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Bark for Life Raises Money for Cancer

Submitted Event — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:31:37 +0000

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners at Reverchon Park that will raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer Saturday, May 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Do you love pets? Has your life been touched by cancer in some way? Honor your canine companions and loved ones at Bark For Life. Cancer survivors are the VIPs of the event, and even those without a furry friend can find plenty of activities to enjoy. And for the Foodies, five of Dallas' food trucks will be there. Which ones, you ask?

Ruthie's Rolling Cafe
Arctic Shaved Ice
Rock and Roll Taco
City Street Grille
Trailer Cakes

A minimum $10 donation is required for entry to the event, and special gifts will be given to those who can donate more. Sign up now: relayforlife.org/barkdallastx

Top Reasons you don't want to miss Bark For Life:

Cool T-shirt, Pet Bandanna, & GOODY bag with $25 Entry Donation!
AWARDS for Dog Contests & Games including Bobbing for Hot Dogs, Best Trick, Dog & Owner look-a-like and more!
Family friendly activities, Pet Photos, Face Painting, & a Raffle Drawing with GREAT PRIZES!
Enjoy food, samples, & GIVEAWAYS from local businesses involved in your community!
ADOPT a new family member from one of the featured Dallas Animal Rescue Groups!
Most of all, have FUN while helping raise funds & awareness for The American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer!

Who: American Cancer Society
What: A walk and fun-filled day to raise funds and awareness for cancer that your furry friends can participate in too!
When: Saturday, May 26, 2012
9:10 Opening Ceremony
9:35 Survivor Celebration
9:45 Ceremonial Walk
10:00-1:00 Dog Contests & Games
11:30 Remember Ceremony
1:00 Raffle Drawing
1:20 Fight Back/Closing Ceremony
Where: Reverchon Park (Map)
Cost to Register: $10 Donation to enter
$15 Entry + doggie bandana
$20 Entry + event t-shirt
$25 All three!
How to Register: Visit relayforlife.org/barkdallastx

Tulip tramplin’: Dallas Theater Center lets the grownups battle in ‘Carnage’

Lauren — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:56:03 +0000

A garish living room fills the Kalita Humphreys stage during the run of Dallas Theater Center’s “God of Carnage” (through June 17). The aggressively red velour couches and looming African tapestries are enough to inspire belief in the eponymous deity and the set is accentuated by the hostility of the two couples who meet to discuss playground injuries.

The circumstances: Benjamin hit Henry, because Henry called him a name. Annette and Alan are the parents of Benjamin, hoping to extenuate conditions. Veronica and Michael – Henry’s parents – are not quick to forgive. Then again, Annette and Alan are not eager to offer an apology.

What begins as a civilized discussion unwinds into a savage fight in which everyone loses their shit (empathetic cookie-losers beware). The trick of Yazmina Reza’s play (translated from French by Christopher Hampton) is that it takes place in ostensibly real time. Just 80 minutes long, the characters spend an afternoon together allowing the audience to react and grow unhinged alongside the characters. Sound fun yet?

Under the direction of Joel Ferrell, each character experiences a punctuated journey through the frustration of polite, politically-correct conversation. Chris Hury and Sally Nystuen-Vahle play the offending parents whom Christie Vela and Hassan El-Amin invited into their home.

The tight-lipped Nystuen-Vahle and the charmingly detached Hury (who calls his son a savage) are an intriguing counterpoint to the interracial, “down-to-earth” couple Vela and El-Amin.

If the Dispute Resolution Program at Southern Methodist University is looking for a fully-realized demonstration of communication blunders, “Carnage” is richly laden.

John Arnone’s design overflows with absurdity. The red walls and frosted blue windows behind the aforementioned horror of a couch imply the gaudiness of Dallas, not the play’s setting of New York City. And Thomas Charles LeGalley costumes although suitable for the Africa-obsessed Veronica and overdressed toilet salesman Michael, seem ill-fitting and tawdry for their city-slicking, professional counterparts.

An earlier, more civilized scene from Dallas Theater Center's 'God of Carnage.'

At the end of the fight, when you’ve experienced more-than-enough abusive language and tulip-throwing (that is not an obscure figure of speech), you’ll turn to whichever friend or family member is next to you and be grateful for amicable company. Early in the play, Veronica claims to believe “in the soothing power of culture.” Ironically, the end of “Carnage” allows its own post-show catharsis. At least you aren’t those people.

