DECEMBER EVENTS OPENERS

SPECIAL EVENT



Christmas at DeGolyer

“An Old-Fashioned Texas Christmas” is this year’s theme of the eighty-nine-year-old DeGolyer mansion at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. More than 10,000 lights, decorations from Texas’s past and present, a Santa-driven stagecoach pulled by reindeer, Texas antique dolls, rocking horses, and toy trains will decorate the thirteen rooms of the mansion. Each room will be designed by a professional decorator to represent some aspect of the traditional Texas spirit.

Church and bell choirs, carolers and instrumental groups will provide the sounds of the holiday season. Dec 3-22. Tue-Sat 10-5 pm, Sun 10-8 pm. Admission $3 adults, $2 senior citizens, $1 children six to twelve. 8617 Garland Rd. 327-3990.



MUSEUMS



Amon Carter Museum. In the days before abstract art, John Sloan practiced a kind of red-blooded, robust American realism, painting the teeming life of New York streets as well as New England landscapes and the picturesque Hispanic and native American cultures of New Mexico. Through Dec 31. Also on display Dec 2-Feb 5, The Block Print and American Illustration, 1910-1940. a show of illustrated books from the museum’s library. At 3501 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5 pm. Sun 1-5:30 pm. (817) 738-1933.

Dallas Museum of Art. The Art/Artifact exhibition looks at the different ways Westerners have exhibited and interpreted African objects through !60 objects of an and ethnography from three anthropology collections. Viewers will follow these different styles through the 19th-century Curiosity Room, the Natural History Museum Diorama, the Art Museum Display, and the Contemporary Art Gallery. Through Jan 15 at 1717 N Harwood Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10-5 pm. Thur 10-9 pm. Sun noon-5 pm. 922-0220.

Dallas Museum of Natural History. Major exhibits of fifty habitat groups representing the plant and animal life of Texas are a part of the permanent collection. The museum also boasts one of the world’s largest reconstructed prehistoric sea serpents, a thirty-two-foot, seventy-five-million-year-old Mosasaur, and a fifteen-foot mammoth elephant. The Bird Hall exhibits more than 300 binds found in the state. Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. Mon-Sat 9-5 pm. Sun and holidays noon-5 pm. 670-8457.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. An exhibit of about a hundred “space spinoffs.” new or improved consumer goods and industrial processes that have come about as the result of thirty years of space-related research, such as the “Dustbuster” miniature vacuum cleaner, graphite tennis racquets, heated ski boots. The exhibit includes an “astronaut” in a man-maneuvering unit, apparently floating in space while constructing a space station grid tower. It”s the largest collection of its kind ever assembled in one place. Through Jan 1. Mon-Thur 9-5 pm, Fri & Sat 9-8:30 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. East Gallery. 1501 Montgomery Street. Fort Worth. 654-1356.

Kimbell Art Museum. Flowers and fruits, gold and glassware, jewels, shells, fine linens, and foodstuffs overflowed the tables of the good burghers of 17th-century Holland, and Dutch artists celebrated this astonishing outpouring in still-life paintings that are banquets for the eyes. A Prosperous Past: The Sumptuous Still Life in the Netherlands, the first international exhibition ever devoted to this work, samples dozens of museum and private collections and thus is a feast for the mind, as well. Dec 10-Jan 29 at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5 pm. (817) 332-8451.

Meadows Museum. Since the bad old days of Francisco Franco. Spanish art has rejoined the cultural mainstream; Epoca Nueva: Painting and Sculpture from Spain samples the work of fourteen young artists who have come of age within the last dozen years. Dec 8-Jan 29 on the SMU campus. Owen Arts Center. 6101 Bishop. Mon-Sat 10-5 pm. Sun 1-5 pm. 692-2516.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Don’t be footed by the folksy, white-bread look of the fish-swarming swamps, coon dogs, and country markets in David Bates: Forty Paintings; the artist, a Dallas native, is as sophisticated as any SoHo star, and his works hang in all the best museums. Through Dec 31 at 1309 Montgomery. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10-5 pm. Sun 1-5 pm. (817) 738-9215.

Science Place. Roaring and moving through historic times, nine new “robotic” dinosaurs are featured at Science Place 1 through Apr 9. Tue-Sun 9:30-5:30 pm. Tickets $5 adults. $2 children and senior citizens, under seven free. 421-DINO. Also at Science Place I is the Electric Theater, an interactive exhibit that teaches the fundamentals of electrical phenomena through a forty-five-minute show featuring demonstrations and experiments, including a re-creation of Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment. Showtimes Sat 11, 1, 2, & 3 pm; Sun 1, 2, & 3 pm. Tickets $2 adults, $1 children and senior citizens, under seven free. 428-7200. At Science Place II discover the lives and times of dinosaurs with a Forties private eye at the planetarium’s show “Death of the Dinosaurs.” Through Apr 9. Showtimes Tue-Fri 2 & 3 pm, Sat &Sun 1. 2.3. & 4 pm. Tickets $2 adults. $1.50 children and senior citizens, under seven free. Science Place II features energy and astronomy exhibits, and a transparent man and woman. 428-8352. Both located in Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave.



GALLERIES



Altormann & Morris Galleries. The subject the wildlife and landscape of the West-is big, but these works by some fifty artists, are all small enough to stuff a stocking. Dec 10-31 at 2504 Cedar Springs. Mon-Fri 9-5 pm. Sat 11-5 pm. 871-3035.

Biblical Arts Center. O Holy Night! features a collection of Nativity scenes from fine porcelain to pewter to papier-maché and Nativity Christmas tree ornaments as well. Through Jan 8. East Gallery. 7500 Park Lane. Tue-Sat 10-5 pm. Sun 1-5 pm. 691-4661.

Eugene Binder Gallery. Dan Rizzie’s geometric abstractions somehow seem to be both playfully painted and meticulously constructed; these new works make broader use of bright colors and found objects- Dec 2-Jan 4 at 840 Exposition. Tue-Fri 10-6 pm. Sat 10-5 pm. The gallery will be closed Dec 25-Jan 3 for the holidays. 821-5864.

