Arts & Entertainment

As music festivals go in Big D, you’ve got Homegrown, you’ve got Old 97s County Fair and you’ve got Fortress Fest. While technically in Fort Worth (hence the name), Texas Monthly has called it “an arbiter of taste,” so let’s just go with it. Attendees are blessed with not only world-class music, but world-class art, and all in the heart of Fort Worth’s cultural district. The 2018 lineup included Observer favorites Father John Misty and Texas Gentlemen. It’s only two years old and has already earned these distinctions. Nowhere to go but up.

Not everything is as it seems. Take High & Tight, for instance. Hidden behind a nondescript door at the back of the shop is a watering hole unlike any other in the city. Equipped with vintage barstools and 1920s decor, it could be straight out of the Prohibition Era. The craft cocktails, however, are definitely modern. On weekends, the bar’s vintage sofas are prime real estate. Grab a spot if you can and settle in for live music and silent movies.

In its limited run, Sweet Tooth Hotel offered Dallasites a new kind of selfie-friendly art experience with a Willy Wonka-esque art installation, exhibition and retail pop-up, giving attendees who “check in” a taste of the new trend of interactive, highly Instagrammable art experiences complete with neon cacti, giant candy pieces and an unforgettable bathroom with a pink claw-foot bathtub. This 1,200-square-foot temple to candy and confectionery boasts rooms filled with candy-themed art collaborations with names such as Built by Bender’s Sprinkle Spa, Shamsy Roomiani’s Rainbow Confection, Jojo Chuang’s Cotton Candy Island and more inspired creations by several other artists. Husband-and-wife duo Cole and Jencey Keeton dreamed up and coordinated the artists who brought their vision for the space to life. The Keetons teased their next pop-up Sweet Tooth Hotel “1955” with “What does a rocket ship fueled by rainbows look like?” “1955” opens November 1.

STIRR inspires devotion among Deep Ellumites. Its table settings are upscale, and the unframed doorways expose the building’s industrial core. But that’s not what you’re here for: You want to see the view. And we’re not talking about the cityscape, lovely as it is. STIRR is the perfect place to serve imprudent cocktails and game-day specials like Brats N Blankets, because the view of downtown is mostly peripheral — the people you’re with, or the ones you could meet, are the main attractions on this rooftop bar. Take a seat at the bar top, or plop yourself down in close quarters on one of the trendy white sofa chairs. It’s a great spot for groups to catch up over an expansive menu of drinks and food.

The Longhorn Ballroom almost got the wrecking ball last year. Originally built in 1950, the 23,000-square-foot hall once owned by Bob Wills (and managed by Jack Ruby) was set for demolition to make way for new real estate. But like the phoenix, fate intervened in early 2017 when Dallas businessman Jay LaFrance purchased it at the eleventh hour. After an exhaustive restoration, it’s now a fully functional country music venue and bar that somehow manages to maintain its homespun, boot-scootin’ vibes. New generations of Dallasites can channel the ghosts of vintage Willie, Conway and Charley shows while also standing in the same vicinity as where Sid Vicious once played an entire show with his face covered in blood.

What’s better than an eco-friendly outdoor music venue? An eco-friendly outdoor music venue that is part of Legacy Hall, Plano’s new European-style food hall, and employs Gavin Mulloy, formerly of Trees and The Bomb Factory, as its marketing director. Denton native Sarah Jaffe performed at the Box Garden’s grand opening in May, a promising start for the space that can hold up to 1,200 people. Bring your dog to listen to music, watch the big game or even compete in Mario Kart on a giant LED screen.

When you’re really looking to impress on a first date, consider the Late Nights program at The Dallas Museum of Art. On the third Friday of every month — be sure to check their website for the occasional one-off, obviously — the museum stays open till midnight offering live music, film screenings, museum tours, talks from notable authors and artists, bites and adult beverages. No two nights are exactly the same, making Late Nights a viable option for second and third dates too, should you be so lucky.

Since it opened in the 1970s, the place has earned a reputation for being a hot spot for hard-bodied twentysomethings and hipsters, but it really is a nice spot for families and older folks as well. It’s cozy, nestled among shady trees and a grassy lawn where one can lie out or picnic. It’s super-casual; there’s burgers and sand volleyball, too. If you aren’t a member, you pay $10 to get in on the weekends, $7 during the weekdays. The place is usually packed, so be prepared. Hit up one of two bars for reasonably priced drinks.

We’ve been blessed with three seasons of The Real Housewives of Dallas, and each season, the hair gets bigger, the wardrobe gets more expensive, and the drama gets more dramatic. Real Housewife Stephanie Hollman has been a constant force in the three seasons. Whether she’s making poop jokes with her BFF Brandi Redmond or jumping out of a giant cake dressed in lingerie to surprise her husband or, better yet, not throwing LeeAnne Locken out of her house despite Locken’s efforts to make fun of Hollman, Hollman continues to be a force we love to watch.

Ever thought about going back to school? This is the way to do it. Offering “an education in the art of food and beer,” Los Angeles-based Public School takes kitsch to a whole new level. The gastropub serves up Southern favorites alongside spirits and craft beer. From decor evoking grade-school nostalgia — typewriters as wall art, menus masquerading as notebooks, et al — to adult “recess” (aka happy hour), every detail speaks to the scholastic theme. Look for craft brews, including a rotating list of regional favorites, and A+ deals on brunch.

Lounge Here opened to much fanfare in 2016 and has yet to disappoint. Bringing a bit of fun to the up-and-coming Garland Road area, the ultracool haunt has some legitimately cool names behind it. The brainchild of Julie Doyle, co-founder, singer and manager of The Polyphonic Spree, and Tony Barsotti, designer and Hagfish drummer, Here (as it’s commonly called) is inspired by airplane lounges of the 1970s. Libations include classic and craft cocktails, beer and wine, and chef Megan Foley (formerly of Meddlesome Moth and Smoke) helms the menu.

Who knew a DART Train day pass could lead to some of the best people-watching ever? Each stop, no matter how seemingly jejune, is never short of top-notch fascinations, whether it’s the opportunity to smell the breakfast of a woman with the smallest feet you’ve ever seen on an adult or feel the tweed fibers of a well-dressed academic type on your arm as you’re squeezed uncomfortably together during rush hour. You’ll get a small sample of what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes, if only for a stop or two.

