The heat is here to stay, most likely, but there’s plenty of cool things happening around town that are DARTable. Whether you’re a barbecue fanatic, a festival lover or a theater-goer, you’ve got plenty to choose from this weekend.

Friday, June 8

The Big D BBQ Battle is a cook-off competition that ’cue heads won’t want to miss. The first thousand people through the gate will get a chance to vote on who gets bragging rights to the best barbecue in North Texas. It happens at Addison Circle Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center. Get ready to load up on some brisket, ribs, pork shoulder… you get the idea. The festival runs both Friday and Saturday.

If you’re feeling a little heavy after all that great meat, head down the street to the WaterTower Theatre, where their production of The Last Five Years opened Thursday and will run through July 1. The play tackles the universal question: Are you where you thought you'd be five years ago? (Stuffed with barbecue, we’re guessing?) Observant and bitingly funny, the award-winning musical follows two 20-something artists in New York through the beginning, the in-between and the end of their relationship.

Saturday, June 9

For an immersive and interactive celebration of world cultures, head to Irving’s Canal Fest, taking place near Las Colinas’ Lake Carolyn, a short walk from Las Colinas Urban Center Station. (There will be a free shuttle from the station to the festival, as well; the Las Colinas APT trams also will be transporting attendees between the station and site.) The fun lineup includes dance, music, art and food, as well as three performance stages. The festival is free.

If the culture you have in mind for the day is more along the lines of kicking back and watching a movie, you can catch a great one for free near Downtown Carrollton Station. As part of the city’s Movies on the Square series, Justice League will screen at sunset. The Batman movie finds Bruce Wayne with a restored faith in humanity, enlisting a newfound ally to fight a foe.

Sunday, June 10

It would be a great day to catch Gypsy at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch – the classic American musical is entering the last week of its run. Telling the story of Rose, a gregarious stage mom determined to get her two daughters into show business, the play features numerous standards – “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything's Coming Up Roses” among them. The theater is a short walk from Farmers Branch Station.

Need a blast from the somewhat more recent past? The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory can deliver the goods when Styx takes the stage, along with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Do you love rock’n’roll? If you said no, you’re probably fooling yourself.

The heat is here to stay, most likely, but there’s plenty of cool things happening around town that are DARTable. Whether you’re a barbecue fanatic, a festival lover or a theater-goer, you’ve got plenty to choose from this weekend.

Friday, June 8

The Big D BBQ Battle is a cook-off competition that ’cue heads won’t want to miss. The first thousand people through the gate will get a chance to vote on who gets bragging rights to the best barbecue in North Texas. It happens at Addison Circle Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center. Get ready to load up on some brisket, ribs, pork shoulder… you get the idea. The festival runs both Friday and Saturday.

If you’re feeling a little heavy after all that great meat, head down the street to the WaterTower Theatre, where their production of The Last Five Years opened Thursday and will run through July 1. The play tackles the universal question: Are you where you thought you'd be five years ago? (Stuffed with barbecue, we’re guessing?) Observant and bitingly funny, the award-winning musical follows two 20-something artists in New York through the beginning, the in-between and the end of their relationship.

Saturday, June 9

For an immersive and interactive celebration of world cultures, head to Irving’s Canal Fest, taking place near Las Colinas’ Lake Carolyn, a short walk from Las Colinas Urban Center Station. (There will be a free shuttle from the station to the festival, as well; the Las Colinas APT trams also will be transporting attendees between the station and site.) The fun lineup includes dance, music, art and food, as well as three performance stages. The festival is free.

If the culture you have in mind for the day is more along the lines of kicking back and watching a movie, you can catch a great one for free near Downtown Carrollton Station. As part of the city’s Movies on the Square series, Justice League will screen at sunset. The Batman movie finds Bruce Wayne with a restored faith in humanity, enlisting a newfound ally to fight a foe.

Sunday, June 10

It would be a great day to catch Gypsy at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch – the classic American musical is entering the last week of its run. Telling the story of Rose, a gregarious stage mom determined to get her two daughters into show business, the play features numerous standards – “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything's Coming Up Roses” among them. The theater is a short walk from Farmers Branch Station.

Need a blast from the somewhat more recent past? The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory can deliver the goods when Styx takes the stage, along with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Do you love rock’n’roll? If you said no, you’re probably fooling yourself.

The heat is here to stay, most likely, but there’s plenty of cool things happening around town that are DARTable. Whether you’re a barbecue fanatic, a festival lover or a theater-goer, you’ve got plenty to choose from this weekend.

Friday, June 8

The Big D BBQ Battle is a cook-off competition that ’cue heads won’t want to miss. The first thousand people through the gate will get a chance to vote on who gets bragging rights to the best barbecue in North Texas. It happens at Addison Circle Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center. Get ready to load up on some brisket, ribs, pork shoulder… you get the idea. The festival runs both Friday and Saturday.

If you’re feeling a little heavy after all that great meat, head down the street to the WaterTower Theatre, where their production of The Last Five Years opened Thursday and will run through July 1. The play tackles the universal question: Are you where you thought you'd be five years ago? (Stuffed with barbecue, we’re guessing?) Observant and bitingly funny, the award-winning musical follows two 20-something artists in New York through the beginning, the in-between and the end of their relationship.

Saturday, June 9

For an immersive and interactive celebration of world cultures, head to Irving’s Canal Fest, taking place near Las Colinas’ Lake Carolyn, a short walk from Las Colinas Urban Center Station. (There will be a free shuttle from the station to the festival, as well; the Las Colinas APT trams also will be transporting attendees between the station and site.) The fun lineup includes dance, music, art and food, as well as three performance stages. The festival is free.

If the culture you have in mind for the day is more along the lines of kicking back and watching a movie, you can catch a great one for free near Downtown Carrollton Station. As part of the city’s Movies on the Square series, Justice League will screen at sunset. The Batman movie finds Bruce Wayne with a restored faith in humanity, enlisting a newfound ally to fight a foe.

Sunday, June 10

It would be a great day to catch Gypsy at the Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch – the classic American musical is entering the last week of its run. Telling the story of Rose, a gregarious stage mom determined to get her two daughters into show business, the play features numerous standards – “Let Me Entertain You” and “Everything's Coming Up Roses” among them. The theater is a short walk from Farmers Branch Station.

Need a blast from the somewhat more recent past? The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory can deliver the goods when Styx takes the stage, along with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Do you love rock’n’roll? If you said no, you’re probably fooling yourself.