North Texas is a big place, with plenty to do, see, hear, and watch. So, we scour the internet every week to find events and activities for you. As always, events may change at any time, so check the event website or registration page for the latest details.

THURSDAY, MAY 4 

CODELAUNCH – MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU 
CodeLaunch, 3001 Dallas Pkwy., in Frisco 
4 – 7 p.m. 

The CodeLaunch May The Fourth Be With You Open House is an event for everyone interested in the CodeLaunch seed accelerator competition. There will be refreshments and discussions about this year’s competition.

Free
Find more information here. 

THURSDAY, MAY 4 – SATURDAY, MAY 27

HOLY BONE 
Taco Mariachi, 602 Singleton Blvd., in Dallas
7:30 p.m. 

This performance will take audiences through a series of tests, teachings, dialogues, and experiences as they maneuver through several different venues. The audiences journey will begin with whispered questions to determine each individuals map to the reality that exists just outside of our perceptions. Each of the 14 stages of the initiation will offer another inquiry, insight, and experience. “Beware, Dallas: things may not always be what they seem. Pay attention,” the event website says. 

Tickets are $20.
Find more information and purchase tickets here. 

FRIDAY, MAY 5 

USICOC ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2017
Communities Foundation of Texas, 5500 Caruth Haven Lane, in Dallas 
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Women entrepreneurs and professionals can come together to network and learn from successful women. Speakers include: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson; Mona Charif, chief marketing officer, NTT DATA; Chandra Dhandapani, chief digital and technology officer, CBRE; Debjani Biswas, president, Coachieve LLC; Dr. Jaya Kumar, medical director, Medical City Denton. 

Tickets range from $25 to $35.
Register and find more information here. 

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3 QUESTIONS YOU MUST ANSWER TO BEAT YOUR COMPETITION 
The Addison TreeHouse, 14681 Midway Road, in Addison 
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. 

During this TreeHouse Fireside Chats event, mentor Ravi Verma speaks on the three answers you must have to beat your competition. Attendees are invited to stay for free coworking at the entrepreneurship center following the event. 

Tickets are $10. 
Find more information and register here. 

SATURDAY, MAY 6 

BOXER BOWTIE CLUB’S 1ST ANNUAL DALLAS GALA
Trunk Club Dallas, 333 1st Ave., in Dallas
7:30 – 11 p.m.

Boxer Bowtie Club hosts its inaugural Dallas Gala, benefiting Education Opens Doors. The gala will be an evening of drinks, dancing, and fundraising. Tickets are all-inclusive and include hor d’oeuvres, open bar, and live music, as well as the opportunity to bid on exclusive silent auction items.

Ticket prices begin at $125. 
Purchase tickets and find more information here. 

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CELEBRATE DOWNTOWN! DIVE IN
Main Street Garden Park, 1902 Main St., in Dallas 
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Preservation Dallas and Downtown Dallas Inc. are teaming up to host this event, which includes a walking tour of downtown Dallas. The tour begins at Main Street Garden and proceeds to multiple historic properties in downtown. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit properties’ rooftops and lofts for refreshments and to enjoy Dallas’ amazing views.

Tickets are $35. 
Find more information here. 

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SEO FOR BUSINESS OWNERS WORKSHOP
Search Engine Academy Texas Training Center, 16135 Preston Road, Suite 109, in Dallas 
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

This workshop helps business owners understand how to best use SEO for their business. Some of the questions that will be answered are: What keywords should I use on my website? How do I read reports and why does it even matter? and Am I working with the right SEO agency? 

This one-day strategy session will help businesses manage a key part of their marketing. 

Cost is $947. 
Purchase tickets and find more information here. 

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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER – BLUEPRINT FOR BUSINESS EXCELLENCE 
Dallas County Schools Technology and Training Center, 5151 Samuell Blvd., in Dallas 
8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Whether you are a seasoned business owner looking to save time and money or need knowledge about how to grow your budding idea/startup, this event will offer information on business resources, finance and accounting tools, and capability statements. The conference is hosted by Dallas ISD along with Dallas County Community College District, Dallas County Schools, and the city of Dallas.

Free
Find more information here. 

SATURDAY, MAY 6 – SUNDAY, MAY 7 

COTTONWOOD ART FESTIVAL
Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Road, in Richardson
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

This semi-annual event features works from the nation’s top visual artists and has been a part of the Richardson community for more than 40 years. The festival takes place on the first full weekend in May and the first full weekend in October each year.

Free
Find more information here. 

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OFF THE RAILS COUNTRY MUSIC FEST
Toyota Stadium, 9200 World Cup Way, in Frisco
noon – 11 p.m.

The two-day country music festival in North Texas will offer live entertainment from stars such as Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean and showcase fan experiences including specialty foods, line-dancing, interactive games, and several other festival amenities.

Get tickets and find more information here. 