After attending a Saturday evening performance, me, my little sister and mother drove a few blocks to unwind at Chocolate Secrets – an adorable Oak Lawn wine, coffee and jazz bar. No one was harmed in the making of our decaf lattes and chocolates (except the pig in my decadent chocolate covered bacon).

Wedding 101 Series to be Taught at Bridal Boutique Rosa Clara Dallas Beginning this Sunday

Submitted Event — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:33:04 +0000

Bridal boutique shop Rosa Clara Dallas will host four free wedding information sessions for brides starting Sunday, May 20, from 1 to 2 p.m. at its boutique in the Knox/Henderson area.

Planning a wedding on a budget is a stressful experience that leaves most brides bewildered and bummed out. Rosa Clara Dallas will try to relieve some of that burden from the shoulders of Dallas brides with help from other local experienced vendors.

Enjoy champagne and light bites while getting tips and money-saving ideas from local wedding experts. Attend all four sessions or just one or two. Feel free to bring as many friends as you'd like. No registration necessary.

May 20: Glen Roush Entertainment offers music ideas, how to get more bang for your buck, and lighting tips.

June 3: Bridal makeup experts, Virtuous Reflections, will tell you what colors are best for each season, how to hide imperfections, and what to never spend money on.

June 10: Photographer Kelly Alexander will explain how to interview a photographer, provide tips on packages, and tell you the top five questions to ask your photographer.

June 17: Wedding planner, Alex Stein, from Events by Alex, will offer DIY ideas and reveal the three big no-nos when hiring a wedding planner.

What: Free four-week information sessions for brides
When: Sundays: May 20, June 3, June 10, June 17
1-2 p.m.
Where: Rosa Clara Dallas (Map)
How Much: Free!

Survival Tips for ‘The Birthday Party’ at Undermain

Lauren — Thu, 17 May 2012 22:17:47 +0000

"This house is on the list," Meg Bowles repeats with pride in the first act of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party , onstage at Undermain Theatre through June 2.

Not one to poop on Dallas theater parties, I trudged through this 3-act, two intermission play with a glass of wine and a good friend in tow.

The Birthday Party is a psuedo-absurdist, overtly political drama about the Meg and Petey Bowles's boarding house, where a Mr. Stanley (a strong performance by Gregory Lush) has been staying for more than a year. Unbeknownst to the Bowles, Stanley's exile to their rural home nears its end when the sinister Goldberg and his impish partner McCann show up for his birthday. In true Pinter fashion, it's hard to tell if you're on the edge of your seat from suspense or fear of falling asleep. But as this was my first invitation to one of Pinter's more widely produced plays, I argue the former and blame the latter on the red wine.

Mary Lang, Gregory Lush and T.A. Taylor in 'The Birthday Party.'

In reality, The Birthday Party is as fun as any shindig this side of Prohibition. And without further ado, here are my tried-and-true rules for this (and any!) party.

1) Don't walk in alone.

Drag a friend. Everyone knows the best way to feel comfortable at a party is to bring a friend. The Undermain's convenient location in Deep Ellum, allowed my compatriot and I to stop in at the All Good Cafe down the road, for a quick bite and some gossip before entering the underbelly of Main Street. We found more friends to sit with once we tromped down to the basement space.

2) Admire the house.

If you're not sure what to say to the host, simply compliment the crown moldings, or the glitzy, flowered wallpaper. In this case, we have designer John Arnone to thank for the swanky decorations and versatile setting.

3) Laugh at Everything

The women sitting with me giggled at every single line, facial expression and movement made by the duo of Bruce DuBose and Marcus D. Stimac, who played Goldberg and McCann - a mastermind and a defrocked priest. When McCann accuses Goldberg of betraying the organization, Goldberg shouts that McCann "Betrayed the breed" - sending my row into a fit of uncontrollable snickers. Any Undermain patron can confirm, DuBose can do no wrong.

4) Make frequent trips to the kitchen

If you're near the food and the booze, you're going to see everyone at the party and you can continuously refill your glass with whichever sampling of Yellowtail, Sobieski or Michelob Ultra stocking the liquor cabinet. With two intermissions, The Birthday Party, gives ample time to purchase multiple glasses of $4 merlot, though for the record I only had one.

5) Accept everything.

You don't wanna be the person at the party casting judgmental glances on a ridiculous theme or guests who grow more irritating as the night continues. So, with The Birthday Party you should accept the stilted accents and Patrick Kelly's sing-song direction. As I began to ignore my responsibilities as a critic, I stopped questioning this play's place in the Undermain season and began to enjoy Katherine Bourne's lively performance as the neighbor Lulu and T.A. Taylor's wise, yet placid Petey. I began to revel in Pinter's clever use of bizarre characters and thematic undertones to create this theatre gem.

