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Things to Do | April 3-10
April 3-10
Plan your weekend with Richardson's Things to Do e-newsletter, published weekly every Wednesday.
Information on how to subscribe to the newsletter can be found at www.cor.net/thingstodo.
(See Monday, April 8 for a list of local viewing parties)
Free Tax Prep Help
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is offering free tax preparation help through April 15 at Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers. Those wishing to take part need to complete an AARP tax packet, available at the Library and the recreation centers.
Time: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (Appointments are available only on Mondays and Wednesdays)
Runs through April 15
Location: Huffhines Recreation Center (Mondays), Heights Recreation Center (Wednesdays)
Admission: Free, fill out a request online for Huffhines or for Heights
Additional details: Tax Forms and Information
Emerging Artist Program - People's Choice Award
The Emerging Artist Program was created to recognize the talent of young local artists. See these talented artists' works and vote for your favorite in the People's Choice Award.
Time: Voting closes April 16 at noon
(One vote per person)
Additional details: Emerging Artist | Cottonwood Art Festival
Student Art Contest
Calling all elementary artists! Kids in grades K-6 can enter the Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival’s Student Art Contest. Participants could win prizes and tickets to Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival. The theme of this year’s contest is “Take a Walk in the Park.”
Time: Deadline to enter is April 25
Admission: Entry form available online
Additional details: 2024 Student Art Contest
Richardson Counselor in Training Program
Teens ages 13-17 can apply to become a counselor in training. The program offers participants an opportunity to prepare for positions as a camp counselor.
Admission: Apply online
Additional details: CIT (Counselor in Training) Program
April 3
XJ Star Academy Annual Dance Performance
This exhibition features Chinese classical dance, Chinese ethnic folk dance, contemporary dance and pop dance.
Time: 6 p.m. (Wednesday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $20-$30
|Additional details: Event Details | XJ Star Academy
Chess and the Holocaust: “Checkmate: Chess Artifacts and Artworks Made and Played in Extremis”
The game of chess was pictured and played across Nazi-occupied Europe by those in hiding during World War II. Devising ingenious ways to improvise chess sets out of found materials and detritus, they also drew and painted chess games to document and allegorize their experiences. Hear from Dr. Rachel E. Perry as she discusses how these material remnants, both artifacts and artwork, offer important insights into how individuals living under Nazi oppression thought and felt.
Time: 7-8 p.m. (Wednesday)
Location: Performance Hall, Erik Jonsson Academic Center
800 W. Campbell Rd.
Admission: Free, registration required
Additional details: Chess and the Holocaust: “Checkmate: Chess Artifacts and Artworks Made and Played in Extremis”
Alamo Time Capsule 1994: “Forrest Gump”
Join Alamo Drafthouse to go back in time to see movies from 30 years ago. Watch “Forrest Gump,” which is based on a novel by Winston Groom. It was the number one movie in the U.S. for 10 weeks in a row and one of the most acclaimed of its day.
Time: 6:15 p.m. (Wednesday)
Location: Alamo Drafthouse, 100 S. Central Expy.
Admission: $10
Additional details: Forrest Gump | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
April 4
Game Zone
Join Heights Recreation Center for some fun in a new Game Zone Room. Kids can play Xbox, Playstation, foosball, air hockey, board games and more.
Time: Open during Heights Recreation Center’s normal operating hours
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: $25 (yearly pass)
Additional details: Heights Game Zone
April 5
CityLine Live – Mike Tuck
Live music returns to the outdoor plaza each Friday and Saturday in April and May. Hear music from country artist Mike Tuck. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets and pups are welcomed and encouraged.
Time: 6-9 p.m. (Friday)
Location: CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free
Additional details: CityLine LIVE featuring Mike Tuck (Country)
STEAM Starters – Propagating Plants
Kids ages 6-8 can join the Richardson Public Library to discover and explore science, technology, engineering, art and math with hands-on activities. They will learn about the science behind plant propagation in water.
Time: 4-5 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Richardson IQ®HQ, Room 400A
1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free, registration required
Call 972-744-4358 to register
Additional details: STEAM Starters - Propagating Plants
First Fridays
Eisemann Center Presents a small reception on the first Friday night of each month completely free and open to the public to celebrate a new exhibit in the Green Mezzanine Gallery. The exhibiting artist will often be available to chat with visitors about their work.
