August Events OPENERS

A WINNER IN THE GIN GAME



The production of The Gin Game, which runs at the Dallas Theater Center through the end of the month, is the culmination of a long and convoluted history that began almost as soon as the astringent tragicomedy opened on Broadway in October 1977. The next spring it was named winner of the Pulitzer Prize for drama, making its author, Dallasite D.L. Coburn, the first of the city’s literary figures to be so honored.

Tours grew out of the substantial New York run, with several companies on the road playing all over the country. The original stars, Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, even took the show to Russia in late 1979 for a series of performances in Moscow and Leningrad.

Dallasites missed a chance to catch the touring company because there was no theater in town with a policy for booking tours. Nor was there a house with the conventional stage, the 800 to 1000 seats and the good acoustics necessary for such an intimate, non-musical drama. So, while Houston and Austin (not to mention Orange and Bryan) received The Gin Game as early as 1980, until now Dallas remained outside the widening orbit of Coburn’s international hit.

Warren Frost and Patricia Fraser, who star in the Theater Center production, have been imported for the occasion from Minneapolis’ production of The Gin Game at the “experimental” Cricket Theatre. Karl Guttmann directs, recreating his staging from the Amsterdam production, which is said to be D.L. Coburn’s favorite.

The play is aptly titled. It’s a series of gin rummy hands played by two denizens of a rest home -Weller Martin, a cantankerous old rebel in his 70s, and Fonsia Dorsey, a woman several years younger and still in shock from her recent arrival at the institution. The two play cards to pass the time and, in the pattern of those games, reveal the landscapes of their pasts and the development of their own relationship.

The Gin Game is an example of a recent surge of concern in the theater for those members of society who become The Great Ignored. Like heroes dying (Shadow Box and Cold Storage) and old (Home), Fonsia and Weller are suffering for society’s squeamishness. The characters are in conflict with the institutions designed for their maintenance-the hospital, the hospice or the rest home – which inevitably fail to replace the care that the young and the healthy cannot bring themselves to provide.

Through August 28 at the Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. 526-8857.

– Patrick Kell:



WESTERN ART HITS THE ROAD

When the late Thomas Gilcrease left his art collection and fortune to establish the Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art il Tulsa, Oklahoma, he also left instructions about the disposition of the collection that seemed quite specific: Under no circumstances were any of the objects to ever leave his museum. The Gilcrease Museum has one of the most impressive collections of art of the early West in the United States-galleries full of Remingtons, Russells, Bierstadts, Morans, Catlins. But, until now, art lovers and scholars have had to journey to Tulsa to see them.

Thanks to a recent reinter-pretation of those instructions (what Gilcrease meant is that none of the works should be sold), a group of 70 of the Gilcrease Museum’s most prized masterpieces-oils, watercolors and sculpture -will be on exhibit at Fort Worth’s Amon Carter Museum through mid-September. In return, a group of the best < works from the Amon Carter is on its way to Tulsa for exhibition in the Gilcrease.

“Between Friends: Selections from the Collections of the Amon Carter Museum and the Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art” continues through September 12 at the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, 3501 Camp Bowie. Tuesday through Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933. -Ken Barrow

NIOHTLIFE



Abemathy’s. This is the most successful of four successful restaurants (the others are Shaw’s, Bluebonnet’s and Bogart’s) owned by Fort Worth native David Shaw. When it opened four years ago, Abernathy’s was the first of the good basic 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 am-2 am. MC, V.)

Adalr’s. This place has got class: torn US.. British and Texas flags pinned to a wall; two-tone harvest gold-and-beige vinyl booths; thousands of spitwads clinging for dear life to the ceiling; miscellaneous graffiti covering several walls; gobs of gimme hats tacked to the wall behind the bar: Roy Rogers” “Happy Trails” on the jukebox. Just about everybody is welcome here; Adair’s is for good, clean hell-raising with friends you haven’t necessarily met yet. (3903 Cedar Springs 526-9379 Tue-Sat 10am-2am. Sun 6 pm-midnight. Closed Mon. No credit cards.)Andrew’s. Folksingers and strong specialty drinks in an exposed brick/wood ambiance give this Scottish pub-like bar a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Andrew’s can be a great place to enjoy an after-work drink; and the courtyard is perfect for savoring those my, star-tilled summer nignts As tor the lood, t bleu-cheese burger and the mushroom burger, each served with red beans and rice, cant be beat, and the artichoke nibbles or the nachos make for tasty appetizers (3301 McKinney. 521-6535. Daily 11:15 am-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 2-7 pm. AE. DC. MC. V)

Arthur’s. Quiet jazz, intimate lighting and overstuffed sofas make Arthurs the perfect bar for a tete-a-tete, or an after-work get-together with friends. The drinks are good and strong, and the service is unobtrusive. (8350 N Central Expwy. 361-8833. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2am, Sat 6pm-2am. Sun 6 pm-midnight All credit cards)

Bagatelle. If you’re tired of your rowdy friends and would like to slip into a plush, dark booth for a smooth drink and a little intimate conversation, this is the perfect place What you’ll find at Bagatelle is good food and great iazz. Karen Edwards sings and plays the piano Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday nights; the Paul Guerrero Jazz Quartet performs Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. (4925 Greenville. 692 8225 Mon-Wed 11:30 am-midnight, Thur till 1 am, Fri & Sat till 2 am: Sun brunch 10:30-2. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4:30-7. All credit cards.)

