North Texas has plenty to see, hear, and watch.

But in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, things to do are a little different. We’ve rounded up a few events and activities for innovators so you can stay involved from the comfort of your home or six feet away. You’ll also find a few drive-through experiences among the options. Here’s our selection of technology events, creative activities, and business inspiration for innovators this week.

As always, things may change at any time, so be sure to check the official website or registration page for the latest details.

Don’t miss a thing: Get Dallas Innovates Every Day. And, if you know of a great event coming up, tell us about it.

ONGOING

PEROT MUSEUM’S ORIGINS: FOSSILS FROM THE CRADLE OF HUMANKIND
Online

Although the Perot Museum may not be open for business, a virtual 360-degree tour of the Origins: Fossils from the Cradle of Humankind exhibition is. Guests can virtually explore real fossils and follow the journey of scientists actively working on and researching two new species.

Free.
Find more information here.

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DMA AT HOME
Online

The Dallas Museum of Art is offering virtual museum experiences with a new virtual exhibition and gallery experiences, behind-the-scenes stories from around the museum, guides and activities to use at home, and art from around the world and from the local community.

Free.
Find more information here.

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WRITING WORKSHOPS DALLAS AND GEMINI INK PRESENT THE BIG TEXAS READ
Online

This statewide virtual book club is a collaborative effort from Writing Workshops Dallas and San Antonio’s Gemini Ink. Every two weeks, prose or poetry written by a Texas-based author will be discussed, featuring chats with the authors and Q&As.

Upcoming authors and titles include:

Aug. 19, Sept. 2: Winner of the Iowa Prize for Nonfiction Kendra Allen, “When You Learn the Alphabet”
Sept. 16, Sept. 30: Edgar-winning novelist Joe R. Lansdale, “Edge of Dark Water”
Oct. 14, Oct. 28: Debut Novelist Fowzia Karimi, “Above Us the Milky Way”

Free
Find more information here.

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BLIND ALLEY PROJECTS
Fort Worth (drive-by, not a virtual event)
Daylight hours only

The idea behind this drive-by art gallery was thought up three years ago, but was finally activated this spring due to the ongoing pandemic. The gallery is currently featuring TCU MFA students’ pieces that were originally canceled due to COVID-19. “Each individual exhibition represented ideas that would have been addressed in each student’s thesis exhibition while responding to the exhibition space itself,” writes Gila Espinoza for Art&Seek. Currently, Hector A. Ramirez’s “Entre Piedras y Copia” is on display. Upcoming artists include British artist Richard Wentworth and sculptor Gene Owens.

Free
Find more information here.

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[Image: Courtesy Nasher Sculpture Center]

NASHER SCULPTURE CENTER WINDOW EXHIBITIONS
Dallas

Although the center has not yet reopened its doors to the public, it’s still showcasing art through its windows. This series of installations titled “Nasher Windows” is expected to run every Friday through Wednesday and host early- and mid-career DFW-based artists.

Free
Find more information here.

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THE DALLAS HERITAGE VILLAGE OPENS FOR SUMMER ACTIVITIES
The Dallas Heritage Village in Dallas
Daily 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Thursdays 6 – 9 p.m.

The Dallas Heritage Village has reopened to visitors. Although the buildings on site are closed, guests can enjoy fun and engaging summer activities like chalk drawing, scavenger hunts, and more for families eager to get outside and enjoy time together.

Tickets are $8 for adults and free for children
Find more information here.

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PROTESTS HAPPENING ACROSS DFW
Multiple locations

For a running list of protests, vigils, and more in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Central Track has rounded up a list of known gatherings here.

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CARBARET DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHTS
Brizo Bar in Richardson
Every Friday and Saturday evening

As movie theaters have closed due to COVID-19, Reid Robinson transformed his bar Brizo into a movie drive-in called CarBaret, along with curbside dining service from the Brizo kitchen and bar and a variety show. Films are announced on Facebook each week where attendees can RSVP for one of the 40 spots available each night.

Tickets are $15.
Find more information here.

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1 MILLION CUPS FRISCO VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Online
Every Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Starting on August 5, 1 Million Cups will be kicking off its Education for Entrepreneurs series. 1 Million Cups says it helps first-time entrepreneurs get connected to the startup community and experienced entrepreneurs take the next step through feedback and resources.

Free
Find more information here.

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HOW TO COPE WITH COVID: MAINTAINING EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY BUSINESSES FOR CEOS
Online
Every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

This series is meant to help female business owners continue to have emotionally healthy businesses during and after the pandemic. During these sessions, attendees may learn strategies for dealing with their own targeted stressors, strategies for being emotionally prepared, how to evaluate and assess their emotional needs to ensure healthy leadership, among other things.

