As the Texas heat wages an unrelenting war on outdoor activities, Dallas residents have a cool respite with a side of culture on Thursdays this August. The Urban Arts Center, located at 919 Morrell Ave., Dallas, is offering a FREE series of summer concerts as a part of the city's efforts to boost community engagement through the arts and provide accessible entertainment to all.

Commencing at 6 pm each Thursday, the lineup spans various music genres and cultural performances, including Jazz on August 8th, Neo Soul and Spoken Word on August 15th, and an eclectic range of global dance on August 22nd. Rounding it out with Contemporary Vibes on August 29th, the concert series aims to celebrate the diversity and creativity of the city according to the City of Dallas.

Adding to the month's cultural offerings, the Phillis Wheatley School is set to unveil a new mural that honors its namesake—the poet and abolitionist Phillis Wheatley. This event marks the school's transformation into the Cornerstone Crossroads Academy, and to celebrate this momentous occasion the Office of Arts & Culture - Community Arts Division, teamed up with Code Compliance Services to breathe new life into the school's walls, commissioning artist Christalyn Peach to create the artwork.

The public is invited to witness the mural's official first look on Friday, August 23, from 12:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. Peach herself will be in attendance, with Dallas’s music artist TeX providing the beats, and with free food and ice cream—though be warned, these delights come on a first-come, first-served basis at 2908 Metropolitan Avenue, as per the City of Dallas.