FOOTWORK FIREWORKS
Consider this irony. The surest box office draws for ballet are the Swan Lakes and Nutcrackers. The biggest box office stars today are male dancers. Yet the classics offer relatively puny roles for men -a solo here, a variation there. Otherwise, it’s “lift that swan queen, tote that sugarplum.” As a consequence male superstars on tour are forced to repeat endlessly the same few war-horses that satisfy audience appetite for spectacle and sleight of foot.
The appearance of the glorious Mr. B -as in Bold, Beautiful, and Baryshnikov -at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Starfest, will be no exception. He’s dancing the crowd pleasers Le Corsair and Harlequinade, partnering Cynthia Harvey. You might think Dallas sufficiently sophisticated to rate Push Comes to Shove or Apollo. In any event, next to Baryshnikov’s fireworks, the rest of the program is bound to seem lackluster to the thrill seekers in the crowd. The DSO will perform bits and pieces of Swan Lake and Coppelia, and the Louisville Ballet will perform works by Satie and Stravinksy. To both groups falls the thankless task of sharing the stage with ballet’s Mr. Big.
Baryshnikov et al appear July 2 at 8 pm at the Dallas Convention Center Arena. Tickets are $25, $20, $15, and $10. Priority sales to Starfest season ticketholders. For more information, call 692-0203.
– Margaret Putnam
COMMISSIONED CANVASES
When Mary Hatz says that few artists realize that art is a 24-hour-a-day job, she is not denigrating their creativity or artistic integrity. She is talking about marketing, something that most artists are notoriously bad at, but a skill at which Associates Plus, an art placement service started by Hatz, Michael Thomas, Shel Kasmir, and Carey Jones, is very good. Hatz believes that artists, like everyone else, have to develop systems that work for them. For that reason she has been very active in the development of alternative gallery spaces in Dallas and serves on both state and national art commissions. Associates Plus is a natural outgrowth of her involvement with the arts. The company currently represents 15 artists and shows their work largely to corporations and businesses interested in either starting collections or decorating a new office. Associates Plus performs a much needed service for both artists and clients. The company has begun to handle sales for 500 Exposition Gallery, and many of the most exciting young artists in Dallas are represented. 2403 Thomas, open by appointment. 748-6111.
-Marshall Williamson
FILM SERIES
Still Singing, Still Dancing. The USA Film Festival continues its summer series of Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland musicals through July. July 3 & 4, Babes on Broadway (the kids make it to the big time and discover heartbreak, hope, etc.); July 10 & 11, Strike Up the Band (the kids go on national radio with their high school band); July 17 & 18, Girl Crazy (an early version of When the Girls Meet the Boys); and July 24 & 25, Words and Music (Judy sits this one out). Features are at 7 & 9 pm in the Bob Hope Theater, Owen Arts Center, SMU campus. Tickets $3. 692-2979.
Unfair Comparison. How do you make a musical comedy based on an Ingmar Bergman film? Ask Stephen Sondheim, whose A Little Night Music was the hit stage version of Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night. Hal Prince’s film version of Sondheim’s play of Bergman’s masterpiece stretched things a little too far, but it is the only chance you will ever get to see and hear Elizabeth Taylor sing “Send in the Clowns.” Bergman’s and Prince’s variations on a theme will have consecutive showings in July as part of the University of Texas at Dallas’ summer film series. Smiles shows July 8; Night Music, July 10. Features at 7:30 and 9:30 pm at Founder’s North Auditorium, UTD campus. Tickets $2 for adults, $1 children and senior citizens, 50c for UTD students with ID’S. 690-2909.
THEATER
Dark Inheritance. The New Arts Theatre continues to be our most unpredictable, quixotic company. Having built a lovely new theater downtown, one might have expected New Arts to open it with one of its guaranteed-fresh Noel Coward shows or a striking contemporary drama. Instead we saw a musical-ized Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, that was nearly too silly tor its own good. Next, Christopher Nichols’ company staged Sweet Bird of Youth, a production which demonstrated all too clearly the shoddiness of Tennessee Williams’ writing. Now, instead of the previously announced Loose Ends, New Arts is premiering Dark Inheritance, a contemporary mystery concerning witchcraft, written by the company’s literary manager, Renice McGarrity. Though the loss of Michael Weller’s Loose Ends is unfortunate, this production does exemplify Nichols’ admirable commitment to staging new plays. The cast includes New Arts veterans Bob Wagner, Bob Chapman, Cheryl Black, and Gordon Fox, with direction by Nichols. Through July 25 at New Arts Theatre Company, 702 Ross Ave at Market. Tue-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 8:30 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $7.50 Fri & Sat, $5.50 Tue-Thur & Sun. 761-9064.