Balboa Café. Not intending to be uncomplimentary, we find this place a bit like an old shoe: nothing we haven’t stepped into a hundred times before, but often a comfortable and form-fitting relief. It’s more cafe than bar. with good sandwiches, plentiful servings and beer-batter onion rings The Greenville Avenue location includes a patio for balmy nights, but has only a small bar. (7015 Greenville. 369-7027. 3604 Oak Lawn. 521-1068 Daily 11 am 2 am Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 MC, V, AE.)

Bar Tejas. We thoroughly enjoyed our last stumble down Greenville Avenue, which concluded with mar-garitas at Bar Tejas. The acoustical problem is all but resolved now that they’ve added bouncy beige carpet to the outer room. This is an excellent place to go for a quick meal and a series of drinks after work. On weekends, the tone is laid-back and cheery (2100 Greenville. 828-2131 Daily 3 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 3-7. AE.)

Belle Starr. Not quite in the same league as Diamond Jim’s, Belle Starr has become a real haven for semi-urban blue-collar cowboys and cowgirls who just love to two-step and polka (this place is equipped with a huge dance floor) (7724 N Central near Southwestern 750-4787. Mon-Sat 7 pm-2 am. Sun 4 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

Biff’s. Biff’s belongs in the middle of an 8-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 après-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 am-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 AE, MC, V.)

Billy Bob’s Texas. It was only a matter of time before someone built a c/w nightclub bigger than Gilley’s; it’s perfectly logical that it was built in Fort Worth. 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)625-6491. Mon-Sat 10 am-2 am; Sun 4 pm-2 am. Happy hour daily 4-8 pm. V, MC, AE.)

Cafe Dallas. It you’re out to pick up someone and you can’t do it here, there must be something wrong. This place is literally 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. And Cafe Dallas has one of the best sound systems in Dallas. 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 for you. (5500 Greenville. 9870066. Mon-Thur 3 pm-2 am, Fri till 4 am. Sat 8 pm-4 am, Sun 8 pm-2 am. AE, MC. V.)

Cardinal Puff’s. There are several reasons a person could love Puff’s: It’s comfortable (especially the beer garden outside), soothing (perfect if you need to unwind after a tough day) and extremely cozy (decidedly dark and intimate after the sun goes down). And Puff’s has raised its minimum age to 21, a true plus for this place. (4615 Greenville. 369-1969. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. MC, AE, V.)

Comedy Corner. This isn’t such a bad place to catch semi-big-name comedy acts-if you don’t mind a lot of smoke, a $5 cover, a two-drink minimum and a waitress who automatically assumes that your change is her tip. Rows of comedians in their own rights fill the audience while comedy acts of varying quality take the stage for short sets of stand-up humor. (8202 Park Lane. 361-7461. Sets begin Wed, Thur & Sun at 8:30 pm; Fri & Sal 8:30 & 10:30. Tue audition night 8:30. AE, MC, V.)Confetti. One man’s clutter is another man’s eclectic, 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 upon a theme. But 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 here from Fifties doo-wa. to Eighties do-whatever. Be prepared for a waiting line out the door on Friday and Saturday nights. (5201 Matilda off Lovers Lane. 369-69by. Mon-Thur 4:30pm-2am, Fri4:30pm-4am, Sat8pm-4am, Sun 8 pm-2 am. Weekend cover $2. All credit cards.)

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

EastSide. This place looks like a North Dallas version of the Eight-O club in the Quadrangle. It has all the New Wave elements: black and white tile, gladiolas, avant-garde art on the walls But somehow, EastSide seems passe. Even after savoring several of EastSide’s strong drinks, it is difficult to loosen up and feel at ease here. Part of the problem seems to be that there is just too much space Perhaps if the tables were closer together, patrons wouldn’t feel so isolated. The drinks are good, the fried zucchini is top-notch, and the jukebox is truly eclectic: Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” Sam the Sham’s “Little Red Riding Hood,” and selections from Devo and Gary Numan. (7035 Greenville. 9870559. Mon-Fri 5pm-2 am. Sat & Sun 6 pm-2 am MC, V. CB. AE.)

