DOWN! town

FRESHEST PART OF DOWNTOWN

From fresh farm produce to special events to classes taught by Dallas” top chefs, the Dallas Fanners Market offers many ways to enjoy the season’s bounty year-around. The 58-year-old market is supported by the non-profit Farmer’s Market Friends, whose members enjoy invitations to the exclusive Hoedown (their annual fundraiser), an entertaining and informative quarterly newsletter, advance notice about the popular Chef s Series and more.

The Spring Chef’s Cooking Class Series continues each Saturday through June 5 and features chefs from some of Dallas’ well-known restaurants cooking their favorite dishes inspired by fresh market produce. The classes cost $18-520 each or $80 for a five-class package. Call 214-653-8088 to register.

Another great Market offering is the free Harvest Day Festival held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of May, June. July, October and December. Each month, one produce item is highlighted with samples, children’s activities and helpful tips.

For more information on the “Freshest Part of Downtown,”’ write to the Farmers Market Friends, 660 Preston Forest Center, Box 110, Dallas, TX, 75230-2718.



A MEDLEY OF FUN

Try this new recipe for the tastiest free lunch event in Downtown: start with a generous helping of music, add a dash of dance, then serve al fresco 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Friday in May, June, September and October. It’s Out to Lunch, a weekly series of 16 concerts and dance performances sponsored by the Downtown Improvement District.

The 1999 Out to Lunch season kicks off May 7 with Robert Lee Kobb and the Local Heroes, followed by some of the best local and regional performers in a wide variety of musical and dance styles including Ollimpaxqui Ballet, May 14; Kim Lenz and Her Jaguars, May 21 ; Dallas Brass & Electric, June 11 ; Mr. Pink, June 18; Maylee Thomas, June 25: Texas Dixieland Jazz Band, September 3; Freddie Jones,September 10; Tommye Young-West,October 8; and Leslie Gail Brooks &Thunder, October 29.

Cal! DID, 214-744-6655, to receive thebrochure listing all performances and locations.

Downtown is…

ARCHITECTURE. Downtown boasts a fanciful blend of 19th and 20th century styles, from ornate to simple. Beaux Arts to Art Deco, International to Italianate, and all of the revivals: Renaissance, Late Gothic, Georgian and Neoclassical.

Marking its 100th anniversary this year is the former Cumberland Hill School, located at 1901 North Akard, a lovely Italianate-style building now used for offices. Among Downtown’s many architectural treasures are the 85-year-old Municipal Building at 2015 Main, a Beaux Arts design that once served as City Hall and EI Centra College, an 80-year-old example of Chicago Style and former Sanger Brothers Department Store.

It’s all right here, and you’re invited to Come On Down!town.