It’s vulgar, funny and there are $3 wells and domestics. Hosts Travis Taylor and Nathan Adams are witty, and the questions this trivia night pose are culturally relevant, plus they have meme categories, which we love. You can tell Taylor and Adams care about showing people in Dallas a good time while simultaneously making people think about the world around them. The duo hosts a couple trivia nights in town, but we recommend the one at 8 p.m. every other Monday at The Nines in Deep Ellum.

In a world of oft-underwhelming bar food, Ivy Tavern on Lemmon Avenue stands out. All dark wood paneling, wild game heads, and vintage (or at least vintage-looking) art, the bar itself is pretty great. But its menu is something to behold. In 2015, a year after the bar opened, its owners decided to up the ante on their food offerings. And boy, did they deliver. This isn’t the first award this hidden gem has received for its food. The chef-driven menu is full of bar standards — french fries, burgers, nachos, etc. — made better.

Full disclosure: Your first Vapshot can be a bit scary. But get past the initial “Oh my god, I’m inhaling vaporized alcohol” internal dialogue that occurs, and you’re sure to enjoy. As far as flavor goes, there’s little to speak of. But the experience … that’s worth bragging about. Order the Vapshot, and a cloud of vaporized alcohol will come presented to you in what looks like a large water bottle. The barkeep will pop the cap, stick in a straw and instruct you to begin inhaling right away. Unlike shooting Everclear, the process is quick, painless and guaranteed to leave you standing upright (prior indulgences notwithstanding).

One would be hard pressed to find a DJ in town with more hustle and chutzpah than Blake Ward. With his long-running Saturday night residency at Beauty Bar, Ward has built a small empire around his many residencies. Ward established Four Four Agency a few years ago to help facilitate his ambitious DJ and party-planning agenda. He has turned that ambition into a consistent string of successful parties. Ward’s Sunday Jams have become a go-to end-of-weekend spot for hip-hop heads. This past summer he put roots at the Statler with day parties at Waterproof, popped up for support slots behind touring DJs at It’ll Do and threw his ambitious and usually over-the-top Disco, TX parties. And he still manages to fill in the schedule gaps with corporate and party gigs. One has to wonder when Ward has time to sleep.

Martinis and manicures? What’s not to love? Like its sister locations in New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas, Beauty Bar is reminiscent of a 1950s hair salon, complete with retro salon chairs, hair dryers and pink, well, everything. DJ-driven dance parties and theme nights are the norm here. But it’s the bar’s weekday happy hours featuring martinis and basic manicures that make it the ultimate destination for girls night out.

Learning to chill while life throws everything but the kitchen sink at you isn’t easy, but you can learn to tap into inner peace with the help of Dallas Meditation Center. One of the oldest and largest interfaith meditation centers in the North Texas area, DMC offers multiple yoga, mindfulness and meditation classes and events every day of the week. Modeled in the style of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, DMC classes are suitable for students of all meditation levels. Don’t have a lot of time? Easy Tai Chi and Zen to Go ensure that when life comes at you fast, you’ll still be standing.

Owned by the same company as Station 4, JR’s Bar and Grill and Roundup Saloon, TMC is one of the only clubs on the Cedar Springs strip that actually feels like Dallas. From the music played, the bartenders and go-go dancers, the people you’ll find represent folks from all walks of Dallas life. It’s not all that spacious inside, giving it a divey feel. The staff are in touch with people who vibe to more than EDM and Top 40 music. It’s the type of bar where you can start your night, or the place where you can finish it. That is to say, the bar is versatile.

If low-key and unassuming are what you’re after, watch the game, or pretend to care about the game, at this unpretentious downtown spot. There are TVs blanketing every corner (16 to be exact, including one that’s 112 inches), so you’ll catch every touchdown even if you actively avoid it. Menu highlights include the Shiner Bock brisket sandwich and jalapeño pork chops. Beer aficionados rejoice, because Press Box offers 36 beers on draft, 24 of which are from Texas breweries. Don’t let its diminutive size fool you: This place gets rowdy. Consider yourself warned.

Not to state the obvious, but it is called The Porch. So it comes as no surprise that this upscale Knox-Henderson gastropub’s patio is at least as worthy of attention as its food. They offer elevated comfort food and out-there cocktails like the Blackberry Basil Lemonade and Pecan Old-Fashioned. The salmon burger has yet to disappoint, and at $5 a pop you can brunch-drink Bloody Mary after Bloody Mary Saturdays and Sundays to your heart’s content. The true jewel on The Porch’s crown is its patio, where you can people-watch the action on Henderson Avenue until you’re too stuffed and tipsy to see.

Readers’ Choice:Ozona Grill & Bar4615 Greenville Ave., 214-265-9105

Art as far as the eye can see, luxe furnishings and libations to satisfy the most discriminating of palates — oh how we love The Joule. Despite its many merits, the hotel’s crowning jewel — pun intended — resides in its basement. Follow the neon sign beckoning you downstairs to enter Midnight Rambler, a stylish subterranean space with a rock ‘n’ roll vibe reflecting the Rolling Stones’ song the space is named for. With brass bar tops, walnut ceilings and terrazzo checkerboard flooring, the space is undeniably chic. But its creative craft cocktails prepared with house-made infusions are the real stars of the show.

A proverbial playground for adults, The Backyard in Deep Ellum is the perfect spot for whiling away a Sunday afternoon. Play beer pong, shuffleboard, giant Jenga or cornhole — there’s no shortage of games and activities. There are jumbo screens throughout the outdoor space, making it the ideal location for game day. And it’s dog-friendly. Standard bar fare is available, but weekend brunch is where it’s at. Look for a Bloody Mary bar, champagne cocktails and hangover food galore.

For the ultimate dog’s day out: a restaurant-dog park with a huge outdoor patio, a beer garden and cheap draft beers. Bring your best friend to hang out on the dog-friendly patio or in the private dog park (fees apply). There’s a full menu for humans and dogs, and the cantina hosts special events all the time, such as movie screenings, Bumble meet-ups and succulent workshops. Even if you don’t have a dog, Mutts is a guaranteed good time. The people-watching is superb, and the beer and wine garden is always full.

