May Events OPENERS

A SAMPLING OF THE MET

The Dallas Grand Opera Association – not to be confused with the Dallas Opera – exists for one purpose: Each May it sponsors the Dallas appearance of the New York Metropolitan Opera.

This year, as usual, the Met offers Dallas a crowded schedule of four operas in three days. People seeking new faces can see America’s rising soprano star, Ashley Putnam, in her first major appearance in the Dallas area. Fans of novel set design can view Franco Zef-firelli’s new production of La Boheme. Those who enjoy keeping score will have two opportunities to make a direct comparison with recent or upcoming productions of the Dallas Opera. History buffs can catch an interesting chronological overview of Italian opera from the 1830s to the 1890s. And tor those who like con-troversy with their opera, there’s James Levine, the Met’s much-admired, oft-reviled music director, who will conduct two of the performances.

Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor opens the series May 12 at 7:30 p.m, with Ashley Putnam as Lucia. Verdi’s La Forza del Destino follows on May 13 at 7:30 p.m., with James Levine conducting. The traditional Saturday matinee will feature Cilea’s Adriana Lecouvreur on May 14 at 1:30 p.m. James Levine will conduct the final performance of the series, Puccini’s La Boheme, May 14 at 8 p.m. All performances are at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $110-$11 for La Forza del Destino, $26-$9 for the others. 691-7200.

– Wayne Lee Gay



STAR-STUDDEDCINEMA

Dallas’ would-be moviemakers, stars, critics, film buffs and average-Joe moviegoers will flock to the Inwood Theatre this month to celebrate the USA Film Festival’s 13th-annual week of film premieres, seminars and celebrity appearances.

The festival, which begins April 29, offers seminars at 4:30 p.m. daily through May 6, with such hosts as movie critic Roger Ebert and director Chuck Braverman. “The Best of Texas Showcase” features documentaries, commercials and educational films by Texas producers, May 1 at 1:30 p.m. The Discovery Series presents documentaries in the Inwood’s upstairs screening room at 7:15 and 9:30 p.m., May 1 and May 4-6. Highlighting the festival are evening film premieres, including Tender Mercies, starring Robert Duvall; Hit and Run, directed by Chuck Braver-man; and a late-night double feature of City News and The Big Meat Eater.

Through May 7 at the In-wood Theatre, Inwood at Lovers Lane. Tickets $4-$2, available at the Inwood. 750-8575. -CatheeCrain

CREATING ART FROM SCRAP

Otis Jones has been around Dallas since the late Seventies. And although his painted-board artworks have been exhibited in Houston and New York (where they attracted the notice of New York Times critic John Russell), they have been all but neglected locally. Now, a one-man show of Jones’ work will be on exhibit at the Fort Worth Art Museum.

Jones first hit upon the idea of painting short lengths of board when he did some repair work on his house and noticed pieces of scrap lumber lying around. Jones has since graduated to 2-by-4 basswood planks, which he shears off into 1 – to 4-foot lengths, sometimes tapering the ends slightly. Then, he slathers thick, frostinglike layers of paint over these boards.

The resulting artworks are not exactly paintings, nor are they painted reliefs. Sometimes two or more works are joined end-to-end, creating tall, totemlike forms. They have been compared to oars and rockets, but they are really something all to themselves – sensuous and mysterious. Through May 29 at the Fort Worth Art Museum, West Lancaster at Montgomery. Tue 10-9, Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817)738-9215.

– Ken Barrow

NIGHTLIFE



Abernathy’s. This is one of the first of the fern bars in Fort Worth. Consistently good burgers, nachos and salads, as well as just-right drinks, keep the TCU and young business crowds satisfied. (2859 W Berry, Fort Worth. (817) 923-0941. Mon-Thur 11 am-midnight, Fri & Sat 11-2 am. MC, V.)

Andrew’s. The decor here is Scottish pub with lots of brick, and the service is efficient. The drink menu is larger than the food menu (great for liquid diets), with specialties ranging from hot coffee drinks to tutti-frutti tropical knockouts. (3301 McKinney, 521-6535; and 14930 Midway, 385-1613. Daily: 11:15-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 2-7 pm, daily 11 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Arthur’s. The bar at Arthur’s is definitely not the Dudley Moore /”Arthur” hangout. It’s classy, yes, but it caters to a very subdued mostly over.-30 crowd. Have a few drinks and talk yourself into staying for an exquisite meal. (8350 N Central Expwy. 361-8833. Mon-Fri 11:30-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am, Sun 6 pm-midnight. All credit cards.)

Bagatelle. Bagatelle offers good food and great jazz. Slip into a plush, dark booth for a smooth drink and a little intimate conversation. The Paul Guerrero Jazz Quartet performs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. (4925 Greenville. 692-8225. Mon-Sat 11:30-2 am. Sun brunch: 10:30-2. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4:30-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Balboa Café. This relaxing, dark fern bar offers good drinks, expeditious service and moderate crowds. The menu consists of filling sandwiches and hamburgers, salads, and smooth guacamole and chips-all reasonably priced. The Greenville Avenue location has a patio for balmy nights but only a small bar. (3604 Oak Lawn, 521-1068; and 7015 Greenville, 369-7027. Daily 11-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Belle Starr. If Levi’s originated in the Old West, designer cowboy jeans may have originated at Belle Starr-the New West. But this place isn’t too slick: the semi-urban cowboys and cowgirls who polka and two-step on Belle’s large dance floor certainly know Hank Williams when they hear him. (7724 N Central Expy near Southwestern. 750-4787. Mon-Sat 7 pm-2 am. Sun 4 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Biff’s. When you look out Biff’s windows through the lush greenery of Old Vickery Park, even the snarled traffic on Greenville Avenue somehow seems peaceful. The combination nachos here are a civic treasure, but the drinks are only average. (7402 Greenville. 696-1952. Daily 11-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. AE. MC, V.)

