May Events OPENERS

STILL-LIFE ART FROM SPAIN



Spanish art is full of portraiture, with paintings of saints and sinners. But still lifes, those intimate celebrations of ripe fruit, plump game and lush flower bouquets spilling out of vases, are associated more often with northerly painting, with the down-to-earth materialism of the Dutch and Flemish rather than the austere spirituality of the Spanish.

Nevertheless, judging from Spanish Still Life in the Golden Age, the current exhibit at Fort Worth’s Kimbell Art Museum, Spanish artists excelled at still-life painting from the late 16th century on. The show is the first international exhibit of Spanish still life ever held in this country, and it was organized by an expert on the subject, Kimbell Deputy Director William B. Jordan.



Just about the time Spain was assembling her empire under Philip II and Philip III, Europe was undergoing an intellectual change. Artists and thinkers all over were turning their attention from the sacred to the profane, from the eternal to the daily and the specific. Spanish artists were not immune. Juan Sanchez Cotan painted ingenious and original compositions of vegetables, arranged with fruit and game. Cotan’s work caught the eye of a number of wealthy collectors and influenced a whole generation of younger artists.

The Kimbell’s exhibit includes every one of Cotan’s known still lifes, presenting a unique opportunity for scholars and laymen alike to examine the works of this artist. It also presents the work of the younger generation he influenced, including Juan van der Hamen y Leon, who actually was Flemish, the enigmatic Juan Fernandez and 13 other painters of the Iberian Peninsula. Some have never before exhibited in this country.

Most revealing, perhaps, are the paintings of Diego Velazquez. Although he was seldom thought of as a still-life artist, Velazquez’s works included in this exhibit reveal him as a master of the form. In such works as Christ in the House of Martha and Mary and Two Men at a Table, beautiful stilllife compositions are given almost equal weight to the interplay of human figures. The little gatherings of bowls, vases, fish, onions and eggs become a kind of gloss, commenting upon the human events that are depicted in the painting.

Inasmuch as it is the first book in English on the subject, the exhibit catalog is an important piece of scholarship. May 11-Aug. 4 at the Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 332-8451.

-Ken Barrow

DANCING WITH

PORGY AND BESS



In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the premiere of Porgy and Bess, the Dallas Black Dance Theater will present a full-length ballet of that Gershwin fable, choreographed by Ric Brame, an instructor at North Lake College.

Brame choreographed a smaller piece, Reflections from Porgy and Bess, for the DBDT two years ago, but this end-of-season production represents one of the very few attempts in the nation to do a full adaptation of the opera in dance form. Principal dancers include DBDT’s Darrell Dautrieve as Porgy, Amy Jackson Watts as Bess and Fort Worth Ballet’s General Macarthur Hambrick as Sportin Life. Chris Xeros will conduct the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.

May 16 & 17 at 8 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, 1925 Elm. A special matinee for schoolchildren and senior citizens will be presented May 17 at 10 a.m. Tickets $20-$12 for evening performances, $2 for matinee; available at Ticketron outlets. 371-1170.

-Willard Spiegelman



THE VAN CLIBURN: PIANO’S KEY EVENT



Every four years, the ears and eyes of the music world focus on Fort Worth for the two weeks of the Van Cliburn, the most prestigious piano competition in America. This time, 37 applicants from 18 countries will compete, with the winner receiving $12,000 and a performance and recording contract worth $200,000. Nine other contestants will receive special commendation and runner-up prizes of $1,000 to $8,000. But more important than the money is the foothold in the concert world that the top winners will have gained.

Each phase of the competition will test the entrants in a special way, probing for strengths and weaknesses in a repertoire ranging from Bach to a newly commissioned work by John Corigliano. The competition will also include chamber music, solo recital literature and concertos.

The preliminaries, featuring two performances by each of the 37 competitors, will be held May 18-22 at Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU. Sessions are scheduled for May 18 at 9:30 a.m. & 2:30 p.m., May 19 at 2:30 &8 p.m., May 20 at 9:30 a.m., 2:30 & 8 p.m., May 21 at 9:30 a.m., 2:30 & 8 p.m. and May 22 at 9:30 a.m., 2:30 & 8 p.m. A narrowed field of 12 semifinalists will perform chamber music with the Tokyo String Quartet along with solo recitals on May 24, 25, 27 & 28, with sessions at 1 & 7:30 p.m. each day at Ed Landreth Auditorium.

Six finalists will perform concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony and the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra under Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. The individual performances will be presented May 30-June 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Tarrant County Convention Center, 1101 Houston, Fort Worth. The awards ceremony, including a performance by the winner, will be presented June 2 at 5 p.m. at the Convention Center. Tickets $2 per session for preliminaries, $7 per session for semifinals, $35-$3.50 per session for concerto performances and awards ceremony. Subscriptions available. (817) 738-6533.

-Wayne Lee Gay



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



American Anthem. From a gold nugget to a locorm tive, from Custer’s jacket to FDR’s microphone, th Smithsonian Institution has assembled this exhibit ( prized objects from the National Museum of America History to celebrate our national songs and symbol; Through Oct 31 in The Pavillion at LTV Center, 200 Ross. Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5, Thur 10-8, Sun noon-5 979-6100.

Ancient Peruvian Art. A selection of works from th Dallas Museum of Art’s excellent collection of art fror the Andes goes traveling. Through May 10 at the Hag gar Gallery, University of Dallas, Northgate Drive nea Texas Stadium, Irving. Daily 10-5. 721-5319.

Ann Cushlng Gantz. A restored and recycled offici building in the historic West End kicks off its exhibitioi schedule with this show of oils and prints by a longtim Dallas artist and teacher. Through May 17 at the Land mark Center, 1801 N Lamar. Mon-Fri 8:30-5. 720-0096.

Art of the European Goldsmith. Despite its name, thi exhibit really deals with silver-some 80 objects fash ioned between the 12th and 19th centuries, selecte from England’s farnous Schroder Collection. Througt May 12 at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood Tue, Wed, Fri & Sat 10-5; Thur 10-9; Sun noon-5 922-0220.



