Free Stuff To Do in Dallas

Here's a smattering of free stuff to do in Dallas and the surrounding area for Jul 31-Aug 6:

Thu, Jul 31

• 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., watch the Dallas Black Dance Performers at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street) in the Arts District in downtown Dallas.
• 7 p.m., KayakPower talks about paddling -- how to do it and where to go in the Dallas Fort Worth area to do it -- at the Dallas REI (4515 LBJ Freeway).
• 8:15 p.m., the Junior Players present "A Midsummer Night's Dream: Bard Goes Bollywood" at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheater (1500 Tenison Parkway in Dallas). Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy the evening. The play runs every evening at 8:15 p.m., Jul 31-Aug 3.

Fri, Aug 1

• 7 p.m.-9 p.m., spend an evening with family and friends at downtown Grapevine's Summer Nights on Main Street. Enjoy live entertainment, free gift basket drawings, and late night shopping and dining.
• 9 p.m., join other fans of "Breaking Dawn" for the release of the book at midnight at Barnes & Noble in Southlake (Southlake Town Square at 1430 Plaza Place), Highland Village (The Shops at Highland Village at 4100 Deer Creek), Cedar Hill (305 West FM 1382), North East Mall in Hurst, and several more stores.
• 10 p.m., Cafe Rembrandt (703 McKinney Avenue in the West End) hosts the Velvet Kittens, a burlesque revue.
• 10 p.m., the doors at Torch Dallas (5631 Sears Street, off Greenville Avenue) open for a concert by Bun B. First come, first served, and doors close at capacity, so get there early.

Sat, Aug 2

• 9 a.m.-1 p.m., the whole family can learn to fish at Ray Roberts Lake State Park at the Johnson Branch Unit (map, pdf). No fishing license is required and door prizes will be handed out.
• 1 p.m., actors from Theatre Arlington will teach three mini-classes for kids at the Barnes & Noble at the Parks at Arlington mall. Reservations are required. Call (817) 472-7559 to reserve a spot.
• 2 p.m., elementary-school-aged kids can participate in an interactive storytelling event with authors Jan Peck and David Davis at NorthPark Center.
• 7 p.m.-11 p.m., gaze at the stars at Ray Roberts Lake State Park at the Isle du Bois Unit (map, pdf). Bring your own telescope or look through one of the telescopes provided. Park at the boat launch in the day use area and meet at the DORBA trailhead.

Sun, Aug 3

• 3 p.m.-5 p.m., tour the Irving Heritage House, a restored pioneer home located at 303 South O'Connor Road in Irving.
• 8:15 p.m., the Junior Players present "A Midsummer Night's Dream: Bard Goes Bollywood" at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheater (1500 Tenison Parkway in Dallas). Bring a picnic and blanket and enjoy the evening. This is the closing night of the play's run.

Mon, Aug 4

• 7 p.m., learn to dance with Lori Hayner at local honkytonk W.W. Fairfield's (147 N. Plano Road, at the intersection of Beltline in Richardson).

Tue, Aug 5

• All day, the Dallas Museum of Art offers free admission for everyone. 11:15 a.m.-noon, kids under 5 can participate in a Summer Story Art Walk -- meet at the Center for Creative Connections.
• 7 p.m.-8 p.m., learn about this year's State Fair of Texas and the future of the Cotton Bowl at the J. Erik Jonsson branch of the Dallas Public Library (1515 Young Street in Dallas, across from Dallas City Hall in downtown). A drawing will be held for a four-pack of tickets to the State Fair.

Wed, Aug 6

• 10:30 a.m., preschool kids can enjoy the antics of Double Bubble the Clown at NorthPark Center.