National Polka Festival will be held in Ennis, Texas, Friday through Sunday, May 24-26, 2013, with the purpose of celebrating the Czech heritage of the local area. These festivities are held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, and feature an abundance of cultural activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family in a small city atmosphere.

National Polka Festival Opening Night Dance
National Polka Festival opens Friday at 7:00 pm with a special dance featuring polka music and the King and Queen Dance Contest.  Attendees participating, and even those not participating in the dance contest, are encouraged to wear traditional Czech kroj (costumes) in order to really get into the spirit.

National Polka Festival Parade
Saturday morning at 10:00 am there will be a parade (see map at the bottom) with  floats, bands, and colorful costumes to kick-off the downtown National Polka Festival festivities.  The parade typically includes something for all ages including music from polka bands riding on decorated floats and/or the sounds of the award-winning Ennis High School Marching Band

National Polka Festival in Ennis allows you to experience traditions, religious customs, dancing, tastes, sights, sounds, and "a little bit of the Czech Lands" throughout historic downtown.  There are also three, spacious, air-conditioned halls (KJT, KC and Sokol Halls) which will have polka dancing, Czech foods, and 14 live polka bands, including Grammy Award-winning Brave Combo.

Musical Performances at National Polka Festival 2013

Trying to describe Brave Combo's music requires a pretty extensive vocabulary – at least when it comes to musical styles. For the past three decades the Denton-based quintet has perfected a world music mix that includes salsa, meringue, rock, cumbia, conjunto, polka, zydeco, classical, cha cha, the blues and more. They are America's Premier Dance band and a rollicking, rocking, rhythmic global journey -- offering what one critic recently wrote, "Even if you come for the party, you'll leave with something of a musical education."

Brave Combo's catalog of recordings range from Japanese pop to Latin American dance tunes, to the orchestral classics to rock and roll at its finest. The band has recorded with the late Tiny Tim, and were the band Talking Head's David Byrne chose for his wedding reception. From festivals and fairs of all varieties across the globe, rock clubs big and small, colleges, roadhouses, dances, cultural centers, Brave Combo has charmed countless listeners and won avid devotees. The band has won two Grammy Awards and been nominated for their work seven times.

Brave Combo will be performing at the KC Hall at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and at the KJT Hall at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Country Artist, Kyle Park
The Austin-born Texas artist has been writing since the release of his last album, his second, the irreverent and powerful "Anywhere in Texas," which featured a dozen songs written and co-written by Park, including “Cold in Colorado,” with its killer chorus hook; “Don’t Look,” which climbed The Texas Music Chart; a co-write with Wade Bowen, “A Woman Like You”; the hard-driving “First Day of Summer”; and the sentimental final cut, “These Days.” Kyle Park will be performing at Sokol Hall. Doors open at 9:00pm on Saturday.

Opening Artist, Mat Slovacek
At age 16 Mat started auditioning for singing competition like Nashville Star, Can you Duet, and others. He made it to the second round of season 8 of American Idol and then was a stand-out on the premiere season of X Factor, making it to the top 32 guys out of over 100,000 people that auditioned and appeared and sang on the national TV show. All four judges including Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid loved his audition, which put him through to the Los Angeles portion of the competition. LA. Reid even said he was, "The best they had seen yet." Mat Slovacek will be opening for Kyle Park, who will be playing at Sokol Hall. Doors open at 9:00pm on Saturday.

See the entire list of musical acts  and performances.  Also, National Polka Festival 2013 calender schedule for show times.

Things to do at National Polka Festival 2013

Downtown Parade Map

Parade - At 10:00 on Saturday morning, floats, bands, and colorful costumes will kick-off the downtown festivities. The parade traditionally includes something for visitors of all ages.  You can enjoy the music of  polka bands riding on decorated floats or the sounds of the award-winning Ennis High School Marching Band. This parade twists through historic downtown Ennis and is always a sight to see. The 2013 Parade Theme is "Where Everyone Can Be Czech for Day"!

National Polka Festival Food - You can enjoy great fair foods like corn dogs, funnel cakes and fresh squeezed lemonade as well as your traditional Czech favorites like klobase sandwiches, klobase on a stick, and kolaches.

Kolache Eating Contest - The 4th Annual Kolache Eating Contest happens Saturday at 1:00 pm at the Downtown Stage. Prizes will be given to Men's, Women's, Youth Boy and Youth Girl Individual Champion. You can register at the Chamber of Commerce until Friday at noon and register at the Downtown Stage until Saturday at noon.

Downtown Street Dance - You can dance the streets of Downtown Ennis on Saturday from 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm with the Czechaholics, and Sunday with another polka band from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Admission is free so come and Czech it out.

Arts and Crafts / Food / Kids Activities - You can shop the streets of Downtown Ennis on Saturday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Vendors will be set up selling unique works of art, fashion favorites and more. Kids will have a good time playing and participating in activities such as face painting, a rock climbing wall, and bounce houses.  The cost of the festival varies by day and activities, however it's quite reasonable. There is also a Polka Run and Horseshoe Tournament.