Billy Bob’s Texas. It was only a matter of time before someone built a, country/western nightclub bigger than Gilley’s. Billed as the world’s largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob’s has 42 bar stations, six shops, two restaurants, a seating capacity of 6,000, real cowboys riding real bulls in a stockyard arena and some of the biggest names in country music. (2520 N Commerce, Fort Worth. (817) 267-4636. Mon-Sat 10-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. V, MC, AE.)

Cafe Dallas. This place is overflowing with eager, young (well, maybe not quite so young) swingles in all shapes and sizes. Anything is in here; as long as you act like you belong, you will. So if you like to dance (anything from disco to New Wave to rock) and don’t mind a few indecent proposals, Café Dallas is the place for you. (5500 Greenville. 987-0066. Mon-Fri 3 pm-2 am, Sat 7 pm-2 am, Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 3-9 pm. AE, MC, V.)

Calm Eddy’s. If the humor goes out of routine bar hopping, hop on over to Calm Eddy’s in the re-budding. Deep Ellum district near downtown. This innovative comedy club features a comedy show a la “Saturday Night Live” performed by the house troupe, the Pezz, and live jazz performed by Palladium every Friday and Saturday night. Call to find out about other performers during the rest of the week. (2612 Commerce. 747-1131. Tue-Thur 7-11 pm, Fri & Sat 8 pm-midnight. No credit cards.)

Cardinal Puff’s. Mostly we love the atmosphere here: open rooms filled with gentle breezes, plants, garden furniture and an occasional wandering cat. The large patio is great for conversation and relaxation. (4675 Greenville. 369-1969. Mon-Sat 11:30-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-7 pm. MC, AE. DC, V.)

Chelsea Corner. Almost hidden at the intersection of Monticeilo and McKinney, Chelsea Corner offers the “fun” food and drinks of upper Greenville Avenue in a casual atmosphere more akin to lower Greenville Avenue-without being either. The well drinks are potent and reasonably priced, and the special drinks (such as the frozen Tumbleweed and the Scarlet Fever) are luscious. (4830 McKinney. 522-3501. Mon-Fri 11:30-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am, Sun brunch: noon-3 All credit cards.)

Confetti. One man’s clutter is another man’s eclec-ticity, and this is possibly the most eclectic bar in Dallas. Dangling bicycles, zigzag neon and poster-plastered walls expose a theme bar that couldn’t decide on a theme. If you can dig your way through the crowd, you’ll discover two flashy dance floors, several well-manned bars-maybe even Mr. or Ms. Right. Music varies from Fifties doo-wa to Eighties do-whatever. (5207 Matilda off Lovers Lane. 369-6969. Mon-Thur 4:30 pm-2 am, Fri4:30 pm-4 am, Sat 6 pm-4 am, Sun 7 pm-2 am. Weekend cover $3. All credit cards.)

The Den. Located in the Stoneleigh Hotel, this is the essence of what a bar used to be: very small, very dark and very red, with very strong drinks. (2927 Maple. 742-7111. Mon-Fri 11 am-midnight. Happy hour all day Mon-Fri. All credit cards.)

Diamond Jim’s. What a great place to get picked up! It’s not loo pretentious, it’s not overdone and it has the essential c/w elements to offer its patrons: pseudo-Western surroundings, lots of floor space for two-stepping or swing dancing and oodles of available singles. We especially like the windowsills that line one wall; they’re perfect perches for people-watching. (5601 Greenville. 691-2411. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 5-8 pm. MC, V, AE.)

EastSide. This place has all the hi-tech elements: black-and-white tile, gladiolas, avant-garde art on the walls But somehow, EastSide seems passé Even after savoring several of EastSide’s strong drinks, it’s difficult to loosen up and feel at ease here. Part of the problem seems to be that there is just too much space. But the drinks are good, the fried zucchini is top-notch and the jukebox is truly eclectic. (7035 Greenville. 987-0559. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. MC, V, DC, AE.)

Eight-O. You’ll have a hard time just sitting and chatting here-sooner or later your feet will involuntarily tap themselves over to the makeshift dance floor for a workout to the tunes of the city’s best jukebox. But between the good drinks, interesting crowd and the original hi-tech decor, just sitting and chatting is an appealing proposition Food is available. (The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh, Suite 125. 741-0817. Mon-Sat 11:30-2 am, Sun 7 pm-2 am with live music. Live jazz at lunch Wed-Sat. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. MC, AE, V.)

Encore. Return to a simpler time when neon, black-and-white tile and glass bricks represented “wild times,” and Frank Sinatra music was considered too dangerous for impressionable young girls. Encore is a Forties and Fifties echo with a friendly, well-mixed crowd, good Greek food and burgers, and live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday. (3520 Oak Lawn. 526-9055. Mon & Tue 11:30 am midnight. Wed Fri 11:30-2 am, Sat 8 pm-2 am. AE, V, MC.)

Fender’s Bar and Grill. This Northwest Highway hot spot may remind you of someplace you’ve been before-several places, in fact. With its schlocky Hollywood posters, stained glass, Phillips 66 signs, recessed lighting and often forgetful help, Fenders is Everyclub, grown lax with a success that’s due partly to location. However, you can escape the cloned interior to the wicker butterfly chairs in the window atrium or lose yourself in the excellent jazz featured five nights a week. (2828 W Northwest Hwy. 350-4240. Mon-Sat 11-2 am. AE, MC, V.)

