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Arts & Entertainment

Red River revelry: Parties, music and more fun events during Texas-OU weekend

Falling in shades of orange and red all over Dallas this weekend is the thrashing and crashing of helmets, pads, and smack talk. The Texas-Oklahoma Red River Showdown game happens this Saturday at the Cotton Bowl in Fair Park.

Caravans of Sooner fans and loyal Longhorns will be tailgating for the nation's third greatest football rivalry on Saturday morning. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. But long before you pop a top in a tailgate lot, you can flaunt your fandom full out at other parties on Friday and Saturday.

Neutral Party Zones

Show Choir Showdown: The Singing Sooners from Oklahoma and the the Longhorn Singers from Texas hold a sing-off every year at the Galleria Dallas. Find them in the Center Court on Level 1. Oct. 9 at noon. 13350 Dallas Pkwy., Dallas. 

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The Reunion: It's unlikely that any kissing and making up happens at this Friday night festival on the lawn at Reunion Tower, but "The Ultimate Happy Hour" starting as soon as the gates open at 4 p.m. could help. A $40 fan pass gets you in to hear Fitz & The Tantrums and Trombone Shorty perform before the big fireworks show and this year's headliner, Weezer, takes the stage. Oct. 9. Festivities start at 4 p.m. 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas.

Jerry Jeff Walker at The Rustic: The "Mr. Bojangles" singer and Texas country icon croons for those in crimson or burnt orange this weekend. He's headlining on Friday and his son, Django Walker, will open for him. Tickets start at $25. Oct. 9. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 3656 Howell St, Dallas.

Red River Shootout at Capitol Pub: To get your fill of state fair foods without actually going to the game in Fair Park, head to Capitol Pub for fair food specials, half-price pizzas, $1 off all Texas drafts, and live game coverage. Keep the celebration going through the night as DJ Mike D spins in at 10 p.m. on Oct. 9 and DJ Kwasar closes out the weekend at 10 p.m. on Oct. 10. 2401 N. Henderson Ave., Dallas.

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The Showdown Half Marathon and 5K: Run a race for your team. This is the fourth year of Fairview, Texas hosting a pre-game race, complete with Texas-orange or OU-red swag and team-themed medals for finishers. Wear those colors with pride all the way to the end where a big screen TV awaits you for game watching. Parking can be found at 372 Town Place, Fairview. Oct. 10 at 7 a.m.

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Game Day Brunch at The Nodding Donkey: If tailgating food isn't your cup of tea, your options get brunchier at The Nodding Donkey, opening early on game day (Oct. 10) at 8:30 a.m. brunch will be served along with $3 mimosas, manmosas, and bloody marys. Brunch ends at 2 pm, but the brunch specials carry over to Sunday, Oct. 11, starting at 10 a.m. 2900 Thomas Ave, Dallas.

TX/OU Watch Party at Granada: Watch the game on one of the biggest screens you can find at the Granada. $20 gets you a ticket, a seat and a plate of fajitas. Oct. 10. Doors open at 10 a.m. 3524 Greenville Ave, Dallas.

Oklahoma Sooners fans at the Cotton Bowl last year
Oklahoma Sooners fans at the Cotton Bowl last year(Andy Jacobsohn / Staff Photographer)

The OU Club of Dallas

If you want to see red all over, Boomer Sooner your way to an OU Club of Dallas event. This year marks the 65th weekend-long celebration of rivalry weekend traditions, so bring your endurance, your crimson-and-cream paddles and some party pants to make the 65th one to remember.

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Thursday, Oct. 8

Sherlock's Happy Hour: Starting at 6:30 pm, Sherlock's Baker Street Pub will be booming with Sooners. The event is  free, but OU Club members in attendance can win a chance to purchase game-day tickets. 9100 N. Central Expy., Dallas.

Friday, Oct. 9

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The Beat Texas Party: Party down at the Hilton Lincoln Center for another year of music, giveaways, OU vendors and special appearances by The Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, Sooner Spirit Squads, Ruf/Neks and mascots Boomer and Sooner. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Tables are available for purchase. Doors to the party open at 8 p.m., but you can count on party pre-gaming happening before then in the bar upstairs. 5410 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy, Dallas.

Saturday, Oct. 10

Game Day Transportation: Bus service to and from the game, leaving from the Hilton Lincoln Center, will be offered by the club. Tickets start at $30 or $25 for members. Loading begins 3.5 hours before kick off, departing 3 hours before, returning when filled. The last bus leaves 1.5 hours after the game ends.

Official Game Watch Party: Henderson Tap House will be home the official watch party place for members of the club not attending the game. Drink specials include $5 OU shots, $3 Coors Light, $10 domestic pitchers, $20 buckets of domestic beer and $24 buckets of imported beer. A portion of the proceeds from those specials will support The OU Club of Dallas Scholarship Fund. 2323 North Henderson Ave., Dallas.

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Texas Longhorn fans at the Cotton Bowl last year
Texas Longhorn fans at the Cotton Bowl last year(Alexandra Olivia / Special Contributor)

The Texas Exes Dallas Chapter

Hook up with the hook 'em crowd at one of many Texas Exes events. If you start early enough on Friday, you might even see yourself on the morning news.

Friday, Oct. 9

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Party on the Plaza: rise early to get to the WFAA Victory Park Studio by 4:30 am. The Texas Exes Dallas Chapter plans to smile and cheer its way into Saturday's game, appearing like a pep rally of burnt orange for the live recording of ABC's News 8 Daybreak show. School colors, signs, banners, and the use of the hashtag #IAMUP are encouraged. The show starts at 5 a.m. and ends at 7 a.m. Parking is free at the meters on Houston St. until 8 am or in the W Hotel lots for two hours. 3030 Olive St #101, Dallas.

28th Annual Get Teed Off at OU Golf Tournament: after smiling big for your television debut you can get all teed off Firewheel Golf Park with other Dallas Texas Exes, raising money for their scholarship program. The event begins at 8 a.m. and shouldn't last past 4 p.m. 600 West Campbell Rd., Garland.

Red River Rivalry Pep Rally: bring it on at the pep rally with Bevo the longhorn and the UT Spirit Squad at the University Co-op in Dallas. Free popcorn and balloon art will add to the fun. You can win prize giveaways or get your game day pin. The rally lasts from 1 - 4 pm. 7700 Northwest Hwy, Dallas.

Bash Before the Clash: The big pre-party happens at one of the favorite event spots for Dallas Texas Exes events: Dodie's Reef. The event is free to enter, free to park, drinks are on special for the Longhorns and door prizes will be given out. The party starts at 7 p.m. and picks up again at Dodie's the next day for a watch party. 2821 Greenville Ave., Dallas.

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Saturday, Oct. 10

Official Texas Game Watch Party: Longhorns reconvene at Dodie's Reef the next day at 11 a.m. for kickoff. Drink and food specials have yet to be announced, but will be available along with a "special door prize" for one lucky Longhorn in attendance. 2821 Greenville Ave., Dallas.

Texas Pregame Tailgate: It doesn't cost a thing to tailgate with the Texas crowd; just find a way to get to gate 5 (Grand Avenue entrance) on the Fair Park grounds. The official tailgate begins at 8 a.m., running broadcasts until 10:30 am. Beer, soda and water will be available for purchase. Admission is free. 3550 E. Grand Ave., Dallas.