Things To Do In Dallas

It’s September 25 and the high is 97 degrees–nevertheless, fall is in the air at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. The crown jewel of the Autumn at the Arboretum festival, the famous Pumpkin Village, returned this week for the 14th year. This time, the garden’s fall fantasy is modeled after the cinematic theme, “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” The 66-acre exhibit is on view through October 31. 

If you’ve never been to the Pumpkin Village, consider a trek. There are 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash, which have been transformed into charming cottages and monuments; 3,000 ears of corn and 1,500 corn stalks; 900 bales of hay; and hundreds of thousands of fall-blooming flowers and plants. New this year are a 15-foot-tall Great Pumpkin topiary, a pumpkin doghouse for Snoopy, a Lucy topiary outside of her “Garden Advice Hut,” a Peanuts gang school house, and more. 

It’s an ideal place to take kids, babies who are too young to object to an embarrassing fall photoshoot (put that pumpkin in a pumpkin!), elder family members, dates who you’d like to put in the friend zone, bloggers of any kind, and all lovers of pumpkin spice.

The garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission starts at $12. If you want to visit the Children’s Garden, you’ll need a combo ticket. Pro tip: Parking is $6 cheaper when you buy your parking pass online.

It’s been 25 years since we first met Monica, Chandler, Rachel, Ross, Joey, and Phoebe–and well over a decade since we last saw them together–but some friendships last a lifetime. Similarly, people’s obsession with the ‘90s sitcom Friends has proven to transcend time and logic. Warner Bros. has created 30 replicas of the show’s famous, cushy orange couch and placed them in landmarks across the country: two of them can be found in Dallas. 

The famous fixture of Central Perk is now stationed at Klyde Warren Park and at Reunion Tower. The scene is completed with a coffeehouse backdrop and a coffee table. You can visit, take a seat, and snap a pic at both locations through September 30. 

You’ll find the Klyde Warren Park photo op at the Reading and Game Room. There’s no cost of admission and it’s open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. If you post a photo of yourself on the couch with the hashtag #FRIENDSofthepark, you’ll be entered to win tickets to the Park & Palate event on October 26. 

At Reunion Tower, the Central Perk tableau has been set up in the GeO-Deck. Admission to the observation area is $17. If you want to get the full Friends experience, though, this might be your best option. Reunion Tower is having a special, Friends-themed light show on Sunday, September 22, as well as Friends trivia with Dallasites101. You can enjoy both with a ticket to the GeO-Deck. 

Whichever locale you choose–or if you want to visit both–the Friends couch will be there for you through the end of the month. 

It’s powerfully inspiring, even a little disorienting. It’ll make you do crazy things. And, even when it leads to epic disappointment, you’ll keep coming back for more.

I’m not talking about love, I’m talking about the DIY phenomenon that is Pinterest. Whether you’ve taken a couple ideas from the website or fallen victim to a Pinterest fail, you may be interested to know that the Texas Pinners Conference is coming to Dallas this weekend. The two-day event can help you become the crafty human you’ve always wanted to be with hundreds of hands-on workshops and classes.

It’s taking place at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center this Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14. If you’re not the DIY-type, there will be a marketplace with 300 vendors offering clothing, home goods, and other things you probably can’t actually make by yourself. 

The classes and workshops cover everything from succulent wreaths to brush lettering to jewelry-making to macrame. Find the full schedule here. 

Tickets to the Texas Pinners Conference are $10, and packages with some classes included start at $19. If you want to get the full experience, with admission to both days and access to all the classes, it’ll cost you $50. 

Neighborhood Goods has plenty of reasons to celebrate. Though the sprawling Legacy West store has only been open since November, cofounders Matt Alexander and Mark Masinter just announced a second location in New York’s Chelsea Market—clearly their concept of offering a discovery and delivery platform for “interesting brands” and consumers is working. They also reported an additional $8.8 million in seed funding in February.

They also happen to currently host a perfect mix of brands (be they predominately direct-to-consumer, digitally native, or just cool) to construct an entire day of programming around in honor of summer. So, this Saturday, stay inside (honestly, who knows what our weather will be), enjoy a free Equinox class, a panel of female founders, indulge in a post-workout brunch with bubbly at Neighborhood Goods’ in-store restaurant, and free rides from Alto (which, personally, I am very curious to try).

See below (or head to the Neighborhood Goods website) for a few more inviting details. Happy summer!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
9am-10am: Band Burn Class with Equinox and Outdoor Voices
10am-11am: Post-burn Brunch and Bubbles at Prim and Proper
1pm-2pm: “She Started it Panel” with local female founders Tori Gonzales of All the Wire, Hope Tarin of Botanicool, and Donna Letier of Gardenuity
2-3pm: “Experience > Everything” panel with Alto founder Will Coleman, Neighborhood Goods co-founder Matt Alexander, and Book a Birdie cofounders Elizabeth Cline Reza and Gabrielle Cline Müzel.

