I’m Sue Krider, the high-rise real estate authority in DFW. I have lived and worked in Dallas for many years. I take great pride in keeping my finger on the pulse of so many things in our area, including the depth of entertainment booked in our region, fall sporting events (Go Cowboys!), a diversity of award-winning restaurants – especially the new ones – festivals, and more.
Here are a few choice ideas to fill up your social calendar.
Considered one of the most influential English electronic bands ever, Depeche Mode’s songs like “People Are People” and “Enjoy the Silence” put them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band makes a rare stop at the American Airlines Centeron October 1.
Let’s do the Time Warp again! Dallas Theater Center’s production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Kalita Humphreys Theater is a campy classic is the story of sweethearts stuck in a bad storm before entering Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s eerie mansion and then losing their innocence … forever! See it at the local theater now through October 29.
Chris Urmson is an engineer/entrepreneur known for work on self-driving cars, instrumental in pioneering and advancing the development of autonomous vehicles. On October 3 Urmson speaks as part of the Tate SMU Lecture Series in McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
In a bold new move, Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Corrine Bailey Rae performs from her years-in-the-making Black Rainbows project. See her act on October 3 at The Texas Theatre.
On October 5 Jen Fulwiler takes the Winspear Opera House by storm! The savvy comedic voice has been featured on “The Today Show” and CNN and has viral social media sketches that have racked up millions of views.
Close your eyes and you’ll think you’re listening to the real thing. Eastern bloc musicians Leonid & Friends are known for their take on the songs of the Hall of Fame brass rock band, Chicago. Hear what everyone is talking about on October 5 at the House of Bluesin Dallas’s sleek Victory Park
With soaring melodies, shattering climaxes, and the dark rumbling of signature Dies irae from the Mass for the Dead, Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 3 ends in jubilant, life-affirming exclamations. The Dallas Symphony performs a classic October 6-8 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
On October 7, Dr. Allida Black discusses how the late Eleanor Roosevelt worked tirelessly to advance human rights in the U.S. and around the world. Courageous in a Dangerous World is part of the lecture series at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum
The four-time Grammy-winning collective Snarky Puppy has as many as 20 members in rotation, representing the convergence of American music interwoven with various global accents. They’ll be at the historic Longhorn Ballroom on October 7.
With his “Hits Live! And A Little Bit of Christmas” concert, renowned pianist Jim Brickman performs hit songs and holiday favorites in one of Dallas’s most intimate settings, the Wyly Theatre on October 7.
Marvel to the sight of 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash, located throughout the massive Dallas garden at scenic White Rock Lake. Autumn at the Arboretum runs all month and through November 5 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.
Dallas Cowboys football (they’re in San Francisco playing the Niners this weekend) presses pause for a mountain of meat to pull into Arlington with famous pitmasters competing against one another. The Q BBQ Fest sounds yummy. It’s in Arlington on October 7-8 at AT&T Stadium.
Fans love the British-Irish comedian Jimmy Carr’s deadpan delivery, and infamous one-liners that are often lauded and lambasted, all at the same time. He’ll be at the Majestic Theatreon October 9.
Formed in the late 1980s, the Orion String Quartet is the quartet-in-residence at the prestigious Mannes College at the New College in New York City. They perform on October 9 as part of the Dallas Chamber Music Society’s latest slate of concerts at SMU’s Caruth Auditorium.
Elevation Nights is a full worship experience featuring noted minister Steven Furtick leading the arena in song, including hits “Graves Into Gardens,” “Rattle,” “Do It Again,” “The Blessing” and others on October 11 at the American Airlines Center.
There is even more Chicago in the air when Windy City headlines its own concert homage to Chicago, part of the “Cool Thursdays” series on October 12 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
The composer once described the piece as “a tiny, tiny pianoforte concerto, with a tiny, tiny wisp of a scherzo.” Austrian pianist, Rudolf Buchbinder, joins the Dallas Symphony on October 12-15 at the Meyerson Symphony Center for Brahms Piano Concerto No. 2.
Kitschy and too cool for school. With a memorable crimped straw cowboy hat and outlandish guitars, Junior Brown’s songs (“Highway Patrol,” “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead”) are always a blast. He’s slated to play Oak Cliff’s Kessler Theater on October 13.