Eight-O. It’s amazing what a little honest promotion can do for a place. When the Eight-0 first opened, it was plugged as the “in ” place for struggling artists, bohemians. punk rockers and any other social misfits who happened to stumble in. It was a great place for people-watching, listening to one of the best jukeboxes in Dallas and discussing the meaning of life and other such esoteric trivialities. Then an entire army of preppies decided that Eight-0 was The Ultimate, and things went downhill from there. Now the preppies have migrated elsewhere, and the Eight-O is back to abnormal. (The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh, suite 125. 7410817. Daily 11:30 am-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 MC. AE, V.)

Encore. A loose devil-may-care attitude of the Fifties dominates this Oak Lawn club. The jukebox is stocked with greats of the Fifties and earlier. The furnishings, too are straight from the Fifties: lots of neon, glass bricks and white tile. The menu is limited, but everything is fresh and interesting: Greek delicacies such as cheese fritters combined with American standbys such as hamburgers and apple cobbler. (3520 Oak Lawn. 526-9055. Mon-Thur 11:30 am-midnight, Fri 11:30 am-2 am, Sat 6:30 pm-2 am. AE. V, MC)

éIan. In case you didn’t know (and are therefore extremely bourgeois) that is a little e, l-a-n. Ay-Ion, for all you native Texans This is the spot in Dallas to drink, dance, mingle, play backgammon or just generally stand around looking beautiful, exotic, vogue and yes, rich This is probably as close to Hollywood as Dallas will ever get-at least, we certainly hope it is. (5111 Greenville. 692-9855 Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2 am. Sat 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Sun brunch 11-2. All credit cards.)

Fender’s Bar and Grill. Jazz is the main entrée at Fender’s, and apparently the owners are talking about real jazz, not the cocktail-pianist variety. The menu here is basic burgers/nachos/potato skins, but it does offer some steaks and more ambitious entrees, such as moussaKa Ana the dnnks are sud-stantial Fender’s is a spacious place with excellent acoustics, but there are a few smaller enclaves for those more interested in talking instead of listening. (2828 W Northwest Hwy 350-4240 Mon-Thur 11-11, Fri & Sat 11 till midnight. Sun 5:30-11. AE. MC. V.)

Four Seasons Ballroom. Big-band music for ballroom 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 349-0390 or 381-9072 Wed 8:45 pm-12:15am. Fri 9 pm-12:30 am & first Sat of each month 9 pm-1 am. No credit cards.)

Gordo’s. This is categorically, unequivocally and completely the best bar in Dallas for watching the Cowboys games. For some reason, no one has discovered that Gordo’s offers a perfect Sunday afternoon combo: cold beer, hot pizza and a great television set Doubtless now that we’ve told the world about it. Gordo’s won’t be the best bar for television watching anymore, because there will be a crowd in front of the tube So don’t go there. (4528 Cole 521-3813 Mon-Thur 11-10:30. Fri & Sat till midnight. Sun noon 10 pm. All credit cards.)

Greenville Avenue Country Club. Oh. what warm and wonderful memories we associate with the GACC When it first opened several summers ago, we loved lounging beside the backyard swimming pool on sunny Sunday afternoons, sipping beer and scanning the most recent copy of The New York Times. But GACC’s well-publicized success has caused us to love the country club life a little less; the clientele seems to have turned from low-key to luridly uptown. (3619 Greenville. 826-5650 Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. AE. MC. V)



Greenville Bar & Grill. Closet claustrophobics take heed: This place is always packed It’s billed as Dallas’ oldest bar. and from the size of the crowds, everybody’s been here since the place opened. Although you may feel sort of like an outsider at first, it’s only a matter of time before you’re old hat. But if you have a particular aversion to standing elbow to elbow in a crowded room for hours, this probably isn’t the place for you (2821 Greenville. 823-6691 Mon-Sat 11:30am-2am, Sun noon-2am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 AE)



The Hop. The Hop. a longtime Fort Worth institution, has pizza, spaghetti and all kinds of music, ranging from a new rock group that sounds promising (the Blue Cats) to countryfolk songwriters such as B.W. Stevenson and Steve Fromholz The atmosphere is low-key and comfortable (2905 W Berry, Fort Worth. (817) 923-7281. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun 4 pm-1 am. Happy hour daily 2-7 all day Wed. Sun 4-7 All credit cards.)



Hot Klub. Dallas’ premier punk showplace is frequented by a mean bunch whose idea of a good time is “slam dancing,” a rough-and-tumble exercise based on two moves: push and shove. A trip to the bathroom is an adventure in itself. And whatever you do here, don’t touch the floors. (4350 Maple. 526-9432.)