Admission - Friday, May 24th it's  $7, Saturday, MAY 25th it's $12 for the all day events. The Kyle Park concert is $15 in addition to regular admission.
You can hang out on Sunday, May 26th for just $10.  All downtown activities are FREE.

History of the National Polka Festival

Founders Raymond Zapletal, Len Gehrig, and Joe Liska of Ennis had been to other cities and seen the large response to polka bands from the people of Czechoslovakian descent. They believed the people could be brought to their small town of Ennis for the same reasons. So in 1967, Zapletal, Gehrig, and Liska brought their idea to the Chamber of Commerce manager Jack McKay. If the idea were to succeed, it would require the joint effort of the Chamber and the citizens of Ennis. Jack McKay agreed the idea could greatly benefit Ennis and the Czechoslovakian community in the area. Within three years the festival was a raging success with as many as 30,000 people attending from all over the country to enjoy music and entertainment at the four halls. Today Ennis' National Polka Festival one of the largest of its kind in the United States and attracts as many as 50,000 people from all over.

The Dallas international Festival 2013 will feature nearly 80 performing arts groups on three stages, and some of North Texas’ finest global performers.

Dallas International Festival 2013 Performances

AMERICAS and AFRICA STAGE
10:00 am  USA - Suzuki Musicians
10:20 am  HAWAII - Ka Pa Hula O Manulani
10:40 am  MEXICO - Alma y Corazon Tejano Ballet Folkorico
11:05 am  USA - Dallas Tap Dazzlers
11:40 am  MEXICO - Garland I.S.D. Mariachi Estrellas
12:10 pm  SUDAN - DFW Sudanese Community Center
12:35 pm  PUERTO RICO - Latin Mix & Danza Cultura
1:00 pm   MEXICO - Sima Ballet Folklorico
1:25 pm   JAMAICA - Watusi
2:20 pm   ZIMBABWE - Zimma-Rimba Marimba
3:05 pm   PARADE of NATIONS
3:20 pm   W. AFRICA, GUINEE - Fabere Dance Company
3:45 pm   MEXICO - Ballet Folklorico de Fort Worth
4:10 pm   ARGENTINA - Danzas Folkloricas del Centro Argentino DFW
4:25 pm   VENEZUELA - Parranda Venezuela
5:15 pm   MEXICO - Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico
5:40 pm   CAMEROON - Bafu Dance Group
6:05 pm   AFRO-DIASPORA - Dallas Drum Djam and Capoeira Dallas
6:50 pm   ETHIOPIA- Ethiopian Dancers/ The Habeshas
7:00 pm   EGYPT- SOMATIX International Dance Company
7:20 pm   LATIN AMERICA - Mauricio Carrera Show

EURASIA STAGE
10:15 am  EGYPT - Banaat Masri
10:30 am  KOREA - Dallas Korean Cultural Foundation: Jindo Drum Dance
10:55 am  INDIA - Dhwani
11:25 am  CHINA - Taoist Tai Chi Society, North Texas Group
11:50 am  CHINA - Texas Chinese Performing Arts Association
12:20 pm  SPAIN - Daniel de Cordoba Bailes Espanoles
12:45 pm  IRELAND - Shandon-O'Regan Irish Dance Academy
1:10 pm   EGYPT - Nadi El Raks Belly Dance Ensemble
1:35 pm   POLAND - Orleta
2:00 pm   BOSNIA - Bosniak Association Lily
2:20 pm   CHINA - DAAYO Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra
2:55 pm   INDIA- Kathak Rhythms
3:20 pm   PARADE of NATIONS
3:45 pm   INDIA - Noopur Dance Academy
4:10 pm   ITALY - I Piccoli Colori; I Colori Italiani
4:35 pm   RUSSIA - Rhythmic Ribbon of Texas
5:00 pm   INDIA - NSDA - Nruthyashakti
5:20 pm   MIDDLE EAST - Triibal Evolution Belly Dance company
5:45 pm   UKRAINE - Zorya Ukranian Dance Ensemble of Dallas
6:15 pm   UKRAINE - Veselka
6:35 pm   VIETNAM - Saturday Ocean
6:55 pm   CHINA- Dallas Huayun Traditional Chinese Music Orchestra
7:20 pm   SAMOA/ NEW ZEALAND/ HAWAII - A Touch of Paradise