It’s no secret that Dallas is not a world-class city when it comes to treatment of animals: Strays and packed-full animal shelters have been a constant battle for years. Flower Mound-based nonprofit Humane Tomorrow is on the forefront of that battle. Not only do they work to find homes for animals in their own Dallas suburb, but they also operate an innovative educational outreach program that visits Dallas schools. That’s where Sweetie the Incredible, a 12-year-old pit mix, and her five-year-old pit mix BFF Poindexter, come in. These multitalented canines empower and motivate pre-K to second-graders to make a difference in the lives of animals — and humans — through compassion and action. The “ambassadogs” were both rescued from tough circumstances and provide a great example of how a little bit of compassion goes a long way. Poindexter is often spotted in retro sunglasses and gives plenty of hugs, while Sweetie’s resilience makes her a gifted storyteller. Kids that visit with these two get a dose of character education that encourages them to make life better for all creatures great and small.

In the 1800s, settlers voyaged cross-country on wagon trains carrying freight and other goods. A historical site is marked in Irving for a large caravan hailing from the Pennsylvania area that crossed the Trinity River as the group neared the end of what would ultimately be an almost 3,000-mile trek. Get a feel for their journey on a visit to California Crossing Park in Valley Ranch, a beautiful 34.5-acre park dotted with streams and walking trails. You may just forget you’re in Irving when history comes to life at California Crossing.

If you’ve ever wondered if DIY pottery-making is as fun as it looks, it is. But don’t take our word for it. Plan your next date, girls night out, kids party, or “me time” at Quigley’s Clay House in Richardson. With an array of activities like pottery painting, glass fusion, adult wheel night and canvas night, to name a few, there’s no risk of not having an amazing time. Warning: Throwing clay at Quigley’s can be addictive. Govern yourself accordingly.

In the heart of Oak Lawn lives this unassuming dive, the aesthetics of which one would expect to find more on Harry Hines Boulevard. It’s got a killer pool table and a deck that’s great for catching incoming thunderstorms. Its most notable virtue, though, lies in the rare distinction of being a place where it’s totally fine to just be alone and not feel judged. You’re fine, everyone’s fine. One recent night shortly after her passing its entire playlist was vintage Aretha. Fitting, for we too are natural people.

Trees is best known for its metal and hard rock bills, but the venue is also home to a lot of great hip-hop shows. It seems any genre can sound good in Trees, and that’s not a slight. The thick bounce of hip-hop beats translates from the front to the back. Locals and up-and-comers have performed here, and it’s welcoming to the future.

Whether you’ve never stepped foot on a dance floor or are looking to perfect your Lindy Hop, Sons of Hermann Hall’s swing night is a great excuse to get out and get shaking. Every Wednesday night, join a group of newcomers and highly experienced dancers alike for a lesson in swing dancing followed by the opportunity to show off your moves to live music in a fast-paced setting. The historic building, located on the edge of Deep Ellum before Expo Park, is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Dallas. Downstairs, you’ll find a cozy bar ready to provide you any liquid courage you may need. Upstairs is the ballroom complete with a stage and benches if you tucker yourself out too quickly. Dress in your best poodle skirts and dance shoes, or keep it simple — the many instructors on hand just want you to be comfortable.

There are plenty of great venues to see punk rock, but Double Wide has something special these days. Whether it’s the small stage or the specialty drinks, the longtime venue outside of Deep Ellum brings in plenty of great national punk bands as well as locals.

Whether it’s your birthday, your bachelorette party or you just want to have a hella good time on Saturday night, The Rose Room hosts the biggest and best drag shows in Dallas. When you go there, you’ll be sure to see some of the best drag queens from around the country putting on their best shows to the music of Lady Gaga, Britney Spears or anyone else fabulous. Be sure to bring some dollar bills, or some 20-dollar bills to tip generously for the wonderful queens.

If you’re a struggling Southern playwright, a recently jilted lover or someone who really needs a drink, few beverages can help better than bourbon. If you’re in the mood for something more complex than a straight glass of liquid psychiatry, Bourbon and Banter is your best bet. This Statler Hotel speakeasy has the look of a classic bar and feels high-class without being snooty or one of those places that refers to certain clients as “riffraff.” You can order your favorite drink or try one of the 11 signature cocktails made from their large selection of bourbon and other spirits and get a bite to eat if you’ve had one too many.

The arcade wars have been heating up in Dallas, and the player has reaped the rewards. Pinball is one sector that’s noticeably improved, and The Cidercade in Dallas’ Design District has the best collection in the city. The folks at Cidercade’s parent brewer Bishop Cider have stepped up their pinball game by dedicating a large portion of their game offerings to this arcade staple. They’ve set out two long rows of pinball machines, from games of yesteryear like Bride of Pinbot to modern releases such as Houdini: Master of Mystery. Cidercade does an awesome job of keeping them running smoothly, and guests can play all of them with no quarters required.

Do you like to do karaoke but fear people will hate you if your voice sucks? Do you prefer a live band instead of singing to cheesy backing tracks? Then Punk Rock Karaoke DFW at Three Links is your best solution. You’re backed by the Mumbles, a local band that knows a few hundred punk rock, new wave and post-punk songs. You don’t have to think you’re the next Whitney Houston. You only have to believe in yourself and sell it. Think of it as joining a band for a song before drama tears the band apart.

After a long night of killing brain cells at your favorite bar, telling the Uber to drop you off at Cafe Brazil is your best bet to gain your bearings before the sun assaults your sensitive eyes. Take advantage of their wide selection of coffees while you wait for your double vision to calm down enough to read the menu. Once the words stop moving, you’ll find the prices won’t put extra stress on your bank account. With so many locations available around the area, you can rest assured that no matter where you started the night, you can end it at Cafe Brazil.

Dallas already knew Grand Prairie native Asia O’Hara was a great drag queen before she competed on “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Season 10. But when all of America got to see how talented she was, we didn’t need any more convincing. Winner of Miss Gay America 2016, O’Hara won two main challenges on “Rupaul’s Drag Race,” and after her time on the show, she released her first single, “Queen for Tonight,” where she raps, “Welcome to my island, sky-dripping diamonds.” It’s a bop, and O’Hara is queen for tonight and queen of the year.

