and head to BackYard on Bell for their monthly installment of 90’s Night. There will be a live DJ set, spinning the songs that will take you back—and plenty of drink specials to get you there. This night will be to the max, y’all. Dance party starts around 8 PM.

The Southpaw Preachers / The Boombachs
Harvest House, 8 PM
Head out to Harvest House early and snag a well-warmed seat for a night of music from two Denton staples. The Boombachs are once again bringing their brand of Space Gospel to the venue’s colorful stage, lucky for all of us. The Southpaw Preachers round out your Thursday night, adding a little grit and a whole lotta funk. 21+ and FREE!

Friday, December 16

Wax Logic / Trouble in The Streets / Kind Beats
The Abbey Underground, 9 PM
Join Wax Logic at The Abbey Underground as they host a night of eclectic music ranging from electronic to jazz to hip hop to world groove. They (Wax Logic) will also be bringing their unique blend of jazz/funk/hip hop to the stage. Trouble in the Streets, an electro tribe trio, is fresh off a midwest tour and is set to showcase their world groove melodies. Joining the bill is Denton’s premier jazz/lounge/trip hop DJ, Kind Beats, who delivers a one-of-a-kind set by incorporating guitar playing and freestyling. Music starts around 10 PM. FREE! 21+.  

Dan’s Winter Market
Dan’s Silverleaf, 4 PM
Dan’s will be hosting a Winter Market featuring handcrafted goodies from local artists and crafters. With a collection of unique items ranging from ceramics to photography to jewelry to books, you’re sure to find something to suit your fancy. Plus, long-time Denton band Brutal Juice will be selling new merch and PamFood will be dishing out the delicious grub. Oh, and there will be wintry cocktails, hot chocolate, and cider to keep you warm. Cash and credit will be accepted. Crafts and cocktails? We’re in. Runs until 8 PM.

House of God’s Chrimbus Special
House of God, 8 PM
Celebrate Chrimbus (Tim and Eric, anyone?) at the House of God. This house show venue “where sin is in” will feature live music from local artists The Moths, Prefontaine, Can’t Hardly Wait, and DARWINtheband. It’s B.Y.O.B. and B.Y.O.C.B. (bring your own Chrimbus bush), so there’s that. Doors at 8 PM, music at 9 PM. See event page for further details.

Saturday, December 17

Feminist Fashion Club: Hemming
SCRAP Denton, 4 PM
In an effort to bring awareness of the exploitation of women and children that is maintained by the mainstream clothing industry, SCRAP Denton will be hosting their workshop, aptly titled Feminist Fashion Club: Hemming. Instructed by Karen Bravo, this workshop will review and discuss Stitched Up: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion and the movie Time Cost. Bring a used or thrifted item and learn how to remove hems/stitches and alter it to fit your body just the way you want. You can purchase supplies at SCRAP, or check out a list of necessities on the event page. No experience necessary! $20.

Matthew Gray / Cantina / Nicholas Altobelli
Redwood Studios, 7 PM
Join Redwood Studios for an intimate night of music and true talent. Matthew and the Arrogant Sea frontman Matthew Gray will be showcasing his intricately placed storytelling lyricism in these cozy rustic quarters. Cantina, the Texas-based supergroup featuring members of Deathray Davies, Old 97s, Apples and Stereo, and The pAper chAse, will deliver their folk-flavored stylings, and singer-songwriter Nicholas Altobelli will have your heart swaying to his poetic lyrics and acoustic melodies. A cover charge of $10 admits entrance and includes tasty alcoholic beverages. This unparalleled event begins at 7 PM.

Jo Higginbotham / i, The Ghost / Jared & The Jewelers / Thrill Bill
BackYard on Bell, 8 PM
Saturdays are for forgetting the next week is quickly approaching, and discovering and experiencing the local talents that reside in our city. Catch a few of them strutting (and strumming) their stuff at BackYard on Bell. Lineup includes alternative bands Thrill Bill and Jared & The Jewelers, alt/indie band i, The Ghost, and singer-songwriter Jo Higginbotham. As always, food trucks and homemade pizza will be available. Music starts at 8 PM. Be there or be square, Dentonites.

Dark Rooms / Rat Rios
Taps & Caps, 8 PM
Delve into the dynamic depths of the indie rock band Dark Rooms, who will bring an undeniable energy to the Taps & Caps room with their subtle electronic textures and alternative rock stylings. Rat Rios. a female songwriter who incorporates visual art and absurd theatre into her dreamy, 80s-like electronic synthpop set, starts off the night. If you haven’t heard or seen either of these talents, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Live music and beer—Denton, you know what’s up. Only $3 for those 18–20, and $1 for 21+. Doors are at 8 PM.

I Am Clark Kent / Tråi Bo / Sunbuzzed
The Yellow Sub, 9 PM
Head over to The Yellow Sub and sink into a night of local rock. Denton’s own new-millennium garage rock band Tråi Bo will be releasing new music—from what we can tell it’s a new song called “Adulthood in the Context of Total Noise” from an upcoming album. Sounds rad! Sunbuzzed will showcase their hauntingly spooky psych/garage-rock sounds, and I Am Clark Kent starts the night off with a little ska ‘n’ roll. Music starts at 9 PM. Free.

Sunday, December 18

Handmade Winter Fair
Juice Lab, 10 AM
Still need to get your holiday shopping done? Check off that list while keeping it local at the Handmade Winter Fair. Hosted by the Juice Lab, there will be an abundance of local artists, crafters, creators, and FOOD! Plus, there will be a vegan hot chocolate bar so you can stay warm. And if this event wasn’t already rad enough, there will be a Toys-for-Tots and Share the Warmth donation station! Shop ‘til you drop, or at least until it ends at 3 PM.

Holiday Brunch
Wine Squared, 11 AM
Join Wine Squared for their last brunch of the year. As always, Laurent will deliver his famous Crêpetopia crepes and there will be a bounty of brunch items to choose from. Oh, and mimosas, all of the mimosas! Fret not cold-weather haters, they will have heaters on the patio to keep you toasty. Snag a spot and enjoy some delicious brunchy fare—tickets are available via the event page. Sundays are for brunchin’, y’all.

Header Image Design by Brittany Keeton