July Events OPENERS

RODIN’S BRONZE MONUMENT

The Gates of Hell is considered by many to be Au-guste Rodin’s greatest masterpiece. Certainly it was his largest: an 8-ton, 21-foot, monumental sculpture that was commissioned for a new museum of decorative arts in Paris but was never cast in bronze during the artist’s lifetime.

In 1978, Los Angeles art collector and Rodin expert B.G. Cantor commissioned a modern cast of the work using the “lost wax” method, in which a mold is made from a wax model. (The wax is melted, or “lost,” then replaced by molten bronze.) A casting on this scale hadn’t been attempted for more than a century, and the work was three years in the making, but the completed sculpture is stunning. On loan from the collector, it will be on display in the Dallas Museum of Art’s Ross Avenue Plaza through Oct. 28.

Gates incorporates some 180 individual figures by Rodin, among them some of his most familiar images. Elements of The Thinker, The Three Shades and Ugolino are all found among the throngs that swarm over Gates’ surfaces, animating almost every inch. The work supposedly portrays episodes from Dante’s Inferno, but Rodin’s vision is of a realm in which the torments are of the spirit rather than of the flesh.

After its Dallas visit, The Gates of Hell will go on permanent display on the campus of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. In the meantime, this great master work can be seen at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood. Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5, Thur 10-10, Sun noon-5. 922-0220.

-Ken Barrow



MUSICAL

DISCOVERY

Fresh faces, an unusual repertoire and locally based artists and composers enliven the July music scene as the Dallas Symphony Discovery Series continues its second season with a concert every week. Yoel Levi, resident conductor with the Cleveland Orchestra, joins pianist Jeffrey Siegel on July 5 to present two rarities from the piano-orchestral literature- Beethoven’s Rondo in B-flat and Schumann’s Introduction and Allegro, Op. 92-in a concert also featuring Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony and Copland’s Quiet City. A concert on July 12 stars three area musicians: DSO resident conductor Kirk Trevor, Fort Worth Symphony con-certmaster Robert Davidovici and DSO principal trombone John Kitzman. The concert features works from the 20th century: the Introduction to Richard Strauss’ opera Capriccio, Bernstein’s Serenade for violin and orchestra, Martin’s Ballade for trombone and orchestra and Brahms’ Piano Quartet as arranged by Schoenberg.

International horn virtuoso Barry Tuckwell takes up the baton on July 19, conducting another all-20th-century concert including Debussy’s Printemps, Poulenc’s Flute Sonata (orchestrated by Berkeley) with DSO principal flute Jeannie Larsen as soloist, Griffes’ The White Peacock and Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin. Tlickwell will also appear as soloist in Thea Musgrave’s Horn Concerto. The series closes with an all-choral program juxtaposing one of the great masterpieces from the Catholic tradition, Haydn’s Mass in B-flat (Teresien-messe), with a new work in the Jewish tradition, the cantata Elul by Dallas composer Simon Sargon. Malcolm Arnold, Dallas Opera’s resident baritone, will perform, with Ronald Shirey conducting the Dallas Symphony Chorus in the Haydn Mass and Sargon conducting the Temple Emanu-El Chorus in Elul.

All concerts are at 8:15 p.m. at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm. Tickets $11-$6. 692-0203.

-Wayne Lee Gay



BLUSHING ON CLOUD NINE



At what point does a theater audience blush? The nude scene in Hair? A bawdy pun in Shakespeare? The word “damn” in a play by George Bernard Shaw? These days, it seems, it takes a lot. Of late, Dallas audiences have embraced the brave new plays and playwrights of the here and now, whose visions are often imbued with the raw, the real and the blatant. But for years, Dallas’ namesake professional theater, the Dallas Theater Center-the one that represents us to the world-wouldn’t touch anything that might be construed as volatile.

It wouldn’t, that is, until the arrival last year of Adrian Hall, DTC’s new artistic director, who has vowed to make DTC a first-rate regional theater, even if someone has to blush. Many will like this month’s production of Cloud Nine,but many will blush, and if it finishes its run without too many season ticket cancellations, how times have changed!

Caryl Churchill’s Obie-winning play opens in a British outpost in Africa in 1880, where Clive is trying to instill in his family loyalty and obedience to God, Queen Victoria and the proper English way. But his son wants to play with dolls, the governess wants to sleep with his wife, and the natives are getting restless. Add to his confusion our confusion: Some of the eight characters are being played by actors of the wrong sex, and one is being played by a stuffed doll.