The Crescent. A lavish and luxurious display of costumes, stage sets, jewelry, and designs spanning 200 years brings the famous Paris Opera to Dallas. Through mid-Dec in the Mansard Hall, third floor. 2200 Cedar Springs. 528-3281.

Texas Commerce Bank Rotunda. Once upon a time, modern architecture was as spare and functional as an egg. but the new postmodern architecture makes generous use of art and ornament: Architectural Art samples this new ornamental ism in a display of objects designed and created for buildings. Through Dec 30 at 2200 Ross. Tue-Sat 10-5 pm. Sun noon 5 pm. 979-6492.



MUSIC AND DANCE



DaIlas Opera. The final offerings of the foll season are two of opera’s most beloved scores. Bizet’s Carmen stars mezzo-soprano Grace Bum-bry in her first Dallas appearance in a long while. Dec 3, 6, & 9 at 8 pm. Dec II at 2 pm. The season ends with Mozart’s philosophical fairy tale The Magic Flute- This year’s return of the Dallas Opera’s first production features set designs by David Hockney. Dec 16. 20. & 23 at 8 pm. Dec 18 at 2 pm. Tickets $5-$67.50. Both performances at State Fair Music Hall. Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. 871-0090.

Cliburn Concerts. The Waverly Consort, one of the best-known early music groups, performs Christmas music from the 13th through the 18th centuries. Dec 6 at 8 pm. Tickets $15-$20. Ed Landreth Auditorium, TCU, Fort worth. (817) 738-6533.

Dallas Bach Society. Two performances of Handel’s Messiah will feature three soloists with notable national reputations-soprano Sharon Baker, tenor Frank Kelley, and bass John Ostendort-along with the superb Dallas-area countertenor Dale Terbeek. Dec 17 at 8:15 pm. Dec 18 at 7:30 pm. Tickets $15. St Thomas Aquinas Church. 6306 Kenwood at Abrams. 827-8886.

Texas Baroque Ensemble. This performance of Handel’s Messiah features authentic instruments and a choir of only about sixteen voices-but the sound is always full and radiant. Dec 12 at 7:30 pm. Tickets $12. $10 students and senior citizens. Church of (he Transfiguration. Hillcrest at Spring Valley. 278-2458.

Dallas Chamber Orchestra. “A Baroque and Classical Christmas” includes music by Romberg, Leopold, Mozart. Bach, and Telemann. plus a special piece including a bell choir. Dec 17 at 8 pm. Cliff Temple Church Chapel. Zang at Sunset. Dec 18 at 7 pm. Caruth Auditorium. Owen Arts Center. SMU. Dec 22 at 8 pm. Church of the Transfiguration. Hillcrest at Spring Valley. Tickets $10. 826-6974.

Richardson Symphony Orchestra. The Dallas Brass will be featured in a wide-ranging program to kick off the holiday season. Dec 3 at 8 pm. Tickets $12, $6 students and senior citizens through Rainbow-TicketMaster, 787-2000. Richardson High School auditorium, 1250 W Belt Line, Richardson. 234-4195.

Fort Worth Civic Orchestra. Yves L’Helgoua’Ich will conduct violist Daniel Stevens in Bloch’s Suite Hebraique. Other works include Alan Hovanhess’s Prayer to St Gregory and Dvorak’s Symphony No 8. Dec 10 at 8:15 pm. Tickets $6. $3 students and senior citizens, children five and under free. Orchestra Hall. Granbury Rd at Trail Lake Dr. Fort Worth. (817) 923-5979.

Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. Richard Giangiulio conducts fifteen-year-old Mariko Inaba in the Beethoven Violin Concerto, to be followed by Grieg’s symphonic dances. Dec 18 at First United Methodist Church. Ross at Harwood. Free. 528-7747

Dates Classic Guitar Society. Dallas guitarist Carlo Pezzimenti will play a recital at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N Harwood. Dec 10 at 3 pm. Tickets $3. $2 for members. 739-5975.

Tesoro String Quartet. The second program of this new groups first season includes quartets by Beethoven. Prokofiev, and Brahms. Dec 4 at 3 pm. Tickets $5, $3 students and senior citizens. Jonsson Center Performance Hall. University of Texas at Dallas. Floyd at Campbell Rd. Richardson. 690-2982.

Schola Cantorum. “A Gift of Music at Christmas” is a special holiday concert presented free of charge. Dec 5 at 8 pm. St Stephen Episcopal Church. Fort Worth. Dec 6 at 7 pm. Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, Dallas. (817) 737-5788.

Dallas City Ballet. This up and coming ballet troupe will perform the Nutcracker Suite as its first major performance, with accompaniment by the Richardson Symphony. Dec 19-24 at 8 pm. Matinee performances Wed & Sat at 2pm. Tickets $5-$35. Majestic Theatre. 1925 Elm. 742-5705.

Dallas Metropolitan Ballet. The annual performances of The Night Before Christmas-a full-length ballet complete with dancing elves, gingerbread men. and Santa Claus. Dec 10 & II at 2:30 pm. Tickets $4-$10 through Ticketron. Metro (817) 640-7500. McFarlin Auditorium. SMU. 361-0278.

Tuzer Ballet. This original version of the Nutcracker Suite will be performed Dec 3 at 2 & 8 pm and Dec 4 at 2 pm Tickets $8 adults, $5 students and senior citizens. McFarlin Auditorium. SMU. 644-3451.

Fort Worth Ballet. Choreographer Paul Mejia’s version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. Dec 16 & 17 at 8 pm, Dec 17 & 18 at 2 pm. Dec 19 at 8 pm. Tickets $5-$25. Convention Center Theatre, 1111 Houston St. Fort Worth. (817) 763-0207.



