Denton never seems to fall short of community events, and this weekend proves just that. The first ever Band Together Denton takes over ten house venues around town, Dr. Sketchy’s brings the alt-art to the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, Gatsby’s Mansion hosts an Anti-Inaugural Ball, Yo! Denton brings the ‘90s to BackYard on Bell, and, of course, there will be plenty of live music at your favorite local watering holes. Peep this list, and let it help you set your sights on winning at weekending.

Thursday, January 19

 Game Changers Gives a DAM

Game Changers, 3 PM

The first ever DAM Awards is quickly approaching! Join us, The Dentonite, in an effort to raise funds for our ceremonious event—simply sip, eat, and play games at Game Changers throughout the day. A portion of the day’s sales will go to support the DAM Awards, so stop by anytime! Bring cash to enter a raffle for a chance to win a basket o’ prizes. Game Changers gives a DAM and we hope you do, too!

Dr. Sketchy’s Denton
Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, 6 PM

Join Dr. Sketchy’s Denton at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center (GDAC) for a night of decadence and drawing. Now in over 100 cities around the world, Dr. Sketchy’s is the premier Anti-Art School encapsulating the alt-drawing movement. This month, they’re featuring a live model from the North Texas Roller Derby who’ll be sporting her derby garb and “all of the awesomeness you would expect.” It’s only $5 to participate in this alternative art event. Oh, and it’s B.Y.O.B., y’all. 

Brent Best with special guests Matt Woods and Adam Lee
Dan’s Silverleaf, 8 PM

Spend Thursday night in the company of one of Denton’s finest, Brent Best. The well-known frontman of the alt-country band Slobberbone will unravel those walls of noise and deliver a more stripped-down sound through decades of well-crafted songs. Best will be accompanied by special guests Matt Woods and Adam Lee. Tickets are $10 and are available in advance via www.prekindle.com. 

Scammers, Avery Boner, Chokey, CARL featuring Beth Dodds, Octopod
Hangout Bar and Dine, 9 PM

Head to Hangout Bar and Dine for a Freakshow Holiday Hangover Banger. Experience the experimental sounds of Kansas band Scammers and the no-wave rock of Avery Boner and The Blonde Dicks—a tribute band to Eat Avery’s Bones. Denton doom metal band Chokey and Houston free-jazz band CARL feat. Beth Dodds join the bill. Octopod (Garrett Wingfield and friends) will start off the night by showcasing their avant-garde sound. According to the event page, “candy DJs will blow torch your ears in between sets.” Sounds like a scorcher! For those 20 and under there is a $7 cover charge; $5 for those 21+.

Friday, January 20

Band Together Denton: Day One
Denton, TX, multiple venues

It’s finally here! Honor the spirit of Denton and celebrate the scads of talented artists that comprise our city. A two-day house show festival featuring an all-local lineup of 60 bands at 10 houses, Band Together Denton will benefit Mentor Denton—a community-based mentoring program. Friday venues include: Load-In, E Third, The Rabbit Hole, Hettie Hacienda, and Nebulae; and will feature music from: Heavy Baby Sea Slugs, Elijah Heaps, MNKR, Biographies, Dome Dwellers, Leoncarlo, and more. Tickets are available via www.bandtogetherdenton.com, where you can also find a full schedule. Let’s Band Together Denton!

Gatsby’s ANTI-Inaugural Ball
Gatsby’s Mansion, 8 PM

Gatsby’s Mansion is hosting an Anti-Inaugural Ball, a benefit show to support LGBT youth through OUTreach Denton. An endeavor to protest hate, some talented folks from the area will take the stage and make us their musical muses for the night. Gatsby’s Mansion will have boxes ready to accept clothing or stuffed animal donations. (Spring cleaning in winter seems to be in order, don’t you think?) Let’s make a darker day a little brighter with good music for a great cause, Denton.