Then, in the second act, some of the characters are back, aged by only 25 years even though it’s 100 years later. And now every actor from Act 1 is playing somebody different. Even more confusing than it sounds, yet never obscure, this is a beautifully executed, topsy-turvy farce about sexual stereotypes, changing mores and the blurry business of love. As for the blush factor, rarely in any medium do the small shocks add up to such a warm, funny and enlightening whole. Another coup for the DTC.

July 12-22 in The Basement, Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Tue-Thur at 8 p.m., Fri & Sat at 8:30 p.m., Sun at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12. 526-8857.

-Tim Allis



D’s Openers include this month’s theater, music, film, sports, art, dance, enlightenment and recreation events, as well as a list of the top nightlife establishments in Dallas. These listings are updated and supplemented each month. They have nothing whatsoever to do with paid advertising.

All events listings should be addressed to the Openers editor and must be received at least two months before publication.

Credit card notations: MC/MasterCard, V/Visa, AE/American Express, DC/Diners Club, C3/Carte Blanche. “All credit cards’ indicates that all five cards are accepted.

ART



Anne Noggle. After a career in aviation that ended in the Sixties, Noggle discovered the same high drama in self-portraits and portraits of her mother and other older Americans. Through July 6 at Gallery Four, Fine Arts Division, Central Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young. Mon-Sat 10-4. Sun 1-4. 749-4100.



Modern Realism



Representational painting-painting in which people look more or less like real people, trees like real trees-was never really “out.” While many artists splashed and dripped and stacked (or merely dreamed), a small group went on painting what generations of artists had painted before them: the way things “look” to the human eye. America Seen: American Artists View America is a survey of paintings by 30 of these artists. Subjects range from urban scenes to rural landscapes. Included are such artists as Alex Katz, Neil Welliver, Don Eddy and others who, despite their allegiance to realism, have managed to stay on the cutting edge of contemporary art. Through Sept. 4 at Adams-Middleton Gallery, 3000 Maple. Tue-Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5. 742-3682.



Chimu Textiles. The Dallas Museum of Art puts part of its remarkable textile collection on display with this exhibit of 60 works, mainly complete garments, from the north coast of Peru. Through Aug 25 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. Tue. Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5, Thur 10-10, Sun noon-5. 922-0220.

Chinese Ceramics of the Transitional Period.During the turbulent period between the Ming and the Ch’ing dynasties. Chinese potters suddenly found themselves without imperial patronage. Their response was a flurry of unprecedented technical and stylistic innovation. Through Sept 2 at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817)332-8451.

Currier & Ives.In the days before television or magazines, Currier & Ives chromolithographs kept a whole nation informed about politics, patriotism and the passing scene. This exhibit of 105 prints was drawn from the extraordinary collection of Esmark Inc. Through Sept 9 at the Dallas Historical Society, Hall of State, Fair Park. Mon-Sat 9-5, Sun 1-5. 421-5136.

Henri Matisse.Moving back and forth between sculpture and painting, Matisse made himself the modern master of the human figure par excellence.Through Sept 2 at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817)332-8451.

Magdalena Abakanowicz. Is she a weaver who can sculpt or a sculptor who knows how to weave? Whichever, this Polish artist fashions forms that have an unmistakable human presence and that cast a deep and lasting emotional spell. Through Aug 26 at the Dallas Museum of Art. 1717 N Harwood Tue. Wed, Fro &Sat 10-5. Thur 10-10, Sun noon-5. 922-0220.

Three Documentary Photographers. The museum shows off a recent gift: Morris Engel’s photographic essay on one family’s life in a small Texas town; Robert Frank’s pictures of cowboys at the annual Madison Square Garden rodeo; and Depression-era photos made by Marion Post Wolcott for the Farm Security Administration. Through July 29 at Amon Carter Museum. 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30.(817)738-1933.

Views of a Vanishing Frontier. In 1832, Swiss land scapist and portraitist Karl Bodmer accompanied Prince Maximilian of Wied on an expedition into the American wilderness. This show presents more than 100 of the watercolors painted during that journey. Through July 29 at Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5. Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.



THEATER



Dallas Summer Musicals. Through July 1: “Camelot” with Richard Harris. July 3-15: “Dream Street,” a new musical. July 17-22: Paul Anka. July 24-Aug 5: “The Music Man.” All performances at the Music Hall, Fair Park. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm. Sat & Sun matinees at 2 30 pm. Tickets $29-$5; available at Rainbow-Ticketmaster outlets. Metro 369-9000.