Joe Miller’s. If your criterion for judging the worth of a bar is determined by the strength of its drinks. Joe Miller’s will be your choice for the best bar in Dallas Drinking one of Joe’s vodka tonics is like getting shot with a sedative gun used to drop elephants in the wilds of Africa: Three drinks and you qualify as legally dead Joe’s is an insider’s bar, for years it has been the favorite media hangout (3531 McKinney. 521-2261. Mon-Fri noon-2am. AE, MC, V.)

Knox Street Pub. A Dallas bar tradition, this is where we were taken by our hosts when we first arrived in Dallas several years ago. We liked it then and we still like it It’s a no-pretense establishment with an old-wood and fern atmosphere and help who immediately make you feel at home. (3230 Knox. 526-9476. Mon-Sat 11 am-2am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 Closed Sun No credit cards.)

Lakewood Yacht Club. Don’t be fooled by the name of this friendly neighborhood bar-there’s no yacht-sized body of water within miles. The drinks are consistently good and strong; and if you’re stumped for conversation with your date, you can always feign interest in the hundreds of press photos that cover the walls (2009 Abrams. 824-1390 MonFri 11 am-2 am, Sal & Sun noon-2 am. AE, MC, V.)



La Cave. Ah. a place for lovers. For discussion and good wine. This small, chic wine shop/bar has a deceptive front. The next-door greenhouse makes the place look as though you’re entering a rain forest. We felt initial disappointment upon discovering that all the greenery was one door down, but our spirits quickly rose upon seeing La Cave’s walk-in wine cellar with an incredible collection of foreign and domestic wines A few entrees are offered, but we suggest sticking to the cheese, nut and fruit trays (2926 N Henderson 826-2190 Wine shop: Mon-Sat 10 am-11:30 pm Bistro: Mon-Fri, lunch 11:30-2: dinner, 5:30-11:30 pm. All credit cards $$)



Les Salsons. A captivating cityscape of downtown Dallas makes this bar special. You can gather around the cozy fireplace, sip an icy drink and still have enough quiet to carry on a conversation. Cheery, classy decor-like a French garden room. (165 Turtle Creek Village. 528-1102 Daily 11:30am-11:30pm. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7. All credit cards.)

Longhorn Ballroom. So what if it’s crowded, smoky, the cover’s too high, the tourists are too many: This is Bob Wills’ Longhorn Ballroom, the place for kicker dancin’, beer drinkin’ and hell raisin’. You’ll fit in whether you can dance or not. and you might 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 & Thur 7 pm-1 am, Fri & Sat 7 pm-2 am, Sun 5 pm-midnight. All credit cards.)

Nick’s Uptown. Nick’s is the ideal place to cut loose and have a wild time. The club is reminiscent of a huge rec room (it used to be a grocery store) with a stage tucked away in one corner and a bar running along the opposite wall. And if you feel the need to get up and move, there’s plenty of room to dance. (3606 Greenville. 827-4802. Mon-Sun 8 pm-2 am. AE, MC, V.)

Nostromo. As close as you’ll come to capital-D decadence in Dallas The atmosphere is a combination of Art Deco and Mondo Mean. The drinks are substantial, the crowds are eclectic and large, the menu offerings are adventuresome and the entry policy is arbitrary and seemingly capricious. (45/9 Travis. 528-8880. Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am. Sun 6 pm-2 am. AE, MC. V.)

The Palm Bar. A beautiful place to have an extended series of drinks after work it your job is downtown. As hotel bars go. it is the most upscale around Dallas. The walk through the redecorated Adolphus is worth the excursion, and if you prefer open spaces, you can have a drink served right in the lobby. (Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200. Mon-Fri 11-8. All credit cards.)

Peabody’s. An oasis in the jungle that the Oak Lawn area has become, Peabody’s is a cozy bar, especially popular with the on-the-way-up Volvo-driving crowd. Lots of plants, overstulfed furniture and spirited drinks make for an easy, neighborhood atmosphere. And the nachos aren’t bad either. (4216 Oak Lawn. 559-3160. Mon-Thur 11 am-1 am. Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat 11:30-2, Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour daily 5-8. AE, V. MC.)

Plaf’s. This place is simply dripping in mood, from the gentle music playing over the sound system to the dimmed lights overhead to the fluffy chairs scattered around the courtyard But the effect can be spoiled if the kitchen gets too busy: hectic waiters and noisy bartenders just shouldn’t figure into the picture. (4527 Travis at Knox. 526-3730. Mon-Sat 11:30am-2 am, Sun 11:30 am-midnight Happy hour daily 4-7pm & 11 pm-closing. Kitchen open till 1:30 am Thur-Sat, Sun-Wed till midnight. All credit cards.)

