Mardi Gras in Dallas

Can't make it to New Orleans this year for Mardi Gras?

Never fear, the spirit of Mardi Gras lives on right here in Big D. It's nothing as elaborate as New Orleans-style Mardis Gras, but it promises to be a fun event nonetheless.

The organizers have been putting on this even for a few years now, but this year's event seems to be on a much smaller scale. What do you expect? We're in a recession.

For more info on how you can celebrate Mardi Gras on a budget here in Dallas, visit:

http://www.quickdfw.com/mystiqal/festivities.html

FREE Party in the Street for New Year's Eve!!!!

All is not lost if you have not solidified New Year's Eve plans for tonight.

Hillwood Real Estate Company and WFAA (among others) are sponsoring the annual Big D/NYE event at Victory Park tonight. The long and the short of it is this:

It's FREE (most important).
There will be several live bands performing.
There will be live media coverage (Hi Mom!)
A ball will drop.
Fireworks will go off.
A good time will be had by all.

For all the specifics, click the link below.

http://www.wfaa.com/bigdnye/

Jump Start Your New Year's Resolution to Exercise More!

Have you been curious about those Boot Camp Fitness Classes, but have been scared off by the expensive price tags and the early start times? If yes, you have the opportunity to try a single Boot Camp Fitness Class for the low, low price of 5 canned goods. That's right. You can jump start your 2009 exercise regime and help out the North Texas Food Bank at the same time.

The program is called Exercise Kindness and the Dallas event is sponsored by Transformation Boot Camp and Brinker International (the corporation behind several restaurant chains including Chili's, Maggiano's, and On the Border).

The event begins at 9am on Saturday, January 3rd on the campus of Brinker International located at Hillcrest and LBJ. Please note you have to pre-register online before participating. For additional information and to register, visit the website below.

http://www.transformationbootcamp.com/home

Election Night Watch Parties

Dallas County Democratic Party will be gathering at a street festival on N. Bishop Ave tonight beginning at 6pm. Visit http://www.pegasusnews.com/events/2008/nov/04/121114/ for more info.

Friendship-West Baptist Church and Dallas South will be gathering at 7pm for an all out election party tonight. Visit http://dallassouthblog.com/2008/10/15/friendship-westdallas-south-election-watch-party-adds-fred-hammond-geno-young-don-diego-added-to/ for more info.

Texas Democrats will be gathering at 7pm at Clipso Sports Bar &Grill (Dallas, TX)
7307 S Westmoreland Road Dallas, TX 75237.

A random group of Obama Supporters are gathering at Gilley's at 7pm. Visit http://www.dallasobserver.com/events/obama-dallas-election-party-1134536/ for more info.

Republicans will gather at 5pm at the Radisson, 6060 N. Central Expressway in Dallas.

Old Republic 2922 N Hall St, Dallas, TX has election-inspired drink specials all night.

Iron Cactus is hosting Democrats tonight. 1520 Main St, Dallas, TX

NOTE: Please don't think that I am intentionally biased towards the Democratic party. The truth is I did a google search for "Dallas election watch party" and I found only one event for Republicans. If you know of other Republican watch parties, please tell me and I will post straight away.

Urban Street Bazaar 10/11/08

I don’t know about you, but I have reached my saturation point where dismal national news is concerned. If life is ending as we know it, then we need to start enjoying the little things like the upcoming Urban Street Bazaar in the Bishop Arts District.

http://www.urbanstreetbazaar.com/

I kind of hate the website because I think it is waaaay too busy, but that’s not the point. The point is that this Saturday from 10am – 8pm, you can escape the troubles of this world (political, financial, and otherwise) and stroll the streets of the Bishop Arts district as you talk and laugh with 40 vendors hawking their handcrafted wares.

The beautiful thing about a flea market (let’s call a spade a spade) is that it hearkens back to a different time when there were no behemoth discount stores stocking mass-produced versions of everything we could think of (I’m looking at you Wal-Mart and in fairness, I have to look at Target as well). Instead, you walked to the market; you shook the artisan’s hand; and you walked away with a one-of-a-kind product. It reminds us that relationships are what really matter in life - not the things we buy, the titles we hold, or the size of our 401Ks. Speaking of newly deflated bank accounts, another great thing about flea markets is that sometimes you can find unique, inexpensive gifts, and considering that I’ve already decided to have a “poor” Christmas this year (no gifts over $25), the Urban Street Bazaar is right up my alley.

