Let's take a second to come together and breathe one huge sigh of relief that it's not 100 degrees and fall has finally arrived. OK, now let's talk about what we're going to do this glorious weekend besides dusting off the bike and going for a ride around the lake.
The Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas want you to get on their bus, and that's not a euphemism for some political or social movement. The CADD Bus Tour is rolling through town tomorrow, and if you haven't visited art galleries since before the sweltering summer then you should, well, get on the bus. The tour begins at Barry Whistler Gallery, where a collection of abstract paintings from Terrell James debuts tomorrow.
Next stop is Kirk Hopper Fine Arts, home to the American Album, Volume 1 exhibition and Cross Kart, a motorized vehicle adorned with a giant neon blue cross. Now that's a ride even the Virgin Mary would want to drive. The bus continues on to Linnea Glatt's Studio, where you'll see works from our pal and Mixmaster contributor Allison V. Smith, and then it rolls over to Conduit Gallery and The Power Station before returning back to Barry Whistler.
The tour is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and lunch is provided. Tickets are $50, and space is limited. Visit etix.com to purchase tickets.
Dive-In Movies: Planes, Trains & Automobiles Friday, September 16, at The Fairmont Hotel The end of summer doesn't have to mean the end of lazy evenings at the pool, and that's why The Fairmont Hotel is offering up more films in their Dive-In Movies series this month. What better way to kick off the weekend than a screening of a classic John Hughes film. Planes, Trains & Automobiles, the 1987 Steve Martin and John Candy comedy, is screening at 8:30 p.m. tonight on the hotel's rooftop terrace. The best part? It's free. Visit fairmonthotel.com/dallas for the complete schedule of Dive-In Movies, showing every Friday through September 30.
Fiesta Patrias Friday, September 16, and Saturday, September 17, at the Latino Cultural Center Contrary to popular belief amongst margarita-swigging Texans, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day. September 16 is known in Mexico as El Grito de Dolores ("Cry of Dolores"), which marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. On this day in 1810, Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo led a revolt against ruling Spanish officials, and each year Mexico celebrates September 16 as its official Independence Day. The Latino Cultural Center is honoring Mexico's independence with Fiesta Patrias, a two-day celebration featuring poetry readings and live music. See Mariachi Quetzal, who rocked out at last year's DOMA Showcase and promise to bring it again at this year's show in Deep Ellum, perform both nights at the free event. The party gets started at 7 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. Call 214-671-0045 or visit dallasculture.org/latinoculturalcenter.
Barbie Princess Charm School Saturday, September 17, at NorthPark Center If your daughter hasn't acquired the proper skills she'll need so you can marry her off at a decent age to a well-to-do royal, then maybe it's time you enlist Barbie for help. Barbie Princess Charm School will teach your daughter all the manners she needs to be a true princess, like setting a table and applying cosmetics. Barbie herself will be there as well to greet the girls, and there will be plenty of well-mannered dolls for the kids to play with. The free event starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow at NorthPark Center in the NorthCourt (between Macy's and Nordstrom). Live Barbie shows are at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Remember, ladies, no elbows on the table. Visit northparkcenter.com/events.
Cochineal Dye Class Sunday, September 18, at Oil & Cotton In the 15th century, cochineal was Mexico's second largest export (silver was the biggest), but now you can easily find the crimson extract online, which means you don't have to search in Central or South America for the cochineal bugs from which the dye is harvested. If you want to have some fun with crushed bug juice this weekend, check out the cochineal dye class at Oil & Cotton. You'll learn the history of this dying method and dye your own bag shades of crimson and pink. The class is $65. Call 214-988-9189 or visit oilandcotton.com for more information on this and other classes.