As one of the leading voices in Latin music during the 1980s and 1990s, Puerto Rican singer Tito Nieves
earned the nickname, “El Pavarotti de la Salsa.” He’ll be at the Majestic Theatreon October 13.
The popular podcast Welcome to Night Vale produces live shows around the country that are uniquely theatrical taking the audience inside the weird little town where it all began, always with a hearty dose of audience participation. The historic Texas Theatre welcomes the talented cast and crew to Dallas for a show on October 13.
The Tokyo dance ensemble known as Sankai Juku is internationally recognized for elegance, precision, and emotional depth, performing works that are designed to be experienced more than watched. See the TITAS performance October 13-14 at Moody Performance Hall.
High notes and high drama dominate as a singer fights to save her beloved, even if it means sacrificing herself, or whoever gets in the way. Puccini’s Tosca runs October 13-21 at the Winspear Opera House.
Experience the solar eclipse with fellow astronomy enthusiasts while enjoying live music, hands-on STEM activities, food trucks, and more at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on October 14.
Much like the late Guy Clark, Texas singer-songwriter Shake Russell’s career spans five decades of performing in bars, coffee houses and honky-tonks all over the state. See his intimate concert on October 14 in one of Dallas’s finest listening rooms, Poor David’s Pub in The Cedars.
Network TV veteran Lisa Linghas served as a co-host on ABC’s “The View,” and had other roles on CNN, the National Geographic Network, and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” On October 17 Ling speaks as part of the Tate Lecture Series at McFarlin Memorial Auditorium on the SMUcampus.
The Dallas Winds bring superb organist Bradley Welch to the stage for an exciting season-opening concert featuring a performance of Saint-Saëns’ magnificent Organ Symphony on October 17 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Barbara Kingsolver is a bestselling author, winner of the Pulitzer for her riveting novel “Demon Copperhead,” which was a huge hit with readers as well as the literary press. She speaks as part of the Dallas Museum of Art series, Arts & Letters, on October 18 at Temple Emanue-El.
If you love 1980s music, you can’t go wrong with Peter Gabriel, a founding member of Genesis who left to foster a solo career becoming a progressive rock icon with “Sledgehammer,” “In Your Eyes” and much more. He’s at the American Airlines Centeron October 19.
Uf-dah! The celebrated Wine & Crime Podcast is a catchy show made and hosted by three childhood friends, performed as they drink wine and chat about true crime, all in their grating Minnesota accents in Dallas on October 19 at the Texas Theatre.
Volver by Tango Lovers is a musical that features twenty of tango’s top talents, plus spectacular singer Guillermo Fernandez and an orchestra directed by Grammy winner Lautaro Greco, happening October 19 at the intimate Wyly Theatre.
Elegant and sophisticated, the spectacular piano, vocal, and cello duo known as Brandan & James may be the hottest new brand in the world of classical crossover. See for yourself when to play the Sammons Center for the Arts on October 20.
For years, the talented trio Nickel Creek has been the darlings of the progressive bluegrass movement with a fan base that stretches around the world. On October 20 they bring their catalog of memorable songs, along with opening act Monica Martin, to the Majestic Theatre. Speaking of bluegrass, come to Farmers Branch on October 20-21 for the annual Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival. Headliners include Ricky Scaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Del McCoury Band, Suzy Bogguss, plus local players Kristyn Harris and Hailey Sandoz and others.
Delight the senses with a stellar lineup of talented performers, including dancers, singers, and bands, that should keep fans on their feet at Turn Up the Lights, on October 21 at the Wyly Theatre.
One of the most-anticipated theatrical events of the fall season is on the way. Equipped with a potpourri of insults, John Malkovich slips into the role of the evil critic who believes Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, and the like to be weary and dreary. The Music Critic is on October 21 at the Majestic Theatre.
Widely regarded as one of the major influencers of a generation, pianist Ben Fold’s genre-benders include pop and numerous collaborations with other artists. On October 21, he returns to the Meyerson to perform with the Dallas Symphony, which is always a singular treat.
Nick Cave is a cult favorite. Drenched in emo and obsession, the Australian singer-songwriter is the driving force behind the esteemed rock band, The Bad Seeds. He’s at the Majestic Theatreon October 22.
Prolific jazz guitarist Pat Metheny has three gold records, and 20 Grammy Awards, the only person to have ever been honored with Grammys in 10 different categories. He’s booked at the Majestic Theatre on October 23.
