May 2 Lisa Loeb
Reality bites, even in north Oak Cliff. Nineties heartthrob, Dallas native and captivating songstress Lisa Loeb hosts her CD release party at the Kessler. That’s right, kids: She’s selling compact discs. Ask Wikipedia what it means. Loeb has appeared in our ’hood before, to schlep her eyeglass line and perform at the Foundry. Her newest album is “No Fairy Tale.”
Kessler Theater, 1220 W. Davis, thekessler.org, $20-$28
May 4 Freedom Thinkers
The Basement Gallery hosts this group show featuring the work of artists with a focus on graffiti and pop art. The lineup includes: Chris Bingham, Miguel Don Juan, Artist DIY, Cecil III, Hatziel Flores, Christian Millet, Eqnox Ibarra, Mike Moffat, Thornton, Joe Skilz, Nick Kirk and Kevin Gilmore.
115 S. Beckley Ave., chrisbinghamart.com
May 5 Oak Cliff Cinco de Mayo
The big parade down Jefferson Boulevard starts at 11 a.m. and includes a $1,000 prize for the best float. There will be DJs, vendors and tailgaters on every block. The after-party, at Casa Guanajuato, is from noon-8 p.m. and includes live music, performances from dance troupes, games and a beer garden.
Casa Guanajuato, 1002 W. Brooklyn, cincodemayo-dallas.com
May 7 ‘The Lorax’
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff screens this film, based on the Dr. Seuss story, as part of its first-Tuesday film series.
The movie starts at 7 p.m., 3839 W. Kiest, firsttuesdayfilms.org, 214.337.2429
May 9 and 23 Barefoot at the Belmont
This Thursday-night concert series runs through Aug. 8. This month’s acts include Ronnie Fauss and J.D. McPherson on May 9 and Katsük on May 23.
Ticket prices vary, and shows start at 7 p.m.; kxt.org/barefoot
May 10-12 The Source Family
Featured at the Texas Theatre, this documentary looks into the outlandish lifestyle, popular celebrity-hangout restaurant, rock band and beautiful women of the Source Family, a cult founded by a guy calling himself Father Yod in Los Angeles in the ’60s and ’70s. Father Yod, along with his 13 “wives,” instigated local authorities and eventually fled to Hawaii, where he met a dramatic end.
231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546 thetexastheatre.com
May 19 Nick Gaitan and the Umbrella Man
This Houston-based combo performs country, rockabilly, swamp pop, conjunto and more to get you up out of your seat and dancing.
Their set starts at 9 p.m. at the Foundry, 2303 Pittman, 214.749.1112, cs-tf.com
May 19 Brew Riot
The fifth-annual Brew Riot is from 4-8 p.m. at Eno’s. About 25 teams are expected to participate in the homebrew competition and vie for the people’s choice award as well as prizes from a panel of tasters.
Tasting tickets, which include brew samples and one people’s choice vote each, cost $20. 407 N. Bishop, brewriot.com
May 26 Margarita Meltdown
Some of the best restaurants and bars in Dallas will compete to create the city’s best margarita, from 5-10 p.m. in the Bishop Arts District. Proceeds from the contest benefit La Voz del Anciano, an Oak Cliff-based nonprofit that serves elderly Latinos.
Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event. dallasmargaritameltdown.com