Poor David’s Pub. It’s easy to bypass this grimy little bar on your way to somewhere else: but it you’re looking for decent live music, that may be a mistake. Sure, Poor David’s is tiny, grungy 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 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour 4-8 pm weekdays. Closed Sun and Tue. No credit cards.)

Popslcle Toes. This place has just enough sleaze to be taken seriously as a jazz bar, but not so much that one must shower after leaving it. House bands include Buster Brown, a fusion unit, and Phyrework, which can do credible knock-offs of everyone from Boz Scaggs to George Benson. (5627 Dyer. 368-9706. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. TGIF Fri 4-7 pm MC, V. AE.)

The Quiet Man. A great little unobtrusive neighborhood bar. the Quiet Man is especially popular with the blue jeans and work shirt set. It’s about the size of the men’s rooms at D/FW and is dimly lit, but the crowd is friendly The Quiet Man is an ideal place to talk (except outdoors during rush hour) and nurse a cheap drink. (3120 Knox 526-6180. Tue-Sat noon-2 am. Sun & Mon 4 pm-midnight. No credit cards.)

The Railhead. From the size of the crowds, you would think this was the only bar in Dallas to offer live entertainment without a cover charge. The place begins to fill up by 8 p.m., sometimes earlier (depending on who’s playing), and is almost always standing room only The Railhead usually features good local talent, primarily comedians and popular music copy artists. But no cover also means expensive drinks and mediocre service. (6919 Twin Hills. 369-8700 Sun & Mon 5:30 pm-1 am, Tue-Sat 5:30 pm-2 am. Happy hour Mon-Fri 5-7. All credit cards.)



6051 Club. This is still the place in Dallas for jazz, from the real thing to the fusion efforts of some of the younger groups. The drinks are substantial, the atmosphere is cozy (if a bit too Formica-Fifties), and the music is generally exciting. (6051 Forest Lane. 661-3393 Thur-Sat 9 pm-2 am. MC. V.)

St. Martin’s. We’ve yet to find a more romantic bar than St. Martins; it’s small, dark, candle-lit and cozy. Music is frequently provided by a three- or four-piece chamber music ensemble And even if you don’t have a main squeeze, St. Martin’s is worth a visit for the food alone (3020 Greenville. 826-0940. Mon-Fri 11 am-3 pm: Mon-Thur 5 pm-11 pm: Fri 5 pm-1 am: Sat 11 am-1 am: Sun noon-3 pm, 5-11 pm. All credit cards.)

Stonelelgh P. What can be said about the Stone leigh P that hasn’t been uttered already7 Suffice it to say that more advertising campaigns, radio jingles, magazine articles, films, poems and paintings have been planned in this L-shaped room than in any other public or private Dallas chamber The P. breaks all the rules-the beer is sometimes less than teeth-cracking cold, the drinks are too small- and yet people continue to be seduced by the low-key intelligence of the place. (2926 Maple. 741-0824 Mon-Sat 11:30 am-2 am. Sun noon-midnight. Happy hour Mon-Fri 4-7 AE.)Strictly Ta-Bu. The Ta-Bu has an easy, no-problem intimacy that can only happen with time and the right crowd (the kind of atmosphere that new bars spend big bucks trying to buy. only to discover that they’ve wasted their money). You’ll find great pizza here, although the other food entries are only occasionally noteworthy and the drinks are average. Sometimes the music (jazz) gets a bit loud, depending on who is playing. (4111 Lomo Alto. 522-8101. Food served Mon-Thur 11 am-2:30 pm & 5 pm mid-night, Fri 11 am-2:30 pm & 5 pm-1 am, Sat & Sun 6 pm-midnight. Bar open until 2 am Mon-Sat. MC, V, 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.)

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 c/w 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 am-2 am. Closed Sun. MC. AE, V.)

The Wine Press. Obviously, The Wine Press is a great place to sample wine (the wine list consists of page after page of Californian, French. Italian and German wines) But unlike many other wine bars, The Wine Press also serves a full range of cocktails. There’s also a great secluded second-story loft. (4217 Oak Lawn. 522-8720. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. No reservations. MC. V, AE.)



FILM SCRIES



Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. This month the museum presents three very European films Aug 1: “Grand Illusion.” Aug 8: “Rules of the Game”-film buffs may debate at length about which of these Jean Renoir classics most deserves ranking as one of the 10 best films ever made Aug 15: “Donkey Skin”-Jacques Demy and Michel Legrand, who proved themselves masters of Gallic charm with “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.” concocted this full-dress fairy tale starring Catherine Deneuve. Showings are at 2 pm in the museum auditorium, Fair Park Free 421-4187

Dallas Public Library. Lunchtime films at the library this month will explore cityscapes Aug 4: “Working Places” and “A City Awakens”-two films about the humanization of urban areas Aug 11: “The Rescue of Mr. Richardson’s Last Stations” and “Town Lake Project”-the latter is an early Seventies documentary by KERA about the controversial city waterway proposal Aug 18: “Claw” and “Urbanismo”-two less-than-enthusiastic visions of urban renewal Aug 25: “We” and “Citizen Harold”-both are satirical and sobering looks at human values in the “urban landscape.” Showings are at 12 10 in the library auditorium, 1515 Young. Free 749-4478.

