SPECIAL EVENTS
Just For Kids: Reading Made Fun
After four years of contemplation, private fundraising, red tape, and dreaming, the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library downtown will open its Children’s Center on May 20.
The $350,000 center, paid for entirely by private donations, was built with children in mind. Designed by Rodimer-Morris, the 11,000-square-foot center caters to every child’s library needs-from a specifically designed area for storytelling (in a simulated forest that rivals Robin Hood’s fabled glade) to a quiet area for independent and group projects. Visitors will have full access, for the first time, to the library’s extensive children’s research collection.
Little readers will find a special area for their picture books and a castle-land play area for playtime. There are eight IBM personal computers with educational software (IBM’s “Writing to Read”) for kids to learn and experiment on, plus a vast number of books, magazines, audio- and video-cassettes, and recordings. The Edmund J. Kahn Pavilion is a small theater that will house puppet shows, films, and plays, including an adaptation of Judy Blume’s “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” on May 20.
The Children’s Center is located on the second floor of the downtown library. It’s a tribute to Dallas-a comfortable, beautifully designed place for children to learn and grow. 670-1400.
-Sherri Gulczynski
MUSEUMS
10+10=The Art of Glasnost
Who would have thought, just five years ago, that paintings by American and Soviet artists someday would hang side by side in an exhibit that would travel to museums in both countries? Or that the works would be chosen by a troika of American and Soviet curators who had complete freedom to visit artists in each other’s countries and to pick works on the basis of artistic quality rather than political orientation?
And who could have guessed that all this would be organized by a Fort Worth museum and a local cultural organization working with the cooperation of the Soviet Ministry of Culture?
But here it is, 10 + 10: Contemporary Soviet and American Painters, making its debut at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth before moving on to San Francisco, Buffalo, Washington, DC, Moscow. Leningrad, and Tbilisi. The historic show, the first ever to bring together contemporary artists from both countries, will include about forty works each by ten Soviet and ten American artists-all young, all considered rising stars, and all virtually unknown in each other’s country.
10 + 10: Contemporary Soviet and American Painters, May I4-August 6 at theModern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 1309Montgomery. Tue-Sat l0am-5 pm, Sun 1-5pm. (817) 738-9215. -Ken Barrow
THEATER
The Best of the Underground Stage
Small is beautiful-and provocative and eclectic-when it comes to Dallas’s smaller theaters. Now a cooperative venture, called Chimera: A Focus on New Theater, should help put Dallas’s underground theater renaissance into focus by spotlighting some artistically thriving but sometimes unheralded companies.
The Deep Ellum Theatre Garage, in its new location at 501 Second Ave. Building A-2. will be presenting the eagerly awaited new piece by performance artist Fred Curchack-Sexual Mythology Part I: The Underworld-in the new Garage through May 16 at 8:15 pm. Tickets $10 Wed, Thurs, Sun. $12 Fri & Sal. 744-3832. From May ll-May 21, a new group called the Oasis Theatre Collective will use the premises of the new Garage to present a double bill: Kerouac, The Essence of Jack, Thur-Sun 8:15 pm. Tickets $10 Thur & Sun, $12 Fri & Sat; The Sound of a Voice by last year’s Tony winner, David Henry Hwang. Fri & Sat 11:30 pm. Tickets $7. 744-3832.
Undermain Theatre, the most consistent and distinguished of the city’s smaller ensembles, presents Goose and Tom-Tom by David Rabe as its offering in Chimera. This type of play is something of a departure for Undermain. The production runs May 6-June 17 at 8:15 pm at 3200 Main in Deep Ellum. Tickets $10 Thur, $12 Fri & Sat. For reservations call 747-1424.
Undermain’s light-hearted neighbor, Pegasus Theatre. 3916 Main, may be the most popular of the Deep Ellum companies. Pegasus consistently mounts solid revivals of hits from previous seasons, and it is doing so again with A Girl’s Guide to Chaos. The show runs through June 3 at 8:15 pm. Tickets $8 Wed & Thur, $10 Fri, $12 Sal and may be purchased through Rainbow-TicketMaster, 787-2000, or by calling 821-6500.