The Elephant Man. One of the crop of recent Broadway successes that are moving more or less automatically into our local theaters. This one is also a fine play in its own right, written by Bernard Pomerance about an actual historical character, enormously deformed but strong in mind and spirit. The title role is a fabulous showpiece (unlike the recent film of the same name, the play doesn’t use realistic makeup, but requires the actor to convey deformity through other means); the part is being played here by Vince Davis, whose most prominent recent roles have been the crippled Vietnam veteran in Stage No. 1’s Fifth of July and the son returning home in Buried Child, also at Stage No. 1. Through July 4 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 $8.75 Fri & Sat; $6.75 Wed, Thur, & Sun matinee; $5.75 Tue & Sun. 748-5191.
Guys and Dolls. The rules by which most musicals are created seem designed to ensure that only very young girls or very old men can enjoy them. This show is an exception. Abe Burrows’ book (based on stories by Damon Runyon) and Frank Loesser’s songs (based on a good sense of dramatic effectiveness) somehow serve one another as in an ideal marriage. Nathan Detroit, a part-time lover and full-time gambler, is a veritable archetype, and the songs will stick with you through a whole season of the usual musical schlock and dreck. How the Dallas Repertory Theatre will manage to squeeze this large-scale show onto its small-scale stage remains to be seen, but the DRT has accomplished similar feats in the past, most recently in its infectious staging of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Patience last year. June 24-July 26 at Dallas Repertory Theatre, NorthPark. Wed-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets $5 Wed. Thur, & Sun, $4 students & over 65; $5.50 Fri & Sat, $4 50 students & over 65. 369-8966.
Red, Hot, and Cole. The old Manhattan Clearing House organization, which produced some noteworthy theater and dance events in a location near Fair Park a few years ago and then dropped from sight, has returned. It’s been entirely reorganized under the direction of Kjehl Rasmussen, and one of its activities has been operating the Greenville Avenue Theatre. So far, Manhattan Clearing House has been content to host other groups in its performing space, most notably Stage No. 1, but with Red, Hot, and Cole the new Manhattan group launches a production of its own: a Cole Porter revue. Rasmus-sen directed the show (with assistance from Dale Rose), and choreography is by Patty Harrington of Dancers Unlimited. The costumes are reportedly very lavish and very costly. Note that the show moves in the middle of the run, from the Greenville site to a new domed theater in Addison, with the site uncertain at press time. Through July 4 at the Greenville Avenue Theatre, 2914 Greenville; July 8-Aug 9 at the Addison Summer Theatre. Tue-Sun at 8:30 pm. Tickets $7.50, $6 students. 823-3670.
Say It With Music By Irving Berlin. Berlin is surely one of the best songwriters America has ever produced. So it’s surprising that Theatre Three, in its annual revues honoring people like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Stephen Sondheim, hasn’t gotten around to adding Berlin to the list of honorees before now. But maybe now is an especially good time to hear songs like “Let’s Have Another Cup of Coffee” and “It’s A Lovely Day Tomorrow,” with their gently uplifting Depression-era lilt. Jac Alder, the creator of most of the other revues, is devising this one too, which will explore Berlin’s relation to the changing surfaces of American life. From July 14 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 $8.75 Fri & Sat; $6.75 Wed, Thur, & Sun matinee; $5.75 Tue & Sun evening; preview performances July 10-12 $6.75 Fri & Sat, $5.75 Sun matinee. 748-5191.