Fraad Collection

For the past 30 years, Rita and Daniel Fraad of New York have assembled one of the finest collections of American realist and impressionist art anywhere. But that collection was last shown in 1964, and since then the Fraads have acquired many more works. So Linda Ayres, curator of painting at the Amon Carter Museum, has organized American Paintings, Watercolors and Drawings from the Collection of Rita and Daniel Fraad for an exclusive Fort Worth showing. The 51 works range from an 1849 Eastman Johnson drawing to Charles Sheeler’s Shaker Barn of 1945. May 24-July 14 at the Amon Carter Museum, 3501 Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5:30. (817) 738-1933.



Crescent Collection II. Art dealer Murray Smither has been assembling an extraordinary private collection of art by Texas artists for the massive Dallas development; here is a portion of that collection. Through mid-May at the Crescent Marketing Center, 2215 Cedar Springs. Fri 3-5. 638-7723.

Earl Linderman. He’s suave, he’s romantic, he’s just a little bit shady and he has a cult following. He’s Doktor Thrill, the fictional hero in the paintings of this Arizona artist. Through May 31 at Florence Art Gallery, 2500 Cedar Springs. Mon-Fri 10-4. 748-6463.

Gary S. Bush. A painter and printmaker. Bush depicts mythical, dreamlike places and, in three sculptures created just for this show, brings them to three-dimensional life. May 11- June 15 at Clifford Gallery, 6610 Snider Plaza. Tue-Sat 10-5:30. 363-8223.

Jack Tworkov. A distinguished member of the New York School, Tworkov went from thickly brushed, intensely personal abstracts in the Fifties to works anchored by a firm geometrical structure in the Sixties and Seventies. Through May 11 at Adams-Middleton Gallery. 3000 Maple. Tue- Fri 10-6, Sat 11-5. 871-7080.



A Different Dimension

In the years following World War II, the verve and energy of American painting made it the envy of the world. But what about sculpture? The Third Dimension: Sculpture of the New York School at the Fort Worth Art Museum explores the work created between 1945 and 1960 by a group of sculptors who juggled a handful of influences-surrealism, expressionism, cubism, constructivism-to produce works that defied categorization and that even today fall outside art history. Artists represented include the famous and the forgotten: Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Herbert Ferber, David Hare, Ibram Lassaw, Seymour Lipton, Louise Nevelson, Isamu Nogu-chi, Theodore Roszak and David Smith. May 14-July 21 at the Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery, Fort Worth. Tue 10-9, Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 738-9215.



Karl Umlaut. Cast paper, printed and stained, seems as weighty and sculptural as ancient stone at the hands of this veteran Texas artist. Through May 28 at Nimbus Gallery. 1135 Dragon St. Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 11-4 742-1348.

Luis Melendez. This 18th-century Spanish artist transformed humble obiects into clear and monumental still-life paintings that influenced, among others, Goya and Manet. Through May 19 at the Meadows Museum. Meadows School of the Arts, SMU. Mon-Sat 10-5. Sun 1-5 692-2516.

Mail Art. Art ob|ects smaller than a mailbox that have been signed, sealed, stamped and sent from around the globe are the subject of this continuing survey. Through June 30 at Modern Realism Gallery, 1903 McMillan, Room No. 1. Wed 6-9, 827-0376.

Mary Frances Judge. An artist long familiar in the area returns from New York with a show of richly textured and vibrantly colored canvases. Through May 31 at Paige Gallery, 1519 Hi Line Dr. Mon-Fri 9-4 30. 742-8483.

Picasso’s Vollard Suite. Making its first appearance here since 1978, Picasso’s portfolio of 100 etchings and dry-point prints explores all the familiar Picasso themes and also happens to be one of the masterpieces of modern printmaking. Through June 2 at the Fort Worth Art Museum, 1309 Montgomery at Camp Bowie, Fort Worth. Tue 10-9, Wed-Sat 10-5, Sun 1-5. (817) 738-9215.

Texaa Sculpture Symposium. Some 125 artists have installed their works at sites throughout the Central Business District and at Connemara, a 72-acre park in Piano. Through June 15. For information on locations, call 692-0615.

Wendel Norton. A talent new to the area makes his debut with large-scale, thickly painted landscapes that verge upon the abstract. Through May 23 at Mattingly Baker Gallery. 3004 McKmney. Tue-Fri 10-5:30. Sat 11-5 526-0031.

William Eggleston. One of the first ’serious” photographers to switch from black and white to color, Eggleston produces uncommon photographs of commonplace obiects and scenes. Through May 12 at Allen Street Gallery. 4101 Commerce. Wed-Fri noon-5, Sat 10-4. Sun 1-5. 821-8260.



THEATER



84 Charing Cross Road. Helene Hanff has taken 20 years of actual correspondence between herself in New York and “Messrs. Marks and Co..” sellers of rare and secondhand books in London, and fashioned a charming play that moves between the two locations as a most wonderful love affair unfolds. Through May 12 at Dallas Repertory Theater. NorthPark Center (outside Joske’s), Park Lane at N Central Expwy. Wed-Sat at 815 pm, Sun at 3 & 7 pm. Tickets $12.50-$11 Fri & Sat; $9 50$8 Wed & Thur, $11-$9.50 Sun. 369-8966.

Eminent Domain. Six years ago. the son of a professor left home, never to correspond with his parents. After he has become a famous poet, his biographer, a young graduate student, shows up at the professor’s house to find out what went wrong. At the play’s heart is the very difficult question: “What do children owe their parents, and vice versa?” Through May 25 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.

K2. Man against mountain and man against himself are the two dominant themes in this complex drama by Patrick Meyers about two men trapped on a ledge of the world’s second highest mountain. Through June 2 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.

The Three Sitters. Chekhov’s sad. hopeful and surprisingly funny play is about three sisters, each at a time of uncertainty in their lives, and their dream of moving to the city. Through May 19 at the Dallas Theater Center’s Arts District Theater. 2401 Flora at Fairmount Tue-Thur at 8 pm, Fri at 8:30 pm, Sat at 4 & 8:30 pm. Sun at 2:30 & 730 pm. Tickets $15 Fri & Sat evening; $12. 50 Tue-Thur, Sat matinee & Sun. 526-8857.

