Tasha's To Do List: Aug. 13-16

Looking for ways to beat the heat with your family -- or maybe your dog? KRLD's Tasha Stevens has some cool suggestions to kick off your weekend!

-- They call this Texan the "Tone Ranger" because his guitar sound is so good. See Eric Johnson/A Night of Acoustic Guitar and Piano at The Kessler on Thursday night.

-- This week's Rockin the River features a smidgen of red dirt country's CCR. See former Cross Canadian Ragweed vocalist Cody Canada and the Departed at Panther Island Pavilion on Thursday.

-- Blast your way into the weekend Friday night at the Grapevine Summer Blast Friday Fireworks!

-- The 28th Annual Highland Village Balloon Festival on Aug. 14 - 16 will feature fun for the whole family! Enjoy the wiener dog races, kid zone, live bands, car show, 5k run, food, arts & crafts and of course the hot air balloons.

-- Singer Jill Scott is playing the Verizon on Friday.

-- Comedian Kevin Hart is at the AAC on Friday!

-- If you have a dog, this is your weekend. There are SOOOO many dog events. The Cedar Hill Dog Jog and Paws in the Pool is happening at Crawford Park on Saturday.

-- The 10th annual Dog-A-Poolooza is also Saturday at Holford Recreation Center. Furry friends are invited for a swim at this event that will also include unleashed swimming, pet services and supplies, adoptions, nail trimmings and more. Low-cost vaccinations and microchipping also will be available beginning at 9 a.m. Proceeds will support Garland Pawsibilities' mission to increase shelter pet adoptions in Garland.

The City of Garland will also participate in Clear the Shelters Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. All pet adoption fees will be waived during this time! Adoptions will be held at the Garland Animal Shelter, 600 Tower St., and Pet Adoption Center, 813 Main St. On Clear the Shelters Day, all pet adoption fees will be waived for spayed and neutered animals in Garland, as well as at more than 40 other shelters across North Texas. A list of locations, adoption policies and other important information about Clear the Shelters Day can be found at EmptytheShelter.org.

-- It is Doggie Splash Day in Mesquite Saturday at Vanston Pool. This Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department event is a great opportunity for dogs and their owners to cool off, compete for prizes, or just play at the pool. Activities include access to the wading pool, lap pool, and one-meter diving board, as well as a Swim suit contest, Dog paddle race and Diving contest.

-- Dog Splash Day Richardson is on Saturday at Terrace Pool benefiting the Richardson Animal Shelter.

-- The Rowlett Pooch Plunge is set for Sunday at The Wet Zone. All proceeds from ticket sales will be used to assist animals in the Rowlett area.

-- This week's Midnight Maddness at the Inwood Theater Friday night is "Jurassic Park."

-- Check out elaborate chalk art designs by amazing professional street painting artists at West 7th in Fort Worth at the Chalk Art Festival on Saturday.

-- The Plano Coin Show is happening Friday thru Sunday at the Richardson Civic Center.

-- Asleep at the Wheel is playing Friday night at Billy Bob's Texas. Saturday night, Clay Walker is playing Billy Bobs.

-- One-The Only Tribute to Metallica is playing Sunday night at Trees.

-- You need to hurry over to the Dallas Zoo for the Giants of the Jurassic before the event is over. The zoo is launching a half-price summer special so everyone can catch them before they go extinct. Admission is 50% off through Aug. 31. This Saturday night at the Dallas Zoo, check out the Twilight Safari Night Hike.

-- There is only one more left and it is Friday night, so get on over to one of the 7 Hawaiian Falls Water Parks in North Texas for Friday Night Slides. There will also be fireworks at the Colony and White Settlement locations. Select slides will be featured with additional lighting for Friday Night Slides. Special glow in the dark merchandise and food & beverages will be available such as L.E.D. enhanced shave ice and cotton candy.

-- If you loved the movie The Outsiders, see it on 35 MM film Friday night at the Texas Theater.

-- It may be hot outside, but The Library bar at the Warwick Melrose Hotel is always cool - in more ways than one. Friday will be one very cool special concert with Erik Barnes who is celebrating 20 years as the "piano man" in The Library. Friday evening, he is inviting musician friends to sit in with him as he plays everything from Cole Porter to Cold Play.

-- It seems like we were just planting a bunch of stuff this past spring and it is already time for the 2015 Fall Texas Home and Garden Show at the Fort Worth Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday. Here is your chance to get expert advice, money saving tips, remodeling ideas, landscape features and everything you need for your home and garden!

-- If you are a fan of the Vampire Diaries, this is going to really suck. (Sorry. It was there.) Check out The Vampire Diaries Official Convention at Westin Park Central Friday through Sunday

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