Shakespeare Festival of Dallas. This summer’s productions will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Shakespeare Festival, which became, only a year or two after its debut, a good argument against leaving town for the summer. It has also become about the only local arts event outside of a visit by the Pilobolus dance troupe that can draw a broadly diverse audience: despite the July heat, the splintering benches in the band shell, and the distance that separates our language from Shakespeare’s, every summer the crowd is the sort that’s likely to include the checker from your grocery store and the loan officer from your bank. The shows this year will be the tragedy Romeo and Juliet, the comedy As You Like It, and (a special feature for the anniversary) Kempe’s Jig, a one-man show about William Kempe, a famous actor and clown in Shakespeare’s company. The performances follow a rather involved rotating schedule: As You Like It opens the festival and alternates with Romeo and Juliet, through July 19, then Kempe’s Jig, Romeo and Juliet, and As You Like It play in cycles through the end of the run. July 10-Aug 2 at the Fair Park Band Shell. Tue-Sun at 8 pm (gates open at 7:15 pm). Free. 748-6021. MUSIC
Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Starfest, the Symphony’s hot-ticket outdoor summer series, opens July with the biggest name of all: Mikhail Baryshnikov. Ballet’s superstar is coming for one performance July 2 at the Convention Center Arena-okay for circuses, lousy for dance-and tickets are discounted for Starfest subscribers. On stage, Baryshnikov does things other dancers can’t imagine possible, and with the greatest of ease. July 3 it’s back to EDS for Chuck Mangione, who with his band, just keeps getting better. Fort Worth Symphony conductor John Giordano conducts the DSO for the Fourth of July fireworks show. America’s greatest living composer. Aaron Copland, conducts a program of his own music on the Sunday night classical series July 5, including the Outdoor Overture, “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Billy the Kid, and Lincoln Portrait. Barbara Mandrell, country/western “Entertainer of the Year” award winner, arrives July 9 at Starfest for a program free to subscribers who didn’t opt for Baryshnikov. She’s followed July 10 by Judy Collins and the Kingston Trio, July 11 by Andy Williams, and July 12 by Metropolitan Opera soprano Roberta Peters and conductor Franz Allers. Rick Nelsor takes the spotlight July 17, followed by Roy Orbison, Bo Diddley, and Chubby Checker tor “Fifties Nostalgia Night” July 18. July 19 is animal night on the classical series: Sesame Street’s Big Bird is soloist on a program including Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf and Saint Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. A big hit in past years, Bill Cosby returns with his stand-up comedy act on July 24. B.J. Thomas, Reba Rambo, and Tim Sheppard shake up the regular pops format with Family “Gospel” Night July 25. And violinist Eugene Fodor with conductor David Stahl concludes Starfest on a suitably classical note with a program of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven on July 26. July 2-26 at 8 pm at Electronic Data Systems grounds, 7171 Forest Ln. Tickets $9 at the gate. 692-0203.
Thanks-Giving Square. If you’re not at a Sunday afternoon cookout during the July 4th weekend, try to catch tenor Rance Bell at Thanks-Giving Square downtown singing “Music for America ” Bell, a 22-year-old El Paso native and former TCU voice student, will sing a program of traditional American music with religious themes. July 5 at 3 pm at Thanks-Giving Square. Bryan, Pacific, and Ervay streets. Free. 651-1777.
Meadows School of the Arts. So you thought electronic music was just for computer experts and wildhaired professors? Wrong. It’s reached the elementary schools. And to familiarize more elementary and secondary school music teachers with electronic music techniques and equipment, SMU’s Dr. Marvin Lamb is conducting a workshop called “Electronic Music for the Classroom.” Participants will use the SMU Electronic Music Studio and will learn to use and maintain equipment and also to take a crack at elementary composition. It sounds like a good layman’s introduction to electronic music, and drop-ins by the general public are invited. July 13-17 from 9 am-5 pm at Meadows School of the Arts, SMU campus. For credit, $145; no credit, $90. 692-2643.
Dallas Summer Musicals. From the end of June through the first week of August is the time to catch three of the biggest shows in this year’s summer musicals lineup. Funny and tuneful, They’re Playing Our Song is Neil Simon’s 17th Broadway hit. Loosely based on the romance and collaboration between its actual composer, Marvin Hamlisch, and lyricist, Carole Bayer Sager, the show has enjoyed two years of full houses in New York. Lorna Luft (Judy Garland and Sid Luffs daughter) stars June 30-July 12. Next is Dancin’, Bob Fosse’s energetic tribute to hoofers, with music and lyrics by Neil Diamond, Cat Stevens, George M. Cohan, John Philip Sousa, and more (July 14-26). Florence Henderson plays the lead in Irving Berlin’s timeless Annie Get Your Gun, the whoopin’ and hollerin’ musical romance about Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill (July 28-August 9). June 30-Aug 9 at Fair Park Music Hall. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm; Sat & Sun matinees at 2:30 pm. Tickets $21-$4. 691-7200.
