The American Airlines Center, located downtown, is home to Dallas sports teams the Stars, the Mavericks and the Desperados. However, it also moonlights as a concert venue for crowds of up to 20,000 for big name, headlining acts.

“The best thing [about the AA Center] is that every seat, no matter where you are, seems to put you right in the action,” said Elizabeth Johanningmeier, a junior dance major.

Big acts performing at the AA Center this summer include Britney Spears and more recently guest the Dave Matthews Band.

The country music scene in Dallas is booming and the ultimate honky-tonk experience can only be found at one place – Billy Bob’s Texas. This 127,000 square foot entertainment venue is the largest honky-tonk in the world – featuring a dance floor, stage and the capacity to hold more than 6,000 people.

“If you go to Fort Worth, you can’t pass up a chance to go to Billy Bob’s. Even if you aren’t a country fan, it’s part of the whole experience … It is a must-see,” said Jeca Salas, special events coordinator of country station 99.5 the Wolf.

Host to some of the biggest names in country music, Billy Bob’s also offers the bull-riding rodeo on the weekend, photo opportunities on the giant bull, billiards, Texas barbecue and dance lessons. Future guests this summer include Chely Wright, Montgomery Gentry, Trick Pony and Colin Raye.

The Gypsy Tea Room, voted the “Best Live Music Venue” in town by readers of the Dallas Observer the last three years, has an intimate atmosphere that is attractive to young Dallasites.

The Tea Room, located in Deep Ellum, is open to crowds 17 and older, and has general admission and standing room only. This venue will feature Texas music greats such as Jack Ingram and Cary Pierce, who are both SMU grads, Cross Canadian Ragweed and rapper and part-time actor Snoop Doggy Dogg.

The Smirnoff Music Center is an outdoor performing arts theatre that features a covered performance pavilion and reserved seating for 7,500 patrons. There is also seating for 12,500 visitors on the lawn. The sound is amazing from any seat inside the amphitheater.

“The hottest selling tickets for Smirnoff are Edgefest [featuring a number of hard rock/alternative acts] and Incubus,” Texas Tickets representative Dusty Hagan said.

6/6 Snoop Doggy Dogg, Gypsy Tea Room

6/6 ATB, Red Jacket

6/8 Kiss Party, Smirnoff Music Center

6/14 K104 Summer Jams, Smirnoff Music Center

6/15 Owen Temple, Gypsy Tea Room

6/22 Pat Green, Smirnoff Music Center

6/25 Widespread Panic, Smirnoff Music Center

7/3 Chris Isaak/Natalie Merchant, Smirnoff Music Center

7/4 Incubus, Smirnoff Music Center

7/13 Brooks & Dunn/DwightYoakam, Smirnoff Music Center

7/18 Sheryl Crow/Train/Ziggy Marley/O.A.R., Smirnoff Music Center

7/22 Britney Spears, American Arlines Center