Western Europe

The Antidote to Dallas' Love Affair with Shiny New Things

In a town that pays actual respect to the glitteriest, shiniest new thing on the block, it's easy to take the classics for granted. I generally regard my distaste for nostalgia as a positive thing, but the test of time is not easy to pass and must therefore be honored. Like a worn-in t-shirt or a f ... More >>

Take Me Out to the Brisket: An Englishman on BBQ Sandwiches at Rangers Ballpark

Here's something -- I am a very big fan of baseball. I can't explain why. I guess it's like really fast cricket. Anyway, I used to watch it late at night on TV back in the U.K. quite obsessively. It's the only American sport I've ever managed to get on board with, American football being poorly name ... More >>

Who's White? Who Isn't?

And who the hell cares?

The Five Worst British Import Bands

​ While we might have done some wonderful things for y'all with Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and Radiohead, we have also sent you some terrible crimes against music. And while none of this really compares to Canada foisting Avril Lavigne and Nickleback on you, it's still not great. I'm ... More >>

Horse Meat -- You Say Problem, I Say Opportunity

"I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" took on entirely new meaning in the UK this week, as it turns out many people had unknowingly fulfilled their declaration of hunger by eating what they believed to be low-quality beef. Predictably, this has led to outrage across the land, as consumers begin to won ... More >>

Conquering English One Word at a Time

Apparently, at Least One British Newspaper Hasn't Figured Out How to Spot a Hipster

Our resident Englishman stumbled across an article in a popular UK newspaper that aimed some snark at what the paper called current food trends. Gavin, who at his present rate of Americanization will soon own an AR-15 and a pickup, took exception to the article's outlook. An Open Letter to The Guar ... More >>

First Round of SXSW 2013 Acts Announced, Including Blackstone Rangers and The Relatives

With the announcement of 35 Denton's initial lineup, it was only a matter of time before you felt that tightening in your chest, aka the first round of SXSW acts. North Texas' Blackstone Rangers, Ronnie Fauss, the Relatives, Somebody's Darling, Sarah Jaffe and Tedashii are all represented. Thurston ... More >>

Spain is No Place to Learn Spanish

Index Festival - Trees - 10/5/12 & 10/6/12

Index Festival Trees Friday, October 5 & Saturday, October 6 Since the beginning of 2012, the music festival landscape has included 35 Denton and its Labor Day weekend Hot Wet Mess, Memorial Day weekend's Homegrown Music & Arts Festival in the heart of downtown, KXT's Summer Cut in early June, and ... More >>

How to Survive a Plague Recounts a Stirring History of ACT UP

David France on the History and Survival of ACT UP

Julie Delpy Brings the Paris Gang Stateside for 2 Days in New York

Identity Festival - Gexa Energy Pavilion - 8/10/12

Identity Festival Gexa Energy Pavilion Friday, August 10 See also: The fans of Identity Festival, parts one and two See also: Eric Prydz on Swedish techno, the future of dance music I think the Observer sent me to this in hopes I would feel as out of my element as most aspects of Texas make me fe ... More >>

An Englishman Reviews the BBQ of Off the Bone

See also: *An Englishman in BBQ Sauce for more of our efforts to fatten Gavin up Last week my dad emailed me. "As a parent the sheer amount of food you are eating in your food journalism quest is truly frightening. The way that your wife feeds you is slightly reminiscent of foie gras production, bu ... More >>

The Olympics of British Food: A User's Guide from a British Guy

When the Observer emailed me with the offer to, and I quote, "continue our gross exploitation of your heritage" by somehow shoehorning together the two subjects of the Olympics and food, how could I possibly resist? I suppose this allows me to tackle that thorniest of subjects, British "cuisine". ... More >>

Take the Bull by the Horns

The Temper Trap at House of Blues

Sunday, June 10, at House of Blues

Mark Your Calendar: Texas Theatre's Got a Copy of Urgh! A Music War

If you have yet to see Urgh! A Music War, you're in for a treat, as Texas Theatre has obtained a rare 35mm copy, and will be screening it on Friday, May 25 and Saturday, May 26, with live performances from Peopleodian, George Quartz and Marriage Material. If you have seen it, you'll likely agree t ... More >>