You Can’t Take It With You. In this classic American theater comedy by Kaufman and Hart (which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1937), we meet a very eccentric family and come to understand the flaky and genuine ties that bind it. May 14-June 9 at the Dallas Theater Center’s Frank Lloyd Wright Theater. 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd Tue -Thur at 8 pm, Fri at 8:30 pm. Sat at 4 & 8.30 pm. Sun at 2 30 & 7 30 pm. Tickets $15 & $14 Fri & Sat evening; $12.50 & $11 Tue-Thur, Sat & Sun matinees. 526-8857.



MUSIC



American Guild of Organists. The Dallas chapter presents organist Catharine Crozier in recital May 3 at 8:15 pm at University Park United Methodist Church, 4024 Caruth. Tickets $6. 821-3450.

Dallas Chamber Orchestra. The final subscription concert of the season features Telemann’s Concerto in G for four violins. Dvorak’s Serenade for strings and Diamond’s Rounds for string orchestra. April 28 at 7 pm at



Pepe Romero Performs

If the Romeros are the royal family of the guitar, then Pepe, the middle of three sons, is the crown prince. He will perform in the closing subscription concert in the Dallas Classic Guitar Society’s series, presenting music of Milan, Nar-vaez, Sanz, Sor, Giuliani, Brouwer, Moreno-Torroba, Rodrigo, Malats and Albeniz in a solo recital. May 6 at 8:15 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, 1925 Elm. Tickets $ll-$8; available at Ticketron. 343-3709.



Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU, and May 5 at 7 pm at the Church of the Transfiguration, 14115 Hillcrest at Spring Valley. Tickets $9. 826-6974, 358-5413.

Dallas Museum of Art. Improvisatory chamber ensemble BL Lacerta performs with sculptor Jim Estes May 25 at 3 pm in the auditorium of the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. Free. 922-0220.

Dallas Public Library. May 5: Frances Estes performs on the oboe. May 12: The Harrington String Quartet of the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra performs. May 19: Pianist Stanley Potter of West Texas State University performs in an all-Bach concert. All concerts at 3 pm in the auditorium of the Dallas Public Library, 1515 Young. Free. 749-4100, 749-4402.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Eduardo Mala conducts the season finale, featuring Lees’ Concerto for brass choir and orchestra, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 (with soloist Andre Watts) and Mahler’s First Symphony. May 3 & 4 at 8:15 pm at Fair Park Music Hall. Tickets $16-$6. 692-0203.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. May 7: Jose Luis Garcia conducts and performs as violin soloist with the Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra in a concert including Rossini’s Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers,” Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G and Beethoven’s Symphony No- 2 at 8 pm at Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU, University at Cantey, Fort Worth. Tickets $12 $8. May 11 & 12: Pianist Andre-Michel Schub performs Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor in a concert also featuring Rossini’s Overture to “The Silken Ladder” and Mahler’s First Symphony in D major (“Titan”), with John Giordano conducting. Sat at 8 pm. Sun at 3 pm at Tarrant County Convention Center Theater, 1101 Houston, Fort Worth. Tickets $15-$5 429-1181.

Meadows School of the Arts. May 1: Student conductors appear with the SMU Symphony Orchestra. Free. 692-3510. May 2: The SMU Chorale and Choir perform. Free. 692-3510. May 6: Resident chamber ensemble Voices of Change performs Rodriguez’s Lyric Variations II, Schoenfield’s Three Country Fiddle Tunes, Korte’s “Voci” and Crumb’s Makrokosmos II. Tickets $6-$4. 692-3189. All events at 8:15 pm at Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center, SMU.

Mesquite Folk Festival. Eastfield College joins the City of Mesquite in presenting a variety of folk and folk-related events. May 2: Contemporary Christian music with Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary) at 8 pm. May 3: “Bluegrass Night” with the Dixie Dewdrops, the Tennessee Valley Authority and Peter Rowan at 8 pm. May 4: Children’s concert at 11:30 am and “Songwriter’s Night” with Jerry Jeff Walker. Clifton Walker and Beto & the Fairlanes at 8 pm. May 5: Finals of the “Rising Stars” competition tor young Texas songwriters pm and an “All-American Cowboy Tribute” with Riders in the Sky and storyteller Steve Cormier at 8 pm. Daytime events are held at City Lake Park, South Galloway at Holley, Mesquite, and are free Evening performances are held at the Eastfield College Performance Hall. 3737 Motley Dr. Mesquite. Tickets $7 & $6 324-7185.

University of Texas at Dallas. Tommy Loy and the Upper Dallas Jazz Band perform Dixieland music May 3 at 8:15 pm at the University Theater, UTD. Richardson. Tickets $3. 690-2983.

Vocal Majority. Dallas’ 100-voice barbershop chorus performs May 18 at 8 pm at the Maiestic Theater, 1925 Elm. Tickets $10. 265-0789.



DANCE



Dancers Unlimited Repertory Company. In its third season, Dallas’ only major modern dance troupe closes the year with a premiere of a work by Moses Pendleton, one of the founders of the celebrated Pilobolus Dance Troupe. Another work on the program will feature a guest appearance by Milton Tatum, who will re-create his comic role in “Lame Duck.” May 30-June 1 at 8 pm at Brookhaven College Performance Hall, 3939 Valley View Lane Tickets $27-$13. 742-7821, 2650789.