GLOBAL STAGE
10:00 am  JAPAN - Ocarina: Cris Gale
10:20 am  NEPAL - Grace and Grooves
10:40 am  USA - Solo-fluist: Cornell Kinderknecht
10:55 am  VIETNAM - Vietnamese Plano Baptist Church Dancers
11:20 am   ASIA - Impending Bloom
12:05 pm  SWEDEN - SWEA Swedish Choir
12:30 pm  INDONESIA - Indonesian Community DFW
12:50 pm  GERMANY/ AUSTRIA - German Dancers
1:15 pm   JAPAN - Dondoko Taiko Drummers
1:55 pm   HAWAII - Halau Ho'ola Ka Mana O Hawaii
2:20 pm   RUSSIA - Viktor KJharlov and Leo Kardonsky
2:50 pm   PARADE of NATIONS
3:15 pm  GAMBIA - Cora Connection
4:00 pm   JAPAN - Taikodelic Drummers
4:35 pm   NATIVE AMERICA - Ollin-Tonalzin
5:05 pm   USA - 4 Ever Young
5:40 pm   SERBIA - Cultural and Education Center "Ratsko"

About Dallas International Festival

Between 1996 and 2013 DFW International Community Alliance organized the annual Dallas International Festival in a variety of Dallas venues, including the Meyerson Symphony Center, the Dallas Arts District and the Majestic Theater. This year, the festival continues to show the international face of the North Texas region, and is expected to attract nearly 30,000 people to the celebration of more than eighty-five cultures from across the DFW area.

DFW International Community Alliance serves as the portal for global North Texas, a network of 1,600 of the regions ethnic and internationally-focused civic, community and educational organizations. Its mission is to build mutual understanding and respect by linking diverse international cultural communities. DFW International Community Alliance promotes and links North Texas global groups through its website and cultural calendar at www.dfwinternational.org.

The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the Dallas area, Asian Festival will take place tomorrow (Saturday), May 18th, 2013, at Main Street Garden starting at 11:00 am and ending at 6:00 pm.  Each year, the Asian Festival attracts thousands of people from all over North Texas and  showcases more than 30 Asian cultural performances; ranging from dance, martial arts, acrobats, dragon dances, hula dancers and many more.  This is Asian Festival' s 23rd year in Dallas and it will feature authentic Asian cuisine, cultural performances, unique products and artwork , children’s activities, healthy living, and games  fun for the whole family. The admission is free.

Things to Do at Asian Festival 2013

You can start your festival experience with the Faces of Asia Cultural Procession. You might then choose to check out the cooking demonstrations at the healthy living corner and get your free health screening. The kids might be entertained most by Passport to Asia for Kids. There will be a number of cuisine options including  assorted food trucks, and vendors offering authentic cuisines of Asia.

Asian Festival 2013 Vendors & Sponsors

Against the Grain, Ad-Kon, Ali Motorsports, American Airlines, Annamtik, Arman Rupani, Asian Film Festival Dallas, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bombay Chopstix Truck, Cambodian Cuisine, Citibank, Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas Morning News, Delish Bubble Tea, Dallas Police Department Recruitment Unit, Dallas Police Department Community Affairs, Frito-Lay, Fun Asia Truck, GDAACC/VIP & Media Lounge, Genghis Grill, Gilead, ICNA Dallas, Korean Gifts - Korean Woman Assoc, and Korean Cuisine - KOWIN.

More Asian Festival 2013 Vendors & Sponsors

Luxe Antiques & Imports, Made In Bali, McDonalds Frozen Drink Sample, McDonalds, Methodist Transplant Physicians, Metro PCS, Moyen Japanese Market, NAAAP 21, Nammi Truck (Vietnamese Sandwiches), Praniti Fashion, Samosa Hut, Silver Leaf Resort, Simply Dosa (Indian Style Crepes) Truck, Srilankan Cultural Group, Ssham BBQ (Korean Taco) Truck, State Farm Insurance, Thai Express, The Ann and Gabriel Barbierd - Mueller Samurai Museum, The Church or Light & Salt, Turtle Teasers Puzzles, UT Southwestern Free Health Screening, UT Southwestern - Cooking Demo Pavilion, and Verizon Wireless.

About Asian Festival 2013

The Asian Festival is brought to you by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce (GDAACC) and co-sponsored by the Multi Ethnic Education and Economic Development Center (MEED).

To learn more about the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gdaacc.com.

The Fort Worth Music Festival, a two-day festival featuring three stages and 24 bands, will occur Friday, May 17th, and Saturday May 18th, ending with after parties lasting till 2 am, at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth, Texas.

Fort Worth Music Festival 2013 Performing Bands

Galactic, Drive By Truckers, Old 97′s, The Walkmen, Allen Stone, ZZ Ward, Delta Spirit, Whiskey Myers, Dirty River Boys, Ivan Nevilles Dumpstaphunk, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Sheepdogs, Air Review, The Hanna Barbarians, Quaker City Night Hawks, The Orbans, Calhoun, The Will Callers, The Unlikely Candidates, The Longshots, Mariachi Quetzal, Big Don, and The Southern Renaissance.

Fort Worth Music Festival 2013 Featured Visual Artists

Steve Moya, Joe Laberge, Shawn O’Connell Photography, Three R Designs, John P. Irizarry, and Frilly Pepper.