The peripatetic Moving Target Theatre Co. calls itself that because it has no permanent home-it moves from one location to another, production by production. For Chimera, its production is Six Women With Brain Death or… Expiring Minds Want to Know. This is a “Saturday Night Live”-style musical revue for six actresses and a take-off on the tabloids. May 10-28. Wed, Thur, Fri,& Sun 8 pm, Sat 6 & 9 pm. Tickets $12 Wed,Thur, & Sun, $15 Fri & Sat. Trammell CrowEast Pavilion, 2001 Ross. For reservationscall 979-2598. – Bill Jungman
SPECIAL EVENTS
Scarborough Faire. More than 800 entertainers and artisans gather to re-create a 16th-century English village marketplace. This Renaissance festival features music, magic, and juggling on eight stages, authentic jousting, craft shops, old English foods (roasted turkey legs. Scottish eggs, baklava), and children’s activities {Maypole dances, living chess games, mud shows, and elephant and camel rides). Every weekend through June II. 10 am~7 pm, Tickets $9.75 adults, $4 50 children five to twelve Thirty minutes south of Dallas/Fort Worth near Waxahachie. Take I-35. exit 399A. and follow the signs. (214) 937-6130.
Gridiron Straw. Nobody and nothing is sacred at this thirty-ninth annual show The Press Cluh of Dallas performs a spoof that pokes fun at everyone in Dallas-Mayor Strauss, the City Council. PACE/MCA, Tom Landry. Bum Bright, Judge Jack Hampton, Peter (the) Lesser, and even Ramses the Great. May 4. Bar opens at 6 pm, show starts at 8 pm. Tickets S12. Reunion Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency. 300 Reunion Blvd 74B-3329.
Pontiac Grand Prix. This is the race with a new home (formerly held at Fair Park, now taking place in Addison) Five races will be featured: the Super Vee. the Corvette Challenge, Racetruck Challenge, the Vintage and Historic Car race, and the main event, the SCCA Trans Am race for high performance, product ion-based sports can. They’ll travel 105 laps around the 1.6-milc track. May 12-14. Fri 10 am -6 pm, Sat & Sun 8 am-6 pm. Tickets 57 Fri, $12 Sat. $17 Sun. S25 for all three days Addison Airport. 4505 Claire Chennault. 701-9091.
Lay Ornamental Gardan. The newest addition to the Dallas Arboretum is the 2.2-acre Lay Ornamental Garden. A Texas perennial garden, it features more than 200 types of native woody plants and 500 varieties of perennials. Added touches of beauty are the hidden garden, rose arbor, assortment of ponds, and a water wall Opening May 13. Arboretum hours The-Sun 10 am 6 pm Admission $3 adults. $2 senior citizens, $1 children six to twelve Free on Fri 3-6 pm. Dallas Ar boretum &. Botanical Garden. B525 Garland Rd. 327-8263.
Big, D Charity Horsa Show. American saddlebred horses, racing horses, Tennessee walking horses, and Morgans are among the breeds to be shown at this top-flight competition May MM. Shows Thur-Sat 9 am. 1 pm. 7;30 pm; Sun 9 am & I pm. Tickets $3-$10). Fair Park Coliseum. 1-30 and Second Ave 340-0221.
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. Through May 29. Tue-Sun 10 am 9 pm. Tickets $6 adults,$5 senior citizens and children six to twelve. Stonebriar Estates, TwoStonebriar Drive. Frisco. 750-4661.
Texes Wine Country Chill Cookoff. This is the chili cookoff qualifying round for the Annual World Championship in Terlingua. Chili chefs from all over the Southwest will be competing for the title of best. Texas wires and live entertainment will also be featured May i 13. l0am-Spm. La Buena Vida Vineyards Visitors Center, Lakeside. About ten miles northwest of Fort Worth off Texas 199 (Jacksboro Hwy) at FM 1886. Free. (8I7) 237-WINE.
Mayfest. A kind of celebration of spring, this is the eighteenth year for this Fort Worth trad ition. There is a children’s area complete with a petting zoo. a sports area for baseball throws, rope climbs, and fifty-yard dashes The Fort Worth Ballet. Texas Boys Choir, and the Fort Worth Symphony will all be on hand to provide entertainment. Mayfest is also host to one of the finest outdoor an shows in the Southwest with more than fifty artists showing works representative of all mediums. An opening day parade and fireworks are also a part of the day’s activities. May 4-7 Thur 3-9 pm. Fri 3-10 pm. Sal noon-10 pm, Sun noon-7 pm. Tickets $2. Trinity Park. 1-30 at University Dr, Fort Worth. (817) 332-1055.
