Gay List Daily’s must-do events: Oct. 16-21

by Staff of Gay List Daily

This week our inboxes were packed tighter than Mario Lopez in a six-year-old girl’s unitard. And for the most part, we were given the scoop on several great live performances. But if you prefer to not be confined to an uncomfortable seat drinking a $16 beer, we’ve also got a couple of free events that are sure to give you a wonderful budgetgasm.

Diamond Is Forever: Neil Diamond in Concert

Tonight, 8:00 p.m.

Sweet Caroline! Catch legendary singer Neil Diamond crooning to a crowd of old ladies and men trapped in the ’70s with hairy chests and big medallions on their necklaces. Oh, and us, of course.

Tickets $55 - $120; American Airlines Center; www.ticketmaster.com

Breaking And Entering (And Drinking): Thursday Night Lights at One Arts Plaza

Tonight, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.

Live like the George and Weezie Jefferson. Well, at least for two hours. Move on up to the 22nd floor and enjoy a free glass of wine in one of the residences created by architect Lionel Morrison. Then sneak out the window and teeter on the edge of the building, OR head downstairs to one of the restaurants to enjoy the live entertainment on the plaza.

No reservations required; One Arts Plaza; www.artsplazaevents.com

Fava Beans & A Nice Concerto: The Music of Sir Anthony Hopkins

Friday, October 17, 8:00 p.m.

That Hannibal Lecter, he can do anything. From the proper wine pairing to serve with Brain Tartare to the ideal temperature for roasting a human liver, he’s a Renaissance man for sure. Now his alter ego, Sir Anthony Hopkins’ own compositions will be performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, along with scores and main titles from many of his films. Oh, and did we say he’ll be there in person for this world premiere event? Yeah, he’ll be there.

Tickets $35 - $90; Meyerson Symphony Center; www.dallassymphony.com

Holy Trinity!: Grand Opening Weekend: Trinity River Audubon Center

Saturday, October 18 & Sunday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

When nature calls, hit the road and head to the beautiful environmental pocket of calm in this hectic city. Tour the facility, hold your lighter up and jam out to lectures on all sorts of naturey topics. Plus, you’ll be walking around the largest urban hardwood forest in the United States. Right in our own back yard. Who knew?

Free All Weekend; Trinity River Audubon Center; www.tx.audubon.org

Old Children On The Cul-De-Sac?: NKOTB in Concert

Sunday, October 19, 8:00 p.m.

Oh, it seems like just yesterday we were in our mother’s wombs listening to “Step by Step” as we bounced around while she did the Jane Fonda Workout. But now, here they (and we) are all grown up and ready to take on the world one choreographed move at a time.

Tickets: $75; American Airlines Center; www.ticketmaster.com

The Quadrilogy Is Complete: Tuna Does Vegas

Tuesday, October 21- Sunday, October 26

The quick-change eccentricities of Joe Sears and Jaston Williams portraying every citizen of the “third-smallest town in Texas” hit the road and head to Vegas in the fourth installment in the long-running, crowd-pleasing Greater Tuna series. The land of all-you-can-eat buffets, 99¢ shrimp cocktails and legal prostitution will never be the same.

Tickets $25 - $69; Bass Performance Hall; www.casamanana.org

Go West Young Man!: DFW Federal Club Mixer

Friday, October 17, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Mix and mingle with some of HRC’s biggest supporters as this month’s DFW Federal Club party moves to Cowtown. And don't forget to stay for dinner at The Vault or other popular Sundance Square restaurants, including Taverna, Mi Cocina and Reata...to name a few!

Free, Membership not required; The Vault; www.dfwfederalclub.org