Time: 6-8 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Green Mezzanine Gallery, Eisemann Center
Admission: Free
Additional details: Event Details | First Fridays
C-TECH Kids Club – Blood in a Bottle
Kids ages 9-12 can join the Richardson Public Library and experiment with exciting STEM activities. They will learn about the components of blood and how they all work together by making their own model of blood in a bottle.
Time: 4-5 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Richardson IQ®HQ, Room 400B
1302 E. Collins Blvd.
Admission: Free, registration required
Call 972-744-4358 to register
Additional details: C-TECH Kids Club - Blood in a Bottle
360 Allstars
Eisemann Center Presents a phenomenal physical performance exploring all forms of rotation. 360 Allstars connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus.
Time: 8 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $47-$57
Additional details: Event Details | 360 ALLSTARS
April 6
“The Sinatra Experience with Dave Halston”
“The Sinatra Experience” is a brilliant tribute starring Dave Halston. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of music, laughter and a zesty lineup of Frank Sinatra’s most popular songs.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $55-$90
Additional details: Event Details | The Sinatra Experience
1st Saturday Walk and Talk Bird Tour
Learn about the birds that live at the wetland. The tour is geared toward beginner and intermediate birders. Learn how to use binoculars and field guides, keep a life list and identify birds.
Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m. (Saturday)
Location: John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, 655 Martin Ln., Combine, TX
Admission: $10 (includes admission)
Additional details: www.wetlandcenter.com
Mat Pilates in the Plaza
Join this free Mat Pilates class in the Plaza. Attendees should bring a mat, water bottle and friends to this outdoor class.
Time: 10-11 a.m. (Saturday)
Location: CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free
Additional details: Mat Pilates in the Plaza
3D Printing Beginner
Adults can participate in this introduction to Tinkercad. This is a hands-on class where participants will learn how to navigate through Tinkercad’s main 3D design resources, manipulate Tinkercad’s basic geometric shapes, learn how to export a 3D model for printing and how to print on the Library’s 3D printer.
Time: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Library Millwood Creek Room, Richardson Public Library
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500
Admission: Free, registration and a valid RPL card required
Call 972-744-4355 to register
Additional details: 3D Printing Beginner
CityLine Live – Andrea Venezio
Live music returns to the outdoor plaza each Friday and Saturday in April and May. Hear music from classic rock and country artist Andrea Venezio. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets and pups are welcome and encouraged.
Time: 6-9 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St.
Admission: Free
Additional details: CityLine LIVE featuring Andrea Venezio (Classic Rock/Country)
Books and Music with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra
Adults and teens can read the book “World Within a Song” by Jeff Tweedy, then join the RSO to discuss the top five songs that changed their lives, along with a string quartet performance of pop songs.
Time: 1-3 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Richardson City Hall, City Council Chamber
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525
Admission: Free
Call 972-744-4376 for more information
Additional details: Books and Music with the Richardson Symphony Orchestra
Movie Matinee: “Sing” and “Sing 2”
Join the Richardson Public Library for an afternoon of musical fun with this double feature sing-along event. “Sing” will start at 1 p.m. followed by “Sing 2” at 3 p.m. Both films are rated PG. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Time: 1-5 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: YS Storytime Room, Richardson Public Library
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 500
Admission: Free ticket required. Pick up tickets at the Youth Services Help Desk one hour before program.
Additional details: Movie Matinee: Sing & Sing 2
Pave the Way Day
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) is hosting a free family fun day, including free snow cones and giveaways for kids and many activities such as Seeing and touching massive construction equipment, meeting a state trooper as well as the award-winning NTTA Puppets and educational games and STEM activities.
Time: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: NTTA Headquarters, 5900 W. Plano Pkwy.
Admission: Free, register here
Additional details: Pave the Way
April 7
“Things My Mother Taught Me”
Olivia and Gabe are moving into their first apartment together. They’ve just packed up all their belongings and driven halfway across the country to start a new life together in Chicago. Their moving day doesn’t go as planned though, and things become slightly more complicated when all their parents show up to help.
Time: 2 p.m. (Sunday), 7:30 p.m. (Thursday), 8 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)
Runs through April 7
Location: Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: $22 adults, $20 seniors & students (Sunday & Thursday), $24 adults, $22 seniors & students (Friday & Saturday)
Additional details: Things My Mother Taught Me
April 8
Much of North Texas, including Richardson, is in the path of totality for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. On Monday, April 8, totality will begin at 1:40 p.m. and end at 1:44 p.m., with the partial eclipse visible from 12:23-3:02 p.m.