A Day in Hollywood, a Night in the Ukraine. Picture this: a tribute to the movies, sort of. The first act is a musical review that features Jeannette MacDonald singing to a cardboard cutout of Nelson Eddy about how dull he is, as well as a group of tap-dancing ushers singing “The Production Code.” the list of Hollywood’s old censorship rules (like how in a bedroom scene an actor must leave one foot on the floor at all times). The second act is a twisted production of a play that resembles Chekhov’s “The Bear” but that’s performed by the Marx Brothers. The whole show is wacky, clever fun that should please lovers of old movies, lovers of Chekhov and lovers of sheer madness. Through July 15 at Theater Three, the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh. Tue-Sat at 8:15pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $13.50 Fri & Sat; $11 Tue-Thur & Sun. 871 -3300.

The Pirates of Penzance. Dallas Repertory Theater has chosen this rousing Gilbert and Sullivan operetta to open its new NorthPark facility. Frederic, the good pirate who just got in with the wrong crowd, will be in attendance, as will the lovely Mabel and her father, the very model of a modern major general Dallas Repertory Theater’s production will employ the same staging used in the highly successful New York Shakespeare Festival production. July 10-Aug 5 at Dallas Repertory Theater. NorthPark Center, N Central Expwy at Northwest Hwy. Wed-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets $12.50-$8. 369-8966



MUSIC



Dallas Symphony Starfest at Park Central. July 2: Sammy Davis Jr. performs with the DSO. July 4: Independence Day celebration with the DSO July 6: Laura Branigan with the DSO July 7: Waylon Jennings July 13: T.G. Sheppard with the DSO. July 14 Lou Rawls. July 17: country/western singer George Strait July 20: the Everly Brothers. July 27: Andy Gibb and Marilyn McCoo with the DSO. July 28: Robin Williams with the DSO. All concerts are at Park Central. LBJ Frwy at Coit. Grounds open at 7 pm, performances begin at 8:15 pm. Tickets $12 for lawn admission; $9 for groups of 5 or more, box seat prices to be announced 692-0203.

Public Opera of Dallas. Johann Strauss’ “Die Fleeter-maus.’ starring Hillary Hight, Joniva Kaplan and Forbes Woods, with Kurt Daw as stage director and John Burrows conducting, closes July 1. Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville,” with Samuel Byrd, Deborah Milson, Daniel Neff and Robert Lischetti singing, Thomas Hemsley directing and Burrows conducting, runs July 6-8, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 17-19. Gilbert and Sullivan’s “lolanthe” will feature Thomas Hammons, Natalie Brooks, Martha Jane Howe, Edward Coker and Jane Ferguson, with Frank Hauser directing and Burrows conducting, July 25-29 and Aug 1 -5. Wed-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. All performances at the Plaza Theater in Snider Plaza. Tickets $20; $50 for season tickets. 231-6566.



ENLIGHTENMENT



University Lecture Series. The SMU summer lecture series includes two programs this month: “The New France,” led by Dr. Maurice Elton, and “Four Moments in Early Italian Civilization.” led by Dr. Gregory Warden. Both programs include four meetings on Thursdays, July 12-Aug 2, and will be held in the R.L. Thornton Alumni Center, 3000 Daniel. “The New France” meets at 11 am, with lunch following each lecture; tuition $52. “Four Moments in Early Italian Civilization” meets at 1 pm. with light refreshments served; tuition $40. A prorated charge for individual lectures can be arranged if the request is made the week before a series begins. 692-2532



SPORTS



Texas Rangers.Arlington Stadium, Arlington. Reserved seat tickets $8-4.50; general admission $3.50 for adults, $2 for children 13 and under. Tickets available at Rainbow-Ticketmaster outlets, Sears stores and Arlington Stadium Ticket Office. Home games start at 7:35 pm unless otherwise noted. Metro 273-5120.

July 2-4 vs New York

5-8 vs Detroit

12-15 vs Cleveland

23-25 vs Baltimore



NIGHTLIFE

ENTERTAINMENT/DANCING



Belle Starr. The famous lady outlaw herself would have felt in good company at this country/western hangout. An extensive bar from which beer flows copiously, a large dance floor and live country music keep the cowboys and cowgirls that frequent this club satisfied (the place is packed on weekends). Round up some visiting Yankees and take them to Belle Starr for some good, two-steppin’, honky-tonkin’ Texas nightlife. (7724 N Central Expwy near Southwestern. 750-4787. Tue-Sat 7 pm-2 am. Sun 4 pm-2 am. Closed Mon. All credit cards.)