DANCE
Dancers Unlimited. A group of eight dancers in search of an audience. Dancers Unlimited plugs along performing tor free at places like Thanks-Giving Square, Artfest, and its studio. The performers’ grit and determination have brought them to their second season, albeit with some shifting in the ranks and constant changes in the repertory. Maybe by next year their talent will earn them some money. Best at ensemble work, DU favors moody pieces and a flowing, balletic style. For their July program, they’ll perform one of the best works in their repertory, Prairie Suite, a study of the loneliness, ardor, and thwarted desire of another era. Also on the program will be some new country/western numbers. July 13 & 27 at 8 pm at Fair Park Band Shell. Free. For more information, call 742-7821.
Bill Evans and Company. Bill Evans and five members of his Seattle repertory company will culminate a month-long workshop at SMU with a free concert/demonstration. Evans, winner of several choreographic fellowships, draws from tap. jazz, and modern dance to create a style described as “abstract, but suggestive of modern life.” It’s a style full of loose, rubbery movements, violent torso twists, and sweeping arm gestures. July 2 at 8:15 pm at the Bob Hope Theatre, Owen Arts Center, SMU campus. Free. For more information, call 692-3105.
NIGHTLIFE
Andrew’s. Folksingers and specialty drinks in an exposed brick/wood ambiance-for those who like this sort of place, as Miss Jean Brodie would say. this is the sort of place they like. As for the food, stick to basic burgers and salads. Anything fancier, including the once fabled crab sandwich, is a mistake. (3301 McKinney. 521-6535. Daily 11:15 am-1:30 am. Happy hour daily until 7. AE, DC, MC, V.)
Bagatelle. One of the best places for jazz listening, it’s also a dimly lighted club with comfortable seating and music that doesn’t interfere with conversation. Tuesday and Wednesday nights Phyllis Ames performs from 9-12. Thursday through Saturday nights feature the Paul Guerrero Jazz Quartet and Debra Smith 9-1:30. (4925 Greenville. 692-8224. Mon-Thur 11:30 am-1 am, Fri & Sat till 2 am, Sun 12:30 pm-2:30 pm & 6 pm-1 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4:30-7. All credit cards.)
Balboa Café. This cafe calls itself Dallas’ second fern bar, meaning it’s like the San Francisco Rose -lots of glass, greenery, and couches. The sandwiches are fair, and there’s a reasonably good selection of imported beer. But the place is noisy and service is sometimes slow. (3604 Oak Lawn. 521-1068. Daily 11 am-2 am. MC, V, AE.) Balboa Café Greenville is even cozier and has a little more stylish clientele. (7015 Greenville. 369-7027. Daily 11 am-2 am, Happy hour Sun-Thur 4-7, daily mid-night-2 am. MC, V, AE.)
Bamboo. “Much like the islands in the off season,” says the menu. What this translates to is the feeling of a large Fifties-style rec room-a deserted one, if you’re here for lunch. At night, live music and the de rigueur eclectic jukebox make for a livelier atmosphere. The menu also proclaims, “All this without the presence of stained glass, pews, or ferns.” (3718 Hall at Oak Lawn. 526-9391. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4- 7. Closed Sun. MC, V.)
Bar Te|as. Yet another entry in the emergence of the Lower Greenville Avenue phenomenon, with a Moroccan tile exterior and a classic interior reminiscent of Havana in the Thirties. The menu, however, has an Italian accent, featuring fried ravioli and the best lentil soup around. The personality of Tom Garrison’s latest enterprise is especially effective on an overcast afternoon. (2100 Greenville. 828-2131. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour daily 4-7. No credit cards.)
Belle Starr. Using the 19th-century lady outlaw as its motif, this c/w dance hall (formerly the Bovarian Steakhouse) has become a popular hangout for cowboys and cowgirls with its spacious dance floor and comfortable furnishings. Rick and Dee Hooper and the R & D Express perform Tuesday through Saturday. The Roy Clayton Band entertains Sunday and Monday. Free dance lessons Sunday 1-8. Cover on weekends. (7724 N Central near Southwestern. 750-4787. Tue-Sat 7 pm-2 am, Sun 4 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. AE, MC, DC, V.)
Biff’s. Biff’s belongs in the middle of an eight-foot snowbank with a fire blazing in its fireplace, icicles clinging to the windowsills, and red-faced people bustling about in fur-lined parkas and apres-ski boots. But even if you aren’t at home on the slopes, you’ll love Biff’s. Ignore the mingling singles at the bar and concentrate on Biff’s burgers, nachos, and good, stiff drinks. (7402 Greenville. 696-1952. Daily 11:30 am-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. AE, MC, V.)
