AN ARTIST REDISCOVERED
Bernardo Cavallino of Naples is one of those artists that art history almost leaves behind-a strange, solitary genius whose work was all but forgotten until early in this century. Even today, as scholars increasingly focus their attention on 17th-century Naples and the extraordinary achievements of the Neapolitan baroque, Cavallino is scarcely a common word in anyone’s household. It is to remedy this neglect that the Kimbell Art Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Museo e Gallerie Nazionali di Capodi-monte in Naples have organized this exhibit of Caval-lino’s paintings. About 50 of the artist’s 85 known paintings have been assembled for the show. Many have been hidden away for years, attributed to other artists if they were attributed at all, and scholars are still sorting through the body of work that Cavallino produced during his short career. (He was born in 1616 and died, probably of the plague, in 1656.) So this show is as much detective work as art history. Most are small paintings, suitable for a private chapel or the wall of some collector’s home. Subjects are drawn from sources popular in Neapolitan society: biblical scenes, Italian epic poetry, classical literature. Cavallino absorbed the main influences of his day, but out of them he created a style that was strictly his own. Painted with great delicacy on canvas or on copper, his works are marked by subtle coloring, superb draftsmanship and a sense of drama that sometimes makes them seem larger than they really are. Cavallino’s compositions frequently look like scenes from a play in which the actors have frozen at some high point in the action.
Among the paintings in the exhibit are the artist’s only dated work, Saint Cecelia in Ecstasy (painted in 1645), as well as several works only recently recognized as Cavallino’s and rescued from dingy storerooms. The exhibit will be accompanied by an extensive program of special lectures, films, concerts and other events and by a fully illustrated, scholarly catalog.
Jan. 26-March 24 at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 332-8451.
-Ken Barrow
DIXIELAND BAND STAND
One of America’s great musical traditions, Dixieland jazz, comes to life in Dallas this month with the Southern Comfort Battle of Dixieland Jazz Bands. In the contest, which culminates a national talent hunt, three Dixieland bands selected from colleges around the nation will compete for top musical honors in a head-to-head play-off.
Born in the infamous Storyville district of New Orleans in the late 19th century, the Dixieland style was originally a manifestation of interest by white musicians in jazz, a musical style that had previously been unique to the black community. As jazz spread out from Storyville, Dixieland bands of six to eight players performed a vital role in the birth of jazz as part of our national heritage.
Members of the winning band will receive scholarships and national tour engagements under the auspices of the Southern Comfort Corp. and the National Jazz Educators Association. The public is invited to the competition finals, Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. at the AmFac Hotel at D/FW airport. In keeping with the Dixieland spirit, the price of admission ($3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and students) will include a straw hat and raffle tickets for audience prizes. (312) 368-0400 before Jan. 5, 453-8400 after Jan. 5.
-Wayne Lee Gay
A TRIO OF MODERN DANCE
Following two gargantuan productions, the Dallas Ballet will resume a more normal repertory existence in January. Returning to the roster is Peter Anastos’ Table Manners, which satirizes human relationships. Originally choreographed for this company in 1982, Table Manners is set to a score by Handel.
The second work on the program is the world premiere of Bryan Pitts’ Sets, billed as ballet with a tennis theme. According to Pitts, a Dallas Ballet soloist and ballet master, the work will be performed in three movements-women’s singles, men’s singles and mixed doubles-and will be set to a suite from Stravinsky’s Pulcinella. With tennis-inspired costumes, rackets and nets (but no tennis balls), Sets will have plenty of dancing and more than a few surprises.
The third work, which was undetermined at press time, is rumored to be a ballet by Eliot Feld, one of the most prolific and inventive of New York choreographers, whose At Midnight, Intermezzo and other early works have entered the standard repertoires of several companies.
Jan. 24-26 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, 1925 Elm. Tickets $25-$5. 744-4430.
-Willard Spiegelman
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, CB/Carte Blanche. “All credit cards” indicates that all five cards are accepted.
ART
Black Art Southwest Exhibition. This is the eighth in a series of juried exhibits featuring about 30 carefully chosen works, many of which are for sale. Through Jan 30 at the Museum of African-American Life & Culture, lower level, Zale Library Building, Bishop College, 3837 Simpson-Stuart Rd. Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat noon-3, Sun 2-4. 372-8738.