THEATER



A Christmas Carol. The adaptation of Dickens’s famous tale by Adrian Hall and Richard Cumming at Dallas Theater Center has become one of Dallas’s holiday traditions-but it’s stark and bracing, not overly sentimentalized. Through Dec 23. Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7:30 pm. Tickets $13-$24. Call for matinee performances. Arts District Theater. 2401 Flora. 526-8857.

Ebenezer Scrooge. A Dallas tradition, this original musical version of Charles Dickens’s ’”A Christmas Carol” returns for its sixth year. Through Dec 23. Thur-Sat 8 pm. Sun 7 pm. Tickets $6.50-$8.50. $2 discount for students and senior citizens. The late-night production is a spoof of the Christmas season titled “What the Dickens!” Dec 2-23. Fri & Sat 11 pm. Tickets $5. Greenville Ave Pocket Sandwich Theatre. 1611 Greenville. 821-1860.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Dallas Children’s Theatre Inc. is presenting not one but two Christmas plays this year. This one by Barbara Robinson about “the worst kids in the history of the world” taking part in a church pageant is at El Centro College Theater Dec 2-21. Concurrently, an adaptation of Tomie de Paola’s classic book Merry Christmas. Strega Nona by Thomas Olsen will play at The Crescent Theater. 2215 Cedar Springs. Dec 4-21. Tickets for both performances $8 adults, $6 children. 978-0110.

The Fantasticks. The classic off-broadway musical is being revived for a special non-subscription run. Dec 3-31. Mon-Fri 8:15 pm. Sat 3:30 & 8:15 pm. Sun 2:30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets $13.75-$19.75. Theatre Three, in the Quadrangle. 2800 Routh St. 871-3300.

The Changeling. A classic revenge tragedy of twisted love and murder. Through Dec 18. Thur-Sun at 8:15 pm. Tickets $7. Deep Ellum Theatre Garage. 3411 Main St. 744-3832.

The Mystery of Irma Vep. Opening the theater’s fourth season, this comedy-thriller was named by Time magazine as one of the Ten Best Plays in 1984. Through Dec 10. Wed-Sat 8:15 pm. Tickets $8-$I2. Pegasus Theatre. 3916 Main. 821-6005.

A Soldier’s Play. This Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by Charles Fuller deals with the investigation into the death of a black sergeant in an army camp during World War II. Through Dec 17. Fri & Sat 8:15 pm. Sun 3:15 pm. Tickets $8-$10 adults. $6 $8 students and senior citizens. $4-$5 children. Jubilee Theatre, 3114 E Rosedale. Fort Worth. (817) 535-0168.

High Spirits. A musical comedy based on Noel Coward’s ghostly comedy Blithe Spirit. Through Dec 4. Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sat & Sun 2 pm. Tickets $11 & $10. matinees $10 & $9. Also in Dec. “Hood-Winks.” a musical comedy revue featuring Jo Ann Miller and Donna Norton. Dec 9 at 8 pm. Dec 10 at 2 & 8 pm. Dec 11 at 2 pm. Dec 17 at 8 pm. Tickets $11. $10 matinees. Both performances at the Granbury Opera House. 116 Pearl. Granbury. Metro (817) 572-0881.

Rough Crossing. An adaptation by Tom Stoppard, Britain’s most clever playwright, of a farce by Molnar. Through Dec I. Stage West. 821 W Vickery. Fort Worth, tickets $10-$12. (817) 332-6238.



SPECIAL EVENTS



Wonderland Express. Not to be missed this Christmas is the Wonderland Express train display at the Galleria. Traveling through the countryside to the city. 250 Lionel trains make their way along 2,000 feet of track. The conductor. Dr. Choo-Choo (Ban Bywaters after the holiday season), has created a Christmas wonderland complete with snow-capped pines and carolers warming up around a roaring fire, as the toy-filled trains make their way through country villages, over handmade bridges, and alongside hills and mountains, all beneath a starry sky. Nov 19-Jan I. Mon-Sat 10-9 pm. Sun noon-6 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas day. Tickets St. to benefit the Dallas Ronald McDonald House. Galleria. Level 3. near Marshall Field’s. 631-7354.

German Christmas Village. This elaborate exhibit features an authentic German marketplace with crafts, a walk-through gingerbread house, a Nativity scene, snow mountain. Christmas trees. toy store. Santa’s throne, and an exhibits. Dec 1-27 in the lobby of The Grand Kempinski hotel. 15201 Dallas Pkwy. Free. 386-6000.

Candlelight at Old City Park. Take this sixteenth annual stroll through Old City Park’s candlelit streets and wander past stores and homes of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Santa, horse-drawn carriages, craft and cooking demonstrations, and handmade traditional gifts will also be featured. Dec 3-6. Thur & Fri 6-9 pm. Sat & Sun 3-9 pm. Tickets $6 adults. S3 children three to twelve and senior citizens. Old City Park. 1717 Gano. 421-5141.

Treelighting ’88. “Holidays Around the World” is this year’s theme for the tree-lighting festival at City Hall. Representatives from many lands, including Ireland. Italy. Germany. Greece, and Norway, will demonstrate their Christmas traditions. There will be a tree-lighting ceremony. Santa Claus will visit with the children, entertainment will be provided on three stages, and 4.000 commemorative ornaments will be given away. Dec 3. 5-8 pm. City Hall. Akard and Young. Free. 670-4100.

Children’s Christmas Parade. Forty-fivc-foot helium balloons, floats, antique cars, equestrian units, bands, and Santa Claus will march down Commerce Street in a parade to benefit the Children’s Medical Center. Dec 3 at 10 am. Parade begins at the corner of Griffin and Young and continues down Griffin to Commerce to Harwood. Free. 634-3901.

Carols by Candlelight. A TCU holiday carol service that has become a Christmas tradition. Dec 12 at 10:30 pm. Robert Carr Chapel. TCU. Free. (817) 921-7810.