Boardwalk Beach Club. This place is a pleasant (if fast-paced) mixture of opposites. The club’s drawing card is Fifties and Sixties music, but patrons are mostly under-30 singles. Space has been cleared for a dance floor next to the South Seas mural on one wall, but strangely enough, hardly anyone dances. Drinks are pretty solid here, but the snail-like service may hamper your enjoyment of them. (6332 La Vista. 823-5340. Tue-Sat 5 pm-2 am. Closed Sun & Mon. MC, V, AE.)

Diamond Jim’s. Although this is really a country/ western disco, rock ’n’ roll frequently prevails. Tight quarters make for close encounters between patrons, both on and off the rather small dance floor. (5601 Greenville. 691-2411. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-8 pm, Thur 5-9 pm. MC, V, AE.)

In Cahoots. Like a randy phoenix rising from the remains of the old Papagayo’s, this multilevel, chromedout fleshpot is Babylon revisited in NorthPark East. What has the Me Generation come to? The obligatory video here is a mix of cartoons, rock and Selfdance -you can watch your celluloid self writhing on the dance floor, in case there’s any doubt about your reality The waitresses are scantily clad, the drinks are strong, and the happy hour buffet ranks with the best in Dallas. (NorthPark East. 8796 N Central Expwy. 692-5412 Mon-Fri 4:30 pm-2 am. Sat & Sun 6:30 pm-4 am Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4:30-8 pm. Sat & Sun 6:30-8 pm, MC, V. AE)

Jazba at Ratcliffe’s. If we mention this place too loudly, will we have trouble getting a table when we want one? This small, elegant jazz bar in Ratcliffe’s seafood restaurant has what we like: clean lines, smooth music and Southern comfort Food, too! (1901 McKinney. 748-7480 Sun-Thur 5 pm-midnight, Fri & Sat 5 pm-1:15 am; live music beginning at 8 pm. MC. V.AE)

Mistral. This very lavish dance and supper club is the product of a search across Europe to find all of the elements of the perfect nightclub. The results: extravagant lighting, an enormous video screen, a state-of-the-art sound system, a Japanese chef and very prominent entertainers who appear about once a month. (Loews Anatole Hotel, 2201 Stemmons Frwy. 760-9000 Mon-Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. MC. V. AE.)

Popsicle Toes.Go here to listento the live and lively jazz, funk and rock ’n’ roll, not just to hear it. Granted, you’ll have trouble hearing anything else, but that’s okay, because the music is great. Don’t be disappointed, though; Popsicle Toes isn’t a place to be “seen,” although this |azz-oriented club attracts a spirited, sincere-looking dance crowd (5627 Dyer. 368-9706. Tue-Sun 8 pm-2 am. Closed Mon Happy hour: Fri 4-7 pm. MC. V. AE.)

The Prohibition Room.This rustic tavern and live jazz and pop music showroom in the basement of the Brewery was once a speak-easy. It still looks much as it did then, with large concrete pillars and mortar-crusted brick. Very casual. (The Brewery. 703 McKin-ney beside Woodall Rogers Frwy. 954-4407 Mon-Thur 4 pm-1 am. Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat 5 pm-2 am. Closed Sun MC. V.AE.)

Ravers.This cavernous singles bar may remind you of a bad 1967 sci-fi movie version of The Future.” Track lights cut through the smoky blackness, beaming down like searchlights from a spaceship. Music video screens are everywhere. The well drinks are expensive, and the service can be slow, even when the room is mostly empty. Ravel’s is also part restaurant, offering a limited and pricey menu. (The Registry Hotel. 15201 Dallas Pkwy. 386-6000. Mon-Sat 5 pm-2 am. Sun 7 pm-2 am. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 5-8 pm. All credit cards.)



NIGHTLIFE

DRINKING



Biff’s. When you look out Biffs windows and see the lush foliage of Old Vickery Park, even the traffic.on Greenville Avenue somehow seems peaceful. The combination nachos here are a civic treasure, but the drinks are only average. (7402 Greenville 696-1952. Daily 11 am-2 am Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm MC, V. AE.)

