APRIL EVENTS OPENERS

MUSIC AND DANCE



The Dallas Opera’s Women of Song



Over the years, the Dallas Opera has presented many of the world’s greatest singers. But one it has never given us-until now-is Mirella Freni. Freni has been the world’s leading lyric soprano in the Italian (and occasionally French) repertoires for more than two decades. Her Madama Butterfly and Mimi in La Boheme have made her the foremost Puccini soprano, and she has turned out unforgettable performances in roles ranging from Mozart to Verdi, too.

It’s too bad that Dallas hasn’t had a chance to see Freni actually act on stage-though she’s now in her fifties, she can still seem convincingly girlish in looks as well as in voice. She’ll be singing arias by Verdi. Puccini, Boito. and Bizet on April 18.

As an additional treat, the Opera will be bringing Frederica von Stade back to town for a concert on May 3. Von Stade was stunning in the world premiere of The Aspern Papers last fall, not to speak of her previous triumphs in Cenerentola and La Sonnambula. She is a very special artist, and it is always an occasion when she makes a rare Dallas appearance.

Both concerts will be accompanied by the Dallas Opera Orchestra conducted by artistic director Nicola Rescigno. and will be at the Music Hall at Fair Park, I-30 and Second Ave, at 8 pm. Tickets $5 to $45. 871-0090.

-Bill Jungman



SPORTS



The Dallas Dragoons: An Indoor Polo Team



The Dallas Dragoons. Dallas’s professional arena polo team, begins its third season this month. And while polo matches usually bring to mind moneyed crowds and lazy Sunday afternoons, arena (indoor) polo means up-close, fast-paced action.

There are currently six teams under the auspices of the National Polo League, and the Dallas Dragoons are the reigning national champions. They’ll be defending their title against teams from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Houston, and their toughest competition, Fort Worth.

Arena polo is played on a smaller field than outdoor polo, roughly the size of a football field, and each team is made up of three professional players. Because every NPL player must have a goal-rating of six or better (ten is the highest), the skill level of the game is very high. No one in the country holds a goal-rating of ten, but Bil Walton, captain of the Dragoons, comes close with a nine. John Sieber and Brad Scherer, the other Dragoon members, both are rated eight.

The Dragoons’ season begins April 1 against the Houston Cavalry. They take on the San Francisco Barons on April 21 and the New York Blues April 28 before ending their season on May 4 against the Los Angeles Gladiators. Dallas will also host the championship game on June 3.

All the games are played at the State Fair Coliseum in Fair Park. I-30 and Second Ave. at 8 pm. Tickets are $12.50 at the door. 520-POLO.

-Sherri Guhzynski



SPECIAL EVENTS



April: Fun With An International Flair



Dallas World Salute is a month-long celebration of exhibits, lectures, festivals, sports events, and other programs designed to promote Dallas as an international city. A joint effort of private interests, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas Office of International Affairs. the salute includes more than fifty events ranging from month-long exhibits, such as an International Banner exhibit presented by area sixth-graders at NorthPark , Center. April 1-21, to a speech by the director of Central Intelligence. Judge William H. Webster (at the Loews Anatole, April 27; call 748-5663 for information).

A sampling: the Tour of Texas bike race on April 1. starting from Flag Pole Hill (670-5688 for information); a ribbon cutting for the International Trade Resource Center at the World Trade Center on April 21 (450-6400): the USA Film Festival, April 13-19 (744-FILM); a German Food Festival, April 13-22 at the Grand Kempinski Hotel (368-6000); and an International Bazaar in the Arts District on April 21 & 22 (520-0409).

Cultural events include the Kankouran West African Dance Troupe on April 8 at the Ross Avenue Plaza of the Dallas Museum of Art (922-1200); “Peace Child.” a musical presented by Eastfield College on April 1 & 2 (324-7185); “Farewell to a King,” an original play about Ramses II presented by the Children’s Arts and Ideas Foundation on Saturdays and Sundays throughout April (823-1903); and. for opera buffs, Gianni Schicchi by Puccini at the Bob Hope Theatre at SMU on April 28 & 29 (592-3510). For other events call 670-3319. – S.G.