Fort Worth Music Festival 2013 Location & Times

Panther Island Pavilionis located at 395 Purcey St., Fort Worth, and caters to a wide variety of uses such as concerts, festivals and events. Panther Island Pavilion features a waterfront stage overlooking the Trinity River. The gates open at 3:00 pm and the first band will perform at the Robust Energy Drink Stage at 4:00 pm. The second band will perform at the Rahr and Sons Stage starting at 4:30 pm. Then each stage will alternate bands until the last performance on Friday at 11:00 pm. On Saturday, the gates open at 1:00 pm and the first band goes on at 2:00 pm. There will be three stages on Saturday, with some bands overlapping: Robust Energy Drink Stage, Rahr and Sons Stage, and Community Food Bank Stage.

About Fort Worth Music Festival

The Fort Worth Music Festival is held in honor of Fort Worth’s deep musical roots. From musical pioneers and artists as diverse as Country Swing’s Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys to Jazz Icon Ornette Coleman to Contemporary Innovator T- Bone Burnett, Fort Worth residents have made an indelible imprint on the music of both our state and our country. The Fort Worth Music Festival is proud to showcase the various genres of music which have called our city home.

The 2013 Festival will present Country, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Pop and Indie Rock, in total 30 bands on 3 stages, to the joy of any music aficionado or any local Texan proud of his hometown. In addition, the 2013 Fest will present artwork exhibits, culinary offerings and classes by area chefs and groovy local vendors. The Fort Worth Music Festival is a celebration of those things which make Fort Worth the vibrant, growing city it is.

For the last four years, BrewRiot has brought together some of the region’s best and brightest hopmasters to show Dallas what they have been concocting in their closets and garages. This Sunday May 19th, BrewRiot will for the fifth year be showcasing homebrewers and their homemade brands in the Bishop Arts District area of Oak Cliff. specifically on North Bishop Avenue just south of W 7th Street. The showcase will benefit the beloved 501c3 Go Oak Cliff which puts on many festivals in Oak Cliff every year.

This year, this epic outdoor Dallas street festival will have live music for the first time, more food, more games, and more everything. BrewRiot attendees get the opportunity to judge which is the best brew for themselves as he/she make their way around the tents tasting the various brews.

BrewRiot 2013 Live Musical Performances

• O's 

With over 500 shows and one album under their belts, The O's recently returned with their sophomore release "Between The Two." Over the last two years they traveled to Europe, Hawaii, and everywhere in between, capturing hearts and accolades along the way. It began with their first album, "We Are The O's" (2009), which led to winning "Best Of's" all around Texas and climbing to #2 album on the UK Americana charts. From being heard all over MTV and the History Channel, The O's are off to a great start. They have shared the stage with many other Texas greats including Old 97's, Dave Alvin, Ben Kweller, Justin Townes Earle, Mark Olsen and Gary Louris of The Jayhawks, Joe Ely, Billy Joe Shaver, Slobberbone, John Dee Graham, David Allen Coe, Split Lip Rayfield, Guy Forsyth, Lukas Nelson.

• The Birds of Night

Denton-based band The Birds of Night have been striving to "restore the sound of rock music's golden era". Drawing on influences like T-Rex, The Beatles, and even Buddy Rich, the band's latest Record "We're a Family Now" was made in the spirit of great song writing and performance. With every record the band tries to blend the vintage sound of yesterday with a focus on future. For this latest release they sought and received help from Eric Pulido and McKenzie Smith of the notable Denton band Midlake. Andrew Rothlisberger sings and plays guitar and Brooks Martin is on bass. Drums are played by Brandon Seitzler and Travis Stafford also handles guitar.

• Hunter Jones

Austin-based Hunter Jones is an up-and-coming four-piece band that plays sweet shoe-gaze/psyche/surf-ass music exclusively to sweet people. Since Hunter Jones started playing live in Oct. of 2012, they have been lucky enough to play steadily not only in Austin, but also Denton, Dallas and Memphis. They played the main stage at Memphis Doesn’t Suck Fest and are regulars at The White House on Rainey Street in Austin.In the midst of recording their first EP at The Recording Conservatory of Austin, Hunter Jones’ “Space Nap” is the first song that has been tracked in studio. Although not entirely mixed and mastered, the band is excited to finish tracking the EP in its entirety and making more singles available. Live shows feature a mix of ambient and melodic guitar, with both lead and rhythm guitars complimenting each other. Bass rhythms drive every song forward with a surf-tinge. The drums switch from atmospheric jams to pop beats. So, the four-piece likes to have fun.

How to Get Tickets to BrewRiot 2013

You can make checking easy by pre-purchasing your ticket on Prekindle. Then all you need to do is bring your ticket to the entrance at the intersection of W 7th Street and N Bishop where they will check you in and provide you the proper voting and tasting items. 21 and up to partake, but all ages may attend. Bring your ID. Visit www.BrewRiot.com for more information. There is also a Brew Run. Here is the info and registration on that Prekindle.

Get your tickets here.