FILM



Granada Theater. April 30 & May 1 ’A Joke of Destiny’ at 5, 7:15 & 9 pm. May 2: “Brothers” at 5:15 & 9:15 pm and “The Bases are Loaded” at 7 15 pm. May 3 & 4 “Stop Making Sense” at 5:30 & 9 pm (Sat matinee at 2 pm) and “Dance Craze” at 7:15 pm (Sat matinee at 3 45 pm). May 5: “Golden Age of Looney Tunes” at 2;45, 5, 7:15 & 9 30 pm. May 6 & 7: “Arabian Nights” at 6:30 pm and “Satyricon” at 9 pm. May 8: “The World According to Garp” at 5 & 9:45 pm and “The Hotel New Hampshire” at 7:30 pm. May 9: “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” at 5 & 9:30 pm and “Suddenly Last Summer” at 7:15 pm. May 10-13: “The Clinic” at 5:15, 7:15 & 9:15 pm (Sat & Sun matinees at 1:15 & 3:15 pm). May 14 & 15: “Under the Volcano” at 5 & 9:15 pm and “Another Country” at 7:15 pm. May 16: “The Glass Menagerie” at 5:15 & 9:45 pm and “A Streetcar Named Desire” at 7:15 pm. May 17 & 18: “Places in the Heart” at 5 & 9:30 pm and “The Last Picture Show” at 7:15 pm (Sat matinee at 2:45 pm). May 19&20: “Duel in the Sun” at 5 pm and “Giant” at 7:45 pm (Sun matinee at 1:15 pm). May 21: “Tender Mercies” at 5:15 & 9:45 pm and “Terms of Endearment” at 7 15 pm. May 22: The Alamo” at 6 pm and “Red River” at 9:30 pm. May 23: “The Wild Bunch” at 5 & 9:45 pm and “Bonnie & Clyde” at 7:30 pm. May 24 & 25: “Blade Runner” at 630 pm (Sat matinee at 1:30 pm) and “A Clockwork Orange” at 8:45 pm (Sat matinee at 3:45 pm). May 26 & 27: “Rockin’ Through the Rockies” at 1 45, 5:15 & 8:45 pm and “Three Stooges” at 3:45 & 7.15 pm. May 28: “Crimes of Passion” at 5:15 & 9:30 pm and “Body Double” at7:15pm. May 29&30:“Female Trouble” at 5:30 pm, “Desperate Living” at 7:30 pm and “Divine Waters” at 9:30 pm. Granada Theater. 3524 Greenville. Tickets $4 for adults, $2.50 for children and senior citizens. $2 50 for shows prior to 6 pm. 832-9610.

University of Texas at Dallas. May 1: “Carmen” at 7:30 & 9:15 pm. May 3: “The Graduate” at 7:30 & 9:30 pm. Showings at Kusch Auditorium, Founders North Building, UTD. Floyd at Campbell, Richardson. Tickets $2; $1 for persons under 18 or 65 and over. 690-2945.

USA Film Festival. “Kidfilm,” the first annual children’s film festival sponsored by the Meadows Foundation, is a three-day festival of screenings, educational activities and student film awards focusing on the best new and classic films for children. In addition, a one-day seminar entitled The Business of Creativity” focuses on the business of creative enterprise in film and television. Featuring business managers, agents and legal advisers, this is a practical seminar for actors, directors and producers who need basic information on the business of their craft Kidfilm May 3-5; seminar: May 18 Both events are held at the Inwood Theater, Inwood at Lovers Lane. Times and ticket prices to be announced 750-0667.



ENLIGHTENMENT



Children’s Art Exhibit. RepublicBank Dallas hosts the Children of Alcoholics Foundation exhibit “Images Within: A Child’s View of Parental Alcoholism.” The 250-piece exhibit features art therapy describing the feelings of children whose parents are alcoholics. Through May 22 in the lobby of RepublicBank Dallas. Pacific at Ervay. Mon-Thur 9 am-3 pm, Fri 9 am-4 pm. Free. 522-1504.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. “The Evolution of the Japanese Camera” documents the phenomenal rise of the Japanese camera industry during the last 80 years. The exhibit, organized by the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, New, York, includes more than 400 cameras. Through May 31 at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1501 Montgomery, Fort Worth. Free. Mon-Sat 9-5. Sun noon-5. Metro 654-1356.

Fitness and Mental Health Symposium. A public symposium sponsored by the American Psychiatric Association is entitled “Staying Healthy: Fitness and Mental Health* Health and exercise experts will speak on such topics as “Mental Health and Physical Training,” “Exercise for Women: Benefits and Problems” and “Cardiovascular Benefits of Exercise.” May 19, 3-6 pm, at Dallas Convention Center Theater, 650 S Griffin Free. 369-2695.

Texas Astronomical Society. In conjunction with National Astronomy Day. the society hosts a free public observing session. Visitors can view lunar craters, Saturn’s rings and other celestial objects through telescopes or watch slide shows inside the planetarium. May 25, 7-11 pm, at the Russell Planetarium, 1 mile west of LBJ Freeway off Scyene Road. Mesquite. 349-1318, 530-0018.

Triathlete Training Clinic. The MetroSports Triathlete Training Clinic, sponsored by MetroSports magazine, includes classes, lectures and workouts led by triathlon experts. The purpose of the clinic is to help the prospective triathlete conquer the challenges of the triathlon, a demanding sport that combines swimming, biking and running. May 25 & 26 at 8 am at the Richardson Hilton Hotel & Towers, 1981 N Central Expwy, Richardson. Entry fee $55. In addition, the clinic’s exhibition of sportswear and triathlete-related gear will be open to the public Sat & Sun, 5-9 pm; tickets $3. 458-9870.



RECREATION



Artfest. The 500 Inc.’s family fun festival, now in its 15th year, brings 250 artists and craftsmen from throughout the country to Dallas tor a celebration of the arts. Food, entertainment and children’s activities are included. May 24-26 at Cotton Bowl Plaza. Fair Park. Fri 6-10 pm, Sat 10 am-8 pm. Sun 11 am-7 pm. Tickets $2.50 in advance, $3 at the door 328-0290. 361 2011.

Dallas Symphony Designers Showcase. Preston Falls Estate, a 4 acre estate with an 18.000-square-foot house and three outbuildings, is the 1985 Dallas Symphony Designers Showhouse. The 53-year-old house and its outbuildings have been completely remodeled and restored to their original English elegance. Presented by Ebby Halliday Realtors and co-sponsored by the ’Dallas Times Herald” and Gabbert’s Furniture and Design Studio, the showhouse will offer special events daily In addition, a shop will be open, and lunch will be served at the estate’s Tavern on the Falls restaurant, with informal modeling at poolside. Through May 12 at Preston Falls Estate, 5930 Falls Rd (between Park Lane and Walnut Hill on Preston). Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1 -4 pm. Tavern on the Falls restaurant- lunch: Mon-Sat 11-1 30; dessert: Sun 1-4. Tickets $8; available at Ticketron outlets and at the door. 696-4080.