University of Texas at Dallas. Aug 4: “The Story of Adele H”-who would have thought that Victor Hugo’s daughter could be this interesting? Truffaut directs and Isabelle Adjani stars. Aug 6: “A Star is Born’-the Judy Garland version. Aug 11: “Greed” -Eric von Stroheim’s 10 1/2 hour epic trimmed to two hours of great silent filmmaking. Aug 13: “The Lavendar Hill Mob”-Alec Guinness is a timid but very enterprising bank clerk turned criminal. Aug 18: Teorema”-Pier Poalo Pasolini cast Terence Stamp as a polymorphously perverse Christ symbol in the 1969 Italian film. Aug 20: “Cabin in the Sky”-Vincent Minnelli directs an all-star black cast in the classic of old-fashioned Hollywood racism. Aug 25: “The Shout”-obscure but fairly entertaining light horror film with Alan Bates and Susannah York. Aug 27: “Red Dust”-Gable, Harlow and that evil Mary Astor go for broke Showings are in the Founders North Auditorium. UTD campus, Richardson Tickets $2 general. $1 for over 65 and under 16, 50￠ for students with UTD ID 690-2945.



THEATER



Billy Bishop Goes to War. A one man musical by John Gray based on “Winged Warfare.” the autobiography of Billy Bishop. Canada’s World War I flying ace Already seen at Vancouver, Washington DCs Arena Stage. Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Indianapolis Rep. A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, and in New York, the production promises plenty of World War I nostalgia and a musical mixture of ballad and razzmatazz Through Aug 21 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 $9 95 Fri & Sat. $7 75 Wed, Thur & Sun matinee, $6 75 Tue&Sun 748-5191

Canterbury Tales. Neville Coghill’s musical comedy adaptation of Chaucer’s masterpiece bears little resemblance to the original, but it went over so well with audiences in the late Sixties and early Seventies that it became an almost permanent attraction in London’s West End. High-spirited, forget-table music and winsome, denatured bawdiness can be expected. Through Aug 28 at Stage West. 821 W Vickery. Fort Worth Thur-Sat at 8 30 pm. with dinner available from 7 pm Tickets $6. 50 Sat. $6 Fri. $5 Thur (817)332-6238.

Dallas Summer Musicals. Started in 1941 as “The Starlight Operetta, this series is the most venerable of Dallas theatrical operations This months shows have a distinctly Las Vegas orientation. Aug 3-8: “The Ann- Margret Show”-The energetic singer-actress stars in a laser-laden, projection-tilled and reportedly eye-bending hi-tech spectacular This high-pressure, casino-style revue is not lor the taint-hearted. Aug 10-22: “The Wiz ” -The 1975 Broadway smash version of “The Wizard of Oz” with a black cast and high-decibel, faintly Mo-Town music. Aug 24-29: “The Mitzi Gaynor Show” -Energetic Mitzi Gaynor. known for her role as Nellie Forebush from the film version of “South Pacific.” returns with her one-woman nightclub act. The elaborated cabaret routine gives her fans all they could conceivably ask for. Fair Park Music Hall. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sat & Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $22-$5. 691-7200.

The Gin Game. Almost five years after its Broadway opening. Dallas playwright D.L. Cobum’s 1978 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama has finally come to town. Warren Frost and Patricia Fraser make up the cast of two. Directing is Karl Guttmann. whose Amsterdam production of the play is reportedly the author’s favorite. Through Aug 28 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue-Thur at 8 pm. Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm, Sat at 5 pm. Tickets $18 & $16 Fri & Sat: $11 & $9.50 Sat matinee: $10 & $8.50 Tue-Thur. 526-8857.

Key Exchange and Lone Star. The return of two recent comedies about modern romance. Kevin Wade’s “Key Exchange” features the neurotic non-courtship of some bright, young New Yorkers who bicycle in Central Park. “Lone Star” by Jim McClure is a pair of related one-acts about the later lite of a high school hero in rural Texas which manages to be very sad and uproariously funny at the same time. Featuring some of Dallas’ best actors and actresses, the plays will be performed in “staggered repertoire” through August 15 at the Margo Jones Theatre. SMU campus Tue-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 7 & 10 pm. Sun at 5 & 8 pm Tickets $11 & $9, 692-2573.