MUSEUMS



Amon Carter Museum. Oscar Bluemner: Landscapes of Sorrow and Joy pays overdue homage to the German-born pioneer and American modernist whose canvases combine cubist form and expressionist color, through May 14. Where Images Come From: Drawings and Photographs by Frederick Sommer is (he first exhibit of the mysterious, dreamlike works taken from this artist’s private collection. through April 9. Changing Perspectives; Photographs of Indians and Early Photographic Portraits are two shows drawn from (he museum’s own enormous and enormously important photographic collection, April 14-June 11I at 3501 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10 am-5 pm. Sun 1-5:30 pm (817) 738-1933.



Dallas Museum of Art. Large-scale objects by Donald Judd. a series of contemporary sculptures by one of the masters of minimal art. will be on exhibit through April 18. In addition to Judd. Concentrations 20: Kiki Smith focuses on the human body, seen inside and out as interpreted in drawings, sculpture, and installation pieces. Through April 16. 1717 N Harwood. Tue. Wed. Fri. Sat 10 am-5 pm. Thur 10 am-9 pm. Sun noon-5 pm. 922-1200.



Dallas Museum of Natural History. Ramses the Great brings a king’s ransom of Egyptian objects to town, ranging from dazzling gold collars and bracelets to the fifty- seven -ton granite colossus; the show, which runs until Aug 27. is so large it had to be set up in the nearby Fair Park Automobile Building, First and Grand Ave. Mon-Sun 9 am-6 pm. Tickets $8 adults, S5 children four to fourteen. 1-800-HI-MUMMY, or. in Dallas. 421-2500. In the Natural History Museum: displays of fifty habitat groups representing the plant and animal life of Texas are ? 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-fool mammoth. The Bird Hall exhibits more than 300 birds found in Texas. Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Sun and holidays noon-5 pm. 670-8457.



Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. What Makes Music? explores the an of music and the science of sound in a fascinating hands-ondisplay of instruments. Through April 30 at 1501 Montgomery St. Fort Worth. Mon-Thur 9 am-5 pm, Fri &. Sat 9 am-8:30 pm. Sun noon-5 pm. Metro (817) 654-1356.



Kimbell Art Museum. Guido Rem examines paintings, from highly religious to decidedly secular, by a 17th-century Italian artist whose reputation among art scholars rose, then fell, and is now rising again. Through May 14. Also on exhibit. Holy Image, Holy Space: icons and Frescoes from Greece. This is the most important exhibition of early Byzantine icons ever to visit this country, and it features works from more than a thousand years, gathered red from every corner of Greece. Through April 2 at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10 am-5 pm. (817) 332-8451.



Meadows Museum. Frida Kahlo in U.S. Collections brings together some forty paintings and drawings, works of almost unbearable psychological intensity, in which this intriguing Mexican artist reveated both her pain and remarkable self-possession. Through April 6 on the SMU campus. Owen Arts Center. 6101 Bishop. Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. 692-2516.



Old City Park. Thirty-seven restored historic structures tell the story of the development of Dallas and North Central Texas from 1840 to 1910 The schoolhouse. bank, doctor’s office, and more take you back to the days of pioneer and Victorian living. Guided tours available Tue-Sat 10 am-3 pm. Tickets $4 adults. $2 children and senior citizens. 1717 Gano 421-5141.

Cliburn Concerts. Vladimir Viardo-the 1973 Cliburn Competi-, tion gold medal winner who has attracted national attention because the Soviet government has allowed him to take a temporary teaching job at TCU-will play a recital. April 11 at 8 pm. Tickets $15-$20, $10 for teachers and senior citizens Ed Landreth Auditorium,TCU. Fort Worth. (817) 738-6533.

Fort Worth Chamber Orchestra. French pianist Philippe Bian-com, a Clibum Competition silver medalist. plays Moan’s Concer-m No. 21. John Giordano lends the orchestra in Tchaikovsky’s Suite No 4, based on music by Mozart. April 4 at 8 pm. Tickets $10-$15. Ed Landreth Auditorium. TCU. Fort Worth. (817) 926-8831.

Meredith Monk. Does this pioneering American artist create dance works? Avant-garde music? Or just plain weirdness? Find out for yourself by seeing Book of Days-A Music Concert with Film. Sponsored by TITAS. April 1 at 8 pm. Tickets, $4-$20. McFarlin Auditorium. SMU 528-5576.

