The Relatives of Dallas, TX

The Rev. Gean West, bandleader of West Dallas’ own The Relatives, had a near-death experience in which he said God told him, “I got a little more work for you to do. I’m sending you back.” West died a few weeks later, just this past February, but not before his family band finished its third LP, “Goodbye World” on Love N Haight Records. Matt Stansberry and the Romance open this 8 p.m. show.

The Kessler, 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org, $25

AUG. 4

‘Rhapsody in August’

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff marks the 70th anniversary of the United States’ atomic bombing of Japan. Its 7 p.m. screening of Akira Kurosawa’s film is about a woman who lives on a farm near Nagasaki and visits a dying family member in America. The Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff, 3839 W. Kiest, 214.337.2429, firsttuesdayfilms.org, free

AUG. 6

Catapults

Build three catapults and launch stuff off of them in this 1 p.m. workshop sponsored by the Dallas Foundation. Recommended for ages 8 and up. North Oak Cliff Library, 302 W. Tenth, 214.670.7555, dallaslibrary.org, free

AUG. 11 AND 24

Town-hall meetings

Your representatives want to hear from you. The Hampton-Illinois Library hosts U.S. Rep. Mark Veasey at 6 p.m. Aug. 11 to give a legislative update and hear from constituents. District 3 City Councilman Casey Thomas presents a budget townhall meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24.

Hampton-Illinois Library, 2951

S. Hampton, 214.670.7646, dallaslibrary.org, free

Aug. 2 and 16

Class of ’85

The Texas Theatre and the Oak Cliff Cultural Center wrap up their Class of ’85 film series this month with free screenings of “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” on Aug. 2 and a rare screening of “Return to Oz” Aug. 16. Both shows start at 3 p.m. The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546, thetexastheatre.com, free

AUG. 28

Kevin Smith

Parade of Flesh brings filmmaker Kevin Smith for an evening at the Texas Theatre. Smith spent nearly 20 years making movies including “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Chasing Amy,” “Dogma,” “Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back” and most recently, “Tusk.”

The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546, paradeofflesh.com, $35-$55

AUG. 29

True Widow

This East Dallas-based “stonergaze” band has two terrific albums, As High As the Highest Heavens and From the Center to the Circumference of the Earth. They play a 9 p.m. free show. The Foundry, 2303 Pittman, 214.749.1112, cs-tf.com, free

AUG. 30

Jazz in the afternoon

Oak Cliff-based TeCo Theatrical Productions presents “An Afternoon of Jazz” at Fair Park with Dave Koz, Rick Braun and Kenny Lattimore. The show starts at 3 p.m.; a 12:30 p.m. brunch is available. Call for reservations.

The Music Hall at Fair Park, 909 First Ave., 214.565.1116, liveatthemusichall.com, $55-$75

CARNIVAL BARKER’S ICE CREAMS

345 W. Jefferson 972.603.8225 facebook.com/carnivalbarkers

AMBIANCE: WALK-UP WINDOW

PRICE RANGE: $5-$6

HOURS:

NOON-10 P.M., TUESDAY-THURSDAY AND SUNDAY; NOON-MIDNIGHT FRIDAY AND SATURDAY; CLOSED MONDAY

DID YOU KNOW?

YOU CAN ADD BACON TO ANYTHING FOR $1

Ice cream shop owner Aaron Barker still has his space at the Truck Yard off Lower Greenville, but our neighborhood is the new headquarters for Carnival Barker’s, he says. The 400-squarefoot shop at Jefferson Tower, which opened in June, is about twice the size of the Truck Yard space, and it has more room for production and experimentation, Barker says. Hot sellers in Oak Cliff include The Cinnamon Toast Crunch treat sandwich. Take one enormous scoop of handmade ice cream and squish it between two even more enormous cereal treats. All the ice cream at Carnival Barker’s is made in small batches with no artificial flavors or coloring. Barker always offers vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, but otherwise, flavors rotate. Recently, he gave some space to his pal Kevin Chapman of Kessler Plaza who serves his awardwinning chili in a bowl, on frito pie or on hot dogs.

—Rachel Stone