From Deep Ellum to downtown, Fort Worth to Frisco, there are scores of great places to catch concerts throughout Dallas and the surrounding areas. Every once in a while, though, we like to let our imaginations run free. What if some of our favorite places to hang out suddenly hosted that dream performance? Or, hell, even some other oddity that would just be too good (and surreal) to pass up?
Well, we went ahead and put together our own list of places that don't host concerts but should. Mind you, that's not to say none of these locations have ever hosted a concert, nor that we want them to become full-on concert venues. But they make for some alluring prospects all the same.
10. Firewheel Town Center Shopping at an outdoor mall during Texas summers is hell on earth. There is no enjoyment in strolling through 100-degree weather to buy anything. Anything. So to possibly attract more business to Firewheel Town Center and make use of the empty field behind In-N-Out Burger, the mall could easily host a series of summer outdoor concerts. Think the cover shows at the Dallas Arboretum with concertgoers sitting on blankets and drinking booze, but in Garland. No, really. This could be just the perfect social boost for the city. Paige Skinner
9. The Lot I live almost next door to The Lot, and no matter what time I drive by, this place is always packed. The appeal of dog parks, volleyball courts and a massive outdoor patio is easy for anyone to see, but why is there never any live music? I would definitely be down for listening to some good music while drinking a bunch of Velvet Hammer and eating a burger the size of my head. Amy McCarthy
8. Dr Pepper Ballpark People don't go to Dr Pepper Ballpark to watch a bunch of AA baseball players try to make it to the big leagues. Instead, they spend their weekends there largely because of the pool in centerfield, the relatively cheap seats, and the copious amounts of entertainment between innings to keep any child satisfied. So why not add a concert to this mix? It seems every other sports venue hosts some sort of concert or show, so Dr Pepper should also and make use of the baseball diamond after the game. PS
7. DART Rail Stops and the M-Line Trolley How many times must we Texans have to hear about the latest scraggly group of banjo pickers to emerge from the wide array of subway stops and stations of New York City before the DART system finally produces buskers worthy of acclaim? Old Crow Medicine Show emerged from such a subterranean realm, and look at them now. Between DART's Green, Red, Blue and Orange rail lines, there are dozens of stops - or stages, as we'd like to think of them - for Dallas' best pickers and players to catch their train bound for glory. Better yet, let's put the players on the McKinney Avenue Trolley. It'll be a tight fit, but who rides it for luxurious comfort, anyway? Kelly Dearmore
6. Fraternal Order of the Eagles Being in the huge, always icy cold pool at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Lodge in Lakewood is pretty incredible on its own, but wouldn't it be better with some sweet alt-country tunes in the backdrop? There's plenty of space at FOE for acts to set up their speakers in the grassy areas surrounding the pool, and the drinks are significantly cheaper (and stronger) than any bar in the area. AM
5. The Trinity River Basin Fort Worth is way ahead of Dallas when it comes to making the banks of the Trinity a legitimate destination for concerts, drinking and various forms of revelry. Screw the city council, screw the naysayers. Let's take advantage of the dry summer conditions and get a stage up between Fuel City and the Oak Farms Dairy for some serious, urban park-style entertainment. If it rains and floods a bit, grab some inner tubes and let's float this sucker. Get your tetanus shots first, and then stop worrying. There's a fancy bridge for a nice backdrop and it doesn't always smell that bad. Let's close the Trinity-As-Entertainment gap that lies between us and the Panther City, Dallas! KD
4. Inwood Theatre Two things a great music venue needs: a good bar and a spacious stage-room. The historic Inwood Theatre has both. Firstly, the Inwood Lounge is one of the most charming places to drink in Dallas, an experience that lies somewhere between a dive bar and a noirish David Lynch cocktail lounge. Secondly, Inwood's main theater is a grand space, complete with golden-era flourishes and plush, oversized beanbag furniture (which beats just about every other seating option in town). Those mavericks at Texas Theatre have shown that the transition from film house to music venue is a recipe for success. It's high time for the Inwood Theatre to wise up and follow suit...please. Jonathan Patrick
3. The Grassy Knoll For over 50 years, the scenic, verdant hill next to the former Texas School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza has been the focal point of conspiracy theorists and many ill-mannered tourist photos. Let's make great use of the downtown location and easy access to the freeway, not to mention the Knoll's natural amphitheater structure. Events can be positive, family-friendly affairs (so as to counteract the negative connections to the site), or they can embrace the anger the small hill ignites with some fiery punk shows. Either way, it's a spot worth investigating for musical intrigue. KD
2. White Rock Lake Ever catch a summer sunset at White Rock Lake? The air is thick and honeyed. Warm breezes move softly over the lake and up across the banks, carrying the sweet, dewy scent of blossoming flora. And just as the last rays of light sweep across the water, lightning bugs begin to decorate the night with halcyon strobes. It's hard to imagine a more picturesque backdrop for a Dallas concert. For the moment, the logistics and exact location can remain vague--a distant concern. Instead, let us imagine stage-lights rippling across the shoreline and strange sounds coursing through White Rock's tunneling tree paths; at least, that is, until the day when "the powers that be" make our dream a reality. JP
1. Reunion Tower And by Reunion Tower, we of course mean the GeO-deck of Reunion Tower. Hey, we're allowed to dream, aren't we? Sure, the tower has hosted shows before -- Bruce Springsteen, anyone? -- but that was outside in the parking lot. Sure, the logistics would be tricky and it would be necessity have to be an intimate show, but thanks to the lavish renovations on the observation level, it's hard to think of a better place to catch a show and a breathtaking view all at once. Someone quick, get Bruce's number! Jeff Gage
