Welcome to February! There’s so much to look forward to this month. Celebrate Black History Month with a play about first African-American named to the Supreme Court, or an exhibit that explores the history of black theatre and its cultural impact. Get a jump on Valentine’s Day and treat your sweetie to some Bach, a comedy show, or an art exhibition. Sure, February is a short month, but there’s no shortage of things to do this week!

Wednesday

Stanley Whitney, SunRa 2016

The Dallas Museum of Art hosts former tech exec and current lifestyle guru, Dave Evans, tonight. He’ll discuss his book “Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life.” Join in the Arts & Letters Live conversation in the Horchow Auditorium.

Also in Dallas, “The Christians” is a new play centering on a pastor with a sermon sure to confound the congregation at his mega-church. See the Dallas Theater Center’s production at the Kalita Humphreys Theater on Turtle Creek.

And in Fort Worth, see the multicolored, irregular grids that minimalist painter Stanley Whitney has become known. See the exhibition “Focus” at the Modern Art Museum.

Thursday

After enduring Japanese internment camps and breaking through racial barriers to become a TV star, actor George Takei has become an acclaimed author and an activist for LGBTQ causes. Takei will speak tonight at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium, as part of the Upstander speaker series presented by The Dallas Holocaust Museum.

The Authors’ series focusing on the African Diaspora kicks off tonight with New Dialogues with Nicole Dennis-Benn. It’s co-presented by WordSpace and takes place at the South Dallas Cultural Center.

The College of Visual Arts and Design at UNT hosts a conversation on the intersection of art and politics in North Texas. Tonight, featured guests will be Sara-Jayne Parsons, curator of TCU Art Galleries and Giovanni Valderas, assistant director of Kirk Hopper Fine Art, and former vice chairman of the Cultural Affairs Commission for the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. Hear the discussion at the UNT Art Building, Room 101.

Friday

The stage is set for heartache in Stage West’s adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull.” This bold play is a provocative and funny examination of love, class, and desire.

In Dallas, there are only a few more chances to see Second Thought Theatre’s “Grounded.” The play centers on a fighter pilot who’s been reassigned to operate military drones from a windowless trailer outside Las Vegas.

And in Arlington, the Maverick Theatre Company promises a night of outrageous comedy and “oh-no-you-didn’t” moments with FLIGHT 12 IMPROV. See it at the University of Arlington.

Saturday

Catch the opening reception of photographer Rachel Cox’s new exhibition “Shiny Ghost” at UNT ArtSpace Dallas. The work is part of a 10-year project that documents the death of her grandmother.

Sunday

Jubilee Theatre’s latest production tells the story of a poor black boy from Maryland who becomes the first African-American named to the Supreme Court.  See the powerful one-man play, “Thurgood.” Running through February at their Fort Worth theater.

Guest conductor Christoph König leads the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra as they perform Brahms’ monumental Symphony No. 1 at Bass Performance Hall.

Monday

SMU’s Meadow’s School of the Arts presents a rare opportunity for fans of Bach to hear “The Art of the Fugue” in its entirety. Don’t miss out the performance and commentary by guest pianist, Daniel Herscovitch. Show’s at Caruth Auditorium in the Owens Art Center.

The Dallas Museum of Art celebrates Texas Short Fiction with readings by Texas-connected actors in “Texas Bound,” a program combining literature with theater. The series kicks off tonight at the DMA.

In Irving, artist and activist Vicki Meek uses text and visuals to explore what it feels like to lose control of one’s body in the exhibit “Vulnerable.” See it at North Lake College.

Tuesday

Explore the poetic work of “The Lost Generation: World War I Poetry” at UNT’s Willis Library in Denton. The recently added exhibition has works by soldier poets whose verse often sits uncomfortably alongside popular songs that romanticize self-sacrifice for the nation’s glory.

“We Appreciate Your Business” is an exhibition by local artists whose works used expressive use of color, text, and iconic imagery to explore life through their eyes. See this group exhibition in the Paxton Moore Fine Art Gallery at El Centro College.

Celebrate the history of black theater in Texas with the exhibition “Stages of Struggle and Celebration” at the Central Branch of the Fort Worth Public Library. at the Central Branch of hte Fort Worth Public Library.

For more on these and other events explore the Art&Seek calendar. Have a great week!