Four Seasons Ballroom. Big-band music for ball-room dancing. A strict dress code is enforced- dresses for the ladies and coats and ties for the gentlemen. Only setups, beer and soft drinks are served, except on Fridays, when food is available. Cover varies. Free dance lessons are offered. (4930 Military Pkwy. 3490390. Wed 8:45 pm-12:15 am, Fri 9 pm-12:30 am & the first Sat of each month 9 pm-1 am. No credit cards.)

Greenville Avenue Country Club. One step inside the door of this low-key, easygoing place and the name “country club ” takes on a new meaning. Drinks are served inside the “clubhouse” where the surroundings are warm and comfortable. At this country club, though, the only big shots are the ones poured into your glass. (3619 Greenville. 826-5650. Mon-Sat 11-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri4-7pm. AE, MC, V.)

Greenville Bar & Grill. Dallas’ oldest bar-or so the owners claim-has alleviated the overcrowding somewhat with the opening of a quieter adjoining room. You may be more comfortable in the annex, especially if you want to carry on a conversation, but the real GB&G is still out in the boisterous main room. The drinks are straight-up and strong, and the entertainment is eccentric and erratic. (2821 Greenville. 823-6691. Mon-Sat 11:30-2 am. Sunnoon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. AE.)

Ground Zero. Sixties go-go gone New Wave ga-ga. “Dallas’ first nuclear bar ” features live bands (nightly except Sunday), plenty of parquet and oh, yeah a dancing girl in a cage. (6844 Twin Hills, one block south of Park Lane. 363-0167. Tue-Sat 7:30 pm-2 am. Cover varies. MC, V, AE.)

Hippopotamus. Far from the bright lights of Greenville Avenue, tucked in the beautifully renovated Bradford Hotel, Hippopotamus offers a dark, soothing atmosphere and a New York-style piano bar. The large picture window looks out on the shimmering Hyatt Regency and the occasional passing strollers who-by Hippopotamus’ standards-are moving too fast. (302 S Houston. 761-9090. Mon-Sat 11:30-2 am, Sun 4 pm-midnight. Pianist: Mon-Fri 5-10 pm. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

The Hop. The Hop, a longtime Fort Worth institution, has pizza, spaghetti and all kinds of music, from rock to jazz to the country-folk sound of songwriters B.W. Stevenson and Steve Fromholz. The atmosphere is low-key and comfortable. (2905 W Berry. Fort Worth. (817) 923-7281. Mon-Sat 11-2 am. Sun 4 pm-1 am. Happy hour: daily 2-7 pm. all day Wed & Sun 4-7 pm. MC, AE, V, DC.)

Hot Klub. Dallas’ premier punk showplace is, in a word, authentic. The Hot Klub features the best New Wave bands in Texas as well as groups from all across the country. The atmosphere… well, there is no atmosphere, except for the music and the crowd, which can be an unruly-dare we say rough? -bunch of serious rockers, (4350 Maple. 526-9432.)

Joe Miller’s. What a perfect late-afternoon bar for casual conversation-easy on the background music, soft on the lights and hard on the sledgehammer drinks that-along with the media crowd-have helped build Joe’s reputation. But watch that third drink. (3531 McKinney. 521-2261. Mon-Fri noon-2 am, Sat 5 pm-2 am. AE, MC, V.)

Knox Street Pub. Over the years, this neighborhood bar has worn very, very well. It’s a slice of the Sixties, popular with Woodstock veterans and the work-shirt-and-jeans set. but it attracts other folks as well. Knox Street has its cadre of regulars, but there’s no cliquish spirit here. The menu is limited, but the fare is reasonably priced and substantial. (3230 Knox. 526-9476. Mon-Sat 10-2 am, Sun 3 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. No credit cards.)

La Cave. Ah, a place for lovers, for discussion and tor good wine. This small, chic wine shop/bar has a walk-in wine cellar with a fine collection of foreign and domestic wines. A few entrees are offered, but we suggest sticking to the cheese and to the nut and fruit trays. (2926 N Henderson. 826-2190. Wine shop: Mon-Thur 10 am-11 pm, Fri 10 am-11:30 pm. Sat noon-11:30 pm. Bistro: Mon-Thur 10 am-2 pm & 5:30-11 pm, Fri 10 am-2 pm & 5:30-11:30 pm. Sat noon-11:30 pm. All credit cards. $$)

Lakewood Grill. The Lakewood area isn’t the peaceful homestead neighborhood that it used to be, especially since the arrival of the Lakewood Grill. The decor is a combination of 21st-century slick (a mirrored bar with black-and-white additions) and Fifties funk (dinette-set tables and chairs and red leatherette booths). The drinks are more than substantial; they’re huge-and strong. The menu features New Orleans Creole food. (6332 La Vista. 823-5340. Daily: 11-11. Live entertainment Wed-Sun 9:30 pm-1:30 am. MC, V, AE.)

Les Saisons. A far cry from the usual fern racks of Greenville Avenue and the hi-tech of Oak Lawn. Les Saisons is a quiet haven tor grownups. This is a place for smooth, elegant drinks and music that can be savored or left as backdrop for conversation. The view from the bar isn’t as spectacular as that from the restaurant, but the surroundings are attractive and comfortable. (165 Turtle Creek Village, Oak Lawn at Blackburn. 528-1102. Daily 11:30 am-1:30 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Longhorn Ballroom. So what if it’s crowded and smoky, the cover’s too high and the tourists are too many. This is Bob Wills’ Longhorn Ballroom, the place for kicker dancin’, beer drinkin’ and hell raisin1. You’ll fit in whether you can dance or not, and you may as well plan on coming home with bruised toenails (those rhinestone cowboys can be real oafs). No one should live in Dallas and not go to the Longhorn at least once: It’s a Texas tradition. (216 Corinth at Industrial. 428-3128. Wed-Sat 7 pm-2 am, Sun 5 pm-midnight. All credit cards.)

