SHAUN TREAT
The cold ain’t ready to let go of us yet, with some talking a chance of snow, so the beginning of 2018 requires we keep moving and find indoor fun to occupy our time as the students return for spring classes. Luckily, there’s always a plethora of play to be found, so here are our top weekly #DEN10 events you should be checking out about town. Add your own favorite happenings in the comments!
THURSDAY, January 11th
Freedman Town 2.0 Panel | UNT On The Square | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Freedman Town 2.0 is an interactive gallery exhibition utilizing the Augmented Reality App, Aurasma, to celebrate the life and history of black communities in Denton, Texas. A special screening of select videos is followed by a panel discussion about documenting histories in our black community, led by Professor Carla LynDale Carter-Bishop, UNT faculty filmmaker. Showing through February 3, this exhibit includes large photographic prints of people and places that helps chronicle this rich African-American history and celebrates their legacy.
Benefit Show for Jupiter House | Bearded Monk | 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Downtown Denton has suffered such a loss with the fire that started the night after Christmas, and surrounding businesses took a hit from smoke and water damage, including Jupiter House Coffee. Join the amazing Jupiter House baristas as they serve up hot cocoa for donations while a few of Denton's best musicians play some hot tunes to warm your heart! Joey “Joe Coffee” Johnson emcees acts like Richard Gilbert, Brave Little Howl, and Levi Cobb & The Big Smoke! Thursdays are also always poppin’ with Glitterbomb at Andy’s, a bicycle ride at Eastside, or jazz at Steve’s Wine Bar, so plenty happening close by.
FRIDAY, January 12th
Variety Ball for the Mini-Mall | Andy’s Bar | 8:00 PM – 2:00 AM
The Downtown Mini Mall held a special place in our hearts, so Andy’s put together an amazing show of magic, laughs, and music to raise money for the Downtown Mini Mall and the small businesses that set up shop inside. $5 suggested donation, all proceeds go directly to the Will family, owners of the Mini Mall, and the individual vendors within it.
Punk & Reggae | J&J’s Pizza New Old Dirty Basement | 8:00 PM - 11:59 PM
It just feels good to say that music has returned to the New ODB. As is tradition, they’re keeping it local and weird. Welcome back!
Shiny Ribs | Dan’s Silver Leaf | 9:00 PM - 12:00 AM
A Shinyribs show is an exaltation of spirit, a hip shaking, belly laughing, soul-singing, song-slinging, down-home house party. All styles of American music are likely to be touched on, squeezed on, kissed on by this world-class band featuring Winfield Cheek on Keyboards, Keith Langford on Drums, Jeff Brown on Bass, the Tijuana Trainwreck Horns, and The Shiny Soul Sisters - Sally Allen & Alice Spencer.
SATURDAY, January 13th
Denton Bridal Show | TWU Hubbard Hall | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday is best spent at Jazz Brunch at The Chestnut Tree after some Yoga On The Square, but if your New Year includes plans to get hitched then you should check out Denton’s premier bridal event! Featuring wedding vendors in and around Denton County from venues to florists, DJs, photographers, officiants, event rentals, caterers, and so much more, along with raffle prizes and ideas for making your nuptials special. Afterwards, over at UNT’s Lyceum Theater, you can catch the Democratic Candidates Debate from 3-5pm.
Other Desert Cities | Campus Theater | Jan 12-21
Denton Community Theater kicks off their 2018 season with this compelling and uplifting dark comedy about a California memoir author who comes home for the holidays to test her family bonds with a planned book exposing salacious family history. A finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Other Desert Cities runs through January 21.
SUNDAY, January 14th
Waffles, Wassail & Warmth | Andy’s Bar | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
As the temperature drops, there are many Dentonites without adequately warm clothing, so let’s eat waffles, drink wassail, and watch wonderful music from Boxcar Bandits at this benefit for Keep Denton Warm and Friends with Benefits.
Raised Right Men | Dan’s SilverLeaf | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday at Dan’s you can scoot them boots to some smooth country tunes, then hang out for the Hairy Horror Remix hilarity with movie mashups & sock puppets from 8-10pm.
MONDAY, January 15th
MLK Jr. Day | Martin Luther King Jr. Rec Center | 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
A day of activities and celebration orbit this year’s theme, Freedom Comes from the Strength Within Us, with a 3pm rally at UNT and 4:30pm march to keep The Dream alive.
Be sure to tag your pretty Instagram pics with #WDDI so maybe you make the cut on Monday’s glorious “What We Did” review, and sound off in the comments if you have other fave events to add!