I Live In Dallas

Help Team CJ Get Back to Austin for SXSWi 2011!

jennifer — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:32:41 +0000

Last year iliveindallas.com teamed up with local blogs in-this-economy.com and fiveoclockdallas.com and submitted a panel into South by Southwest Interactive. We promoted and pushed our panel out to everyone we knew and to a lot we didn't. Because of your votes, six average Joe's (that's us) grabbed the attention of the staff and advisory board and made it to Austin for a discussion on Citizen Journalism. Wow, we honestly couldn't believe it but it had really happened.

This year, when we met again to brainstorm topics for SXSWi 2011, we started looking back at what we learned and would have done differently. What we realized is, there isn't any sort of rule book or guide to getting in to SXSW. Panel submissions can get lost in the storm of 2,000 + other submissions. But they don't have to.

We've submitted the panel: Getting Your Panel into SXSWi: The Amateur's Guide.

The first round of voting ends on Friday and here's where us local bloggers could really use your help. Your votes account for 30% of the panel picking process and we need all the votes we can get to once again grab the attention of SXSWi. We've even started a website (launching soon!) where we'll be sharing this information and interviewing past SXSW amateur speakers on what they did to stand out.

Voting will take you less than one minute. It's really easy:

Create an account in order to vote/comment on our panel here —http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/users/register
Check your email and validate your account (don’t worry, you are not signing onto any e-mail lists by giving SXSW your information)
Click on or paste the link below in your browser and give it a thumbs up!

http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/5763

We also made a short video to watch and share with your friends. I hope you like it.

I Eat in Dallas: Restaurant Week According to @foodbitch

Rachel — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 16:53:11 +0000

The famed KRLD Restaurant Week started on Monday, and while I would never recommend being late for a reservation, it’s not too late to throw your fork in the pasta and tummy up to the table for a sampling of the best Dallas has to offer. For less.

Restaurant Week supports the North Texas Food Bank

Now, I’m a girl who LOVES a deal, but I want to get quality for my money. That’s why I’ve compiled what is—in my opinion—a thorough list of the participating restaurants, divided into nine categories: The Riches, The Newbies, The Sexies, The Stuffy, The Overrated, The Royalty, The Disinteresting, The Meat and Potatoes and The Gems. Some spots make repeat appearances on two different categories, and I know there are a few missing. Please forgive me. But bonus: I’ve even included some recommended dishes to try. Maybe you don’t make it out this year, but next time you head to one of these eateries…you’ll know what to splurge on.

Please note that while Restaurant Week reservations tend to fill up quickly, there are reservations that are or become available nearly every day, especially if you are flexible. The lobster shooters at Abacus taste just as good at 9:00 as it does at 7:00. Some restaurants participate through September 6, so get on the horn!

Note also that I have very limited experience outside of Dallas proper. Thus, I have not listed many restaurants located in Lewisville, Ft. Worth, Arlington or Plano. I invite you to try these places for yourself and let me know how they taste!

Without further ado, let's get started!

The RICHES: These are places you go when someone else is buying. Best bang-to-buck ratio here.

Abacus – Everybody knows this spot. It’s well-known to be the most expensive restaurant in town, and it delivers a high-quality dining experience worth writing home about. And of course you’ll want to, y’know, to brag.

Craft Dallas – Sexy with a side of truffle oil.

The Crescent Club – Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to dine at this member-exclusive establishment. Take. That. Opportunity! It’s a unique culinary experience.

Fearing’s – Ritz-Carlton – Ahem—RITZ—ahem. Excuse me.

The Mansion Restaurant – What’s fancier than the Mansion??

Nobu

Nonna

The Palm

The NEWBIES: Haven’t tried these yet but I’ll be there soon!

Ristorante Nicola

Eddie V’s – I have been to the Austin location, but that was before I was a "food person". I’ll have to report back once this Dallas newbie meets the more matured, bitchier me.

Horne & Dekker – The menu at this Henderson spot sounds fancy-home-cookin'-fantastic. Can’t wait to try.

The SEXIES: Places like these are a feast of the eyes often more than for the senses. Pretty doesn’t hurt, but it doesn’t alone make a worthy date night.

The 2^nd Floor – In the Galleria. I haven’t eaten there, but it sure is pretty.

AMPM Restaurant & Lounge

Bolla Restaurant – in the Stoneleigh Hotel. Beautiful with chef POWER!

Central 214 – Sexy, sure, but I’ve had better. Ahem.

Charlie Palmer at the Joule – Last year’s RW dining experience. Delicious and they gave my party of 10 our own room!

DISH – This is a new arrival in town. It’s like gourmet-sexy-dining lite. I recommend giving it a try, RW or not.

Dragonfly – Quite possibly the sexiest restaurant in Dallas. I’m not sexy enough to even go there.

Eddie V’s – Sexy seafood. Is that a good thing? I'll find out one of these days...

Ferre Ft. Worth – the former Ferre in the West Village was a tasty, sexy spot. I can still remember the taste of the perfectly-cooked fish I enjoyed after quite a few glasses of wine...

Kenichi Dallas – Probably the sexiest sushi in town. So if you're looking to see and be seen in Victory, try it out.

Steel – Come for the sushi, stay for the inventive main dishes. Just don’t show up on Wednesday – it’s free sushi happy hour night. Read: PACKED.