PLUS:

• Free rides to the event with Alto when you use code “FRESHGOODS”
• Mini-facials from Good Science Beauty>Kit giveaways from Outdoor Voices
• All-day happy hour from Prim and Proper
• Custom personalizations
• Activities for the kids
• Exclusive launch experiences from Rothy’s and Cynthia Rowley

Two years ago, just as the Dallas temperatures really started to climb, I stopped by a pop-up at Set & Co. (ugh, rip) and discovered Austin-based Miranda Bennett. Her modern designs, all made in the U.S. with naturally-dyed textiles, encompass everything from pillows to head wraps (there’s even 7-free nail polish now), but her apparel line was on display that sunny Saturday afternoon. Everything was simple, versatile, and beautifully made (with, as it turns out, zero waste). I bought a white denim top and was forever changed.

To this day, that top is the most complimented piece of apparel I have in my closet. It’s probably because—simple though they may be—Bennett’s designs are distinguished by their timelessness. I’ve yet to see anything out there that looks like my top. The pieces don’t run cheap (prices tend to hover around the $200 mark), but you can wear them for years. (Plus, their zero waste, made-in-America nature deserves to be supported.)

All of this is to say that Miranda Bennett is back in town this Friday (at 7pm) and Saturday (all day long), visiting one of the rare Dallas boutiques that carries her pieces: Commerce in the Adolphus Hotel. We’ll take most excuses to visit Commerce (and Otto’s, and The French Room, and pretty much anything in the downtown hotel), but this one seems particularly good. Maybe your life will be forever changed as well.

Summer is here, and as June rolls along, it becomes easy to feel trapped in a mundane routine. Long work weeks and a seemingly never-ending to-do-lists can drain even the toughest workaholics. Thankfully, with these fun and trendy workshops from local Dallas services, it is easy to get out of the rut and add some excitement to city living.

Flea Style – Watercolor for Beginners: Dreamy Dreamcatcher

Saturday, June 8 -3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Deep Ellum’s Flea Style will help you fuel your creative side with this dreamy watercolor class. Painters of all skill levels are welcome to learn the basics of watercolor painting with Dallas artist Volta Voloshin-Smith. Learn to paint a colorful dreamcatcher painting that is sure to make you feel cool, calm, and creative. / ($50)

Petal Pushers’ Drunk Gardening

Every other Wednesday –June 12 to August 7 at 7:00 PM

This summer, Petal Pushers (the one with the good-looking guys on vespas) is offering a hands-on flower arranging workshop with a twist. Participants will learn how to arrange his or her own set of fresh cut flowers while unwinding with a refreshing glass of vino. Refreshments are provided, but BYOB is encouraged. Who knows, flower arranging (or maybe just flower arranging while drinking) might become your new hobby. / ($65)

Baldo’s Ice Cream Classes

Tuesdays and Thursdays – June 11 to July 25 – 9:30AM to 10:30AM

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings this summer, kids ages 6 to 12 are invited to learn now to make ice cream (and roll their own cones) at Baldo’s Ice Cream on Hillcrest Avenue. The best part? Each participant leaves the session with a pint of his or her freshly made ice cream. (This may be the best time to teach your kid that sharing is caring.) / ($45)

Scardello Artisan Cheese – Charcuterie, Cheese and Wine

Thursday, June 13 -7:00 PM ($40)

(Warning: dad jokes ahead.) If your dad can sometimes be a little cheesy, Scardello has the perfect workshop for both of you to enjoy on Father’s Day. Attendees of Scardello’s Charcuterie, Cheese and Wine class can learn all about what goes into making the perfect board and wine combo. Hang with dad and have a gouda time. (We warned you.) / ($40)

Three Twelve Co. Summer Fun Cookie

Saturday, June 22 -12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

Boost your baking skills with this sweet workshop. Three Twelve Co. invites bakers of all skill levels to learn from local Dallas baker Jen Pederson (aka @adancingbaker) all while enjoying bottomless mimosas. *Clink.* / ($110)

The Candle Bar – Pure Barre + Candle Pouring

June 26 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Head to Deep Ellum’s The Candle Bar for a total body workout with a little incentive. Workshop attendees can enjoy a 30-minute Pure Barre class followed by a glass of rosé. After the mini sweat sesh, participants can pour themselves their own artisan candle. Sweat, sip, and craft in style. / ($50)

The Cookery – Caribbean Vacation

Saturday, June 29 -12:00 PM

The Cookery offers a variety of themed classes, but for our summer-themed roundup, their “Caribbean Vacation” option seems most fitting. Because nothing screams summer quite like polishing off a self-prepared three-course meal with Caribbean Rum Punch and toasted coconut ice cream. / ($95)

Today, Flea Style (aka Dallas’s most sophisticated flea market) is kicking off a weekend-long celebration for its one-year anniversary. Brittany Cobb’s market-turned-boutique-turned-full-on lifestyle brand has come a long way since its humble beginnings in South Side on Lamar, offering a showcase for countless vendors, workshops, and creative minds.

And in just one year, the 5,000-square-foot building in Deep Ellum has become a staple for our local artisan communities (and is even making its way to Frisco, and into the culinary scene, this summer). But just in case you needed a little convincing, here are a few solid reasons to celebrate Flea Style this weekend.

