September and October Events
Tour de Fleurs, Grape Stomping Contest, Ivy League Architecture
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| Grapefest pops open the bubbly to celebrate its 20th anniversary on Sept. 7-10. Photography by Getty Images |
Sept. 7-10
Grapefest
Getting better with age, a sparkling celebration is planned for Grapefest’s 20th anniversary. They’re adding sparkling wine and champagne this year. The largest wine festival and consumer judged wine-tasting competition in the Southwest is also home to a grape stomping contest and a race against the world record holder for speed grape catching. Eight local wineries will be represented, as well as an International Wine Garden. Find cuisine to complement your favorite glass of wine at the food and wine-paring pavilion. Call or go online for times and prices. One Liberty Park Plaza, Grapevine. 817-410-3185. www.grapevinetexasusa.com.
Sept. 9-10
ZestFest
If free grocery store samples excite you, then you’ll love ZestFest. This fifth-annual weekend event has more samples than you could possibly take in. From salsa to barbeque sauce, chefs and vendors offer their zesty products. Hosted by Fort Worth’s Chile Pepper Magazine, this event, filled with celebrity chefs, live music, and national and international vendors, will be anything but mild. Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth. 817-871-8150. www.zestfest2006.com.
Sept. 14
Dallas Style
Schmooze with designers and homebuilders, peruse six lifestyle vignettes, and enjoy cuisine, wine, and music at this D Home partnered event to be held at Robb and Stucky. “Celebrate Dallas Style: The New American Elegance,” honoring the anniversary of the city, offers guests an interactive glance at emerging Dallas home designs such as uptown, downtown, European heritage, regal ranch, outdoor living, and American elegance. Carol Hicks Bolton from E. J. Victor and other celebrities will be at this exclusive birthday bash, will you? 7240 N. Dallas Pkwy., Plano. 972-403-3063.
Sept. 14-17
Oktoberfest
It’s only September, but what Texan could say no to food, fun, and authentic lederhosen? Germany comes to Dallas (in a form other than Dirk Nowitzki) for Addison’s 19th annual Oktoberfest, beginning Thursday evening with the official tapping of the keg. Addison’s fest offers authentic cuisine, polka music, folk dancing, a bier sampling, including beers featured at the original Oktoberfest, and—a new addition this year—a yodeling competition. Complete with a carnival and a Dachshund Club dog parade for the kleine jungen and mädchen (little boys and girls), it’s four days of German fun with a Texas twist. Admission is $5. Parking is on Arapaho Road at Dallas Parkway. 4970 Addison Circle Dr., Addison. 1-800-ADDISON. www.addisontexas.net/events/oktoberfest.
Sept. 14
Dallas Architecture Forum
Spend an evening with James Timberlake, FAIA and partner of Philadelphia architecture firm KieranTimberlake Associates LLP. KieranTimberlake has left its mark on Ivy buildings at Cornell, Yale, and Princeton, as well as Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company’s new stage. And when you go, be good architecture students and ask questions; Timberlake is, after all, an adjunct faculty member of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design and a visiting professor at the University of Michigan. Timberlake, who’s also served as Eero Saarinen Distinguished Professor of Design at Yale University, kicks off the 11th season of lectures, which will feature eight speakers, at 7 p.m. in the Horchow Auditorium at the Dallas Museum of Art. 1717 N. Harwood St. Tickets available at the door only, $15, $10 for DMA members, $5 for students, and Dallas Architecture Forum members are free. For more information, call 214-764-2406 or visit www.dallasarchitectureforum.org.
Sept. 16
DADA Fall Gallery Walk
Alert, all art lovers. This isn’t one to miss. In the same afternoon, see an installation called Take Off Your Pants by Michael Smith and Joshua White, which takes you to a miniature virtual world that conflates the Internet and a Disney ride, at Dunn and Brown Contemporary, Argentine artists Martin Blaszko and Gregorio Vardánega at MADI Museum and Gallery, and antique globes, Republic of Texas maps, and botanicals at Riddell Rare Maps and Fine Prints. Thirty-six Dallas area galleries (36!) will open their doors for an afternoon of visual stimulation. Many of the galleries, all of which are members of the host organization Dallas Art Dealers Association, will also be opening their exhibitions with receptions and artists on hand. 2-8 p.m. For more information, visit www.dallasartdealers.org.
Sept. 17-Jan. 21
Hiroshi Sugimoto
It’s not yet October, but the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth has a haunting exhibition: Hiroshi Sugimoto’s 120 black and white Japanese-influenced images. Sugimoto uses light and space to create resonant, themed photographs of time, memory, dreams, and natural histories. This is the first major exhibition covering the artist’s 30 years of work. $8; $4 for students and seniors; free for children under 13 and museum members. Closed Mondays. Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth. 817-738-9215. www.themodern.org.
Sept. 22-24
Plano Balloon Festival
Texas isn’t the only thing full of hot air. Seventy-five hot air balloons will be hanging out at the 27th annual ViewPoint Bank Plano Balloon Festival where funnel cakes and barbeque are just a few of the good things to sample. The festival will also feature a Kids Fun Zone, concerts, fireworks, skydivers, and balloon rides. The festival opens at 4 p.m. Friday, and 6 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. $4 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and $5 regularly; seniors receive $1 off; and parking rates vary. Hot air balloon rides are $250. For more information and volunteer opportunities, visit www.planoballoonfest.org.
Sept. 23
The Garden Conservancy Open Day Dallas
Spend the day in someone else’s garden for a change when the Garden Conservancy opens the gates of five private Dallas gardens. Tour one, two, or all five from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Check out a tropical garden with the largest collection of cold-hardy palm trees in North Texas; a rose garden with vintage flamingos; a garden of mixed greens, Japanese maples, and azaleas; a four-season garden, including English-style perennial beds; and an intimate oasis of shade-loving plants and a 30-foot long creek. Each tour is self-guided, although owners and landscapers may be on hand to answer questions. $5 per person, per garden. Fees help with the education and preservation of troubled gardens nationwide. Visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information.
Sept. 23
Tour de Fleurs
With more than 100,000 fall flowers blooming, you’ll have to move pretty quickly to see them all. With the Tour de Fleurs event, you’ll have the chance. The Dallas Arboretum is hosting a 1-mile family fun walk in the garden, and for serious runners, there are 10k and 20k events around White Rock Lake. Beyond the flowers and runners is Artscape, a two-day art show and sale, which takes place Sat. and Sun. Fun walk 8:30 a.m. inside Arboretum, $10 registration fee, children under 12 are free. 214-515-6500. www.dallasarboretum.org.
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| See more of Marilyn at the Women’s Museum starting Sept. 29. Photography by Milton H. Green |
Sept. 29-Oct. 22
Marilyn Monroe Exhibit
The folks at Women’s Museum are crossing their fingers in hopes that gentlemen—and women and children—really do prefer blondes. Replacing last year’s Elvis exhibit at the State Fair of Texas (but housed at the Women’s Museum), the exhibit is the largest and most diverse display of Marilyn Monroe collections to be showcased in one place. Celebrate the legendary blonde by viewing collections of artwork and photographs by renowned artists, including Andy Warhol, authentic movie costumes, and a script with Monroe’s personal notes. Call or check the web site for times. Tickets are free with admission to the State Fair. 3800 Parry Ave. 214-915-0860. www.thewomensmuseum.org.
Please send all calendar submissions to Christine Wilson at [email protected].