Fitness Fair “85. The “Dallas Times Herald” sponsors this fair, the largest public show designed for fitness/exerase enthusiasts ever staged in the Southwest The fair will feature the latest in health and exercise equipment, sports apparel and food products, along with an AAU Team Aerobic Dance competition, an 8-kilometer race, seminars and appearances by outstanding fitness and exercise personalities. May 17-19 at Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Frwy. Fri noon-10 pm. Sat 10-10. Sun 10 am-7 pm. Tickets $3 for adults, $1 for children over 12. children under 12 free. 631-1278.

Gladney Skittle. The third annual Skittle, to be held this year at Wet’n Wild, benefits the maternity services of the Edna Gladney Home, which places babies with adoptive parents. May 25, 3-10 pm. at Wet’n Wild, 1-30 at Hwy 360. Arlington. Tickets $;, children under 2 free. (214)484-3352.

McKinney May Fair. Artists, craftsmen, antique dealers and the like display their wares at this annual celebration, which includes a traditional Maypole dance, a hayride, a Queen of May Fair competition and an exhibit of classic and antique cars. May 4.10 am-6 pm, in McKinney (take exit 40 off Central Expressway, drive east to Tennessee Street and go two blocks south). Free. 5420163

Recreation Activity Hotline. Information on major citywide activities at Dallas parks and recreation facilities is available 24 hours a day on the Recreation Activity Hotline. The taped message includes information on current park events such as family and senior citizen activities, sports events, classes, concerts and cultural and ethnic events. 670-7070.

Scarborough Faire. The fifth annual Faire, a recreation of an Old English Renaissance festival, features period entertainment and authentic jousting as well as crafts, games, food and drinks. Each weekend through June 9 at Scarborough Faire near Waxahachie (1.6 miles west of I-35E. exit 399A). Sat & Sun 10 am-7 pm. Tickets $8.85 for adults, $4.25 for children ages 5-12, children under 5 free; available at Ticketron and Rainbow-Ticketmaster outlets or at the door 937-6130.

Swiss Avenue Tour of Homes. Some of the early 20th-century homes in Dallas’ Swiss Avenue Historic District are opened to the public for this 13th annual tour, which includes musical entertainment and refreshments. The weekend begins with a Friday evening candlelight tour and continues Saturday with a neighborhood parade that begins at noon at Allied Lakewood Bank. May 10-12; shuttle buses leave from Allied Lakewood Bank. 6301 Gaston, and the parking lot of Sears, 5334 Ross. Fri 7-9 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun noon-6 pm. Tickets $6 at the door, $5 in advance; available in advance at Dallas area Sears stores. 824-6603.

Texas Wine Country Chill Cookoff. This cookoff. which benefits the Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department, will be held May 18 at 2 pm at LaBuena Vida Vineyards Tasting Center, Fort Worth (2 miles west of Lake Worth Bridge on Hwy 199). CASI/Tolbert rules will be followed. Free. (817)237-9463.

Young People’s Theater Series. The Dallas Theater Center’s Teen/Children’s Theater presents Mario Thomas’ “Free to Be You and Me” as part of its Young People’s Series. The Emmy Award-winning revue is a lively collection of poems, songs and stories for both children and adults. May 11, 17, 18 & 25 at the Frank Lloyd Wright Theater. Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Fri May 17 at 10 am, Sat at 10 am & 1 pm. Tickets $4; available at the DTC box office. Subscription tickets available. 526-8857.



SPORTS



Gatlin Brothers Celebrity Golf Tournament. Larry Gatlin and his brothers, Steve and Rudy, host the eighth annual Gatlin Brothers Celebrity Golf Tournament, in which members of the PGA Tour, sports celebrities and entertainers from Nashville and Hollywood will compete. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. May 20 at Las Colinas Country Club, 4900 N O’Connor, Irving. Gallery tickets $15; children 12 years and under free. After the tournament, the Gatlin Brothers will present a “good-time” gala at the Hyatt Regency Dallas that will include a silent auction, a cocktail reception, dinner and a show. Gala tickets $150. 661-3077.

Lakewood Love Run. The third annual 10-kilometer Lakewood Love Run, which benefits the Dallas Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, follows a course down Swiss Avenue, past the Lakewood Country Club and up Lakewood Boulevard. This year, a 2-mile “Pets and Their Parents” fun run has been added, in which humans may run without pets, but not vice versa. May 4 at 8:30 am at Allied Lakewood Bank, 6301 Gaston. Early registration (prior to May 1) $8 for Love Run, $5 for fun run (pets run for free). 823-9924.

Mesquite Championship Rodeo. Now in its 28th season, the Mesquite Rodeo presents such events as bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling and bull riding in its covered arena. Each weekend through September 30 at the Mesquite Rodeo arena, I-635 at Military Pkwy, Mesquite. Fri & Sat at 8:30 pm. Tickets $7 for box seats, $5 for grandstand seats. $3 for children 12 and under. (214) 285-8777.

Texas Rangers. Arlington Stadium, Arlington. Tickets $8.50-$5 for reserved seats, $3.75 for general admission, $2.25 for children 13 and under; available at Rainbow-Ticketmaster outlets, Sears stores and Arlington Stadium ticket office. Home games start at 7:35 pm unless otherwise noted. Metro 273-5100.

May 1 vs New York Yankees

7 & 8 vs Detroit

10-12 vs Cleveland (Sun at 2:05 pm)

20-22 vs Kansas City

23-26 vs Boston (Sun at 5 pm)



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 offers 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 4 pm-2 am, Sal 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun & Mon. Cover varies. All credit cards.)

