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6th Annual Real Texas Festival – Mesquite

16 Apr

When I think of something or someone that’s REAL, this lady and her popular 1978 tune come to mind..

As you let that tune play in the background…
Think of some of things that make one a “REAL Texan”. Is it a Cowboy in a 10 gallon hat and boots? Not always. There are some, but that doesn’t necessarily qualify you as a “real” Texan. Someone who knows the Stockyards like the back of their hands? Eh, not even. I’m a born and proud Texan and I’ve never even been. Shame. How about someone with southern hospitality? Nowww we’re getting somewhere. Someone who naturally says “ya’ll” even if it’s four times a year without realizing it? A die-hard sports fan, whether it’s Mavs, Cowboys, Rangers, Longhorns, FC Dallas, Horned Frogs, Spurs (yuck) or Rockets – just a lover of sports? Someone who finds the tornado siren familiar even if it’s in the middle of the night? (not that it’s anything to brag about) Someone that can sing the full version of “Deep In the Heart of Texas”? If you love your state that’s all that matters, because Texas is compiled of a diverse mix of tried and true citizens.

Since we’re keepin it REAL, April 27th and 28th mark the dates of the 6th Annual Real Texas Festival. It is held at Rodeo Center in Mesquite.

Main Stage performers include: Chaz Marie Band, Josh Abbott Band, Pat Green, The Bird Dogs Band, Jolie Holliday, Maren Morris & Shutdowntown. There will be a few other groups performing from the Hooters Stage in addition to the Battle of the Bands competition. Meanwhile the Celebration Station Community Stage will feature local talent from dancers, musical acts to beard growing contest and a jalapeno eating contest. If you haven’t experienced Texas at some of it’s finest and wildest, you will at this year’s Real. Texas. Festival.

Now let’s get even more real. You can’t have a Real Texas Festival without a real rodeo – the Mesquite Pro Rodeo Series to be exact. This summer the rodeo will enter its 55th season, but lucky for you (or RTF attendees) your ticket includes admission into the rodeo on both Friday and Saturday.

To enter the Battle of the Bands, BBQ Cook-off, be a vendor or a volunteer click HERE for additional information. Information on tickets can also be found HERE, or stay tuned to 99.5 The Wolf.

*Tickets are only $10/day and can be purchased at one of the following outlets:

    Hooters
    Resource one Credit Union
    McAlister’s Deli
    The City Administration Offices
    Mesquite Arena box office

A Car Show, BBQ Cook-Off and Food Drive will all be part of the two-day festival, but Check out some of the NEW ATTRACTIONS to this year’s Real. Texas. Festival.

Hours:
Friday, 4/27 – 5:00pm -11:00pm
Saturday, 4/28 – 10:00am – 11:00pm

Be a “real Texan” and saddle up for Mesquite’s upcoming 2012 Real Texas Festival! There’s so much excitement at this event and it’s only days away. You’ll have the ride of your life without even getting on one of the bulls.

“Got’s to be real…got’s to be REEEALL!”

Texas Real Festival Location
Rodeo Center
1818 Rodeo Drive
Mesquite, TX

Earth Day Dallas 2012 – April 21-22

15 Apr

North Texas has a full weekend ahead celebrating the planet and raising eco-friendly awareness at a 2-day Fair Park festival. Earth Day Dallas 2012 is April 21-22. The purpose of this outdoor festival is to increase environmental awareness in all aspects of North Texas daily life. Admission is FREE for EDD 2012, as advocates and environmentally friendly citizes strive to unite and promote the ideas of how green lifestyle choices can not only, lower costs of living but also improve our health and help to save lives. The very first large scale Earth Day Dallas was actually held just last Aapril, and EDD was founded the year prior in 2010.

Anyone else noticing this Fair Park trend? It seems to be becoming a more popular venue for our large North Texas events, or at least a few more than the typical ones. With 600,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor space, Fair Park is a great location for Earth Day 2012, the same way it was for events like: Reggae Festival, Taste of Dallas, Fair Park Holiday, NTIF, KwanzaaFest and of course the world renowned State Fair of Texas.

Earth Day 2012 Features:

    -Eco Expo
    -Green Talk Speaker Series
    -Picnic for the planet
    -Live Musical performances
    -Earth Yoga
    -Artfully Green Film series
    -Family Zone featuring Radio Disney
    -University Row
    -Live BMX shows
    -Dance performances
    -DFW Truck Farm 5K Fun Run
    -Dallas Urban Debate Alliance environmental, student debates


~WEEKEND SCHEDULE~

A full weekend schedule of all these special activities can be found HERE!! So you can be sure to plan ahead.



