Get ready for Mardi Gras 2008 in Victory Park! The city seems to be committed to making Dallas the "NYC" of the South. 1st it was New Year's in Victory Park and now this. I'll be there. What about you???
From the website: http://www.quickdfw.com/mystiqal/
MystiQal is all about the true New Orleans Mardi Gras with a Quick twist in Victory Park.
MystiQal will be a night parade with beads and baubles featuring pre- and post-parties along the parade route, live music and loads of fun activities with food and drink that celebrate everything that is Mardi Gras.
All activities will kick off at 5pm with the opening of the street festival, located on High Market between Victory and Houston Streets, in the heart of Victory Park. The Mardi Gras Run will begin at Houston Street and Continental. The Grand Parade will begin at 7:30pm, so pick your spot behind the barricades, anywhere along Victory and Houston Streets, and get ready to catch beads and baubles. Live entertainment on the stage and street festival activities will continue until 11pm.
We are not planning any children's activities as MystiQal will be an authentic Mardi Gras experience in Dallas on Saturday, February 2, 2008. Now is the time to book your babysitter and join us at MystiQal.
All content contained on this website is for informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice, so please check back for updates.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Cheap Date Alert #8: Arts District Walking Tour
Learn more about Dallas's Arts District.
For more information:
http://www.artsdistrict.org/stroll/index.asp
From http://www.artsdistrict.org/stroll/ :
Take the Arts District Stroll! Join us for the Arts District Stroll, your private guided tour of the history and architecture of Dallas' Arts District. Bring your friends, family and coworkers on a leisurely walk through the largest downtown area (19 blocks and over 68.4 acres) dedicated to the arts in the United States. Trained docents lead the hour-long, easy walk pointing out the architecture, the tradition, and the history of this unique neighborhood. While at the same time, they will be sharing with you the latest on Arts District entertainment, dining possibilities, and nightlife.
For more information:
http://www.artsdistrict.org/stroll/index.asp
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Cheap FAMILY Date Alert!!!!
What: Prairie Lights (Christmas light display)
Where:
Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake
5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
When:
Nov 22-Dec 31 Sun-Thu 6-9 pm Fri-Sat 6-10 pm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 6-10 pm
Cost:
Mondays through Thursdays: $12 per car
Fridays through Sundays: $15 per car
Prices vary for larger vehicles such as limos and small buses
10-minute holiday theater light show: $2 for adults, $1 for kids
Contact: 972-237-4569
From DallasNews.com:
Illuminated drive-through theme park features two miles of holiday exhibits with 3 million lights. Make a stop at the holiday village for refreshments, souvenirs and a 10-minute holiday theater light show (for an extra charge).
http://www.prairielights.org/
Where:
Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake
5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
When:
Nov 22-Dec 31 Sun-Thu 6-9 pm Fri-Sat 6-10 pm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 6-10 pm
Cost:
Mondays through Thursdays: $12 per car
Fridays through Sundays: $15 per car
Prices vary for larger vehicles such as limos and small buses
10-minute holiday theater light show: $2 for adults, $1 for kids
Contact: 972-237-4569
From DallasNews.com:
Illuminated drive-through theme park features two miles of holiday exhibits with 3 million lights. Make a stop at the holiday village for refreshments, souvenirs and a 10-minute holiday theater light show (for an extra charge).
http://www.prairielights.org/
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Rockin' Christmas Party
Who: WaterTower Theatre
What: Revue of R&B Christmas songs of the 40s, 60s, 70s, and 80s
When: November 29 - December 23
Where: 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001
For more info: http://www.watertowertheatre.org/mainstage.asp#1
I'm not going to lie to you, the only reason I'm posting this is because one of my classmates from high school, the lovely and talented Chimberly Carter, is one of the performers.
From their website:
You asked for it. You begged for it. And now it’s back! After a three year hiatus, Rockin’ Christmas Party returns to the WaterTower stage. Six of the hippest performers in town and a swingin’ live band “rock around the Christmas tree" as they groove to the Top 40 hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Grab your hairspray, platform shoes, and Santa hat – and let the cast of Rockin’ Christmas Party “sock it to ya!" Rockin' Christmas Party is supported in part by Atmos Energy and Town North Bank. -Dave Steakley
What: Revue of R&B Christmas songs of the 40s, 60s, 70s, and 80s
When: November 29 - December 23
Where: 15650 Addison Road, Addison, TX 75001
For more info: http://www.watertowertheatre.org/mainstage.asp#1
I'm not going to lie to you, the only reason I'm posting this is because one of my classmates from high school, the lovely and talented Chimberly Carter, is one of the performers.