Dickensfest at Fair Park. An “olde-tyme” Victorian Christmas festival with entertainment, crafts, games, and fond authentic to 19th-century London. Carolers, handbell choirs, string and brass ensembles, chimney sweeps, and bobbies will stroll the streets, and roasted chestnuts, beef ribs, wassail, gingerbread cookies, and custard puddings will tickle the taste buds. Dec 3 & 4. 10 & 11. 11-9 pm. Tickets $5.50 adults. S3 children five to twelve. Centennial Building at Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. (214) 937-6130.

Family Candlelighting Service. In celebration of Hanukkah. Temple Emanu-El is holding a candlelighting service of its large, outdoor menorah in the inner courtyard. On Dec 9 the temple will host a Shahbat service in which each family brings its own menorah to light. Dec 3-10. Call 368-3613 for times.

Harvest Festival. A Yuletide celebration featuring thousands of handmade crafts, colorful Christmas decorations, carolers, Santa Claus, blucgrass and country hands, jugglers, acrobats, magicians, and country cooking Dec 2-4. Fri noon-9 pm. Sat 10-9 pm. Sun 10-6 pm. Tickets $5 adults, $2.50 children six to eleven. Tarrant County Con-.cmton Center. 1111 Houston St. Fort Worth. Metro (817) 572-2114.

Santa’s House. This wonderland for children is complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The children will hear stories, see a puppet show, talk to Santa, and receive a cookie straight from Mrs. Claus’s oven. Dec 3 & 4. Sat 10-4 pm. Sun 1-4 pm. Tickets $1. McFarland House. 1110 Penn St. Fort Worth. (817) 738-6347.

Santa’s Cruise. Children can take a ride with Santa Claus on a glass-enclosed water bus along the Mandalay Canal while parents explore the thirty area shops and restaurants. Dec 3 & 4. 10 & 11. 17 & 18, and daily Dec 19-24. Noon-5 pm. Tickets SI. The Mandalay Canal, one block north of Hwy 114 on O’Connor Rd at Las Colinas Blvd. 869-1232.

Jingle Ball Run. Participants will dress in their Christmas costume best, place bells on their shoes, and take off on a one-mile fun run la 5K race can also be run.) Awards will be given for the best costumes. Dec 13. Costume judging 6:30-7:15 pm. 5K race begins at 7:30 pm. fun run begins at 7:40 pm. Entry fee $10 before Dec 1. $12 before Dec 12 at Road Runner stores. $15 night of race. Racers begin and finish at the Sheraton-Dallas Hotel. 400 N Olive. 351-8667.

Las Colinas Christmas Classic. A 10K run benefiting DFW Toys for Tots. Dec 10. Race begins at 9 am at Williams Square. Las Colinas. Call 522-3960 for more information.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides. Carriage drivers and their horses will take passengers through the heart of Highland Park-past beautiful!) decorated homo and the Old Pecan Tree sprinkled with thousands of colored lights. Through Dec 30. 5:30-9:30 pm. Tickets $5 per person, under three free. Center courtyard of Highland Park Village, corner of Preston and Mockingbird. 699-5885.

Victorian Christmas. A specialty gift market with 250 merchants and artisans from across Texas will be the feature of this holiday event. Christmas wares ranging from linens and crystal to pets and plants will abound, accompanied by sixty performing artists and an groups, tastes of more than thirty food delicacies from around the world, a live Nativity scene, carriage and trolley rides, and strolling carolers. Dec 10 & 11. Sat 10-10 pm. Sun noon-8 pm. Tickets $4, children under twelve free Wilson Historic District. 2900 Live Oak. 855-8655.

Holiday in the Park. Six Flags’ holiday event will offer an ice show, a full-scale musical production, open carriages pulled by horses, and a parade of cartoon characters. Except for Spelunkers Cave, the Avalanche Bobsled, and a restored antique carousel, none of the rides will be in operation. Carolers and strolling hands will entertain in the streets outside shops featuring holiday food and gifts. Through Dec 15. Fri-Sun 5-11 pm Dec 16-31, nightly 5-11 pm. Admission $6.95 plus tax. children under two free. 640-8900.

Holiday “Bizarre.” Deep Ellum artists gather together to offer gift solutions in the form of T-shirts, ceramics, light fixtures, jewelry, and more. Dec 2-4. Fri 6-10 pm. Sat & Sun noon-6 pm. 3309 Elm at Trunk. 939-3440.

Theodore Roosevelt Exhibition. Through books and letters authored by Teddy Roosevelt, photographs, cartoons, campaign buttons, and other memorabilia, this exhibit traces the life and contributions of our twenty-sixth president. Through Dec 16. Mon-Fri 8:30-5 pm. DeGolyer Library. SMU. Free. 692-3231.

Dragon Exhibit. Dragons, dragons, and more dragons are captured in this collection of paintings, sculpture, and stained glass. Through Dec 31. Mon-Wed 9-9 pm. Tue. Thur. & Sat 9-6 pm. Fri 9-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. J Erik Jonsson Central Library. 1515 Young at Ervay. 670-1400.

Powerlift Classic. More than 200 “powerlifters” from throughout the Southwest will compete for titles in the tenth annual Greater Texas Powerlift Classic. The competition will feature Texas Stale Championships and Collegiate Championships. Dec 11 & 12 at 10 am. Tickets S6 for one day. $10 for two-day pass. Park Inn. 215 E. Airport Frwy. 263-4828.

Cutting Horse Competition. A field of more than 700 of the top three-year old cutting horses will compete for $1.5 million in prize money in the Tenth Annual NCHA World Futurity cutting horse competition. Through Dec 11. 9-9 pm. Tickets $5 for general admission. $8 for non-pro finals. $10 for semi-finals and finals. Will Rogers Coliseum. 3301 W Lancaster. Fort Worth. Metro (8I7) 461-8633.