The name says it all. Located in the heart of downtown near American Airlines Center, Happiest Hour boasts Dallas’ largest patio bar, a rooftop deck with fabulous views, and four — count them, four — full-service bars. There are signature cocktails and beers aplenty, but we recommend gathering the crew and trying one of the bar’s “team drinks.” The Tour de Lillet, for instance, is made with red, white and blush sangria and requires 8 to 10 people to share. In similar form, the food menu features “team happytizers” with shareable plates feeding four or more.

Deep Ellum’s newest music baby sits at the corner of Canton and Crowdus streets next to its older sibling, Bomb Factory. This state-of-the-art, 10,000-square-foot venue opened in October 2017. Proprietors Clint and Whitney Barlow, who also own Trees Dallas, took the space, once upon a time Deep Ellum Live, and transformed it into a top-notch, versatile venue with an aim to host both private and ticketed events. It’s the Bomb Factory lite, and that’s why we like it.

When the weather’s just right, catching an outdoor show can be a real treat. And with ample seating, plenty of standing room to get intimate with the stage, picnic tables, a beautiful courtyard and a mix of local and touring acts, The Foundry is the best place to kick back on a cool night. It’s got a large selection of draft and bottled beers, is dog-friendly and a great place to take a date. Long-time Oak Cliff residents will remember the space as formerly occupied by Jack’s Backyard. With a shared outdoor area with Chicken Scratch, you can grab a plate of chicken and biscuits or mac-and-cheese during the show. But the best part? The venue’s Friday and Saturday shows are totally free and have included acts such as Parquet Courts, AJ LeGrand and others.

Three Links may seem to be just a neighborhood bar that happens to host some national, regional and local artists, but it’s much more than that. From touring rock, punk and indie shows to local album releases, Three Links hosts some of the most memorable nights in Deep Ellum. With 16 beers on tap and 40 canned, and sliders available from the bar, enjoy the venue’s open-air seating (with heaters during the cold months) beginning as early as 11 a.m. every day. The venue and bar celebrated its fifth anniversary back in March and continues to be a hot spot for Deep Ellum concertgoers today.

Matthew Urbanic is that rare bird of DJ who is not only technically adept behind the decks but truly excels at whatever genre he chooses to play. In the past year, he has been seen most often as a resident for Proton, but Urbanic has been an in-demand guest at spots with different crews at Wits End and Beauty Bar. Urbanic’s deepest roots are in house music, but he has made a significant mark as a techno DJ in recent years. Not one to be pegged, Urbanic has also been on bills playing drum and bass, electro and disco. No matter what genre he’s playing, his track selections are world class, and he possesses a rare ability to play accessible floor-fillers that can blow the roof off a club or traverse into the deeper, experimental and more forward-thinking tunes to keep music nerds in the back of the room nodding their heads. Oftentimes within the same set.

Readers’ Choice:DJ Souljah

Boasting one of the biggest and most Instagram-worthy dance floors — think “Saturday Night Fever” — in the city, It’ll Do is a cross-section of Dallas nightlife. This Deep Ellum favorite hosts some of the top touring performers in the electronic, EDM, dance and house scenes. With a large, open interior and spacious dance floor, It’ll Do is one of the biggest dance clubs near the heart of downtown. It’s served as a hot spot for dancing since its inception in 2012. And, in addition to resident and celebrity DJs who regularly sell out the place, you’ll hear one of the best sound systems in town.

At The People’s Last Stand in Mockingbird Station, it’s all about quality not quantity. Cocktails are handcrafted with homemade juices, syrups and infusions, using locally sourced ingredients when possible. Yes, it is a full bar, and they also serve craft beers and wine. But really, with award-winning cocktails on the menu, why not break out of your comfort zone? There’s a bistro menu replete with pairing options. And for those who are interested, group cocktail classes taught by the experts behind the bar.

It doesn’t get more chic than The French Room Bar at The Adolphus Hotel. Jaw-droppingly beautiful, the recently renovated space transports you back to the early 20th century. In fact, The French Room opened in 1912. Remnants of its rich history are visible throughout, but it’s decidedly modern — particularly the bar with its navy-clad walls, marble tables, velvet seating and diamond-cut glassware. Come at the right time and you might catch a live pianist. And while you’ll pay dearly for shareable plates and artisanal cocktails, it’s worth every penny. After all, you never know who you’ll run into.

A wine lover’s paradise, Cork Wine Bar features more than 48 wine varietals, which rotate monthly; an impressive collection of craft beer and cheeses; and dips and desserts for pairing. Offering a state-of-the-art experience, the wine bar features computer touchscreens and a top-of-the-line pour system, allowing wine drinkers to sample one-ounce tastings up to six-ounce glasses at their leisure. The educated staff know their stuff and are happy to guide you through the process. And of course there’s a retail shop to hit on the way out, boasting more than 350 wines.

Dallas has seen an influx of dozens of reality shows throughout the years. Whether it’s a show about rich women and their Botox or little women and their problems, Dallas has seen it all. This year, however, Lifetime treated us to Married at First Sight Dallas, where three couples from Dallas were married without ever having seen each other. As we watch three couples try to navigate a relationship — all with cameras and producers following them around — we see the fights, the tears and, of course, the in-laws. And it’s amazing.

Dallas Comedy House is not only a staple of Deep Ellum, it’s a staple of Dallas comedy, maintaining a consistently high bar for their shows. There’s such a variety of talented troupes and charismatic performers that it’s a guarantee you will never see the same show twice at DCH. The freedom for all the improvisers to design their own shows creates a theater that is always pushing boundaries and introducing audiences to new forms of comedy they wouldn’t otherwise see in Dallas. With multiple shows happening six nights a week, there’s something for every type of comedic taste at Dallas Comedy House.

Any fan of stand-up comedy is missing out by not attending the weekly open mic at Hyena’s Dallas in Mockingbird Station. Touring professionals, local legends and the newest generation of young stand-ups meet to grab a drink and work on their latest jokes at one of the longest-running open mics in Dallas. Throughout the night audiences can see never-before-heard material from recipients of Netflix specials and then stand shoulder to shoulder with the same comedian at the bar. The entire show is a house party on Wednesday night, with a group of great talents swapping war stories about comedy, and you can be a fly on the wall witnessing history each week.

