The month of May might have ended but the jazz concert series at The Shops at Highland Village continue in June. With more live jazz performances by UNT faculty, alumni and students Jazz at the Fountain brings a lovely musical retreat to North Texas every Tuesday evening. The concerts are Free and open to the entire public. Each Tuesday from 7 to 9pm, the courtyard located between Chico’s and Patrizio’s hosts Jazz at the Fountain. Attendees are welcome to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for a night of jazz right in the midst of south Denton county’s luxurious open air shopping centers. Boxed picnic dinners are available from Potbellys and Corner Bakery or enjoy a delicious Italian meal from Patrizio right next door. The music will follow you no matter where you go.
The Shops at Highland Village are located at the Northwest corner of FM 2499 and FM 407.
(EVERY Tuesday, weather permitting)
Check out the JUNE 2012 LINEUP!
June 7: James Riggs Quartet
June 12: Luke Brimhall Quartet
June 19: Adam Huteson
June 26: Pete Clagett Quartet
The Shops at Highland Village 1701 Shoal Creek
Suite 245
Highland Village, TX 75077
Just when you thought The Shops at Parks Lane couldn’t get any better, they bring on a Free exclusive summer event! “Movies Under the Moon” starts in June 2012! Every Friday evening during the month of June, The Shops at Park Lane will feature a free outdoor family-friendly film. The movie series will start off June 1st with Secretariat and more will follow each week. Just check the 2012 schedule listed below.
Dallas’ new outdoor shopping complex is providing a snazzy shopping scene for free flicks that are viewable for all ages. Head over to the park near Bailey’s Prime Plus for the actual viewing area. Families can pack up a picnic bag, unfold the lawn chairs or lay out a blanket to enjoy Movies Under the Moon every Friday. Whole Foods will supply arts and crafts giveaways for children before the movies begin while Gordon Biersch will provide both edibles & quenchables for sale. Popcorn will be available for $1/bag.
Movie Times:
7:00PM – 10:00PM
Schedule:
June 1: Secretariat
June 8: Toy Story
June 15: Remember the Titans
June 22: Happy Feet
Location:
The park near Bailey’s Prime Plus and Fresh Berry
The Shops at Park Lane are at the Southeast Corner of Park Lane and Central Expwy, across from North Park Mall
Be a part of The Shops at Park Lane’s outdoor summer movie series!
The Shops at Park Lane
8070 Park Lane
Dallas, TX 75231
Things are heating up at Fair Park with the 2012 City Arts Festival this Memorial Day weekend! For three days in a row North Texans will enjoy one of the largest outdoor art exhibits in Dallas, along with tons of family activities, food truck treats and music. The festival is FREE to get in with Fair Park parking about $10. May 25 – May 27 are the select dates for CityArts 2012. Also, included at the CityArts Festival is ArtFest, a showcase of original pieces by nearly 150 renowned national and Texan artists. The popular juried art show is put on by The 500 Inc., who for over 40 years has used ArtFest to help raise funding for cultural arts organizations in Dallas.
Some of you might remember when the festival was held downtown in the arts district, but big the large outdoor event that it is, two years ago CityArts was moved to the more spacious Home of our State Fair to provide ample space and help place emphasis on some of the city’s coolest museums.
The 2012 CityArts Festival is presented by Big City Crushed Concrete, which is a company that helps reduce landfilled concrete waste by usting crushed concrete products. They have provided the construction industry significant economic and environmental benefits by recycling clean concrete rubble into TXDOT Grade rock materials for over 23 years.
The City Arts Festival of Dallas is FREE and open to the entire public. Check out the main features of this artsy fartsy fest:
Come Memorial Day weekend the fairgrounds will be drenched in color with so much to offer visitors. Anyone attending the festival will receive reduced admission to the museums of Fair Park at select times. The Magnolia Art Lounge will offer art classes for adults and teens. “Cartists” display some of their best work and creativity on automobiles. See how creative they can get using vehicles as a “canvas”. A mix of both musical and dance acts will take stage while food trucks roll up offering some of Dallas’ best meals on wheels. Keep on eye on the Esplanade Fountain for “dancing water” shows throughout the weekend!
Art will be jumping out at North Texans from all areas in all aspects, whether it’s the culinary arts, dance, paint, music, graphic design, architecture, sketch, street arts and whatever else you can think of. If it’s art-related, it’s at CityArts. Don’t bother looking for tickets because this festival is FREE!