MUSEUMS
Amon Carter MUseum. Bruce Goff: Toward an Absolute Architecture is the first ever exhibit dedicated to the work of this American genius, whom some consider among the greatest of modern architects. His early work is deeply marked by the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright, but his later work is all his own, deeply personal and highly idiosyncratic. This show of archival photographs and more than a hundred drawings, which was organized by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. may be just what is needed to spark a genuine Bruce Goff Revival. May 20-July 16. Changing Perspectives: Photographs of Indians and Early Photoigraphic Portraits are two shows drawn from the museum’s own enormous and enormously important photographic collection. Through June 11 at 3501 Camp Bowie. Fort Worth. Tue-Sal 10 am 5 pm. Sun 1-5:30 pm. (817) 7381933.
Dallas Museum of Art. A faithful Journey; 200 Years of American Decorative Arts firm the Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Collection takes up an entire floor in the museum, and deserves every inch of it. This splendid exhibition of furniture and other objects, both decorative and useful, will restore faith-sorely tested-in American craftsmanship, May 21-July 30 Gold of Africa: Jewelry and Ornaments firm Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Senegal brings together more than 200 beautifully crafted objects-bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, and other royal regalia-from one of the most outstanding collections of its kind, that of Geneva’s Barbier- Mueller Museum. Through June 17 at l7l7 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. Where do they put a thirteen-foot-tall, 15.000-pound bronze mammoth? Anywhere they want. In this case. the Museum of Natural History is installing “Jumbo” on its grounds overlooking the Fair Park lagoon. The spectacular pachyderm, inspired by a skeleton in the museum’s collection, was created by Texas artis Tom Tischler and will be unveiled amid ceremonies and celebration from 1-4 pm. Fair Park.1-30 and Second Ave. Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Sun and holidays noon-5 pm. 670-8457. 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. $5 children to fourteen l-800-HI-MUMMY. or, in Dallas. 421-2500.
Klmbll Art Museum. Guido Reni 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 at 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth. Tue-Sat 10 am-5 pm. (817)332-8451.
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 lake you back to the days of pioneer living. Guided lours Tue-Sat I0 am-3 pm Tickets $4 adults, $2. children and senior citizens. 1717 Gano 421-5141.
Museum of Arrican-American Life and Culture. Texas Collects brings together works by African and A frican-American artists from private Dallas and Fort Worth collections, Through June 30 in Science Place II. Fair Park. I-30 and Second Ave Tue-Sat 9:30 am-5;30 pm. Sun noon-5 pm. 565-9026.
Science Place. A new permanent exhibit called “Kids Place” has opened in Science Place I. The exhibit is designed for children ages two to seven and includes more than twenty-five hands-on science ac-ttvitics divided into four groups: the Numbers Forest. Building Things, Senses, and Waterworks Through Oct 31 is Mummies! an exhibit including Padihershef. a 2.600-year-old mummy, a female mummy, and child mummy. All are partially unwrapped. Tue-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun noon-5 pm Admission $5 adults, $2 children and senior citizens. , At the planetarium in Science Place II. “Egypt’s Eternal Skies” looks into how Pharaohs used the stars for guidance. Through Aug 27. Tue-Fr 2 & 3 pm. Sal. Sun. & holidays 1,2,3,& 4 pm. Admission SI adults, 50 cents senior citizen and children seven to sixteen. Science Place I & II in Fair Part. 1-30 and Second Arc. 421-3466.
GALLERIES
Allen Street Gallery. Document Dallas record), the look of the city and its people last New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. when a number of area photographers set out to create a kind of forty-eight-hour freeze I frame portrait of Dallas May 26-July 2 at 4101 Commerce St. Sat &I Sun 1.30-5 pm 821-8260.
Biblical Arts Center. The Holy Spirit in Art draws on museum col lections around the country to survey the changing forms-dove, tongues of flame. Third Person” of the Trinity-in which artists have portrayed the Paraclete. Through June 19 at 7300 Park Lane. Tue-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. 691-4661.