Big names, workshops, magic shows. Whether you’re looking to laugh (understandable) or up your game at making others laugh (same), Addison Improv can enrich your life. Also, if you need to take care of that arrest warrant with a defensive driving course, look no further: You can take it here, and you’ll laugh in the process.

To the rest of the country, the Texas Theatre will always be associated with Lee Harvey Oswald, but for most folks in Dallas, the theater, located in the heart of Oak Cliff, surrounded by coffee shops, restaurants and bars, is considered a staple for nights of good drinks, music and film. Following its grand re-opening in 2010, the theater offers the best bang-for-your-buck programming in town. Regularly pairing rare film screenings with local and touring acts, the Texas Theatre has created legendary evenings such as the 1977 horror film “Suspiria” with Italian progressive rock band Goblin or ’80s horror flick “The Beyond” with film-score composer Fabio Frizzi performing a composer’s cut, with local band Pinkish Black serving as the opening act. The 87-year-old theater plays not just obscure foreign films but modern blockbusters like “Star Wars.” With unique programming, a full bar and special guests in film and music, Texas Theatre is where you go when cookie-cutter movie theaters won’t cut it.

During his first term as a member of the Dallas City Council, West Dallas’ Omar Narvaez has distinguished himself as more than just a member of the council’s progressive caucus. While he reliably partners with Scott Griggs and Philip Kingston to advance smart policies, Narvaez stands out from the pack when it comes to advocating for the city’s poor and addressing historical inequities. In May, he called out Dallas’ problem with income inequality as being the result of systemic racism. It wasn’t a new idea, but it was jolting to hear it coming from behind the council horseshoe.

Mike Williams, or Magic Mike as he’s known to audiences all over DFW, is a magician Dallasites need to go out of their way to see. He can send little kids into fits of amazement while making the parents in the room laugh at his exquisitely timed jokes. Williams’ charm and charisma are infectious, and after watching a full performance, your face hurts from smiling. His skills as a magician only increase each year, and if he never added another new illusion to his act, it would still be worth watching.

Need a hero? Meet local nonprofit Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, which fights for the rights of asylum seekers and immigrants in an atmosphere that’s made their plight difficult, at best. This collection of attorneys, social workers, students, pastors and volunteers has been on the frontlines of immigration law since 1999, but since 2017 their mission has become more urgent. Under Executive Director Bill Holston, their attorneys joined the “war room” at DFW Airport during the first days of the Trump administration’s “travel ban” on individuals from predominantly Muslim countries, working to free those detained at the airport. Today, they are focused on the children separated from asylum-seeking parents at the border: speaking out at protests and community events, serving on panels that discuss legal remedies, recruiting and training pro-bono attorneys and connecting resources across the region to reunite families.

We like just about any comic book store, but we love Zeus. Zeus does, in fact, have an amazing range of books and collectibles, but it’s more than that: In a realm of pop culture that has largely been dominated by straight white male points-of-view, Zeus creates experiences that amplify the voices and speak to the interests of female, LGBTQ and young comic book fans. It’s an inclusive atmosphere, honed by owner Richard Neal, whose smiling face has greeted almost every customer over the past 18 years — and in countless conversations about storylines and superhero deaths, he’s been able to key in on what fulfills his customers. Like his Birds of Prose Women’s Book Club, which meets the first Wednesday of every month over cocktails and crafts and often features Skype sessions with authors like Brian Michael Bendis of “Jessica Jones” or Jen Van Meter of “Hopeless Savages.” Zeus offers a Girl Scout badge program in the spring that fills up in seconds and has hosted lively LGBTQ mixers for years. Ultimately, it’s an atmosphere that feels more like family than retail: Everyone is part of the pop-culture conversation at Zeus.

As residents, we get inured to Dallas’ charms: skylines, bridges, lights and nature become the backdrop of our lives and just don’t jump out at us during our day-to-day. Local photographer Justin Terveen’s gift is helping us to see it all clearly again — and beyond that, giving us the opportunity to marvel at something we’ve taken for granted for years. Scroll through his online gallery for breathtaking angles on downtown; poignant tributes in light to fallen Dallas officers; shots of fireworks that’ll make you put that cellphone camera away forever; and Trinity River pics that will change your perspective on the much-maligned waterway. And oh, the storm shots: Terveen’s an avid storm chaser, and his captures of cloud formations and lightning strikes in the city are breathtaking. You can order prints for your home or office, find incredible housewarming gifts or get lost in images of Big D at justinterveen.com.

With more than 5 million subscribers, Brooklyn and Bailey have shown the internet every aspect of their lives. The twins from Lucas, Texas, have uploaded videos about makeup, fashion, boys, their high school drill team, breakups and more. They’ve launched a scrunchie line and a line of mascara, and fans keep coming back for more. When the twins shared their experience getting their wisdom teeth taken out, the video garnered 21 million views. This fall, they’ll take their YouTube channel to Waco when the two attend Baylor University. And we’ll keep watching.

Four Day Weekend is the gold standard for style and presentation in improvisational comedy, invoking a classic Hollywood approach to their shows. For improvisers it’s considered a high achievement to join the ranks of the longest-running improv troupe in DFW. This year the troupe expanded operations from their location in Fort Worth to a second spot on Greenville Avenue, giving those who refuse to visit Fort Worth a chance to see the show. The troupe has played for two presidents, and they can play for you too if you buy tickets to one of their Saturday-night Dallas shows.

Social media users are flooded with hundreds and thousands of pictures and videos and witty remarks every day. And occasionally, those pictures or videos or social media users are trying to sell you something. And most of the time, it’s awful and cheesy and makes you hate the person. But Sean Lowe is different. The former Bachelor contestant and Dallas native has taken his 15 minutes of fame and made it into a full-blown career as a star of other reality shows and a social media influencer. Whether he’s posting about his toddler’s diapers or the watches he wears, he makes everything entertaining. And his cute kids and cute wife don’t hurt either.

