Email Author Catherine Downes

2011 Stories by Catherine Downes

• Divine Inspiration

  published December 1, 2011

  You know you're in for an interesting art show when one of the two artists featured has a disclaimer on his website explaining that it is not a... More >>

• Dinosaurs and Men Did Co-exist

  published November 10, 2011

  The sixth annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs exhibit is up and running. The exhibit is like Jurassic... More >>

• Arboretum Chases Away Holiday Blues

  published December 8, 2011

  Do you find yourself void of Christmas cheer this year? Are you having a hard time envisioning sugar plum fairies, reindeer and Santa? The Dallas... More >>

• Avila's Off-Menu Shrimp Tacos: An Appreciation

  published Dec 30, 2011

  On Thursday afternoon, a blackboard out front of Avila's Mexican Restaurant boasted -- in bright pink and blue chalk -- an enchilada lunch special. After being seated, and having chips and salsa thrus... More >>

• Come Get Nogged With Us at Our December Tweet Up Party

  published Dec 14, 2011

  'Tis the season to get drunk at your office holiday party and sloppily flail around on the makeshift dance floor to "Sexy Back" -- don't act like that wasn't you last year. But this year, spare yourse... More >>

• Old Snack

  published December 15, 2011

  Denton trio Old Snack's debut full-length is aptly titled for a nine-song LP that clocks in at 18-and-a-half minutes. Everything is Happening... More >>

• The Winter Cocktails of Dallas

  published Dec 13, 2011

  The holidays are here, and restaurants and bars around town have broken out their seasonal boozing menus. So I went on a pub crawl and explored some of Dallas' best wintry concoctions over the past c... More >>

• Are Sugar Plum Fairies Edible?

  published December 1, 2011

  If you know you or your kids would have a hard time sitting through both acts of The Nutcracker, then The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, 2121... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Here's A Book Called Hot Guys and Baby Animals

  published Dec 07, 2011

  Earlier today, the most important book of all time, Hot Guys and Baby Animals, appeared at the Dallas Observer headquarters. With its arrival came a ripple of unrelenting excitement and joy as it ci... More >>

• Thai-Rrific is Open on Cedar Springs (Photos)

  published Dec 05, 2011

  Thai-Rrific closed its longstanding North Dallas location and opened its doors on Cedar Springs last month, where Hung Dinger used to live. The first thing I noticed walking into the restaurant was ... More >>

• Campo Lives, RedFork Dies, and More from a Busy November in Restaurant Openings and Closings

  published Dec 02, 2011

  November was a busy month for restaurant owners in Dallas, with several spots opening and a few closing their doors. Read on for the full slate, and be sure to share tips about restaurant openings or ... More >>

• And Now a Very Verbose Interview with Oak Lawn's Drag Queen Turned Reality TV Star

  published Nov 30, 2011

  Chad Fitzgerald owns Cake Guys, a cakery with locations in both Dallas and Duncanville. He's also a constant on season two of TLC's Next Great Baker, which premiered Monday night. (Fitzgerald was par... More >>

• TLC's Next Great Baker Starts Tonight With Two Homegrown Contestants

  published Nov 28, 2011

  The second season of TLC's Next Great Baker premieres tonight, and two bakers from the metroplex are among the baker's dozen vying for a chance at the grand prize of $100,000, a spread in Brides Magaz... More >>

• Come Party With Us, and 75-Cent Beers, Tonight at The Bone

  published Nov 23, 2011

  The flier is fairly self explanatory, but we thought we'd reiterate the details for you. Tonight the Observer is hosting its monthly Tweet Up party, which means you'll have the opportunity to hang o... More >>

• Toast the New Vintage

  published November 17, 2011

  Each year, on the third Thursday of November, Beaujolais Nouveau, red wine from the Beaujolais region of France goes on sale. As part of a... More >>

• This Black Leather is Spiked with Silver and Misanthropy

  published Nov 22, 2011

  Name: Keith P, 29 Occupation: Event planner and DJ Location: Double-Wide Influences:"Misanthropy, melancholy, melody in all forms of music both modern and classical. People who have pride in the... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Last Night: Morrissey at SMU McFarlin Auditorium

  published Nov 18, 2011

  Better than: Staying home and watching the Morrissey: Live in Dallas DVD Morrissey crooned the lyrics of The Smith's "I Know It's Over" to a packed SMU McFarland Auditorium last night "...tonight ... More >>

• Andi's Thrifty Finds Make for a Nifty Night-Out Look

  published Nov 17, 2011

  Name: Andi Harman, 20 Occupation: Blog editor for 35 Denton Location: Dallas Contemporary Style Breakdown: "The dress is from a thrift store in Brooklyn, actually, everything is from thrift store... More >>

• The Den is Open on McKinney. Here Are Some Photos, Bro.

  published Nov 17, 2011

  McKinney Avenue welcomed yet another bar and grill to the strip last month. The Den Bar & Grill has taken over the space where Liar's Den used to be, boasting three stories of hangout space. The Den... More >>

• A Shrunken Dreamcoat

  published October 20, 2011

  Andrew Lloyd Webber’s kaleidoscopic musical Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is going small, taking a run on the intimate... More >>

• Tomorrow: Ben and Jerry Scoop Ice Cream for Both the 99 Percent and the 1 Percent in Dallas

  published Nov 16, 2011

  Ice cream moguls Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are coming to Dallas tomorrow for a meet-and-greet fundraiser at the Ben & Jerry's Shops at Highland Village location. The guys will be shaking hands an... More >>

• Morrissey

  published November 17, 2011

  The Smiths were undoubtedly one of the most important English bands of the '80s, and while the band dissolved in 1987 after a five-year... More >>

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  FEATURED STORY

  Steven Wallace Takes a Shot on Lacoste and Levi's

  published Nov 14, 2011

  Name: Steven Wallace, 27 Occupation: Photographer Location: Dallas Contemporary Style Breakdown: "Lacoste shoes, Levi's jeans, Artful Dodger hoodie, Michael Kors watch, a hippie gave me the brace... More >>

• Keep That Spooky Feeling Going

  published November 3, 2011

  Even though Halloween has come and gone, the folks over at the McKinney Performing Arts Center are keeping the spook alive. On November 5, the... More >>

• Brandy Mixes Labels for a Vintage Vibe in the Design District

  published Nov 09, 2011

  Name: Brandy Adams, 34 Occupation: Owner of W.A.A.S. Gallery Location: Dallas Contemporary Style Breakdown: "Anthropologie dress, the boots might be Steve Madden, Michael Kors purse, Gant glasse... More >>