As much as has been discussed regarding issues of transportation and quality-of-life in Dallas, there are still seemingly more questions than answers. As such, a two-day summit begins at the Latino Cultural Center Magnolia Theater in the West Village this evening, in order to address the conversation directly, with transportation and walkability activists getting face time with leaders at the local and state level. AIA Dallas is presenting the summit, Choices for a 21st Century Dallas. D’s Eric Celeste has already talked up the significance of this weekend’s event, particularly the inclusion of Balanced Vision Plan co-author, Alex Krieger, who is also a Harvard professor. Since the event runs even longer on Friday, we should have more for you tomorrow morning.
KERA’s collaboration with the Video Association of Dallas has resulted in an interesting new film series called Frame of Mind. Documentaries, locally-sourced feature films, and experimental work will be shown, with a grab-bag that includes such entries as the Texas-centric Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, and the work of former Dallas visual artsist, Morehshin Allahyari. A free watch party at the Texas Theatre kicks things off, but the films will also broadcast on PBS. The first program will air at 10 pm.
Speaking of PBS, Ken Burns recently finished his sweeping take on the obviously intertwined lives of the Roosevelt family, specifically Theodore, Eleanor, and Franklin. He’ll be appearing tonight at the Winspear in order to preview excerpts from the film, and I do mean excerpts, because this beast is 14 hours long. However, a legacy as rich and complicated as this one is deserving of such a generous running time.
Finally, our theater critic Lindsey Wilson caught Buyer & Cellar at City Performance Hall last night. The production ends this weekend, so she sent along this emergency review:
It only runs through Saturday, but Buyer & Cellar is worth catching at Dallas City Performance Hall. The hit Off-Broadway solo show starring Dallas native Michael Urie (of Ugly Betty fame) is a giddy, sometimes absurd fantasy based on the very real premise that Barbra Streisand has a mall in the basement of her Malibu property. Yes, a mall, which Urie’s out of work actor is hired to staff. With an elastic face and infectious charm, Urie casts on and off different characters–including Babs herself–as easily as if he’s trying on clothes from the mall’s boutique. The show is reminiscent of David Sedaris’ twisted workplace comedy The Santaland Diaries, and every bit as wickedly funny.
There you have it. For more things to do, go here.