More than 30 years ago, Dallas killed drive-in movie critic and redneck auteur Joe Bob Briggs for “Weird Al-ing” the Live Aid hit “We Are the World” into something more, shall we say, provocative. So it’s only fair that Dallas help bring him back to life, and the Texas Theatre did just that. Grapevine’s favorite son took his hilarious film lecture “How Rednecks Saved Hollywood” to the Oak Cliff movie house for a night of Briggs’ classic brand of cinematic breast, beast and bloodlust in these times when we demand more tact and taste from our entertainment than our political and spiritual leaders. The tour led to Briggs’ resurgence as TV’s B-movie Siskel and Ebert thanks to the horror streaming channel Shudder. As Joe Bob says, “Check it out.”

It’s been up and coming for a while, and it’s going to take longer still to get there. But the Cedars, which consists of roughly three square miles due south of downtown Dallas and north of the Trinity River, has more room to etch out its ultimate character than any other neighborhood in Dallas. The enormous residential loft complex the South Side on Lamar was home to the first Sears & Roebuck warehouse built outside Chicago. The building was once the hallmark of the neighborhood, home to Dallas luminary families such as Stanley Marcus. With venerable institutions Cedars Social, Mac’s Southside, Lee Harvey’s and Longhorn Ballroom, the question is not where to go but where not to go.

This spring, when the realization slowly dawned on Dallas that the National Rifle Association was coming to town for its annual convention in the midst of another year filled with gun violence, the general mood was one of resignation. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings made it clear that there was nothing the city could do about the convention now that the contracts were signed. Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway couldn’t do anything either, but he did the best he could to stir the pot. At a City Hall press conference, Caraway made it clear that he didn’t want the NRA in the city if they weren’t willing to sit down and talk about gun control. Nothing happened — the convention went off anyway, and nobody sat down with anybody to talk about gun control — but at least Caraway made a fuss about the whole thing.

In a two-year span, Dallas crawled out from underneath two threats that could’ve sent the city spiraling to bankruptcy. Last year, the city and its police and firefighters staved off a pension crisis for at least another seven years by agreeing to cut benefits and raise city contributions to the pension fund. This time around, the city agreed to settle a series of decades-old lawsuits over police pay for about a quarter-billion dollars. It wasn’t cheap, but City Attorney Larry Casto and City Council member Scott Griggs’ efforts to negotiate the settlement could save the city billions in the long run.

Wes Corwin is one of the rare stand-up comedians whose inimitable sharpness and unique point of view work in any room with any age. He can perform clean enough for your grandmother without losing his edge. He also cultivates a thriving comedy scene by helping to create multiple stand-up comedy open mics, monthly showcases introducing new talents and writing workshops that have opened up a forum for comedians to become the best in the state. His work in helming the first-ever Plano Comedy Festival was a successful declaration that Dallas has a talented comedy community and an extremely valuable asset in Corwin.

As any loyal P1 will attest, “Hardline” host Corby Davidson went to TCU and has been surrounded by beautiful women his whole life. Co-host and Old Grey Wolf Mike Rhyner pronounces Mexico funnily, and Danny Balis gives terrible directions. The hours between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. typically aren’t cause for celebration, but after nearly two decades, P1s rejoice upon hearing the giddy, over-the-top “happy birthday” song indicating “The Hardline”‘s afternoon drive show is about to commence. They talk sports. They talk entertainment. They talk teacher-student sex. The beauty of the show lies in its grab-bag variety factor. It keeps us coming back, and we hope it never ends.

On weekdays from 7-9 a.m., tune to KNON to hear the banter of volunteer DJs and arguably the most eclectic mix of tunes you’ll find on local radio. KNON describes the Morning Blend as a sampling of all the kinds of music you can hear on the station throughout the week, and since that list runs the gamut from classic country to hip-hop, the Morning Blend keeps you on your toes (and too engaged to rage at other drivers) with a totally unpredictable playlist. Each show is driven by listener requests and the whims of the DJs; a recent show, for example, segued from a pleasant instrumental number to a rousing chorus from the Sister Act soundtrack.

We need more news that pushes us to explore issues rather than consume information. Every day “Think” airs on 90.1, Krys Boyd unapologetically dishes out thoughtful journalism that hits subjects like identity, culture, science and health. Boyd has endless curiosity, and she uses it to guide listeners through uncomfortable subjects. People can count on Boyd and the team supporting her, because the show is one of the most well-researched programs serving North Texans. Give the show a listen for a timeless discussion. It’s not about what’s trending in the news at the moment; the topics the show covers are about what is important every day of the week.

Readers’ Choice:90.1 KERA-FM

Dale Hansen, the weeknight sports anchor for WFAA-TV’s 10 p.m. newscast, seems like a traditional sportscaster. “I’m just a small-town guy from Logan, Iowa,” he says in his bio on the website for Channel 8, where he’s worked for more than 30 years. But thanks to his “Hansen: Unplugged” commentaries — which, he told The New York Times last fall, he only writes about eight to 10 times a year when he feels strongly about something — he’s also a viral sensation. Hansen was a guest on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” after a 2014 “Unplugged” supporting Michael Sam, the first openly gay player in the NFL, and he continues to be a progressive voice in a conservative field.

The Dallas Neo-Classical Ballet combines high-caliber dance performance with innovative and original content. Known for fostering creative collaborations, company artistic director Emilie Skinner took things to a whole new level this season. It is not surprising that a ballet company would perform excerpts from classical pieces like La Sylphide and Giselle as they did when they worked with the DMA on a celebration of the paintings of French Impressionist Edgar Degas. But few dance troupes would build a performance around Albert Einstein for a sci-fi show. DNCB has a calendar with a space girls theme and an annual horror-themed series. Skinner created a Black Swan vibe to provide the backdrop for Icelandic indie-rock group Kaleo when they performed at Array as part of DSO’s Soluna festival. For their final performance of the season, Blind Tiger, Skinner created a comedic piece with music from the 1920s. Not your typical ballet troupe.

The Craft Guild’s motto is learn, create, be inspired, and for the last 70 years, that’s exactly what the Carrollton-based nonprofit has offered artisans in the Dallas area. If jewelry-making is your thing, the Guild’s all-levels beading class is going to be your new happy place. Offered at various times throughout the year, the classes are interactive and include how-to demos, pro tips and techniques for beginning beaders as well as those who’ve mastered the art. From peyote to brick stitch, to weaving, loom work and all the latest methods and designs, there’s no need to enroll in a fancy design school to be the next great jewelry designer. The Craft Guild’s got you covered at a fraction of the cost.