The STUFFY: A little too formal for my taste, these mostly Dallas mainstays are a place to find good quality beef—and likely a gaggle of businessmen on the company tab.

Arcodoro & Pomodoro

Dakota’s Steakhouse

The Landmark Restaurant

Lavandou Bistro

Oceanaire Seafood Room

Tremontana

The ROYALS: From the famously most expensive restaurant in town to celebrity chefs, these notorious establishments are great for name-dropping and showing off your fanciest pants.

Abacus – The proverbial fois gras, lobster, cavier and finest champagne of Dallas’ dining scene. Worth a try just so you can say you’ve been.

Charlie Palmer at the Joule – last year’s RW adventure. Delicious with a great waitstaff and an interesting menu.

Fearing’s – Ritz-Carlton

Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck – It’s right there in the name, and way up in the sky. Anything would be better than the tourist trap he replaced.

Jasper’s Plano – Abacus’ little sister, Jasper’s is known for inventive and delicious, fusion-y fare.

Rathbun’s Blue Plate Kitchen – Celebrity chef Kent Rathbun does fancy country right.

Samar by Stephen Pyles – One of the few ethnic choices on the RW list, I’ve been meaning to head to this fusion spot.

Stephan Pyles – Spent my first Restaurant Week dining experience here. While I’ve heard good things since, our experience was far from top notch. While I’m not ruling it out completely, I probably won’t be back there soon.

Tillman’s Roadhouse – The classy addition of event design genius Todd Fiscus makes this place a feast for the eyes and the countrified heart.

The OVERRATED: I’ve been excited to dine at these establishments, I’ve dressed up, I’ve spent a bit of mine or someone else’s hard-earned cash, and I’ve left disappointed.

Craft Dallas – Honestly, Craft is too rich for its britches. I didn’t LOVE anything I had, and everything felt more heavy & fattening than fresh. Not my bag.

Dallas Fish Market – The food here should have been better for what it cost.

Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck – While the prices and altitude are both sky-high, the follow-through was not. Asian Fusion menu yielded tasty items, but none were inventive enough to warrant the price tag.

Hector’s on Henderson – Meet Hector: He sings, you eat. It’s kinda weird. The food is good, but there are better selections on that street for the money.

Ocean Prime – With a business based most likely entirely via business lunches, it’s no surprise this relatively new place is a bit lazy. And I’ve heard heavily salted, oddly enough.

Sambuca – The one on McKinney Avenue is fun enough, but Sambuca360 in Frisco is a loud, cougar-filled hot mess with a line and a cover charge on Saturday nights. BEWARE.

The DISINTERESTING: The following are either not expensive enough or interesting enough to spend your $35 plus tax plus tip plus wine. Well, perhaps if you add enough wine…

Ferrari’s Italian Villa – Not pricey or high-class enough to be involved in Restaurant Week. Sorry.

Go Fish Ocean Club – See above.

The Grill on the Alley – Huh? Somebody feel free to let me know if this place is worth checking out.

Silver Fox Steakhouse – Nope.

Salum Restaurant – I’ve heard mixed reviews, but it’s in a strip mall, and I’m obviously a food snob.

Hully and Mo – A stand-up, classy spot for business lunch, but not RW-worthy, in my opinion.

The MEAT & POTATOES: Steak, steak and more steak. These are where you’ll find the unimaginative of Dallas’ diners. Good, sure, but no fun! My advice: be more adventurous!

Bailey’s Prime Plus (all locations)

Chamberlain’s

Dallas Chop House

Del Frisco’s

III Forks – I love to indulge in old, Dallasy, JR Ewing-style steak at this mainstay, but the family-style sides are honestly my favorite part. Fresh tomatoes, buttery snap peas and creamed corn. To die. Literally...

Lawry’s the Prime Rib – Try the prime rib. ;)

McCormick & Schmick’s

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

The Place at Perry’s

Ruth’s Chris

Silver Fox

Steve Fields Steak and Lobster Lounge

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

Texas de Brazil

Woodfire by Kirby’s – Excellent service at this Greenville avenue spin-off; try the salmon.

The GEMS: Places I’ve been, some of them more than once, and would recommend to anyone.

Capital Grille – Sure, I haven’t sampled every steak in town, but I’m guessing the ones here give the other slabs a run for their money.

DISH – Relatively new and sexy-like, this place serves up elegantly designed food that tastes great.

The Grape – A Greenville Avenue staple, I love this place for brunch. The burger is supposedly #1.

Hattie’s – Spent a Valentine’s Day dinner here, and the foodie sparks flew.

Hibiscus – Different and delicious. In the delicious corridor on Knox just east of 75.

Jasper’s – Abacus’ little bro. Give it a try – it will likely impress you!

Sangria – If Lombardi “concepted” it, odds are I’ll adore it. Sangria is no exception.

Parigi – I’m a BIG fan. Haven’t had dinner there, but lunch is fantastic. Everything is fantastic, but their Ceasar is award-winning.

Pyramid Restaurant & Bar – I’ve heard good things, so this one is on my short list to try out very soon.

Café Toulouse – L-O-V-E Toulouse, but I’m not sure RW is a good value here.

York Street – I’ve heard rave reviews about York and cannot wait to try it out myself.