Food
Concessions at EDD will include organic food, vegan food and some of your favorite festival treats.

Parking
Attendees can park in the general Fair Park lots which are typically about $10. There is also bike parking provided inside the park or you could “Go Green” by using DART’s Green line right up to the front steps of Fair Park, right between Gates 3 and 4.

Pets Allowed
Earth Day 2012 is a pet-friendly event, but be sure to keep your pal on a leash and bring the necessary pet-waste disposal bags. Remember, it’s still “Earth Day” so let’s keep it clean.

Volunteer Opportunities
-Must be at least 18 years old
-Register on Signupgenius and include a valid e-mail and phone number
-Positions available for Pre-Event Setup on Thursday, Friday Saturday
-Positions available for Volunteer Assignments Saturday and Sunday

To select your volunteer assignment click here.

Click here to see a Full list of all the
2012 Earth Day Dallas Exhibitors.
(It’s a LONG one!)

Donations accepted for Earth Day Dallas, Inc, sponsor of this
Free annual festival.


EARTH DAY DALLAS 2012
APRIL 21 & 22
10-6pm

Fair Park
1121 First Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210

8th Annual Dallas Blues Festival

18 Mar

North American Entertainment’s 2012 Dallas Blues Fest will be March 24th at the Dallas Convention Center. The 8th annual Dallas Blues Fest is open to the public with ticket admission. All Blues fans are welcome to come out for soul stirring performances by artists like Sir Charles Jones, Mel Waiters, Latimore, Millie Jackson, Floyd Taylor, Clarence Carter and Denise LaSalle.

Enjoy classic themes and sounds of the blues resognating through the convention center from 10:30am to 11:30pm. Last week the city went Green. Now it’s time to go “Blue”! Celebrate a form of music that has forever impacted America and continues to live on in the South. It will be a full day of everything blues, high energy performances, community and fun.

*Tickets to the Dallas Blues Festival are about $55 each.*

Dallas Convention Center
650 S. Griffin Street
Dallas, TX 75202

North Texas Irish Festival | NTIF 2012 at Fair Park Dallas

1 Mar

This year the North Texas Irish Festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary! It all started back in March of 1983 and has grown into this major Celtic Celebration at Fair Park in Dallas. The 2012 theme is “Harps & Fiddles” because these two instruments are played more than any others for Irish music. You can spend up to 3 days celebrating the Irish Culture with other North Texans since NTIF is March 2-4. It may be a little ahead of St. Patty’s Day but it’s the right time of year so make it a green day and embrace that fighting Irish inside.

Features:

Tickets
Anyone who arrives in line at or before 7:00pm on Friday is allowed in FREE! After 7pm on Friday it will be $10. Say “Happy 30th!” at the gate and get in for $5 or less. There are also 50% discount available in the local newspapers.

Tickets on Saturday cost $20 and on Sunday they are $15.

Learn more about how to get your tickets to the Irish Festival here.

Interested in Volunteering? Click here to find out all the opportunities in volunteering and how to apply.

The North Texas Irish Festival is way bigger than this article can describe. You just have to follow your nose to the lucky charms and see it for yourself. The year I went I was amazed. So many vendors and so much culture! They might as well dye the fountains green (if they haven’t)! This year is the year to go also since NTIF is celebrating their big 3-0! The Irish party almost all night long so check the schedule below for dates and times when the park will be open.

-NTIF 2012 Weekend Schedule-

Friday, March 2nd
6:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday, March 3rd
10:30am – 11:30pm
Sunday, March 4th
11:30am – 7:30pm

28th Annual KidFilm Festival – Angelika Film Center

12 Jan

The largest, oldest children’s film festival in the country is coming to Dallas’ Angelika Theatre January 21 – 22. The 28th Annual KidFilm Festival features entertaining, educational, and diverse lineup of both classic and new films for kids and adults.

KidFilm Festival attendees can expect Free books by award-winning author Peter Brown (who will be on location), creator of books like “Chowder”, “The Curious Garden” and “Children Make Terrible Pets”. At this year’s KidFilm Festival movie-lovers will also get a sneak peak of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. In fact the Lorax character will be making a guest appearance and kids can have their picture taken with Lorax. A special preview of the brand new film The Secret World of Arrietty and the 80’s classic Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind are just two of the 11 titles featured in a retrospective tribute to Studio Ghibili all presented in new 35mm prints.

