What do you get the 50-year-old that has everything? When it comes to the Dallas Opera, you don’t really get them anything, you go look at all the stuff it already has. Sounds strange, but trust us. The Central Library, 1515 Young St., is helping the ol’ Opsey celebrate the…
On Main Street in Rowlett sits a florist and other storefronts, a few park benches, a grassy median and Big Star Burgers. The town square vibe is lost out on the pavement—it’s forced and a bit awkward. Only once the Big Star’s large glass and wooden doors are breached does…
Let’s not try to dance around it—Betty Buckley was so awesome as Abby Bradford on Eight Is Enough. She kicks legal tail on Law & Order: SVU. She was sympathetic and awesome in Carrie. But it’s so very sad that most people that know the screen actress don’t realize that,…
Leave South Beach a little early. Get in a whole ‘nother Zone. Tell Atkins you have a new doctor…and his name is Big Tex. Yep, folks, the State Fair of Texas is back Friday, and in the pavilions and amidst the tents, you’ll find not only midway rides, carnies, pig…
Founded in 1999 by Eduardo Vilaro, Luna Negra Dance Theater is now the country’s only professional company that presents the work of Latin choreographers. Specifically, those dedicated to giving Latino dancers and dance artists a solid, culturally supportive way of expressing themselves as well as their traditions. Luna Negra has…
Good art can either slap you in the face or seduce you. It’s been long debated that one of those experiences is better than the other (with rallied arguments for both sides), but I tend to be sort of bicameral in my art appreciation. It depends on my mood, and…
What better way to celebrate the anniversary of a venue that has hosted many a musical, a stage production and a beloved star than by offering up Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway? There really isn’t one. Especially considering that thanks to the partnering of Berg and Eisemann Center, peeps…
My all-time favorite song from Carousel is “Soliloquy.” It’s a surprise choice, I know, but you just can’t top being introduced to the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical via Jack Nicholson in his PJs dancing around a bedroom like a madman (think joyous, not “redrum”) singing about “my boy Bill.” It’s…
Two shows into The National’s tour supporting their fourth full-length release, this year’s acclaimed Boxer, Matt Berninger is energetic and excited despite a burgeoning cold. In preparation for the upcoming Granada and Austin City Limits performances, the master lyricist gives insight into his writing process, influences and playing live. And,…
It began as just an event newsletter from writer Amy “the Moonlady” Martin. Now, the Moonlady Community has now grown into a Listserv/online community with seasonal events celebrating the mystical, spiritual, holistic and more. This Saturday finds Martin and company presenting Moonlady Night at the Bath House Cultural Center, 521…
Though the title sounds more like it would be a Christopher Pike teen novel (don’t lie—you know what I’m talking about), Many Bloody Returns is actually a compilation of vampire-related birthday stories by authors who are notorious amongst the vamp-lit crowd. Yeah, that’s what I said. Like cakes and candles…
Everyone has an imaginary world lurking somewhere in the back (or front, or sides) of their brain. Artist Robert D. Cocke certainly does, but unlike most of the rest of us, he has the capability to pluck that world right out of his gray matter and give it color on…
In preparation for the highly anticipated Blood on the Moors show, I endeavored to speak with frontman LeMont Shockenbacker. He proved elusive, like any typical god of rock, and I was dependent upon Giles Rothchild, personal assistant to Mr. Shockenbacker, for some connection. A packed schedule of drunken debauchery and…
I admit it. For approximately one month, every time I have driven by the new Dallas Saltwater Willy’s Seafood & Steakhouse location I’ve laughed…for two reasons. For one, it’s the name. Another, I like to imagine Willie Nelson replacing the “shotgun” of his iconic “Shotgun Willie” with “saltwater.” This was…
There’s something about good ol’ American traditions like co-ed sporting leagues and state fairs that lend themselves naturally to ingesting copious amounts of the grilled, griddled and fried. We here in the land of grand portions enjoy our concessions, our tailgating and our comfort food. Like a good neighbor, Tilley’s…
Do you think the Frisco RoughRiders realize they share their name (not the Frisco part) with a freaky sex-grade condom? Studded to be exact? Perhaps they have absolutely no idea and this article will induce a slew of locker room jokes the likes of which haven’t been heard since little…
The Godzilla theme of this year’s Dallas Observer Music Awards can be interpreted in many ways. Godzilla could represent the growing presence of corporate venues, their monstrous feet crushing everything in sight. Or it could represent the ubiquitous destruction/construction cycle we’ve seen in Big D over the past, oh, gazillion…
Ah, the circle of life. No, we’re not talking about that lion-hearted Elton John song, we’re talking about the realization that you’re born a being in need of care and you ultimately end up that way too, should you live well into old age. Sure, you have a baby, fully…
“Strip mall” used to mean a massive parking lot, a grocery store, a nail place (with some obvious name like “Nails Here”), a wacky wing place and a Blockbuster Video. Then there might be some labor-of-love restaurant that went under in three months, unless it was a buffet, and then…
One of the inherent rights of a child is to have their own playhouse. It can be made from couch cushions and blankets or wood and nails; hell with just a little imagination even an empty box can be the coolest land of escape ever. So if you had any…
When a photographer shoots a photograph, he has a decision to make. Crop close to show only detail, removing the noise that might surround the subject, or allow other elements to creep into the image. German artist Wolfgang Zurborn accepts this challenge with fervor, choosing to represent all elements that…
I’ve attempted to draw the perfect rocket ship since I was around 5 years old. I am incapable of such an achievement. For more decades than I can to admit, this simple achievement has eluded me. And I’m not talking about some crazy-detailed NASA-worthy model, I’m just going for the…