Cardinal Pull’s. The atmosphere is as calming as a 15-minute sauna. The wooden deck outside is perfect for sipping margaritas and basking in the sunshine (when the weather permits), and the cozy fireplace nestled among the plants inside is just as soothing. (4615 Greenville. 369-1969. Daily 4 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. MC, V.)
Chelsea Corner. A low-key, collegiate version of Andrew’s, with woodsy decor, folksingers, and specialty drinks. There are, however, quiet corners to escape to. (4830 McKinney. 526-9327. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 11:30-7. AE, MC, DC, V.)
Cowboy. This is no place for the closet claustrophobic-hundreds of rhinestone cowboys lookin’ for love swarm here like bees to honey. Consequently, breathing room (much less dancing room) is almost impossible to find, and mingling-desired or otherwise-is inevitable. Expect long lines outside, too. Ladies’ first drink is always free. (5208 Greenville. 369-6969. Nightly 7 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE, DC.) Diamond Jim’s, another raucous cowboy disco, less fancy, but equally as much fun. $2 cover on week-ends. (5601 Greenville. 691-2411. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. MC, V, AE.)
Cowgirl. With a decor that hovers between high tech and cowboy kitsch, Cowgirl caters mostly to hotel guests, but on weekends locals arrive to dance to disc jockey country and disco music, or play at one of the numerous backgammon tables. (Regent Hotel at Mockingbird and Stemmons. 630-7000. Mon-Fri 4 prn-2 am. Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. Private club with $5 yearly membership fee except for hotel guests. All credit cards.)
The Den. Located in the Stoneleigh Hotel, this is the essence of a bar: very small, very dark, and very red. (2927 Maple Ave. 742-7111. Mon-Fri 11 am-mid-night. Happy hour all day Mon-Fri. All credit cards.)
Elght-O. Prime grazing land for semi-sophisticates and would-be Bohemians. The clientele ranges from chic to occasionally rowdy, and regulars insist the all-purpose jukebox is the best in Dallas. Menu items include chickon-a-stick and highly rated hamburgers. (The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh, Suite 125. 741-0817. Mon-Sat 11:30 am 2 am, Sun 11:30 am-mid-night. Happy hour daily 4-8. MC, AE, V.)
élan. Still the classiest of the Dallas discos-where chic sophisticates boogie and play backgammon with members of their own set Two dance floors are set in a posh, modern decor and are backed up with a top-notch sound system. Surprisingly good food and a Sunday brunch. Happy hour buffet features a lavish spread. Daily lunch buffet open to the public, but membership required at night. (5111 Greenville. 692-9855. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 2-7. Sun brunch 11-2. AE, DC, MC, V.)
Gordo’s. Dark, with jukebox selectors at the red leatherette booths. Gordo’s is at its best during football season, when it’s a comfortable and low-key place to have pizza or burgers and watch the game. (4528 Cole. 521-3813. Sun 11 am-10 pm, Mon-Thur 11 am-11 pm, Fri & Sat 11 am-midnight. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-6. MC, V, AE.)
The Grape. Few wine bar/bistros can match The Grape for atmosphere-a kind of hole-in-the-wall chic-or for food. The wine list gets longer and more ambitious all the time. (2808 Greenville at Goodwin. 8230133. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11 am-2 pm, Dinner: Sun-Thur 6-11 pm, Fri & Sat 6 pm-1 am. AE, V.)
Greenville Avenue Country Club. The old Vagabond Club resurrected, with the backyard swimming pool still the main attraction. The GACC has the usual chicken-fried menu and good drinks for East Dallas loyalists. Swimming encouraged. (3619 Greenville. 826-5650. Daily 11 am-2 pm. AE, MC, V.)
Greenville Bar & Grill. “Dallas’ oldest bar,” has a browsing rack adjacent to the bar, live music on special party nights, and silver dollar-sized Formica tables. Hal Baker and the Gloomchasers deliver the hottest Dixieland jazz in town every Sunday and Thursday night ($2 cover). Monday through Wednesday and Friday and Saturday saxophone player Sam Jordan and pianist Lionel Davis play great duets and solos from 9-1. (2821 Greenville. 823-6691. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Kitchen open till 1 am daily, closes at midnight on Sun. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. AE.)
