Every 300 years or so, a great idea comes along. Martin Luther had his, our nation's forefathers had theirs and now we have ours thanks to the Deep Ellum nonprofit DEFMAN's fifth annual Goth Ball, perhaps the largest Halloween party of its kind, which has an '80s theme asking its partygoers to think of the culture that influenced the likes of Alien and KISS. And the great idea is our perfect costume, giving a nod--such a subtle yet perfect nod--to the gothic-ness of the affair while staying well within the bounds of '80s culture. No, better yet, defining it. It's such a winning thought we won't list it here. After all, great ideas are infrequent, but stupidity happens every day. And what would be dumber than publishing, before the party, for 110,000 people to read, the outfit that will surely bring home the $500 top prize? The doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Arcadia Theatre, 2005 Greenville Ave. Admission is $19 with proceeds going to the Cancer Relief Fund. Visit www.gothball.org. --Paul Kix
Herd Mentality
10/29
It's hard to believe that tourists have been splashing around the Mustangs at Las Colinas for 20 years. The business district has been an important part of Dallas' suburban sprawl for more than two decades. To celebrate the anniversary of this cultural fixture, the Irving Arts Center welcomes back the Mustangs' sculptor, Robert Glen, for a new exhibit featuring almost 40 animal sculptures, including a 9-foot-tall lion crafted from bronze and a pair of life-size impalas. Also on display are 35 watercolor animal portraits by Susan Stolberger. Too bad none of these works is surrounded by water. Robert Glen and Susan Stolberger: African Wildlife Sculpture and Paintings opens Friday and runs through November 14 at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. A reception and auction is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the center. Call 972-252-7558 or visit www.ci.irving.tx.us/arts. --Jay Webb