From their website:
You asked for it. You begged for it. And now it’s back! After a three year hiatus, Rockin’ Christmas Party returns to the WaterTower stage. Six of the hippest performers in town and a swingin’ live band “rock around the Christmas tree" as they groove to the Top 40 hits of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Grab your hairspray, platform shoes, and Santa hat – and let the cast of Rockin’ Christmas Party “sock it to ya!" Rockin' Christmas Party is supported in part by Atmos Energy and Town North Bank. -Dave Steakley
Cheap Date Alert #7
What: The NOTcracker (modern dance performance)
When: December 8, 2007 @ 3pm
Where: Dallas Museum of Art (Atrium Cafe), 1717 N. Harwood Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Cost: FREE (but you may still have to pay museum admission $10/person; call ahead to verify)
Contact: 214.922.1200
From DallasNews.com:
No snow falls on the Barefoot Brigade's NOTcracker, and no mice invade, either. Resolutely opposed to anything remotely like The Nutcracker, these modern dance companies celebrate the season in their own style. Kimberly Bland from Chiaroscuro Dance Company, for example, performs To the Sea: Metamorphosis of an Ice Sculpture, described as the "odyssey of an ice sculpture as she melts, evaporates into the atmosphere, and rains down into the ocean." Muscle Memory Dance Theatre goes in for "abstract tutus" in Embellish. Other groups include Armstrong/Bergeron Dance Company, Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth, BecklesDancing Company, Dallas Dance Company, 3/A Modern Dance Company and Phase 2 Dance Ensemble. The performance takes place at the DMA's Atrium Cafe. – MARGARET PUTNAM / Special Contributor
When: December 8, 2007 @ 3pm
Where: Dallas Museum of Art (Atrium Cafe), 1717 N. Harwood Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Cost: FREE (but you may still have to pay museum admission $10/person; call ahead to verify)
Contact: 214.922.1200
From DallasNews.com:
No snow falls on the Barefoot Brigade's NOTcracker, and no mice invade, either. Resolutely opposed to anything remotely like The Nutcracker, these modern dance companies celebrate the season in their own style. Kimberly Bland from Chiaroscuro Dance Company, for example, performs To the Sea: Metamorphosis of an Ice Sculpture, described as the "odyssey of an ice sculpture as she melts, evaporates into the atmosphere, and rains down into the ocean." Muscle Memory Dance Theatre goes in for "abstract tutus" in Embellish. Other groups include Armstrong/Bergeron Dance Company, Contemporary Dance/Fort Worth, BecklesDancing Company, Dallas Dance Company, 3/A Modern Dance Company and Phase 2 Dance Ensemble. The performance takes place at the DMA's Atrium Cafe. – MARGARET PUTNAM / Special Contributor
Pardon My Absence
I can't believe that it's been three months since I posted to the blog. Please forgive my absence. Between work, school, and travel, I haven't been still long enough to post anything. Fortunately, school is on hiatus and I have obliterated my vacation leave at work, so for the next few weeks, I ought to be back to normal. I may not be able to vouch for all these events, but at least I can keep you "in the know."
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Update: Amuse Restaurant and Lounge
1326 South Lamar
Dallas, TX
214.428.7300
Restaurants in Dallas’s “southern sector” (please read between those lines) are pretty routine and predictable. You’ve got your classic fish, chicken, and BBQ joints. You’ve got a few chain restaurants, fast food places, cafeteria style restaurants, Chinese buffets, and a seemingly endless supply of taquerias. Residents of Dallas’s south side often travel to northern Dallas in search of something fresh and new. Thankfully, that’s starting to change. Exhibit A: Amuse Restaurant and Lounge.
Amuse is located just south of downtown Dallas across the street from the South Side on Lamar Lofts. I will admit, this location isn’t truly South Dallas but it’s a heck of a lot closer than Addison or Plano. Though the building itself is nondescript (a blue one-story building on a somewhat lonely street corner), the interior is alive with prompt, friendly waitstaff, an open kitchen, comfy, bronze-colored booths, and dark, distressed floors offset by sparkling wine glasses on every table. It’s definitely more than you might expect.