The Lounge. This semi-art deco, semi-hi-tech retreat sits in the lobby of the Inwood Theatre, separated from the movies and the moviegoers by high walls of water and its own outside door. But the Lounge is sans ceiling, allowing patrons to share the view of the ocean-motif mural that floats high above the theater lobby. This is a great place to discuss films at great length. (5460 W Lovers Lane. 350-7834. Sun-Thur 5 pm-midnight, Fri & Sat 5 pm-2 am. AE.)

Mariano’s. If nachos and frozen margaritas are your passion, Mariano’s is the place for you. The problem is that every other nacho/frozen margarita lover in town will have beaten you here The bar is small and crowded, and a mariachi band is usually blaring “El Rancho Grande” and other favorites to make your visit a truly Tex-Mex experience. (5500 Greenville. 691-3888. Mon-Thur 11 am-midnight, Fri & Sat 11 -2 am. Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour: daily 11 am-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Nick’s Uptown. Behind the dark windows at Nick’s you’ll find perhaps the finest musical club in Texas The musicians-usually jazz or rock ’n’ roll-come from near and far, and are frequently big-name. The fans, who are equally diverse, just keep coming back. (3606 Greenville. 827-4802 Daily: 8 pm-2 am. V, MC, AE.)

Nostromo. Before venturing to Nostromo, it is advisable to have one or all of the following: (1) the looks of a New York model. (2) the clothes of a New York designer, (3) the blase countenance of a New York socialite or (4) an entourage. If the above applies, welcome to Nostromo. If not, good luck getting in without a lengthy wait (if at all), especially on Thursdays and weekends. Nostromo offers the jet set and the would-be jet set strong drinks, good service and a stark, well-lit place to spread their feathers. (4515 Travis. 528-8880. Mon-Fri 11:30-2 am, Sat & Sun 6 pm-2 am. Reservations recommended. Jackets required for men after 6 pm. AE, MC, V.)

Packard’s. This new dance club in Old Town shopping center gave Confetti-goers a place to go when the line there was too long. But now the Packard’s line is just as long, so take your pick-both bars are flashy, large and swingles-soaked. Packard’s features a wide, open dance floor, lots of fluorescent colors and pop music mixed with Fifties and Sixties tunes. (5500 Greenville, suite 403. 361-9517. Mon-Thur 4:30 pm-2 am, Fri4:30 pm-3 am, Sat 7 pm-3 am, Sun 7 pm-2 am. Weekend cover $2. MC, V, AE.)

The Palm Bar. This is a beautiful place for down-town workers to have an extended series of drinks. As hotel bars go, it is the most upscale in Dallas. The walk through the redecorated Adolphus is worth the excursion, and if you prefer open spaces, have a drink in the lobby. (Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200. Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm. All credit cards.)

Peabody’s. Big bars, we’ve come to realize, are usually loud and impersonal. Institutional drinking leaves a patron feeling like nothing more than another Miller Lite-along-the-wall or a faceless Seven and Seven at table 33. Peabody’s, while fairly roomy, is everything better than that. We spent a lengthy “working lunch” to our heart’s content at a corner table with our papers spread across the top. Friendly service never faltered with well-paced, ice-cold beer, and we suspect the number of comfortable couches and tables yield this same relaxing ambiance during evenings as well. (4216 Oak Lawn. 559-3160. Sun-Tue 11-midnight, Wed-Sat 11-2. AE, V.)

Piaf’s. It used to be so easy to get a table at Piaf’s. Now there’s more of a crowd at this Californiaesque bar/restaurant, but so it goes with a good thing. The crowd is varied and lively, as are the food and drinks. Best of all, Piaf’s remains casual, comfortable and fairly quiet. (4527 Travis. 526-3730. Tue-Sat 11:30-2 am, Sun & Mon 11:30 am-midnight, Sun brunch: 11:30-3. Happy hour: daily 4-7 pm & 11 pm-closing. All credit cards.)

Poor David’s Pub. It’s easy to bypass this Sixties holdover on your way to somewhere else, but if you’re looking for decent live music, that may be a mistake. Sure, Poor David’s is tiny and dark and has absolutely no stage. All the better to concentrate on the music, which, more often than not, is worth hearing. (2900 McKinney. 821-9891. Mon & Wed-Fri 4pm-2am, Sat 7pm-2am. Happy hour 4-8 pm week-nights. Closed Sun and Tue. No credit cards.)

Popsicle Toes. The name may be a bit odd (taken from a Michael Franks tune), but this place has great jazz-funk and an enjoyable, casual cosmopolitan clientele. We’ve never been to a Dallas bar that is so comfortably integrated or felt so at home on a first visit just sitting and listening to the music. Regulars such as Phyrework, Buster Brown and Pore, Cooke and Neal seem able to do it all-from jazz to rock to country. (5627 Dyer. 368-9706. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. TGIF: Fri 4-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

The Quiet Man. This is the quintessential neighborhood bar, defined as one of those places you go to only if you’re meeting some buddies to quaff some-brews and swap stones. A lone stranger here sticks out like a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt. When Knox Street was widened a few years ago, the Quiet Man lost some of its beer garden out front, but that just means the regulars have to squeeze a bit closer together. (3120 Knox. 526-6180. Tue-Sat noon-2 am, Sun & Mon 4 pm-midnight. No credit cards.)

