Anyone could take the photos that A.B. Wishart does--because he just shoots the world around him, showing details, light, shadow and tiny moments that other people don't notice. From Dallas highway scenes, shot from a car window, of clouds drawing the eyes up from the ugly skyline, to a statue's view of the people looking at it in Paris' Louvre, Wishart points his lens at the non-drama. His photographs are a way to enjoy the beauty of rush hour or see the forest for its leaves. His new exhibit Recent Works in Color, featuring works ranging from the car shots to landscapes and cityscapes to informal portraits, will be on display from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the gallery space on the fourth floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Library, 1515 Young St. Call the library at 214-670-1740 or visit Wishart's Web site at www.abwphotography.com.
Friday, March 4
Doing the chicken dance would be the least of our concerns. We see hypnotism as being a lot like being really drunk: It wouldn't take much to talk us into doing something we wouldn't do in our right minds. And that does not include pretending to be French or barking like a dog. We're talking about things you only see on reality shows--and cable. But somehow Alan Sands--The SandMan--always finds volunteers from the audience to fill the stage at his comedy hypnotism shows, which involve making voluntary victims pretend they're riding a roller coaster or experiencing an allergy attack. Whether you want to point and laugh or scream and sneeze, admission is $17 and the show starts at 9 p.m. at the Ad-Libs Comedy Club, 2613 Ross Ave. Call the club at 214-754-7050.
Saturday, March 5
We know spring is almost here when we start sneezing from the levels of mountain cedar particles in the air and we feel that need to go to Six Flags Over Texas. It usually strikes only once. Because, once we go, we can no longer black out the bad things: the lines, the kids, the heat, the overpriced food and the really, really annoying music that seems to be coming from every direction, all the time. And it's too bad, because with individual tickets costing $41.99, it makes sense to buy a season pass for $69.99. If only we could make that second trip. But Six Flags has virtually cut out one of the cons--the lines. The park features Fastlane, which allows people to make reservations for 11 of its rides at the time they choose. Too bad you can't choose the price of nachos, too. Six Flags Over Texas begins its season this weekend with the gates open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. It will remain open Fridays through Sundays (plus spring break) through March and April, then will open for daily operation on May 16. Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 Road to Six Flags E., Arlington. Call 817-530-6000.
Sunday, March 6
It's like the old saying goes: Boys will buy boys. So that's not exactly the cliché, but that's what will happen when the Dallas Diablos Rugby Football Clubs hosts its Second Annual Bachelor Auction. Eleven members of the team will be up for grabs--no, not literally--at Woody's Bar, 4011 Cedar Springs Road, during the auction, which will be hosted by comedian Paul J. Williams, Michael Lee and Rosemary Raffle. Each bachelor comes with a prize package worth hundreds of dollars that includes products and services donated by local companies such as the Dallas Museum of Art, Lucky's Café, Zeus Comics and Collectibles, Crossroads Market and Supercuts. Proceeds from the auction will benefit groups in the gay community as well as the Dallas Diablos' scholarship and travel funds. Visit the team's Web site at www.dallasdiablos.org.
Monday, March 7
You'll hate to love the Crews Family. They're attractive; they're talented; they win awards; and they make money doing what they love. One can't help but feel a little bitter. We didn't get Dad's ability to calculate long math equations in his head or Mom's skill at sewing outfits without a pattern. But Nina Crew got amazing art genes from her mother and her father. Dad is Donald Crews, a children's book illustrator with a clean graphic design style. Mom is Ann Jonas, a children's book illustrator with a bright watercolor style. Nina also illustrates kids books, but she prefers photography. Check out their very different, but all very good, styles when the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., presents The Crews Family: Donald Crews, Ann Jonas and Nina Crews in the Dupree Theater's lobby from March 5 through May 29. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call 972-252-7558.
Tuesday, March 8
Celebrities make everything better. Commercial about greasy potato chips? Better with MC Hammer. Gold lamé shorts and jacket suit? Much better on Beyoncé. All-day motivational speaker workshop in a sports arena? Throw in Jerry Lewis, Joe Montana, General Tommy Franks and Rudolph Giuliani, and eight hours of pep talks might be tolerable. The luminaries will, respectively, talk about humor as a secret to success, teamwork in the office, making battlefield strategies work in the business world and how to lead during difficult times. In addition to the aforementioned celebs, the Get Motivated Seminar features motivational maestro Zig Ziglar, plus Rick Belluzzo, formerly of Microsoft, and Tom Hopkins, an expert on sales. The seminar takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. Call 1-800-610-7927.
Wednesday, March 9
We see relationships as having three stages: the oblivious stage (when the other person is still perfect in your eyes), the learning about/coping with reality stage (less than perfect, but still acceptable) and the escaping reality stage (usually involving avoidance, alcohol or an affair). But Tab A, Slot B: A New Age Sexiology finds there are 32 phases of love, from the first hopeful moments to the bitter end--whether it's three weeks or three decades later. The play, presented by Bootstraps Comedy Theater during the Out of the Loop Festival hosted by Addison's WaterTower Theatre, features Woman, Man, Dream Woman, Dream Man, Socrates, Oedipus and a few surprise guests acting their way through a relationship with the help of dance, puppets and music. Bootstraps Comedy calls the content "adult, but not obscene." Tab A, Slot B will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Studio Theatre of the Addison Theatre Centre, 15650 Addison Road. Tickets are $15. Call WaterTower Theatre's box office at 972-450-6232.