Hubbard Street Dance Co. This Chicago-based group has made jazz dancing the basis for an important dance company-if you like Rogers and Astaire, if you like the dancing in Broadway musicals, you will probably love it. Sponsored by TITAS. April 21 & 22 at 8 pm. Tickets $5-$25. McFarlin Auditorium, SMU. 528-5576.

New Century Dance Project. This three-year plan to build modern dance audience in Fun Worth includes performances of two works by choreographer Rodney Griffin April 7 & 8 Fri 8 pm. Sat 2 & 8pm, Tickets $7, $3 students. Caravan of Dreams. 312 Houston St. Fort Worth. (817) 921-7810.

Fort Worth Ballet. The company finishes off its season with performances of “Eight by Adler” choreographed by Paul Mejia and two ballets by George Balanchine: “The Four Temperaments” and “Who Cares?” April 28 & 29 at 8 pm. Tickets $5-$25. Convention Center Theatre, 1111 Houston St, Fort Worth. (8I7) 763-0207.

Brown Bag Dance Series.The third installment of SMU’s lunch-time dance series. April 17-21 at 12:10 pm. Owen Arts Center lobby. SMU Free 692-ARTS.



THEATER



Red Noses. The Dallas Theater Center has announced Red Noses by Peter Barnes as its last mainstage production. A sprawling pageart with more than fifty speaking roles. the play depicts the lives of a group of entertainers during the years of the Black PIague-and it’s a comedy. April 4-24. Tue-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7:30 pm, matinees Sat &. Sun 2:30 pm. Tickets $10-$24. Arts District Theater. 2401 Flora. 526-8857.

The Middle of Nowhere. Instead of Merrily We Roil Along, , Theatre Three will close out its season with The Middle of Nowhere. a musical revue that combines twenty-five of Randy Newman’s songs with elements of 19th-century minstrel shows. Through April 8. Mon-Fri 8:15 pm.Sat 3:30 & 8:15 pm, Sun 2;30 & 7:30 pm. Tickets $13,75-SW 75. Theatre Three, in The Quadrangle, 2800 Routh St. 871-3300;

The Nerd. This is the second production Dallas has seen this season of Larry Shue’s farce about. well a nerd. Through May 6, Thur-Sat 8 pm. Sun 7 pm. Tickets $6.50-$8.50 adults. $2 discount for senior citizens and children under twelve. The “Late-Night Production” features the Guava Bomblets comedy improv troupe. through April 8. Fri & Sat 11 pm. Tickets $5 Greenville Avenue Pocket Sandwich Theatre. 1611 Greenville at Ross 821-1860.

Killing the Spring. The premiere of a new play about pre-World War II Nazi Germany by SMU senior Jeffrey Bean, directed by faculty member Jim Hancock. April 4~9 Tickets $3. Theatre SMU. Margo Jones Theatre. 692-ARTS.

Dr. Faustus. This traditional play about the legendary magician who sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for youth. knowledge. and power is fourth in the Caravan of Dreams’ Nine Dramas in Grand Tradition series. April 28-May 27. Fri & Sat 7:30 pm. Tickets $12. Caravan of Dreams, 312 Houston St, Fort Worth. Metro (8I7) 1429-4000.

Down an Alley Filled with Cats. Mysteries with a small cast are a big lure for small theaters. This one is by Australian play wright War-wickMoss. (A few years back, Dallas saw the American premiere with actress Mariel Hemingway.) April 14-May 6. Thur-Sat 8:It pm, call for Sun matinees. Tickets SB Thur &. Sun. $12 Fri & Sat through Rainbow-TicketMaster. 787-2000. Circle Theatre, 1227 W Magnolia, Fort Worth. (817) 931-3040.

Tent Meeting. A comedy-drama about a bizarre brand of Southern religion. Through April 29. Thur-Sat 8:15 pm Tickets $10, Addison Centre Theatre, 15600 Julian. Addison, 934-3913.

Prodigy. The Southwestern premiere of a play by Mary Hall Surface about the young Mozart and his father as they travel across 18th-century Europe April 9-29 Fri 7 30 pm. Sat 10:30am & 1:30 pm. Sun 1:30 & 4 pm. Ticket 58 adult. $6 children three to eighteen Dallas Children’s Theater Inc. The Crescent Theater, 2215 Cedar Springs, 978-0110.

The Princess and the Pea. An adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s famous fairy tale April 7 & 14 at 7:30 pm. April 8 & 15 at 2 pm Tickets $5.25 Casa Manana Theatre. 3101 W Lancaster. Fort Worth. (817) 332-9319.



