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No bride likes to get gussied up for her wedding rehearsal and arrive to the chapel only to be shot by an ex-lover and a gang of assassins. At least that's what we learned from Kill Bill, Tarantino's two-part tale of a vengeful bride and her quest to find her child. Uma Thurman isn't the first woman to go on a cinematic murder spree in the name of justice, but she'll probably be the only one in a yellow track suit.

Long before the bride wanted to kill Bill, there was another female assassin seeking revenge for a crime against her family. Lady Snowblood is a 1973 Japanese thriller about Yuki, a young woman whose sole purpose since birth has been vengeance for her mother, who was tortured and imprisoned by a group of thugs. The grindhouse movie influenced Tarantino's Kill Bill films, and now Lady Snowblood comes to Texas Theatre as the first film in the new Sunday series, Kimono Club. The series is billed as "the best in Japanese cinema, bad karaoke, Kirin and sake bombs," which sounds like a low-key Sunday evening to us. Watch the samurai swords fly and the blood spray when Lady Snowblood screens at 9 p.m. Sunday at Texas Theatre. Tickets are available at thetexastheatre.com.

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If there's ever a zombie attack or outbreak of some mutated virus that turns most of the population into blood-thirsty cannibals, we hope we don't survive because we're not equipped to kill the undead. Plus we've learned from movies that no one usually lasts too long. Who knows how many people will endure through The Divide, the latest entry in the post-apocalyptic genre, which follows a group of survivors fending for themselves after a nuclear attack in New York City.

The nine remaining apartment complex residents are fortunate to have access to the building's 1950s style bunker. But what transpires in the basement might be more frightening than what's happening outside. As they wait for rescue some turn to violence. Others turn to sex. But one man is able to stay sane with the thought of outlasting the others. See, there's always a silver lining, even after nuclear attacks.

The Divide stars a few familiar faces including Michael Biehn from The Terminator and Alien, Lauren German (the hitchhiker in the 2003 remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and the forgotten Arquette sibling, Rosanna. The film premieres in Dallas tonight and kicks off this year's Midnight Madness film series at the Inwood Theatre, sponsored by the Observer. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors. The screening starts at 12:15 a.m., and the film screens again at midnight tomorrow. Visit landmarktheatres.com to purchase tickets. Here's the winter/ spring schedule for Midnight Madness:

January 20 & 21: The Room
January 27 & 28: The Theatre Bizarre (Dallas premiere)
February 3 & 4: Fast Times at Ridgemont High
February 10 & 11: Rear Window
February 17 & 18: The Ouija Experiment
February 24: The Room
February 25: Rocky Horror Picture Show
March 2 & 3: Father's Day (Dallas premiere)
March 9 & 10: The Princess Bride

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Mike Mezeul

We can't handle any more sports tears.

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Cowboys fans can admit it: We cried a few sports tears when our playoff dream evaporated on Sunday night. But so be it. We know must move past another dismal season of professional football and look forward to the remaining college bowl games. Sure, these guys aren't making big money like Tony Romo, but they also don't leave a game every time they injure their fingers. Looks like we haven't forgotten about the Cowboys after all. We'll just have to drown our sorrows this weekend in ice-cold beer from a frat boy's keg as the Arizona Razorbacks, Kansas State Wildcats and their respective fans descend on Cowboys Stadium in Arlington at 7 p.m. tonight for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic.

Since that game is sold out, join Arkansas and Kansas State fans as they cheer on their teams at their official watching parties. Arkansas Razorbacks fans will be watching the game and enjoying juicy chicken wings at Buffalo Wild Wings (5000 Belt Line Rd.). If the Razorbacks can beat the Wildcats, the team has a chance to finish in the top five of the BCS. Kansas State is hoping to shut them down, and their fans are tripling the partying at Frankie's in Fort Worth's Sundance Square (425 W. Third St.), Christie's in Uptown (2811 McKinney Ave.) and Fox and Hound Pub (18918 Midway Rd.). All watching parties begin at kickoff, and we're sure they'll continue past the game. Visit the University of Arkansas' and Kansas State University's alumni websites for more information.

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Via.

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We're two days away from Christmas, which means many of us will be doing requisite family duties this weekend, but skip out a little early on your commitments tonight to see a classic holiday film that reminds us what the season's really about - stayin' alive.

See George Bailey take on the evil Mr. Potter tonight at a special screening of It's a Wonderful Life. The film, which was a flub when it opened in 1946, chronicles the life of the passionate yet troubled Bailey as an angel shows him what his town would have been had Bailey never lived, but we don't need to tell you that. You've probably seen the film, and if you haven't, well then you better be at the Angelika in Dallas tonight when It's a Wonderful Life screens at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6. Visit angelikafilmcenter.com for tickets.

Whether you're celebrating Christmas, Chanukah or Festivus, the holiday for the rest of us, we hope you have a good weekend, and we look forward to seeing you in 2012, which promises to be full of more nut-jobs than a Y2K basement party. After the jump, see what else you can do with the family this weekend or alone if you're planning to ditch the relatives.