Belle Starr. The famous lady outlaw would have felt in good company at this country/western hangout. With an extensive bar from which beer flows copiously, a large dance floor and live country music, the cowboys and cowgirls who frequent this club are kept 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. Mon 8 pm-2 am, Tue-Thur 6 pm-2 am, Fri 7pm-2 am. Sat 7 pm-4 am, Sun 4 pm-2 am. 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. Wed & Thur 8 pm-2 am, Fri & Sat 5 pm-2 am. Closed Sun-Tue. MC, V, AE.)

Callaghan’s Saloon. This West End bar is the best place in town to pretend you’re Irish. You show up, stare at the green walls, watch all the people singing to corny Irish songs played by live Irish bands, drink a few inexpensive beers (there’s also a good selection of imported ones) and suddenly you think you’ve belonged here all your lite. (1701 N Market at Ross. 761-9355 Mon-Fri 11 am-2 am. Sat noon-2 am, Sun noon-mid-night No cover AE. DC.)

Comedy Comer. The only full-time club in town devoted to stand-up comedy keeps rolling along. It’s a great place to see hot new comedy talent from around the country. During each show, you see the nightclub’s own house comedian, a feature comedian and then the main comedian. And at amateur night on Tuesdays, you get to watch anyone from local sportscasters to corporate lawyers try out their acts. (8202 Park Lane at Greenville. 361 – 7461. Sets begin Sun- Thur at 8:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8:30 & 10:30 pm. Reservations recommended on weekends. Cover: $5.50 Sun & Tue-Thur, $8 Fri. $9 Sat. MC, V, AE.)

Court Five. This place could be one of your great discoveries. A hole in the wall hidden among the North Dallas apartment complexes, this little bar attracts non-swingle-style partiers who have a roaring great time dancing to such decent little rock ’n’ roll bands as the Vinyl Tops and Solid Partners. There’s a large outdoor patio, hilarious photos on the wall of the owner with his friends and even bad pool tables in the back. (7108 Holly Hill. 363-0174. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am MC. V. AE.)

Fast and Cool. This latest Shannon Wynne creation, located in the old Nick’s Uptown building, is a dance club with naked light bulbs hanging down from the ceiling and female dancers in cages. The diverse dance tunes include everything from the Animals to the Eurythmics to Motown hits. (3606 Greenville. 827 5544. Tue-Fri 5 pm-2 am, Sal & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Cover: $3 Thur-Sat. MC. V. AE.)

Figaro’s. Another shot has been fired in the Addison nightclub wars. On the Addison strip off Belt Line, this high-tech bar presents live music from dance bands each night, along with large-screen TVs, cool-looking people and serious cover charges. The clientele averages in the early 30s (5920 Belt Line. 960-1856. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun noon-2 am. All credit cards.) 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. If you don’t want dinner, you can pay the cover charge at the door and sip drinks while enjoying the show. (4500 McKinney at Armstrong. 522-5818 Tue-Sun 7 pm-2 am; shows at 9 & 11 pm. Cover $10 Sun & Tue-Thur. $15 Fri & Sat. MC. V. AE.)

The Golden Parachute. Who misses elan, the private Greenville Avenue disco that closed last year? Now there’s a better imitation in Far North Dallas. The only problem is that the membership costs $200 per year. Once inside, you’re in your typical elegant disco with sensual people (these places never change). But there is a nice veranda where you can cool off outside if your hormones get too hot. (5505 Belt Line. 233-9499 .Mon-Fri 3 pm.-2 am. Sat 7 pm-2 am Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

In Cahoots. Like a randy phoenix rising from the remains of the old Papagayo. this multilevel, chromed-out 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 after-work buffet ranks with the best in Dallas. (NorthPark East. 8796 N Central Expwy. 692-5412. Mon-Fri 5pm-2am, Sat & Sun 6:30 pm-2 am. All credit cards.)

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 iazz bar in Ratcliffe’s seafood restaurant has what we like: clean lines, smooth music and Southern comfort. (1901 McKinney. 748-7480 Tue-Sat 6 pm-1:30 am, live music beginning at 9 pm. Closed Sun & Mon. Weekend cover: $5. All credit cards.)

Lobello’s. Lobello’s is another of the great new group of Lower Greenville bars that prove live music isn’t dead in Dallas if you know where to find it. It’s also one of the best-designed bars in town, with a ceiling shaped like a guitar and an elevated bar overlooking the small stage A variety of popular music is offered, from rhythm and blues to Karen Bella to New Wave dance music. (3707 Greenville. 821-4666. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2 am. Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. No cover. MC, V, AE, DC)

Longhorn Ballroom. The Longhorn hasn’t changed much since the last time you were there. It still offers only beer and setups and one of the best country/ western dance floors in Dallas Owner Dewey Groom has made his place synonymous with country music and a lasting source of local pride. (216 Corinth at Industrial. 428-3128. Wed& Thur 7 pm-1 am, Fri & Sat 7 pm-2 am. Sun 5-11: 30 pm. All credit cards.)

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. Emerald City and Eddie Harrison and the Shortcuts. (Quorum Plaza. 15000 Quorum. Suite 500. 386-9517. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am. Sat & Sun 7 pm-2 am. Cover: $3- $5. All credit cards.)

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 Ana-tole Hotel. 2201 Stemmons Frwy. 760-9000. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2am. Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

No Whar But Texas. This place may be the most laid-back of the big country/western bars. No one seems to care if you can’t dance or drawl. But you’ll still find great North Dallas cowboys and cowgirls on and around the huge dance floor. (The Corner Shopping Center. 9840 N Central Expwy. 369-3866. Mon-Fri 5 pm-2am. Sat 7 pm-2am. Sun 6pm-2am. Cover varies. MC. V. AE, DC.)

Popsicle Toes. Go here to listen to the live and lively \azz. 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 jazz-oriented club attracts a spirited, sincere-looking dance crowd. (5627 Dyer. 361-0477. Tue-Sun 8pm-2am. Closed Mon. Cover:$2 50 Mon-Thur. $5 Fri & Sat MC. V, AE.)