LANDMARKS



Farmer’s Market. An open-air market featuring more than a hundred Texas farmers and their wares. Fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables abound year-round. 5 am-7 pm daily from late May to late Sept. 6 am-7 pm from Oct to Apr. 1010 S Pearl, six blocks south of Commerce St in downtown Dallas. 748-2082.

ReunionTower. The tower’s observation deck and revolving res-tanrant. fifty stones above the city, are the best places to get a breathtaking view of Dallas and a memorable photo. Mon-Fri l0 am-midnight, Sat & Sun 9 am-midnight. 300 Reunion Blvd. Tickets $1.88 for adults, $80 for children under twelve. 741-3663.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Set on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake, the Arboretum offers a picnicker’s paradise with more than twenty-five beautifully landscaped acres Tilled with flowers, herbs, trees, gardens, and two historic homes. Tue-Sun 10-6 pm Admission S3 adults. $2 senior citizens, and $1 children six to twelve. Free on Fridays from 3-6 pm. 8617 Garland Rd. 327-3990.

Dallas Zoo. Tigers, zebras. Okapi. and 1,600 other mammals, birds. reptiles, and amphibians, including many rare and endangered species, can be found at the Dallas Zoo. 9-5 pm daily. Mon-Fri free, Sat, Sun, and holidays S3 adults. $1.50 seniors and children six to eleven, free under six. 621 E Clarendon Drive, three miles south of downtown. 670-6825.

West End MarketPlace. Once a turn-of-the-century candy and cracker factory, this three-building, multilevel complex is host to more than seventy-five shops, fast-food stops. CityGolf-an indoor, twenty-seven-hole miniature golf course. StarBase-a live-action laser tag game, and Dallas Alley-a nightclub extravaganza. Mon-Thur 11-10 pm. Fri & Sat 11 am-midnight. Sun noon-8 pm. 603 Munger Ave at Market St. 954-4350.

Fair Park. The result of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition, this 277-acre park is a year-round salute to Texas’s past, present, and future through a number of museums, exhibitions, buildings, and much more. All located in Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. 426-3400.

Southfork Ranch. Visit Southfork and get a taste of “Dallas.” Take a guided tour of the Ewing Mansion and a twenty-story oil rig, or a train ride around the ranch, and don’t forget to stop in at the “Dallas” Museum and see props used on the set of the TV show, Lucy’s wedding dress, and the gun that shot J.R. Parker Rd and FM 2551. 9 am-dusk. daily. Admission $7.49 for adults. $6.95 for senior citizens, and $4.95 for children four to twelve. 442-6536.



SPORTS



Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys-Eagles matchups don’t equal the Cowboys-Redskins blood feuds of the Seventies, but they’re getting close, with fightin” words flying and even the usually laconic Landry doing some muttering at Eagles’ coach Buddy Ryan. The Cowboys were humiliated by the Eagles in October when they blew a twenty-point lead in Philly; the rematch is a chance to light a sparkler in an otherwise gloomy season. Texas Stadium. 2401 E Airport Frwy, Irving. Tickets $24.85 through Rainbow-TicketMaster, 787-2000 or through Texas Stadium Ticket Office, 556-2500. Dec 18 Philadelphia 12:00

Dallas Mavericks. Is this the season of the Mavs? We start finding out this month as the NBA’s best-and worst-come to Reunion. They’ll face the Knicks’ Patrick Ewing and the Air Jordan attack of the Chicago Bulls, not to mention the pesky Seattle Supersonics. At month’s end comes the biggest test: if the Mavs are really This Year’s Team, they need to prove it against the aging but still formidable Celtics. Reunion Arena, 777 Sport St. Tickets $5-$10 through Rainbow-TicketMaster or the Mavericks’ Box Office, 658-7068. Dec 2 New York 7:30

3 Chicago 7:30

7 Seattle 7:30

10 Cleveland 7:30

13 Golden State 7:30

27 San Antonio 7:30

29 Boston 7:30

Dallas Sidekicks. An alternative to football and basketball, indoor soccer takes on a new meaning when the Sidekicks come to play. Reunion Arena. 777 Sport St. Tickets $6-$13 through Rainbow-TicketMaster. 787-2000 or the Sidekicks’ Ticket Office. 361-KICK. Dec 4 Baltimore Blast 4:05

9 Kansas City Comets 7:35

16 Tacoma Stars 7:35

28 Los Angeles Lazers 7:35



NIGHTLIFE



Adair’s. The great old beer joint of Dallas continues to pull in its rednecks, loud-mouthed attorneys, chic city women who act country, and all-around fun-loving people who like to drink beer and spill it on the pool tables. When Adair’s moved to its Deep Ellum location, cynics predicted its demise. But the half-pound hamburgers and whiny jukebox still draw a crowd. 2624 Commerce. 939-9900.

Bar of Soap. This place is reasonably hip without getting right up in your face with it: any bar that has “American Pie” on the jukebox- the bartender’s favorite-can’t be just too cool for school. A nice touch here is the interesting work of local artists decorating the walls. The objets are for sale on consignment. 3615 Parry. 823-6617.

Bella Starr. With wave after New Wave of music rolling in yearly. the old country/western culture might be fading. Are you kidding? Belle Starr, packed with a middle-aged boot-kicking crowd, continues to be a huge moneymaker. There are bands every night, urban cowboys everywhere, and women in those tight-fining jeans that would make any good ol’ boy swoon. There’s also free beer Tuesday through Thursday, which means you’ll have trouble squeezing into the place. 7724 N Central at Southwestern. 750-4787.

Chaste Lounge. Well, chaste may be pushing it. but the successor to the popular Chaise Lounge does seem somehow cleaner, airier, more spacious. That may be due to some cosmetic changes: the long dorm tables are out. booths are in. and a wall has been removed to create a new vista on the now-tidy pool room. They pour decent drinks and serve some good bar food, including a standout sandwich of smoked sausage, red pepper, and marinara sauce. The bar’s high Cutesy Factor (7.3) results from the list of pretty ordinary drinks named after local media celebs and wannabees. 3010 N Henderson. 823-2411.