2012 CITYARTS FESTIVAL DATES/HOURS
Friday 5/25
6PM – 10PM
SATURDAY 5/26
11AM – 10PM
SUNDAY 5/27
11AM – 6PM
Fair Park
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd.
Dallas 75210
Margarita Meltdown comes to the Bishop Arts area on Sunday, May 27th. At the 2012 Dallas Margarita Meltdown Dallas restaurants bring contenders together who mix their best margarita and offer samples to the public. It’s $25 to get in, and part of the proceeds will benefit La Voz del Anciano (The Voice of the Elderly), which is a local non-profit that has made it their goal to serve the needs of the elderly Latino population.
The 2nd Annual Dallas Margarita Fest gives locals the opportunity to sample a margarita from each DFW restaurant and vote for his or her favorite “Rita” mix. In addition to great drinks one can expect street food and live DJ’s providing pumping music while strolling through Bishop Arts of Oak Cliff. On Sunday, May 27th find out who will be titled “The Best Margarita in Dallas”; or better yet, you be the judge! It may be election year, but senators and political leaders aren’t the only thing we’re voting for!
The festival will take place from 3pm to 10pmin the historic Bishop Arts District between 7th and 8th street. What better place to have a margarita fest than in this most eclectic part of town?
Who’s coming?
Hacienda on Henderson, Mesa, Veracruz Café, Smoke, Nova, El Ranchito, La Calle Dolce, Sfuzzi and more!
The Dallas Margarita Meltdown after party will be held at Nova: 10pm – 2am
Let “Festival Season” in DFW commence with the 2012 Taste Addison! Your tastebuds won’t know what hit them after an evening spent circling the best eateries Addison has to offer. With over 60 restaurants from the area participating, tasters can enjoy generous helpings of the menus at reduced prices. Some call them samples, while others call them taste tests, but no matter select items are showcased on these menus. The three day festival will be held at Addison Circle May 18-20 so you have all weekend for eating the “Best of Belt Line Rd”.
While the focus of the Taste of Addison of course is delicious fare, other family friendly activities will add to the food festival. Musical entertainment, wine tasting seminars, celebrity chef demonstrations, carnival rides, midway games and kids entertainment can also be found at Taste of Addison 2012. All carnival rides range between $3 and $7. Some of my favorite restaurants that are sure to be at Taste Addison 2012 include: BJ’s, Buttons, Blue Mesa, Freebirds World Burrito, Los Lupes, On the Border, Pastazio’s Pizza, Clay Pit and Tiff’s Treats. To see a full list of the participating Addison restaurants click here.
The Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters will take place Sunday, April 29th at The Omni Fort Worth. Big Taste of Forth Worth has been Tarrant County’s premiere food and wine tasting event featuring the finest gourmet cuisine of Tarrant County restaurants while benefiting the children of the community for the last 30 years. In addition to find food and wines, there is an auction and live entertainment. From 4:30pm – 8:30pm the Omni hotel will showcase food and drinks from popular participating eateries like Blue Mesa Grill, Reata, Café Brazil, Cantina Laredo, Fireside Pies, The Tavern, MICHAEL’s, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Simply Fondue and The Grille at the Harbor on Possom Kingdom Lake, just to name a few.
TICKETS Tickets to BIG TASTE of Ft. Worth are $100 and $175 for VIP Wine Tasting/Main Tasting for each individual.
The 2012 Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth hosts an extensive silent auction with some amazing items. The featured auction items cover all categories from food & wine, sports memorabilia and art/photography to health & beauty and cool stuff for the home & garden. Get a preview of some of the exclusive items being auctioned off for the BIG TASTE.
If you have a restaurant or winery that would like to be a part of this awesome benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters contact taste@bbbstx.org. It is absolutely free for restaurants and wineries to participate!
The 2012 Barrett Havran Memorial Big Taste of Fort Worth also has celebrity judges: Jim Douglas (WFAA Senior Reporter), Gene & Julie Gates (103.7 KVIL’s The Gene & Julie Show), Mayor Betsy Price & Tom Price (Mayor of Ft. Worth), Jeff & Kim Halstead (Police Chief of Fort Worth), June Naylor (Food/travel journalist & culinary tour/event planner) and Kathryne Bosco & Minh Nguyen (Elite Yelpers).
Come hungry and with an empty belly to the Omni Sunday April 29th for a Texas Sized taste worthy to write home about! You’ll be supporting a great cause too! Click here to purchase tickets.
2012 BIG TASTE OF FORT WORTH SCHEDULE
VIP Wine Tasting presented by Englander 4:30PM – 6:00PM
Main Tasting 6:00PM – 8:30PM
The Omni Fort Worth
1300 Houston Street
Fort Worth, TX 76012
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.
