It is sort of unbelievable to me that the Dallas International Film Festival is here, but it is.
The films will show at a few theaters over the course of eleven days, but none so far off as that new LOOK Cinemas, where tonight’s opening ceremonies go off in a rather nontraditional fashion. They’re screening not one, but five films that supposedly represent the breadth and scope of this year’s cinematic adventure. If you’d purchased your tickets in advance, you would have had your choice of Frederico Fellini’s classic 8 1/2, newer films Java Heat, Kon-Tiki, Still Mine, or the documentary The Crash Reel.
There’s still the red carpet (fine, pink carpet because it’s sponsored by May Kay)and gala party for everyone who, again, planned ahead. But as of right now, all the films are all rush seating for anyone interested in partaking, kinda peripherally and definitely last minute, in the excitement. I’ve reached out to the fest to see if the party is entirely sold out, but I recommend getting there early if you’re trying to get the rush tickets.
Also this evening, we have the first of many open-to-the-public Big Read Dallas events. The first Thursday of every month, the Perot Museum hosts something they call Lab Remix, an experimental, educational program around a different theme, such as the correlation between robots and Ayurvedic medicine. The museum is also open late, until 9 p.m., which makes it easy to go after work. Tonight, of course, has a bit to do with the themes of Fahrenheit 451, the book we’re all reading this month. Dr. Marjorie A. Zielke, who is an assistant professor of arts and technology and the associate director for the Institute for Interactive Arts and Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas, will give a talk about technology through time, and then everyone can participate in an electrical experiment designed to explore the evolution in our communication. The event is geared toward older kids, teenagers, and adults. For dinner, MesoMaya‘s right next door, but other options include Lark on the Park (I’ve heard good things from coworkers thus far) and Stampede 66, which I enjoyed myself.
For more to do this evening, including the unveiling of a new mural in Bishop Arts that includes free beer and Eno’s pizza, go here.