Joe Miller’s. The media people bar, and a great gathering spot for regulars. The smallness and plainness of the bar are offset by Miller’s personality, as well as by his stiff drinks. (3531 McKinney. 521-2261. Mon-Fri noon-2 am. AE, MC, V.)
Knox Street Pub. An apparent favorite of young professionals, this nostalgic pub features excellent food and a terrific jukebox. (3230 Knox. 526-9476. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Closed Sun. No credit cards.)
Lakewood Yacht Club. In this neighborhood bar, scores of press photos decorate the walls from eye level all the way up to the incredibly high ceiling. Home-cooked potato chips, really comfortable chairs, a well-stocked jukebox, and an interesting clientele. (2009 Abrams. 824-1390. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am. AE, MC, V.)
Les Saisons. A captivating cityscape of downtown Dallas and the even more captivating jazz vocals of Jeannie Maxwell make this bar special. You can gather around the cozy fireplace, listen to Maxwell’s raspy voice, and have enough quiet to carry on a conversation. Cheery, classy decor-like a French garden room. Maxwell starts singing at 8:30 on weekdays, 9 on Saturday. (765 Turtle Creek Village. 528-6653. Daily 11:30 am-12:30 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. All credit cards.)The Library. This bar/restaurant in the spruced-up old Melrose Hotel achieves the understated tasteful-ness for which most motif bars strive. The small bar area is richly appointed in brass, leather, and. of course, books; it’s comfortable, blessedly quiet, the drinks are excellent, and the service is unobtrusive. (3075 Oak Lawn. 527-5757. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-mid-night, Sat 5:30 pm-midnlght. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)
Lillie Langtry’s Saloon. Antlers on the wall, portraits of actress Langtry, and an informal clientele are aspects of this small, rustic club. More important are the entertainers, who have recently included talented locals like John DeFoore and Tim Holiday (who call themselves Stumpbroke) and guitarist Delbert Pullen. Nachos and sandwiches served. No cover. (6932 Greenville. 368-6367. Daily noon-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7, Sat & Sun noon-7. AE, MC, V.)
Longhorn Ballroom. Built by Bob Wills in 1950 and later leased by Jack Ruby, the historic Longhorn is Dallas’ definitive c/w dance hall. Here, real and affected cowboys two-step on a roller rink-sized dance floor framed by cactus pillars. Owner Dewey Groom fronts the Longhorn Band nightly and on weekends warms up for big-name acts. Free c/w dance lessons Wednesday and Thursday nights. Cover varies. Setups available. (216 Corinth at Industrial. 428-3128. Wed & Thur 7 pm-midnight, Fri & Sat 7 pm-2 am, Sun 3 pm-midnight. All credit cards.)
Madison’s. Slick, popular North Dallas bar with trendy clientele and tasteful setting. Excellent copy bands do precision versions of Steely Dan, et al. (8141 Walnut Hill Ln. 361-0644. Daily 5 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 5-7. AE, MC, V.)
The Mirage. For non-hotel guests, the setting of this comfortable lobby piano bar is what makes it worth a trip: The Atrium II of Loews Anatole, with its 100-foot-long banners draping from 14 stories, is spectacular. Judy Moore plays pop tunes on the baby grand nightly 5-11:30. (Loews Anatole, 2201 Stemmons. 748-1200. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. All credit cards.)
NFL. One of the friendliest bars in town, the NFL (Nick Farrelley’s Lounge) is a hangout tor Irish peo-ple. Come here in a rowdy mood-especially on Friday nights when Irish Texans tune up with old Irish folk songs. Dancing, darts, and shuffleboard are available for the restless. $2 cover Fridays. (3520 Oak Lawn. 559-4890. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. No credit cards.)
Nick’s Uptown. An enormous smoke-filled room dotted with tables, a raised stage in one corner, and a bar running almost the length of the room on the opposite side. The club offers a good cross section of music; it is one of the few spots in Dallas to hear well-known Austin bands on a regular basis. Nick’s also books musicians like Ray Wylie Hubbard and Delbert McClinton. (3606 Greenville. 827-4802. Mon-Sun 8 pm-2 am. AE, MC, V.)
Papagayo. No wet T-shirt contests here, just pure, stylish big-city disco. Cavernous showplace with awesome sound and light show. Packed dance floor doesn’t allow Travolta imitators their usual gymnastics, which is probably just as well. Live music Tuesday through Thursday. $3 cover on weekends. (8796 N Central. 692-5412. Tue-Thur 8 pm-2 am, Fri & Sat open till 4 am. Free drinks daily 8-9 pm. AE, MC, V.)
