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| photography by James Bland |
It’s August, and the kids are back in school. That means you finally have a moment to devote to the rejuvenation of your mind, body, and soul. Yoga instructor Ally David can help. Her Uptown Bend Studio provides Pilates and yoga by day and an intimate live music series by night.
David opened Bend Studio about six years ago. She was quite happy whipping young professionals and Park Cities moms into shape with sun salutations. Then on a whim in 2001, she decided to open her doors on a weekend night to host Ian Moore from Austin. The show was a huge success. “It wasn’t planned. It just happened,” David says. “People loved it, and I was able to join the two things that I love most.”
Encouraged, David began inviting more musicians to perform, and the yoga studio suddenly morphed into a hybrid entity—part studio, part live-music venue. “Now, a lot of them come to us,” she says.
Both Bends—the yoga studio and concert hall—are providing relief from the August heat and the carpool routine with some cool stuff to do this month. By day, suit up for Yoga for Stress, a class designed to help you achieve personal namaste through restorative poses, meditation, and breathing exercises. When night falls, check out a number of shows, including one by a personal favorite, singer/songwriter Shake Russell. Even if his name doesn’t immediately ring any bells, you know this guy’s work. He’s written songs for everyone from Waylon Jennings to Clint Black.
Once you’re nice and relaxed, it’s high time for you to do some deep thinking. Bend can help with that, too. The night after the Russell concert, attend a screening of the documentary Before the Music Dies, a documentary about the state of the music business narrated by Forest Whitaker and featuring interviews with myriad musicians, including Erykah Badu, Dave Matthews, and Eric Clapton. Bend rarely hosts screenings, but David felt this was an important film. “It’s about where music is going and the influence of Clear Channel. It’s very depressing,” David says.
On the off chance that the meditation, soulful music, and lofty subject matter don’t quiet those voices in your head, perhaps alcohol can help. For a small fee, audiences are allowed to bring their own booze to the shows. At heart, this place is a yoga studio, though—that means you need to leave the cigarettes at home. Bend Studio, 5014 McKinney Ave. 214-606-0770. www.bendstudio.com. Shake Russell: Aug 3, 8 pm. Before the Music Dies: Aug 4, 8 pm.