Prohibition Room. Return with us now to this old Prohibition-style bar. Through a tunnel, down in the basement, you’ll find great atmosphere: hardwood floors, a bar made from old buildings. |azz, blues, old Sinatra tunes on the jukebox, pool tables. It’s a tremendous after-work place, and it features good live acts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. (703 McKinney in the Brewery. 954-4407. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat 7 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

The Railhead. The one Greenville Avenue showroom that never changes has remained a constant with good – but never flashy – pop acts. The crowd seems to be getting older. (6919 Twin Hills. 369-8700. Daily 5 pm-2 am. Cover varies. All credit cards.)

Ravel’s. 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. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

Rick’s Casablanca. At first glance, you may think you’ve come to one of those old-fashioned tropical bars (with perhaps the best ceiling fans in Dallas). But Rick’s is quickly becoming one of the best small clubs to hear good bands, from reggae to rhythm and blues. The place is often crowded early in the week, since Robert Lee Kolb and Local Heroes perform Monday through Wednesday nights. (1919 Greenville. 824-6509. Mon-Fri 4 pm-2 am. Sat & Sun 6 pm-2 am. Cover varies. MC, V.AE.)

RMR’s Fast Times. You’ll love this place-if you’re under 19. The ultimate teen bar in the Dallas area, this converted skating rink is pure bedlam on Saturday nights, with nearly 1,000 teeny-boppers packed on the dance floor. There’s also a “juice” bar that serves nonalcoholic drinks such as “virgin pina coladas.” (2609 Oakland. Garland. 278-8843 Fri & Sat 8 pm-1 am. Cover: $5. No credit cards.)

The Saloon. This is the best bluegrass bar in Dallas. It may be the only bluegrass bar in Dallas. But it sometimes books bands that have never heard of bluegrass. Oh well, you can still eat decent nachos, occasionally watch some of the regulars do mountain clogging (a kind of dance), drink lots of beer and act like a hillbilly in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. (2818 Greenville. 823-6550. Mon-Fri 3 pm-2 am, Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am. Sun/am sessions begin at noon. MC, V, AE.)

Starck Club. You waited three years for the high-tech, beautiful-people’s bar to open, and now you want to go there. Here’s what you should know about. First: the $ 10 weekend cover – and that’s only if they let you inside. Second: the most decadent bathroom lounges in town. Third: the sunken dance floor, down a flight of stairs. Fourth: the variety of people, from gays to straights to Nuevo Wavo to models to just normal Joe Blows (the place is huge enough to accommodate all types). Best time: Saturday night, when it becomes incredibly packed. Despite the hype, it’s still the hottest chichi nightclub in the city. (703 McKinney in the Brewery. 720-0130. Wed& Thur 5 pm-2 am. Fri 5pm-4 am, Sal 9 pm-4 am, Sun 9 pm-2 am. Closed Mon & Tue. Cover: $5 Wed, Thur & Sun after 9 pm; $10 Fri & Sat after 9 pm. MC. V, AE, DC.)

Tim Ballard’s. Dallasites are missing out on a good thing if they pass up this jazz bar on the Lemmon Avenue strip. It’s perfect for a late-afternoon chat over drinks. Perfect, that is, until the band heats up around 9 o’clock. Then it’s time to sit back, cut the chatter and enjoy the jazz that is the club’s drawing card. On the minus side, the service is haphazard, and the drinks are expensive. (3524 Inwood at Lemmon. 559-3050. Tue-Fri 4 pm-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. Weekend cover: $4. MC, V. AE.)

Top of the Dome. This revolving bar atop Reunion Tower affords guests a panoramic view of the city as well as live entertainment and a small dance floor. But the drink prices are as high as the bar. (Reunion Tower. 741-3663. Mon-Fri 2 pm-1 am. Sat noon-2 am, Sun noon-1 am. All credit cards.)

Village Country Club. Pull out all the old |okes 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 |ust hang loose and appreciate the music. (8308 Southwestern. 361-9866. Mon-Wed 4 pm-midnight. Thur&Fri 4pm-2am.Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 11 am-midnight. Live music Thur-Sat. MC, V, AE.)



NIGHTLIFE

DRINKING



Cactus. Are you ready to get down in Richardson? At the end of the work day, it seems that everyone who must drive Central all the way from downtown stops here to unwind. By Friday, the place is a madhouse, with Richardson residents packed two deep at the bar talking mortgages and landscaping and sex. like all good suburbanites. (13929 N Central Expwy. Richardson. 234-1055. Daily 11 am-1 am. All credit cards.)

Dave & Buster’s. “There’s nothing quite like it” is Dave & Buster’s slogan, and they’re not kidding. The place is enormous, but the brass and dark wood decor adds a degree of sophistication. Head for the umpteen pool tables lining the walls; try shuffleboard, darts, Pente or backgammon; or just sip a cool one at the large bar on the main floor. (10727 Composite Dr. near Walnut Hill at Stemmons Frwy. 3530649. Mon- Thur 11 am-1 am, Fri & Sat noon-2 am, Sun noon-midnight. All credit cards.)

The Den. The great all-time dark bar of Dallas is the place to go for your after-work liaison. You can barely see past your own table, and the bartender pours doubles all night at single-drink prices. (The Stoneleigh Hotel. 2927 Maple. 871-7111. Mon-Sat 11 am-mid-night. Closed Sun. All credit cards)

500 Café. It’s not that there aren’t any people in this 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 artists and others to mingle. This place serves beer and wine only and has a chalkboard menu. (408 Exposition off Main Street, near Fair Park. 821-4623. Mon-Thur 11 am-8 pm, Fri 11 am-midnight, Sat 6 pm-midnight. Closed Sun. AE.)

Joe Miller’s. This is a perfect late-afternoon bar for friendly conversation: It’s easy on the background music, soft on the lights and hard on the sledgehammer drinks that, along with the regular media crowd, have helped build Joe’s substantial reputation. But watch that third drink. (3531 McKinney. 521-2261. Mon-Fri noon-2 am, Sat 6 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. MC, V, AE.)