Community Photographic Exhibit. Original photos taken by Dallas schoolchildren from kindergarten to 12th grade were selected by art critics from the two daily newspapers and gallery owner Ben Breard. Through Jan 6 at the Allen Street Gallery. 4101 Commerce. Wed-Fri noon-5, Sat 10-4, Sun 1-5. 821-8260.
David Hockney. Few artists have designed for the opera more often or more brilliantly than this owlish Briton-turned-Californian, who has raised a useful craft to the status of a major art. Through Feb 17 at the Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery. Tue 10-9, Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 738-9215.
Edward Weston. A three-year sojourn in Mexico (1923-1926) transformed Weston from a romanticist to a classicist and made him one of the most influential photographers of his time. Through Jan 6 at the Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.
Emma Lee Moss. Works by an eminent black folk artist appropriately mark Black Awareness Month. Jan 16-Feb 10 at the University of Texas at Arlington Art Gallery, Fine Arts Building, UTA, Arlington. Mon-Fri 9-4, Sun 1-4 (817)273-2891.
East Dallas Images
For two years now, William M. Pankey has been taking photographs in the East Dallas area, focusing his camera on the front yards and back alleys of such rapidly changing neighborhoods as Freed-man’s Town and State-Thomas. The results are printed on paper coated with a platinum rather than a silver emulsion, a demanding and seldom-used process that produces prints with a delicate beauty. The range of grays, soft as a fog, makes these second- and even third-glance pictures full of subtleties that go beyond their considerable historical interest. Jan. 8-March 2 at the Afterimage Gallery, the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh, Suite 151. Mon-Sat 10-5:30. 748-2521.
James Surls. These spiky wood sculptures and sinuous drawings by James Surls, which are among the most distinctive works of art produced in Texas, have an unmistakable presence and an air of myth and magic. Through Jan 13 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. Tue. Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5; Thur 10-10; Sun noon-5. 922-0220.
Jennie Haddad. Call it action painting or abstract expressionism, the true flame still burns in the works of this Dallas artist, who studied under the legendary Hans Hofmann and worked alongside some of the best painters of the New York school. Through Jan 15 at Ruth Wiseman Gallery, 2816 Main. Thur noon-3 or by appointment. 363-2631.
Joy Laville. A subdued palette and a sensuous touch give this artist’s paintings of landscapes, interiors and women an elusive, dreamlike quality. Through Jan 22 at Nimbus Gallery, 1135 Dragon. Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-4. 742-1348.
Lee Smith III. An emerging talent poised on the edge of national recognition draws on his years growing up in Mesquite to create tightly painted oils and constructions that capture the mysterious rituals of boyhood. Jan 5-31 at DW Gallery. 3200 Main. Tue-Sat 11 -5. 939-0045.
The Literati Vision. Priding themselves on their amateur status, the gentleman painters of the Wu school produced some of the most refined and highly acclaimed works of the Ming dynasty. Through Jan 27 at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817)332-8451.
Marcia Myers. An artist/teacher incorporates silk, metallic threads, paint, colored ink and a variety of papers into constructions that combine tactile appeal with opulent colors. Through Jan 12 at Adams-Middleton Gallery, 3000 Maple. Tue-Fri 10-6. Sat 11-5. 742-3682.
Russell’s Wild West
Time once again to ask the perennial question: Who was the better artist, Frederic Remington or Charles M. Russell? Those who favor Russell will find plenty of evidence in Charles M. Russell: Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, an exhibit drawn entirely from the vast collection of works by this artist in the Amon Carter Museum. In addition to the usual shoot-’em-up action in oils, watercolor and bronze, the exhibit will include a number of the artist’s illustrated poems and letters, works full of whimsy and salted with the folksy misspellings that make Russell sound like a real cowboy. (He was.) Jan. 11-March 10 at the Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.
Paul Horgan. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author made these ink and watercolor sketches to help him recall the spirit of the Southwestern places that he wrote so eloquently about. Through Jan 13 at the Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30.(817)738-1933.