Central Market Passport France Starts Today, Includes Classes from Bruno Davaillon

Never take for granted the greatness of Central Market. In a region that is often criticized for its lack of culinary elegance, CM is our state's playground for the at-home chef. Heck, even the pros love it. Today begins Passport France at all Central Market locations. Through May 22. wines, chees ... More >>

Preview: Starkey at 3025 Main

Saturday, April 21, at 3025 Main

Ronan Harris of VNV Nation Talks Living in Germany and Hating on David Guetta

Even after more than 20 years in the music business, Ronan Harris of VNV Nation still rambles on like a kid half his age. Enthusiastic and confident in the extreme, Harris believes (correctly) that the music he and partner Mark Jackson create is as important now as when it first came back in 1990. ... More >>

Josh Franceschi of You Me at Six Talks Shooting in Texas and Being the Best Band in Britain

Since You Me at Six is already a major success in their home country of England, Josh Franceschi and crew have now set their sights on conquering America. To that end, the pop-punk five-piece recently released Sinners Never Sleep, their most mature effort to date. Featuring intense numbers like "Bi ... More >>

Conquer Your Super Hangover

Funding Issues Block Local Film Students From Screening in France

the whale [trailer] from Jaime Chapin on Vimeo.Back in the fall of 2010, a group of senior film students at the University of North Texas wrote, shot and directed The Whale, a hauntingly beautiful short feature about a little boy, a wretchedly abusive family, and the transcendent power of imaginatio ... More >>

Over the Weekend: No Rest For the Wicked, 76, Here Holy Spain Crack Open the Double Wide

Eric Grubbs76​No Rest for the Wicked, 76, Here Holy Spain Double Wide Saturday, January 7 Better than: Listening to "live" records that were never recorded in front of live audiences. Saturday night at the Double Wide was a mixed bag that ran pretty late, even for a weekend show. A few minut ... More >>

Sore Losers and Mind Spiders Among First Round Of Bands Announced For SXSW 2012

​Considering that pre-South by Southwest bash 35 Denton announced its first round of performers last week, I guess it makes sense, then, that the Austin fest would announce its own first round of performers this week -- and that their list is indeed larger than 35 Denton's list of 17 names, clocki ... More >>

It's Not A Party Without Paella

Trespassing Allowed

Unnatural Umami: How Soy Sauce Took a Shortcut Past Organic

​Several years ago, the discovery of the carcinogenic compound 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol in soy sauce was generating concern throughout parts of Europe and Asia. A United Kingdom study directed attention to the matter in 2001.It turned out that low levels of 3-MCPD had been present in processe ... More >>

Chef Sergi Arola Demonstrates the Artistry of Spanish Fine Dining

Photos by Lauren Drewes DanielsChef Sergi Arola visits Central Market.​Madrid was a little lighter this past weekend and Dallas a little fuller as chef Sergi Arola of Spain traveled here to dispense his passion for food, music, Harley Davidsons and life in general. Through Central Market's Pas ... More >>

Live Girly Show?

Bowling For Soup's Jaret Reddick Talks His Band's New Album, New Label and What It Was Like To Have One of His Songs Played in Space

Jason JanikBowling for Soup in a lake? Why not?​In the wake of their recent split with Jive Records, the record label home to such artists as Usher, Justin Timberlake, Cage The Elephant, and Britney Spears, Bowling For Soup could have very easily slipped into a tumultuous time of uncertainty. Inst ... More >>

Bonus MP3: Here Holy Spain -- "Can't Control"

Today marks the release of Dallas punk trio Here Holy Spain's sophomore album, Division, a disc that Daniel Hopkins called in this week's paper, a "blistering, driving and tearing" release. And that was just in the lead. He also had this to say: [They] paint a pretty clear picture of what their live ... More >>

Here Holy Spain

Division (Idol Records)

Will the "Real" Mexicans Please Stand Up?

