If you’re not huddled up on the couch watching football tonight, don’t forget to check out First Thursday in the Bishop Arts District. I know it’s cold, but most of the retailers have really good sales right now, so it’s worth freezing your face off.

Cliff Notes Prolonged Media’s open mike night starts at 8 p.m. Friday at Mighty Fine Arts. Poet Josh Weir performs after.

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Decorazon Gallery has a special presentation from Virginia-based artist Rob Tarbell, who makes drawings using smoke. Tarbell will demonstrate his method Saturday begining at 4 p.m. A cocktail party will follow.Tarbell’s work, including the exhibit, "Meet the Struggles," will be on display through Jan. 11.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform "How the Brasses Found a Home" Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The piece is part of the symphony’s "Symphonic Brass Spectacular." "How the Brasses Found a Home" is co-written and narrated by Oak Cliff resident Alex Burton, who used to have a show on KRLD. Burton, a tuba player, says he and Donald Zimmers wrote the piece because they were tired of playing "Tubby the Tuba." Their piece explains how and why there is a brass section in symphonies.