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.

[Image: Courtesy Dallas Architecture Forum]

THURSDAY, APRIL 8

DESIGN INSPIRATIONS – PART ONE
Hosted by Dallas Architecture Forum
Online
6:30 p.m.

Robyn Menter, the founder of Robyn Menter Design Associates, will be moderating this event, which will feature Bruce Bernbaum of Bernbaum/Magadini Architects, Mary Ellen Cowan of MESA’s Residential Design Studio, and Paul Draper of Paul Draper and Associates. As part of its Panel Discussion Series, the Dallas Architecture Forum brings together Dallas’ leading architects, designers, and landscape architects.

Find more information here.

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BUILDING A GREATER DALLAS THROUGH INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH
Hosted by The DEC Network
Online
Noon – 1 p.m.

BUILD Collaborative will be putting on an interactive discussion on building a stronger Dallas small business ecosystem. Among the topics to be discussed are alternative funding models addressing personal wealth and opportunity gaps in the region. Speakers include: 

• Zarin Gracey, Director of Office of Business and Workforce Inclusion, City of Dallas, Office of Economic Development
• Brian Marshall, Director of Entrepreneurship, BCL of Texas
• Bella Gangnes, Director of Investments, Founders First Capital Partners, LLC 
• Darnell Bowen, Controller, Hello Allice

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, APRIL 8 – FRIDAY, APRIL 9

UT DALLAS DEPARTMENT OF BIOENGINEERING 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM
Hosted by University of Texas at Dallas
Online
Check schedule for times

To celebrate ten years of the Department of Bioengineering at UT Dallas, this symposium will host panels, Q&As, and a virtual tour of the department itself. Speakers include:

• Dr. Richard C. Benson, President, UT Dallas
• Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, Dean, Jonsson School
• Dr. Shalini Prasad, Department Head, Bioengineering

Find more information here.

MONDAY, APRIL 12

SPEAKER SERIES | ISAIAH STANBACK
Hosted by The DEC Network
Online
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Founder and CEO of Steadfast Fitness and Performance and former NFL player Isaiah Stanback will be addressing the question, “With 2020 behind us and hope on the horizon, what do we as business owners do now?” He’ll be sharing his entrepreneurial journey and how he is personally moving forward as a business owner.

Free
Find more information here.

TUESDAY, APRIL 13

[Image: Courtesy Capital Factory]

BLACK IN TECH SUMMIT
Hosted by Capital Factory
Online
Noon – 2:30 p.m.

After having a record attendance and awarding a $100,000 investment last year, the Black in Tech Summit is back with another $100,000 Investment Challenge. Along with the pitch competition, there will also be a keynote speech, panels, and Epic Office Hours.

Free
Find more information here.

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TALENT ATTRACTION TALK: DIVERSITY IN RECRUITING
Hosted by Dallas Regional Chamber
Online
8 – 9:15 a.m.

Experts will be sharing their strategies, best practices, and techniques that businesses can use for recruiting and hiring. Speakers include:

• Ebony Butler, Director of Diversity Learning and Development, BGSF
• Kaleb Pask, Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, AT&T
• Andrew Schick, Director, Talent Acquisition, Hilti North America
• Brian Watson, Vice President, Experienced Hire Recruiting, Goldman Sachs

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15

SIPS & SCIENCE: THE LIMINAL COLLECTIVE
Hosted by UT Dallas Center for Brain Health
Online
7 p.m.

Dr. Andy Walshe, a founding member, partner, and chief performance officer of Liminal Collective; Ben Potvin, former Canadian national gymnastics champion; and Angel Collinson, a former competitor on the Freeskiing World Tour, will be leading this session on how “Creativity is Your New Super Power.”

Free
Find more information here.

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TREES: A PRESCRIPTION FOR DALLAS
Hosted by Inclusive Economy Consortium
Online
5 – 6 p.m.

Second to Phoenix, Arizona, according to the Inclusive Economy Consortium, Dallas has the highest heat island effect. Trees can be part of the solution, as they help not only the environment and climate in general, but also have a critical role when it comes to health equity, inequality, and economic development. This event will discuss the power of collective action in creating solutions. Speakers include: 

• Susan Alvarez, PE, CFM, Assistant Director, Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability for the City of Dallas
• Janette Monear, President & CEO of the Texas Trees Foundation
• Candice Bledsoe, Ph.D., 2020 UN Day Global Leadership Award Recipient, Faculty Member at Simmons School of Education & Human Development

Free
Find more information here.

[Image: Courtesy EarthX]

FRIDAY, APRIL 16 – SUNDAY, APRIL 25

EARTHxFILM 2021
Hosted by EarthX
Online and in-person
Check schedule for times

This year, Dallas-based environmental film festival EarthxFilm will be hosting a hybrid event with drive-ins and virtual screenings. The 10-day event will close with a world premiere virtual presentation of Clark Johnson’s Percy Vs. Goliath, which stars Christopher Walken, Adam Beach, Christina Ricci, and Zach Braff.

Find more information here.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

DALLAS STARTUP WEEK SERIES | JASMINE FAIN
Hosted by The DEC Network
Online
6 – 7 p.m.

Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Strategist Jasmine Fain will be providing a preview of what attendees can look forward to at Dallas Startup Week 2021. Fain will be discussing how entrepreneurs can scale their nonprofit’s revenue like it’s a tech startup.

Free
Find more information here.

THURSDAY, MAY 20

WOMEN & WEALTH: WOMEN INVESTING IN WOMEN
Hosted by TechFW, Cowtown Angels, Texas Woman’s University, and Texas Women’s Foundation
Online
1 – 6 p.m.

This virtual event was created for female entrepreneurs and investors, with the goal being to educate women on how to invest in and support female entrepreneurs and to teach female entrepreneurs the ins and outs of funding. The importance of women investing in women, the art of pitching, and what investors look for are among the topics that will be tackled. Speakers include:

• Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, CEO of Eosera, Inc.
• Laura Baldwin, Managing Director at Golden Seeds
• Amanda Micallef, Co-Founder and President of Arsenic

Tickets are $15
Find more information here.

[Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow]

THURSDAY, JUNE 17 – MONDAY, SEPT. 6

IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH EXHIBIT DALLAS
Dallas
Check schedule for times

This immersive exhibition that sold out in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco is now coming to Dallas and is bringing the works of Van Gogh with it. Attendees will be able to walk through and view famous pieces of art including Starry Night, Sunflowers, and The Bedroom as the images move along the walls and floors in an immersive digital format. 

Tickets are $39.99 to $49.99
Find more information here.

[Image: Courtesy Perot Museum of Nature and Science]

THROUGH MONDAY, SEPT. 6

THE SCIENCE OF GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

Hosted by Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Online
Check schedule for times

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is taking guests behind the scenes of world record-breaking feats by highlighting stories from the people who accomplished them and the science behind it. From the largest Pac-Man game to the longest moustache, attendees will learn about some astonishing record breakers and get the chance to challenge themselves.

Find more information here.