BrewRiot 2013 Homebrew Teams

Janacek Brewing, Abrook Ales, Mox Nix Brewery, Zreet St. Brewing, Short Shift Brewing, Trooper Brewing, Blue Indian Brewing, GrandSkull Brewery, Last Call Brewing, Barking Oak Brewing, White Rock Brewing Company, Punky Brewsters, East Fork Brewing, Morgan Creek Brewery, Barley Jar Brewing, Hemisphere Brewing, Double J Brewing, Mossberg Brewing, Dead Cowboy Brewing, Night Owl Craft Ales, Dallas Home Brew, The Manhattan Project, SPAM BIER (Stevens Park Ale Makers), Trapdoor Brewing.

BrewRiot Rules for Homebrew Teams

• Bring 5 gallons minimum of each brew for People’s Choice judging
• This contest is open to all amateur home brewers who brew less than 200 gallons of beer, and is restricted to non-commercial, homebrewed beers.
• Beer must be made from the normal alcoholic fermentation of malted barley with hops, or their products, and with or without other malted or unmalted cereals.
• Entrants must be 21 years of age or older.

About BrewRiot

Oak Cliff’s BrewRiot Homebrew competition began in 2009 as a way to celebrate the art of brewing the world’s most famous beverage. Since that time, the event has brought together some of the region’s best and brightest hopmasters in an exciting outdoor street festival environment with live music, food, games, and more. Brew Riot is produced by Go Oak Cliff, a 501c3 organization.

One margarita will be crowned the best in Dallas. Who will it be?

The history of the margarita runs deep in Texas and no matter if it’s frozen or shaken, Dallas loves a great margarita. The frozen margarita was actually invented in Dallas a little over 40 years ago. With the heavy Tex-Mex culture here in the North Texas area, we're always looking for reasons to celebrate.

Dallas Margarita Meltdown 2013 is a celebration and contest bringing the best margaritologists together to crown the best margarita in Dallas. Created by Tony Fernandez (Espumoso Cafe) and Nico Ponce (Sunset Lounge), the Margarita Meltdown will take place during Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 26th, 2013 from 5 pm­- 10 pm in Dallas’ historic Bishop Arts District.

How to Make a Mexican Margarita

The margarita is a Mexican cocktail consisting of tequila mixed with Cointreau or similar orange-flavoured liqueur and lime or lemon juice, often served with salt on the glass rim. It is the most common tequila-based cocktail in the United States. The drink is served shaken with ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen margarita), or without ice (straight up). Although, these are the ingredients the spectrum can vary greatly on the liberties a mixologist may take in creating the end product. That's why there are contests. With 20+ competing restaurants there is no doubt you'll find your fave. If that favorite happens to the popular with others, you'll have a new happy hour spot for you and your friends.

Dallas Margarita Meltdown 2013 Competing Restaurants

Asador, El Fenix, Meso Maya, Veracruz Cafe, Ten Bells, Oak Cliff Social Club, Outpost, Victoria's, Mesa, Espumoso Caffe, El Ranchito, La Calle Doce, Iron Cactus, The Standard Pour and last year’s winner Whiskey Cake will return to defend their title. New to the mix this year will be Bowl & Barrel, La Duni, Pozo, DeLat, Sunset Lounge, Lark in the Park, all from Dallas, La Margarita from Irving and The Ranch in Las Colinas.

Dallas Margarita Meltdown Prizes for Bartenders

The stakes are high and some of the best bartenders in the city will compete for $1,000 and the prestigious title of "Best Margarita in Dallas". Various happy hour events leading up to the Margarita Meltdown will begin in May at participating establishments in Oak Cliff, Uptown and Downtown.

Choosing the best Dallas Margarita is a heft task. All attendees will have the opportunity to sample each ‘rita and vote on their favorite one via text message. Over 5,000 people have attended the Margarita Meltdown over the past two years and over 2,000 are expected to attend this year.

Tickets for this event are $20 and part of the proceeds benefit La Voz del Anciano (The Voice of the Elderly), a local non­profit that helps serve the needs of the elderly Latino population. Vendor opportunities are still available. Visit the website for more information.

How to Win Tickets to Dallas Margarita Meltdown

ILiveInDallas.com is giving away two tickets to 3rd Annual Dallas Margarita Meltdown, which is a $40 value. All it takes is two steps. The winner will be chosen at random.

1) Like the Margarita Meltdown Facebook page

2) Go to the ILiveInDallas Facebook page and hit "Share" on this article so it posts to your Facebook timeline/wall ( you might have to Like our fan page first)

For more information, visit www.DallasMargaritaMeltdown.com

This post is all about Uptown Dallas and is part 4 of the “Where Should I Live In Dallas?” series.

Uptown

Sitting directly north of Downtown Dallas, Uptown is one of the city’s most energetic and thriving neighborhoods. Thanks to a decade of development, the community is now one of the most sought after locations in town to live thanks to its modern residences, extensive shopping and retail options, and its booming dining and nightlife scene.