The LAST BITE:

From the looks of this list I obviously have a lot more eating to do.

Remember, it’s not too late to make an extraordinary night out of an ordinary one. Call last minute and see if something opened up! Enjoy!

KRLD Restaurant Week 2010
Make reservations for most via OpenTable.com.

The complete list is available at dallasnews.com.

Hungry for more? Follow Rachel on Twitter, or read more by her at In-This-Economy.com.

Meet Plan Go – Free Dallas Travel Event Announces Registration and Giveaways

Alisha Robertson — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:54:46 +0000

In June, I Live in Dallas introduced the Nationwide Meet Plan Go event happening in Dallas on September 14th. If you missed the article in June, be sure and read the stories behind our Veteran Vagabonds that will be hosting the event, and sharing tips and advice on how anyone can experience life-changing travel.

The Dallas Meet Plan Go event will be held on Tuesday September 14th at Snuffer's Restaurant & Bar on Lower Greenville next to The Granada Theatre from 6:30pm-9:00pm.

The Meet Plan Go event will not only be a night of inspiration, motivation, and information to help you start making your dream trip a reality, it will actually give you the opportunity to win a travel adventure. Here are some of the great giveaways that Meet Plan Go is happy to announce:

Gap Adventures: Gap Adventures will be giving away one trip on their "The Inca Journey" tour! This 9-day adventure combines Andean culture, the most famous Inca ruin and the lush Amazon rainforest. Highlights include Cuzco, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Amazon Rainforest.

GeoVisions: GeoVisions will be giving away two volunteer experiences. One medical volunteer project in Cambodia and the second is a one month volunteer trip to France as part of their Conversation Corps program. All attendees will receive $100 discount off of any GeoVision program! [restrictions will apply]

Hostelling International USA: Hostelling International will be giving away a getaway weekend for 2 at your choice of either New York or Los Angeles/Santa Monica! Enjoy 2 nights shared accommodations | Continental breakfast | A local tour pass (TBA) | A local transportation pass.

There will also be additional giveaways for participants at the Dallas Meet Plan Go event to include video travel guides and an online language learning system. Visit our Sponsor page for complete details on our amazing giveaways!

So, what are you waiting for? Seats are limited and the day is approaching rapidly. Register Now for the the Dallas Meet Plan Go Event. Hope to see you there!

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

TEDxSMU Application Deadline is THIS FRIDAY!

jennifer — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:06:09 +0000

The local, self-organized TEDxSMU event is back for its second year and the application deadline to attend is this Friday, July 30th, 2010. The one-day conference will take place at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theater on October 16th, 2010. This year's theme is focused around "starting now."

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. If you have never seen a TED talk before, I encourage you to check out TED.com where they publish talks from their annual conference for free. TEDx was launched last year in the spirit of spreading ideas in our own communities. In 2009, 230 cities around the world organized and hosted their own TED-like event.

I was fortunate to attend TEDxSMU last year. I never expected to walk into something so extraordinary. Speakers have only 18-minute to engage and educate you on a topic they are incredibly passionate about. And it's not only speakers that get up there to inspire the audience - last year featured an improv dance group, Jill Sobule, and Lewis Warren Jr., a 13-year old piano prodigy. TEDx will move you, make you think and influence you to do something great after you walk out the door. There is nothing quite like it happening elsewhere in Dallas.

TEDxKids @SMU will take place the day before TEDxSMU. The free half-day conference is for interested, innovative and out of the box thinkers in 7th or 8th grade. Attendance is by application or through the child's school. Information about how to participate has not been released but you can sign up for the TEDxKids @SMU mailing list to receive more information.

Musician and composer Les Brown said, "You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great." Start by applying to TEDxSMU, then listen and meet some of the amazing people making change happen. Seating is limited so take a little time to fill it out and be yourself!

About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani,Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED’s media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide.

About TEDxSMU
Bringing together ideas and interesting people from around the world and around the corner, TEDxSMU and TEDxKids @SMU are single-day conferences in Dallas, TX. Now in its second year, TEDxSMU is jointly produced by Southern Methodist University and the Idea Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas. Both 2010 events – TEDxKids @SMU on October 15 and TEDxSMU on October 16 – will take place at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. TEDxKids @SMU (the first TEDx event designed for students) hosts 350 middle school students for a free four-hour conference, in exchange for completing four hours of community service. The 575 TEDxSMU attendees must apply and be selected in order to participate in the full-day conference.

Photo: Bram Muller / TEDxRotterdam

Asian Film Festival of Dallas 2010 Lineup

Devin Pike — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:19:52 +0000

With 25 films making their Southwest, United States or North American premieres, the 2010 Asian Film Festival of Dallas gives viewers a rare opportunity to see movies covering the spectrum of cinema from ten countries. The festival runs July 23-29 at venues around Dallas.

Ip Man 2

Celebrating its ninth year, the Asian Film Festival of Dallas is committed to “Celebrating and supporting emerging and established Asian and Asian-American filmmakers and sharing the rich diversity of Asian culture through the medium of cinema.” It has grown into the Southern United States’ premier venue for showcasing Asian film.