Chelsea Corner. In the block where upper McKinney Avenue runs into Highland Park, this is the perfect club to blend the two cultures. A quiet, candle-on-the-table place, with sandwich or quiche dinners, all kinds of colorful fruit drinks, and a guitarist playing folk-pop songs on an elevated stage, Chelsea Corner is great for a peaceful moment. before you hit the fast lane or a way to unwind if you’re coming off it. 4830 McKinney. 521-8780.

Club Clearview. The centerpiece of Deep Ellum’s alternative music and social scene. Club Clearview has been scorned and laughed at. but never ignored. Nowhere in Dallas can you find such a delightful combination of the outrageous and innovative, of modem music groups, weird shows, and nouveau fashion victims. But let none of it intimidate you. You can go in there in a business suit, lean against the wall, watch the parade, and nobody will bother you. 2806 Elm. 939-0006.

Club Dada. You may recognize the name from the avant-garde performing group. Victor Dada. That’s because three of the members opened it. and it does have an eclectic style: new music and jazz and nightly versions of “performance art.” 2720 Elm at Crowdus. 744-3232.

Dave’s. Dave’s is casual. friendly, and comfortable-not because of the surroundings, hut by virtue of a friendly staff, a casual, eclectic crowd, and great bartenders. No one sits in the uncomfortable metal chairs unless the place is too crowded to sit or stand at the bar. and no one can accuse Dave’s of being pretty, but the attraction’s still there- and the neighborhood crowd loves it. 2812 N Henderson. 826-4544.

The Den. This is Dallas’s best little dark, intimate bar. and it hasn’t changed in years. It’s perfect just the way it is. from the strong drinks and attentive service to the funky autographed photos of celebs on the wall. When it’s 106 and steamy outside. The Den is the coolest bar in town, and when it’s rainy and cold, this is the coziest haven we can think of. Stoneleigh Terrace Hotel, 2927 Maple Ave. 871-7111.

Empire. At Dallas’s latest club to the beautiful people, everyone wears black, they all look worldly, they don’t all look straight, and they absolutely adore this former dinner theater on the edge of Deep Ellum. The owners call Empire “elegant.” “classical,” “modem” “minimal.” and “international.” and the truth is it’s all these things. It’s worth an evening just to come look at the fixtures, let alone the people. 2424 Swiss Are. 828-1879.

Encounters. Lots of flashing neon and a highly energized mix of black and gray lacquer make this an upbeat spot for gazing out in many directions-the south, east, and north walls are solid glass. Loud but danceable music is the fare. Doubletree Hotel, 8250 N Central Expwy. 691-8700.

Etcetera. Think of all the names this hot North Dallas bar has been called: Papagayo. In Cahoots, etc. Oh. wait. The last one is actually the name of the bar now. and it’s the latest one to attract long customer lines. It’s hot for all the right reasons: searchlights outside cross the sky. waitresses slink by in hand-painted uniforms, a dress code encourages expensive clothes, and most important, it’s the newest place on the street. 8796 N Centra! Expwy, in NonhPark East. 602-5417.

Fast & Cool. The music here is predominantly Motown sound and authentic soul from artists tike James Brown and Ike and Tina Turner. The dance floor is the center of this tiny universe, and it has a magnetic effect on anyone who walks in the door. Unlike countless dance clubs that have come and gone on Greenville Avenue, this place has staying power. 3606 Greenville. 827-5544.

Fat Tuesday. The drinks (potent frozen slush concoctions, many of which contain 190 proof alcohol). Mardi Gras atmosphere, and unusual bar food (New Orleans-style Po’ Boys and other Cajun staples) have spelled survival for Fat Tuesday in these doom-and-gloom times. We only wish the dance floor were bigger and the music were live every night. 6778 Greenville. 373-7377.

Greenville Avenue Bar & Grill. If Dallas had a Watering Hole of Fame, this bar would certainly be in it. The kingpin of the Lower Greenville circuit won’t disappoint if you’re looking for a good burger, a longneck beer, and a band that won’t let you hear yourself think. 2821 Greenville. 823-6691.

Greenville Avenue Country Club. Chic. Understatedly elegant. Exclusive. None of these words have anything to do with the GACC, and they’ll throw anyone in the pool who pretends otherwise. Despite the name, this remains one of the best beer-and-sandwich bars in town. The patio’s now covered, and the restrooms, thankfully, have been brought into the 20th century. Otherwise, this is the friendly, comfortable joint it always was. 3619 Greenville. 826-5650.

Harpers Corner. A wall of glass outlined by strips of tiny white lights tends a spectacular southbound view of downtown. Elegant older couples are always found doing the fox trot or the waltz or that risque tango while the younger ones sit ogling on the sidelines. Hilton Inn. 5600 N Central Expwy. 823-9180.

Highland Park Yacht Club. What can we say? The twentyish crowd is to-the-minute cool, bearing that air of polished affluence that must be reassuring to BMW dealers. The music (taped Top Forty with occasional live bands) is very danceable fare, though the acoustics could be better. But overall, this beachfront-themed club may feel cliquish and uncomfortable unless you’re gorgeous or rich or both. And that may be precisely the point of the place. But if you’re over thirty. the REO Room in back may be more your style. When D wemt to press, HPYC was scheduled to be converted to the Lodge at HPYC for the winter months, with a ski chalet look complete with fireplaces and an enclosed patio decorated like a log cabin. 4515 Travis. 521-6071.

Humperdink’s. It’s easy to figure out why this place has survived the bad times. It’s cozy for couples (huge, elegantly upholstered booths perfect for the two of you), bawdy and boisterous for those looking to shoot some pool (the gameroom is hidden in the back so that you can be as loud as the evening demands), and blaring with television sets strategically positioned to ensure that everyone gets a good seat. The beers are still ice cold wonders. 6050 Greenville. 368-6597.

