Though Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow signifying six more weeks of winter, other groundhogs failed to agree. Sorry, Phil, but it seems Texas has gone the way of the others as spring has seemingly got a jump start. Enjoy the is-it-still-winter weather this weekend while you slow dance with your sweetheart at BackYard On Bell, drink to benefit local women’s shelters at Oak St. Drafthouse, speed date at Dan’s Silverleaf, and cheer on the local arts and music scene with the first ever DAM Awards at Campus Theatre. If you can’t squeeze all of these happening events into your weekend, peruse this little list to help guide you to a few fun functions.

Thursday, February 9th

Curtain Up!
PAAC, 6 PM
Artists Enclave of Denton County invites you—adult and youth performers, technicians, volunteers, and supporters of the dramatic arts—to Curtain Up!, a networking event for all things theater. They’ll be sharing the latest on upcoming auditions and productions, and there will be an informative discussion with an Actors Equity Association representative. Plus, there will be a raffle benefiting Denton County Friends of the Family (DCFOF), complimentary samples of Denton County Brewing Company’s beer, Otter Illustration work for sale, a $7 from-scratch meal from Big Fatty’s Spanking Shack (with a percent of sales benefiting DCFOF), and more! No admission fee or reservation is required, but to ensure seating and food/drink they ask you to RSVP via the event page or via email at: dentonenclave@gmail.com. Showtime is at 6 PM.

Friday, February 10

Dreamy Valentine’s Slow Dance Party/John Earle Mainord
BackYard On Bell, 6 PM
Join 7Feathers for the initiation of their 2nd Friday Benefit Show at BackYard On Bell. To kickoff this monthly event, they’re hosting a Dreamy Valentine’s Slow Dance Party in an effort to raise funds for SCRAP Denton. (Did you make your corsage out of recycled sewing patterns at SCRAP on Wednesday?) Singer-songwriter John Earle Mainord will serenade the crowd with songs of love and heartbreak. Megan Storie, of Exit Glaciers, joins the bill along with Boxcar Bandits. Plus, BackYard On Bell will be serving up heart-shaped pizza all night. Proceeds from the $5 cover will benefit 7Feathers and SCRAP Denton. Date night begins around 6 PM.

903 Galentine’s Day
Oak St. Drafthouse, 7 PM
Join 903 Brewers at Oak St. Drafthouse as they work to raise awareness of local women’s shelters and to empower women throughout the community with their event, Galentine’s Day. Combining a pint with a Valentine’s Day card, the goal is to have guests sign the cards with encouraging and uplifting messages. The cards will then be given to women being served by domestic violence shelters. A portion of proceeds will benefit Denton County Friends of the Family. They’re also seeking donations of toiletries, paper towels, toilet paper, and coloring books for adults—see event page for further details. Drinking to show a little love? See you there, Denton.

Official DAM Awards Pre-Party
Taps & Caps, 7 PM
Join us, The Dentonite, and get amped for the first ever Denton Arts and Music Awards with our Official DAM Awards Pre-Party at Taps & Caps. Helping celebrate this first-time event are local rap/hip hop artists NikkoNostalgia, Durty Chin, and Elijah Heaps + Nikolai Rya. Armadillo Ale Works and DentonSwag will join this celebratory affair. There is a $3 cover for those 18–20 years of age and $1 for those 21+. Come pre-party with us!

Thor Johnson, Psychic Killers, Slackbeat, Flesh Narc
Cleemus and Ploumpesti’s, 9 PM
Long-time Dallas artist Thor Johnson makes the trek to Denton to share his work. Joining him are the raw and noisy sounds of Psychic Killers, Slackbeat, and Flesh Narc—this will be Flesh Narc’s tape release show. DJ Flat Earth will spin between sets. See event page for address. Music starts at 9 PM. Free!