Free
Find more information here.

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1 MILLION CUPS FORT WORTH PRESENTATION
Online
Every Wednesday at 9 – 10 a.m.

Each week, 1 Million Cups Fort Worth plans to feature two presenters who will discuss their business’ services and needs, followed by a Q&A during which the presenters can offer helpful suggestions. One of the upcoming presenters is Michael Wilson of Processology, Corp. He plans to discuss what business process management, documentation, and improvement is, as well as why every business needs to actively practice it.

Free
Find more information here.

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COVID BUSINESS RESOURCE “HAPPY HOUR”
Online
Every Thursday at 3 – 4 p.m.

During these weekly sessions, Dr. Shantana Robinson hopes to help businesses navigate the ongoing pandemic by answering business-related COVID-19 questions, such as “What is the difference between PPP and EIDL?”

Free
Find more information here.

UPCOMING

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 16

WOMEN TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL
Online
Check schedule for times

The fifth annual Women Texas Film Festival will be held virtually with panels and films still taking place. The festival will focus on the work of visionary female filmmakers, many being Texas-based, as well as an emphasis on documentaries and LGBTQIA+ themes, writes CultureMap Dallas. Immigration, sex trafficking, religion, death, art forgery, and the pandemic will also be topics during the four-day event.

Find more information here.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 – SUNDAY, AUGUST 16

Boss Women Media Founder and CEO Marty McDonald [Image: Courtesy Boss Women Media]

BLACK GIRL MAGIC VIRTUAL SUMMIT
Online
Check schedule for times

Boss Women Media in partnership with Capital One, H&M, Crème of Nature, Vistaprint, Toyota, and Square is presenting the second annual Black Girl Magic Summit, which is going virtual this year. The summit brings together female professionals and entrepreneurs through programming on topics including raising capital, investing, small business, money management, mental health, and more. Capital One is also presenting a pitch competition during the event with the chance for small business owners to win up to $25,000 (which you can apply for here).

Free
Find more information here.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 21

TEXAS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION MARKETPLACE
Online
Check schedule for times

The Texas Restaurant Association’s annual conference and trade show will be going virtual this year, but will still feature a number of sessions and speakers. There will be education keynote sessions and webinars, as well as a new feature for restaurant owners looking for solutions from suppliers. Chef Tim Love, Fermin Nuñez, Patrick Terry, Katherine Klapner, and leaders from Raising Cane’s, GrubBurger, Cheesecake Factory, among others will be speakers during these sessions.

Tickets are free for restaurant operators and $145 for non-exhibiting suppliers
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18

TiE DALLAS WOMEN’S SUMMIT—FIRESIDE CHAT ON EDUCATION AND ED TECH
Online
6 p.m.

Sandhya Padala of Rex Academy, Vandana Gupta, and Dipti Pujara of Inspiration Masters, LLC will be discussing their businesses during the summit.

Free
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18 – SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

A cabinet card photograph. [Image: Courtesy Amon Carter Museum of American Art]

ACTING OUT: CABINET CARDS AND THE MAKING OF MODERN PHOTOGRAPHY
Amon Carter Museum of American Art in Fort Worth
Check schedule for times

This Amon Carter Museum of American Art exhibition is the “first-ever in-depth examination of the photographic phenomenon of cabinet cards,” according to the museum. The cards were the main format “for photographic portraiture through the last three decades of the nineteenth century,” says the museum.

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS: RACE AND RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITY—THE PAST
Online
7 p.m.

In the second session of this four-part program, The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum (DHHRM) wants to give historical context to race relations and systemic racism in Dallas. The DHHRM will shed light on the “history of racial inequity and division in education, housing, policing and other sectors” and provide a historical foundation for the series, according to a statement.

Free
Find more information here.

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TEXAS WOMEN’S FOUNDATION PRESENTS CELEBRATING BLACK PHILANTHROPY MONTH
Online
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

During this event, leaders plan to discuss the increasing role and responsibility of Black philanthropy in response to economic and racial justice as well as advancing social change. Speakers include:

Hattie Hill
Halima Leak Francis, Ph.D.
Cathryn McClellan Kelly
Christa Brown-Sanford
Lisa Montgomery

Free
Find more information here.

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VOGEL ALCOVE YOUTUBE CONCERT FUNDRAISER FEATURING MARTYN LUCAS
Online
5:30 – 9 p.m.