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Steve Dement Photography

Ruby Joule is a little naughty, a little nice.

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There are plenty of holiday activities for the younger set, and why shouldn't there be? The holidays are for kids and kids love giant Christmas trees, gingerbread house villages and Santa's temporary home away from home - the mall. But we're too old to enjoy winter wonderlands and sit in Santa's lap, not that we'd want to sit there anyway. We still get in the holiday spirit though, and there's no better way to celebrate the season than with a holiday-themed burlesque show.

Atomic Frolic 2011: A Red Hot Christmas is a tastefully tasseled collection of performances by La Divina, Ruby Joule, Melissa Meow, Jole Goodnight, Apple Angel and newcomer Scarlett Moon. You'll see new routines and plenty of festive costumes and pasties, sure to bring you as much holiday cheer as the kids get when they see Santa.

Before you unwrap presents next week, see this group of lovely ladies unwrap even better gifts on stage tonight at The Kessler Theater. The Kessler opens and begins serving food and drinks at 7, theater doors open at 8 and the show begins at 9 p.m. Tickets are $23 plus a $2 service fee on prekindle.com and $30 at the door. VIP tables for four are available for $132. Visit ladivinaburlesque.com for more information.

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Via.

TLC's Randy Fenoli is filming a new series which kicks off in Dallas this Sunday.

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While most of us are in the throes of the holiday season, shopping for family gifts and filling up our calendars, there are a few out there who are also consumed with planning an occasion that's months away. Spring and summer are distant thoughts for most of us, unless you're a bride planning a wedding in the most coveted matrimonial months of the year, and those ladies have more than holiday shopping on their minds right now. If you've still got a lot of planning and shopping to do for your wedding, you're in luck this weekend because the self-proclaimed ultimate FOB (friend of the bride) is stopping in Dallas this weekend to lend his wedding expertise.

As fashion director of Kleinfeld Bridal in New York and star of TLC's Say Yes to the Dress, Randy Fenoli has important responsibilities, like finding the right dresses for picky brides and preventing bridezillas from strangling the wedding party. Now he's coming to the aid of brides outside New York in Randy to the Rescue. Randy is hitting the road in a mobile bridal boutique -- which probably doesn't well on bumpy roads -- to visit brides across the country, and he's enlisted floral, entertainment and lighting vendors, among others, for his first episode in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole on Sunday.

Randy to the Rescue: TLC's Ultimate Bridal Event kicks off at 11 a.m. with a market of wedding specialists offering free consultations on everything from reception décor to bridesmaids dresses. Bridal consultants will also be giving dress tips and doing fittings by appointment beginning at 11. At 11:30, Randy will discuss new trends in bridal fashion and show off his favorite dresses from designers including Amsale, Lazaro and Kenneth Pool, and afterward he will help one lucky bride pick her own dress. Hopefully, there's a TLC discount for that gown.

It's not too late to register for an appointment with a bridal consultant for $20 at theweddingguys.com. General admission is also available online for $15. Visit tlc.discovery.com for more information about Randy to the Rescue.

Not planning a wedding? We aren't either. See what holiday events, of the grown-up variety, are happening this weekend after the jump.

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Painting by Mark S. Nelson, photo by Stephen Masker

Expect cool art, fashion and music at Artopia.

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Now that we've all had our fill of leftover turkey and football, it's time to party, and there ain't no party like an Observer party and that's not just because we have booze and no curfew. You know it's the party season, so before you have to attend that mandatory family holiday gathering, come celebrate art, music and all things that make Dallas cool at the annual Artopia bash this Saturday.

This year's Artopia includes live art from Lunch Buddies, a t-shirt design contest between Fur Face Boy and Sleepy Dan and fashion from Salvage House, Vintage Mobile, the talented students at Wade College and more. There are also works from the best local artists including Sour Grapes, Kyle Confehr and Billy Zinser, so if you plan to blow your paycheck this weekend, at least do it on limited edition art curated by Brian Gibb of The Public Trust.

While you're perusing the extensive collection of art, make sure to high-five Katie Toohil, Frank Lopez and the ladies behind La Reunion -- founders Sarah Jane Semrad and Catherine Cuellar and Executive Director Catherine Horsey -- because they'll be receiving their MasterMind awards and $2,000 grants to continue their artistic endeavors. After you've sampled food from Sfuzzi, Wild Salsa and Patty Cakes, enjoy music from Burning Hotels and the finalists from the Lights All Night DJ contest.

Since we want everyone to have a good time, tickets, $20, include two wine, beer or cocktail samples. And unlike your family holiday party, there's a cash bar and no crazy uncle, unless you bring him in which case that's your problem. Artopia gets started at 8 p.m. Saturday at Dallas Contemporary, but make sure you get your tickets on our all-you-need-to-know event website now because the price at the door is $30.