The Railhead. Quality entertainment with no cover charge is the drawing card here, a rarity that almost overcomes the club’s major irritations: You can’t run a cash tab during happy hour, the drinks are only so-so and the waiters and waitresses sometimes wait too long between visits to your table. (6919 Twin Hills. 369-8700. Sun & Mon 5 pm-1 am, Tue-Sat 5 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4:30-7 pm. AE, MC, V, DC)

San Francisco Rose. When you’re relaxing at San Francisco Rose. it’s easy to feel as if you’re in someone’s living room rather than in a lower Greenville Avenue bar. Seating consists of cozy groupings of easy chairs and overstuffed Victorian sofas. Whether you’re alone or with a group, this arrangement lends itself to the cause. If, however, you’re looking for a place for an intimate conversation for two, you may be out of luck. (3024 Greenville. 826-2020. Mon-Sat 11-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-7 pm. AE, MC, V, DC.)

The Sock Hop. What’s new at the Sock Hop? Better to ask what’s old, since the theme here is late Fifties/ early Sixties. The Sock Hop has the front end of a ’57 Chevy, be-bopping waitresses in cheerleader garb and other “Happy Days” regalia. Best of all, the house band, Dash, plays some of the best nostalgia rock in town. This is a nice place to forget the Eighties. (2946 W Northwest Hwy. 352-6856. Tue-Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour: 4-6:30 pm. MC, AE.)

St. Martin’s. St. Martin’s has been among our favorite romantic nightspots for a long time. Now we’ve begun to enjoy its lunch specials as well. We don’t know of another place in town with such unassuming class, good service, pleasant classical music and an intelligent selection of wines. (3020 Greenville. 826-0940. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11-3. Dinner: Mon-Thur 5-11; Fri 5 pm-1 am; Sat 11-1 am; Sun brunch: 11:30-3. DC, MC, AE.)

Stoneleigh P. This is an artist’s bar. And a businessman’s bar. And a construction worker’s bar. And a housewife’s night-out-on-the-town bar. And just about anyone’s bar. There are no pretenses here, just a lot of open space and room to “do your own thing.” There’s a great jukebox, a varied selection of magazines and always an interesting assortment of people. (2926 Maple. 741-0824. Mon-Sat 11-2 am, Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4- 7 pm. AE.)

Strictly TaBu. A recent return to the TaBu confirms our faith in one of Dallas’ best jazz bars if not just for the jazz-which is varied and lively-but for the easy, unpretentious atmosphere. We like the dining area in the back, where pizza and pasta are the highlights. This is the perfect place for a late-night rendezvous with an intimate stranger or an old friend. (4111 Lomo Alto. 522-8101. Live music nightly at 9:30. Food served Sun-Thur 6 pm-midnight, Fri & Sat 6 pm-1 am. Bar open Tue-Sat until 2 am, Sun & Mon until 1 am. All credit cards.)

Studebaker’s. This is the latest in car-theme, nostalgic dance bars. Studebaker’s emphasizes hits from the Fabulous Fifties (the club doesn’t play any music recorded after 1969). It all makes for a bop-pin’ qood time. (8788 N Central Expwy in NorthPark East. 696-2475. Daily 11-2 am. Cover varies. V, MC, AE.)

Texas Tea House. The Tea House is a friendly, trendless c/w spot to drink beer and enjoy the harmony-lacking but good-natured Will Barnes Band. The beer Is cold, the crowd is always rowdy and the bleachers (this is strictly a beer garden) aren’t too bad, unless the night is chilly. (3400 Kings Road. 526-9171. Tue-Sat 8 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)

Vickery Feed Store. This deli/bar has an odd but appealing mixture of country and class. Wooden walls, a wooden floor and a hometown atmosphere are combined with burgundy vinyl booths and slick black tabletops in what turns out to be a very pleasant watering hole. Good drinks, great deli/snack food and some of the friendliest service in town. (6918 Greenville. 363-9198. Mon 6 am-midnight, Tue-Fri 6-2 am, Sat 8-2 am, Sun 8 am-midnight. Happy hour: Sun-Fri 3-7 pm, Sat noon-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

The White Elephant Saloon. In 1887. Luke Short, then the owner of the White Elephant, shot it out with a former U.S. marshal. Now the Elephant has coun- try/western music six nights a week and a lot of tourists trying desperately to learn to two-step on a small dance floor. (106 E Exchange, Fort Worth. (817) 624-1887. Mon-Sat 11-2 am. Closed Sun. MC, AE, V.)

The Wine Press. From the floor to the very high ceiling of The Wine Press are racks upon racks of bottles of wine; therein lies the atmosphere of this artsy Oak Lawn brasserie. We enjoy sampling several different wines by the glass and are particularly fond of the flavors of the assorted cheesecakes. (4217 Oak Lawn. 522-8720. Mon-Sat 11-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. No reservations. All credit cards.)

Zanzibar Deli. A fresh face on the burger-spattered strip of lower Greenville Avenue, Zanzibar offers drinks and good deli food in a colorful cafe setting. The atmosphere-neon, pink and green walls, and glass bricks-is odd enough to work. (2912 Greenville. 828-2250. Sun 10 am-midnight, Mon-Thur 11:30-2 am, Fri & Sat 11-4 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. AE.)



FILM



Dallas Public Library. From the Book by…” is this month’s film series featuring films based on books by authors from other English-speaking parts of the world. May 4: “Six Feet of the Country”- based on a book by Nadine Gordimer, the film is about a South African farm couple who try to salvage a troubled marriage and resolve interracial tensions involving the burial of a black farmhand’s brother. May 11: “The Island”-this tale of mystery and suspense from a short story by L.P. Hartley involves a World War I army captain, his missed rendezvous with his ladylove, her husband who mysteriously appears and the couple’s butler. May 18:“The Jolly Corner”-based on Henry James’ short story, the film portrays an American expatriate who returns home after a 35-year absence (to evade service in the Civil War) and tries to rediscover himself by frequently visiting his childhood home. May 25: “Exit 10”-This adaptation of Katherine Mansfield’s short story. “Bliss.” which won an American Film Festival blue ribbon, tells the story of a successful young lawyer who becomes involved in an emotional triangle that leaves him shaken and puzzled. Showings are at 12:10 pm at the Central Public Library, 1515 Young. Free. 749-4478.