500 Café. It’s not that there aren’t any people in this most obscure corner of Deep Ellum next to the 500X Gallery. They’re just hidden behind crusty warehouse fronts doing mostly artistic things. This funky, casual cafe with a neon-lit patio (which resembles a drained swimming pool, only prettier) is a fitting place for the artists and others to mingle. Beer and wine only. Chalkboard menu. (408 Exposition off Main Street, near Fair Park. 821-4623. Mon-Thur 11:30 am-midmght. Fri 11:30 am-2 am. Sat 5 pm-2 am. Sun 5 pm-midnight. MC. V. AE.)

The Den. Located in the Stoneleigh Hotel, this small, dark and very red bar caters to people in pursuit of serious drink and conversation. It’s a bar more reminiscent of New York than of Dallas. (The Stoneleigh Hotel, 2927 Maple. 871-7111. Daily 11 am-midnight. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 11 am-midnight. All credit cards)

Knox Street Pub. Over the years, this neighborhood bar has worn very, very well. It’s a slice of the Sixties (popular with Woodstock veterans and the work shirt-and-jeans set), but it attracts other folks as well. And although Knox Street has its cadre of regulars, there’s no cliquish spirit here. The menu is limited, but the fare is reasonably priced and substantial. (3230 Knox. 526-9476. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun 4 pm-midnight. Happy hour: Sun-Fri 4-7 pm. No credit cards.)

La Cave. When you’re in the mood to linger over a bottle of good wine, La Cave is a great place to go. The bistro atmosphere is relaxed, unhurried and conducive to conversation. Appetizers and light meals are offered, but the real value is the selection of foreign and domestic wines found in the walk-in wine cellar. (2926 N Henderson. 826-2190. Wine shop: Mon-Thur 10 am-11 pm, Fri 10 am-11:30 pm, Sat noon-11:30 pm. Bistro: Mon-Thur 11:30 am-2 pm & 5:30-11 pm, Fri 11:30 am-2 pm & 5:30-11:30 pm, Sat noon-11:30 pm. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

Mariano’s. If nachos and frozen margaritas are your passion, this is the place for you. Mariano’s remodeled bar is a bright, airy place where you can enjoy some of the best Tex-Mex munchies in town. The chips and hot sauce are exemplary, and the margaritas are so famous that the mix is available for sale. (Old Town, 5500 Greenville. 691-3888 Sun-Thur 11:30 am-11 pm, Fri & Sat 11:30 am-midnight. Happy hour: daily 4-7 pm. MC, V, AE.)

Mlml’s. It’s a simple, unpretentious bar that also offers a light menu, but Mimi’s forte is its selection of 100 brands of beer from 22 countries. The friendly bartenders won’t mind if you make a request from their vintage album collection. This is a true hangout. (5111 Greenville. 696-1993 Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am. Sat 4 pm-2 am, Sun 6 pm-2 am. MC. V. AE.)

The Palm Bar. This is a beautiful place for downtown workers to have an extended series of drinks. As hotel bars go, it’s the most upscale in Dallas. Although you can’t reach the bar through the hotel, a walk through the Adolphus is worth the excursion. Or, if you prefer open spaces, have a drink in the lobby. (Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200. Mon-Fri 11 am-7 pm. Happy hour: Mon-Fri 4-7 pm. All credit cards.)

SRO. As in “standing room only,” which is becoming the case at this ever-so-black, ever-so-chichi nightclub trimmed in (did you guess?) pink neon. There’s a wide assortment of drinks, an unusual assortment of food and the standard assortment of 30ish trendies who are doing more following than setting. (2900 McKinney. 748-5014. Daily 11 am-2am. MC, V, AE, DC.)



FORT WORTH NIGHTLIFE



Cheers. Don’t expect Ted Danson or Shelley Long tobe in this club’s crowd: This Confetti-like dancery is afar cry from the sophisticated wit of TVs Boston bar. Female bartenders wear flesh-colored Danskin tights,skimpy leotards and baseball hats, and there’s enoughpaper confetti around to make you want to save a tree.By the looks of the crowd on the Tuesday night wevisited, this is a good place for single women: The ratioof guys to gals was about 10-to-1. (6773 Camp Bowie,Fort Worth. (817) 735-8814. Mon-Fri 11 am-2am, Sat& Sun 4 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

The Hop. In three words, The Hop is warm, woodyand wonderful. It has the air of a typical college hangout (it’s located just one block from TCU), but it lacksthe cutesy crowd or trendy atmosphere. A stagetucked in the corner features national and local bands,with music ranging from folk to reggae, rock to country. The food is good, but nothing could surpass thepizza. (2905 W Berry. (817) 923-7281 Mon-Sat 11am-2am. Sun 4 pm-1 am. MC, V. AE, DC.)