What’s Cookin’ in The Cliff This Weekend?

The Killdares (Photo: The Killdares)

There’s a lot going on this weekend, so I’m just going to jump right in.

Tonight at 7 p.m., the Beehive Design Collective, a nonprofit political-arts group “dedicated to ‘cross-pollinating the grassroots’” will be presenting their newest work, Mesoamérica Resiste, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff. The work is the final installment in a trilogy of graphics that depicts everything from free trade and the drug war to inspiring stories of grassroots organizing and collective action.

Also at 7 p.m., beloved regular Bill Longhorse will take the stage at Bar Belmont.

Carolyn Wonderland (she of the Austin Music Awards “Best Female Vocalist 2011/2012″ fame) takes the stage at 8 p.m. at the Kessler Theater with special guest Jason Elmore.

I’m not exactly sure what a “psychedelic freakout” is, but it certainly sounds entertaining. If you’d like to get your colorful freak on (minus the hallucinogens of course), the party’s going down at 10 p.m. tonight at Texas Theatre.

Keep reading for more weekend fun!

If you’re interested in meeting your local crime fighters and the unsung heroes who keep our city safe, stop by Lincoln High School at 10 a.m. for the “Chief of the Beat” fair. Dallas police officers and firefighters as well as other city service workers will be on hand to teach about crime prevention and offer safety and health tips.

On Saturday at 2 p.m., the North Oak Cliff Library is teaming up with the International Museum of Cultures to present a special Library Live involving three things you might not generally put together – trash, nature, and music. Kids will get to learn how trash can be reused and recycled, examine musical instruments made from nature, and then make their own instruments out of everyday objects.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Congressman Marc Veasey will host an open house at his new office in the Chase Bank building at Sylvan and Fort Worth Avenue. Stop by for light refreshments and the opportunity to meet your new congressman and his staff, and to find out how they can serve you.

At 4 p.m. on Saturday, Texas Theatre is presenting three Oscar-nominated short films – King’s Point, Mondays at Racine, and Inocente. In what is one of the coolest movie events I’ve heard of in a while, at 8 p.m. they’re presenting Japanese silent classic Orochi: The Serpent with a live score by band Montopolis. The Behind-the-Screen comedy show follows at 11 p.m., with Grant Redmond, Christian Allan Hughes, Chris Darden, and Dante Martinez taking the stage.

If you love fashion and want to see how the local talent stacks up against the Fall 2013 looks that headed down New York’s runways last week during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the Pin Show is the place to be Saturday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Green Warehouse in the new Trinity Groves concept for a pre-party, complete with a bar, food trucks, and music. The show kicks off at 8 p.m., and will be full of amazing designs – plus there are three ‘Cliffers whose work will be featured – so go and support!

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, the Oak Cliff Cultural Center will present  a special edition of Verve & Rhythm in honor of Black History Month. B. Randall will host this evening of spoken word poets and special guests Inner-City All Stars will perform with their brass, jazz, and funk band.

Traditional Celtic music meets modern rock ‘n’ roll when The Killdares take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Kessler Theater. Special guests Home by Hovercraft open.

At 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Texas Theatre will present two more Oscar-nominated short documentaries – Redemption and Open Heart. Stick around after for the Oscar-viewing party, which starts at 6 p.m. and “is a fine opportunity to dress to the nines and party like a star!” (Yes, this means drink specials).