1. More Than 75 Local Makers and Collectors

Flea Style features vendors specializing in clothing, jewelry, art, home décor, culinary goods, and children’s items, all of which will be 25 percent off this weekend. All pieces are organically styled throughout the store, and booths change hands every three months, meaning there’s never a dull moment shopping flea style (see what we did there?).

2. A Colorful New Addition

Cobb and her team are constantly working to transform the space. Last week, the team completed a 16-foot rainbow mural, offering a perfect new backdrop for summer selfies, located just a short drive from Dallas Pride‘s new location in Fair Park.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx3dSNhFfuM/

3. Get Your Hands Dirty

This weekend, Flea Style is debuting a new plant (and succulent, and cactus) bar. Located on the back patio, the 900-square-foot setup will be a DIY station for shoppers to find their next plant project, and perfectly pot it in one of the boutique’s vintage vessel.

4. Workshop ‘Til You Drop

Flea Style hosts a variety of creative and educational courses to fuel inventive minds. From watercolor classes to mentor sessions from Cobb herself, the boutique and headquarters continues to serve as a space for free thinking and community building.

5. Forget Hiring a Babysitter

Starting in June, kids ages 4 to 12 are invited to Flea Style’s Kids Creative Camps. Hosted by K-12 certified art teacher Anne Robb, the workshops feature a variety of craft and art activities to keep little ones busy while parents shop worry-free.

Some brand partnerships are simply bizarre. For example, last night, I saw the most egregious ad placement my eyes have ever witnessed when the ladies of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” in the middle of an episode, began talking up the Anne Hathaway movie The Hustle. Bravo’s been known to promote a movie from time to time (remember when the “Vanderpump Rules” kids were going crazy over a Pitch Perfect movie?), but they’re usually just commercials. Hearing Dorinda go on about how relatable “that Anne Hathaway” is smack dab between scenes of Tinsley crying and Jill Zarin playing tennis was… jarring.

I bring this up because I’m still unsettled, but also to illustrate a stark contrast between bizarre brand mashups and partnerships that feel right and good, like Netflix, Bumble, and SoulCycle coming together to offer free classes and wine over the weekend. Each brand has effectively targeted the millennial generation and is a game changer in their respective field. Netflix also happens to have a new show, “Dead to Me” (in which Christina Applegate apparently shines), that needs promoting. It features a strong female friendship, Bumble has a BFF mode, and SoulCycle is a fun thing to do with your friends. So here we are!

The What: Between May 3 and 5, Bumble users can earn a complimentary SoulCycle class and a bottle of wine (also complimentary).

The How: Bumble users just have to swipe right (in Bumble Date or BFF) on the offer. Limited seats are available, so confirmed participants will be notified prior to the class.

The Why: Synergy, baby. And promoting what I hope will be the vehicle that finally earns Linda Cardellini an Emmy. (Applegate already won one for “Friends”!)

Do you remember your first Flea Style? I do. It was in 2012 in South Side on Lamar. And though there was a very solid slew of artisan booths lining the halls of the historic mixed-used building, that Dallas Flea (as it was known back then) was a far (far) cry from the sprawling, now-biannual Flea Style that’s set to take over 80,000 square feet in Dallas Market Hall this weekend. (Last year, the event evolved into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, opening its headquarters, a flagship boutique, and a podcasting setup in Deep Ellum.)

With 150 vendors populating the highly-curated spring show, we asked founder Brittany Cobb for a few highlights to search for in the sea of vintage and handmade lifestyle goods.

This week, there’s absolutely nothing going on in Dallas.

Just kidding, that was a dumb attempt at an April Fool’s joke. There’s a lot happening, even more than usual, actually. Today marks the dawn of Dallas Arts Month, a period of time when the festivals and art parties never seem to stop. It’s also the beginning of Dallas Startup Week, a free series of events aimed at entrepreneurs. You can see our full rundown of the week’s things to do here; some of the highlights are below.

Ok people, let’s finish March with a bang. The last weekend of the month has a lot to offer, from the 10th annual Dallas Comedy Festival (going through Saturday), to the first ever Texas Pie Festival (Saturday), to the Big Texas Beer Fest (Friday-Saturday), to the Dallas Donut Festival (Sunday). I hope you didn’t decide to start a diet this week. We’ve updated our rotating things to do list, which you’ll find right here. But below are some highlights.

If you’re looking for some less caloric activities, hitting the dance floor is always a good option. We have a new list of fun places to dance. There’s a Studio 54 themed party and a throwback ‘90s party on Friday. This weekend is also the final hurrah for Beauty Bar.

In the theatre world, we have Hamilton’s Leslie Odom Jr. performing jazz and Broadway tunes with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Friday-Sunday), Dallas Theater Center’s The Wolves (Tuesday-Sunday), and Bishop Art Theatre’s one-act play festival Down for #TheCount (Friday-Sunday).

Finally, a few more festivals: Ratha Yatra, or the Festival of Joy, is on Saturday in Klyde Warren Park; 97.9 The Beat Springfest with DaniLeigh, Asian Doll, and Megan Thee Stallion is on Sunday; and 214 Selena, a weekend dedicated to the Tejano icon, has parties Friday-Sunday.