“As always, we are proud of the wide range of films we have to offer to Dallas audiences. We have worked hard to provide something for all ages. From the family-friendly ‘Summer Wars’ and ‘A Tale Of Ululu’s Wonderful Forest,’ to more mature titles like ‘Night & Fog’ and ‘At The End Of Daybreak,’ and everything in between. These are films that will be enjoyed by anyone looking for something great to watch this summer,” said AFFD Executive Director Julie Hwang.

Not only will last year’s crowd favorite, “Ip Man,” makes its return at the festival’s Deep Ellum Kickoff Party, but the highly-anticipated sequel “Ip Man 2″ makes its Southwest Premiere on Sunday, July 25.

The festival promises films to appeal to every demographic, whether you’re seeking “gangsters, ninja, geisha, aliens, monstrous wildlife, sexy ladies, math geniuses, taxi drivers, shipyard workers, farmers, sharks, young lovers, ghosts, pickpockets, zombies, ballet dancers, wolves… or a man stuck in a room with no doors.”

“The ‘genre’ fans will be very pleased with selections like ‘Robogeisha,’ ‘Phobia 2,’ ‘Bay Rong (Clash)’ and ‘Chaw’,” Hwang said.

Au Revoir Taipei

Red Carpet Crash is proud to be an official Media Partner of the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, hosting the Midnight Karaoke Throwdown at the Magnolia Theater on Saturday, July 24.

Full details are available at the newly-relaunched festival web site, AFFD.org.

Here’s the full slate of films spooling during the 2010 Asian Film Festival of Dallas:

9500 Liberty (2009), Dir: Eric Byler/Annabel Park
A Frozen Flower (2009), Dir: Yoo Ha
A Million (2009), Dir: Cho Min-Ho (Southwest Premiere)
Accident (2009), Dir: Cheang Pou-Soi (Southwest Premiere)
Agrarian Utopia (2009), Dir: Uruphong Raksasad (Southwest Premiere)
At The End Of Daybreak (2009), Dir: Ho Yuhang (Southwest Premiere)
Opening Night Film: Au Revoir Taipei (2010), Dir: Arvin Chen (Southwest Premiere)
Bay Rong (Clash), (2009), Dir: Le Thanh Son (Southwest Premiere)
Beijing Taxi (2010), Dir: Miao Wang
Breathless (2009), Dir: Yang Ik-Joon
Chaw (2009), Dir: Shin Jeong-Won (Southwest Premiere)
Empire Of Silver (2009), Dir: Christina Yao (Southwest Premiere)
I Corrupt All Cops (2009), Dir: Jing Wong (North American Premiere)
Centerpiece Presentation: Ip Man 2 (2010), Dir: Wilson Yip (Southwest Premiere)
Iron Crows (2009), Dir: Bong-Nam Park
Kamui (2009), Dir: Yoichi Sai (Southwest Premiere)
Kung Fu Dunk (2008), Dir: Yen Ping-Chu (North American Premiere)
Let’s Fall In Love (2009), Dir: Wuna Wu (North American Premiere)
Like You Know It All (2009), Dir: Hong Sang-Soo (Southwest Premiere)
Mao’s Last Dancer, (2009), Dir: Bruce Beresford
Night & Fog (2009), Dir: Ann Hui (North American Premiere)
No More Cry!!! (2009), Dir: Nobuo Mizuta (North American Premiere)
Phobia 2 (2009), Dir: P.Purijitpanya/V.Poolvoralaks/S.Sugmakanan/P.Wongpoom/B.Pisanthanakun (U.S. Premiere)
Robogeisha (2009), Dir: Noboru Iguchi
Running Turtle (2009), Dir: Lee Yeon-Woo (Southwest Premiere)
Seven 2 One (2009), Dir: Danny Pang (U.S. Premiere)
Sparrow (2008), Dir: Johnnie To
Summer Wars (2009), Dir: Mamoru Hosoda (Southwest Premiere)
Symbol (2009), Dir: Hitoshi Matsumoto
Talentime (2009), Dir: Yasmin Ahmad (Southwest Premiere)
Closing Night Fim: The People I’ve Slept With (2009), Dir: Quentin Lee (Southwest Premiere)
The Tale Of Ululu’s Wonderful Forest (2009), Dir: Makoto Naganuma (North American Premiere)
Toad’s Oil (2009), Dir: Koji Yakusho (U.S. Premiere)
Visage (2009), Dir: Tsai Ming-Liang (Southwest Premiere)

Tickets for regular exhibitions are $10 at the door ($9 if purchased online), with Special Event tickets (Opening Night, Centerpiece Film, and Closing Night films) running $12.50. Viewers can also purchase a Day Pass online, getting them in to three weekday films for $15.

Devin Pike remembers the Web when it was nothing but annoying animated GIFs as far as the eye can see. A film critic and entertainment reporter for over 30 years, Devin is the editor-in-chief for Red Carpet Crash. Mostly, Devin hates talking about himself in the third person, because it makes him feel schizophrenic.

Editor's note: Article republished with permission from RedCarpetCrash.com as a series of articles covering AFFD 2010 July 23-29.

Oak Cliff to Host Bastille on Bishop this Wednesday Night

Kevin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:22:02 +0000

Frenchmen, Francophiles and mimes around the world will come together on Wednesday, July 14th to celebrate that most sacred of French holidays, Bastille Day. This holiday commemorates the 1789 storming of the Bastille fortress in Paris, which symbolizes an important step during the French Revolution. And while Parisians will celebrate their triumph on the Champs-Élysées, Dallas-area inhabitants need only travel as far as Oak Cliff.