History of Uptown Dallas

Over the past couple of decades, Uptown has transformed itself from a scarcely visited section of Dallas into one of the most desired neighborhoods in the city. In the early 90’s, Uptown had little to offer apart from a few restaurants scattered along McKinney Ave. Since that time, Uptown has seen a massive revitalization which has included the construction of many new apartment and condo buildings, as well as extensive commercial space. Now, Uptown is one of Dallas’ most thriving and trendy communities.

Uptown: A Pedestrian-Friendly Neighborhood

One of the reasons why Uptown is so popular is some would say it's the most pedestrian-friendly area in a city which is mostly reliant upon cars. Thanks to the urban design of the neighborhood, it is easy for residents to walk to many of the places they need and want to visit on a daily basis. Thanks to so many popular businesses being located along McKinney Ave, Uptown’s hot spots are often in close proximity to the area’s living spaces.

Another benefit of living in Uptown is the quick access to the Katy Trail. The Katy Trail is a 3.5 mile long pedestrian trail which runs through the center of the neighborhood. With accessibility for those on foot, riding bikes and skating, the Katy Trail makes it easy to get around Dallas’ core without the need to drive. Originally an eyesore of abandoned railroad tracks, the trail is now considered one of the city’s premier green spaces in Uptown.

State Thomas in Uptown

 State Thomas has become one of the most popular places to live in the city over the past decade. The brownstone style townhomes, brick streets and access to Griggs Park give State Thomas a small neighborhood vibe.  With a large number of new residential developments, this neighborhood has seen a massive influx of new residents in recent years. Attracted to the urban residential setting, those living in State Thomas enjoy all of the luxuries Uptown has to offer.

Tree Lined Streets & Townhomes in State Thomas

West Village in Uptown

While also chocked full of apartment and condo buildings, West Village has much more commercial space than State Thomas. Much of Uptown’s shopping is within West Village, and residents enjoy a prime location in the middle of all of the action. West Village’s shopping options and upscale dining makes it one of the trendiest sections of Uptown.

West Village at Night

Transportation in Uptown

Even through Uptown is very pedestrian-friendly, there are going to be times when you simply don’t want to walk, yet do not want to deal with the hassle of driving. Luckily, the area has a number of high-quality, efficient transportation options.

• Taxis – Thanks to the popularity of Uptown, cabs can easily and quickly be found throughout the community nearly every evening. Yellow Cab is a very popular choice and they can be reached 24 hours a day.

• Uber - This service is similar to taxi, only allows you to get chauffeured in style in a black luxury sedan. You can request to be picked up from anywhere at any time in Dallas via iPhone and Android apps.

• EFROGS – EFROGS is an electric shuttle service which operates in Uptown. These small shuttles are ideal when you’re not quite going far enough for a taxi, but just a little too far to walk.

• MATA Trolley – The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority operates free trolley rides throughout Uptown every single day. These cars travel primarily along McKinney Ave, and make it simple to traverse along the 4.3 mile track.

MATA Trolley

Living in Uptown

Living in Uptown means embracing the community’s urban feel. There aren't many houses in the neighborhood, but there are tons of apartment buildings, high-rise towers, condos and city-style townhouses. One of the things which makes this such a desirable area to live in is the fact that most of the residential properties are quite modern and new. Thanks to the area’s recent revitalization, much of the space has been developed over the past ten years.

The Glass House High Rise Apartments

Who Lives in Uptown?

The great thing about Uptown is that there is no one single demographic that lives here. The area appeals to a number of different people for a multitude of reasons. Thanks to the active lifestyle it represents, many young professionals and recent college graduates flock to this trendy neighborhood. At the same time, many people new to Dallas, as well as empty nesters downsizing from a large home, choose Uptown for its convenient amenities and “all-inclusive” lifestyle. Living in Uptown means that you are part of a thriving neighborhood, one with most necessities found close to home.

Things to Do in Uptown Dallas

Out of all of the ways I have heard Uptown described, never once has anyone called it boring. There are a seemingly a never-ending number of things to do between shopping, dining, and the area’s nightlife. Uptown is a self-contained neighborhood for many residents who rarely find it necessary to venture out of the community.

Shopping

While there are shopping options throughout Uptown, a majority of the trendy retail stores are situated in West Village.

• Nicole Kwan – Nicole Kwan offers shoppers clothing and accessories for both men and women. The inventory includes a number of high-end brands, as well as Kwan’s own NKWON line.

• Cowboy Cool – Specializing in stylish Western apparel, Cowboy Cool has a number of famous patrons including Kid Rock and Josh Beckett.

• Transit Bicycle Co. – For Uptown residents who enjoy biking around the neighborhood, Transit Bicycle Co. features an expert staff, top-end bikes and all of the parts and accessories you need for your ride.

• Floyd’s Barbershop – This high-energy location for both men and women to get a haircut claims to be “The Original Rock and Roll Barbershop”. With the popularity of this place, I believe it.

• Kendra Scott - Trendy, boutique jewelry shop in the heart of West Village with interactive design. Kendra is an Austin, TX based designer with boutiques in Beverly Hills, Austin and Dallas.