Martyn Lucas has played the Phantom in the London production of Phantom of the Opera and performed at Prince Harry and Meagan Markle’s wedding. Now, he’ll be performing to raise money for Vogel Alcove, a free comprehensive early childhood education program in Dallas focused on supporting homeless children and their families. A guitar signed by Jon Bon Jovi will be given away among other items during the event.

Tickets are free to $1,000
Find more information here.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21

TAX PLANNING & LENDING FOR BUSINESS OWNERS
Online
10 – 11 a.m.

Sudhir Pai, founder of My Tax Filer, plans to discuss tax compliance and estimated taxes, tax planning for 2020, small business lending, and the premium financing of life insurance.

Free
Find more information here.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

[Image: Courtesy LiftFund]

LIFTFUND PRESENTS WOMAN OWNED WEDNESDAY WITH MEG SUTTON
Online
Noon – 1 p.m.

During the Woman Owned Wednesday series, speakers will discuss the business success strategies and resources available to help attendees’ businesses during these difficult times. Meg Sutton is the owner of San Antonio-based Belle & Union. She plans to share her experiences in obtaining relief funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration and continuing to adapt her company’s offerings to navigate the pandemic.

Free
Find more information here.

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TEXAS WOMEN’S FOUNDATION’S VIRTUAL LEADERSHIP FORUM PRESENTS KATHLEEN LAVALLE
Online
10 a.m.

The Texas Women’s Foundation’s Virtual Leadership Forum will feature Kathleen LaValle, president and CEO of Dallas CASA, as this session’s speaker. LaValle leads the largest CASA program in the country and partners with Jackson Walker LLP to head the women’s initiative and served on the firm-wide diversity committee. She has mentored and coached many young female attorneys, promoted more women to partnership than any other Texas law firm, and serves as a member of the Dallas County Child Welfare board, according to a statement.

Free
Find more information here.

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TEXAS BUSINESS GROUP ON HEALTH PRESENTS 2021 BENEFITS STRATEGIES FOR THE “NEW NORMAL”
Online
Noon – 1:15 p.m.

This webinar is part of a four-part series called “The Challenge of Change.” According to the Texas Business Group on Health, “benefits managers are facing the dual challenge of handling current benefits programs while designing 2021 benefits packages under unprecedented economic pressures, disruption and uncertainty.” This series hopes to help employers become better prepared to help with employees’ health and productivity needs in the “new normal.”

Tickets are $80 for Allied Professionals and complimentary for Texas Employers.
Find more information here.

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UT DALLAS INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PRESENTS IDEA POP
Online
2 – 4 p.m.

For this fall semester kick-off event, attendees can meet the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s team, learn about its resources and programs, and hear from speakers. Event speakers include:

Daron K. Roberts, Center for Sports Leadership & Innovation
Claudia Reuter, Techstars
Matt Haberacker, The Blackstone Group
Takhani Kromah, Blackstone Charitable Foundation

Free
Find more information here.

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SVP DALLAS PRESENTS HOPE, FREEDOM, AND REFORM: A DAUGHTER’S JOURNEY
Online
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Attorney, entrepreneur, author, and investor Brittany K. Barnett will be sharing her experience “of battling for hope, reform, and freedom against a criminal justice system that was designed to resist them all.” Barnett has been able to help free numerous people serving fundamental death sentences for federal drug offenses through her legal work. She has a book called A Knock at Midnight coming out next month.

Tickets are $40
Find more information here.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28

NOKIA: INDUSTRY 4.0 W/ INDUSTRIAL GRADE PRIV. WIRELESS
Online and HEXA Coworking in Richardson
7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

The 3rd Friday IoT SIG Breakfast meeting will be a hybrid event with a limited number of people able to join in person and the rest joining online. Nokia’s Ray Sabourin plans to discuss manufacturing and logistics use cases such as the digital factory campus, the automated shop floor, augmented workers, and Smart Assets. Developers, technologists, and entrepreneurs, as well as business executives looking for IoT solutions and providers are welcome to join.

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 30 – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

DALLAS STARTUP WEEK 2020
Online
Check schedule for times

The DEC Network’s sixth annual Dallas Startup Week looks bigger than ever with three summits, 16 tracks, more than 100 sessions, a new Slack channel, and undoubtedly, some surprises. The tracks include Artificial Intelligence, Arts & Entertainment, Defense Innovation, Fashion, Gaming & Esports, Healthcare, and Social Impact, among plenty of others. Three popular summits are back for the virtual edition of DSW: Disrupt Dallas, the Corporate Innovation Summit, and Women of Innovation. The latter summit’s speakers include Joni Carswell, Texan by Nature’s CEO, and Jamie O’Banion, BeautyBio’s Founder.

