The Residents, Photo Courtesy of The Music Wiki

Because I know that there’s really only one event on everyone’s mind this weekend, I’ll keep this brief. And just in case you haven’t decided what to bring yet, pick up a copy of this week’s paper to find some winning Superbowl snack recipes from local chefs.

If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the legendary studio behind some of the biggest records of all time by the likes of Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Elton John, Santana, and Nirvana, to name a few, then Sound City is the film for you. It’s playing at 8 p.m. tonight at Texas Theatre.

Experimental musicians The Residents are on tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary. If you’re into “sex, shrugs, and anti-rock’n'roll,” they’re playing at the Kessler Theater at 8 p.m. tonight, and again at 8 p.m. Saturday.

More weekend fun after the jump! Read More…

Our office is closed next week for the holiday, so blogging may be light. Before I go indulge in too much sleeping and holiday baking, here’s what’s happening in your ‘hood this weekend.

At 7 p.m. tonight, check out singer (and sometime-photographer) Noah Galaviz at Bar Belmont.

Blues singer Ruthie Foster, whose music has gotten rave reviews from Oprah, performs at 8 p.m. tonight at the Kessler Theater. Folk singer Betty Soo opens.

The Texas Theatre is showing the classic Christmas comedy, A Christmas Story, at 7:15 p.m.tonight, followed by Django (the original!) at 9:30 p.m.

If you’re considering a move during the new year, Kidd Springs Central is hosting an open house at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Kidd Springs Recreation Center.

Bring your kids to the North Oak Cliff Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday when Blanca Margarita Reyna will present a fun and educational program entitled “Christmas in Mexico.”

Catch another showing of A Christmas Story at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at the Texas Theatre, followed by Django at 8:30 p.m. If you like to laugh, stick around till 11 p.m., when Dallas-based comedian Chris Werth takes the stage for a special comedy show.

It’s hard to believe that contemporary polka band Brave Combo has been around for more than 30 years. They will be performing at the Kessler Theater at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Jitterbug Vipers call themselves the  ”only trippy-swingadelic 1930′s rock band on Planet Earth, which sounds like a pretty fun time if you ask me. They open the show, so don’t be late.

You’ve got one more chance this weekend to take your family to see A Christmas Story, at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at the Texas Theatre, followed by Django at 6:30 p.m.

Although the weather has not quite gotten the memo yet, we are officially in the holiday season. It’s probably safe to say that most of the events we post from now till the end of the year will be holiday related, so we hope you’re as fine with that as we are.

If you’d like to attend a fancy party that celebrates the very best of Oak Cliff, head to the Bishop Arts Theatre Center tonight at 5 p.m. for their annual awards presentation. State representative Rafael Anchia is the master of ceremony, and many of Oak Cliff’s finest will be in attendance.

If you like rockabilly music, you may want to check out Fort Worth’s very own, Devin Leigh,  He’s performing at 7 p.m. tonight at Bar Belmont, so head there for drinks and some of the liveliest guitar music around.

A Texas legend, Joe Ely has been called “a pioneer of alternative country music.” With a career that’s spanned four decades, he’s one solid performer. Head to the Kessler Theater to hear him perform at 8 p.m. tonight. Dan Dyer opens the show.

You’ve probably seen Scarface a few hundred (thousand) times, but have you ever seen it on 35MM film? Didn’t think so. In honor of it’s 29th birthday, the Texas Theatre is showing it tonight at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m.

If you’re looking for an event that’s a little different from all of the usual cookies-with-Santa type of events this season is flooded with, bring your kids to the Hampton-Illinois Library at 11 a.m. Saturday for a special Kwaanza program featuring Melody Bell.

Join the Kessler Neighbor’s United on Saturday for their annual “Holiday Lights in  Kessler Park” event and tree lighting. Meet them at 5:30 p.m. on the street island at 1415 W. Colorado Boulevard at Lausanne Avenue.

You may have already read my cover story on today’s paper about Ray Switzer and the Winnetka Heights Neighborhood Association’s holiday home tour. If you haven’t yet, you should. Hopefully it makes you want to see the rest of the beautifully-restored homes in one of Dallas’ premier historic districts. Join them for the tour at noon on Saturday, followed by their holiday party at 7 p.m.

The Wynnewood North Neighborhood Association is also having their holiday party at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Join state rep. Rafael Anchia and his family (again, see above!) at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Kessler Theatre for a family holiday concert featuring Laura Freeman and the Hey Lollies, who “make fun, healthy music for kids.

The Oak Cliff Lions Club is having their Christmas party on Sunday at the Rockwall Wedding Chapel.

It’s hard to believe that December is already here, but before you know it Christmas will have arrived too. If you’re like me, you’re not quite ready to succumb to all things Christmas, so this weekend we’ve got a nice mix of holiday and non-holiday events for you to choose from.

Sure, you could head to NorthPark to knock out your Christmas lists, but as you Oak Cliffers know, you’ll head to the Bishop Arts District if you’d rather purchase unique, artisan made gifts that aren’t mass-produced in a sweatshop overseas. Tonight and Saturday at 6 p.m., they’re hosting the 17th annual Jingle Bells on Bishop, a “neighborhood-style Christmas festival” that is “famous for being the farthest thing from the mall scene.”

I couldn’t find much about Chad Stockslager online, but from what I could gather, he plays and sings in popular local band The King Bucks and sometimes he covers Simon and Garfunkel songs with fellow Texas-based musician Chad Holt. I can’t say for sure whether or not they’ll perform “Mrs. Robinson” or “Bridge Over Troubled Water” tonight at Bar Belmont, but head there at 7 p.m. to find out for yourself.