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
The Main Street Arts Festival is back with street performances, a variety of art and music! Every Spring downtown Fort Worth fills up with North Texans looking for outdoor free fun. Browse the many pieces of Main Street and enjoy some food and beverage vendors with the Main Street coupons which can be purchased at booths throughout the area. Admission to the 2012 Main Street Arts Festival is Free!
Start your weekend on Thursday and head to Sundance Square for great artistic energy that Fort Worth has to offer. The dates for Main Street Art Festival are April 19-22. When considering available Parking for the festival check HERE for street closures before you leave the house. Other transportation options include riding your bike (free parking for cyclists at Biek Corral at 4th and Houston St), Park and Ride Bus service from Billy Bobs, or the TRE. Again, be sure to plan ahead because there will be streets closed off downtown.
Explore a wide variety of diverse art in all just about all forms (i.e. ceramics, graphics, print, paint, photography, metalwork.). Artists close down at 8:00pm every night Thursday through Saturday, and at 6:00pm on Sunday. There will be two whole blocks of kids creative and interactive artistic activities for all ages.
There will be three stages along downtown Fort Worth streets featuring some of the best entertainment from the local community and around the country as well.
Get out of the house this Spring and head to lively downtown Fort Worth for one of the city’s largest music festivals held April 19 – 22. You have four days to choose form and it’s FREE to attend. Experience the vibrancy of Funk Town at the largest festival in the Southwest.
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.
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
Once upon a time (about two decades ago) an aspiring entrepreneur dreamed up a place where people could eat healthy, get tasty food, let the kids run free and be able to let their hair down while doing so. It would be a safe haven for adults and children alike that allowed them the freedom to be themselves and let their imaginations run wild. This place came into existence in the DFW metroplex, and the owners were so pleased with themselves that they opened a second location. Both provided a relaxing patio atmosphere, occasional classic movie nights, easy going ambiance and an eclectic family friendly menu. “Let’s call it The DREAM Café!” they said. Then, a couple years later, another idea popped into their heads. “Let’s set aside special nights where customers can not only eat and drink, but hear live music outside on the patio at the same time. We’ll do it in the springtime, since this IS Texas.”
This spring explore your dreams and find a place of evening refuge in Uptown Dallas at The Dream Café’sJazz Nightsevery Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 9pm. Local artist Melanie Skybell, a regular performing artist at The Dream Café, along withThe Brehms Duo will alternate nights giving live shows on location. In fact, Melani Skybell will be having her Album Release Party on Wednesday, April 11th at the Uptown Location. Help her celebrate her newest CD with Pete Brewer on sax, Jaelun Washington on drums and Jonathan Fisher on bass at her second home – The Dream Café. (outside on patio, weather permitting)
*While you’re at Jazz Nights on Wednesdays, those who like to sip after a long day’s work, can enjoy ½ priced bottles of wine, every Winey Wednesday.*
Check out the full 2012 Spring Jazz Nights Schedule:
Mon. Mar 19: The Brehms Duo Wed. Mar 21: Melani Skybell Mon. Mar 26: The Brehms Duo Wed. Mar 28: Melani Skybell Mon. Apr 2: The Brehms Duo Wed. Apr 4: Melani Skybell Mon. Apr 9: The Brehms Duo Wed. Apr 11: Melani Skybell (CD Release Party!) Mon. Apr 16: The Brehms Duo Wed. Apr 18: Melani Skybell Mon. Apr 23: The Brehms Duo Wed. Apr 25: Melani Skybell Mon. Apr 30: The Brehms Duo Wed. May 2: Melani Skybell Mon. May 7:The Brehms Duo
The Brehms Duo
The Dream Café is very casual restaurant (with vegetarian friendly items offered on their menu) found right in the heart of Uptown Dallas located at the Quadrangle off Routh Street. Parking is Free either in the Quadrangle lot or the nearby garage. Although The Dream Café is also in Addison, Jazz Nights will just be taking place in Uptown for now, as the Addison location is typically closed during the evenings – but perfect for Brunch. This hidden treasure is no longer remaining a ‘secret’. (I personally came across it a couple of summers ago when looking for new things to do.) So For the next 2-3 months, don’t just dream about Free Jazz Nights, but make it a reality. By the end of the evening -between the wine and the soothing sax sounds- you may be walking on clouds.
Now if we could just get those Classic Movie Nights back up and running! 😉
Uptown Location 2800 Routh Street
Dallas, TX 75201
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