Ron Wood. A year’s work in a San Francisco print workshop lies behind these drawings, monotypes and woodcuts, which are mostly self-portraits and portraits of the artist’s friends. (Yes, he’s the Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones.) Through Jan 18 at Foster Goldstrom, 2722 Fairmount. Tue-Sat 10:30-5:30. 744-0711.
Textiles of Chichicastenango. Fanciful animals and birds and zigzag patterns enliven these colorful garments and textiles, donated to the museum by several local collectors who acquired them in the highlands of Guatemala. Through Jan 6 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5; Thur 10-10; Sun noon-5. 922-0220.
THEATER
Alphabetical Order. Michael Frayn’s Broadway triumph, “Noises Off,” established him as a master of farce and a maker of mess-delightful human mess. Here, a disheveled reference library of a newspaper-and the disheveled newspaper staff-get a bracing dose of “order” from a young woman who decides to organize the library and then organize the other characters’ lives. The result is chaos, as well as humor and sentiment. Dec 26-Feb 1 at Stage West, 821 W Vickery, Fort Worth. Wed & Thur at 8 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm, Sun Jan 6 at 3 pm. Tickets $10 Sat; $9 Fri; $8 Wed, Thur & Sun. (817) 332-6238.
Angels Fall. Following a nuclear accident, a sun-baked New Mexico mission harbors a group of strangers, each at a moment of personal crisis. This touching, sometimes funny play is by Lanford Wilson, whose “Fifth of July” inaugurated Stage #1’s first season 5V2 years ago. Jan 2-Feb 10 at Stage #1, Greenville Avenue Theater, 2914 Greenville. Wed-Fri at 8:15 pm, Sat at 5:30 & 9 pm, Sun at 7 pm. Tickets $12.50 Fri & Sat at 9; $10 Wed, Thur, Sat at 5:30 & Sun. 760-9542.
Foxfire. Theater Three’s talented Norma Young plays an iron-willed mountain woman in this play by Susan Cooper and Hume Cronyn about the life and spirit of Appalachia. The woman’s unusual relationship with her husband and her troubled relationship with her son are explored when the son returns home after becoming a country singer. Jan 1-27 at Theater Three, the Quadrangle, 2800 Routh. Tue-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7 pm. Tickets $13.50 Fri & Sat; $11 Tue-Thur & Sun. 871-3300.
Last Gas Till Turnpike. This world premiere by Texas playwright Lanie Robertson examines how a former U.S. Marine is methodically deprogrammed after his tour of duty. The young man works in a rural gas station run by a married couple who separately and together challenge and defy his well-bred killer “instincts.” Strong language and nudity. Jan 16-27 at New Arts Theater, 702 Ross at Market in the West End Warehouse District. Wed-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 5 & 9 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $12.50 Sat at 9; $10.50 Fri & Sat at 5; $8.50 Wed, Thur & Sun. 761-9064.
Requiem for a Heavyweight. The Majestic Broadway series happily secured this Broadway-bound play that was first presented successfully at the esteemed Long Wharf Theater in Connecticut. John Lithgow plays an aging boxer who’s trying to make a comeback, and George Segal plays his ruthless, puppeteering manager. Jan 13-19 at the Majestic Theater, 1925 Elm. Tue-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 2:30 & 8 pm, Sun at 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets $26.50-$21.50 Fri & Sat evenings; $24-$19 Tue-Thur & Sat matinee; $23-$18 Sun; available at Ticketron outlets. 265-0789.
Romeo and Juliet. She is a Capulet and he is a Montague and never the twain shall meet, much less mingle. But meet they do, to a tragic end, in Shakespeare’s most popular play. Jan 31-Feb 24 at Dallas Repertory Theater, NorthPark Center (near Joske’s), Park Lane at N Central Expwy. Wed-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 3 pm. Tickets $12.50-$11 Fri & Sat; $9.50-$8 Wed & Thur; $11-$9.50 Sun. 369-8966.