Granada Theatre. May 1: “Dr. Strangelove” and “The Atomic Cafe.” May 2: “Ragtime” and “The Last Tycoon.’’ May 3 & 4: Premiere of Wolf Gremm’s “Fabian.” May 5: “A Woman Like Eve” and “The Love That Dares Not Speak Its Name.” May 6-12: Premiere of Shuji Terayama’s “Fruits of Passion.” May 13: “The Missionary” and “And Now for Something Completely Different.” May 14: “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Forbidden Planet.” May 15: “Woman of the Year” and “The Philadelphia Story.” May 16: “8 1/2” and “La Dolce Vita.” May 17: “That Obscure Object of Desire” and “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie.” May 18: “The Entertainer” and “Richard III.” May 19: “Creepshow” and “The Shining.” May 20: “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Some Like It Hot.” May 21: “Blade Runner” and “Alien.” May 22-25: Premiere of Arnold Schwartzman’s “Genocide,” 1982 winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. May 26: “The Aviator’s Wife” and “Claire’s Knee.” May 27: “Pink Floyd. The Wall” and “Heavy Metal.” May 28: “Diva” and “Shoot the Piano Player.” May 29: “Singin’ in the Rain ” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.” May 30: “Nude Restaurant” and “Bike Boy.” May 31: “Cousin, Cousine” and “Bread and Chocolate.” Tickets $3.50; $2 for children; $4 for premieres. 3524 Greenville. 823-9610.

SMU Cinematheque Series. May 1: ’Its a Wonderful Lite” and “Meet John Doe” double feature May 6: “Bread and Chocolate” and “Open City” double feature. May 7: “Bread and Chocolate ” and “L’Avventura” double feature. Showings are at 7 & 9 pm in the Bob Hope Theatre, Owen Arts Center, SMU campus. Tickets $2. 692-3090.

University of Texas at Dallas. May 4: “Twelve Angry Men.” May 6: “Laura.” May 11: “The Pink Panther.” May 13: “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger” double feature. May 18: “Beauty and the Beast.” May 20: “The Court Jester.” May 25: “The Lady in the Lake.” May 27: “Grand Hotel.” Showings are at Founders North Auditorium, UTD campus, Richardson. Tickets $2: $1 for persons under 18 or over 65. 690-2945.



THEATER



Am I Blue? and A Tantalizing. Stage No. 1’s final production of the season includes two one-act plays. SMU alumna Beth Henley wrote “Am I Blue?” years before she won the Pulitzer Prize for drama for “Crimes of the Heart.” The second play, “A Tantalizing,” is by William Mastrosimone, whose current play, “Extremities,” is drawing crowds in New York. Through May 21 at Stage No. 1, Greenville Avenue Theatre, 2914 Greenville. Wed-Fri at 8:15 pm, Sat at 5:30 & 9 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Tickets $10 Fri & Sat; $8.50 Wed. Thur & Sun. 760-9542.

The Dresser. It’s January 1942 in a theater in the English provinces. Amid the sporadic bombing of the war, a venerable actor/manager named Sir will perform “King Lear” if his dresser and companion, Norman, can keep him from going insane. This is an odd drama, largely comic but ultimately soulful. May 24-July 2 at the Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 5 & 8:30 pm. Tickets $13.50 & $12 Fri & Sat; $12 & $10.50 Sat matinee; $11 & $9.50 Tue-Thur. 526-8857.

Man and Superman. Verbal pyrotechnics light up this witty, provocative hymn to the Life Force, George Bernard Shaw’s version of God. Shaw, the thinking man’s playwright, blends a delightful court-ship plot with some weighty ideas about man’s place in the universe. May 24-June 25 at Theatre Three, the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $12 Fri & Sat, $9.50 Wed, Thur & Sun matinee; $8.50 Tue & Sun. 748-5191.

Misalliance. George Bernard Shaw’s comedy set in middle-class England focuses on a successful underwear merchant, his doting wife, man-crazy daughter and impractical son and their multiple and confusing love affairs. Through May 8 at the Margo Jones Theatre, Owen Arts Center, SMU campus. Tue-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:15 pm. Tickets $5. 692-2573.

On Golden Pond. In Ernest Thompson’s poignant drama about an elderly couple facing life’s golden years, a crotchety father and his daughter who have never been close come to terms with their relationship. Through May 22 at Dallas Repertory Theatre, NorthPark Auditorium, NorthPark Center. Wed-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets $9 Fri & Sat; $8 Sun; $7 Wed & Thur. 369-8966.

Relatively Speaking. British playwright Alan Ayck-bourn has delighted audiences on both continents with his hysterical domestic farces. In this situation comedy, a young couple and an old couple become involved in a confusion of relationships. May 12-June 25 at New Arts Theatre, 702 Ross at Market. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $10.50 Fri & Sat; $7.50 Tue-Thur & Sun. 761-9064.

Threepenny Opera. The popular, haunting musical with script by Bertolt Brecht and music by Kurt Weill is set in London in 1837 and explores the escapades of the treacherous Mack the Knife. Through May 7 at the Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 5 & 8:30 pm. Tickets $13.50 & $12 Fri & Sat: $12 & $10.50 Sat matinee; $11 & $9.50 Tue-Thur. 526-8857.

MUSIC



BL Lacerta. The poet/actors of Victor DaDa join Dallas’ improvisatory chamber ensemble, May 20 at 8 pm at the Bathhouse Cultural Center, 521 E Law-ther. Tickets $6. 328-8427.

