june 11
Stephen King once said, "I have seen the future of the horror genre, and his name is Clive Barker." Barker hasn't really lived up to King's hyperbole, but the British author and director has built a rabid cult following based on his perverse, six-volume set of stories, The Books of Blood, and the popular Hellraiser film series. Even those who are not that familiar with Barker's books or films are probably acquainted with his most popular character, Pinhead, the pale demon with hundreds of needles protruding from his head who ran roughshod throughout all four Hellraiser films. Though Barker's latest book, Galilee: A Romance, has more in common with Romeo and Juliet than the otherworldly fiends of his other work, it is just as dark. Barker will be at Borders Books & Music, located at 10720 Preston Road, to discuss and sign copies of Galilee. The signing begins at 7:30 p.m. Call (214) 363-1977.
Fans of Tripping Daisy have been patiently awaiting new material from the band since 1995's I Am An Elastic Firecracker. Since then, the band has had a revolving-door lineup, going through drummers like used Kleenex. The lineup problems have finally been solved, with drummer Ben Curtis (formerly of UFOFU) and guitarist Phil Karnats joining the band, in addition to longtime members singer Tim DeLaughter, guitarist Wes Berggren, and bassist Mark Pirro. With new members in tow, Tripping Daisy is ready to release its new record, Jesus Hits Like An Atom Bomb, on July 7. For those who can't wait that long (please tell us you can), the band is hosting a free sneak preview of the new disc at The Lakewood Theatre on Thursday, June 11, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. The band isn't performing, but they will be on hand to push start on the CD player and talk about the record. The Lakewood Theatre is located at 1825 Abrams Parkway. Call (214) 827-TKTS.
friday
june 12
The Disney Channel's PremEARS in the Park seems like a good idea. Screening a Disney feature film on a huge Mickey Mouse-eared screen in Arlington's River Legacy Park while various Disney characters roam around making nice sounds like fun for the whole family. Well, fun for the kids at least. We'd be a bit more optimistic about the event if Disney hadn't decided to screen the Tim Allen bomb Jungle 2 Jungle and Air Bud (that's right, the one where the dog joins the basketball team). They could have at least thrown us a bone like Fantasia or something. The films might not be anybody's idea of entertainment (unless you're under 10 years old), but at least parents will have something to occupy their kids with for a few hours. Besides, as long as there are roaming Disney characters, everybody is guaranteed to have a good time. Don't tell us we're wrong; we've seen the Disney World commercials. Jungle 2 Jungle plays on Thursday, June 11, and Air Bud screens on Friday, June 12. Games and activities start at 7 p.m., and the screenings begin at sundown. River Legacy Park is located at Green Oaks and Cooper Street in Arlington. Call (972) 263-4434.
saturday
june 13
Adoption has become so commonplace that many people don't really think about how adopted children feel. Artists Carol Flax and Ann Fessler give some insight into the feelings of adoptees by exploring their own pasts as adopted children. Their installation, Ex/Changing Families: Two Stories of Adoption, combines installation art, found photographs, interactive audio, video, a site on the World Wide Web, and audience participation to show how their personal histories as adopted daughters inform their lives. The gallery and lobby spaces at The MAC have been transformed into four separate environments: the Waiting Room, the Nursery/Orphanage, the Living Room, and the Mail Room. Flax and Fessler will explain the different spaces with a gallery talk on Saturday, June 13, at 6:30 p.m. The talk will be followed by a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ex/Changing Families continues at The MAC, located at 3120 McKinney Avenue, until July 19. Call (214) 953-1212.
sunday
june 14
After standing through the Adventure Club's six-hour, four-year anniversary show at Deep Ellum Live a few weeks back, we can tell you that any concert longer than a few hours, no matter how good, is too much. That's why Barley Palooza '98 seems more like a test of endurance than anything else. The 14-hour concert has a great bill--including the Old 97's, the Gourds, and the Calways--but we don't plan on sticking around for all of it. Our dogs are still barking from the Deep Ellum Live gig. We definitely will be on hand for the Gourds' performance, if only to see the band's version of Snoop Doggy Dogg's "Gin and Juice," easily one of the most brilliant cover songs in recent memory. A word of caution: Even though listening to No Depression-style country and drinking beer go together like peanut butter and jelly, pace yourself. Fourteen hours is a long time. The fourth annual Barley Palooza begins at noon at the Barley House, located at 2916 N. Henderson. Call (214) 213-3306 for a complete list of bands.
monday
june 15
Adrienne T. Rosenberg's photographs celebrate the rich colors of the outdoors, so it seems a bit ironic that her exhibit, Summer Solstice and Other Seasons, will be on view indoors--during a time when most people would rather be experiencing the outdoors for themselves. Even though her photographs would be more appreciated during the winter, Rosenberg's vivid colors and unusual subjects are worth checking out. The lake will still be there when you get back. Summer Solstice and Other Seasons hangs in the Carpenter Performance Hall Lobby at the Irving Arts Center, located at 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Irving, through August. Call (972) 252-7558.
tuesday
june 16
Even though it's not officially summer yet, it sure feels like it, and summer means Shakespeare in the park. The Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, the second-oldest Shakespeare festival in the country, kicks off its 27th season with Much Ado About Nothing and Antony and Cleopatra. In the past, the festival has attracted stars like Sigourney Weaver, Patrick Stewart, Morgan Freeman, and Olympia Dukakis. The star wattage is significantly lower this year (some would say completely absent), but legendary BBC director David Giles will helm the festival's first-ever production of Antony and Cleopatra. Performances happen Tuesday through Saturday at Samuell-Grand Park, located east of downtown Dallas, starting on June 16. Antony and Cleopatra will be presented on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays; Much Ado About Nothing will be performed on Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. All performances happen at 8:15 p.m. Admission is free, but a $4 donation is requested. Both plays continue through July 26. Call (214) 559-2778.
wednesday
june 17
Bonnie Parker Thornton was a straight-A student, an accomplished poet, and a high school honor graduate. She was also Clyde Barrow's bank-robbing partner, but Little Blue-Eyed Girl--the new production at the Door Theatre--doesn't want you to focus on that. They want you to think about the young poet who was a favorite of many of Dallas' most prominent officials, and turned to a life of crime only after the Crash of 1929. Ah, revisionist history. Dixie Lee Sedgwick, who wrote the play with Joe Black, stars as Bonnie. Little Blue-Eyed Girl plays at the Door Theatre (formerly the Deep Ellum Opera Theatre) on June 16-17 and 23-24. All shows happen at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $8. The Door Theatre is located at 3202 Elm. Call (214) 742-