Children's author Peter Brown

Tickets for the 2012 KidFilm Festival are $5 ($4 for USA Film Festival members). Admission to the “Books Come to Life on the Big Screen” program featuring author Peter Brown and the Lorax is free , but it’s on a first-come, first-serve basis on the day of the show so get there early! Tickets to the Pete Brown program cannot be purchased in advance. However, advance tickets are available for the Studio Ghibili films by e-mailing usafilmfest@aol.com or calling 214-821-6300. Tickets can be bought at Angelika Film Center on the days of (Sat & Sun) starting at 11:30am.

Angelika Film Center
5321 East Mockingbird Lane
Dallas, TX 75206

City of Dallas Martin Luther King Jr. Parade – January 14, 2012

4 Jan

It’s finally time for a march that doesn’t include the word “Occupy” in it. The 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration will kick off with an awards banquet dinner, silent auction and VIP reception, but on Saturday morning, January 14, the MLK Jr. Parade takes place in Dallas. The Martin Luther King Jr. Parade begins at 10:00am starting at Dallas City Hall and ending at the entrance to Fair Park. Parade participants, as well as attendees, will begin lining up between 8:00am and 9:45am. Line up is in the horseshoe parking area of City Hall. The parade is expected to last until about 1:00pm.

Parade Route: The MLK Parade participants will proceed down Ervay Street; turn Left on MLK Blvd and end at Fair Park. Click here to view a map.

If you’re interested in participating in the 2012 MLK Parade, click here for a Parade Application/Entry Form or visit: http://www.mlkcelebrationdallas.org. Forms can be faxed to 214-670-8501 or sent/delivered to 2922 MLK Blvd., Suite 147, Dallas, TX 75215. Make sure your form is submitted by 5:00pm, Friday, Jan 6th!! Only band/drill team members will be allowed to perform their routine at the band stand located in front of the MLK Center.

Live broadcast of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration March will begin at 10:00am on Sat, Jan 14th at the primary viewing area in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. MLK is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world. He made major progress in equality in our society by using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King was the youngest person to have received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 for his work to end racial segregation and discrimination through nonviolent means and civil disobedience. His birthday is on January 15th so each year in Dallas we celebrate Dr. King around that time. In 1986 (the year after I was born) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. federal holiday. In January 1982 the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center had their first annual Awards Banquet and parade.

Tune in or go downtown and celebrate the King’s efforts January 14th at the City of Dallas’ Martin Luther King Jr. March/Parade in Dallas.

Start of the Parade Address:
Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla Street
Dallas 75201

~SCHEDULE FOR THE ENTIRE MLK JR. CELEBRATION WEEKEND~

FRIDAY – JAN 13
Silent Auction: 6:00 p.m.
Omni Hotel
555 S. Lamar Street
Dallas, Texas 75202

FRIDAY – JAN 13
Awards Banquet: 7:30 p.m.
Omni Hotel
555 S. Lamar Street
Dallas, Texas 75202

SATURDAY – JAN 14
March and Parade: 10:00 a.m.
Start: Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St.
Stage: Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
2922 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

SATURDAY – JAN 14
Candle Lighting Ceremony: 7:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center
2901 Pennsylvania Ave.
Dallas, Texas 75215

2011 Lights All Night Schedule Announced!

29 Dec

“Lights All Night” has finally announced their set times for its complete roster of renowned electronic artists. Over 30 headlining acts will be showcased during the two-day dance festival held at the Dallas Convention Center on December 30th & 31st.

Check out the performance schedule for this year as artists perform on three main stages: Dance Hall, Bass Hall, and Groove Hall.

**LIGHTS ALL NIGHT LINEUP**

–DECEMBER 30, 2011–

DANCE HALL
8:00-8:45 / SANDRO SILVA
8:50-9:45 / DADA LIFE
9:55-11:20 / LAIDBACK LUKE
11:25-12:50 / BENNY BENASSI
1:00-3:00 / TIESTO

BASS HALL
8:00-8:45 / CRIZZLY
8:55-9:55? / ARCHNEMESIS
10:00-11:00 / RJD2
11:05-12:10 / DIPLO
12:15-1:25 / EXCISION
1:30-3:00 / FLUX PAVILION

GROOVE HALL
8:00-8:30 / SKRAUSE
8:35-9:20? / GRIZ
9:30-10:20 / ZOOGMA
10:30-11:20 / WHITE PANDA
11:25-12:20 / PAPER DIAMOND
12:25-1:50 / BIG GIGANTIC
1:55-3:00 / BONOBO (DJ SET)