Papillon. Seating above the dance floor lets you ignore the Beautiful People if you wish: usually quiet, with touch-dancing music late in the evening. (7940 N Central. 691-7455. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat & Sun 6 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)
Piaf’s. An atrium bar with high ceilings and huge plants. The menu offers basic salads, quiche, hamburgers. (4527 Travis at Knox. 526-3730. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 & 11 pm till last call. Kitchen open till 1 am. DC, MC, V, AE.)
Playboy Club. Take your pick of three rooms attended by-what else-cottontailed bunnies: a disco, a subdued lounge with quiet music Thursday through Saturday, and a dinner/showroom with comedy and music acts. Private membership required. (6116 N Central. 363-3800. Buffet daily 11:30-2:30 and 7-11 on weekends. Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat & Sun 5 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)
Poor David’s Pub. Small, dark, and informal, PD’s has a variety of entertainers like ex-Bees Knees guitarist Anson Funderburgh and his Rockets, a talented, no-nonsense blues band. Good sandwiches available. Cover varies. (2900 McKinney. 821-9891. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri till 7. Closed Sun & Tue. Kitchen open till 1 am. No credit cards.)
Popsicle Toes. Taking its name from a Michael Franks tune, this club’s not long on atmosphere or comfort, but presents a diversity of local jazz. The house band is the funk/jazz unit Buster Brown (Tuesday through Saturday), and on Sunday there’s big-band jazz with the Dallas Jazz Orchestra. Cover varies, no cover on Tuesdays. (5627 Dyer. 368-9706. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. TGIF Fri 4:30-7:30. MC, V.)
The Quiet Man. One of the few surviving Sixties quiet places, the small beer garden is a great place to talk-except during rush hour on Knox Street. (3120 Knox. 526-6180. Tue-Thur noon-midnight, Fri & Sat noon-2 am, Sun & Mon 4 pm-midnight. No credit cards.)
Railhead. It’s a shame this bar is so shoddy, because the entertainment is often good: primarily comics and popular music copy artists. No cover means huge crowds. Stick to basic drinks or brews: The house wine is truly bad, and the bar can’t seem to handle anything tricky. (6919 Twin Hills. 369-8700. Daily 5 pm-1 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 5-7. Three shows nightly. All credit cards.)
San Francisco Rose. A bright, laid-back place, adorned with greenery, a few couches, and wing-back chairs. Salads, sandwiches, and soups are all pretty ordinary. (3024 Greenville. 826-2020. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. AE, MC, V.)
St. Martin’s. Small, candle-lit, and soothing – as wine bars should be (and too many aren’t). St. Martin’s has made a conscious effort to put a ceiling on wine prices to encourage experimentation. If the result is a wine list composed of lesser vintages, the food alone is still worth a visit: The ham and Swiss sandwich is a perfect foil for a glass of red. (3020 Greenville. 826-0940. Sun & Mon 5-11, Tue-Thur 11-11, Fri & Sat 11 am-1 am. AE, MC, CB, V.)
6051 Club. 6051 Club is really just an oversized living room furnished with the kind of tables and chairs your grandmother called her “dinette set.” Some of Dallas’ foremost jazz musicians gather on the crowded stage to play their renditions of classics mixed with their own material. Only one drawback: If you arrive after the first set on weekends, it’s standing room only in the bar. (6051 forest Ln. 661-3393. Mon-Fri 4 pm- 2 am, Sat & Sun 8 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-6:30. MC, V.)Strictly Ta-Bu. Eclectic describes this comfortable bar/restaurant. The consistently decent jazz ranges from fusion to Forties swing, the crowd is a mix of mature professionals and high school seniors, and the decor vintage art moderno. A separate eating area offers outstanding but small pizzas along with other Italian dishes. Cover on weekends. (4111 Lomo Alto. 526-9325. Mon-Thur 11 am-2:30 pm & 5 pm-midnignt, Fri 11 am-2;30 pm & 5 pm-1 am, Sat 11 am-2:30 pm & 5 pm-1 am, Sun 6 pm-midnight. MC, V.)
Texas Tea House. A get-down country place, with dancing to the David Patton Band in the beer garden outside. Cover varies. Beer and wine only. (3402 Kings Rd. 526-9171. Tue-Sat 8 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)
Top of the Dome. The only bar in town with several views of the Dallas skyline. Nightly entertainment. Annoying $1.50 charge for elevator ride has been dropped for club-goers. (Reunion Tower, 300 Re union. 651-1234. Mon-Sat 2 pm-1:30 am. Sun 11:30 am-1:30 am. All credit cards.)