Check out the Kessler Theater tonight at 8 p.m. for a seriously groovy-good time. Roots singer Tab Benoit will be performing with special guests Somebody’s Darling, and if you’re a blues fan, this is one performance you won’t want to miss.

Although Detrophia is about, well, Detroit, it looks like the type of documentary that could have implications for all major cities across America. If you’re at all interested in learning more about the rise and fall of one of our country’s greatest urban cities, head to the Texas Theatre at 7:30 p.m. tonight to check it out. Also, judging by her enthusiasm, it’s very likely that you’ll see our very own Georgia Fisher there at tonight’s showing, or tomorrow’s (5:30 p.m.) or Sunday’s (4:30 p.m.). Or all of them. In honor of Detroit, they’re also showing 1993′s hit True Romance at 10 p.m tonight, 7:45 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday), and 6:45 p.m. Sunday.

Have you ever wondered about where you come from? About the far-removed branches of your family tree? Confused about where to even start looking for your earliest ancestors? The Hampton-Illinois Library is here to help. Join them at 10 a.m on Saturday when they present Genealogy 101, where they’ll teach you how to go about your research.

As aforementioned, you can catch both Detrophia and True Romance again Saturday at the Texas Theatre at 5:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. respectively. At 10 p.m. they’re hosting Away From The Numbers, where DJs Gabriel Mendoza and Sam will be laying down some “Brit-pop, post-punk, and glam-soul.”

If classic and conservative music is more your thing than post-punk (I’m not too familiar with that genre, myself!), Austin-based Bob Schneider and the Tosca String Quartet will be performing two special holiday eve shows Saturday at the Kessler Theater at 7 and 9:30 p.m.

If you didn’t make it to one of the earlier screenings, you’ve still got one more chance on Sunday to catch Detrophia at 4:30 p.m. and True Romance at 6:45 p.m at the Texas Theatre . If you’re really into Detroit (or just really lonely/bored), you could even stay for both.

There’s two things everyone knows about jolly old Saint Nick:

1) He loves to spread the Holiday spirit.

2) The man can eat.

No doubt that’s why he’s making a stop in the Bishop Arts District for the annual Jingle Bells on Bishop. Santa will be prepared for photos, and all of Bishop Arts will be feeling the Holiday cheer with events and shopping.

It’s happening this Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m.

Seriously though. Where do you think Santa Claus would eat at in the BAD?

Be a part of Oak Cliff history. Photo: Councilwoman Delia Jasso's office

To celebrate the official completion of the Bishop Avenue complete street project, the City of Dallas along with Kidd Springs residents will bury a time capsule with items from the North Oak Cliff area.

On Nov. 20, a ribbon cutting ceremony and capsule will christen the street at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Bishop Avenue.

The street is now offering a dedicated bike lane as well as inset parking between Methodist Dallas Medical Center and the Bishop Arts District.

Anyone in District 1 can submit items for the capsule. Just send items to Councilwoman Delia Jasso’s office at Dallas City Hall. The only stipulation is that selected items must be able to fit through the 9-inch opening and rest within the 12-inch-by-12-inch-by-16-inch box.

They’re accepting everything from letters to electronics to help date the capsule. The box will be unearthed 15 years from now in 2027 so chances are an iPod will have the same relevance a Walkman has today.

Dells District resident Brian Howell shows off his 1966 Pontiac beauty to law enforcement during National Night Out. Photo Credit: Gay Revi

Tonight classic car enthusiasts will gather at Eno’s in the Bishop Arts District to show off their rides at the third annual Cruise Night.

Last night on my National Night Out tour with Councilwoman Delia Jasso, I got a glimpse of a metallic green number that undoubtedly has a functioning hydraulic system.

This 1966 Pontiac beauty you see above belongs to Dells District resident Bryan Howell. Howell is a member of the Classic Chassis Car Club — the group hosting the event.

If his car is an indication of anything, it’s that there are going to be some sweet rides in Oak Cliff tonight.

It's time for a good 'ol fashioned pub crawl. Photo Credit: Oddfellows facebook

There will be four, one-hour stops on this Saturday’s Saint Arnold Pub Crawl through the Bishop Arts District. Saint Arnold will be handing out tickets during each stop and give a pub crawl pint glass to those that make it to all four within the allotted times. Meaning, if you miss the first hour, no pint glass for you.

The crawl begins at 1 p.m. inside Eno’s and hits Lockhart Smokehouse, Tillman’s Roadhouse, and Oddfellows in one-hour increments thereafter, respectively.

Oak Cliff's first head shop opened two weekends ago at 401 N. Bishop Ave.

Just three blocks from where the Bishop Arts District’s storefronts trail off, Boss Tobacco Shop opened without much fanfare two weekends ago at 401 S. Bishop Ave., just steps from Jefferson Street.

Before hipsters who make the small trek from Eno’s to Texas Theatre get too excited, let’s be clear. It’s not the patchouli paradise you’d expect in Deep Ellum or Austin. It’s a tiny space that sells mostly cigarettes and papers. But it does have a modest collection of “water pipes” whose variety is rivaled by the Little Debbie assortment wisely positioned by the entrance.

So far, the store’s faced no complaints from neighbors or the community, said Cynthia Mora, who opened the shop alongside her mother, Louisa, and her sister Lety and her boyfriend, Chris Montez.

“Everyone who’s walked into this store has shown us a lot of love,” Cynthia Mora said. (Note to Highland Park: You won’t ever get this from Craigslisters.)

Note: A reader noted that this isn’t the first head shop in Oak Cliff; one called JayLee’s existed in the ’70s. Thank you! Anyone else with other memories to contribute can contact me at rick.lopez@peoplenewspapers.com.