–DECEMBER 31, 2011–

DANCE HALL
8:40-9:45 / NEON INDIAN
9:55-11:05 / GHOSTLAND OBSERVATORY
11:20-12:35 / GIRL TALK
11:25-12:50 / MSTRKRFT
1:00-3:00 / WOLFGANG GARTNER

BASS HALL
8:00-8:45 / THE M MACHINE
8:50-9:50? / FELIX CARTAL
10:00-11:00 / PORTER ROBINSON
11:10-12:20 / ZED’S DEAD
12:25-1:35 / CASPA
1:45-3:00 / PENDULUM (DJ SET)

GROOVE HALL
8:00-8:30 / REMIX WINNER
8:35-9:15? / GOVINDA
9:25-10:15 / NADIS WARRIORS
10:25-11:15 / MICHAL MENERT
11:20-12:30 / TREASURE FINGERS
12:35-1:45 / KILL THE NOISE
1:55-3:00 / SAVOY (LIVE)

Lone Star Circus presents Cirque Banquiste!

18 Dec

If you thought Cirque du Soleil was the only French cirque to come to the DFW area, think again! This December the Lone Star Circus will be presenting Cirque Banquiste at The Rosewood Center for Family Arts. Celebrate the coming new year with a dazzling show of circus superstars. See acrobats, aerialists, clowns, jugglers and balancers dressed in some of the most beautifully adorned circus costumes this side of the Atlantic. Cirque Banquiste! is directed by Fanny Kerwich with artists from all across the globe, including countries such as Italy, Peru, Canada, Argentina and of course the U.S.

Take a magical journey into worlds beyond your imagination with this amazing showcase. Kids and adults alike will have their imaginations stretched past the traditional “big top” with this sensational circus production. Breathtaking acts and mesmerizing stunts will have you either on the edge of your seat or standing on top of your own!

She teaches and reaches - Cirque Director Fanny Kerwich

The organization behind “Cirque Banquiste!” is Dallas’ own Lone Star Circus, a non-profit with the purpose of promoting circus acts through training and performance. Director Fanny Kerwich comes from a lineage of talented circus performers, being an eighth generation artist originally from France. She started teaching circus arts years ago at Dallas International School. By 2006 Lone Star Circus Arts Center was founded in her studio. The Lone Star Circus School not only trains adult circus artists, but provides recreational and professional training for kids too. Lone Star Circus is good for giving you circus-themed entertainment for fundraisers and civic or corporate events alike.

Bring in 2012 with Cirque Banquiste!, an inspiring show for the entire family. The Lone Star Circus will hold six performances between December 29th and January 1st at The Rosewood Center for Family Arts located in Dallas. Tickets range between $20 – $45. Get “bedazzled” at this “Banquiste” Circus extravaganza!

Check out this video snippet about Cirque Banquiste 2011!



Performance Dates/Times
Thursday, December 29 at 7:30pm
Friday, December 30 at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 31 at 2:00pm
Saturday, December 31 at 5:30pm
Sunday, January 1 at 2:00pm
Sunday, January 1 at 5:30pm


Event Address:
Rosewood Center for Family Arts
5938 Skillman St.
Dallas, TX 75231

Lights All Night Music Fest | New Year’s Eve Electronic Festival in Dallas

13 Dec

“Lights All Night” is one of the largest electronic music festivals in the country that will be taking place December 30–31 in Dallas. New Year’s Eve downtown has never been this big. At the end of December – the final 2 days of 2011 – over 30 performers will hit the stage at the Dallas Convention Center where “Lights All Night” is being held. You’ll get a peak at the brand new Omni Hotel also. The new 1,000 room luxury hotel is attached to the Dallas Convention Center via sky bridge, and registered guests of the event and hotel will have access to the skybridge connecting the Omni Dallas and the Convention center allowing for an ultimate NYE experience.

The New Omni Hotel lit up

“Lights All Night” will showcase artists on three main stages, dubbed Dance Hall, Bass Hall, and Groove Hall. The two-day festival will feature state-of-the-art production with a dynamic light show, live dancers and art installations. Enjoy a dynamic array of art installations. What better way to bring in 2012 than with other electronic and dance music fans like yourself?

Some of the Top DJs in the world will be there like: Tiesto, Benny Benassi, Laidback Luke, Wolfgang Gartner, and Porter Robinson, along with Ghostland Observatory, Girl Talk, Diplo, Neon Indian, and many more!

**CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE**

The following artists have been added to the Groove Hall lineup:

December 30th Concert
Big Gigantic
Bonobo (DJ Set)
Paper Diamond
White Panda
Zoogma

December 31st concert
DJ Treasure Fingers
DJ Kill The Noise
Savoy Live
Michal Menert
Nadis Warriors
Govinda

BASS HALL PERFORMERS

These artists will join a lineup of some of the most celebrated electronic acts, featuring: Tiësto, Benny Benassi, Laidback Luke, Dada Life, Sandro Silva; as well as Girl Talk, Ghostland Observatory, Wolfgang Gartner, MSTRKRFT and Neon Indian.

*A complete list of performing artists can be found here.*

To Enter the DJ Competition, Dance Competition and Art Installation Submission.
Click here if you feel like you have what it takes to compete!


The Lights All Night Music Fest has also partnered with the American Red Cross to help bring awareness and procure donations for the North Texas Region. They are accepting donations at LightsAllNight.com. Click here to make a donation to the American Red Cross now to support victims of devastating natural disasters. Participating LAN artists will be contributing exclusive merchandise that will be auctioned to raise funds for the North Texas branch!

Bring in 2012 at LAN!

–TICKETS–

Ticket costs range from $99 to $290

There are also 2-Day passes available for $190 and $290 (VIP)

It all just depends on how fancy you’re trying to get that weekend. Unfortunately Platinum VIP Single Day tickets have already sold out.

Click here to purchase tickets or get your VIP passes

(You DO have to be 18 and older to attend Lights All Night.)

Hotels packages are also available with the new Omni Dallas Hotel and the Magnolia Dallas. Click here for more info on those packages.

DFW Happenings will keep you posted on all the set times for the event as they won’t be posted by LAN until 1 week prior. Gather your other Dance/Electronic buddies for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve 2012 with Lights All Night!

Address:
Dallas Convention Center – Omni Dallas Hotel
650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, Texas 75202

*CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE*

Dallas Mavericks Winterfest 2011

7 Dec

The NBA is back!! Which means the 2011 Champions are too! Join Dirk and Santa as we celebrate the return of both the Holiday season and the Dallas Mavs season at Winterfest 2011. Winterfest will be held on Friday, December 16th at the American Airlines Center. Admission is FREE and the party starts at 3:00pm!

Some of the family fun activities you can expect include: Holiday movies (Shrek the Halls, Merry Madagascar & Kung Fu Panda) on the Big screen, Holiday carolers in the AAC and a special appearance from Old Saint Nick himself! Ice Skate on the AT&T Plaza, Meet Mavs dancers, the ManiAACs and even Dallas Maverick Legends! Watch a Free scrimmage in the AAC too! Apparently the Mavs were just that good that Santa had to travel all the way from the North Pole to commemorate the NBA season returning and the return of the CHAMPS! If you didn’t know already, Santa Claus is secretly a Mavs fan. Don’t be fooled by the red getup. 😉

The Last time we were all together at the Arena

You’ll also have a chance at winning an autographed pass for 2 to get up close and personal with your favorite Maverick players. Maybe you shouldn’t get too personal but autographs and photos will be cool enough. Tune in to ESPN Dallas 103.3 to find out your chance to win the tickets for autographs. Galloway & Company will be live on site.

There will be Mavs Championship Merchandise Specials that you can browse while you’re there and also support a great cause by bringing an unwrapped toy to benefit Operation Once in a Lifetime.

By the way, if you haven’t viewed it already click here to see the 2011-2012 Dallas Mavericks Game Schedule! (It may be a few games shorter, but I’d MUCH rather shorter, than none at all!) We’re opening the NBA season with a classic matchup against rivals Miami Heat on Christmas day!! Now that the lockout is finally over and everyone’s come to an agreement, tickets will be on sale December 10th at 10:00AM. See you Mavs fans Friday 12/16 in the Winter Wonderland of basketball champs. Winterfest begins at 3PM!

–SCHEDULE OF EVENTS–
2:30
Ice Rink on the AT&T Plaza opens
3:00
Doors open to the public
3:30
Showing of Shrek The Halls
4:00
Meet Dallas Mavericks Legends at the ESPN broadcast area!
4:15
Showing of Merry Madagascar
4:45
Showing of Shrek The Halls
5:15
Holiday Music from the House of Blues Gospel Choir
6:00
The 2011 NBA Champs take the floor

He can dunk more than cookies... Nicholas got UPs