If you ever hear someone say nobody cares about art in Deep Ellum, this is where to send them. Since 2005, Kettle Art Gallery has been a springboard for up-and-coming artists in Dallas. In a city rife with stuffy, see-and-be-seen galleries, owner Frank Campagna (aka the “Godfather of Deep Ellum”) and a dedicated band of volunteers are the DNA of this little gallery that could. His tireless dedication to the wellbeing of Dallas’ underrepresented artists has been on clear display since the day he opened his Main Street doors. Their annual event For the Love of Kettle sees lines literally around the block of people clamoring to snag inspired works of art.

Sure, you can check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science during its regular hours, but it’s just not socially acceptable to push kids out of the way so you can try the interactive exhibits. That’s probably why the museum offers plenty of adult-only programs, or as its website calls them, “scientifically grown-up fun.” Social Science events have fun themes and include experiments, performances, discussions and, of course, drinks. Hear from engaging explorers during a lecture from the speaker series National Geographic Live. Or check out Science Cafe at a local pub, where you can hear about scientific trends and research from experts and, of course, drink.

Your favorite music, food trucks and flowers. Do you need to know anything more about KXT Sun Sets? Before the weather gets unbearably hot (OK, technically this is a late spring concert series), the signature series from KXT 91.7 FM lets you hear national and local musicians chosen by the radio station’s staff members in an intimate setting at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Guests can bring food and drinks to set up picnics on the Camp Lawn overlooking White Rock Lake. Artists for 2018 included Patty Griffin and Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear.

Ah, the smell of fresh crayon wax. There was nothing like opening a new big box of Crayolas, 64 colors untouched by some other kid’s grubby little fingers. Enjoy some old-fashioned fun with your children at the Crayola Experience, which opened in March at the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano. Watch how crayons are made, stop at a coloring station that would put your 64-count box to shame, paint with watercolors or melted wax, explore the playground or visit the photo booth to create a coloring page of your family. Don’t forget to tell your kids that you didn’t get to do any of these activities back in the day.

Denton’s Deanna Smith has only been a tattoo artist for about four years, but she was one of the top five contestants out of 30 on the latest season of the Paramount Network’s Ink Master. Smith, who works at Dark Age Tattoo Studio in Denton’s Downtown Square, specializes in portrait tattoos, so it was a disappointment when she was eliminated during a portrait competition with only two episodes remaining. “I don’t fully agree that what makes a tattoo perfect is how straight the line work is or how solid the saturation is,” Smith told the Dallas Observer after she left the show. “I think it’s about when you see a tattoo, does it look dope? If the answer is yes, then it’s a good tattoo.”

Dallas has a tendency of re-inventing itself, and in the process, we forget what this city’s people have endured. This podcast is a nagging reminder of Dallas’ origins. Criss-crossing through Dallas ISD’s struggle to integrate the schools to county officials’ fear of taxes, the podcast dives into how people have been educated over the years in Dallas. It takes hard looks at the schools, providing historical commentaries on subjects that are relevant at school board meetings today. This podcast really shows the dangers of public officials misleading parents and students.

Yeah, yeah, you’ve heard this before: the alternative weekly newspaper cheering for alternative music. In this case, though, we salute the North Texas radio station for deleting its music. The station has begun allowing its listeners to vote away which songs they don’t want to hear. So if a song is being played too much, you can text in to express your intolerance. And if it gets enough down-votes, the station won’t play it again. In the age of personalized music on Apple Music and Spotify, we appreciate a public radio station trusting its users to control what they want to hear.

The museum, located in the West End, cares about people in North Texas. Not only does it house vital history lessons, but its staff have shown a commitment to providing clarity during newsworthy events. When the Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany surveyed young people and found that 20 percent didn’t know anything about the Holocaust, the museum held a millennial night to teach about the bigotry that led to genocide and the Holocaust, and how to teach others about it. Almost any time someone in the news has said or done something anti-Semitic, you can count on the museum to weigh in and offer commentary.

As you hike the soft-surface trails through woods and prairie or bike the paved Trinity Forest Trail, a hidden gem that skirts the property, watch for living things without opposable thumbs. The Audubon Center advertises its birds, and you’ll see ducks, herons, woodpeckers and more on guided Saturday morning hikes. But the former illegal landfill that’s about 10 miles from downtown is a good place to spot other critters, from dainty butterflies to creepy-crawlies like water snakes and spiny lizards to beavers, hogs and deer — on our last visit, we pulled over along the entrance road to help a jaywalking turtle get safely to the other side.

Dallas’ rich history is part of what makes the city all that it is, with a culture fueled by business, sports, entertainment and diversity. A visit to Dallas means you better buckle up, because it’s impossible to distill it all in one or two experiences. If you must, however, then we suggest starting with one of the few things that brings everyone together: food. In Dallas, Tex-Mex is where it’s at. Options are abundant here, and they’re arguably among the best in the world. Dallas’ Taco and Margarita Tour will take you on a food-and-drink-sampling adventure. You’ll hit many of the best Tex-Mex spots in a four-hour stretch that includes a motorcoach ride, food and drinks. You’ll also get to indulge in what Bon Appétit magazine has named the “Best Taco in America.” Be sure to plan in advance. No surprise, this tour sells out regularly. It’s put together by Dallas Bites!, 972-814-5997.

Soul Rep Theatre calls The Freedmans a “ritualistic choreo-poem.” Written 20 years ago by company members to commemorate the opening of Dallas’ Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial, it is their poetic tribute to the former slaves who founded Dallas’ Freedman’s Town shortly after emancipation in the late 1800s. Music and dance play an essential part in telling this moving and poignant story, and that is the definition of a musical. Soul Rep, one of eight companies chosen to participate in this year’ Elevator Project, considers The Freedmans to be their signature production. Accompanied by a harpist, the production was filled with beautiful music — four original songs, including “I’m Free” and “Cotton Don’t Come,” written by company member Keith Price; the song “Tree of Life,” from the Gullah tradition; and a post-slavery lullaby called “Lil’ Pickininny.” Soul Rep’s co-founder and co-artistic director Guinea Bennett-Price led a fantastic 12-person cast, and La-Hunter Smith choreographed what was the best musical of last season.