SPECIAL EVENTS



Dallas Street of Dreams. A showcase tour of ten new homes built by ten Dallas builders. The homes are completely furnished, decorated, and landscaped and range in price from $600,000 to $675,000 April 22-May 29. Tue-Sun 10 am-9 pm, Tickets $6 adults, $5 senior citizens and children six to twelve. Stonebriar Estates. Two Stonebriar Drive, Frisco. 750-4661.

Spring Canalfest This annual festival on the Mandalay Canal in Las Colinas, offers, staged musical and dance presentations, face painting clowns, and caricature artists. A special attraction this year is boat races, featuring remote control boats that will speed along the canal at sixty to seventy miles per hour. April 8 & 9. 5 & 16. 22 & 23 Sat 10am-6pm. Sun noon-6 pm. Mandalay Canal, one block north of Hwy 114 on O’Connor at Las Colinas Blvd. 869-1232.



Texas Air Expo. This show for airplane enthusiasts includes high-tech military aircraft demonstrations, acrobatic pilots, skydivers. vintage planes. and helicopter rides April 22 & 23.8am-6pm. Tickets $7 adults. $2 children six to twelve in advance; $9, $3 at the door. TSTI Airport, 3801 Campus Dr. Waco. (817) 752-9845.



West End Kazoo Revue and “Loule, Loule” Parade. This second annual parade held “just for the heck of it” features The Kingsmen. who popularized “Louie. Louie” in 1963. leading a pro-cessKm of several hundred participants on a two-mile parade of the West End Historic District. The marchers will hum “Louie. Louie” or play it on their kazoos and musical instruments. The Kingsmen will give a free outdoor concert after the parade. April 30 at 3:30 pm. Free to spectators, call For participant fees West End Marketplace. 603 Munger at Market St. 871-1600.



African Heritage Festival. The theme of this month’s First Weekends at the Zoo. African musicians, dancers, singers, costume displays, and craft activities and storytelling for children are all a part of this celebration of the cultures and traditions of Africa. April I & 2. 1-5 pm. Tickets S3 adults. $1,50 seniors and children six lto eleven. Dallas Zoo. 621 E Clarendon Dr. three miles south of downtown 670-6825.



University of Dallas Observatory. The Haggerty Observatory’s six teen-inch telescope is open to the public April 4. The viewing will be preceded by a short lecture on spring constellations, the subject for the evening. Room 2 on the lower Level of the Haggerty Science Center at 8 pm. University of Dallas. 1845 Northgate Dr. Irving. Free. 721-5072.



The Southfork Antiques Spectacular. Touted as “Just a Humble Texas Auction,” this three-day auction will feature Southfork fur nishings from the set of tte television series “Dallas” including agrand piano. Oriental rugs, a Chippendale-style sob. and crystal chandeliers. as well as jewelry. 18th- and 19th-century furniture, architectural antiques, bronze and marble statuary, and collectors’ automobiles, including a 1957 Rolls Royce Limousine, from around the world. April 7-9. Fri Gala Preview Parry 6-11 pm. Sat 10-10. Sun 10am-8 pm. Tickets Fri. Sat & Sun $75. Sat or Sun only. $25. Southfork Ranch. Parker Rd and FM 2551. 748-0367.



Vertical Marathon. The race to the top is on as participants climb the 1,584 steps in the seventy-two-story NCNB Plaza building. The time to beat is seven minutes and forty-four seconds. April 1. Warm-up begins at 3 pm. marathon at 4 pm. Registration $25. NCNB Plaza. 901 Main. 239-5864.



Heritage Craft Days. This turn-of-the-century festival features live demonstration. of wood working, blacksmithing, open hearth cooking, horseshoeing, and mote. Traditional dances, music, and songs will bring together cultural diversities. Children’s activities, a craft sale, vintage car display, and bake sale are just a few more events to be found April 1 & 2. 11 am-5 pm. Tickets $4 adults. $2 senior citizens and children six to twelve Old City Park. 1717 Gano 421-5141.