I popped in one Friday evening thinking I would choose something light from the dinner menu (like a salad) and was pleasantly surprised to learn that in addition to its lunch, dinner, and brunch menus, Amuse has a tapas menu as well. I tried the hummus (delicious) and the cheese plate (tasty), but the hit of the evening was the FREE (that’s right, FREE) seasoned pita bread (or is it flatbread?) that they provide. The bread is served fresh from the oven with some kind of pizza/marinara style dipping sauce. I have no idea what the recipe is; I just know that the pita bread is positively scrumptious. My companion and I had no shame in asking for basket after basket. Each subsequent basket was delivered with the same promptness and cheery smile as the first.
Amuse definitely gets my approval. I will have to go back for lunch/dinner to get the full experience, and I’m already excited by the variety of options on the menu. The only drawback is that Amuse is kind of pricey. The median entrée price for dinner is $17 (unless you’re ordering a sandwich or salad). BUT remember, the pita bread is free. So order something from the tapas menu and tell’em to keep the bread coming.
Update: I have now enjoyed the full dining experience at Amuse: endive salad with walnuts and blue cheese, shrimp cakes as my entree, vanilla bean crème brulee for dessert, and a cocktail in between. I can’t remember the last time I sent an empty plate back to the kitchen, but that’s exactly what I did Friday night. I would describe my dining experience as “controlled decadence” – decadent enough to feel self-indulgent, but not decadent enough to feel guilty about it.
Don’t Forget: There is a lounge and small bar located in the front of the restaurant. The cushy seating in the lounge invites you to linger over your cocktails making Amuse a nice place to grab a drink (or more if you have a designated driver) before a night on the town.
Tip: Try the Red Apple Martini. It’s perfection!
http://www.amusedallas.com/
Dallas, TX
214.428.7300
Restaurants in Dallas’s “southern sector” (please read between those lines) are pretty routine and predictable. You’ve got your classic fish, chicken, and BBQ joints. You’ve got a few chain restaurants, fast food places, cafeteria style restaurants, Chinese buffets, and a seemingly endless supply of taquerias. Residents of Dallas’s south side often travel to northern Dallas in search of something fresh and new. Thankfully, that’s starting to change. Exhibit A: Amuse Restaurant and Lounge.
Amuse is located just south of downtown Dallas across the street from the South Side on Lamar Lofts. I will admit, this location isn’t truly South Dallas but it’s a heck of a lot closer than Addison or Plano. Though the building itself is nondescript (a blue one-story building on a somewhat lonely street corner), the interior is alive with prompt, friendly waitstaff, an open kitchen, comfy, bronze-colored booths, and dark, distressed floors offset by sparkling wine glasses on every table. It’s definitely more than you might expect.
I popped in one Friday evening thinking I would choose something light from the dinner menu (like a salad) and was pleasantly surprised to learn that in addition to its lunch, dinner, and brunch menus, Amuse has a tapas menu as well. I tried the hummus (delicious) and the cheese plate (tasty), but the hit of the evening was the FREE (that’s right, FREE) seasoned pita bread (or is it flatbread?) that they provide. The bread is served fresh from the oven with some kind of pizza/marinara style dipping sauce. I have no idea what the recipe is; I just know that the pita bread is positively scrumptious. My companion and I had no shame in asking for basket after basket. Each subsequent basket was delivered with the same promptness and cheery smile as the first.
Amuse definitely gets my approval. I will have to go back for lunch/dinner to get the full experience, and I’m already excited by the variety of options on the menu. The only drawback is that Amuse is kind of pricey. The median entrée price for dinner is $17 (unless you’re ordering a sandwich or salad). BUT remember, the pita bread is free. So order something from the tapas menu and tell’em to keep the bread coming.
Update: I have now enjoyed the full dining experience at Amuse: endive salad with walnuts and blue cheese, shrimp cakes as my entree, vanilla bean crème brulee for dessert, and a cocktail in between. I can’t remember the last time I sent an empty plate back to the kitchen, but that’s exactly what I did Friday night. I would describe my dining experience as “controlled decadence” – decadent enough to feel self-indulgent, but not decadent enough to feel guilty about it.
Don’t Forget: There is a lounge and small bar located in the front of the restaurant. The cushy seating in the lounge invites you to linger over your cocktails making Amuse a nice place to grab a drink (or more if you have a designated driver) before a night on the town.
Tip: Try the Red Apple Martini. It’s perfection!
http://www.amusedallas.com/
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