Dylan LeBlanc, Motel Radio, Jacob Metcalf
Dan’s Silverleaf, 9 PM

Louisiana will be making their mark at one of Denton’s beloved music venues. Shreveport's Dylan LeBlanc, an Applebee’s server turned “the new Neil Young” (later walking away from a major label after two critically acclaimed albums), will explore and share with us the depths of self-doubt and clarity through his Americana folk-rock songs. Motel Radio joins the bill, bringing the “rock ‘n’ folkin’ roll” from New Orleans. Dallas postmodern composer and instrumentalist Jacob Metcalf of Fox & the Bird starts off the night. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. 18+. 

Panic Volcanic, Lydia Low, Bayleigh Cheek
Andy’s Bar, 9 PM

Let out some of your first-week-of-school/work week/Inaugural Day aggression with a little rock and a lot of roll (or, maybe a lot of rock and a little roll…?) at Andy’s Bar. Panic Volcanic makes the trek up 35 from Fort Worth to corrode our eardrums and then love us back to health. Their riff-heavy groove-rock recently awarded them with the title of Best Hard Rock Band at the 2016 FW Weekly Awards. Denton’s own Lydia Low brings her unique blend of macabre storytelling and sardonic commentary to the stage, while Dallas resident Bayleigh Cheek narrates a softer side through her singer-songwriter melodies. Music starts around 10:30 PM. 21+.

Dezi 5, Sam Lao
Taps & Caps, 9 PM

Denton is undoubtedly going to lose control on Friday night at Taps & Caps, as Dezi 5 takes the stage. The Dallas artist makes his last Denton appearance  before he makes his big move to NYC. Dallas hip-hop phenom Sam Lao is opening up with show, making this lineup solid as a rock. As always, shows at Taps & Caps are 18+ with $3 cover and a mere $1 cover for those of legal drinking age. Music starts at 9 PM.

Saturday, January 21

Band Together Denton: Day Two
Denton, TX, multiple venues

It’s the second and final night of Band Together Denton. Saturday venues include: LiberDIY, Dane Manor, The Jagoe House, The Yellow Sub, and Glorp; and will feature music from: Felt & Fur, Pearl Earl, Claire Morales, Exit Glaciers, Fishboy, Marathons & Unicorns, New Science Projects, and more! Help support Mentor Denton—a collective mentoring program—and celebrate our local music community. Tickets are available via www.bandtogetherdenton.com.

Yo Denton! Oldskool Hip Hop Dance Party: The Next Episode
BackYard on Bell, 9 PM

Find yourself chillin’ out maxin’ and relaxin’ all cool at BackYard on Bell for Yo! Denton: A ‘90s Hip Hop Dance Party. Kris Kross those Cross Colours clothes and come out for an oldskool getdown, ‘90s style. Along with DJ sets by Mike Vivid, DJ Aquanot, Lite One, and Swift T, there will be breakdancing, graffiti artists, and Sega Genesis games on a 10 ft. projector. And, of course, there will be drink specials, house-made pizza, and food trucks. According to the event page, there will be some sort of a giveaway (perhaps a Swatch® watch…?) Let’s throw it back, Dentonites. 

Comedy Guerilla Presents: Mascara
Killer’s Tacos, 9:30 PM

Comedy Guerilla, a series of underground comedy shows, is back, and they’re kicking off this new year with the best medicine—laughter. Pop into Killer’s Tacos for a night of laughs with Comedy Guerilla Presents: Mascara, Chapter 6: ANIMO. Featuring comedy performances by Brent Williams, Wilson Wilson, Alex Gaskin, Tony Casillas, Angel Garcia, and more! Plus, it’s Angel’s birthday, so there will be a little extra celebrating going on. Oh, and there will be tacos. Ummm...tacos. Comedy kicks off around 9:30 PM. Free. 

Kwinton Gray Project, Colleen Clark Collective, Brian Horton Trio
Taps & Caps, 8 PM

Jazz has a heavy influence in Denton, though shows such as this are few and far between. Take advantage of this infrequency and shuffle your way to Taps & Caps Saturday. Enjoy a few brews and jazz up your weekend with the Kwinton Gray Project, the Colleen Clark Collective, and the Brian Horton Trio. Each will deliver a unique set to the stage, showcasing their individualistic talents. There is a cover charge of $3 for those 18–20 and of $1 for those 21+.

Header Image Design by Brittany Keeton