Free Stuff To Do in Dallas

Here's a smattering of free stuff to do in Dallas and the surrounding area for Aug 28-Sep 3:

Thu, Aug 28

• 6 p.m., sample wines at Crush! A Wine Boutique (340 Parker Square in Flower Mound).
• 6 p.m., attend a lecture, “Nell Dorr and the Idea of Family in the 1950s”, by assistant curator of photographs Jessica May at the Amon Carter Museum in the Fort Worth Cultural District.
• 6 p.m., listen to the Kent Ellingson Quintet at the Dallas Museum of Art's Thursday Night Live. Free general admission to the exhibits. Sketching in the Galleries begins at 7 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m., watch Barak Obama accept the Democratic nomination at Pearl at Commerce (2038 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas). No cover. Stay after and listen to La Conguera Duri.

Fri, Aug 29

• 10:30 a.m., new parents can enjoy a free tour of the Amon Carter Museum. This tour is best for parents of children who can still be strapped in a stroller. The Amon Carter Museum is located in the Fort Worth Cultural District.
• 3 p.m.-7 p.m., take the whole family to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame for free admission. Dinosaur Roundup, Hands On Studio, KIDSPACE, and the Preview Center from the Natural Museum of Science and History are still there, too.
• 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., enjoy the opening reception for artists Jana Miller and Manuel Pecina at the Visual Arts Building at UT Dallas.
• 8 p.m.-10 p.m., listen to St. Paul's Jazz Band at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street in Dallas).

Sat, Aug 30

• 9:30 a.m., relax and energize with tai chi at the Crow Collection of Asian Art.
• Get outside and enjoy nature with these guided nature hikes at Lake Ray Roberts: 1 p.m. At the Johnson Branch Unit (pdf map) and 4 p.m. at the Isle du Bois Unit (pdf map). The hikes are one mile long and free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Bring your boots and binoculars and dress appropriately for the weather.
• 2 p.m., sing and dance along with an American Folk music program at NorthPark Center.
• 8 p.m.-10 p.m., listen to guitarist Francisco Hernandez at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street in Dallas).

Sun, Aug 31

• 5:30 p.m., get in free to the Dallas Arboretum for WRR's Picnic in the Park. At 7 p.m., the Dallas Wind Symphony plays patriotic tunes and classic favorites, followed by a family-friendly movie at 8:30 p.m.

Tue, Sep 2

• 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m., try some zen meditation at the Crow Collection of Asian Art. A fifteen minute orientation for beginners is followed by a one hour meditation. Wear comfortable clothing.
• 7 p.m.-8 p.m., learn how to use your digital camera to its fullest potential. Jim Fichtenbaum will teach participants how to take pictures and create art at the J. Erik Jonsson Branch of the Dallas Public Library in downtown Dallas.

Wed, Sep 3

• 10 a.m.-3 p.m., artist-in-residence Pema Rinzin will create a work of art. A talk with the artist will be held noon-12:30 p.m.
• 10:30 a.m., yoga instructor Esther Malone will lead pre-school children in simple moves and stories at NorthPark Center.