Kendra Scott West Village

Nightlife & Entertainment in Uptown

People travel from all over Dallas to Uptown’s famous nightlife scene. Residents and visitors can find some of the city’s most popular bars and pubs within walking distance from their front doors. Just a few of the nightly options include:

• The Nodding Donkey – This popular sports pub shows real Texas style with BBQ and Tex-Mex. Plenty of beer and plenty of TVs to keep up with any game.

• The Londoner – Relax in this Uptown pub which transports you to the heart of the UK with its dark wood accents and décor.

• Katy Trail Ice House – Boasting 50 different draft beers, including a number of local brews, Katy Trail Ice House often attracts crowds to its popular beer garden.

• McKinney Ave Tavern – A laid-back sports bar owned by radio personality Big Al Mack, McKinney Ave Tavern features over 25 TVs and features a number of different foods ranging from chicken wings to burgers.

• Black Friar Pub – With an impressive whiskey list only to be topped by their beer selection, Black Friar Pub is authentic European public house in every way.

• Frankie’s Sports Bar and Grill – Great sport’s bar style food with too many TV’s to count. Frankie’s is an ideal location to watch a game with a big group of friends.

• Two Corks and a Bottle – Not only is this one of Uptown’s most popular wine bars, but it is also a winery that allows you to create and bottle your own wine.

• The Ginger Man – Beer enthusiasts flock to this popular bar for its unique beer selections. Sample unique beers from all over the world, and munch on some of their food offerings such as the Jalapeno & Cheddar Twisted Pretzel Dog.

• The Idle Rich Pub – Great service and a dark, pub-like atmosphere makes The Idle Rich Pub a popular destination in Uptown for anyone looking for a casual, exciting night out.

Katy Trail Ice House

Dining in Uptown

There is no shortage of quality dining options in Uptown. With everything ranging from popular brunch spots to white tablecloth formal dinner restaurants, many consider Uptown’s culinary delights as some of Dallas’ finest.

• Belly & Trumpet – The décor inside of Belly & Trumpet is upscale and well designed. With a menu full of plates to be shared among multiple people, you have unique options such ranging from chickpea fries to duck confit.

• Avanti Ristorante – With an elegant and sleek décor combined with great service, Avanti Ristorante consistently delivers delicious, authentic Italian dishes.

• Coal Vines – Cole Vines is one of Uptown’s most delicious pizza restaurants. Enjoy a delicious dinner with a view, and don’t miss out on their great wine selection. Also, try the tuna tartar appetizer.

• Nick and Sam’s Grill – Quite possibly the most popular brunch destination in Uptown, Nick and Sam’s Grill delivers an amazing menu, including their most famous brunch option, the Captain Crunch French Toast. Oh yeah, and $6 mimosa carafes.

• Manny’s Uptown – With a delicious Tex-Mex menu and a big patio seating area, Manny’s Uptown boasts some of the best beef brisket you will find in Texas.

• Bread Winners Café – Another one of Uptown’s great brunch spots. Don’t miss the chicken and waffles.

• S&D Oyster Company – As Uptown’s very own New Orleans-style restaurant, S&D Oyster Company delivers the freshest and most delicious Gulf Coast seafood.

• Dream Café – With outdoor seating, and a cute, garden décor, Dream Café is always a busy but tasty location for breakfast and brunch.

• The Common Table – This restaurant and beer house is famous for its Monday night Pour Man’s Beer Dinner which pairs a four course meal with four different beers for $29.

• Nobu – Opened by famed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Nobu is one of Uptown’s best Japanese restaurants. Be prepared to spend a few dollars, but the quality of the food and service is unmatched.

• Sambuca – Sambuca is a dinner club with intimate and elegant décor, as well as live music and dancing every night. Make reservations on the weekend, because this place gets busy.

• Village Burger Bar – Located in West Village, Village Burger Bar has some of the best burgers you’ll find in the city. Great spot for a late-night hamburger.

The Common Table

Uptown is such an interesting and diverse neighborhood that it is impossible to cover it all in a single guide. This is just a fraction of what the community has to offer, but luckily Uptown’s pedestrian friendly, urban living makes it easy to get out and explore for yourself.

The 3rd Annual North Texas Beer and Wine Festival returns to the Irving Convention Center in Las Colinas on Saturday May 11, 2013.  The event starts at 2 pm and goes until 7 pm, and VIP events will follow until 10 pm. At the North Texas Beer and Wine Festival guests can choose from 100's of craft, specialty and imported beers and wines to sample, attend home brewing classes, key note speakers, culinary demonstrations or relax to some great live music the beer garden.  Get your tickets here.

North Texas Beer Festival Goals are as follows:

1. Educate people about craft beers in a responsible and ethical manner
2. Promote craft beer culture and craft brewers
3. Recognize excellence in the industry
4. Give back to our community through charitable fundraisers
5. Advocate responsible drinking
6. Have some fun along the way!