The 1940s Radio Hour. You might have thought that nostalgia seekers would have had their fill of dubiously “golden” ages this summer with Vietnam on one stage (“Hair”) and World War I (“Billy Bishop Goes to War”) on another. Here’s a chance to relive the good or times of World War II. This musical revue features such classic hits as “Blue Moon,” “That Old Black Magic,” and “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.” Through Sept Sat the Esquire Theatre, 3419 Oak Lawn. Mon-Fri at 8:15 pm; Sat at 6 & 10 pm. Tickets $13 & $10. 522-0551.

Promenade. This is the best cabaret musical in Dallas this year The cast is a winner: singing, acting and dancing with an equal measure of charm and skill. Dale A.J. Rose’s direction is as taut and polished as a steel spring. The book and lyrics (Maria Irene Fornes)and the music by Al Carmines demand a second visit Controversial and absorbing, Promenade has the makings for theater legend. Through Aug 7 at the Addison Summer Theatre, 14800 Dallas N Pkwy. Tue-Sun at 8:30 pm. Tickets $12 & $10. 823-3670.

Sex Kittens Go to College. Only the title remains from the Fifties Hollywood cheapie that inspired this latest collaboration of Johnny Simons (book and direction) and Douglas Balentine (music). This time, Academe is the target of the theatrical anarchists at the Hip Pocket Theatre, who have brought genuine off-off-Broadway lunacy to North Texas. Watch out: Segments of the outdoor performance will be in 3-D (glasses provided by the management). Aug 13-Sept 19 at the Hip Pocket Theatre. 1620 Las Vegas Trail at Loop 820, Fort Worth. Fri-Sun at 9 pm Tickets $5; students and senior citizens $4; children $3. (817) 246-9928.

Starting Here, Starting Now. This musical revue by Richard Maltby Jr. (lyrics) and David Shire (music) began as a party entertainment. Crossword puzzles and a Neiman-Marcus cosmetician are subjects of two of the catchier numbers Greenville Avenue Theatre. 2914 Greenville Tue-Sun at 8.30 pm. Tickets $10: $8, students & over 65. 823-3670.



MUSIC



Dallas Catholic Choir. Marilyn Walker conducts the choir of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas in music of Palestrina. Bruckner and Brahms. Aug 1 at 3 pm at Alexander Chapel of the First Community Church, 6225 E Mockingbird. Free. 823-2117.

Dallas Public Library. Bring a brown-bag lunch to the gospel music performance by Joe Anderson and the Spirit of Faith. Aug 10 at 12:10 pm in the auditorium of the Central Public Library, 1515 Young. Free. 749-4404. Kids & Company, a group of professional actors, will present “Feeling Good,” a musical for children. Aug 14 at 2:30 pm at the Oak Lawn Library, 4100 Cedar Springs; Aug 9 at 2 pm at Dallas West Library, 2332 Singleton; Aug 11 at 2:30 pm at Pleasant Grove Library, 1125 S Buckner; Aug 12 at 3 pm at Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh Lane; Aug 14 at 1 pm at Highland Hills Library, 3624 Simpson Stuart Road. Free. 749-4402.

Dallas Summer Symphony. DSS founder and music director, David Burgess, conducts an all-British concert featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Third Symphony (“Pastoral”) with soprano Candace Romero and the American premiere of Havergal Brian’s “Trotting to Market” from the Fifth English Suite. Aug 12 at 8:15 pm at Caruth Auditorium, SMU campus. Tickets $4. 368-8389.

Staiiest. Conductor Henry Lewis and soprano Martina Arroya join the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Chorus August 1 for a concert of operatic excerpts featuring selections from “The Flying Dutchman” by Wagner; “La Forza del Destine,” “Nabucco,” “Macbeth,” “Ernani” and “Aida” by Verdi; and “Prince Igor” by Borodin. The festival continues Aug 6 with Chuck Mangione, Aug 7 with the Statler Brothers, Aug 8 with Oscar Peterson, Aug 13 with Merle Haggard, Aug 14 with Andrae Crouch, Aug 15 with Chick Corea and Gary Burton, Aug 20 with Sheena Easton, Aug 21 with B.J. Thomas and Aug 22 with Spyro Gyra. All Starfest events are at 8:15 pm at Park Central, LBJ Freeway and Coit Road. Tickets $20 for box seats, S10 (or lawn seats. 692-0203.

DeGolyer Estate. Sunday evening concerts will include appearances by the Richardson Community Band, Aug 1; the Steve Bayless Orchestra, Aug 8; the Renner Road Gang, Aug 15; the Woodwind Ensemble of the Dallas Chamber Players, Aug 22; and the Bellissimo Singers, Aug 29. All events are at 6 pm at the mansion, 8525 Garland Road. Free. 324-1401.