Hosted by community blog Go Oak Cliff and local restaurants, Bastille on Bishop will feature crepe stands, a vespa rally, pétanque games and a mussels competition. Chefs from Meddlesome Moth, Smoke, Park, Bolsa and more will go head to head in a street cook off sure to inspire loser-gets-the-guillotine jokes in bad French accents. Wash down the food and engage the French maids with wine and Kronenbourg 1664 beer.

When: Wednesday, July 14th from 6-10 p.m.

Where: North Bishop Ave. between 7th and 8th streets; Bishop Arts District, Dallas

Why: Food, drinks and berets. And proceeds will benefit the Alliance Francaise, a nonprofit French cultural and learning center.

Kevin Gray is the Dallas Drinks Examiner for Examiner.com. A freelance journalist, as well as a food and drink fanatic, Gray is also the Editor of Cocktail Enthusiast, an exploration of cocktails, spirits, mixology and drinking culture. The website focuses on both classic cocktails and modern innovations, providing cocktail recipes, liquor reviews and drinking news. Read his most recent articles over at Dallas Drinks Examiner.

Dreamgirls Dallas: Don’t Wake Me Up!

Damany — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:50:47 +0000

Last night I went out and had my face rocked off. Completely.

No seriously. Off.

Now, if you have read the theater section for any length of time, you probably know that, even when I am bestowing praise on a recent work, I try not to be overwhelming with how much I lavish it on the actors, cast, and crew. This will not be one of those times...dreamgirls was nothing short of amazing. From the opening number of "I'm Lookin' for Something," the cast of this long-running stage play had the audience captivated. Their energy, their ability to connect with each other and the audience, and their sheer talent were enough to make the hours of the show pass by in mere minutes. Normally, the pages of this blog are reserved for eloquent words that draw you, the reader, into a web until you leap from your seat and run for the door in an attempt to become a part of whatever great thing it was that we wrote about. Overcome with emotion, you beat down the door of the great candy shop, concert venue, or upcoming event because you just have to be a part. Well, that's what we hope anyway.

In this instance, I won't try to do that. I won't bother telling you how Syesha Mercado's voice pierces through the darkness of the theater and grabs you until you are so moved that, as one patron said, "your goosebumps hurt." I won't bother telling you how the sheer mention of Chester "Thunder" Early still brings a smile to my face because of how hilarious he was. I won't tell you how the supporting cast could have at any moment taken center stage and left you wondering why they were supporting, knowing that they were just as talented as any of the principal actors, and I definitely won't talk about how Effie White, played by Moya Angela, had a voice that simultaneously wrapped you comfortably up in the richness of its character while pushing you out of your seat as if by magic at the end of her rendition of "And I'm Telling You." No, I won't bother talking about any of those details.

What I will say is that, for someone who has never seen the Dreamgirls movie (I know I know) but who had always heard amazing things about it, I am reticent to believe that it could have topped what I experienced last night. I left the Music Hall in complete and utter shock, not because I was surprised that it was as good as people said, but rather because the director, Robert Longbottom, was somehow able to pack that much talent onto one stage so effortlessly. There were no egos, there was no one-upping. This was a cast that genuinely seemed to gel and conveyed that to an audience that was waiting for the next note, the next word from their mouths and the next move of their bodies. This was a cast that caught you up in the midst of their story and took you back to a time full of big hair, and even bigger clothes; a time when three girls from the middle of nowhere could dream and their sheer talent could make those dreams a reality. This was a night, and a dream that won't soon fade from my memory.

Dallas Summer Musicals Presents: Dreamgirls

Through July 18, 2010

Times and Tickets Vary

The Music Hall at Fair Park

909 1st Avenue
Dallas, TX 75210

Veteran Vagabonds to Host Dallas Event Sharing Tips and Advice on How Anyone Can Experience Life-Changing Travel

Alisha Robertson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:00:20 +0000

“Meet, Plan, Go!” - A Nationwide Event to Help People Realize Their Travel Dream!

If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a break from the rat race to discover the world on your own terms, there’s an event coming to Dallas this September that you won’t want to miss.

On September 14, 2010, Briefcase to Backpack and Three Month Visa will present Meet, Plan, Go! a free nationwide event to inspire people to fulfill their career break and long-term travel dreams. The event will offer participants the opportunity to MEET inspirational speakers and like-minded travelers; get motivation, contacts and resources necessary to PLAN the trip of a lifetime; and start taking concrete steps forward to GO on that global adventure.

Each event will feature individuals and families who have learned how to overcome the obstacles and realize their goal of a life-changing travel adventure. These experts will share their stories and strategies, answer questions, and provide helpful resources for participants who are ready to make the leap from dreaming to making it happen.

• Learn how to budget, save, and plan for an extended career break

• Get advice on packing, gear, safety, and more

• Discover tools and resources to help you every step of the way

Meet, Plan, Go! Dallas will be hosted by Marc and Danielle Hoffmeister of 4 Suitcases and Alisha Robertson of Small World Pursuits.

After selling most of their possessions in 2008, Marc & Danielle pulled their daughters out of school and embarked on a 10-month journey through the Caribbean, South America, and Southeast Asia.