6) Leave Early.

I didn't follow this rule, despite the temptation a second intermission offers. Just like any party around the witching hour, The Birthday Party takes an interesting turn in act three you don't want to miss.

Put this celebration on your list. Undermain Theatre is located at 3200 Main Street and tickets range from $15 -25.

New York City Planner to Speak at the Nasher

Damany — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:37:12 +0000

Image Courtesy American Architecture Foundation

The Nasher Sculpture Center has always welcomed some amazing speakers for its NasherSalon Speaker Series, and tonight is no exception. Thursday starting at 8:00, the wrought iron and glass of the garden will welcome a bevy of people interested in what can be done to make Dallas better, stronger, and even more awesome than it already is. With new parks opening up almost every week, and the Dallas skyline almost consistently changing and climbing ever higher, tonight's speaker can genuinely say that they've been there and done that. Amanda Burden has served as the Commissioner of the New York Department of City Planning since 2002 and has been responsible for spearheading the largest planning effort in the city since 1961, as well as raising the standard for urban design in all five of the boroughs.

Burden's longstanding career in urban development will offer unique insights into the why behind New York (and by extension- Dallas') decisions to make certain changes to the city's face, while hopefully providing valuable perspective into the strategy that it will take to make sure the culture and heart of a big city such as ours are not lost to the development of its infrastructure or the growing beauty of its steel gilded towers. For one, I'm excited to see what comes of tonight and hope to see more than a few of you there!

What to Do in Deep Ellum this Weekend: Yelp’s Passport to Deep Ellum

Frances — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:41:48 +0000

On May 7th 2012, something wonderful happened. Yelp Dallas infiltrated Deep Ellum for Yelp's Passport to Deep Ellum – a two week long celebration of the historic, effervescent, and unique neighborhood.

Among countless locally friendly community activities, Yelp will be hosting a Cash Mob at an undisclosed Deep Ellum business. A Cash Mob happens when a group of people go on a collective spending spree in support of a favorite local business. Yelp's set a time, a meeting place, and a secret spending location for community members to descend on the business and spend $5 or more dollars at the store. Canadian city Halifax received a rave response from their wildly successful Cash Mob.

Be sure to join the fun here!

Additional compelling community events include:

Yelp's Passport to Deep Ellum Retail Walk: Join Yelp Dallas Community Manager Saturday May 19th as we hop from shop to another picking up something special while sipping and noshing on something special at every stop, too. There will be bottomless mimosas at Factory Girl, wine & cheese at Mid2Mod, The Home Concepts Spring Art Show featuring more than local 30 artists, and other discounts at Aubergine.

Other discounts and activities include:

$5 Infused Vodka and Bourbon at Black Swan Saloon: Fruit-Infused vodkas and bourbons for $5 during the Yelp's Passport to Deep Ellum.

Free Kettleball classes at Psycho Gym: May 19th at 9:00am , stopping by Psycho Gym to get your ass kicked, in a good way.

Yelp Sponsors the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market: Yelp will be there in full force. Complete with Yelpstick (chapstick), Yelp t-shirts, Sunscreen, Bottled water and more. You can peruse the local vendors and stop by the Yelp booth to say hi and for a chance to win some goodies.

Yelp's International Eating Challenge: In conjunction with celebrating all things Deep Ellum, during the Yelp's Passport to Deep Ellum, we've created an exciting and yummy way to eat your way through Deep Ellum.

Local art group, ArtLoveMagic even joined in on the community love by producing a Yelp-customized mural in honor of Yelp's Passport to Deep Ellum and even captured the creation in this upbeat and inspirational video: Yelp Passport Mural Video.

Dine, drink and discover from May 7th thru May 20th, with daily deals and hook ups that you can only find here. Get involved, help support local business and the local community by experiencing the vibrant, one-of-a-kind neighborhood, Deep Ellum. For further support of the neighborhood and ways to be involved, please visit Deep Ellum Community Association.

Uptown’s First Walking Food Tour Highlights Best Cuisine

Submitted Event — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:00:40 +0000

Uptown Dallas' first walking food tour will take place Saturday, June 9, and offer participants a delicious sightseeing experience.

Locals and tourists, alike, will receive an insider’s view of Dallas’ most pedestrian-friendly areas with a special focus on the best local cuisine – from down home favorites and Tex-Mex specialties to made from scratch desserts. In addition to generous tastings at several hand-picked eateries, each fully-narrated walking tour includes historical attractions and anecdotes as guides share the stories behind each locale.

