FOURTH OF JULY JUST WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE without the quintessential neighborhood parade, so put on your patriotic gear and head to the Hillcrest Forest Neighborhood Association and Kramer Elementary Fourth of July Parade. The parade is open to all surrounding neighbors, as well as families with children at Kramer Elementary. The parade route begins at the front of Kramer Elementary, and makes a circle around the school, so the entire route is less than a mile. Firemen from the Dallas Fire Department will also be on hand to spray down the kids, and any willing adults, with their water hoses. There will also be free lemonade for everyone after the parade.

arts & entertainment

Dallas Arts District Free Monthly Stroll Saturday, July 1, 10:30 a.m., rain or shine. The hour-long, docent-led walking tour highlights architecture, tradition and history of the district. Tour begins in front of the Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, 2010 Flora St. RSVP 214-953-1977, or visit www.artsdistrict.org.

Fridays at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse July 7, Ellis Paul, Sam Baker and Kate MacLeod ($15/$18); July 14, closed for Woody Guthrie Festival; July 21, Joel Rafael; July 28, Kevin Welch ($12/$15). All shows start at 8 p.m. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. $12 unless otherwise noted. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. 214-363-0044 or unclecalvins.org.

Cool Thursdays Concert Series 7:30-9:30 p.m. July 6, Key West the Band; Jimmy Buffet and More; July 13, David Whiteman & Vinjac: Sounds of Motown; July 20, Le Freak: The Ultimate Disco Party Band; July 27, Fastlane: and Eagles Tribute. Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland. 214-515-6521 or dallasarboretum.org.

On Tour with Renzo Piano Through Sunday, Aug. 13. Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Featuring selected projects from the building workshop of Renzo Piano, the Pritzker Prize-winning architect of the Nasher Sculpture Center and numerous other international projects. $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students, 12 and under free. Nasher Sculpture Center, 2001 Flora. 214-242-5100 or nashersculpturecenter.org.

Singwriters Open Mic First and third Thursday of each month, 7-9 p.m. Local songwriters perform their material. Bring your own instrument. Free. Half Price Books, Northwest Highway at Central Expressway, 214-379-8000.

Oil Painting Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 a lesson with ID card. Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway. Contact Mary Ann, 214-352-7366.

One-Act Play Ages 5-8 on Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. Ages 9 and up on Mondays, 4-5 p.m. Young children of all ages will perform in seasonal holiday plays. Participants will learn how to memorize lines and create costumes. Each play is performed in a dinner theater setting. Participation is free, reservations for shows are $6. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Carol Burris, 214-670-6477.

Ramblin’ Round Dance Lessons Wednesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. Dancing in the round with cues given by a professional. $50 per couple per quarter. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Christine Hixon at 972-270-7292.

Duplicate and Party Bridge Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for duplicate bridge; and Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon for party bridge. Duplicate players will need a partner. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Bill Frye, 972-247-5619.

community

Dallas Shambhala Meditation Center Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Instruction in meditative practices of Shambhala, a secular tradition based on the wisdom of the Buddhist teachings, to increase awareness and compassion. Free. First Unitarian Church, 4015 Normandy. 214-528-2736 or shambhala.org/centers/dallas.

family

Storytime Saturday Saturdays, 11 a.m. Parents and children are invited to participate together as storyteller Jill Peters leads interactive storytelling, improvisational comedy routines and sing-a-longs. Children’s Play Place, Level 3 (near Saks Fifth Avenue), Dallas Galleria, 13350 Dallas Parkway. 972-701-7100 or galleriadallas.com.

Alert Child of Texas Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. for ages 4-7, and 10-11 a.m. for ages 8 and up. Self-defense and anti-kidnapping classes brought to you by the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. $8 per class with a $12 registration fee. Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway. 972-578-7555.

health & fitness

Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 per session for JCC members; $15 for non-members. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Tennis League Mondays, 6 p.m. Free. Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway. Talk to Ken courtside.

Holistic Yoga Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon, and Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-7 p.m. This class focuses on the mind/body connection while increasing flexibility, strength and balance. $85 a month or $10 per class. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Greg Moffett, 214-769-3889.

Tai Chi Wednesdays, 10-10:45 a.m. Gentle movements release stress by relaxing and rejuvenating the body while refreshing the mind. Participants of all ages and physical conditions can do the 20 simple movements. $6 per class, $5 for those 60 and over. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Sister Bernice Eidt, 214-350-5860.

Leukemia Society Every fourth Wednesday. All patients, family members and friends affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s and myeloma are invited to attend these support group programs. Free. Texas Oncology at Medical City Dallas, 7777 Forest, Ste. 400, 972-354-8303.

library

Computer Classes Mondays, 5 p.m. and Thursdays, 6 p.m. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Storytime at the Library Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities for children ages 18 months to 5 years. A parent or caregiver must accompany children. Free. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Infant/Toddler Development Time Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Children and parents/caregivers learn fun, inexpensive ways to practice speech, motor, cognitive and social development. For infants and toddlers. Park Forest Branch Library, 6421 Forest, 214-670-6333.

Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Stories and activities for ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Park Forest Branch Library, 3421 Forest, 214-670-6333.

Preschool Storytime Fridays, 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities for ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal, 214-670-7128.

Toddler Time Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities for ages 18-36 months and their parents/caregivers. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal, 214-670-7128.

seniors

Senior Connection Thursdays, July 6 & 10, 10-11:30 a.m. Support group dedicated to adults age 50 and older seeking employment. Free, RSVP required. The Senior Source, 1215 Skiles. 214-823-5700, SESD@theseniorsource.org or the seniorsource.org.

Exercise for Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. Aaron Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven, aangorina@jccdallas.org.

Senior Aerobics Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:15-9:15 a.m. A vigorous workout with less of the jumping, twisting and impact of traditional aerobics. $56 for eight classes. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Charles Plafcan, 214-954-0777.