Local and not-so-local acts playing the event include Seryn, Telegraph Canyon, Calhoun, The Orbans and Dawes. The area is really growing into a hotbed for rising indie folk/rock and it’s starting to fill the music void created after moving back from Austin.

There will also be a lot of great art, food trucks and entertainment, so check the festival website for more info and a full band schedule. Tickets can be purchased online at Front Gate Tickets.

My favorite part of the night was undoubtedly the lead singer’s dreads. They’re not the best I’ve seen, but they’re long and crazy and perfect for a Fort Worth reggae band.

Check out this You Tube video to get a closer look at the dreads. I mean…the band.

And in addition to Central Market’s concerts Thursday through Saturday, Brewtopia is still going on. Check their calendar for all the events with samples and demos from local breweries.

I feel as though Six Flags has already thanked its customers by taking the whiplash out of the ride, but if they want to make the deal better by offering some discounts, I’m all for it.

Breakin' necks since 1990

After all, the park’s prices have been famously high, and that $36.99 is a step up from what we were paying to pound the pavement in 100 degree heat for 5 second rides.

So take advantage, these prices are for September 24, 25 and 30 only and you can buy tickets online to prevent waiting in the ticket line and overhearing awkward first-tween-date conversation.

The event has grown hugely and there were enough bands, tents and wines to make you forget you’re walking down Grapevine’s main street. The Gaylord Texan stage seemed to be the most popular area for adults and families and young tweens filled up the Midway.

We had a sampler of fried oreos and corn dog, washed down with a local Sauvignon Blanc. Not bad. And the nice thing is, there’s much more than fair food. From P.F. Chang’s to crepes, it was easy to find anything you wanted, deep fried or not.

The fest is crowded, but there’s plenty to see and do and it’s worth the admission. If you do head out there next year, just be sure to bring cash, an empty stomach, and your dancing shoes.

And it was a great experience. We avoided traffic and saved time and money looking for a spot. The shuttle picks up from Sherlock’s pub and Boomerjack’s and there’s usually plenty of parking by these bars.

We didn’t have to wait long for the bus — it runs every 15 minutes and we easily got a seat. We were dropped off around home plate, coincidentally close to our game seats and picked up at the same place.

The shuttle comes back to pick up fans from the Ballpark at the top of the 7th and it says it will keep running until all fans are picked up, but I’ve heard it stops about an hour after the game so make sure you get on to avoid walking back.

There is also a $10 shuttle from the square to Cowboys Stadium on game days, and free parking on game days if you spend at least $40 at shops or restaurants. So if you’re going to pre-game at one of the bars or shop there anyway, put your receipt on the dash and you won’t have to worry about extra parking fees.

If you can’t, tickets are $8 for adults and that includes a lot of live bands, a car show, test driving, kids area and lego building contest (sorry, age limit is 14).

Wine tastings, carnival and railroad rides and the grape stomping competition all require tickets in addition to the admission, but it’s not too expensive to listen to live local bands, watch all the wine-drunk people stumbling around, or become one of those people yourself.

There’s a lot of great food and wine tasting at this event, and you get a chance to taste glasses of some local winery grapes. Take one of the free shuttles to a local winery to visit their tasting rooms. The shuttles will run on Saturday and Sunday until 6 p.m.

View the schedule, events and more information on GrapeFest at the event website.

The 2011 Plano balloon festival is coming up September 16-18, and it’s $250 to take a ride in one of those tiny baskets, but it’s much cheaper to watch all the colorful things float around in the sky.

Tickets are a much more affordable $4 for the festival if you go from 9 am to 3 pm and $5 otherwise. There will be live music from local bands, a 5K and half marathon, kids zone, fireworks and of course, tons of balloons. At sunrise and sunset they do a balloon glow, lighting up all the balloons at once.

Check the event site for more info including the history of hot air balloons! I just want to know how you make them look a little less–let’s just say girly.

Ahhh worse!

Ohhh yea that's better.

The event is September 5, and yoga studios all across Dallas, Fort Worth and their respective suburbs will offer free classes. The event will be bigger and better this year because there will be two kick off festivals before the event.

The 5th annual Dallas kick-off event will be Saturday, September 3 at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, and the new Fort Worth event kick-off will be Sunday, September 4 at the Fort Worth water gardens.

These events will bring a lot of talented yoga instructors from the DFW area to teach classes for kids and adults, whether you’re a beginner or yoga expert and the kick-off festivals are also free. Get all the event schedules and information here.

House of Hoops hosted by 93.3 FM and House of Blues

Free admission

Radio giveaways and games

Doors open at 5 p.m.

Watching party at Studio Movie Grill

Free admission, reserved seating with advance $6 food/beverage coupon purchase

7 p.m. at Arlington, Lewisville, Plano and Dallas/Royal locations

Hard Rock Cafe

Free Admission

Burgers and cocktails at happy hour price, kids under 10 eat free with adult entree

7 p.m.