Joe Miller’s. The more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s certainly true of Joe Miller’s. It’s still one of the best places in town for a real drink, and as always, after work there are plenty of good conversations going on that anyone can enjoy. That is unless you can’t say anything but “Come here often?” or “What’s your sign?” 3531 McKinney. 521-2261.

Judge Beam Restaurant & Cantina. The Judge’s has been making its reputation of late with a “Margarita Mania” special, in which the rita prices gradually rise with the hour, from 79 cents at 4 p.m. to 99 cents at 8 p.m The concept is lethal, but the reality was no bargain for our party, even at the price. We sampled a. uh. good number of the drinks over a couple of hours and found the tequila ratio disgracefully low. At one point even our lightest drinker said she could taste no alcohol in her drink. (Perhaps they want us to leave as sober as a Judge.) Another beef: the restrooms here are straight out of the third world. Some measure of redemption was found in the tasty chicken sandwiches, but on the whole, we’d like to serve a habeas tequilus order to this Judge. 8214 Park Ln. 363-8322.

Know Street Pub. Here, across the street from such yuppie delights as On the Border and Hoffbrau, is a bar still fighting to be laid back. And what is laid back these days? How about a varied jukebox with rock ’n’ roll. English New Wave, country/western, and Sixties pop? How about terrible restrooms and old pool tables? How about a motley clientele? The pub is a classic neighborhood bar. a vanishing species. 3230 Knox. 526-9476.

Late Night in the West End. Late Night looks more like a dressed-up loading dock than a bar. which is pan of its appeal. And dressed up it is-there’s so much stuff on the walls that it’s Impossible to lake it all in in one visit, Late Night’s claim to fame is its selection of 105 beers (every brand we could think of plus about seventy-five more); beer. wine, wine coolers, and soft drinks are the only choices. The loyal crowd runs the gamut from SMU types to attorneys and FBI agents. 1901 Laws St. 954-1901.

Laurels. Twinkling white lights strung on six-foot ficus trees, a harpist strumming away angelically, wonderful deep chairs, and richly upholstered love seats all set a romantic mood for taking in the stars. If you’re looking for a place to take your sweetheart on that special occasion. Laurels is it. Sheraton Park Centra/, 12720 Merit Dr. 851-2021.

Library. Sit back in the big. cushy den chairs and sip a Manhattan or a martini or a scotch on the rocks. No strawberry daiquiris, please; this is a bar for adults. But a beer would be fine in this comfortable, sophisticated spot tucked away in a back corner of the Melrose Hotel. There’s even a piano player to soothe your soul. Omni Melrose Hotel, Oak Lawn at Cedar Springs. 521-5151.

Louie’s. The crowd is an odd mix of media and legal types, neighborhood folks, and barflies, but it works. Louie’s has great drinks, cheap prices, good service, and wonderful pizza. What more could one ask for? 1839 N Henderson. 826-0505.

The Lounge. The black fixtures, neon trim, glass bricks, and the hologram of Marcello Mastroianni presiding eerily over the urinal-esque streams of water chuckling along the walls make this quite the artist’s bar. The cool, creative, quirky types have claimed this as their spot, and its virtually impossible to blend in here if you’re not at least a tad bit of all three. If you’re in the neighborhood, though, and feel daring, you realty ought to stop in for one of their legendary martinis. 5460 W Lovers Ln. 350-7834.

Metropol. Strobe lights, clouds of colored smoke, an incessant dance beat. Must be a nostalgia bar, right? Au contraire. The theme of this new venture (in the spacious shell of Confetti and R-n-R USA and . . .) seems to be The Future, judging from the stark, angular decor and the newest-wave music. Call it techno-hedonism. We’ve seen the future and it works pretty well, especially if you’re into mass contortion on the snug dance floor. The migratory herds of Beautiful People are here, or were, at least on our last visits. 5201 Matilda. 369-6969.

Montego Bay Beach Club. A reggae club in Travis Walk? Well, it’s worth a try. The place looks like Speedy’s with a Jamaican accent, and it is-they’ve added some turquoise walls, a few flags, and a touch of grass-hut topping to what used to be a singalong bar. They’ve also added live reggae on Thursdays through Saturdays (a soloist with a synthesizer the night we were there). There’s also a nice upstairs outdoor patio. Now all they need are a few more faithful reggae regulars. 4514 Travis. 522-5062.

Mucky Duck. This comfortable haven won’t let you forget you’re in a British/Irish pub: the waitresses” uniforms match the flags overhead, and hardwood furniture, dart boards, and Guinness and Foster’s beer banners decorate the pub. On almost any evening you’ll see people from ages twenty-one to sixty pass through. The reason? Mucky Duck’s regulars, the Straight Ahead Jazz Quintet (Wednesday through Sunday nights). This band plays a broad spectrum of jazz classics and contemporary favorites, and Heather Patterson’s voice makes you feel guilty for not paying a cover. Too bad the music’s volume doesn’t compete with the conversational din. 3102 Welborn in the Centrum. 522-7200.

Outback Pub. Australian bars are a rarity in these parts, but the Outback Pub is just that-a no-nonsense Aussie saloon. Outback offers pool, darts, and shuffleboard. danceable live music in the evenings, and a friendly crowd. We only wish the bartenders and waitresses weren’t so surly. Australia’s supposed to be a friendly place, mates. 1701 Market, Suite 105. 761-9355.

The Palm Bar. If you’re downtown, few places are as nice as this for a drink after work. If you’re not downtown, it’s worth the trip. The decor is elegant but not pompous, the drinks are excellent and reasonably priced, and the service is flawless. If you work late, beware-this place closes at 8 p.m. Adolphus Hotel, 1321 Commerce. 742-8200.