North Texas Beer & Wine Festival Schedule of Events

In this twelfth episode of I Live In Dallas Radio, co-hosted by myself and Jason Channell, we interview Merrick Pickens, Community Manager, and Nick Clark, Owner of Common Desk. Common Desk is a coworking space on Commerce Street in Deep Ellum where entrepreneurs, startup companies, and freelancers office for the purpose of collaboration and synergy.  Common Desk acts as an alternative to working from home or a coffee shop where engagement with other like-minded business owners and entrepreneurs may be minimal to nonexistent.

Common Desk is home to many Dallas-based startups, even some that have received national acclaim and attention such as Uber, a private car chauffeuring service accessible for ride scheduling via downloadable smartphone applications. Another member making waves is DangILoveThat, a real-time restaurant review application that allows customers to give feedback directly to the business owner.

While there are many high-tech companies that specialize in application development, website development/design, and marketing, there are also traditional service-based agencies like Vela | Keller, a boutique law practice, and Consulting for Creatives, a consulting , budgeting, and tax-services business principled by Elizabeth Adams CPA. Last, but not least, Common Desk is also the official coworking space of ILiveInDallas.com, as you can see from the address listed on our About page.

What is Coworking?

According to Wikepedia, coworking is a style of work that involves a shared working environment, often an office, and independent activity. Unlike in a typical office environment, those coworking are usually not employed by the same organization. Typically it is attractive to work-at-home professionals, independent contractors, or people who travel frequently who end up working in relative isolation.

Coworking is also the social gathering of a group of people who are still working independently, but who share values, and who are interested in the synergy that can happen from working with like-minded talented people in the same space. Coworking offers a solution to the problem of isolation that many freelancers experience while working at home, while at the same time letting them escape the distractions of home. The term was coined circa 1999 and in 2005 coworking spots and spaces started popping everywhere from San Francisco to even rural areas.

Coworking Demographics

A 2011 survey found most coworkers are currently in their late twenties to late thirties, with an average age of 34 years. Two-thirds are men, one third are women. Four in five coworkers started their career with a university education. The majority of coworkers work in creative industries or new media. Slightly more than half of all coworkers are freelancers.  However, the share of salaried employees has increased since larger companies have started to experiment with coworking, especially in the U.S., where 35 percent work as salaried employees.

An Interview with Merrick Pickens & Nick Clark of Common Desk

This I Live In Dallas Radio show was recorded in the main conference room at Common Desk in early April. Jason and I spoke with Merrick and Nick about progressive topics, what coworking is, and the philosophies of coworking.

Listen as we talk about:

• The history of Common Desk, its culture, and what drives the community of collaboration
• The variety of networking, fashion, and digital professional events that happen at Common Desk
• Merrick Picken's history and her startup connection which brought her to Common Desk
• Owner Nick Clark's background and what sparked him to create Common Desk
• One authoritative national coworking association that shares best practices with its members
• The variety of members and business verticals represented at Common Desk
• The different levels of membership and what's included in each level

Links:

• TheCommonDesk.com
• Facebook.com/CommonDesk

Other Links

• Twitter.com/TheCommonDesk
• YouTube.com/CommonDesk

May Update: Since this podcast was recorded, it has been announced that along with unlimited free coffee, Common Desk members can enjoy "bottomless beer" tapped from the in-house kegerator that will be filled as needed. This is thanks to sponsoring Common Desk member Vela | Keller.

Cottonwood Art Festival, which is held twice a year and features works from the nation's top visual artists, will take place May 4th 10am - 7pm and May 5th 10am - 6pm.

Located in scenic Cottonwood Park in Richardson, the Cottonwood Art Festival is a juried show that has been held over the last 40 years. Jurors will select over 240 artists to out of 1,400 entries to exhibit their museum-quality work to be featured at the art festival. The artists compete in 14 categories: 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital, Drawings/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metalwork, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood.

There’s is something for everyone at the art festival including families and kids. Families can visit ArtStop, Cottonwood Art Festival’s hands-on, interactive children's area offering arts, crafts and activities for children of all ages. Although admission to the festival is free, some ArtStop activities require 1-4 tickets at $1 each, available at the event.

Cottonwood Art Festival 2013's Performing Artists

Saturday, May 4, 2013
		Merry Miller www.harpmusictogo.com 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
		Brown and Wild Reister: acoustic duo www.funkycousins.com 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
		Justin Cash http://gojustincash.com 1:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
		Aubrey Lynn England & Yellow Rose www.aubreylynnengland.com 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
		ESCAPE - The Dallas Journey Tribute www.escaperocks.com 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
		Victor Andrada www.victorandrada.com 10:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
		Jump Billy Trio www.jumpbilly.com 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
		Shoot Low Sheriff www.shootlowsheriff.com 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
		Spector's Gun Collection www.spectorsguncollection.com 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.

For more information and a full list of artists, go to www.cottonwoodartfestival.com.