Dallas Blooms. More than 200,000 spring bulbs and blooming flowers can be seen at the Dallas Arboretum’s annual flower show. Strolling mimes, musicians, jazz bands, dancers, and performances each weekend of Peter and the Wolf will provide entertainment Through April 9. Tue-Sun 10 am-6 pm Tickets $5 adults. $4 senior citizens $2 children six to twelve Free admission Fri from 3-6 pm Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. 8617 Garland Rd. 327-8263.



The Wildflower Festival. This is the month to take in all the wildflowers in bloom. The festival at the Dallas Nature Center will feature native Texas plants and wildlife exhibits. arts and crafts. folk-life demonstrations, guided trail walks of varied themes, and children’s activities. Texas “home-cooked” fare will also be available. April 29 & 30. 11 am-5 pm. Tickets $3 adults, 12 children. Dallas Nature Center. 7575 Wheatland Rd. 296-1955.



Fine Book Auction. Special items to be auctioned include a limited. first edition book signed by William Faulkner, a 15th-century illuminated manuscript leaf, and a special edition of James Michener’s Texas, A.C, Greene it, the honorary chairman, April 24. Preview at 6 pm. auction at 8 pm. Tickets $25, DeGolyer Estate. Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. S6I7 Garland Rd. 692-3225.



Library Book Sale. The Dallas Public Library’s annual sale offers more than 50,000 books priced to sell from twenty-five cents April 21-23 Fri & Sat 9-9. Sun 1-5 pm Dallas Public Library. 1515 Young at Ervay. 670-1400.



Walt Garrison All Star Rodeo. This rodeo promises two hours of exciting competition in the true Texas spirit Events include bareback riding, sadddle bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and bull riding. Entertainment will be provided by the country, and western duo. The Judds. April 16.2-1 pm. followed by The Judds” con-cerl, Tickets $12,50. Mesquite Arena, 1818 Rodeo Dr at 1635 and Military Pkwy. Mesquite. 490-3222.



SPORTS



Texas Rangers. Beefed up by the acquisition of Julio Pruned, Rafael Palmeiro, and of course the legendary Nolan Ryan, the Rangers will be more than a. er. bush league team this year. Hold the World Scries dreams-Ryan and Hough, the golden geezers, can’t win them all – but this team is going to score some runs even if it does lose some 9-7 slugfests. A .500 season is in the bag. Arlington Stadium, 1700 Copeland Rd. Arlington, Tickets $4-$10 through the Texas Rangers Ticket Office. Metro (817) 273-5100.



April 4 Detroitl 7:35

6 Detroit 7:35

7-9 Toronto 7:35 (2:05 the 9th)

17-19 Milwaukee 7:35

28-30 Boston 7:35 (2:05 the 30th)

Dallas Mavericks. Don’t panic. Remember, almost everyone in the NBA makes the playoffs, the Mavs still have time to recover from a nightmarish January and February as a B.A.D. team-Before Adrian Dantley. who will tie a power in the low post and a formidable scrapper in post-season play. Now who was this Mark Aguirre. anyway? Reunion Arena. 777 Sport St. Tickets $5-$10 through Rainbow TicketMaster. 787-2000. or the Mavericks Box Office. 658-7068.

April 2 Miami 2:30

7 Sacramento 7:30

8 Seattle 7:30

10 Indiana 7:30

12 Phoenix 7:30

16 Houston (call for game time)

21 Utah 7:00

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 $6-$I3 through Rainbow-TicketMaster. 787-2000 or the Sidekicks Ticket Office. MI-KICK.

April 6 Tacoma Stars 7:35

9 Kansas City Cormets 4:05

14 Baltimore Blast 7:35



LANDMARKS



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

Reunion Tower The tower’s observation deck and revolving restaurant, fifty stories above the city, are the best places to get a breathtak-mg view of Dallas and a memorable photo. Mon-Fri 10 am-midnight. Sat & Sun 9 am-midnight. 300 Reunion Blvd. Tickets $1,88 for adults, $.80 for children under twelve 741-3663.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Set on the eastern shore of White Rock Lake, the Arboretum offer, a picnicker’s paradise with more than twenty five beautifully landscaped acres filled with flowers, herbs, trees, gardens, and two historic homes. Tue Sun 10 am-6 pm. Admission S3 adults. $2 senior citizens, and $1 children six to twelve. Free on Fridays from 3-6 pm. 8617 Garland Ril. 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 am-5 pm daily. Admission $3 adults. SI 50 seniors and children six to eleven, free under six 621 E Clarendon Dr. three miles south of downtown. 670-6825.