Participants of the Uptown Dallas Food Tour can expect delicious sit down tastings at a collection of area restaurants, historic commentary, and a scenic stroll down McKinney Avenue to the West Village Shopping District. The walking tour also includes a look at community theaters and art galleries, and the State Thomas Historic District, which contains the largest collection of 1880’s Victorian homes in Dallas. The tour ends with an optional ride on Uptown’s antique trolley cars. Restaurants on the tour are Bread Winners Cafe and Bakery, The Stand, Sfuzzi, Primo's Tex Mex Grille and Bailey's Uptown Inn.

Highlights

Generous restaurant tastings, enough for lunch!
Entertaining stories of the rich history and culture of Dallas.
The McKinney Avenue Trolley of Uptown, a restored antique rail car system with the oldest running trolley car in the nation.
The West Village Shopping District, the heart of Dallas’ Uptown Neighborhood.
The State Thomas Historic District – Dallas’ oldest surviving neighborhood and largest collection of 1880’s Victorian homes.
Dallas’ oldest and most notable cemeteries.
Independent community theaters and contemporary art galleries.
Food Tours of America, locally owned and dedicated solely to food tours!

Uptown Dallas Food Tours will begin on June 9, 2012 and occur each Saturday and Sunday and some weekdays. Tours last approximately 2.5 hours with brief, scenic walks in between tastings. To ensure a personal, high quality experience, each tour is limited to 16 participants. Food Tours of America can provide up to seven guided tours daily, and specializes in customized private events for corporations, wedding and event planners, and individual groups of any size. Food and beverages tastings, as well as cultural attractions are all included in the $45 cost per person. For more information, or to book a tour, please visit www.FoodToursOfAmerica.com or call (888)-871-2052.

Food Tours of America was founded by three adventurous women with a passion for great food, southern hospitality and unique experiences. “We believe that first-hand experiences of culture and cuisine are the best ways to absorb and appreciate a city,” said Director of Sales and Marketing Jodi Philippson. “Food tours are sweeping the nation, but so far, Dallas’ food scene has been unrepresented. By offering Uptown Dallas’ first walking food tour, we hope to provide a unique opportunity for visitors and locals alike to enjoy the diverse cuisine and rich history and culture that drive our vibrant city.”

What: Uptown's First Walking Food Tour
When: Starting Saturday, June 9, 2012, and continuing on weekends and some weekdays
Tours begin late morning to early afternoon and last approximately 2.5 hours
Where: Uptown - meeting location information is sent with ticket purchase
How Much: $45 per ticket
Where to Purchase:

Pecha Kucha Night Dallas, Vol.9! -Urban Renewal, Dallas 2.0

Submitted Event — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:10:28 +0000

Pecha Kucha Nights, an international phenomenon brought to Dallas for the ninth time on May 10th, 2012 at 7pm in the registered historic landmark David Crockett School in East Dallas. The event is $5 and tickets can be bought online in advance at http://pkndallas9.eventbrite.com/. Tickets will be $10 at the door.

Discussion around some of makes our city great is important & timely. It's been a sobering week in the Dallas civic & cultural news. Time for some clarity ...& a Beer Break.

Confirmed presenters:

Ken Good (Good Signature Properties), Owns & currently renovating the David Crockett School
Jason Roberts (Congressional candidate, Better Block Originator, Bike Friendly Oak Cliff & Art Conspiracy Co.founder, Oak Cliff Transit Authority Founder & President...)
Noah Jeppson (Dallas Parking Day)
Wanda Dye (University of Texas at Arlington), Professor of Architecture
Diane Collier (West Henderson Neighborhood Association), Designer & Community Organizer
Patrick Kennedy (Carfree Dallas), Urban Planner & writer
Shannon Driscoll & Kayli House Cusick (Oil & Cotton), Small Business Owners & Artists
Samuel Stiles (Dallas Parks Foundation), Director of Development
Jim Anderson, Historic Preservation Consultant

What: Pecha Kucha Night Dallas, Vol.9! -Urban Renewal, Dallas 2.0
When: David Crockett School, 401 N. Carroll Street, Dallas, TX
Where: Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 9:20 PM
How Much: $5 online/$10 door
Purchase Tickets: http://pkndallas9.eventbrite.com/

About PechaKucha: PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of "chit chat", it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace. For more information, please visit www.pecha-kucha.org orwww.pkndallas.org.

