Free Stuff To Do in Dallas

Here's a smattering of free stuff to do in Dallas and the surrounding area for Aug 7-13:

Thu, Aug 7

• Enjoy First Thursday, an evening of arts, culture, entertainment, and late night shopping and dining in the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. First Thursday ends at 10 p.m.
• 8 a.m.-2 p.m., kids ages 5-18, who meet the federal income poverty guidelines, attending Dallas ISD schools can go to the Mayor's Back to School Fair at Centennial Hall in Fair Park in Dallas. Free school supplies, health and vision screenings, other giveaways, and many organizations will be part of the fair.
• 1:30 p.m., learn about the science of the circus at the Natural Science and History Museum at Fair Park in Dallas.
• 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., Fort Worth residents can learn CPR at the Public Health Center (1800 University Drive, Room 116). Register by calling (817) 871-6237.

Fri, Aug 8

• 2 p.m., the Preston Royal branch (5626 Royal Lane in Dallas) of the Dallas Public Library system is having the Creature Teacher over. Live animals from the Americas will be there.
• 6:30 p.m.-11 p.m., watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony live from Beijing at the Crow Collection of Asian Art (2010 Flora Street in Dallas)

Sat, Aug 9

• Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Market Hall (2200 Stemmons Freeway/I-35 at Wycliff in Dallas) has the Viva Dallas! Hispanic Expo. This business expo will have giveaways, product samples, health screenings, live entertainment, and children's activities.
• 9 a.m., relax with a free yoga class at Big Mango Trading Company (1130 North Industrial Boulevard in Dallas). The free class is held the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Right now, Big Mango Trading Company is having a big sale, too.
• 1 p.m., take a guided tour of the Sid Richardson Museum in Sundance Square. 2 p.m., enjoy a live performance by Roberta Atkins about the life of Charles M. Russell.
• 2 p.m., enjoy a theatrical production of "The Tortoise and the Hare" at NorthPark Center.
• Saturday is an excellent day for art openings. 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Mighty Fine Arts Gallery (419 N. Tyler in Dallas) is hosting a reception for Polly Perez and Erik Tosten. 7 p.m.-9 p.m., 14th Street Gallery (1412 14th Street in Plano) is hosting a reception for Mirtha Aertker, Sharon Stevenson, and Gabrielle Castaneda Pruitt. 7 p.m.-9 p.m., The Public Trust (2919-C Commerce Street in Dallas) is hosting a reception for Tonybones.

Sun, Aug 10

• 1 p.m.-4 p.m., take the whole family to the Target Family Fun Day end-of-summer blast at the Amon Carter Museum in the Fort Worth Cultural District. Art activities and free lemonade and hot dogs will be featured. The first 350 kids there will receive a Bullseye buddy.
• 2 p.m.-4 p.m., enjoy an opening reception for photographers Sarah Scott and Carol Strum, potter Randy Findley, and folk artist Cynthia Erdei at the Manske Library (13613 Webb Chapel Road in Farmers Branch).
• 6 p.m., those over 21 can enjoy the Trash Talk Art Opening featuring Polly Wants a Popgun, Thrillbilly Rehab, and Stag Film at Bar of Soap (3615 Parry Avenue in Dallas), a bar and laundromat.

Mon, Aug 11

• 1 p.m.-2 p.m., Suzanne Calvin of the Dallas Opera discusses the book, "Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance", by Felicia Brings and Susan Winter in conjunction with the upcoming opera, "Roberto Devereux"
• 7:30 p.m., watch "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex" (Bette Davis, Errol Flynn) at the Inwood Theatre (5458 West Lovers Lane in Dallas).

Tue, Aug 12

• 7 p.m.-8 p.m., the annual Pachyderm Parade comes to downtown Fort Worth. Elephants from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus will walk down Main Street, starting at the Fort Worth Convention Center and ending at a giant salad between Third and Fourth Streets. Of course, the elephants will be accompanied by clowns.
• 7:30 p.m., watch Seabiscuit on the big screens at AT&T Plaza in Victory Park. Bring a blanket (no lawn chairs, please) and picnic or order food from one of Victory Park's many restaurants.

Wed, Aug 13

• 10:30 a.m., enjoy the antics of Chicken Dog and his person, Darren Peterson, at NorthPark Center.
• 7:30 p.m., watch Rent on the big screens at AT&T Plaza in Victory Park. Bring a blanket (no lawn chairs, please) and picnic or order food from one of Victory Park's many restaurants.