Pinot’s Wine Bar. If the ideal wine bar is small, rustic, and intimate. Pinot’s approaches the ideal. It’s so intimate, in fact, that we had the place to ourselves for almost two hours one Friday evening. No matter: that gave more time for our friendly, knowledgeable waiter to educate us on the pleasures of the wine collection. More than a dozen varieties are available by the glass, and there’s a limited menu with a few entrées, paté, and the like. This is a good place to forget about the hassles of the workaday world and a great place to meet local wine connoisseurs and people in the restaurant business (at midnight Pinot’s is more crowded, but still pleasantly quiet). 2926 N Henderson 826-1949.

Randy’s. One of our female scouts said she felt like Peter Cottontail walking into a den of hungry wolves on her first outing at Randy’s, a private club located in the shadows of Prestonwood Mall. The crowd is oh-so-chic, dressed to kill, and well-monied (or at least they all act like they’re sitting on a gold mine). Wear something naughty (the club enforces a dress code but that doesn’t seem to cover women’s breasts, which we saw plenty of) and you’ll go far. 15203 Knoll Trail, Addison. 907-2639.

Stan’s Blue Note. Stan’s is a Dallas tradition. It’s a refreshingly tasteless celebration of inelegance eschewing all pretense of polish to serve up cheap beer in Mason jars, beer signs from many nations, loud billiards, cheesecake posters, rickety shuffleboard tables. pickled eggs, pig’s feet. Slim Jims, beef jerky, and Fat Freddie sausages. Ft also has an International Standard of Drunk Certification: if you drink one of each of the 150-odd brands of beer from all corners of the globe, you get a Stan’s Blue Note T-shirt, which will make you the envy of idiots everywhere. Fewer than 200 people have been able to do that in the bar’s twenty-year history, perhaps choking on the huge Fosters and Black Mambas, though 2.500 are currently engaged in the attempt. Another perfectly weird touch: the bar has one of those coin-operated “dragline” games in which you snag cheap trinkets. People actually play it. 2908 Greenville Ave. 824-9653.

Surf Club. Ten minutes here left us green around the gills and wishing for a Bennigan’s. The less-is-less decor-surfboards and sailboards and a few dead fish, housed in a windowless building that looks like a bomb shelter for the Balkan heads of state-is a minimalist joke that didn’t quite make “funny.” We understand that owner Angus Beavers and brother Mick troubled themselves to actually go out in the Caribbean and catch some of the piscine wallhangings; better to have trolled for decorators, or thrown back the ones they caught But in spite of the decor, bassy “thumpa-thumpa” sound system, underwater acoustics, and the cold-fish staff, the place has managed to hook great huge shoals of Miffies and Skippers schooling up to be someone’s catch of the day. Don’t look for anything as straightforward as a sign saying “Surf Club.” It’s marked only by a blue neon wave. 4919 N Central Expwy. 528-3662.

Tejas Cafe. This is a great after-work bar for McKinney-Avenue types-it’s not as cool as Sfuzzi. but it’s not as crowded either. There’s a good selection of beer, happy hour prices from 5-7 weekdays and noon-7 weekends, and passable margaritas. 2909 McKinney, 871-2050.

Terilli’s. Terilli’s is always packed-with jazz lovers, serious drinkers, people waiting for a table for dinner, and Greenville Avenue wanderers. The bartenders are attentive and friendly, the drinks are on the money; the live jazz on Tuesday through Sunday is great if you can hear it above the roar of the crowd; and you can order Italchos-Terilli’s trademark Italian nachos-until 1 a.m. One caveat: the open kitchen is right next to the bar and it gets as hot as Hades on a busy night. Leave the sweaters at home. 2815 Greenville. 827-3993.

2826. The latest addition to the Deep Ellum nightclub scene is as cool as it comes. Sleek, chic, and a little pretentious, the twenty-five- to thirty-five-year-old crowd eases into this avant-garde disco to expound on the latest greatest works of literature (in all fairness, they probably do actually read) while they sway to the free-flowing instrumental music. The immense floral arrangements atop the cool, polished stone bar and the living-room-style grouping of leather couches add a touch of elegance to this otherwise nondescript red-bricked bar. 2826 Elm. 741-2826.

Top of the Dome. Sure, it’s a tourist’s delight (your waitress will gladly sell you a T-shirt), but there’s no better place to check out the rotating scenery of the city. There’s always a band (usually pretty good), but the drinks are expensive, so you might not want to make this the evening’s only stop. Hyatt Regency Hotel, 300 Reunion Blvd. 651-1234.

Vivas. This Mexican restaurant is a great place for happy hour when you want margaritas and you want them in quantity. They’re basic margaritas-no flash, but decent-but the real draw is the price. They’re 99 cents apiece from 2 p.m. till 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon till 7 on Saturdays and Sundays. Vivas also has a pretty outdoor patio, good chips, hot hot sauce, and some of the coldest beer in town. 7050 Greenville. 692-9891.

The Voodoo Bar. This is one of our favorite places in the West End. It’s dark as a cave, with candles, blue neon lights, and eerie masks on the walls, so it’s a great change of pace from the office. Voodoo features live music late at night-reggae. New Age jazz., and Latin. And there’s even a saltwater aquarium behind the bar to help soothe your soul. 302 N Market. 655-2627.

White Rock Yacht Club. This unpretentious tavern has more to recommend it than its location, the last wet-the-whistle stop before entering the drylands of While Rock and the eastern burbs. You’ll find decent drinks at reasonable cost, an adequate burger-based menu, strategically placed TVs, a general comfort level, and a nice view of the East Dallas treetops from the second-floor balcony, which becomes a sandy “beach” in summer. We do think some of the waitpersons could have been friendlier, but maybe they weren’t having as good a time as we were. 7324 Gaston, Suite 301. 328-3866.



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) 877-3000.

The Hop. In three words, The Hop is warm, woody, and wonderful. It has the air of a typical college hangout (it’s just one block from TCU). but lacks the cutesy crowd or trendy atmosphere. A stage tucked in the corner features national and local bands, with music ranging from folk to reggae, rock to country. Although all the food is good, none of it car surpass the pizza. 2905 W Berry. (817) 923-7281.