Update: The Urban Street Bazaar was great fun. There was jewelry, clothing, personal care products, accessories for your favorite pet, and more. I learned that the Bazaar will happen again in December. Be on the lookout for it. Also, I wandered into a boutique called Indigo 1745 while in the neighborhood. If you're ever in the market for "upscale" denim, they've got some great styles. Ask for Denise; she was friendly and very knowledgable about the inventory and which cuts work best for different body types. You can tell her that I sent you, but she'd probably look at you with a blank stare as the Lady of Leisure remains a woman of mystery to most. Cheers!

Cheap Date Alert #6

FREE concerts, oh how I love you. Let me count the ways...

Symphonic Saturdays (8pm - 10pm)

Esplanade Park
5044 Addison Circle Drive
Addison, Texas

Picnic in the park or dine in at one of Addison Circle's many great eateries as you enjoy soothing symphonic music from the Richardson Symphony Orchestra and the Dallas Wind Symphony.

DATES:
August 4 - Richardson Symphony Orchestra
August 11 - Dallas Wind Symphony
August 18 - Richardson Symphony Orchestra
August 25 - Dallas Wind Symphony
COST: Free

Cheap Date Alert #4: Taste of Dallas 2007

July 13-15, 2007
West End Historic District
Fri - 11am - midnight
Saturday - 11am - 1am
Sunday - Noon - 8pm
Admission: absolutely FREE !!!

From DallasNews.com:
With an anticipated attendance of more than 300,000 people, the 21st annual Taste of Dallas might live up to its billing as Texas' largest free festival. The three-day celebration showcases the area's culinary prowess with fare from about 40 area restaurants. There'll also be children's activities, as well as a live entertainment lineup that covers folk rock, blues, country and other genres. Friday night's highlights include a recipe contest featuring finalists in four categories (appetizer, entree, sides, dessert). One of the judges is Taylor Parks, who plays Little Inez in the movie Hairspray, opening July 20. Good to know: Food samples at the event, presented by West End Events LLC, generally cost about $2 to $4 each. – BINDU VARGHESE / Staff Writer

AT&T Out to Lunch Concert Series

Oh how I wish I worked downtown...I used to go to a similar event when I lived in Atlanta. It was such a nice little break during the workday.

Where: Pegasus Plaza, Main Street
When: Fridays, May 25 - October 26
Time: Noon
Cost: ABSOLUTELY FREE!

From DallasNews.com:
Take a break from the workday and head to the series that runs in May, June, September and October. There's a range of music to suit any fancy. DowntownDallas, a nonprofit advocacy group for the downtown area, is presenting the series in partnership with AT&T. Concerts are Fridays through June 22 at noon at Pegasus Plaza (Main and Akard). There's also a concert June 28 at noon at Dallas City Hall. The series runs again on Fridays Sept. 7-21 and Oct. 5-26 at Pegasus Plaza. See the Web site for a detailed lineup (pdf format). – BINDU VARGHESE / Staff Writer

Cheap Date Alert #2

Chase presents Jazz Under the Stars

Bring your captain's chairs, your coolers, and the entire family for an evening of music under the stars in downtown Dallas.

What I liked best about this event: it's absolutely FREE! It's casual, no need to dress up. It's just as fun for a couple (I saw one couple with a small table set up with candles and wine, how romantic is that?) , a group of friends (I saw a spades game going on - gotta love that), or the entire family (and don't forget the family pooch).

TIP: If you're early, you're on time and if you're on time, you're late. Show begins at 8pm but people start arriving as early as 7pm to get a spot in the grass. No worries though, I was camped out on the sidewalk and it was just as nice.

Hurry, there's only one more concert left in the series, June 14, 2007. For more info:

http://dallasmuseumofart.org/Dallas_Museum_of_Art/Experience/Special_Events/SecondaryPage_Special_Events?useSecondary=true

Cheers!