All kinds of quirky, cool happenings going down in the next few days ...

Anime lovers listen up -- Dallas A-Kon kicks off today at the downtown Dallas Sheraton hotel. I drifted past the venue on my way to Joyce lounge last night, and folks were decked out in costumes in and around the hotel. The conference -- featuring everything from custom-made works by on-site artists to an anime-costume contest -- is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and attendance seems to be pretty healthy, so the occasion is ripe for fun -- or at least fantabulous people-watching. Tickets range from $20 to $35 per day, with a weekend past costing $55.

D Art Slam is another weekendlong happening. More than 150 artists will exhibit and sell drawings, photography, paintings and sculpture at f.i.g. -- the Fashion Industry Gallery. A select group of artists will be named "the New Dallas Nine" and featured in D Magazine. Hit up the Web site for a full list of exhibitors.

Now's a great time to check out the Dallas Museum of Art, if you didn't quite get into the King Tut hubbub. This Tuesday, and every first Tuesday of every month, admission to the DMA is free. Walk like an Egyptian on over there!

Posted by Farah Fleurima at 3:45 PM | Permalink

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Anvil! The Story of Anvil opens today, telling the where-are-they-now tale of Canadian heavy-metal rockers Steve "Lips" Kudlow and Robb Reiner who chased their dream of being on top of the heavy-metal heap back in the '80s.

The documentary's been getting a lot of positive reviews from numerous film festivals in the past year, and here in Dallas, Kudlow and Reiner will appear to drum up some buzz by conducting a Q&A after the 7:45 p.m. showing tonight at the Magnolia Theater. And after the 9:45 p.m. show, they'll even be performing a song or two.

Posted by Jeff Meddaugh at 3:29 PM | Permalink

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Now that the summertime weather is heating up, so are the steady stream of events and weekly night spots around the DFW scene. Some of the anticipated affairs in the next few weeks will be the TexasSummerMusicConference.com and the ever-growing Kixpo.com sneaker convention. Stay tuned for details!

Friday

The weekend celebration starts tonight with the 9th Anniversary party for "Final Fridays", the live monthly hip-hop showcase that regularly features a solid dose of top notch local talent. The set this week at the Liquid Lounge (2800 Main St., Deep Ellum) is stacked with quality performers: The Bodega Bros., Strange Fruit Project, Emortal Ent., Tico, Fort Nox, Mental Chaos, Cassie Holt & more. $10 door, 21 & up. Ladies free before 10:30 p.m.

DJ Rob Viktum will spin classic hip-hop Friday night at Fedora's (1722 Routh St., Dallas). No dress code, no cover and true school tunes all night make it a win-win hangout spot.

Saturday

The "Classic Americana" show will feature the international touring rhyme specialist Astronautalis. The veteran emcee will grace the stage at The Lounge (2810 Elm St.) w/ Ty City, Jack Rabbit, Moses Uvere, producer/rapper Dustin Cavazos, DJ Fishr Pryce and others. $8 cover for 21+, early doors.

Sidebar: Have you seen the "Lookin Kittie" video by Astronatilus & BoyfriendsINC?? Check out their madness: youtube.com/watch?v=MnR3bAICsDM

Other news

** Local rapper Dorrough Music and his "Ice Cream Paint Job" video made it's debut this week on BET's 106 & Park. He continues to keep his ice cream dreams buzzing with good radio airplay, tour dates and a brand new record deal. myspace.com/dorroughmusic

** Quick's Big Thing is seven days away: Friday (6/5) at Granada Theater w/ various nominees, Play-n-Skillz, Damaged Goods, & more. Come through!

Posted by DeLano Washington at 2:56 PM | Permalink

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Nominee: Farah


Category(s) in which they're nominated: Big Solo Artist


Quick take: Her detached, damn-near sedated chant-singing compliments icy electro tracks made with producing partner Johnny Jewel (of Glass Candy fame).


Hear some music: myspace.com/farahfarahmusic

The questionnaire: Click on the jump to read Farah's long, provocative responses. I didn't change or edit a thing.

Posted by Hunter Hauk at 12:36 PM | Permalink

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Two of R&B's top artists combine for what should be a soul-overload kind of show. Anthony Hamilton's gutsy approach should provide a nice contrast to Musiq's ultra-smooth appeal. Bring a date, for goodness' sake. 8 p.m. Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. $39.50-$85. 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Brandi Carlile can go from gritty to angelic in a single song. Just listen to her biggest hit, "The Story," for a demonstration. This special acoustic gig has been sold out for days. With opening act Gregory Alan Isakov. 8 p.m. Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. granadatheater.com.

Local singer-songwriter Becky Middleton performs at 8 p.m. at her CD-release party. 8 p.m. at the Prophet Bar, 2548 Elm St. The O's and Salim Nourallah also perform. $8. theprophetbar.com.

Final Friday 9.0 at Liquid Lounge. Performances by Bodega Brothers, Fort Nox, Mental Chaos, Tico and others. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show starts at 10:30. 2800 Main St. $10. 214-742-2336. curtainclub.com/liquidlounge.

2R Recordings presents Glow at the Lizard Lounge. This black-light party features DJs Sno White, Kidd Love, Playskool and Raydar & Shaolin. Complimentary glo-sticks for the first 100 guests. Doors open at 9. 2424 Swiss Ave. No cover for ladies until 11 p.m. $10 for 21 and up, $15 for under 21. 214-826-4769. thelizardlounge.com.

Drum DJ Ravi Drums and video DJ DJ Roonie G will battle at Plush. Resident DJs Krave and Sno White spin opening sets. 9 p.m. 1400 Main St. No cover. 214-606-1203. plushdallas.com.

Local rock band All Found Out performs at its CD-release party at Absinthe Lounge. The Goldfish Girls open. Doors at 4 p.m. 1409 S. Lamar St. No cover. 214-941-9338. absinthelounge.net.

See Saturday and Sunday events, including No Doubt and Kate Voegele, after the jump.

Posted by Rob Clark at 7:41 AM | Permalink

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