Eugene Binder Gallery. David Bates’s big oil paintings have beenmuch shown lately; here is a refreshing look at his drawings and paintings on paper, works that are smaller, but every bit as fresh and live-ly. May 4-June 24 at 840 Exposition Ave. Tue-Fri 10 am-6pm.Sat 10am-5 pm. 821- 5864.
Telephone Pioneer Museum Gallery. Impresiones: A Contem-purary An Exhibit by Dallas Hispanic Artists features forty pieces of thirteen local professionals recognized at contemporary artists in commemoration of Cinco Mayo. May I-May 26 at 208 S A kard Mon-Fri 9:30 am-4:30 pm. 464-8425.
Barry Whistler Gallery. Paintings is an exhibit of mixed-media and constructive paintings by Bert Long. Through May 27 at 2909-A Canton St. Tue-Fri 10 am-5:30 pm. Sat II am-5 pm. 939-0242.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Dancers Unlimited. The finalists of the first Texas Choreography Competition (sponsored by the company) will present their works to the judges at 8 pm on May 23, and the winner will be announced at the gala party immediately following. The program will be repealed at the same time the next evening. EI Centro College Performance HalI. Lamar at Main. Tickets $8 522-8988.
Frederica von Stade. The great mezzo returns to Dallas after her triumph in last fall’s The Aspern Ripen to sing a solo recital with orchestra conducted-ted by maestro Nicola Rescigno May 3 at 8 pm. Tickets $5-$45. Music Hall at Fair Park, 1-30 and Second Ave. 871-0090.
SuperPops. The Dallas Pops Orchestra plays its very last SuperPops concert at Fair Park. hosting singer Ruger Miller May 12 at 8 pm. Tickets $13-$27.50 Music Hall at Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. 692-0203.
Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. The 1989 showcase concert features music by Liadov. Rimsky-Korsakov, Mozart. and others played by the four orchestras that make up the youth orchestra group. May 7 at 2:30 pm. Tickets $12 adults. $6 students. Majestic Theatre. 1925 Elm. 528-7747.
Texas Baroque Ensemble. An evening of French music includes L’Apotheose de Lully by Francoise Couperin and cantaas by Legat de Furcy sung by brilliant Houston soprano Patti Spain. May 22 at 8:15 pm. Tickets $8 adults. $6 students and senior citizens. Kurth Performante Hull, Sammons Center for the Arts. 3630 Harry Hines. 278-2458.
New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving. This group will per-form music by Owen, Vivaldi, and Rossini, along with the Faure Requiem. May 13 at 8:15 pm. Tickets $7.50 adults. $3 students and senior citizens. St Luke’s Catholic Church, 204 S MacArthur Blvd, Irving. 252-7497.
Voices of Change. The May concert will be unusual even by the sometimes far-out standards of this new-music chamber group. Two composers will be on hand to hear their work-Mexican composer Mario Lavista for Quotations and Marsias and March Neikrug for a new work especially commissioned by Voices. May 1 at 8:15 pm. Tickets SI2. Caruth Auditorium. SMU. 690-2982.
Fort Worth Symphony. The final Pops Series concert for the season features Toni Tennille in “A Night of Big Band Swing.” May 12 & 13 at 8 pm. Tickets $6-$18. Convention Center Theatre. 1111 Houston St. Fort Worth (817) 926-8831.
Fort Worth Civic Orchestra. The last concert of the season will be an evening of American music Yves L’Helgoual’ch will lead the orchestra in Schuman’s American frsuval Overture, Symphony No 2 by Thompson, and a finale of Copland’s Appalachian Spring. May 20 at 8:15 pm Tickets $6 adults. S3 students and senior citizens. Orchestra Hall. Granbury Rd at Trail Lake. (817) 923-5979.
THEATER
Death at Drury Lane. The Greenville Ave. Theatre hosts the world premiere of this melodrama by Steve Lovett about the haunting of a London theater May 12-June 24 Thur-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm Tickets $6.50-$8.50 adults. $2 discount lor senior citizens and children under twelve. Greenville Ave Pocket Sandwich Theatre. 1611 Greenville at Ross 821-0860.
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 scries. Through May 27. Fri & Sat 7:30 pm. Tickets $12. Caravan of Dreams. 312 Houston St. Fort Worth Metro (817) 429-4000.
