The sun is setting on one of North Texas’ most vital music venues this weekend. Many people have written moving tributes to the great Rubber Gloves since the former Denton cement factory announced it was closing its doors for good. I don’t have much to add to the general lamentations and bittersweet remembrances, except to state the obvious: It will be missed. I was justly booted from Rubber Gloves on my first visit — a 2008 Astronautalis show — for reasons that involve being an exceptionally boneheaded 19-year-old. I kept coming back because nowhere else in Denton had its grimy cool, its adventurous and inclusive booking policy, and its happy air of rock and roll menace. (It was also the kind of place that let your friends’ bands play on weeknights.) Nowhere else ever will. Pay your respects this weekend during three days of farewell shows. Stay hard, Gloves.
On a happier note, William Shatner, Stan Lee, Chewbacca Mom, and — genuinely the most fun part of the convention — thousands of costumed North Texas nerds will be downtown for the event formerly and informally still known as Dallas Comic Con. The pop culture extravaganza of Dallas Fan Expo ramps up today and continues through the weekend at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center of Moral Rectitude and Contemporary Puritanism for Good-Hearted People. (The A-Kon anime convention at the Hilton Anatole may split geek allegiances this weekend.)
And, as always, more:
Friday (06/03)
The reunited-and-it-feels-so-good Swedish hardcore punk band Refused is at Trees. Show up on time, because The Coathangers open, and the raucous Atlanta trio is a blast.
The magnificent Lay Family Concert Organ roars to life at the Meyerson as Jaap Van Zweden leads the DSO in French composer Saint-Saën’s Piano Concerto No. 5 and Symphony No. 3. The program repeats Saturday and Sunday.
The Dallas Solo Festival continues through the weekend with one-man and one-woman shows at the Margo Jones Theatre at Fair Park.
KXT 91.7 FM throws its annual summer bash at South Side Ballroom. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes headline. The Relatives, Claire Morales, and some other wonderful bands from parts known (Dallas) and unknown (elsewhere in the U.S.) fill out the rest of the lineup.
Saturday (06/04)
Sherman Alexie’s a fantastic writer, and I’d direct you to read the short story “What You Pawn I Will Redeem” if you’re not already hip to that fact. His latest is a kid’s picture book, Thunder Boy Jr., which brings some much-needed diversity to the world of children’s publishing. The American Indian writer will speak about his work at the DMA and lead a teen writing workshop early Saturday.
Reschedule your bachelorette party for this Saturday at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill. Ginuwine is playing, and you already know he’s doing “Pony.’
Kenny Chesney and Miranda Lambert play AT&T Stadium.
Find the nonprofit that’s right for you and sign up to do something good at Voly in the Park, which assembles many of Dallas’ finest volunteer organizations at Klyde Warren Park. You’ll also get to enjoy some live entertainment throughout the afternoon.
ICMYI: Bulladora has been cancelled, and you’ll have to wait until another day for your “Pugasus” petting zoo, hot air balloons, and Yeasayer.
Art Con gets ANONYMOUS at Life in Deep Ellum, and the rest of this weekend’s art events.
Sunday (06/05)
New movies: Andy Samber’s This Is Spinal Tap-esque send-up of contemporary Top 40 pop music culture, has a few laughs, but is lacking that extra spark to put it over the top. Popstar is in wide release. Viva, a heart-warming little movie about drag queens, fathers and sons, and Cuba, opens at the Angelika. I enjoyed it at the Dallas International Film Festival in April.
Mothers and Sons is a moving play that follows a mother trying to come to terms with the partner of her late son, who died of AIDS more than 20 years ago. The Uptown Players production is showing at Kalita Humphreys Theater.
For more to do this weekend, go here.