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

Dallas Alley. Located in the West End Marketplace, Dallas Alley offers eight diverse clubs featuring technopop, oldies, rhythm and blues, rock, and even singalongs; a video bar and restaurant: a video arcade; free Monday night concerts: and plenty of people-watching, all for one low charge. Most clubs open 6 pm-2 am daily Plaza Bar and Tilt. 11 am-2am. Boiler Room, Froggy Bottoms, and Bobby Sox closed Sun. Cover: Mon free. Tue-Thur & Sun $3, Fri & Sat $5. 988-9378

Six Flags. This 205-acre theme park features more than a hundred rides, shows, and other attractions New for 1989 is “Flashback,” a steel roller coaster that turns riders upside down six limes-three forward and three backward. Located in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth on 1-30 at SH360. Sat 10am-8 pm. Sun 10am-6 pm. Tickets $20.50 adults.$14 children under forty-eight inches and senior citizens. Metro (817) 640-8900.

Sixth Floor Exhibit. The sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired the shot that killed John F. Kennedy is open to the public. 9:30 am-4:30 pm daily. Tickets $4 adults. $3 senior citizens. $2 children twelveland under.Texas School Book Depository. 411 Elm St. 653-6666.

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.



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 Blum location, cynics predicted its demise. But the half-pound hamburgers and whiny jukebox still draw a crowd 2624 Commerce. 939-9900.

Amnizia. If you like lots of smoke. Madonna tunes cranked as high as they go. and you’re under the age of twenty-one, then Amnizia could be the stuff your dreams are made of. This hangout has to be one of the smoktiest, loudest teenage paradises around. If you’re not of drinking age. they’II let you come in and strut your young self but they won’t issue you a plastic yellow wristband, the necessary ID that must be shown in order to imbibe. 2829 W Northwest Hwy. Suite 632.351-1262.

Balboa Cafe. This place knows how to cater to our hurting pocket-books with an all-day, alI-night extended happy hour every Monday with drinks at half price (except for bottle beer and wine) The same rules apply daily from 4 to 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. to I a.m. So you trulv can relax in this comfortable, no-frills bar. drink through a basketball game-even if it goes into overtime-and rest assured you can pay the bill when it comes. 3604 Oak Lawn. 521-1068.

Boller Room. It’s easy to see how this bar got its name: it’s the actual boiler room of the old Sunshine Biscuit Company. However, this has nothing to do with its popularity as a dance club and singles bar close to downtown. Some may feel inhibited dancing in from of the floor-to-ceiling windows next to the dance floor” others won’t want to leave. Part of the Dallas Alley in the West End Marketplace 2019 N Lamar. 988-0581.

Cardinal puff’s. What a cozy place this is. In the warm months, the tree-shaded, red-bneked patio is the place to lake your worries. And when that cold Northern blows in. there’s nothing more souI-soothing than to sit indoors, nestled amid the bar’s wood and windows. This is truly a bar for all seasons. 4615 Greenville. 369-1969.

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 (he fast lane or a way to unwind if you’re coining off it. 4830 McKinney. 521-8780

Club Dada. You may recognize the name from the avant-garde per forming 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.” 2726 Elm at Crowdus. 744-3232.

Emplre. At Dallas’s latest club to the beautiful people, everyone wean 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: the most or rate, fashionable nightclub we’ve ever had. It’s worth an evening just to come look at the fixtures, let alone the people, 2424 Swiss Ave. 828-1879

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. V* only wish the dance floor were bigger and the music were live every night. 6778 Greenville. 373-7377

The Filling Station. One of the city’s oldest theme bars is still rolling along, its decor and menu a hymn to our car-bound culture. You get the feeling Springsteen could hve written some of his ear/night/street songs in such a place, staring at emblems of extinct car makers and vanished oil companies. It’s loud and bustling but manageable, even when the larger-than-life screen is filled with sports action. The drinks are medium-octane and the menu features such tasty items as the Tailpipes (like weiner-filled burritos) and the Unleaded Chicken Sandwich, a plump, three-napkin affair. The crowd around the old-fashioned bar is mostly regulars, but newcomers get (he green light to join in. 6862 Greenville Avenue. 691-4488.