Young Dowds. Johnny Simons’s scripts invoking his own past are sometimes among the best, and sometimes among the most self-indulgent, offerings of the Hip Pocket. Through May 21. Fri-Sun 8:15 pm. Tickets $6-510 aducts, $5-$8 students and senior citizens, $4-$6 children. Hip Pocket Theatre, upstairs at the While Elephant Saloon, 108 East Exchange, Fort Worth. (817) 927-2833.
Vikings. Stephen Metcalfe’s comedy-drama is about a Danish-American family that takes pride in taking risks. May 26-June 17. Thur-Sat 8:15 pm. call for Sun matinees. Tickets $8 Thur & Sun, $12 Fri & Sat through Rainbow-TicketMaster. 787-2000 Circle Theatre. 1227 W Magnolia, Fort Worth. (817) 931-3040.
The Imaginary Invalld. Molicre’s classic farce is reset in turn-of-the century New Orleans May 5-June 3. Fri & Sat 8:15 pm. Sun 3:15 pm. Tickets $8-$10 adults, $6-S8 students and senior citizens. $4-$5 children. Jubilee Theatre. 3114 E Rosedale, Fort Worth (817) 535-0168.
PORTS
Texas Rangers. Want to do something different this month? How about baseball-real, professional baseball-during the day? Yes. theRangers, who toil in some of the hottest weather known to the majorleagues, do play a few afternoon games before the summer swelter setsin. But hurry: the May 21 clash with the Twins will be the last day gameuntil September Arlington Stadium. 1700 Cope land Rd. Arlington.Tickets $4-$10 through the Texas Rangers Ticket Office. Metro (817)273-5100.
May 1-2 Cleveland 7:35
3-4 New York 7:35
16-17 Baltimore 7:35
18-21 Minnesota 7:35 (2:05 the 21st)
22-24 Kansas City 7:35
Dallas Dragoons. Dallas’s professional arena polo team is the reigning national champion and they’re out to defend that title on May 4 at 8 pm against the Los Angeles Gladiators. State Fair Coliseum in Fair Park, 1-30 and Second Ave. Tickets $12.50. 520-POLO.
Willow Band Polo. Playing the more traditional, outdoor version of polo, the Willow Bend team starts its season this month. Opening May 21. and a game is also scheduled tor May 28 (a free rock ’n’ roll concert and a barbecue will be offered after the match). All games begin at 6 pm. An introduction and demonstration of polo is given at 5 pm. Willow Bend Polo & Hunt Club. 8545 W Park Blvd (FM 544). Plano. Tickets $6, children under twelve free. 248-6298.
Best Dam 150 Tour. This 150-mile bike ride for Multiple Sclerosis starts in Denton, ends in Paris, Texas, and includes hot meals, overnight accommodations, rest stops, and medical care. May 6 & 7. Meet at 8 am at Fouts Field, the University of North Texas, Denton. Registra-lionSIS. 490-3222,
Southwestern Ball Colonial. With a $1 million purse ($I80,000 goes to the winner), this is one of the largest golf tournaments on the PGA lour Competitors will include previous winners, of the US Open, PGA. Masters, and the British Open, as well as other PGA tour event winners, May 15-21 Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm. Sat 8 am-I pm.Sun noon-5 pm. Tickets Wed, Sat. or Sun $30. Thur or Fri $20. one pass Tor the whole week $60. Colon ial Country Club. 3735 Country Club Circle, Fort Worth. Metro (817) 461-8633.
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 stones above the city, or? the best places to get a breathtaking view of Dallas and a memorable photo. Mon-Fri 10 am-midnight, Sal & Sun 9 am-midnight. 300 Reunion Blvd Tickets $1.88 for adults, 180 for children under twelve. 741-3663.
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden. Set on the easternshore of White Rock Lake, the Arboretum offers 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. 8525 Garland Rd. 327-8263.
Dallas Zoo. Tigers.zebras okapi, and 1,600 other mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, including many rare and endangered species, can be found at (he Dallas Zoo. 9 am-5 pm daily. Admission S3 adults. $1.50 senior citizens and children six to eleven, free under six. 621 E Clarendon Dr, three miles south of downtown. 670-6825.
