Free Stuff To Do in Dallas

Here's a smattering of free stuff to do in Dallas and the surrounding area for Jul 17-23:

Thu, Jul 17

• 5 p.m.-10 p.m., every Thursday night, the Nasher Sculpture Center is free. Enjoy live entertainment and yoga, and, of course, the spectacular collection at the museum.
• 6 p.m., teens can take part in a murder mystery theater at the Mesquite Public Library (300 West Grubb Drive) in Mesquite.
• 7 p.m.-midnight, join other acoustic musicians at the Electric Campfire Acoustic Jam at Sons of Hermann Hall (3414 Elm Street in Dallas).

Fri, Jul 18

• 5 p.m.-6 p.m., sample coffee drinks and learn a bit about coffee while mingling with other adults (no children) at Starbucks inside the Parks at Arlington mall.
• 5 p.m.-7 p.m., taste a selection of champagnes and sparkling wines at Brut Dallas.
• 9 p.m., watch "Big" (Tom Hanks, 1988) in the garden at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Bring a blanket to sit on. Food and drink will be available for purchase at the Nasher Cafe.

Sat, Jul 19

• 2 p.m., elementary-school-aged kids will be entertained by Lucas Miller, the singing zoologist at NorthPark Center. Mr. Miller mixes humor, science, and song to keep kids' attention and educate them at the same time.
• 2 p.m., attend a Junie B. Jones party at the Barnes and Noble at Stonebriar Mall.
• 2 p.m., take Modern Dance 101 at the Modern Art Museum in the Fort Worth Cultural District. Members of the Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth Company will introduce participants to the basic philosophies and movements of modern and contemporary dance.
• 3 p.m., meet Tab Lloyd, author of "Free Texas: Free Things to See and Do in the Lone Star State", at the Barnes & Noble in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth (401 Commerce Street). The book covers all of Texas, but includes plenty of things around Dallas and Fort Worth.

Sun, Jul 20

• 11 a.m., learn how to make the perfect paella at Williams-Sonoma. Several different recipes will be provided for all tastes.
• 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., listen to David Lee Schloss on the jazz sax at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street).
• 1 p.m., be part of a Peace Chain at the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art in the Fort Worth Cultural District. The Peace Chain is a performance incorporating dance, music, and poetry and inviting audience participation near the end.
• 2 p.m., enjoy a classical music concert at the J. Erik Jonsson branch of the Dallas public library, across from City Hall in downtown Dallas.

Mon, Jul 21

• 7 p.m., meet author Brad Thor at Books-A-Million in Grapevine Mills Mall.

Wed, Jul 23

• 10:30 a.m., bring your preschooler to NorthPark Center to listen to Liz Covington talk about nature.
• 7 p.m., meet native Texan Jeff Abbott, author of "Collision", "Fear", "Panic", and seven other novels, at the Lincoln Park Barnes & Noble (7700 West Northwest Hwy).