Scapino. Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale have taken Moliere’s farce “Scapin” and have given it music and a new beat. It’s about two pairs of lovers and the rogue matchmaker who works to keep them together despite the wishes of the young men’s fathers. Director Dale Rose is giving it the kind of pop theatricality-including break-dancing and roller skating – that he is famous for. Jan 16-Feb 17 at the Plaza Theater, 6719 Snider Plaza. Tue-Fri at 8:15 pm, Sat & Sun at 2:30 & 8:15 pm. Tickets $18 & $16 Fri & Sat evenings; $15 & $13 Tue-Thur; $12 & $10 Sat matinee & Sun. 363-7000.
Spokesong. This well-reviewed play with music, set against and concerned with the plight of modern-day Belfast and the order of the new, is viewed through the microcosm of a young man’s bicycle shop, which the housing authorities want to tear down in order to build a highway. Through Jan 5 at New Arts Theater, 702 Ross at Market. Wed-Fri at 8 pm, Sat at 5 & 9 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $12.50 Sat at 9; $10.50 Fri & Sat at 5; $8.50 Wed, Thur & Sun. 761-9064.
MUSIC
Tippett Lectures
The dean of British composers, Sir Michael Tippett, celebrates his 80th birthday this month, and Texas musicians are joining in the festivities. After a stop in Houston to conduct his oratorio, A Child of Our Time, with the Houston Symphony, Tippett will arrive in Dallas to appear as the Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Distinguished Lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas. As part of the week’s events, Dallas-based new music specialists Voices of Change will present a concert of Tippett’s chamber music, including the U.S. premiere of Words for Music Perhaps to texts by Yeats, the Songs for Ariel to texts from Shakespeare’s Tempest and the Sonata No. 2 for piano. Later that week, Tippett will conduct the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in his own Triple Concerto and Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles, with Eduar-do Mata conducting Beethoven’s Third Symphony in the same concert. Voices of Change: Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. at UTD, Richardson. Free. 692-3189. DSO: Jan. 10 & 12 at 8:15 p.m. at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $16-$6. 692-0203.
Cliburn Concerts. Cellist Carter Brey and pianist Ed-mond Battersby perform a recital that includes J.S. Bach’s Suite No. 6 in D for solo cello, Kreisler’s Three Miniatures and Rachmaninoff’s Sonata in G minor for cello and piano. Jan 8 at 8 pm at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tickets $10. (817)738-6536.
Dallas Bach Orchestra. Paul Riedo conducts the annual New Year’s Eve Concert, featuring music by Handel, Bach, Vivaldi and Albinoni. Dec 31 at 10 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 6306 Kenwood at Abrams. Tickets $7.50-$5. 821-3450.
Dallas Chamber Orchestra. A “Roses from the South” concert includes waltzes of Johann Strauss Jr. as well as Vivaldi’s Viola Concerto (with soloist Ellen Rose), J.S. Bach’s Concerto in D minor for two violins (with soloists Sho-Mei Pelletier and Adriana Voirin) and Warlock’s Capriol Suite. Jan 27 at 7 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU. Tickets $9; available at Rain-bow-Ticketmaster outlets. 826-6974.
Dallas Civic Music Association. Pinchas Zukerman conducts the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Jan 21 at 8:15 pm at McFarlin Auditorium, SMU. Tickets $25-$4. 526-6870.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Jan 4,5& 6: Eduardo Mata conducts a concert featuring Debussy’s “Iberia,” Ravel’s Concerto for left hand (with pianist Gary Graff-man) and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. Jan 9: Violinist Itzhak Perlman appears in recital. Jan 10 & 12: Sir Michael Tippett conducts his Suite for the Birthday of Prince Charles and Triple Concerto, and Mata conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”). Jan 18 & 19: Violinist Salvatore Accardo performs Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in a concert also including Liget’s Lon-tano, Respighi’s Fountains of Rome and Rossini’s William Tell Overture, with Mata conducting. Jan 24, 26 & 27: Mata conducts Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture, Hindemith’s Symphony “Mathis der Maler” and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor (with soloist Lynn Harrell). All performances at Fair Park Music Hall. Wed-Sat at 8:15 pm, Sun at 2:30 pm. Tickets $16-$6 for orchestra concerts, $25-$10 for Perlman recital. 692-0203.
Dallas Symphony SuperPops. Jan 11: Dancer Carol Lawrence and comedian Sid Caesar join the orchestra to open the Pops season. Jan 25: Singer Andy Williams performs a number of popular favorites. Both performances at 8 pm at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $18-$8. 692-0203.
Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra. John Giordano conducts a concert including Handel’s Music for the Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, Beethoven’s Second Piano Concerto (with soloist Emanuel Ax) and Weber’s Symphony No. 1 in C, Op. 19. Jan 15 at 8 pm at Ed Lan-dreth Auditorium, University at Cantey. TCU. Tickets $12-$8. (817)926-8831.
Fort Worth Opera. Thomas Fulton conducts Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut,” a production directed by Bernard Uzan and starring soprano Diana Soviero, tenor Barry Busse and baritone Marc Embree. Jan 11 at 8 pm and Jan 13 at 2:30 pm at Tarrant County Convention Center Theater, 1101 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $30-$5. (817) 737-0775.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. An all-American concert features Carpenter’s “Tell Tale Heart,” Barber’s Piano Concerto (with soloist John Browning) and Copland’s Third Symphony, with John Giordano conducting. Jan 26 at 8 pm and Jan 27 at 3 pm at Tarrant County Convention Center Theater, 1101 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $15-$5. 429-1181.
Fort Worth Symphony Pops. John Giordano conducts the Fort Worth Symphony in a “Tribute to the Big Band Era” Jan 4 & 5 at 8 pm at Tarrant County Convention Center Theater, 1101 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $18-$10. 429-1181.
Piano Chamber Orchestra. Hector Guzman conducts a concert including Francaix’s Serenade in D, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor (with soloist Motoi Takeda) and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D. Jan 25 at 8:15 pm at Piano East Senior High School, 3000 Los Rios Blvd, Plano. Tickets $6. 424-1721, 423-7809.
DANCE
Denton Civic Ballet. Now in its fifth season, the Den-ton Civic Ballet will tackle its largest project yet with a belated Christmas package, “The Snow Queen.” Choreographed by artistic director Hugh Nini, “The Snow Queen” is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and will involve a large cast as well as community participation. Jan 11 & 12 at 8:15 pm and Jan 13 at 2 pm in Margo Jones Auditorium, Texas Woman’s University, Denton Tickets $5 for adults. $3 for children and senior citizens. 382-4309
FILM
Omni Theater. “Behold Hawaii,” a film about the history and culture of Hawaii, begins a month-long run at the Omni Theater on Jan 11. This unique theater has an oversized, domed screen that presents super 70mm IMAX and OMNIMAX films. Jan 14-31 at the Omni Theater, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1501 Montgomery, Fort Worth. Showings Tue-Thur at 1, 2, 7 & 8 pm; Fri at 1, 2, 7, 8 & 9 pm; Sat at 11 am, noon and 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 9 pm; Sun at 2, 3, 4, 7 & 8 pm. Tickets $4 for adults, $2.50 for senior citizens and children 12 and under. Metro 654-1356.
ENLIGHTENMENT
The Dallas Institute. World-renowned author Ivan Illich will present a seminar titled “History of the Human Body,” which will explore the imagination of the body as experienced through history, myth, art, fashion, science, poetry, medicine and technology. Illich’s visit will mark the first time that a visiting scholar has been invited to speak at the Institute. Jan 30 at 7:30 pm at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, 2719 Routh. Free. 698-9090.
Institute of Business Designers Lecture. John Naisbitt, author of the best seller “Megatrends,” is the featured speaker in a program presented by the North Texas Chapter of the Institute of Business Designers in conjunction with Condes ’85, a contract design furniture trade show that will officially open the Dallas Info-mart. Naisbitt will discuss ways to reinvent the corporation in a lecture based on information from his upcoming book, “The Beginning of the New: Reinventing the World We Live In.” Jan 22 at 8 pm in the Great Hall of the Apparel Mart, 2300 Stemmons Frwy. Tickets $30. 233-9151.
SPORTS
Dallas Mavericks. Reunion Arena, Dallas. Homegame tickets $7 & $5; available at Rainbow-Ticket-master outlets and at Reunion Arena box office. Gamesstart at 7:35 pm unless otherwise noted. 658-7068.