Comedies Anonyme
Andy’s Bar, 9 PM
Join the Denton Comedy Festival for Comedies Anonyme, a night of lulz, laughs, and lifted spirits. Hosted at Andy’s Bar, there will be music from Juicy the Emissary, The High Moons, and Bomb Quixote. The show is free, but there is a $5 suggested donation—or you can bring an unopened package of feminine products—to benefit Denton County Friends of the Family. Let’s gather to laugh, drink, and listen to live music for a good cause, shall we?

Saturday, February 11

The 2017 DAM Awards
Campus Theatre, 7 PM
It’s here, y’all! The first ever Denton Arts and Music Awards will highlight Denton’s finest artists and musicians through a variety of different categories. Hosted by yours truly, this all-ages event is free; however, there is a $5 suggested cash donation at the door to benefit a children’s art advocacy program. The theme for this first-year event is: Red Carpet Casual (personal/creative interpretation is highly encouraged!). There will be lots of live entertainment to enjoy. Plus, Pan Ector Industries will be out creating prints, including a limited-edition DAM Awards poster. After the awards ceremony, the party continues at Dan’s Silverleaf (18+). Join us in celebrating the talented folks of our creative city. Be there with bells on at 7 PM sharp (or a little before to snag a good seat!).

Anwar, Gay Cum Daddies, Supercancer Sunshine, Jesus Chris + The Beetles
The Rabbit Hole, 8 PM
Saturdays are for throwing yourself into the wiles of the weekend, right? Do so at The Rabbit Hole. Glorp Studios presents a sonically eclectic all-Denton lineup, featuring four bands that will deliver a night of experimental/noise rock and punk to this house show venue. Free, but hugs for Emma and Cat of The Rabbit Hole will be accepted. See event page for address.

Goldenjoy, Mink Coats, The Denton Tarantinos
Andy’s Bar, 9 PM
After you wind down from the week, rev up your weekend with a lot of psychedelic surf-rock and a little ambient electro-dance pop. Join Goldenjoy, Mink Coats, and The Denton Tarantinos, as they strut their stuff across the Andy’s Bar stage. If you’re looking for a high-energy show, this is the place to be. Music starts around 9 PM. Free.

Sunday, February 12

Valentine’s Market
Mulberry Street Cantina, 2 PM
Scoop up something special for your sweetheart at the Valentine’s Market, an event organized by the Denton Community Market. Hosted at Mulberry Street Cantina, they invite you to grab a cocktail while you shop handmade good from local artists and artisans. Plus, Beware of Dog will be serving up gourmet hot dogs for hungry shoppers. Spread the love for everything local and come shop! Event begins at 2 PM.

Gals/Pals/ Valentine Speed Dating & Dance
Dan’s Silverleaf, 4 PM
Join the Thin Line Festival for their Gals/Pals/Valentine Comedy Speed Dating event from 4:30 PM–6:30 PM at Dan’s Silverleaf. A $5 admission fee gets you two door prize raffle tickets, speed dating sessions, and comedy performances by Tyler Harris, Sarah Osigain, Colton Jones, Joe Coffee, and Tony Casillas. If you’d like to increase your chances to score awesome door prizes from Movie Tavern Denton, Arché Winery & Vineyard, Karma Yoga Denton, and more, every $5 you donate gets you two raffle tickets. There will be an onsite photographer and a photobooth, so sport your finest (or tackiest) attire. With live music from Sky Window and DJ sets by Nice Up Crew, a dance party is sure to ensue after speed dating. All proceeds will benefit Denton’s own nonprofit film, music, and photo festival, Thin Line. This year’s Thin Line runs April 19–23. Check-in for speed dating is at 4 PM sharp.

HOT Presents: FILTH, Gnawed, CBN, (A)sex, Crisis Actor
Hangout Bar and Dine, 8 PM
House of Tinnitus presents an evening of dynamic and heavy industrial sounds at Hangout Bar and Dine. Join the six bands slated to play—including Minnesota’s Gnawed, Nebraska’s CBN, Denton’s Filth, and more—as they bring you a night of devastatingly dark and naturally noisy melodies. Music starts at 9 PM. Free. Time to get (safely) brutal, Dentonites.

Header Image Photo by Clem Onojeghuo