Though it's one of the area's largest fund-raisers benefiting North Texas HIV/AIDS organizations, Razzle Dazzle has always been a skippable event in years past. Why pay to get onto the Cedar Springs strip for this one event when you're just going to end up in the same old bars that are free to get into every other night of the year? Or why pay to get onto the block when you'll have to pay another cover charge to get into the Village Station or Sue Ellen's dance clubs? But this year organizers wised up and put some real dazzle into the street festival by booking some talent that should actually draw a crowd. Well, "talent" is a bit generous when referring to the Village People, but the veteran troupe has become so family-friendly and neutered that it should be interesting to see them back in the gay environment that spawned them. The real treat for Razzle Dazzle is the rare Dallas appearance by San Francisco queercore punk band Pansy Division. Unlike the Village People, Pansy Division's dirty and subversive songs will never be played at baseball games and wedding receptions. Also on the bill are lesbian queercore band Tribe 8 and the local rock band Girl. Named "Techno-Colour 2003," the festival also features carnival games, a casino, DJs, street entertainers and food booths. Beneficiaries include AIDS Arms, Resource Center of Dallas and six other charities. Razzle Dazzle has raised more than $1 million for area AIDS services in the past 25 years, and takes place Saturday from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Cedar Springs Road between Oak Lawn Avenue and Knight Street. Admission is $15. Visit www.razzledazzledallas.org. --Jay Webb
6/7
Going to the Dogs
Dog owners are a special breed. Training an animal to be your best friend is a lot of work--not to mention the chewed shoes, the lost security deposits and the sleepless nights brought on by sporadic bouts of barking. You cat people have no idea. Anybody can clean out a litter box, but living with a dog requires dedication. Well, the folks in Denton must be dog people, because on June 7, Main Street Denton presents the 10th annual Dog Days of Summer Celebration. In addition to a dog parade and a spokesdog pageant, among other events, your canine companion can have a "Glamfur Shot" taken and have its paws read by the Great Barkini. Civic Center Park, 321 E. McKinney, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 940-349-8529. --Rhonda Reinhart
6/5
Pass the Mike
And the bottle...for courage
The next morning, we weren't sure how we ended up singing (badly, by the way) Buddy Holly's "Rave On" at XPO Lounge. It could have been because we were, in laymen's terms, 'faced. It could have been because our sister had just goaded us onto the stage (well, the designated corner of the room) with her mike-swinging rendition of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me." More than likely, however, it's because there's something about Scaraoke, the every-Thursday-night karaoke kamikaze hosted by Mark Ridlen (a.k.a. DJ Mr. Rid), that makes inhibitions fade into the rearview mirror. Scaraoke celebrates its two-year anniversary on June 5 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with drink specials and giveaways and prizes. But the real reward (or, perhaps, punishment): If you show up, and sing, you could end up on the XPO Gold! Vol. 2 CD and DVD, the follow-up to last year's sorta-star-studded compilation. XPO Lounge, 408 Exposition. Call 214-823-2329. --Zac Crain
6/8
Gefilte Fest
Matzo for the masses
Sadly, I've lost my copy of Yiddish for Dummies. A former boss gave it to me in order, I suspect, to augment my level of ignorance about his maligned and misunderstood Jewish heritage. He was a jokester, and often tossed out a "ferklempt" or "meshugeh" or some other giggly word just to keep me confused. Even a mediocre student of history has to marvel at the amazing sense of humor most Jews have managed to maintain through unprecedented struggle. Better than book-learnin' about all things Jewish is this Sunday's Jewish Music, Art & Food Festival in Richardson from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive. Stand-up by comic Marc Maron, Jewish inspirational music by Visions and Lamb Chop with Mallory Lewis are highlights. Tickets are $15 for adults, $9 for kids 3 to 16 and available at the Jewish Community Center, Tom Thumb groceries or by phone at 214-739-3737. --Annabelle Massey Helber
6/7
Dig It
You learn about gardening the same way you learn about love. First, you're infatuated with the showiest ones, choosing exotic, difficult, even unreliable types. After a time, you discover the dependable, reliable, inwardly radiant ones. In plants and in people, stick with the steadfast. Some of the best homegrown, native and adapted vines, flowers and shrubs will be offered June 7 in Fair Park's Texas Discovery Gardens' first plant sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A wide selection of TDC's greenhouse-grown plants, particularly cultivated to attract caterpillars and thereby butterflies, are available, plus there's some good advice for the botanically lovelorn from the gardens' horticulture experts. Peruse and bring the plant list at www.texasdiscoverygardens.org or call 214-428-7476. --Annabelle Massey Helber