Photo above by Dave Wilson via Pecha Kucha Dallas

DFW Rocks Social Media Day Expert-Packed Marketing Conference Coming this June

Submitted Event — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:10:42 +0000

Dallas' first annual celebration of Social Media Day and conference featuring ten social media and marketing professionals, speakers, authors, and coaches teaching business owners the latest strategies in social media and online marketing, will take place Saturday, June 30, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Social House in Addison.

This event is for everyone, no matter what your skill level or technical ability. You will walk away with pockets full of new skills, tips and ideas. All small business owners, consultants, and individuals are invited to attend.

In short, this conference will provide you with ROCK solid information and tips how to be a Social Media POWERHOUSE.

Presentation Topics:

Facebook Marketing for PAGES, Andrea Vahl
ROCK Your Twitter: Tweet Like a Pro, Lissa Duty
YouTube Video for the DIY, Robin Moss
Six Figure FOLLOW UP: Connections to Clients, Patty Farmer
The POWER of Being LinkedIn, J.R. Atkins
YOUR Business Interest in Pinterest, Fred Campos
What is RIGHT for Your Business? Social Media Sites & Tools, Lissa Duty
Social Media PROS Question & Answer Panel, Giovanni Gallucci, Neil Lemons, Mike D. Merrill
Presentation Details

Read speaker bios

What: The first celebration of Social Media Day in Dallas & Marketing Conference
When: Saturday, June 30, 2012
Social Media Day Conference - 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
After-Hours Networking - 4:00-9:00 p.m. (Cash Bar)
Where: The Social House (Map)
How Much: Early Registration $30
Registration after May 31 $50
How to Purchase:

This conference will give Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs and Professionals the information, education and resources they need to effectively manage their Social Media Accounts and Social Media Campaigns. Or, if they hire someone to do it for them, they’ll know what they want and if they are getting the results they are paying for.

Coffee, tea, water, continental breakfast, lunch and afternoon sweets will be provided! You will also be able to purchase soft drinks or alcoholic beverages as well.

More Conference Info:

Check out the registration & schedule, presentations, meet the speakers, meet the sponsors and the venue for detailed descriptions, speakers bios and sponsor information.

About Social Media Day:

June 30 was declared Social Media Day in 2010 by Mashable. Shortly thereafter, the city of Victoria, Canada officially also declared their Social Media Day as June 30. Cities and even countries across the globe have joined in the celebration by having educational events, meetups and tweetups.

Frontiers of Flight Museum to Feature Abstract Aviation Art Exhibition

Submitted Event — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:09:57 +0000

The Frontiers of Flight Museum will open the art exhibition Vectors: Abstractions in Aviation Art by Don Parr, an abstract collection of single artist paintings and constructions with aviation themes, Friday, June 15 and will run through September 21st.

Photo by Love. Wins. on FlickRiver.com

Don Parr is a Dallas financial advisor and artist. While living in New York City in the 1970s, he was inspired by the contemporary artists in the abstract impressionist, minimalist and color field genres and created his first paintings. After a 35-year hiatus he returned to his art, using color field and abstract impressionist techniques with aviation themes. Many of his current works employ aluminum panels and constructions with aircraft designs and are the focus of his 2012 show, Vectors, at The Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.

Parr’s works portray the functional aesthetics of aircraft design —an elegant balance of strength, weight, and aerodynamic efficiency. His art captures the essence of this balance with artistic abstraction that facilitates appreciation of the underlying uncontrived, pure aesthetics. He focuses on early airplanes with fabric covered wood frames as well as those with all-metal construction with riveted aluminum panels. Parr constantly seeks new methods to celebrate this extraordinary expression of function rarely found in man-made products.

Who: Don Parr
What: Art Exhibition - Vectors: Abstractions in Aviation Art
When: June 15 through September 21
Mondays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sundays 1-5 p.m.
Where: Frontiers of Flight Museum (Map)
How Much: Regular admission rates are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors (65+); $5 for children/youth ages 3 through 17; and free for children under age 3.

About the Museum

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is located on the southeast corner of Dallas Love Field Airport at 6911 Lemmon Avenue (at University). Over 25 aircraft and space vehicles are on display, including the Command Module from the Apollo 7 space mission, a complete Southwest Airlines Boeing 737, and the one-of-a-kind Vought V-173 “Flying Pancake.” Comprehensive and engaging exhibits include thousands of rare aviation artifacts, photographs and memorabilia. For more information, call (214) 350-1651 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.