It’s not quite summer, but not yet fall. The temperature’s cooling down, the air is getting a little crisp, and the events are starting to pile high as school is back in session. As we collectively mourn the announcement of the closing of Denton’s beloved Mable Peabody’s (stay tuned — Glitterbomb intends to find a new home), we’re reminded how important it is to support local art, music, and the Denton venues we still have.

Houston is in dire straits. Have you donated money or offered aid to the victims of Hurricane Harvey yet? If you haven’t been able to, there’s still plenty of chances to help affected families this weekend through events like this Sunday’s Breakfast and Beats at Backyard on Bell, or Planned Parenthood’s Period Kit-making event on Thursday. 

Check out this weekend’s update for opportunities to show Houston some much-needed love.

Thursday 9/7

Help Make Period Kits for Hurricane Harvey Victims
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Planned Parenthood is hosting a Hurricane Harvey relief event aiding women who have been affected by the storm by assembling emergency period kits. These kits will be taken to Houston and the surrounding areas by Dallas organizations contributing to relief efforts. Those who wish to join and offer a helping hand are asked to bring heavy- and regular-flow tampons and pads as well as travel-size feminine wipes. In most disaster situations, feminine products are often overlooked during donation hauls despite the need for them. As a thank-you to attendees, PP will be hosting live music, food, and drinks during the event.

Those who cannot attend but wish to help are asked to donate the organizations listed in this Texas Monthly piece:

Killer’s Tacos Open Mic
Killer’s Tacos
7:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Free

Come out for your weekly taco fix at Killer’s Open Mic night. Local comedians such as Joe Coffee and Nick Fields are sure to hit the stage as well as other local comedy and music acts. To keep these Killer’s mics comin’, be sure to try out one or two of Killer's killer tacos. 
It’s gonna be, uh, killer. 

Friday 9/8

Sundown’s 6th Annual(ish) Short Works Festival
Black Box Theatre
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
$12 general, $10 students+seniors

Sundown’s Collaborative Theatre is putting on a SMASHED MASHUP, a series of short shows at the Point Blank Black Box Theatre this Friday. These performances vary in style and form, but all focus on the “chaos of contemporary life” and the ways in which we handle unexpected situations. As a bonus, your festival program can be brought back to another Black Box performance for $8 off. 

The Bearded Monk’s PJ Movie Night: Labyrinth
The Bearded Monk
9:00 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Free

David Bowie and sleepover fans alike rejoice! The Bearded Monk is hosting a pajama movie night featuring the cult classic Labyrinth. For late night movie munchies, the Monk’s going to have popcorn available from Denton’s Du Pop In candy shop. Wear your comfiest slippers, bring some pillows, and cuddle up to one of the most iconic movies of the 80s. Goblin army not required for entry.

Chew, Orcanaut, Sunbuzzed, and Fun Button at BYOB
Backyard on Bell
9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
$3 entry

Keep your Friday night funky with some mad decent live music at Backyard on Bell. $3 covers your entry to see Denton bands Orconaut, Sunbuzzed, and Fun Button, as well as featured band CHEW, an Atlanta-based experimental psych group with an edge. CHEW merchandise will be available onsite for sale.

Saturday 9/9

Denton Arts & Autos Car Show
Downtown Square
9:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.

Rev up those engines and head downtown for Denton Main Street Association’s 18th Annual Arts & Autos show! Unique and classic cars will be lined up along the square’s perimeter for oohs and aahs, and local art will be showcased throughout the event. A silent auction will take place inside the courthouse, and the DAAC’s Chalk Fest will be in full swing, so be sure to check out the work of those competing for top prizes.

Just a warning: the city will be closing off areas of Elm, Locust, Hickory, and Oak in and around the courthouse/square. Overnight parking on Friday evening is strongly discouraged as these spaces need to be reserved for auto show participants. Some advice: show up a little early to find parking in the bigger parking lots surrounding the event.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s at BYOB
Backyard on Bell
5:00 p.m.to 11:00 p.m.
$2 cover

Come to Backyard on Bell for food and drinks benefiting the research pursuits of the Alzheimer’s Association. The Famous Dumpling Bros. food truck, The Meltdown Ice Cream & Dessert trailer, and the 7 Sisters Gourmet food truck will all be making an appearance for this event. Music by Denton blues swing band Little Elmo and The Mambo Kings will be provided. 
All money made at this event directly benefits the Alzheimer’s Association.

Sunday 9/10

Breakfast and Beats Hurricane Harvey Relief Fundraiser
Backyard on Bell
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Free

This isn’t your usual installment of Breakfast and Beats, you guys. Backyard on Bell is selling $1 pancakes, and each dollar made is going to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Kind Beats, your fave Breakfast and Beats artist, is dropping his newest album, Music to Enjoy Summer To, online. All sales from this release will also go toward Hurricane Harvey relief organizations. As per usual, BYOB has their $2 mimosas, breakfast pizzas, and food trucks available to round out your Sunday morning. 

Dallas Cowboys Season Opener at East Side
East Side Social Club
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Free

This one’s for Cowboys fans. Get your football on downtown at East Side Social Club for the Dallas Cowboys vs. the New York Giants. East Side is putting up the first big game of the season on every television with the sound on. Limited-edition ESSC Dallas Cowboys T-shirts will be sold, and the usual run of various food trucks will fill up the East Side Patio. 

Confederate Monument Protest
Downtown Square Lawn
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Bring your protest signs and your community support to the square for the Sunday night protest against the Confederate monument on the south end of the courthouse. Willie Hudspeth, a longtime Denton resident and activist, has regularly stood outside the Denton courthouse for hours at a time in peaceful protest regarding the placement of the Denton Confederate monument across from LSA. This Sunday night there will be a community rally standing in solidarity with Willie against the statue’s position on the square and the proposition to remove it. Those who can’t attend are asked to share their concerns with the Denton County Commissioners Court. 

MNKR, North by North, and Sunbuzzed at Backyard on Bell
Backyard on Bell
9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Free

End your Sunday night and preface the next long week with one last show at Backyard on Bell. Sunbuzzed goes on first at 9:00, Chicago’s North by North is up after, and Denton’s MNKR will close. No cover for this show, but as always, donations for the bands are highly recommended. Support local art, folks.

Header image by Christopher Rodgers