Casting a Spell: Winslow Homer, Artist and Angler has caused a whirlwind of traffic from both art lovers and fishing enthusiasts alike. In conjunction, Fort Worth's Amon Carter Museum offers a special gallery talk today from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. led by docent Alan Laureyns and focused on "A Fly Fisherman's Perspective on Homer's Angling Pictures." The talk allows for interactive discussion amid the artwork and allows for a much-desired fishing-focused look at the work. Later, at 6 p.m., the museum offers a special lecture also in conjunction with the Homer exhibit. Judith C. Walsh of the National Gallery of Art speaks not on fishing but on Homer's painting style in her presentation "Honed to a High Pitch: Winslow Homer's Watercolor Technique." Both events are free at the museum, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. in Fort Worth. The exhibit will remain on display through June 22. Call 817-738-1933.
Friday, May 23
Calling all former high school athletes. Actually, calling all athletes. Or even calling all masochists. UTA Maverick Stadium and Speed By Choice track club hosts the Back-N-Tha Day Track Meet and Health Fair on Friday and Saturday. Athletes of "all abilities and ages" are welcome to participate in a weekend of sporting events and a free health fair. Feeling stretched out and limber? Ready to show the 14-year-old kid who mows your lawn just who was a star quarterback? Fear not, entry is open to all, and participant costs range from $5 to $10, so little Johnny can dip into his pay packet and challenge you to an athletic battle of ability and agility. Of course, should you choose to be an observer, as we would, the cost is only $5 and the entertainment is sure to be nonstop. Awards are ready for the taking, and registration is accepted until 2 p.m. Friday. Check out www.speedbychoice.org or call 972-820-5941.
Saturday, May 24
We all know it's there, lurking on the second shelf below the counter. We've all moved it to reach a vase or Crock-Pot. It's always there, just waiting for us to shower the love upon it that we did that first month, making mashed potatoes and other blendable dishes. It's the Cuisinart, the food processor, and the tool for making cooking easier. But, of course, not as easy as frozen side dishes. How about we learn to make something that's tasty and requires a dusting off of the ole processor? Viking offers the solution when it hosts a pasta workshop at its Dallas location, 4531 McKinney Ave., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pay the $79 and get a hands-on workshop on learning to make everything from the pasta dough to a béchamel and tomato sauce. And get a complimentary Viking apron. OK, so maybe that's the real draw for us, but the mad kitchen skills are a nice bonus. Viking also offers on Saturday "Grill Once, Dine Twice" at 2 p.m. for $49 and a free demo on garnishing at 1 p.m. Hit the Web to register at www.vikingrange.com or call 214-526-3942.
Sunday, May 25
y We've always wanted to be a member of the STOMP cast. Every time we watch a special on the group, notice that the show is coming to town or just hear the word "stomp," we're inundated with desire to be a part of such rhythmic cohesion and camaraderie. Then reality slaps us in the face and we realize that, despite a history in dance, that "history" is of the ancient sort now and we bet the troupe doesn't list underarm "bingo wings" as a characteristic it's looking for. Never have we seen even a slight indication of bodily jiggle in relation to STOMP, so for now the dream will remain just that. Cravings for STOMP continue, however, and they will be sated by The Science Place at Fair Park and their new IMAX feature Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey. The large-format film features many of the cultures and rhythms that provided inspiration for STOMP as well as documentation of the show, its global spirit and lack of boundaries that make it so successful. Sunday's showings are at 1:45 p.m. and 3:55 p.m. No late seating is permitted. Tickets are $7 and are available online at www.scienceplace.org. Call 214-428-5555.
Monday, May 26
Is this infatuation society has with lovers who kill really unhealthy? Natural Born Killers was a creepy success, and Romeo and Juliet were no strangers to violence (among other fatalities, they did kill themselves). Maybe our morals are a little shifty when it comes to double-barrel romance. To quench that morbid bloodlust, why not pay homage to a little Dallas history, you sick violence-lovers? The Dallas Historical Society conducts its exceptionally popular The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde Tour, and for $45 ($35 for society members), local author John Neal Phillips guides patrons to stops in West Dallas, Oak Cliff and Lancaster that were and still are important sites in Bonnie and Clyde's saga. Lunch is included. Reservations recommended to ensure a seat on the bus. The tour departs the Hall of State in Fair Park at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day. Call 214-421-4500 ext. 105.
Tuesday, May 27
Mother's Day has come and gone, but what if we did something for Mom on a day that didn't increase the profits at Hallmark? Try the ArtCentre of Plano and Patricia Richards' In Their Mother's Eyes. The international exhibit showcases female photographers and their children and includes, in addition to Richards, renowned shutterbugs such as Sally Mann in "ARE WE THERE YET? Photos from the Road." Call in sick, grab Mom and head to the ArtCentre at 1039 E. 15th St. in Plano. Who knows? Maybe you'll be inspired to compose some mom-and-child images that would be just the most perfect gift for Father's Day next month. These stress-inducing Hallmark holidays require serious gift planning and time management, after all. Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the show continues through May 31. Call 972-423-7809.
Wednesday, May 27
Mission: Displace your opponents' balls. Sounds painful. And with our clumsiness it very well could be, but generally bocce ball is a noncontact sport. It's a little like croquet, only players don't use mallets. Plus there's only one target and none of those pesky little wickets. So, really the only similarities are that there are balls, there's a goal, it's played on a lawn and ball manipulation is key. On Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Trevi's restaurant in the Omni Mandalay Hotel, 221 E. Las Colinas Blvd. in Irving, presents--for your balling pleasure--a night of Chianti Classico Black Rooster wines, an Italian buffet and a bocce ball tournament. For $60, a team of two can wine, dine and participate in all the bocce debauchery they can handle. The winning team gets a "romance package" for a night at the hotel and satisfaction in knocking the opponents in the balls. Call 972-869-5550.