“The experience absolutely changed our lives, and opened up a whole world of possibilities for our family’s future”, says Marc. “We’re very excited to have this opportunity to share what we’ve learned and help others embark on their own adventures.”

In 2008, Alisha gave almost all of her things away, and moved to Chile to teach English as a second language in the middle of The Atacama Desert. She will be sharing her experience and knowledge on how to prepare, work, volunteer, and live abroad long term.

“I never thought living in another culture would make such an impact on my life, but I will forever think differently about what is important, and I love to take every opportunity to share my knowledge on how you as well can venture out on your own worldly pursuit” - Alisha

Marc, Danielle & Alisha will be joined by other experienced travelers ready to share their knowledge and advice, and there will be special offers and discounts from event sponsors, too. National sponsor GAP Adventures will even be giving away a free trip!

More details will be available soon, so If you’re interested in attending or participating, sign up for the event newsletter for updates.

If you have career break or world travel experience and would like to be a guest speaker, the event hosts would love to hear from you. There are also sponsorship opportunities at the local and national level for businesses in the career-planning and travel-related fields.

If you’d like to help spread the word, join the Facebook Fan page, use the #meetplango Twitter hashtag, and tell everyone you know who might be interested.

Most importantly, mark September 14^th on your calendar - it’s the day your adventure begins!

For additional information you can contact:

Marc and Danielle Hoffmeister |www.4suitcases.com
Email: marc@4suitcases.com, danielle@4suitcases.com

Twitter: @4suitcases
Alisha Robertson | www.smallworldpursuits.com
Email: smallworldpursuits@gmail.com
Twitter: @alishaamr

THEATRE REVIEW: Brighton Beach Memoirs

Derek Rundgren — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:11:14 +0000

Hello, Dallas.

My name is Derek.

And when I'm not busy ranting on my blog, in-this-economy.com, I love to go to the theatre. Seriously. I do.

(Yes, that was a shameless plug. Let's just pretend it didn't happen.)

The show I recently saw was Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Contemporary Theatre of Dallas and today I'm going to review it. Yeah, that's right.

----BACKGROUND STUFF----

Now I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Hey Derek, what in the heck is a Brighton Beach Memoirs?" Well, let me answer that for you.

Brighton Beach Memoirs is a (I apologize in advance for using this word:) dramedy by the almost-always-excellent Neil Simon about a Jewish family in New York. Over the span of the show's two acts this family experiences ups and downs as they encounter everything from financial concerns to the mounting uncertainty surrounding their family members overseas (it's 1937 so there's A LOT of uncertainty). It's some really solid material that celebrates the power of family through thick and thin.

Oh, and everyone in it has an awesome Brooklyn accent, which is great fun.

----ACTING STUFF----

So what about this family? Who are they? Well the anchor of the show is Eugene Jerome. He's the dude writing the memoirs mentioned in the title and he serves as the narrator throughout. In this production he is played by Andrews W. Cope who has, in my opinion, never been better.

And let me just take a second to say that I've known Mr. Cope for around 17ish years now and I've seen him act in A LOT of stuff, so for me to say that he's never been better is high praise.

But setting all personal history aside, Mr. Cope seems at ease in the role of Eugene. He completely nails the comedy bits (his conversations with his onstage brother about sex and masturbation absolutely killed when I was there) and gives respect to the heavier moments as needed. He came close a few times to pushing Eugene's antics to an uncomfortably over-the-top place (like when he shouted a few lines using one of the finest accidental Gilbert Gottfried impressions I've ever heard) but always managed to bring it all back down to Earth at the right moments.

Mr. Cope is surrounded by an immediate family of equally strong performances. There's his father Jack, who is played to perfection by Doug Jackson. Mr. Jackson reeks of professionalism (that's a good good stink), and from the moment he trots onto the stage you believe every fatherly piece of advice that comes out of his mouth. Eugene's mom, Kate, is played by Cindee Mayfield with a believable level of motherly freaked-outedness. She spends most of the show being stressed out about one thing or another and Mrs. Mayfield manages this burden really well. Eugene also has a brother named Stanley who is played by Will Christoferson. Aside from one ridiculous sequence where he inexplicably put on four cardigans before running away from home (he looked like the Michelin Man... I was laughing during what should have been a very serious scene), Mr. Christoferson did a great job working as a straight man to Mr. Cope's bouncing ball.

The other three characters in the show are Eugene's aunt and her two daughters. The aunt, Blanch, who is played here by Diane Worman, was my least favorite character in the show but still worked as a suitable foil to Mrs. Mayfield's just-about-to-break Kate. Overall the role of Blanch is a tough one and Mrs. Worman's bizarre Brooklyn-meets-Dallas accent didn't do her any favors in tackling it.

And who knows... maybe the recent loss of Rue McClanahan has tainted my feelings about all other Blanch's for a while. Yeah, probably not.

The two nieces, Laurie and Nora, were played by Jourdan Stein and Marla Jo Kelly. Ms. Stein did a fine job playing the sickly Laurie and Ms. Jo Kelly did a fine job being really, really attractive. Wait... what? I need to stay focused here. Ms. Jo Kelly did a great job taking what can easily become an overly angsty role and giving it the right balance of emotion. Marla (can I call you Marla?) also brought out the best in Mrs. Worman's Blanch, which was great to see. Oh, and Marla was also really hot...