Aviation Cinemas, the folks behind the historic Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff and the Oak Cliff Film Festival, purchased Denton’s long-vacant Fine Arts Theatre, located on the Downtown Square, earlier this year. The iconic single-auditorium theater, which, funny enough, was called Texas Theatre until the late 1950s, is more than 140 years old and originally operated as an opera house before becoming a movie theater. After a fire shut down formal operations in the ’80s, the Fine Arts Theatre served as a performance venue on and off for various events over the past years. The team behind the new plan of restoring the downtown venue says they’ll keep it an entertainment spot — which is sure to breathe life back into the historic theater with unique programming and draw in many music and movie fans from all over North Texas.

Addison’s WaterTower Theatre made bold changes in 2017 and 2018 when they set out to attract a younger and more diverse audience. When their long-time director left, WaterTower brought in Joanie Schultz as artistic director, and she immediately set to work. Shultz ditched a previously announced production of Sunday in the Park With George and replaced it with a new play by Chicago playwright Ike Holter, Hit the Wall, about the Stonewall Riots. In spring 2018 WaterTower staged the world premiere of Regina Taylor’s Bread, which explored timely issues including police violence and gentrification. Schultz also established a community engagement program called Intersections to facilitate conversation and offer context for the theater’s productions. WaterTower’s efforts are paying off. The rest of the year looks even more daring and innovative with the irreverent Hand to God, featuring a foul-mouthed puppet, followed by Schultz’s own adaptation of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.

Associate Artistic Director Jenni Stewart made her directing debut at Shakespeare Dallas in their production of The Taming of the Shrew, a battle-of-the-sexes comedy that centers on one man’s efforts to control his woman. The well-cast production got plenty of laughs, but Stewart avoided the temptation to take the low road. She made the decision to update the setting to the suffragette era, when women were fighting for the right to vote. Stewart took the word obedience and imbued it with new meaning that related to the marriage contract itself rather than a wife’s subservience to her husband. Stewart proved to be up to the challenge and took what is typically presented as a misogynistic story and made it palatable to a modern audience without changing a word. No easy task in this #MeToo moment.

Alex Organ rarely takes a breath from his liberal rant in Second Thought Theatre’s production of playwright Blake Hackler’s Enemies/People. Texas playwright Hackler cleverly takes Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People and moves it to a small town in present-day Texas where two brothers are on opposite sides in a dispute about contaminated water and its effect on a potentially profitable business deal. Hackler then ramps up the speed and volume to such a degree that it is nearly impossible to imagine that Organ could maintain that intensity night after night. Kara-Lynn Vaeni provided smart direction to a superior ensemble cast that included Dallas favorites Christie Vela, Gregory Lush and Allison Pistorius as well as delightful newcomers Jovane Caamaño and Sasha Maya Ada. In the end Hackler treats the audience to an especially funny scene using the original Ibsen script. “Enemies/People” asks tough questions about everything from guns to fracking and considers how to effect change in the world from the comfort of an expensive chair.

If you’re looking for a cozy spot to lay down the blanket, pop a bottle of champagne and enjoy a picnic under the stars, Denton’s Courthouse-on-the-Square is the place to be. Thanks to Denton’s open container law, you can get your buzz on while nibbling homemade finger sandwiches or take-out from any of the handful of restaurants surrounding the central lawn. What makes the courthouse lawn the ideal spot for a romantic dinner or fun night out with the kids isn’t just the outdoor summer movie screenings or beautifully lit trees, but also the bustling nightlife on the square with live music within earshot almost every night of the week.

The internet is inundated with videos of animals doing cute things, but screen time does little for our need to fully absorb this cuteness compared to seeing clumsy penguins, sleepy sloths and giant manatees in real life. Since 1992, The Dallas World Aquarium has offered adults and kids hours of fun and once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities as a sanctuary for all types of creatures. Its conservation efforts span several parts of Mexico and South America, including the Jaguar Conservation Program in El Pantanal, the Costa Rican Sloth Conservation and the Amazon Manatee Conservation Project, among others. The best part about the DWA is its dedication to the wellness and protection of its animals. Enjoy a glass of wine or a snack as you walk through the many halls and pebbled paths to experience the wonder of some of the world’s most exotic animals. Ticket prices vary, and guided tours are available for large groups.

The key to the future is tucked away in an unassuming part of southwest Dallas, off a gravel road and behind a canopy of trees. There, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas have transformed a 1920s-era campground on more than 90 acres into a living laboratory and girl-power mecca. Scouts and their families can enjoy year-round programming that sees girls of all ages assembling robotics, coding apps, gazing at the stars, running geology experiments and engaging in confidence-building athletic activities like rock climbing, ropes courses and archery. The goal is to expose more girls to the opportunities that STEM careers offer and to close the workforce gap between men and women; right now, 74 percent of STEM workers are male. But it’s also an important incubator for lifelong female friendships and support: Visitors to the camp will see girls swapping friendship bracelets over their circuitry and sharing their dreams at the top of the observation tower.

It may not be as cheery as Disneyland, but Dealey Plaza remains a magnet for tourists from everywhere. Whether it’s to take photos, honor a fallen president or learn about the latest conspiracy theories, the site of John F. Kennedy’s assassination is the first stop for out-of-towners looking to experience Dallas. Within walking distance tourists can visit the Sixth Floor Museum, get fitted for boots in the West End and grab a bite to eat at the many restaurants providing shelter from the heat. Dealey Plaza has so much to offer, visitors don’t mind dodging traffic to stand on the infamous X.

Taylor Higginbotham, Brad McKenzie and Robbie Scheer, the three Denton men behind The Brave Boys podcast, are making big waves with their weekly comedy show. Funny, irreverent and addictive, The Brave Boys’ chemistry creates the feeling for the listener that they’re the silent fourth member of a group of friends that they always look forward to hanging out with. The Brave Boys’ unpredictable interviews with local comedians they invite as guests not only showcase their skills as hosts, it makes you mad at yourself for not already being a fan of the comedian you’re hearing for the first time.