Spring festival season kicks off in earnest this weekend, and it's gonna be a great one (beer! dogs! flowers! Irish step dancing!). Without further ado, here are the top picks for the week.
North Texas Irish Festival: The theme for this year's festival is "The Pipes are Calling," which comes from the traditional tune "Danny Boy." Pipers from near and far will perform, and there'll be folk dancing, beer and whiskey tastings, Irish draft horse demos and more. But the fest isn't strictly traditional: Check out dog-friendly activities and a DeLorean (yes, the kind of car from Back to the Future). And, hey, if you're short on cash, leprechauns (in full costume, carrying pot of gold) get in for free.
All Out Trinity: Dust those Cheetos crumbs off of your shirt, get off the couch and head for a celebration that focuses on the outdoors and fitness. There'll be an attempt for the Guinness World Record for the world's largest yoga chain during the third annual Yoga on the Bridge. Strut with your mutt during the mass K-9 Palooza dog walk. The Gravelthon Dallas cycling event includes routes from 6 to 60 miles on dirt and gravel trails. Get the full schedule here.
Dallas Blooms: Yeah, we know it started last week, but it also snowed last week, and this week might be a little better (fingers crossed, anyhow). The annual floral festival at the Dallas Arboretum runs through April 12 with a "Deep in the Hearts of Texans" theme. Stroll among the gardens filled with more than half a million spring-blooming bulbs and enjoy Texas-themed attractions such as Western-style photo ops around a chuck wagon hitched to two horse topiaries, musical acts and special menus at Cafe on the Green. On Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., there'll be pony rides. On most Sundays (including this one) from 1 to 4 p.m., you can see a trick roper.
Spring Break Kickoff: This is the Dallas Arts District's first daytime block party, and you can expect a free sampling of the things that make the district fun. For example, there'll be Dallas Black Dance Theatre performances at the Nasher, yoga in the galleries at the Crow and hands-on art projects at the Dallas Museum of Art. Klyde Warren Park is also in on the action, with family-oriented science experiments, sketching in the park and a skyline tour.
Out of the Loop Fringe Festival: What's new? Find out at this 14th annual festival of theater, dance, music and art. The creative playground will spill over into three theater spaces, the lobby and an outside area of the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre with a mix of new and experimental works by 22 artists and companies. You'll find an extra Texas twang this year, with an emphasis on local artists.
Compiled by Ann Pinson, Shannon Sutlief, Nancy Churnin and Dena Hill