Pieces from some of Hollywood’s scariest films take centerstage at the Frontiers of Flight Museum adjacent to Love Field on October 25-26. Candlelight Concerts: Halloween Movie Themes is an intimate, spinetingling concert by the Listeso String Quartet.
Get spooky with the sci-fi horror production classic, Little Shop of Horrors by Lyric Stage. It features an electrifying 1960s pop-rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (“The Little Mermaid” “Beauty and the Beast”), October 26-28 at the Majestic Theatre.
Using state-of-the-art technology, the Man in Black – Johnny Cash – returns, digitally. Johnny Cash, The Official Concert Experience is sensational. His iconic baritone rings, performing big hits with a live band and narration by son John Carter Cash on October 27 under the stars at Strauss Square in the AT&T Performing Arts District.
Chris Stapleton is a record setting singer-songwriter. Nowadays he’s on his All-American Roadshow series of concerts, joined by up-and-comer Charley Crockett and Nikki Lane, the reigning first lady of Outlaw Country. Catch him for two nights, on October 27-28 at Dos Equis Pavilion in the heart of Dallas Fair Park.
Relive the magic of your favorite wizard in the thrilling motion picture Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on the big screen accompanied by the Dallas Symphony, October 27-29 at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
For the first time, pop trailblazer John Mayer is in on a groundbreaking solo acoustic tour playing hits like “New Light,” “Gravity,” “Heartbreak Warfare,” and “Your Body is a Wonderland.” He’s at the American Airlines Centeron October 28.
Samantha Bee is nothing less than a comedic sensation. She was a major part of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central for years and has the distinction of being the program’s longest-serving regular correspondent of all time. Catch her act on October 20 at the Texas Theatre.
Often referred to as the “Sun of Mexico,” Luis Miguel sold over 60 million records worldwide, popularizing bolero in the mainstream market. He’s scheduled to perform at the American Airlines Center on October 29
Finally, end the month with the Dallas Symphony’s dramatic Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) concert on October 31. The concert celebrates lost loved ones with a colorful affirmation of life complete with traditional Latin sounds and dazzling guest artists.
Looking ahead into November and December, mark your calendar for the following:
Chefs For Farmers is a yearly mouthwatering culinary festival that showcases the talents of Texas’s best chefs and food artisans while celebrating sustainability, eco-consciousness, and cuisine. It’s all happening November 2-5 at Dallas’s Old City Park.
That’s followed by a local tradition on November 9 through the last day of 2023 called Holiday at the Arboretum. The seasonal event features a variety of events including a Magical Christmas Village, plus the 12 Days of Christmas and DeGolyer House exhibitions, all unfolding at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden on the picturesque shores of White Rock Lake.
The songs and the moves of the late Michael Jackson come alive when Broadway’s MJ The Musical comes to the Music Hall at Fair Park, a production of Broadway Dallas on November 21 through December 23.
Between classical and contemporary, the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has sold millions of records, experiencing enormous crossover success bringing opera to the top of pop charts. He performs on November 30 at the American Airlines Center.
It’s a beloved holiday tradition – the Dallas Symphony presents Christmas Pops, December 1-3 and 7-10 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. With transcendent anthems, classical holiday favorites, and sing-along carols, plus an appearance by you-know-who, and maybe a bit of snow as well, the annual event is a real beauty.
Close friends and rock star status musicians Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith present a lovely seasonal show that features selections spanning the artists’ expansive repertoire of critically acclaimed holiday albums on December 9 at the Music Hall at Fair Park. The following evening on the same stage, its Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet. Experience the exquisite artistry of an international cast, featuring stars of Ukraine ballet, performing the timeless classic at the highest level of dance technique.
Sarah Brightman originated the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera on West End and Broadway stages and performed at the Concert for Diana and the Olympics. She’s set to perform A Christmas Symphony on December 18 at the Winspear Opera House.
The sensational Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland combines the hypnotic grace and daredevil athleticism of today’s top circus performers with an exciting mix of enduring seasonal favorites. Catch the show December 22-23 at the Winspear Opera House.
The fourth quarter is brimming with wonderful entertainment on stages large and small. For more information on top high-rise properties in Dallas, and a continuing flow of information about the market, as well as community happenings and special things to see and do, check with me at SueKrider.com now.
Be sure to check my website at www.dallashighrisecondo.com for more.