... STAY FOCUSED, DEREK! BE PROFESSIONAL!

----OTHER STUFFS----

As a whole, under the direction of Michael Serrecchia, the cast meshed together awesomely and I believed that this group of actors could really be this family. They really had me convinced at times. The show dragged a bit in the second act as the comedy/drama balance started to favor the drama side, but overall the whole thing felt smooth.

As for the set, it was quite the behemoth, spanning the entire stage from top to bottom. It had a lived-in, authentic vibe that I loved. It was a great eighth character in the show.

----FINAL WORDS----

So, in summation, Brighton Beach Memoirs at the Contemporary Theatre of Dallas is a great production of a great show. The performances range from good to great and the emotional range of the material will have you laughing one second and choking up the next. It's powerful stuff that the CTD treats with the perfect level of respect. Go see it.

It's playing for the next two weekends (check the full schedule here) so make sure you check it out before it's gone.

BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS at the Contemporary Theatre of Dallas

For more information or tickets go to www.contemporarytheatreofdallas.com or call 214.828.0094.

Regular performances Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

An Insider’s Complete Guide to Oak Cliff Dallas: Art, Events, Cuisine & Culture

Cary Darling — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:57:28 +0000

Oak Cliff gets slapped around in the media more than Faye Dunaway in “Chinatown.” It’s portrayed as a capital of crime, a place where home invasions and jackings are considered sport. After all, it once was the home of three of America’s most notorious criminals: Bonnie and Clyde; and Lee Harvey Oswald.

First off, everyone argues over the borders of Oak Cliff but, taken in its broadest, most amorphous meaning, the area sprawls over a huge amount of square mileage, from I-30 south to I-20, from I-35 west to Loop 12, not including Cockrell Hill which is its own city. (The original town of Oak Cliff, which was annexed in 1903, covered much less territory.) So, if something heinous happens in one far-flung part of the Cliff, the entire neighborhood bears the burden of media disdain.

Yet this dismissal by the rest of Dallas has its silver lining. Neighborhoods that might have been plowed under for the sake of development have retained their old-school charm. Many of the old-growth trees still stand and, along with the rolling terrain and slightly higher elevation, help make the O.C. less of a mini-mall flatland than its counterparts north of the Trinity.

Now that phrases like “urban in-fill,” “in-town living,” and “walkability,” are the new urban-planning buzzwords, many are beginning to realize that Oak Cliff, especially North Oak Cliff, is so much more than its bad reputation. In addition to legendary killers, the more upstanding Stevie Ray Vaughn, Erykah Badu, Edie Brickell, Dennis Rodman, and T-Bone Walker also once called it home. And these days, there seems to be some sort of festival almost every weekend, whether it’s the Oak Cliff Art Crawl , the Oak Cliff Block Party Peace Festival, the Oak Cliff Mardi Gras, the Oak Cliff Earth Day Festival, or Cyclesomatic.

Is Oak Cliff the "Austin" of Dallas?

The federal government was impressed enough with the idea of restoring trolley service between downtown and Oak Cliff to award a $23 million grant to help fund an idea proposed by the Oak Cliff Transit Authority. More recently, Mark Cuban announced a large multi-use office/housing/sports complex to be built in South Oak Cliff. With all this activity, it’s not unusual now to see Oak Cliff described as the “Austin” or the “Brooklyn” of Dallas. (Though it should be noted there are continue troubled neighborhoods within Oak Cliff and there’s been some tension between old-time residents and the newcomers.)

This turnaround in attitude is helped by a mini-explosion of restaurants, bars, and galleries that are starting to draw the curious from all over the Metroplex.

So, here are some suggestions on where to hangout when visiting the Cliff:

Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff

(Bishop Ave. and 7th St.):

The great thing about the compact Bishop Arts District is that, with its classic storefronts, it’s prime territory for strolling. This is where revitalization started in the ‘80s when developer Jim Lake began buying up run-down buildings near what was once Dallas’ busiest trolley stop and restoring them.

Such long-time restaurants such as Hattie’s (418 N. Bishop Ave., upscale Southern cuisine); Chan Thai (312 W. 7th St., Thai); El Jordan (416 N. Bishop Ave., Mexican); Vitto’s (316 W. 7th St., Italian) and Veracruz (408 N. Bishop Ave., Mexican) -- the latter being one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in all of Dallas -- have now been joined by a myriad of newcomers including:

Espumoso Coffeehouse (408 N. Bishop, Suite 105, www.espumosocaffe.com)

Hula Hotties Cafe & Bakery (244 W. Davis St., Hawaiian)

Casa Blanca (400 W. Davis St., Tex-Mex, run by a member of the family that started Mia’s in Oak Lawn)

Dude, Sweet (408 W. 8th St., www.dudesweetchocolate.com, handmade chocolates)

Greek Cafe and Bakery (334 W. Davis St.)