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DFW WRITERS CONFERENCE 
The Dallas Sheraton Hotel, 400 N. Olive St., in Dallas 
Saturday, May 6 at 8 a.m. – Sunday, May 7 at 4 p.m. 

Keynote speakers for the 10th anniversary conference will include Rachel Caine, Stephanie Klein, and Jane Friedman. Attendees will have the opportunity for a 10-minute one-on-one pitch session with a literary agent, as well as mingling with all the agents for informal pitches.

There will also be more than 60 engaging classes, panels, and interactive workshops. This year’s theme is Intensify. “It’s about renewing, reinvigorating, refocusing your writing, whether you’re in the early stages of building your platform or maintaining an established career,” according to the event website. 

Tickets range from $164 to $349. 
Find more information and purchase tickets here. 

MONDAY, MAY 8 – THURSDAY, MAY 11 

AUVSI XPONENTIAL – ALL THINGS UNMANNED 
Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center, 650 S. Griffin St., in Dallas
Schedule varies each day 

Leaders in the global community of unmanned systems —  including drones and robots — are coming together next week in Dallas to discuss the future of that industry. XPONENTIAL features keynote speeches, innovative programs, and educational opportunities on subjects such as drones, intelligent robotics, and unmanned systems. 

Ticket prices start at $99. 
Register and find more information here. 

TUESDAY, MAY 9 

GREATER DALLAS PLANNING COUNCIL ANNUAL LUNCHEON 
Omni Hotel Dallas Convention Center, 555 S. Lamar St., in Dallas
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

David Preziosi, executive director of Preservation Dallas, will moderate a discussion about “A New Downtown Dallas: Reshaping Urbanism and Preserving History.” Panelists include Kourtny Garrett, CEO of Downtown Dallas Inc.; Adam Jones, team leader and principal, Merriman; and Rachel L. Roberts, director of branding and marketing, Centurion American Asset Management – The Statler.

Tickets are $75. 
Register and find more information here. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

UPSTANDER SPEAKER SERIES: DR. MEHNAZ AFRIDI 
Unity of Dallas Church, 6525 Forest Lane, in Dallas
5:30 p.m reception followed by program at 6:30 p.m. 

Dr. Mehnaz Afridi is director of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Center at Manhattan College, will speak as part of as part of Dallas Holocaust Museum’s 2017 Upstander Speaker Series. Afridi’s research aims to understand Muslim, Jewish, and Christian relations and to promote interfaith dialogue.

Tickets range from $10-30. 
Find more information about the event and purchase tickets here. 

THURSDAY, MAY 11 

YP GET ON A BOARD PANEL 
Dallas Regional Chamber, 500 N. Akard St., in Dallas 
7:30 – 9 a.m. 

Hear from a panel of nonprofit executives and board members about what it takes to serve on a board, the expectations of board service, and how young professionals can prime themselves for a board seat. This breakfast event helps connect members of the Young Professionals program with local nonprofit organizations that are looking to fill open board seats.

Free
Register and find more information here. 

SNEAK PEEKS

FRIDAY, MAY 12 

CAPITAL PATHWAYS – DALLAS
Paul Quinn College, 3837 Simpson Stuart Road, in Dallas 
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

The U.S. Black Chambers Community Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Texas African American Chambers of Commerce, will hold a free workshop for minority and women entrepreneurs on commercial lending and equity investment options, contracting matchmaking, and credit consultations to build wealth.

Free. 
Register and find more information here. 

TUESDAY, MAY 16 

2017 TECH FW IMPACT SHOWCASE 
Brown-Lupton University Union on the TCU campus, 2901 Stadium Dr., in Fort Worth 

5-7:30 p.m. 

The fourth annual IMPACT Showcase will host more than 25 startups as well as a few portfolio companies of the Cowtown Angels program. These companies will share their stories and showcase what their companies are all about. 

Free
Find more information and register for the event here.

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NORTH TEXAS SMART CITIES SUMMIT
University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., in Richardson

The summit will gather municipal loT stakeholders, federal and state policy advocates, as well as academic and industry thought leaders to address Smart Cities and transportation strategy, deployment, operation, funding, and success.

Register and find more information here. 

SATURDAY, MAY 20 

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS SMALL BUSINESS CONFERENCE 
Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St., in Dallas
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

This multi-track, interactive, one-day conference will connect entrepreneurs and small business owners to key federal, state, and local agencies that support small business growth and development.

Tickets are $20. 
Purchase tickets and find more information here. 

SAVE THE DATE

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS THESE UPCOMING EVENTS

Fill your calendar with the most innovative events in Dallas. Whether you’re interested in Health Wildcatters Health Innovation Pitch Competition, Dallas’ Famous Monsters Convention, or State of Dallas County, Dallas Innovates is here to provide you a guide for the who, what, and where of innovation in Dallas. Find events such as these and many, more here.

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