Dallas Classic Guitar Society. Duo-guitarists Steven Novacek and Gary Bissiri perform music for guitar ensemble by Brouwer and Rodrigo along with transcriptions from deFalla, Scarlatti, Granados and Brahms. May 10 at 8:15 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU campus. Tickets $8.75. 343-3709.

Dallas Girls Chorus. May 1: Patricia Crenshaw leads the ensemble in a concert at 6 pm at the De-Golyer Estate, 8525 Garland. Free. May 14: The annual spring concert is presented at 7:30 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU campus. Tickets $2. 644-8603.

Dallas Jazz Society. “A Tribute to Duke Ellington” will feature Clint Strong and trio, the Robert Sanders Quartet and the Tarrant County Junior College Jazz Lab Band. The concert will be presented May 1 at 3 pm by the Fort Worth chapter of the Dallas Jazz Society at Stage West, 600 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $5. (817) 332-6238.

Dallas Opera. Mezzo-soprano Marilyn Home appears in recital with pianist Martin Katz, May 27 at 8:15 pm at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. Tickets $100-$5. 528-3200.

Dallas Public Library. May 7: Saturday afternoon events include a recital by the American Harp Society at 6130 Boca Raton. May 14: the Dallas Baroque Ensemble. May 21: Frances Estes plays English horn. May 28: Phoebe Dalton plays cello. All concerts are at 3 pm at the Central Public Library, 1515 Young, unless otherwise noted. Free. 749-4402.

Dallas Symphony. May 6 & 7: Sir William Walton died on March 8 of this year; the DSO will close its subscription series with a performance of his most renowned work, the oratorio “Belshazzar’s Feast,” with the North Texas State University Chorus and baritone Douglas Lawrence. Eduardo Mata will conduct the concert, which will also include Four Sea Interludes from “Peter Grimes” by Britten and a suite from the “Water Music” by Handel at 8:15 pm at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $14.50-$4. 692-0203. May 3: Richard Giangiulio will conduct a young people’s concert at 9:45 am at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $2.50. 565-9100. Free park concerts are scheduled throughout the month. May 12-15: North-aven; May 19-22: Lee Park; May 26-30: Flagpole Hill. All concerts are at 2 pm. May 11, 18 & 25: Downtown sidewalk concerts will take place on the corner of Pacific and Akard at noon.

Dealey Awards. Young singers from around the world will compete for $14,000 in prizes in the finals of The Dallas Morning News’ G.B. Dealey Awards 40th Annual Auditions, May 5-8. The final round and presentation of awards is set for May 8 at 4 pm at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. 745-8141.

Eastfield College. The college joins the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce, the City of Mesquite and the Mesquite Performing Arts Council in presenting the second-annual Mesquite Folk Festival, featuring bluegrass, Western swing and children’s concerts. May 5-8. 324-7185.

Fort Worth Symphony. May 4: The winner of the UTA Piano Concerto Competition for high school students performs with the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra (formerly the Texas Little Symphony) under conductor John Giordano at 8 pm at Irons Recital Hall. Cooper at Second, Arlington. Tickets $7.50. May 10: Pianist Christopher O’Riley will perform Martinu’s “Sinfonietta Giocosa” with the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra under Giordano in a concert also featuring Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 at 8 pm at Ed Landreth Auditorium, University at Cantey, Fort Worth. Tickets $12-$6. May 14 at 8 pm and May 15 at 3 pm: Giordano conducts an all-Rachmaninoff program including the Second Symphony and the Third Piano Concerto with soloist Panayis Lyris and the Fort Worth Symphony at Tar-rant County Convention Center. 1111 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $14-$4. 921-2676 or Central Tickets. 429-1181.

Highlander Concerts. Organist Frederick Swann appears in recital May 15 at 7 pm at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Blvd. Free; advance reservations recommended. 526-7457, ext. 202.

Meadows School of the Arts. May 1 at 4 pm; Lloyd Pfautsch conducts the SMU Choir. 692-2628. May 4 at 8:15 pm: The SMU Symphony performs under the baton of Anshel Brusilow. 692-2643 May 13 at 7:30 pm and May 14 & 15 at 1:30 pm: Students in the Piano Preparatory Department perform. May 22 at 8:15 pm: Harpsichordist Gustav Leonhardt appears in recital. Tickets $6. 692-2643. All events are in Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center. SMU campus. Free, unless otherwise noted.

Northaven Arts Series. Duo-organists Mary Preston and Kathryn Johnson perform music by Handel, Soler, Bruhns, Bach, Merkel and others. May 15 at 4 pm at Northaven Methodist Church, 11211 Preston. Free. 363-2479.

Piano Civic Chorus. The Piano Community Band joins the chorus for a pops concert, May 23 at 7:30 pm at Vines High School, 1401 Highedge, Piano. Free. 596-4249.

Venetian Room. Through May 10: Tony Bennett. May 11-24: Mel Tormé and George Shearing. Venetian Room, Fairmont Hotel, Ross at Akard. Tickets $17 for Tony Bennett; $12-$10 for Mel Tormé and George Shearing. Performances are at 8:30 & 11 pm Mon-Thur; 9 & 11:30 pm Fri & Sat. 748-5454.



ART



Ban Chiang: Discovery of a Lost Bronze Age. The accepted belief that civilization and technology began in China and Mesopotamia and spread from there may be overturned by the sophisticated bronze and iron objects and beautiful pottery displayed here that date from 4,000 to 200 B.C. and were discovered within the last few years in north-eastern Thailand. The Science Place. Fair Park. Through May 31. Tue-Sat 9-5, Sun noon-5. Admission $1, 50￠ for students and senior citizens. 428-8351.