Quinn’s (202 W. Davis St., www.thequinnbar.com, bar/lounge)

Zen Sushi (380 W. 7th St., www.zensushidallas.com/zs/home.html)

Eno’s (407 N. Bishop Ave., www.enospizza.com, pizzeria/bar)

In addition, secondary outposts of eateries that made their name in other parts of Dallas -- Hunky’s (321 N. Bishop Ave., burgers); Cafe Madrid (408 N. Bishop Ave., Suite 108, tapas); and Cafe Brazil (611 N. Bishop Ave., Suite 101) -- are now in Bishop Arts. Now, if there could only be a good Indian restaurant around here, things would be set.

Unique Shopping in the Bishop Arts District

But there’s more to do in Bishop Arts than just eating. There’s also shopping for unique gifts/homeware at Bishop Street Market (419 N. Bishop Ave.) and Fete-Ish (322 W. 7th St.), sneakers (10 Footwear, 332 W. Davis St.; and vintage sodas (The Soda Gallery, 408 N. Bishop Ave.) The latter also doubles as a gallery space, especially for pop art, pun intended.

Art Galleries in Bishop Arts District

Speaking of galleries, you can get your art fix at Decorazon (417 N. Bishop Ave.), Bishop Arts Studio Co-Op (518 W. Davis St.), and Charley Mitcherson Gallery (405 N. Bishop Ave.)

Davis Street Corridor

(Davis Street between Hampton and Bishop)

The excitement that started squarely in Bishop Arts is now spreading westward down Davis St. The restaurant Bolsa (614 W. Davis) has earned accolades for its trendy American menu and see-and-be-seen patio bar. But don’t get too lost in the yuppie fantasy.

Keep in touch with Oak Cliff’s roots by crossing the street for one of the tastiest taquerias in all of the area, El Si Hay (601 W. Davis St.), or heading for the original Gloria’s (600 W. Davis St.) Relatively new to the Davis strip are Con Fusion (642 W. Davis St.), an Asian fusion restaurant, and Oak Cliff Pizza (1315 W. Davis St.), a Brooklyn style pizzeria.

Tradewinds Social Club (2843 W. Davis) was taken over in 2009 by a former manager at Lee Harvey’s and is considered by many to be the coolest dive bar in the Metroplex. Yep, cooler than Lee Harvey’s or The Grapevine.

The Tyler Davis Art District

(aka The Tyler X+ District)

(Intersections of Kings Highway and Davis, 7th and Tyler)

If Bishop Arts is largely about feeding your face, the Tyler Davis Art District -- also called X+ because of how the intersections of Kings Highway/Davis and 7th/Tyler look from the air -- is more about feeding the spirit. This has become the focal point for the likes of the newly vocal Oak Cliff cycling community to create an area in which pedestrians and cyclists are not intimidated by auto traffic.

Formerly barren walls along 7th St. are now decorated with colorful murals and they join a crop of new and long-running businesses in the area including:

The Kessler Theater (1230 W. Davis St.) Jeff Liles, who was in on the ground floor of the Deep Ellum renaissance of the ‘80s, has teamed with investment manager Edwin Cabaniss to restore the old Kessler Theater and turn it into a performance space for popular area acts like The King Bucks and Robert Gomez.

The Oak Cliff Bicycle Company (410 N. Tyler St.), whose motto is “Keep It Wheel.”

Cliff Notes Prolonged Media Bookstore (1222 W. Davis), a place no one is going to confuse with Borders.

Coco Andre Chocolates and the Truffle Gallery (831 W. Davis St.). www.cocoandre.com

From the Ends of the Earth (839 W. Davis St.), a phenomenal gift shop featuring objects from around the globe, http://www.fromtheendsoftheearth.com/

Daniel Padilla Gallery (838 W. Davis St.), http://danielpadilla.com

The Cube Creative (409A N. Tyler St.), a contemporary art gallery.

Mighty Fine Arts (419 N. Tyler St.), a contemporary gallery that has been getting national attention for its exhibits of artists from afar afield as Baltimore and San Francisco.

The Rose Garden Upscale Resale Shop (841 W. Davis St.), a thrift store with a mission. They employ women who may have been in jail but are being re-trained. (There’s also the Rose Garden Training School).

Tara Tonini Designs (411 N. Tyler), an outlet for clothing designer Tara Tonini. www.taratonini.com

The Sylvan-Fort Worth Intersection

North of the Bishop Arts District and Tyler X+, the intersection of Fort Worth and Sylvan also is becoming a place worth exploring. On the northwest corner is The Belmont Hotel (901 W. Fort Worth Ave.), an old motor hotel that has been renovated and turned into a hipster boutique hangout. The balcony bar, with one of the best views of downtown Dallas in the city, gets packed on weekend nights. http://www.belmontdallas.com

A couple of blocks away is Jack’s Backyard (2303 Pittman St.) A bar/lounge/live music venue with a very eclectic crowd.

To keep tabs on what’s going on in the Cliff, check out these sites:

www.bishopartsdistrict.com
www.tylerdavisartdistrict.com
www.bikefriendlyoc.wordpress.com

Cary Darling is an arts editor and the pop culture critic at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He moved to Dallas in 2005 from Miami where he was arts editor at the Miami Herald. Prior to that he was an arts editor and pop-music critic at the Orange County Register in California. After living on both coasts, he decided he wanted to know what life would be like without a beach.

Photo Credit: Bishop Arts District by Jennifer Conley
Photo Credit: Newest Mural in the OC by Whatknot
Photo Credit: All other photos by Bev Garvin