Froggy Bottoms. We’d really love this bar if it weren’t so small and so dark. Froggy Bottoms has all the ingredients of being the ideal spot to rendezvous with a long-lost soul mate, and that’s why we’re confused. Here’s a crank-it-up rhythm and blues club with neither the dance floor to go along with Che gyrating tunes nor adequate seating for those who warn to sit back and enjoy the top-notch talent on stage. But if you don’t mind dancing in a dark corner while juggling your drink. it’s well worth the trip: the R&B played here is truly awesome. Part of Dallas Alley in the West End Marketplace. 2019 N Lamar. 988-0581.

Gator’s. This swinging West End spot is a sure bet any night of the week. The two-story bar decorated with huge], colorful papier-mache fruits and alligators, has good food, great frozen drinks loaded with a sailor’s share of liquor, lively piano players, and a usually boisterous singalong crowd In warm weather, the rooftop tables offer a greal view of the city. 1714 N Marker. 748-0243

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. comfort-able joint it always was. 3619 Greenville. 826-5650.

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 hack may be more your style. HPYC has been converted to the Lodge at HPYC for the winter months, with a ski chalet look-among other things, they’ve added 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.

lmprov Comedy Club and Restaurant. a good thing about this place is that you can gel pretty good (but not great) food and then be entertained all night long at the same place. A not-so-good thing is that if jus: you and your sweetie go, you’ll be sealed at a table for four and they’ll plunk two strangers down with you. Another good thing is there’s not really a bad seat in the house-even from the back you can clearly see the facial expressions of the comics on stage. And another not-so-good thing is that every comic in the world is not Robin Williams or Steve Martin-if you’re used to a steady diet of big-name TV comics, you may think some of these comedians’ jokes are a bit thin. But. hey. drink another beer and laugh. 9810 Central Expwy (in the Corner Shopping Center). 750-5868. 4980 Belt Line at Quorum. Suite 250. Addison. 404-8503.



Judga Beans 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 rest rooms here are straight out of the third world. Some measure of redemption was round in the tasty chicken sandwiches, but on the whole, we’d like to serve a habeas requilus order to this Judge. 8214 Park Ln. 363-8322.



Knox Steet 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 V 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.



Laurels. Twinkling white lights strung on lowering six-foot ficus trees, a harpist strumming away angelically, wonderful deep chairs, and richly upholstered love seats all set a romantic, refined 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 Central. 12720 Merii Dr 851-2021.



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 Mastroianm presiding eerily over the urinal-esquc 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, aid it’s 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 really ought to stop in for one of their legendary martinis. 5460 W Lovers Ln. 350-7834.

Mad Hatters. This tiny bar sandwiched in between knickknack shops, and apartment buildings was fairly packed (he Saturday night we were there. But unless you’re a regular, you might feel as if you’re the ugly duckling in sorority rush. The crowd looks you over as soon as you hit the door and decides shortly thereafter that you’re not one of them. So. forget silting inside and op for a table out on the enclosed atrium. The drink menu offers no surprises, but those sweet-looking waitresses are as mean as they come. 7001 Fair Oaks. 692-1770.

Memphis. Bands jam loud and hard on the liny stage while the crowd cuts a path through this crammed singles headquarters. A fairly hip-looking pack (about two-to-one male, mostly twenty-five and oldert was on hand the Saturday night we hit the Addison spot. Although many seemed mesmerized by the heavy metal/jazz band on stage that evening, few lonely faces were seen. This group is also serious about partying. Quorum Plaza. 5000 Bell Lint. Suite 500 386-9934.

Milo Butterfinger’s. This is one of the few remaining “bar” bars on the Upper Greenville strip. Milo’s has outlived the disco and the fern-even the upscale meal market. It’s a comfortable joint where you can wear your jeans (even if they’re faded) and play a game of pool. football. or shuffleboard with a buddy while sipping a longneck. A lew years ago. owner Ned Smith moved Milo’s off of Greenville to a spacious, but modest, location around the corner. But judging by the fresh-faced college clientele, you’d swear he’d moved into the basement of the SMU student center. 5645 Yale. 368-9212.

Mr. C’s Seafood. It may look like a bar in the American Airlines terminal (soundless TVs. lots of tile, and uncomfortable chairs), but it is a welcome refuge, far from the madding crowds of the rest of the West End. If you want hot R&B and even hotter homemade Cajun food. this is your place. Be sure to sample the “Hot Pups” (jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese). 601 Pacific. 698-9364.