Jan 5 vs Kansas City
11 vs Los Angeles Lakers
13 at 3 pm vs Portland
23 vs San Antonio
26 vs New Jersey
28 vs Philadelphia
Dallas Sidekicks Soccer. Reunion Arena. Dallas. Tickets $8-$3.50; available at Rainbow-Ticketmaster outlets and at Reunion Arena box office. Home games start at 7:35 pm. 658-7068. metro 263-4781.
Jan 4 vs Las Vegas
12 vs Los Angeles
19 vs Tacoma
22 vs New York
SMU. Moody Coliseum, SMU. Tickets $7; available at Moody Coliseum box office. 692-2902.
Jan 5 at 2 pm vs Arkansas
9 at 7:30 pm vs Baylor
19 at 1 pm vs TCU
30 at 7:30 pm vs Houston
TCU. Daniel Meyer Coliseum. TCU, Fort Worth. Tickets $7 for adults, $4 for children; available at TCU box office. Home games start at 7:30 pm unless otherwisenoted. (817)921-7967.
Jan 2 vs Houston 16 vs Texas A&M
12 at 3 pm vs Baylor 26 vs Texas
NIGHTLIFE
ENTERTAINMENT/DANCING
Acapulco Bar. The opening of Acapulco proves that Upper Greenville is alive and well. Here’s a great bar for the over-21 partier: three blackjack tables with dealers, a waitress who walks around offering tequila shots out of her holster, lots of color on the walls and even more colorful characters on the dance floor. (5111 Greenville. 692-9856. Tue-Fri 5 pm-2 am. Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun & Mon. Cover varies. MC, V, AE.)
4500 McKinney. Following a few false starts, this intimate supper club now seems to work. There’s probably too much pink (from napkins to spotlights), but the food is good, and the entertainment – regional and national performers of jazz, blues, pop and show tunes-has been outstanding. (4500 McKinney at Armstrong. 522-5818. Tue-Sat 7 pm-2 am; shows at 9 & 11 pm. Cover: $5 Sun & Tue-Thur, $10 Fri & Sat with dinner; $5 extra without. MC, V, AE.)
Memphis. This is the best live music bar in Far North Dallas, if you like large jazz ensembles-and everybody seems to. The little Addison bar is usually packed with jazz buffs listening to regulars such as Clairvoyance and Emerald City. (Quorum Plaza, 15000 Quorum, Suite 500. 386-9517. Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Cover: $3-55. MC. V, AE, DC.)
Mistral. This very lavish dance and supper club is the product of a search across Europe to find all 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 prominent entertainers who appear about once a month. (Loews Anatole Hotel. 2201 Stemmons Frwy. 760-9000. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. MC, V, AE, DC.)
Rusty Pelican. The large bar in this restaurant can best be described as having a California Surf motif: lots of plants, wood and surfing pictures. There’s dancing to pop-music bands every night except Monday and mind-boggling beach drinks. (14655 Dallas Pkwy. 980-8950. Mon-Fri 11 am-1:30 am, Sat & Sun 4:30 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)
Village Country Club. Pull out all the old jokes about the people from the Village Apartments, and you’ve got the makeup of this club, right? Wrong. Local bands appear here, and the crowd doesn’t trade business cards or astrological signs. They just hang out and appreciate the music. (8308 Southwestern. 361-9866. Mon-Wed 4 pm-midnight. Thur & Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-midnight. Live music Thur-Sat. MC, V, AE.)
NIGHTLIFE
DRINKING
Knox Street Ice House. Formerly the Quiet Man, a hangout for the Sixties crowd, this tiny bar is now the newest preppie haven in Dallas. It serves only inexpensive beer from a bar made of stacked beer cases. Come learn the latest SMU gossip. (3120 Knox. No phone. Mon-Fri 3 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am. No credit cards.)
FORT WORTH NIGHTLIFE
Caravan of Dreams. Caravan of Dreams, which covers three floors of a chic Sundance Square building, has excellent live jazz/blues (and a bar) on the first floor, a theater with movies and live drama (and a bar) on the second floor and an outdoor patio with a cactus garden (and a bar) on the roof. (312 Houston. (817)887-3000. Daily 11 am-2 am; shows at 9:45 & 11:30 pm. Cover for shows only. MC, V, AE.)
