The last time you pulled an all-nighter in Denton, you might’ve been cramming for an exam. Maybe you haven’t been back since. Maybe you’ve never been north of Royal Lane.

Denton forgives you.

This April Fools’ Day, The Greater Denton Arts Council (GDAC) presents Arts All Night: a yuuuge twelve-hour celebration of all things artsy and Denton at the Patterson-Appleton Art Center.

No joke, this is probably the most efficient (and affordable) night you’ll find to experience Denton’s arts scene and culture, all in one place. With a $10 ticket, you can attend over a dozen events and activities scheduled for the night, including a performance from Grammy-winning Dentonites/polka superstars Brave Combo. Jessie Frye, KXT fave and Denton’s resident Queen of Goth-Pop, performs later in the evening as well. You can perform too, if ya like, with open karaoke spun by DJ Mark Ridlen. Plus, kids 12 and under get in free!

I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is yes. There will be free Celtic dancing lessons. Oh, not that? What about flashlight tours? Art demonstrations? Bedtime stories? Yes, those too.

The GDAC is keeping Denton Beer’d with free samples until 1 a.m. (with ID), Jupiter House will be out with FREE coffee, and loads of fabulous food trucks are sure to park nearby. You can snag a freshly printed t-shirt from Norman Roscoe, or maybe fashion yourself some pipe cleaner fishnets (for free) at “DIY In The Dark” before hitting up the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”/”Shock Treatment” marathon which runs until 6 a.m.

What’s so great about Denton? Give it twelve (weird) hours, and you’ll understand — or at least be entertained. Get to know Denton on April 1st with Arts All Night at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, just off Hickory and Bell.

Here’s the full line-up (as per the GDAC website):

6:00 PM
Happy Hour with the Vintage Jazz Society | Festival Hall
Start your evening with classic jazz of the 20th century with Denton’s Vintage Jazz Society.

 

6:00-8:00 PM
Family Art Activities | Craft Studio
Artists of all ages can enjoy creating fun arts and crafts projects in the Studio with Arts Council staff and volunteers.

 

6:00-9:00 PM
Artist Demonstrations with VAST | Meadows and Gough Galleries
Join artists from the Visual Art Society of Texas in the galleries as they demonstrate a variety of techniques and media.

 

6:00-10:00 PM
Print Press with Norman Roscoe | Festival Hall
Meet the artists of Norman Roscoe and take home a freshly printed artisan t-shirt to commemorate the night. T-shirts are $20 or free with a $50 or more membership or donation.

 

7:00 PM
Gallery Performance with Denton Celtic Dancers | Festival Hall
Kick up your heels and learn traditional Scottish dances with Denton’s Celtic Dancers. All ages are welcome to join in the fun!

 

7:00 PM
Performances in the Galleries with Spiderweb Salon | Meadows Gallery
Join the poets of Spiderweb Salon for readings and performances in galleries

 

7:00 PM
Performances in the Galleries: Family Storytelling with Twice Upon A Time Storytellers | Gough Gallery

You’re never too old for bedtime stories! Join local storytellers Gene and Peggy Helmick-Richardson in the galleries for family friendly tales and stories.

 

8:00 PM
Family Concert with BRAVE COMBO | Festival Hall
Dance the night away with the Grammy award winning Denton icons Brave Combo!

 

9:00 PM
Gallery Performances with TWU Dance | Festival Hall
Enjoy contemporary dance performances by students of TWU’s talented dance department.

 

9:00 PM
Hide & Seek Flashlight Tours | Gough Gallery
Discover the playful works of DISD elementary students by flashlight in this self-guided gallery experience for all ages!

 

10:00 PM
Concert with Jessie Frye | Festival Hall
Continue the late night fun with award winning Denton singer, songwriter, and pianist Jessie Frye.

 

10:00 PM – 6:00 AM
DIY in the Dark | East Crafts Room
Insomniacs, discover your inner artist with DIY art projects in the studio.

 

11:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Karaoke with DJ Mark Ridlen | Festival Hall
DJ Mark Ridlen (original Starck Club DJ/ SCARAOKE) provides the coolest karaoke in DFW. Choose your after dark debut from one of the hundreds of classic and contemporary songs provided.

 

1:00 AM – 6:00 AM
Rocky Horror Picture Show marathon with a special showing of Shock Treatment
presented by Alamo Drafthouse | Festival Hall
Do the Time Warp and welcome the wee hours with back to back screenings of two cult classics set in DENTON. Don’t miss cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show (rated R) at 1 AM and its rarely seen follow-up Shock Treatment (rated PG) at 3 AM. Afterwards, enjoy an encore presentation of RHPS ending at dawn.