Free
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

THE 2020 TEXAS TRIBUNE FESTIVAL
Online
Check schedule for times

The Texas Tribune Festival is said to be one of the nation’s largest annual gatherings in the U.S. with over 250 speakers and 100 programs. For the entire month of September, the Tribune will be hosting conversations on topics such as how the coronavirus has affected the election cycle, the legislative session, education, health care, and the economy, as well as immigration, energy, criminal justice, and redistricting. This year’s speakers include:

Anthony Fauci
Ted Cruz
Willie Nelson
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Hilary Clinton
Nikole Hannah-Jones
Gloria Steinem

Tickets are $49 to $199
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

CAPITAL FACTORY PRESENTS LATINX IN TECH SUMMIT
Online
Noon to 5 p.m.

During Capital Factory’s first virtual Latinx in Tech Summit, it plans to host a keynote speaker, fireside chats, discussion sessions, a startup showcase, “Epic Office Hours,” and panels on topics facing the tech community. Capital Factory invites all Latinx leaders, entrepreneurs, and allies in tech to join in.

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

CODELAUNCH NATIONAL SEED ACCELERATOR COMPETITION AND STARTUP CONFERENCE
Comerica Center in Frisco
3 – 9 p.m.

This annual event provides seed services to winners through CodeLaunch’s National Seed Accelerator Competition, while also connecting entrepreneurs, startup founders, and investors through its Startup Conference. Over $100,000 in complimentary services will be offered to this year’s finalists. The event will still be happening in person, but with measures and procedures to make sure it’s safe, according to CodeLaunch.

Tickets are free to $99
Find more information here.

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CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS: RACE AND RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITY—THE PRESENT
Online
7 p.m.

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum (DHHRM) will be opening the floor for personal testimony during the third session of its four-part series on race and racism. During this conversation, the DHHRM wants to focus on the voices of people of color, while discussing “what racism looks like in our city now, recent changes in our communities, and the work that still needs to be done.”

Free
Find more information here.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

LIFTFUND PRESENTS WOMAN OWNED WEDNESDAY WITH LIKA TORLINE
Online
Noon – 1 p.m.

During the Woman Owned Wednesday series, speakers will discuss the business success strategies and resources available to help attendees’ businesses during these difficult times. Lika Torline is the founder of In The Weeds Natural Skin Care. She plans to share “how she pivoted her business from mostly in-person sales to an online success when COVID-19 struck.”

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

[Image: Courtesy YTexas]

2020 YTEXAS “STATE OF BUSINESS” SUMMIT
Online
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This summit plans to give attendees insights on trends, initiatives, and innovation happening across Texas business communities, with over 30 business leaders scheduled to speak during the event. Speakers include:

Dale Petroskey from The Dallas Regional Chamber
Robert Sturns from the City of Ft. Worth
Susan Davenport from the Greater Houston Partnership
Jenna Saucedo-Herrera from the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation

Tickets are $50
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

TEXAS WOMEN’S FOUNDATION HOSTS 35TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON
Online
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Award-winning actress, director, and producer America Ferrera will be the keynote speaker at this annual event. Bonnie Clinton, vice president and chief procurement officer at Toyota Motor North America, and Cynt Marshall, CEO of The Dallas Mavericks, will co-chair the luncheon. A. Shonn Brown, Texas Women’s Foundation board chair and Kimberly-Clark vice president and deputy general counsel, and Laysha Ward, Target executive vice president and chief external engagement officer, will also be participating in the event.

Tickets are $35
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

CRUCIAL CONVERSATIONS: RACE AND RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITY—THE FUTURE
Online
7 p.m.

To conclude The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum’s (DHHRM) four-part series on race and racism, the DHHRM will build off of its previous conversations on language, history, and personal experience to strategize on how to move forward. This session plans to discuss concrete strategies to combat systemic racism and be a call to action to be involved in this work.

Free
Find more information here.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

[Image: Courtesy bigBANG!]

bigBANG! 2020 – EQUITY IN ACTION: THE NEXT 100 YEARS!
Online
Check schedule for times

bigBANG! says it’s North Texas’ longest social impact event, which brings together social innovators, community leaders, and business professionals. The theme of this year’s event is “Equity in Action: The Next 100 Years!” Through this theme, the event plans to explore racial, gender, and economic equity in our communities. It hopes to “lift up rightful disruption and its methods to dismantle injustice and intentionally build systems that provide equal opportunity for all people to participate with dignity in the economic life of our society.”

Tickets are $20 to $155
Find more information here.