West End Market Place. Once a turn -of the-century candy and cracker factory, this three-building. multilevel complex is host to more than seventy-five shops, last-food stops. CityGolf-an indoor, twenty-scven hole miniature golf course, Star Base a live-action laser tag game, and Dallas Alley-a nightclub extravaganza. Mon-Thur II am-10 pm, Fri & Sat 11 am-midnight. Sun noon-8 pm. 603 Munger Ave at Market St. 954-4350.
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 times-three forward and three backward. Located in Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth 1 -30 at SH360 Open weekends only. Sat 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-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 Tired the shell that killed John F Kennedy is open to the publie. 9:30 am-4:30 pm daily. Tickets $4 adults. S3 senior citizens. $2 children twelve and under. Texas School Book Depository. 411 Elm St. 653-6666.
Fair Park. The result of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition, this 777-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 loaned in Fair Park. 1-30 and Second Ave. 426-3400.
NIGHTLIFE
Andrew’s. Some bars-the old Chaise Lounge comet to mind-turn every evening into a group experience Fine. but we also need bars for those limes when it’s just the four of of you- you. a friend, and a couple of good drinks. With its niches, alcoves, and ledges. Andrew’s is the perfect spot for talking things over The famous artichoke nibbles are as cheesy as ever, and the specialty drinks are worth a try, even if few remember the origin of Maxwell’s Silver Hammer” or the “Obla Dec ” 3301 McKinney. 220-0566, 14930 Midway at Belt Line. 385-1613.
Bar of Soap. This place is reasonably hip without gelling right up in your face with it: any bar that has “American Pic” on the jukebox- the bartender’s favorite-can’t be just too cooI for school. A nice (ouch here is the interesting work of local artists decorating the walls The objets are for just on consignment. 3615 Parry 823-6617.
Dave’s. Dave’s is casual. friendly, and comfortable- not becaise of the surroundings. but by virtue of a friendly staff, a casual. eclectie 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 attraciton’s still there- and the neighborhood crowd loves it. 28I2 N Henderson 826-4544.
The Den. This is Dallas’s best little dark, intimate bar, and it hasn’t changed in yean. 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.
Greenville Bar & Grill. If Dallas had a Watering 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 longncck beer. and a hand that won’t let you hear yourself think 2821 Green-ville. 823-6691.
Greenville Avenue Country Club. Chic Understately elegant. Exclusive None of these words have anything to do with the GACC. and they ’II throw anyone in ihc pool who pretends otherwise. Despite the name. this remains one of the best-and-sandwich bars in town. The patio’s now covered, and the restrooms, thankfully, have been brought into the 2lth century Otherwise, this is the friendly.comfortable joint it always was. 3619 Greenille. 826-5650.
Joe Miller’s. The more things change. the more they stay the time. That’s certainly true of Joe Miller’s, it’s Mill 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 your sign?” 3531 McKinney Ave. 521-2261
Late Night…In the West End. Late Night looks more like a dressed-up loading dock than a bar. which is part of its appeal. And dressed up it is-there’s so much stuff on the walls that it’s impossible to take it all in in one visit. Late Night’s claim to time 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.
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 sou1. Omni Melrose Hotel. 3015 Oak Lawn 521-5151.
The Palm Bar. If you’re downtown. few places are as nice as this for 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
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 Mill The crowd is oh-so-chic, dressed to kill, and well-monied [or at least they all act like they’re silting 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.
Sam’s Cafe. Yes. we know Sam’s is a restaurant. Yes. we know the burgers there cost almost 56 Yes. we know it’s the Southwestern sister of Mariel Hemingway’s chie New York bistro But even if you aren’t planning to cat even one bite. the bar at Sam’s will welcome you with an open tab A cocktail at Sam’s has now become the thing to do after S.I and before San Simeon, or before Sfuzzi and after San Simeon. or before San Simeon and Sfuzzi. Get the picture? 100 Crescent Court. Suite 140 855-2233.
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 Matter. 655-2627
The Wine Press. This is the perfect place to go on a rainy night -or any time you’re tooking for romance, intimacy, and spirit. The atmosphere is low-key and elegantly casual: the service. friendly but not hovering; the wine selection. extensive. to say the least, 4217 Oaklawn, 522-8720.
