The space that was once home to Bolsa is alive again, this time through the lens of Encina. Chef Matt Balke and co-owner Corey McCombs took inspiration from the former’s hometown of Uvalde for the restaurant. “Encina” is Spanish for “holm oak,” which is also the original name of Uvalde…
The 2020-21 school year looks different from anything we could’ve ever imagined, but several people are working behind the scenes to ensure the wellbeing of students. In Dallas ISD, chef Juanita Mejia has the role of bringing nutritious food to them. As a food specialist in the district, Mejia’s duties…
As a child, Merced Elizondo had an affinity for cinema. The Oak Cliff native found inspiration through interactions with his Mexican-American family, but didn’t really see much of himself reflected on screen. Now, the 26-year-old is committed to producing films with diverse casts and crews. For his latest short film…
On his newest album True Story, Dallas rapper SniperShot revisits trying times over the past few years. Born Wes Brown and raised in East Dallas, SniperShot grew up listening to hip-hop and fell in love with the genre. His affinity for rap music began in the fifth grade, when he discovered…
Known for her murals and immersive works, Dallas-based artist Mariell Guzman’s newest project is bringing attention to nature and how humans often disregard the health of the environment. This past Friday, Guzman launched Synthetic Aesthetic, an interactive jungle installation in Fort Worth transporting viewers to a jungle without having to…
Many artists have used pandemic time to get creative and crank out an album within the course of a few months. Some have used this time to revisit projects that they have previously abandoned. In the case of doublepluspop, the four-piece revisited the project that was supposed to be their…
This year has been enough to make anyone want to take up toking. But even if you’re not a fan of the green herb, a new sandwich joint is lighting up Deep Ellum. Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Cheba Hut offers a supply of marijuana-themed sandwiches and cocktails. The Deep Ellum…
Since COVID struck, many of us have had to find creative ways to pass the time. While this is a daunting era for all industries, hospitality, bartenders, chefs and restaurateurs have found ways to create temporary moments of joy. Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, executive chef at José in North Dallas, took to…
There won’t be a new season of American Horror Story this fall, largely due to COVID, but also because the events of 2020 could make for an entire season on their own. This doesn’t mean that Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson won’t be gracing our screens with terrifying television this…
A Deep Ellum standby is getting a major facelift. After having closed earlier this year for renovations, then being forced to remain closed longer because of the pandemic, Serious Pizza is gearing up for a grand return. Serious Pizza first opened in 2011 as a small, hole-in-the-wall pizza joint on…
On her upcoming album Holy Wars, LO creates a dark and dreamy pop landscape, evoking a whirlwind of emotions, not unlike what the year 2020 has felt like. The work will be a two-part album expressing the 25-year-old singer-songwriter’s duality. Holy Wars was preceded by the lead single “Lost in Translation,”…
When COVID-19 hit, music venues were forced to shut down, leaving artists without tour dates and patrons without the joy of music. As restaurants reopened with new guidelines in place, many bars and music venues remain closed. Not all can afford to build kitchens to function as a restaurant — one…
At the beginning of 2020, artists and entertainers planned their gigging calendar for the year. We know what happened next. The pandemic-sized cancellations and venue shutdowns left artists who rely solely on performing for income wondering where their next meal would come from. In the early stages of COVID, Federal…
Devin Bryant was looking forward to beginning his senior year at Covenant Christian Academy. The back-to-school experience looks a lot different this year because of COVID, but Devin was looking forward to closing out high school finally able to express his true self. Covenant Christian Academy is a private school in…
Having spent much of her life moving between countries, Persian singer-songwriter Shab has had to learn to adapt to various cultures. Over the past few years, Shab has built a strong Persian fanbase. Now, the Dallas-based mother of two is ready to break into the English market. This past spring,…
If you’re living in Dallas and have a sweet tooth, you’ve probably tasted some of chef Diana Zamora’s creations. Over the years, the Northwest Dallas resident has built an impressive resume: In the past year, she has been the pastry chef at Nosh Bistro and the self-proclaimed “doughnut queen” at…
When 2020 kicked off, Dallas-based singer-songwriter Austin Leach was ready to hit the road and play venues throughout the country. In February, he was performing in Philadelphia, in a string of shows he expected to be the first of many. In March, COVID-19 hit, and you can imagine what happened…
Feeling energetic can be a challenge now, but Dallas-based pop-punk band NU-95 wants to radiate positive energy. During this time of ongoing political debate and uncertainty about the post-pandemic future, NU-95 is encouraging fans to not feed into hate or negativity. NU-95 first formed in 2015. The band has since…
With the COVID-19 pandemic, the fate of some of Dallas Farmers Market’s small vendors was uncertain. Thankfully, many were still able to pivot to online, carryout and home delivery. Although stocks and bonds seem to be a huge concern in the midst of this economic downfall, Dallas favorite Stocks &…
A West End favorite has set up its second shop in the suburbs. Founded by Joe Groves and chef Russell Mertz, Ellen’s offers Southern cuisine and diner food, inspired by Groves’ mother, Ellen. And it’s now open in Allen. Ellen’s first opened in downtown Dallas eight years ago with 32…
Dallas-based Americana singer Sarah Johnson is an example of the truth behind the old saw that it’s never too late to follow one’s dream. At 32 years old, she’s set to release her debut EP, Volcano, next month and is more sure of herself than she’s ever been. Over the…
Many of us swore we’d never download TikTok, but the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to reconsider most of our life decisions. The video-sharing app has the ability to bring us 15 to 60 seconds of temporary joy at a time, and we’ll take all we can get right now…