Venetian Room. A fancy and expensive mock-up of the Doge’s Palace, this supper club attracts couples who appreciate the semi-formal dress requirements and who like to fox-trot to an orchestra before the show. (Fairmont Hotel, Ross & Akard. 748-5454. Mon-Sat 7 pm-1 am. Shows Mon-Thur 8:30 & 11, Fri & Sat 9 & 11:30. AE, DC, MC, V.)
Whiskey River. A rowdy honky-tonk of a place. Top-notch entertainment ranging from c/w to Sixties rock and roll seldom fails to keep the crowds goin’ and the long necks flowin’. Cover varies. (5421 Greenville. 369-9221. Nightly 8 pm-2 am. AE, MC, V.)
ART
500 Exposition Gallery has a large stable of artists and a reputation for showing the most experimental and avant-garde work in Dallas. All of their artists will be featured in what has come to be known as the Big Name Invitational Show. Gilda Pervin, David Did-ear, Scott Madison, and Will Hipps co-star with a host of others. From July 25; reception for the artists July 25, 7-9 pm at 500 Exposition Gallery, 500 Exposition Ave. Tue-Sat 11-5.828-1111.
Mattingly Baker. Summer produces a plethora of group shows in which area artists stand up as though in review. At Mattingly Baker, a rotating exhibit will feature the work of 14 artists, including Po-laroids by Philip Lamb, paintings by Dan Shields and Vincent Falsetta, and fabric collages by Polly Little. From July 18 at Mattingly Baker Gallery, 10711 Preston Rd, Suite 100. Tue-Sat 11-5. 696-3666.
Stewart Gallery is located in what used to be a manufacturing plant for drain boards and other kitchen fixtures. Its exhibition area is in the former office space at the front of the building, the rest of which is filled with workshops, studios, and rehearsal rooms. The Gallery is an interesting, very busy place. A group showing of gallery artists will be featured throughout the summer (among whom are Arie Van Selm, Victoria Scott, and Nathan Jones). Stewart Gallery, 12610 Coit Rd. Tue-Sat 10-5. 661-0213.
Delahunty. Vernon Fisher, James Surls, and Debora Hunter are names that occur with increasing fre-quency in national art magazines. Delahunty Gallery has been representing these artists locally for years and will be showing their work as part of that gallery’s group show from July 18 at Delahunty Gallery, 2611 Cedar Springs. Tue-Sat 11-5. 744-1346.
Southwest II. Karel Appel is an artist who emerged in the Fifties as a member of the Cobra Group. His abstract work was filled with violent colors and a densely worked surface. Rich colors continue to dominate his recent graphic works, but the images have simplified and become more engaging. His Circus Suites will be on display from July 18 at Southwest II Gallery, 2710 Boll. Tue-Sat 11-5. 827-7730.
Clifford Gallery. James Do well’s interior landscapes, Zanne Hochberg’s large, airy abstractions, and Betsy Mueller’s paper collages are a sample of the work on view at Clifford Gallery’s summer group show through July, 6610 Snider Plaza. Tue-Sat 11-5. 363-8223.
Fort Worth Art Museum. Claes Oldenburg is famous for gargantuan billiard balls, undulating ice bags, and fanciful national monuments based on plumbers’ helpers and clothes pins. He is the “pop artist extraordinaire,” a man whose work continues to amuse and fascinate the public. As an addition to its permanent collection of contemporary American art, the Fort Worth Art Museum will show Oldenburg’s 1966 sculpture Raisin Bread: 5 Slices and End, 42 Raisins, through July at Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery, Fort Worth. Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5, Tue 10-9. (817) 738-9215.
Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. Henri Cartier-Bres-son is a photographer known for his ability to capture the “decisive moment;” the moment that transforms travelogue and snapshots into art. A major retrospective of his work is at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts through July 12. After the Bresson show, the Museum will exhibit Ancient and Medieval objects from a private Dallas collection. The objects include both sculpture and everyday utensils from Mediterranean civilizations. Some 40 objects are included, ranging from mirrors and cosmetics boxes to life-sized Etruscan lions worked in tufa. Bresson shows through July 12; Ancient and Medieval Objects from July 19 at Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Fair Park. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. 421-4187.
