This weekend: Book signing with two Dallas authors, shoe confessions, Parade of Playhouses and more

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Meet two Dallas authors at Half Price Books flagship location on Northwest Highway. First, Dallas author Desiree Morrow, a.k.a. Desy Smith, is hosting a book signing later today, July 22, from 5-7 p.m. for her young adult dystopian book “The Talented.” Then later this week, on Sunday, July 26, meet Dallas author Wanda Vassallo from 1 to 3 p.m. Vassallo will be signing her new biblical novel “Miriam: Prophetess, Leader of the Hebrew People: Only a Sister,” the second novel in the series “Biblical Women Who Led the Way.” Books will be sold independently by the authors while supplies last.

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Running until Aug 1, don’t miss “Shoe Confessions,” the new play from Sole Sisters. Sole Sisters was created by award-winning, East Dallas filmmaker Cynthia Salzman Mondell after witnessing how a pair of red heels brought her mother relief from pancreatic cancer. Mondell is obsessed with discovering the bond between a woman and her shoes, so she has set out in search of shoe stories that capture memories and dreams. Then Mondell sculpted her collected stories into a one act play. “Shoe Confessions“ is one of the six plays chosen to be featured during the 2015 Festival of Independent Theatres taking place this month. It’s directed by Susan Sargeant and presented by WingSpan Theatre Co. All six of performances will take place at The Bath House Cultural Center. Go to the website for more.

Running until July 26 is the 20th anniversary celebration of Parade of Playhouses at NorthPark Center to benefit Dallas CASA, which is located in East Dallas. It features specially designed and constructed children’s playhouses, built and donated by corporations and sponsors. It is free to view the playhouse, and you can also enter for a chance to win one by purchasing a raffle ticket for $5 each or five for $20. Tickets are available now at dallascasa.org or NorthPark Center. The drawing to announce the playhouse winners takes place during the closing ceremony at NorthPark Center on the final day of the event. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Don’t miss Summer at the Arboretum, which includes fairytale flower houses with a Texas twist, a replica of the Rio Grande, a covered chuck wagon, two topiary longhorn cattle and a hay-bale maze. On Fridays the arboretum also has face painting, a petting zoo and music for the little ones. The Dallas Arboretum is located at 8525 Garland. Call 214.515.6615 or visit dallasarboretum.org for more. Entrance fee is $10-$15.

For “Irrational City,” which runs until Aug 1, Dwayne Carter curates an exhibit of paintings, digital art, video, interactivity, installations and performance art that “focuses on constructions of identity amid an imagined post-apocalyptic cultural landscape.” An opening reception is from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 31, at the Bath House Cultural Center, located at 521 E. Lawther. Go to dallasculture.org/athhouseculturecenter for more or call 214.670.8749. The exhibit is free.

Fiona Robberson and Ricco Fajardo as Juliet and Romeo

Shakespeare in the Park continues every week with a traditional staging of “Romeo and Juliet,” which runs until July 25. Audiences can also take in “The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) [revised],” wherein actors blaze through all 37 of the bard’s plays in 90 minutes. That show run through July 24. All shows start at 8:15 p.m. Samuell Grand Amphitheater is located at 1500 Tenison. Call 214.559.2778 or visit shakespearedallas.org for more information. Tickets are $10-$15.

Still have that old VHS player? If you’re looking for a reason to dust it off and give it a whirl, stop by the flagship location of Half Price Books on Northwest Highway on Friday. All VHS tapes in stock priced at $4.98 or less will be sold for $1 on Fridays only, until further notice. Call 214.379.8000 for details.

Vickery Meadow Good Local Market will set up shop in the parking lot of the Flagship HPB every Sunday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The market provides a connection between local farmers, food producers and craftsmen within our community. Shop food, clothes, jewelry and more, all made by North Texans. The Vickery Meadow Good Local Market accepts debit/credit cards and the Lone Star Card. Support for the market comes from the Vickery Meadow Improvement District. Go to the website for more.