The Boston School Show. Whatever happened to old-fashioned realism? This exhibit offers 100 paintings by some two dozen artists, all alive and well and painting in the traditional 19th-century academic style. Roughton Gallery, 125 Turtle Creek Village. May 15-June 15. Sun, May 15 from 1 -5 pm; Mon-Sat 10 am-6 pm. 528-8500.

Carleton E. Watkins. Other pioneer photographers of the West may be better-known, but Watkins’ eye for the sublime scenery of Yosemite and the gritty reality of early-day mining towns was unsurpassed. This is the first general survey of his work. Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Through May 22. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.

Doug MacWithey. MacWithey’s drawings-of anatomical details and geometric figures-are beautiful, but the finely lettered texts accompanying the drawings are partly illegible or don’t make sense, giving these works the mysterious air of messages from another world. Carol Taylor, Art, 2508 Cedar Springs. May 3-28. Tue-Sat 10-5, Mon by appointment. 745-1923.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry. Oudry was one of the most popular painters of animals of his time (the 17th century). His portraits and studies from nature are still charming and surprisingly lively. Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Through June 5. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 332-8451.

Joel Shapiro. By eliminating detail and concentrating on the essential sculptural form of such commonplace things as a house, a chair, a bridge or a stick figure. Shapiro has created works in wood and bronze that are small, blunt and mysteriously evocative. Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Fair Park. Through May 8. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. 421-4188.

Pam Nelson. A Dallas artist examines the experience of being “on stage” in puppetlike relief sculptures framed within curtained stages. Clifford Gallery, 6610 Snider Plaza. Through May 5. Tue-Sat 10:30-5. 363-8223.

Paul Rotterdam. This is a one-man show of contemporary pluralistic paintings and drawings. Adams-Middleton Gallery, 3000 Maple, Through May 27. Tue-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5. 742-3682.

Valton Tyler. A Dallas surrealist paints imagined landscapes where strange biomechanical creatures stalk. Valley House Gallery Inc., 6616 Spring Valley. Through May 30. Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-3. Sun by appointment. 239-2441.

Vincent Falsetta. Repeated shapes flutter across these paintings and drawings in rhythms that suggest a TV set gone berserk or a passage of frozen music. The show is paired with an exhibit of color photographs of baseball stadiums by Jim Dow. Mattingly Baker Gallery. 3000 McKinney. Through June 3. Tue-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5. 526-0031.



ENLIGHTENMENT



SEMINARS, EVENTS, ETC.



Artfest ’83. Dallas’ annual extravaganza of art, entertainment, food and family fun is sponsored by The 500 Inc., and benefits the arts in Dallas. Highlights include the sixth-annual Run for the Arts, a 10-kilometer race; a juried art show featuring 225 artists from all over the country; an auction; children’s activities; and concession stands. May 28 & 29 at the Esplanade, Fair Park. Sat 10-8, Sun 11-6. Tickets $2.50 in advance. $3.50 at the gate, children under 4 free. Available at Tom Thumb stores or The 500 Inc., 8220 Westchester, Suite 6. 361-2011.

Brookhaven College. Actor William Windom presents his critically acclaimed one-man show, “Thur-ber,” based on the stories and cartoons of humorist James Thurber, May 10 at 8 pm at the Performance Hall, Brookhaven College. 3939 Valley View. Farmers Branch. Tickets $10 & $9. 620-4118.

East Dallas Community School. Two of Texas’ best storytellers are featured in “An Evening of Storytelling with John Henry Faulk and Dave Marquis.” Faulk, a longtime radio personality, was a storyteller on TV’s “Hee Haw.” Marquis is known for his one-man shows “I Am a Teacher” and “Out Here in America.” May 1 at 7:30 pm at New Arts Theatre, 702 Ross at Market. Tickets $15; proceeds benefit the East Dallas Community School. 761-9064.

Mayfest. A four-day fun-in-the-sun arts and entertainment festival on the banks of the Trinity River features dancing, music, crafts, games, races and food. May 5-8 at Trinity Park, University Drive, Fort Worth. Thur & Fri 3-9 pm, Sat noon-9, Sun noon-7. Tickets $2; children 6 and under, free. (817) 332-1055

Temple Shalom Arts Forum. Mark Russell, America’s premier political satirist, presents “Mark Russell Roasts Washington.” May 12 at 8 pm at Temple Shalom, Hillcrest at Alpha. 661-1810.



SPORTS



Byron Nelson Golf Classic. The PGA tour’s annual Dallas stop, sponsored by the Salesmanship Club, hosts pro golfers Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Bob Gilder, Bill Rogers and many others at the tournament’s new home, Las Colinas Sports Club, Cottonwood Valley course. Through May 1. Advance tickets $16 single-day (pavilion), $12 single-day (grounds); $50 season badge (pavilion), $44 season badge (grounds), 742-3896

Colonial National Invitation Golf Tournament. The nationally televised tournament hosts defending champion Jack Nicklaus and top PGA Tour golfers as they compete for $350,000 on one of the nation’s most challenging courses. May 9-15 at Colonial Country Club, Country Club Circle. Fort Worth. (817) 926-4671.

Texas Rangers. Arlington Stadium, Arlington. Tickets $8.50-$4. $2.50 for children 13 and under, at Arlington Stadium, Sears stores, Preston Tickets (Dallas). Central Tickets (Fort Worth), Sun Rexall (Richardson) and North Star Pharmacy (Garland). All games start at 7:35 pm unless otherwise noted. (817)273-5100.

May 1 vs. New York (2:05 pm)

13-15 vs Baltimore (May 15 at 2:05 pm)

16-18 vs. Cleveland

30 & 31 vs. Kansas City