Man, I love that a photographer decided to train her lens on the whole Texas tradition of homecoming mums. I also love how foreign of a concept this is to the New York-born Bradford Pearson. Time to dig all of mine out from the back of a closet somewhere.
Friday
I don’t know about you guys, but it’s a been a crazy week. I’m finally getting around to seeing On the Eve at the Margo Jones theater in Fair Park tonight, and since I’ve only heard good things, I’m quite looking forward to this homegrown rock musical. Dallas’ Home By Hovercraft wrote the music, with help from actor and Kitchen Dog Company member Michael Frederico, and the plot concerns the very nearly true story about Marie Antoinette and the world’s first-ever time machine. I could use one of those. Anyway, it’s all presented with help from Nouveau 47, a troupe committed to presenting new works.
After the show, it’s pretty much party time. Back in July, I talked a little about the Green Bandana Group, a hyperactive bunch of planners and doers, and their latest community-building enterprise, #popUPdallas. As part of that, they’ve decided to throw a party every Friday night until the end of the year–barring the Mayan apocalypse, of course. This first Ash Friday, as they’re calling it, takes place at their Fair Park studio and celebrates the birthdays of “two of the most stylish gentlemen in Dallas” (spoiler alert: one of them is an insanely talented professional jazz musician and my former prom date, Jonathan Merla). The theme of “Post Paris,” whatever that means to you. Expect a keg (though feel free to BYOB), art, projections, and a bonfire.
Saturday
Have you checked the weather lately? Beautiful. Perfect for brunch, a nap in Klyde Warren Park, and a jaunt through the newly open Perot Museum. (I just described both a friend’s actual birthday plans, and my ideal Saturday. Bam.) I wish you could do the brunch thing at Bolsa, but alas, Sundays only. Still, if you’re in Oak Cliff, the Wigwam pop-up holiday shop near Oil & Cotton that I mentioned yesterday is worth a stop. They have cocktails and tamales for ease of shopping, and I’d also say that tamales make awesome Christmas presents if you’re still checking people off your nice list. Oddfellows‘ brunch will do you just fine, and there’s a 4:30 p.m. screening of Scarface in 35 mm at the Texas Theatre in honor of the anniversary of its release.
In the evening, there’s the Dallas Black Theatre’s Winter Series at the Wyly Theatre. If you’ve yet to see a performance from this incredible local dance troupe, you’re missing out. Winter Series is their season opener, and offers a new, commissioned work by hip hop artist Rennie Harris of the Rennie Harris Puremovement company in Philadelphia. The program also includes “Nascimento,” by David Parsons, and the solo piece “Reflections in D,” choreographed by Alvin Ailey and set to music by Duke Ellington.
Sunday
Our very own Peter Simek has this one pretty well sewn up. He’s chatting with artist Brandon Kennedy at the Reading Room, and has assured everyone that it will be a “haltingly brilliant conversation.” Kennedy’s gallery show, Exit For Sale, is at the Reading Room through Dec. 22. Obviously. I hope Peter will also discuss ideas for his upcoming television series.
If you are in search of the holiday spirit, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra wraps up their weekend-long Christmas Celebration concert. This should be the perfect antidote to Grinch-itis: favorite tunes, a beautiful concert hall, a relaxing end to a nutso weekend.
For more to do with said weekend, go here. For other holiday events and activities, go here.