Knox Street Ice House. Formerly the Quiet Man, a hangout for the Sixties crowd, this tiny bar is now the newest preppy haven in Dallas. It serves only inexpensive beer from a bar made of stacked beer cases. Come here and learn the latest SMU gossip. (3120 Knox. No phone. Mon-Fri 3 pm-2 am, Sat & Sun noon-2 am. No 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. No credit cards.)

The Library. This quiet bar filled with soft couches, just down the hall from the lobby of the Melrose Hotel, is the place where seductions begin. Spacious and pleasant, with good lighting (hotel bars are notorious for bad track lighting), it’s a place where you can meet for what is called a “non-committal” drink before making your next move. (Melrose Hotel, Oak Lawn at Cedar Springs. 521-5151. Daily 11 am-2 am. All credit cards.)

Monopoly’s Park Place. With the coming of Monopoly’s, we may have reached the ultimate in cutesy theme bars. The name of the game here is Monopoly, of course. The dance floor is a huge game board checkered with old standbys like Vermont Avenue and Reading Railroad, along with a few new additions such as Lowest Greenville, Old Town and European Crossroads (which rents for nothing). The staff seems earnest and eager to please, but our drinks had Boardwalk prices and Baltic quality. (6532 E Northwest Hwy. 696-3720. Sun& Tue-Thur 5 pm-2 am, Fri 5 pm-3 am, Sat 7 pm- 3 am. Closed Mon. All credit cards.)

On the Air. Video addicts, rejoice! Death to conversationalists! Here you can sip your favorite drink and gawk at both the New Wave videos and the back of your companion (who has twisted around in his seat to see the big screen, too). The late-night Thai snacks-namely, the egg rolls and the stuffed chicken wings-are a giant step above bland bar eats, but don’t order the rubbery spicy noodles. (2114 Greenville. 827-6800. Daily 8 prn-3 am. AE.)

San Francisco Rose. When you’re relaxing at San Francisco Rose, it’s easy to feel as though you’re in someone’s living room rather than in a Lower Greenville bar. Seating consists of cozy groupings of easy chairs and overstuffed Victorian sofas, and whether you’re alone or with a group, this arrangement lends itself to the cause. But if you’re looking for a place for an intimate conversation with a companion, you may be out of luck here. (3024 Greenville. 826-2020. Mon-Sat 11 am-2am, Sun noon-2 am. All credit cards.)

SRO. 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. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun 5 pm-2 am. Closed Sun. All credit cards.)

Stonelelgh P. This is an artist’s bar. And a businessman’s bar. And a construction worker’s bar. And a housewife’s night-out-on-the-town bar. And just about anyone’s bar. There are no pretenses here, just a lot of open space with room to “do your own thing.” There’s a great jukebox, a varied selection of magazines and always an interesting assortment of people. (2926 Maple. 871-2346. Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am, Sun noon-midnight. AE.)

Vickery Feed Store. This deli/bar has an odd but appealing mixture of country and class. Wooden walls, a wooden floor and a hometown atmosphere are combined with burgundy vinyl booths and slick black table-tops in what turns out to be a very pleasant watering hole. Vickery has good drinks, great deli/snack food and some of the friendliest service in town (6918 Greenville 363-9198. Mon 6 am-midnight, Tue-Fri 6 am-2 am, Sal 8 am-2 am. Sun 8 am-midnight. MC. V. AE)

The Wine Press. This is the perfect place to go on a rainy night – or any time you’re looking for romance, intimacy and spirits. The Wine Press is decorated with wine bottles from floor to ceiling on almost every wall. The atmosphere is low-key and elegantly casual; the service, friendly but not hovering; the wine selection, extensive-to say the least (4217 Oak Lawn. 522-8720 Daily 11 am-2 am. All credit cards.)

Zanzibar. A fresh face on the burger-spattered strip of Lower Greenville Avenue. Zanzibar offers drinks and good deli food in a colorful cafe setting. The decor-neon, glass bricks and pink-and-green walls-is odd enough to work. (2912 Greenville. 828-2250. Mon 5:30 pm-2 am, Tue-Sat 11:30 am-2 am. Sun 10:30 am-midnight; Sun brunch: 10:30-3. Closed Mon. AE.)



FORT WORTH NIGHTLIFE

Billy Bob’s Texas. This huge country/western club in the Fort Worth Stockyards has a lot going for it two restaurants, 42 bar stations, a real bull-riding arena and several shops. It’s bigger than Gilley’s, more citified than the Longhorn Ballroom and is a ’must-see” if you’re in Fort Worth. (2520 N Commerce in the Stockyards. Metro 429-5979 Mon-Sat 9:30 am-2 am, Sun noon-2 am MC. V. AE.)

The Blue Bird. Even when the band’s not playing, you’ll feel like dancing at The Blue Bird; The jukebox is the best in Fort Worth. But then, the patrons of this near-Southside club don’t want that to get around, they know a good thing, when they’ve found it The club is packed nearly every weekend with regulars dancing to the infectious music of Robert Ealey and the Bluesblasters. This is rhythm and blues at its finest, but sssshhh! (5636 Wellesley. (817) 732-6243. Fri & Sat 7 pm-2 am. No credit cards.)

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) 877-3000 Daily 11 am-2 am; shows Mon-Wed at 9:15 & 11 pm. Thur-Sat at10& 11:45 pm. Cover for shows only MC, V, AE.)

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

The Hop. In three words, the Hop is warm, woody and wonderful It has the air of a typical college hangout (it’s a block from TCU) but lacks the cutesy crowd or trendy atmosphere A stage in the corner features national and local bands, with music ranging from folk to reggae, rock to country. (2905 W Berry (817)923-7281 Mon-Sat 11 am-2 am. Sun 4 pm-1 am All credit cards)

The White Elephant Saloon. In 1887, Luke Short,then the owner of the White Elephant, shot it out with aformer U.S. marshal Today, the Elephant has country/western music six nights a week and lots of tourists trying desperately to learn the two-step on a small dancefloor (106 E Exchange (817)624-8273 Mon-Sat 11am-2 am. Sun noon 8 pm Happy hour. Mon-Fri 11am-7pm MC. V. AE.)