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Alexander Flores

Last year's Jingle Bash offered some mighty fine handmade goods.

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While some people will be standing outside Target and Walmart at midnight next Friday, waiting to stock up on gifts for the kids and relatives, we'll be relaxing at home with bellies full of turkey and presents already wrapped. It's easy to get the shopping list done early this year because there are plenty of fun and unique gifts to find at three events this weekend. But don't put up the tree or inflatable snowman just yet. You don't want to be that neighbor.

If you've got a long list of friends and family to shop for, check out the Chi Omega Christmas Market at the Dallas Convention Center. 175 vendors are selling everything from women's clothing and accessories to edible gifts, and the market benefits local organizations including Make-A-Wish, the Child Abuse Prevention Center and Mercy Street in West Dallas. Shop today until 6 p.m., or visit tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa will be posing for photos with the kids from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets are $15 at the door. Visit chiomegaxmas.org.

Some people are hard to shop for, but who wouldn't want glossy gun soaps or a giant plush turkey? Those are two of the items you'll find at this year's Jingle Bash, and you can scoop up lots of handmade art and accessories from over 60 local Etsy designers tomorrow at The Palladium. Dowdy Studio, Kessler Craftsman and Sheepish Knitting and Crochet are among the vendors, and you can make your own crafts, enjoy cocktails and listen to live music while you shop. Get crafty from 1 to 8 p.m. Admission is free, parking is $5. Visit handmadebash.com.

It's a good weekend to get out to White Rock Lake, and if you stop by the Bath House Cultural Center you'll be able to do a little shopping. The Winter Art Mart and Silent Auction is happening this weekend, and there's more than paintings and photographs for sale. You'll find ceramics, jewelry and sculptures from local artists throughout the center, including on the lower level, which is home to an underground art market this year. Admission is free, and the event is open from noon to 6 p.m. tomorrow and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Visit dallasculture.org/bathhouseculturecenter.

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Cabe Booth

Cabe Booth's "Here Comes the Chaos" at Kettle Art.

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Got a wall in your house that's desperate for a piece of art? This is the weekend to buy a painting, or at least stare at lots of art if you've already blown your budget on commemorative Nolan Ryan signed baseballs. If you haven't seen the latest exhibition at Kettle Art, this is the last weekend to do so. Splinters & Sparks features large-scale works from local artists George Fowler and Cabe Booth, and the show is packing up Saturday night. Fowler created large metal sculptures for the exhibition, while Booth crafted wood pieces adorned with oil, pencil and acrylic details. See their works from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. Visit kettleart.com for more information.

We haven't watched the second season of Work of Art, but that's probably because the Bravo announcer dude proclaims in the commercial that you can't spell tears without and that's reason enough for us to skip it for another repeat of Top Chef. Sure, it would be cool to get a glimpse into the lives of artists and see them at work, but we don't need a reality show for that because the artists of the Continental Gin Building are letting visitors into their studios this weekend for a behind-the-scenes look at their work. Dozens of CGB artists, including Fannie Brito, VET and Bobby Chitwood, are opening their workspaces to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight and 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking is free, plus you'll be treated to complimentary refreshments. Visit the event's Facebook page for details.

Dallas is home to plenty of conspiracy theorists, but luckily they aren't the organizers of Art Conspiracy because chances are that if they were involved in the fundraiser there'd be nothing but pamphlets on aliens and the Kennedy assassination. We already have plenty of those, but what we're really in need of is a nice piece of art to hang over the sofa.

Works from local artists will be auctioned off at Art Con 7, and bids start at $20 so there's no reason why you should come home empty-handed. Proceeds from this year's event benefit Musical Angels, a nonprofit organization that brings piano lessons to children in Medical City, Baylor Hospital and Scottish Rite. They'd like to expand their program to more hospitals, so be generous with your bids while you enjoy music from The Hope Trust, Datahowler and J. Charles and the Trainrobbers. Art Con is from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday at 511 W. Commerce. Tickets are $10 and available on prekindle.com. Visit artconspiracy.org.

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LDFsilk.com

The 2011 Sample Sale at Dallas Market Hall is in full swing.

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Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. this Saturday, which is only really important to those in the agricultural industry and college kids who know it means the bars are open for an extra hour. The only benefit we see is the extra hour of sleep we'll get, which means we'll be well rested for a trip to the annual Dallas Sample Sale at Dallas Market Hall.

This year's sale features hundreds of vendors selling clothing, home accessories, toys and gifts for all ages, and it's the first year men's clothing is on sale. If you hate long lines at big retailers and dread fighting with packs of wolf-moms on Black Friday, then hit up this once-a-year event for some great presents at deep discounts. The best part is you don't have to spend a dime to get into Market Center because admission and parking are free.

The Dallas Sample Sale began yesterday, but you still have all weekend to take advantage of the pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping. The market's open until 7 p.m. today, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit dallasmarketcenter.com for more information. After the jump, see what else is going on this weekend, including British humor, the Komen 3-Day and more.

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