The jaunt to The Texas Theatre is among my favorite through the city. I take a roundabout way down Main Street, through Dealey Plaza to 35. Nothing beats Jefferson Street in this town: All faded jewel tones, party supply stores and beautiful Quinceañera boutiques. It looks frozen in time in the best possible way.
There was a meager crowd in The Texas Theatre's handsome bar prior to the showing of Ministry doc The Fix. Predictable, I suppose; once the weather hits 70 degrees, Dallas is patio-bound. I had just darted over from a round on the Terilli's rooftop with what seemed the entirety of the city. Still, I noted the small crowd with disappointment. The Texas Theatre is frequently planning some of those most thoughtful little nights in town, and we are all missing out .
The Fix, shown at the historic theater in 35mm, follows industrial metal godfather Al Jourgensen's band Ministry and their evolution of style, influence and addiction over the course of 27 years. Told through interviews and flashbacks from extensive behind-the-scenes tour footage, it doesn't skip the dark stuff: Early stories of Jesus Lizard and Jourgensen performing fellatio for cash, Jourgensen's father figures Timothy Leary and William S. Burroughs, and Trent Reznor outlining how Ministry raised the bar again and again.
Apart from the "Just Say No!" vibe of the last half hour, it was a fascinating glimpse into the relationship an artist has with his audience, his creations and his own demons, as well as Ministry's doing and undoing within the industrial scene. So, where the fuck were you guys?
Thankfully, I could hear some of you arriving for The Funeral Party's "You Know What You Are" after-party. DJs Anthony Social and Keith P had already sparked a nice little vibe and the conversation and cocktails seemed to be flowing as we wrapped up the film. Stick around for these little shindigs and you always have someone to chat about the movie with. Or at least someone to geek out about the Portlandia premiere with.
If you missed The Funeral Party's special Texas Theatre set, you'd do well to catch their Wednesday weekly at Beauty Bar. For a Deb more into head-bobbing than head-banging, Funeral Party provides an appealing departure. Friday night's mix kept me on my bar stool longer then planned, mingling with the bartender and two filmmakers willing to argue about a film they hadn't seen.
Lord knows I love a well-kept secret, but it's time for you to leave the patio on occasion and join me for a stroll down Jefferson. The drinks are strong, the work is well-curated and the after-party is built in. A friend sent me a link to Jessica Hagy's piece, "How To Be More Interesting (In 10 Easy Steps)." It's short but quotable.
So, come play in the sandbox, sugars. I don't want to brag about cool parties you missed. I want to run into you there and hear your life story.
On my mind: Ministry has already gone bad on their promise to not reunite, and are playing a German festival in August. They're a perfect addition to Fun Fun Fun Fest's roster of reunited genre inventors who at first seem out of place but actually make a lot of sense. Is there someone I should speak to about this?
Follow Deb's adventures in real time on Twitter @debdoingdallas.