Fine Arts Chamber Players. The Basically Beethoven Festival closes with an orchestral concert featuring Mischa Semanitzky conducting Stravinsky’s “Dumbarton Oaks” Concerto, Beethoven’s Second Symphony and Weber’s Konzertstuck in F Minor, with pianist Mitta Angell. Aug 1 at 3 pm at the Garden Center, Fair Park. Free. 827-8737.

Saint Thomas Aquinas Church. Organist Paul Riedo presents music by Bach and Respighi. Aug 30 at 8:15 pm. 6306 Kenwood. Free. 265-0789.



DANCE



Dallas Ballet. If you’re going to Santa Fe between July 29 and August 1, you’ll have a chance to see the Dallas Ballet perform the American premiere of Flemming Flindt’s racy full-length ballet, “Salome.” The company is making Santa Fe its summer home, and during this first season, the company hopes to attract both local audiences and Santa Fe Opera fans from all over. Besides Flindt’s choreography, “Salome” features a commissioned score by British composer Peter Maxwell Davies. Vivi Flindt. who created the lead role at the premiere in 1978. will perform it again for two performances; Christine Dunham performs the other nights. The rest of the cast includes 30 dancers and six acrobats. “Salome” will be performed in Dallas by the Dallas Ballet in late January at the Majestic Theater. Sweeney Center, 101 Marcy St. Sante Fe, New Mexico. 8:30 pm. Tickets: $25-$5. 744-4430.

ART



The English Miniature. This show of more than 115 jewel-like little portraits, dating from the 16th to the 19th century and all selected from London’ s Victoria and Albert Museum, is complemented by another display of tiny, precious objects: Gold Coins of the English Sovereigns from the Fort Worth Collection of Thomas H. Law. Kimbell Art Museum. 1101 Will Rogers Road West, Fort Worth. Through August 15, Tue-Sat 10-5. Sun 1-5. (817) 332-8451.



Counterparts: Form and Emotion in Photographs. More than 100 master photographs from the collection of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art have been arranged by twos and threes to bring out surprising formal and emotional relationships. Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Fair Park. Aug 4-Sept 12. Tue-Sat 10-5. Sun 1-5, 421-4188.



Garo Antreasian. One of the wizards of lithography puts the medium through its paces in a series of new works incorporating black-on-black printing, embossing, metal collage and a lot of hard-edged color. Nimbus Gallery, 1135 Dragon St. Aug 16-Sept 3. Mon-Sat 10-5. 742-1348.



Rogers’ Photograph Collection. Prohibition- and Depression-era Dallas can be seen in these photographs, taken by veteran Dallas Times Herald photographer, Frank Rogers, during the Twenties and Thirties. It is now part of the collection of the Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young St. Through Aug 23, Mon-Thur 9-9, Fri-Sat 9-5 749-4361

Selections from the Permanent Collection. The Fort Worth Art Museum has been getting and spending lately; here’s a chance to catch up with some of the latest acquisitions. Michael Singer’s breathtak-ly graceful wood construction, “First Gate Ritual Series,” should not be missed. Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery St. Through August Tue 10-9, Wed-Sat 10-5. Sun 1-5. (817) 738-9215.

Ernst Haas. Nature, newly minted and fresh from the primal fire, is the subject of these luscious dye-transfer prints from a notable portfolio. “Creation,” by Haas, a former Life photographer. The Afterimage. Suite 151 in the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh Through Sept 4 Mon-Sat 10-5:30 748-2521

Group Show. The Delahunty reopens in a new space on the southeastern fringe of downtown, fittingly with an exhibit of gallery regulars including James Surls, Vernon Fisher, Dan Rizzie, Danny Williams, Roger Winter, Nancy Chambers, Juergen Strunck, Nick Wood and David MacManaway. Through August, 2701 Canton St. Tue-Sat 10-5. 744-1346.



SPORTS



Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred Horseracing. Racing season continues through October 17, Wednesdays through Saturdays, post time 1:15 pm Clubhouse tickets $2.50, grandstand $1.50. Parking $1. Bossier City, Louisiana, Highway 80 East. (800) 551-8622.

Ranger Games. Arlington Stadium. Tickets $7 50. $6, $5.50. $3 general admission. 273-5100.

Aug 1 at 7:35 pm vs. New York

13-15at 7:35 pm vs. Cleveland

16-18at 7:35 pm vs. Chicago

20-22at 7:35 pm vs. Baltimore

23-26at 7:35 pm vs Kansas City

Willow Bend Polo Club. Polo matches are open tothe public Aug 1 and 29 at 6 pm “Friends of Polo”begins at 5 pm in the Willow Bend Restaurant lor adiscussion on how to watch polo Tickets $4 generaladmission. $1 children under 12. Willow Bend PoloClub, 1 1/2 miles west of Preston Road on FM Road544 248-6298.