Sangria: Perfect for Punch-Drunk Love

​A couple of Tuesday nights ago, my date and I went for dinner at Sangria Mediterranean Tapas and Bar on Cole Avenue.  On Tuesdays the restaurant offers half price bottles of wine, which you can take home if you don't finish by the time the check comes.  We considered the wine special but th ... More >>

Of Gods and Men: A Tale of Madness, Monks and Martyrs

Bonus MP3: Here Holy Spain -- "No Love"

​Since the release of their debut, 2009 full-length, Manic, local punk act Here Holy Spain has come a long way, quickly becoming one of the tighter live acts around -- and, quite capably, showcasing themselves as more than "that band from the Toadies' roadie." Sure, Wes Todd Solem may indeed play ... More >>

Celluloid Bakers

Side By Side

Idle Rich Winter And Christmas Beer Tasting: Do We Have To Wait A Year To Do It Again?

Jesse HugheySamichlaus lager and cheese plate at the Idle Rich Pub​My only complaint about the Idle Rich Pub and Monday night's Winter And Christmas Beer Tasting is something outside the control of the bar: Resident Parking Only areas are one of the most idiotic ideas shortsighted Dallasites have ... More >>

San Martino Tempranillo Reserve: Tasting an Up-and-Comer

​Along with malbec, Grenache, and cabernet franc, tempranillo is viewed by oenophiles as one of the up-and-coming red grapes in today's wine scene. It is often called the "noble grape" of Spain, and is used as the base for that country's magnificent Rioja reds. Almost black in color, temprani ... More >>

Cafe Madrid: Rain Couldn't Dampen the Tapas,
But Mr. Pedestrian Did

​A week ago, two friends and I ate dinner at Café Madrid. One had never eaten there -- shame on her. The other friend and I remarked how we both loved Café Madrid's tapas but hadn't been there in awhile. Then I remembered how long it had been and who I had been there with last -- the infamou ... More >>

Hopefully The Macaroni Truck Will Crash Into This Billboard

Via GizmodoTake that, Andrew Jackson!​No, that's not home insulation. It's a London billboard made of 110kg of cheese which, according to Gizmodo, is completely lick-able. Modo reports that English food artist Prudence Staite used a surprisingly-low 10 types of cheese, and it took roughly eigh ... More >>

Today In Music News: Glastonbury Put On Hold, Pink Floyd To Maybe Get Back Together and Gene Simmons Gets Hacked

Your daily dose of national music news for Tuesday, October 19, 2010...If you were planning on heading to England to catch the Glastonbury Festival in 2012, save your miles... the fest's been canceled because of the lack of port-o-potties. Could Pink Floyd be getting back together for the kids?Look ... More >>

Bonus MP3: Wild Party -- "Take My Advice"

Wild Party knows how to have a good time.​We've seen quite a few local bands call it quits over the last year or so, but the past few weeks have also seen a whole new crop of up-and-coming local acts sprout up--many of which we think are worth your time. Over the course of this week, we'll be shar ... More >>

Under Madrid With Mayor Tom, or: How a Tunnel in Spain May Hint at Dallas's Rail Future

Chris HeinbaughA postcard from Mayor Tom and the Dallas delegation from the tunnel in which they spent part of their first day in Madrid​Funny thing: Yesterday, in the comments below, longtime Friend of Unfair Park Montemalone asked this about the Dallas delegation's trade mission to Europe: "I wo ... More >>

Some Days You Gotta Sit Through Council Meetings. Some Days You Go To France, Spain.

Last November, Mayor Tom and the missus went to Korea. This fall: Europe. I formally announce my candidacy for Dallas mayor.​I hope you don't need a face-to-face with Mayor Tom Leppert, council member Ron Natinsky, state Rep. Rafael Anchia or Karl Zavikovsky, head of the Office of Economic Develop ... More >>

British Tex-Mex Food -- How Could That Go Wrong?

​A Texas-based chain has announced plans to open 35 outlets in the British Isles, saying the expansion will help eaters across the pond learn the difference between Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines. "In the UK, we consider Tex-Mex and Mexican food to be one and the same," the first Cantina Laredo fr ... More >>