If you are looking for a place to view the eclipse, the following free viewing parties are occurring in Richardson:
Total Eclipse of The CORE
Beyond the Bar Bottle Shop and Lone Chimney Mercantile are hosting an eclipse viewing party. There will be music provided by Dallas DJ Mr. Rid.
Time: Noon-2 p.m. (Monday)
Location: Beyond the Bar Bottle Shop, 101 S. Sherman St. B
Limited to 100 attendees
Admission: Free
Additional details: Home | Beyond Booze Beverage Co
Dallas College
Dallas College is hosting an eclipse viewing party and will have special eclipse glasses available for attendees to safely view the historic occurrence.
Time: 12:23-3:02 p.m. (Monday)
Location: Dallas College Richland Campus, Parking Lot C
12800 Abrams Rd., Dallas, TX
Admission: Free
Additional details: Big D Eclipse at Dallas College – Dallas College
Calloway’s Nursery
Join Calloway’s Nursery to view the eclipse. There will be complimentary viewing glasses, goody bags and a station for kid filled with chalk, crayons and coloring pages. Attendees can also learn about a new plant called the Eclipse Bigleaf Hydrangea.
Time: 1-2 p.m. (Monday)
Location: Calloway’s Nursery, 2100 N. Plano Rd.
Admission: Free
Additional details: Eclipse Viewing Party - Calloway's Nursery
Birdcall
Birdcall, a chicken sandwich chain, will host a viewing party in its parking lot. From April 2-8, the restaurant will offer a special “Totality Shake” that comes with a free pair of solar eclipse viewing glasses.
Time: Around 1:40 p.m. during the peak of the eclipse (Monday)
Location: Birdcall, 507 W. Belt Line Rd.
Admission: Free
Additional details: Birdcall Texas
April 9
Youth Fitness Training
Kids ages 11-17 can join Heights Recreation Center for a brand-new fitness, agility and strength class. This class will help them develop and grow in ways that are healthy and beneficial to their bodies.
Time: 5-5:45 p.m. (Every Tuesday through April 30)
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: $5 (drop-in fee)
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity #40589
April 10
“Bedtime Stories”
Eisemann Center Presents this performance where actor Thomas Dudkiewicz leads the audience into a strange and brilliantly dark world with “Bedtime Stories.” Recommended for ages 13 and older.
Time: 7:30 p.m. (April 10-11), 8 p.m. (April 12)
Location: Bank of America Theatre, Eisemann Center
Admission: $32-$42
Additional details: Events Calendar | Eisemann Center
Elderly Fraud by FBI Agent Christopher Ranney
Each year millions of seniors are victimized by financial fraud of theft of money, property or valuable personal information. Don’t be a victim and join this discussion with FBI Agent Christopher Ranney. Membership to the Richardson Senior Center is not required.
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: Free, registration required
Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 to register and for more information
Routh Pioneer Cemetery Tour
This will be a one-hour tour of the large cemetery that includes the burial sites of many of the early pioneer families. It is located within the Reserve at Spring Creek Apartments. Learn about some of the early settlers and explore their final resting places.
Time: 9 a.m. (April 13)
Location: 2710 Routh Creek Pkwy.
Admission: Free
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity #40403
RALC Murder Mystery
At this fun, interactive event, community leaders and professional actors perform a mystery comedy play while attendees work in teams to solve the “crime.” This year, AI will take center stage. Will AI be the victim or will AI be the villain. This year’s guest actors are Abbie Kaufman from Network of Community Ministries, Richardson Mayor Bob Dubey, Richardson Police Chief Gary Tittle and Dr. Jennifer Burr from the Region 10 Education Service Center.
Time: 7 p.m. (April 13)
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.
Admission: $85 (general admission), purchase tickets here
Additional details: Murder Mystery 2024 | RALC
Disc Golf Tournament
Registration is underway for the third annual Richardson Disc Golf Tournament. The tournament will feature one round (18 holes) of singles play. Registration ends April 24.
Time: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 (April 27)
Location: Breckinridge Park Disc Golf Course, Breckinridge Park Complex C
Admission: $30, registration required
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
E-mail Jonathan.Winters@cor.gov for more information
Adaptive Disc Golf Tournament
Join the Parks and Recreation Department for the first Adaptive Disc Golf Tournament. There will be special prizes for first, second and third places. Specialized instruction will be available before the tournament begins.
Time: 1-8 p.m. (April 27)
Location: Breckinridge Park Disc Golf Course, Breckinridge Park Complex C
Admission: $15, registration required
Registration deadline is April 25
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity #39153