Mucky Duck. This comfortable haven won’t let you forget you’re in a British/lrish pub the waitresses’s uniforms match the flags overhead, 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.

Plata Bar. This bar is the perfect spot to grab a quick brewski and flag down your friends before making the great trek through the West End. Green and black marble, stone pillars, and black wrought-iron bar stools and tables make this a handsome hangout, but not a very cozy one. That’s okay, since the drinks are stiff and conveniently packaged to go. Part of the Dallas Alley in the West End Marketplace. 2019 N Lamar. 988-0581.

Poor David’s Pub. Has any thing changed at Poor David’s-ever? Hmm. That poster, upper right front the stage, mav not have been there in 1934. Hard to say. Pitcher prices have nudged upwards a bit. but not much. Other than that. Poor David’s is happily frozen in time. Anson and the Rockets still provide straight-ahead blues several times a month: name acts like Loudon Wainright and Guy Clark still drop in. In the alcove near the restrooms, there is a new video game cleverly designed to resemble a pinball machine, if you can believe it. (Wait a minute-that is a pinball machine.) 1924 S Greenville. 821-9891.

Rusty Pelican The large bar in this restaurant can best be described having a California surf motif: lots of plants, wood, and surfing pic-Lures, dancing to pop-music bands every night except Monday, and mind-boggling beach drinks. 14655 N Dallas Pkwy. 980-8950.

San Francisco Rose. This is a place that bills itself as a fern bar and grill, so don’t go expecting to find David Byrne and Stevie Ray Vaughan talking shop at the bar. On the other hand, the relaxed atmosphere makes it a pleasant place to start an evening or stop in for a nightcap. And in between? How dues sedate grab you? The something-for-everybody appeal includes a big-screen TV. piped-in rock ’n’ roll, a limited menu, indoor and outdoor seating, even a cou-ple of easy chairs, and sofas. Color San Francisco Rose eclectic middle-of-the-road. 3024 Greenville. 826-2020.

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, it 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

Starck Club. A lot of people have been wondering: will Starck survive the opening of more and more West End bars? True, it may not be quite as crowded and it’s only open Thursday through Sunday now. but we’re happy to report that the bar that taught us how to go to the bathroom together is still going strong. Which only goes la prove, there is life without ecstasy. 703 McKinney in the Brewery. 720-0130

State. One sign of a bar’s success is the sighting of T-shirts emblazoned with its logo on the persons of its patrons and would-be patrons. By that standard. Stale is nearly as successful as-and for more hip than-the Hard Rock Cafe. What has made State’s martini-glass trademark omnipresent is simple: this is a bar for low-key Bohemians who want to have civilized conversation while gazing out picture windows facing the fairgrounds across the street. The subdued lighting-there are rheostats at each booth-and moderate volume of the music make this possible. All in all, the effect is of a gallery opening without the pictures. 3611 Parry. 82I-9246.

Stoneleigh P. Ask someone about the Stoneleigh P. and they’re likely to describe it as one of their favorite places for a casual lunch. Ask someone else, and they’ll tell you what a great bar it is for a late-night drink. Both are right. This would be a great neighborhood bar even if ii weren’t in a great neighborhood. It’s a long-time favorite of the downtown set and advertising types. 2926 Maple. 871-2346



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.



Tilt. This drinking man’s arcade is just the ticket if you’re experiencing withdrawal pains between visits to the State Fair’s famous Midway. Tilt is two long rooms lined with, among other things, pinball machines, shoot-the-duck-as- it-bobs -in- the- water games, motorcycles-with-screens-inounted-on-their-dash-that-simulate-obstacle-course games, and games testing marksmanship with a water pistol that could make you the winner of that stuffed Spuds hanging on the top row. In the West End Marketplace. 603 Munger. 720-7276.



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. 2826 Elm. 74I-2826.



Video Bar. If you’ve watched MTV once during the last year, you owe it to yourself to go to the Video Bar. They have (bund music videos that you never sec anywhere else-even some absolutely weird stuff that is fraught with significant meaning and whatnot. If you consider yourself part of the new scene-aid if you promise not to wear anything resembling penny loafers-this is your Deep Ellum kind of place. All the funky regulars from the old “On the Air” bar have already found their spots, so be prepared to wail in line. 2670 Elm. 939-9113.



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 White 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.