Jan. 8-15

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.  

 
Jan. 8

Annual Richardson Art and Essay Contest 

Writers and artists are invited to participate in Richardson’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month Art and Essay contests. Winning works will be published by the City with authors/artists receiving $200 and certificates of achievement from the Mayor and City Council. Students must live in Richardson, or attend school with the city, to be eligible to enter. 

Time: Now through Jan. 31 (Essay submissions accepted) 
Now through Feb. 28 (Art submissions accepted)
Additional details: www.cor.net/ArtandEssayContest

 
Jan. 9

Movie Matinee 

Join the Richardson Senior Center for an afternoon movie and watch the 2024 film "Twisters."

Time: Noon (Thursday)
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: Free, registration required
Membership to the Senior Center is not required
Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 to register and for more information  

Pink Martini feat. China Forbes

Step into the vibrant world of Pink Martini, where music transcends borders and cultures, and diversity is celebrated like never before. Born out of a desire to bring more soulful and inclusive melodies to the political scene, Thomas Lauderdale founded Pink Martini in 1994, a “little orchestra” with big dreams.  

Time: 8 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $57-$77
Additional details: Event Details | Pink Martini 

Repertory Company Theatre Auditions 

The Repertory Company Theatre is holding auditions for upcoming productions in 2025. All participants must bring a resume and a headshot or photo. Call backs will take place the following day on Jan. 12.  

Time: 1-5:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Repertory Company Theatre, 770 N. Coit Rd.
Admission: No appointments. First come, first serve
Additional details: Auditions & Job Opportunities 

All Aboard the International Space Station 

How fascinating is it to live aboard the International Space Station? Kids in grades 3-8 can join the Richardson Public Library to learn about the history of the ISS, the labs and experiments conducted on board, how food is prepared, and see some amazing images captured from the space station as it hovers about the Earth. This program will be presented by NASA Solar System Ambassador Michelle Wilde.  

Time: 2-4 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: City Council Chamber, Richardson City Hall
2360 Campbell Creek Blvd., Suite 525
Admission: Free, registration preferred
Call 972-744-4358 or visit the Youth Services Help Desk to register
Additional details: All Aboard the International Space Station

Carpenters Legacy 

Direct from Las Vegas, Carpenters Legacy is the definitive show celebrating the music and legacy of the famed brother-sister duo. Starring Sally Olson as Karen Carpenter and Ned Mills as Richard Carpenter, the show is a re-creation of the Carpenters live performances featuring hits including “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Yesterday Once More,” “Superstar,” Karens’s drum solo, Richard’s classical piano feature comedy antics and much more.  

Time: 7:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $55-$90
Additional details: Event Details | Carpenters Legacy  

Microsoft Word Beginner 

Join the Richardson Public Library to learn how to use Micrsoft’s celebrated word processing program. Participants will learn how to navigate Word’s resources and tools, how to create and format text, how to edit margins, headers and footers, and how to add and adjust pictures. This class is for adults.  

Time: 2-3:30 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: Microsoft Word Beginner

Jan. 12

Lunar New Year Gala

Join the International Cross Culture Foundation for a Lunar New Year Gala.  

Time: 5:30 p.m. (Sunday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $50-$120 (standard), $200 (VIP)
Additional details: Event Details | ICCF--2025 Lunar New Year Gala

Healthier Texas Community Challenge

It’s almost time for the Healthier Texas Community Challenge. Formerly known as It’s Time Texas Community Challenge, the Healthier Texas Community Challenge is an eight-week health competition between communities across the state of Texas. Texans across the state compete and earn points by eating healthy, being active and staying hydrated.  

Time: Jan. 13-March 9
Admission: Registration required
All participants that register before the start of the Challenge will be awarded 250 points. 
Additional details: Community Challenge

Cottonwood Art Festival Emerging Artist Program 

The Emerging Artist Program recognizes the talent of young local artists and offers them opportunities to participate in Cottonwood Art Festival and to grow professionally.  Richardson and RISD high school Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are invited to apply to this prestigious program. Selected students will have their works shown at the Eisemann Gallery, attend professional workshops, have a chance to win scholarships, and sell their work at the award-winning Cottonwood Art Festival alongside professional artists. 

Time: Monday, Jan. 13 (applications due) 
Wednesday, Jan. 15 (selected students notified)
Additional details: Emerging Artist - Cottonwood Art Festival

Jan. 14

Game Zone 

Join Heights Recreation Center for some fun in the 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

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Jan. 15

iPhone Connections 

Stay connected without the fuss! Join the Richardson Senior Center to explore how to manage Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, ensuring you’re always online and ready to explore the digital world or chat with loved ones.  

Time: 2:30 p.m. (Wednesday)
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: $10, registration required (Must register by Jan. 14)
Membership to the Senior Center is not required
Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 to register and for more information 

Pickleball Powered by Kidokinetics – Registration Open 

This program provides a fun and engaging introduction to Pickleball. Kids ages 6-12 can develop essential skills such as agility, coordination, balance, accuracy, speed and confidence.  

Time: 5-6 p.m. (every Thursday Jan. 16-March 6) Activity #44754 
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: $128 (resident), $130 (nonresident)
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation

Kidokinetics Sports Play 

This program is designed to introduce kids to a variety of sports and activities like golf, tennis, basketball, baseball, football, hockey and more. Each week will feature a warmup, a new sport or activity, free play, cool down and an age-appropriate anatomy and physiology lesson.  

Time: Every Thursday from Jan. 16-March 6 
9:30-10 a.m. (2-year-olds) Activity #44753 
10-10:45 a.m. (3–5-year-olds) Activity #44839
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: $128 (resident), $130 (nonresident)
Additional details: www.cor.net/ParksOnline

Adaptive Trip to Texas Legends Basketball 

Join the Heights Recreation Center and see the Texas Legends play basketball in Frisco. Travel by bus to Comerica Center. You will eat at Norma’s Cafe just down the street before the event. Please bring money for food.  

Time: 5-10 p.m. (Jan. 17)
Location: Comerica Center, 2601 Avenue of the Stars, Frisco, TX
Leave from the Heights Recreation Center
Admission: $15
Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation

Vegas Night 

Join the Richardson Senior Center for a fun night of entertainment when Marty Ruiz presents The Motown Song and Dance Show. Be ready to sing along, dance or just sit back and enjoy. Come dressed in your Vegas evening finery. Tickets are now on sale! 

Time: 6 p.m. (doors open), 6:30 p.m. (event starts) (Feb. 26)
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: $10 (nonrefundable), registration required
Membership to the Senior Center is not required
Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 to register and for more information 

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