Wed 12 – In his work for the General Services Administration, architect Steve Kline enforces compliance the National Historic Preservation Act in five states, including Texas. He’s therefore well-equipped to deliver a lecture on the role of the federal government in public architecture, touching on everything from the Greek Revival U.S. Custom House in New Orleans to the ultra-modern U.S. Courthouse in Austin. The talk is at 7pm at UTA Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St, FW. Admission is free. Call 817-921-2111.
Thu 13 – After the debacle that was Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Julie Taymor has bounced back with her staging of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The ambitious show has received acclaim for its shadow puppetry, set and sound design, and wirework. Though Amphibian Stage Productions is bringing this broadcast to the Modern, it is not part of the National Theatre Live series. The broadcast is at 7pm today thru Thu at 3200 Darnell St, FW. Tickets are $15-18. Call 817-923-3012.
Fri 14 – It figures that Hip Pocket Theatre would be drawn to Lili, which started as a short story but is more famous as a 1953 movie musical about an angry puppeteer who can talk to the world only through his puppets. Hip Pocket won’t have Leslie Caron, but it will have its world premiere stage adaptation of this film running today thru Sep 6 at 1950 Silver Creek Dr, FW. Tickets are $5-20. Call 817-246-9775.
Sat 15 – It’s a rite of passage, kids drawing with chalk. At the first-ever Chalk Art Festival, they and their parents will be given space to create, provided that you apply in advance online. Prizes will be awarded to the best drawings, and three commissioned artists will be making art as well. The festival is 10am-8pm at University Dr & Crockett St, FW. Admission is free. Call 817-919-7648.
Sun 16 – The House of Blue Leaves is the name of the nightclub in Kill Bill where Uma Thurman kills all those Japanese guys with her sword, but it’s also the name of John Guare’s play about a zookeeper trying to hold his family together while the Pope visits New York City. Onstage at Bedford’s production runs today thru Aug 30 at Trinity Arts Theatre, 2819 Forest Ridge Dr, Bedford. Tickets are $15-20. Call 817-354-6444.
Mon 17 – Lovers of moody, romantic music will want to be at Verizon Theatre this evening when Sam Smith comes to town. The London-born practitioner of new-breed soul music with the distinctively resonant voice is coming off his Grammy win and arrives in North Texas with similarly lovelorn Irish balladeer Gavin James. The concert is at 8pm at 1001 Performance Pl, Grand Prairie. Tickets are $45-89.50. Call 800-745-3000.
Tues 18 – The demand for Rapunzel! Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale has been so great that Artisan Center Theatre has added shows for it at noon all this week, so you have additional chances to see the fairy tale princess rescued by a prince and his hairstylist sidekick who’s about to get the challenge of his life. The show runs thru Sep 5 at Belaire Theater, 444 E Pipeline Rd, Hurst. Tickets are $5-10. Call 817-284-1200.
