Staff & Reader Submitted

BubbleLife Media Launches New Websites, Reader Features and State-Of-The-Art Device-Adaptable Format

Matthew Cobb — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:14:42 -0500

BubbleLife has a new look and feel, more reader-friendly features and a state-of-the-art design to bring you the most comprehensive neighborhood news from communities across North Texas.

The new design is featured on all BubbleLife Media sites in a format that is original, easy to use and adaptable to whatever device you are using to read neighborhood news.

“Our commitment is to gather up all the neighborhood news and get it to where people like to read,” said Saffie Farris, Publisher of BubbleLife. “We have no paywalls, lengthy subscription forms or exclusive content. We’re open and free, serving the neighborhoods we call home.”

The biggest change to the BubbleLife website is something that is not immediately obvious to the eyes but will make using BubbleLife easier and more satisfying. BubbleLife sites now employ “responsive web design,” which means the site will respond differently to individual users based on what platform they’re using, their screen size or the orientation of their mobile device.

Boston.com, website of the Boston Globe newspaper, uses responsive web design for its market-leading site. The major benefit of the responsive design concept is that it enables site pages—layouts, fonts and images—to adjust automatically to different screen sizes. A combination of HTML5 and CSS3 design technologies helps extends BubbleLife’s digital publishing effort to the rapidly expanding tablet and smartphone universe.

Simply put, rather than creating a different design of BubbleLife for an ever-increasing number of web devices, the new “responsive web design” will treat them all as facets of the same experience. BubbleLife will look and feel different for each user, but each user will still receive an optimal viewing experience without making any sacrifices.

One of the most noticeable changes of the new look of BubbleLife is the display breakdown of stories on the site. Instead of just a long list of local stories, the stories are slotted under sections – sections devoted to news, education, real estate and other topics. This will make finding a particular story easier and relevant to you.

Each BubbleLife site will now also have two main featured stories at the top of the site instead of just one. These featured stories are changed and updated constantly and represent what the editors believe to be the top stories in the neighborhood.

Our iReporter feature still functions as it always has, making it easy for readers and viewers to report on any news that happens in their vicinity. As before, any person wanting to post in iReporter will need to have an account and be signed in. We welcome all contributions.

The new look and feel of BubbleLife compliments our other reader features, such as the email share feature, Sunday Magazine and distribution to Facebook and other social media platforms.

BubbleLife’s new look also extends to the Neighborhood Marketing Center on the site, where local merchants are able to access new web-based marketing and content tools to drive results, such as new business leads, and track and optimize their marketing performance.

“BubbleLife will continue to grow and change in order to bring readers the latest in neighborhood news,” said Farris. “We’re once again raising the bar for neighborhood news.”

Dell Awards $100,000 Grant to Ronald McDonald House Charities for Work in 14 U.S. Cities

juliette — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Ronald McDonald House Charities has received a $100,000 grant from Dell. This Powering the Possible Grant has been awarded to be shared among 14 Ronald McDonald House Chapters in cities where Dell has offices. The money is designated to support programs for families with children undergoing pediatric cancer treatment.

“Dell has proven itself to be a company which is dedicated to the health and wellness of the communities in which they live and operate,” said Ann Jerome, chief operating officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas. “We are very excited to be part of this new multi-city partnership between Dell and RMHC on behalf of families of critically ill children.”

The award was announced during the annual symposium of the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium, sponsored by Dell and held at Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin. In November, Dell announced a multiyear, multimillion dollar commitment of technology and employee engagement to support childhood cancer care initiatives globally, including the world’s first personalized medicine clinical trial for pediatric cancer conducted by the NMTRC and supported by The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

Receiving a portion of the $100,000 award are Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters in Austin, Nashville, Chicago, Central Illinois, Oklahoma City, the Upper Midwest, Greater Washington DC, and Omaha; and Ronald McDonald Houses in Boston, Dallas, Stanford, Atlanta, Providence and Akron, all cities which also have Dell headquarters or offices. In each of these cities, Dell employees will also be volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House as part of this ongoing partnership.

Jerome further explained, “Ronald McDonald Houses keep families together during difficult treatment regimens, and children heal better when their families are nearby.”

Ronald McDonald House Charities is proud of this unique partnership and hopeful for the thousands of families and children who will benefit nationwide from this generous donation.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Through its Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programs, Ronald McDonald House Charities in these 14 cities, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Since the first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974, Ronald McDonald Houses have addressed very simple but profound needs: most importantly, the need for parents to be near their child when that child is in medical crisis and the need for children to have the comfort of their parents in frightening times.

For more information, please visit www.rmhc-austin.org.

Church of the Incarnation Brings Beers, Bibles Together in June

Jo_England — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:00:00 -0500

BEERS, PRIESTS AND HOT TOPICS

Theology Live: Ale & the Almighty brings together pints, bites and hot topics for all who will attend, Monday nights in June at the Ginger Man Pub

Monday Nights in June | 7pm-9pm
(June 4, 11, 18, 25)

At the Ginger Man Pub in Uptown, by the Quad
2718 Boll Street Dallas, TX 75204
(214) 754-8771

www.incarnation.org

UPTOWN, DALLAS, TX – For nearly as long as Dirk Nowitzki has been leading the Dallas Mavericks to post-season play, folks have been gather at the Ginger Man Pub in Uptown to have a few drinks, listen to a guest speaker engage a hot topic, and then take part in Q&As afterwards, along with more drinks.

“I can’t belive a church just came to my bar…”
–MULTIPLE PEOPLE EVERY YEAR

For 11 years, Church of the Incarnation Episcopal, located at 3966 McKinney Avenue (at Blackburn) has presented this lecture series, of sorts, known as Theology Live. The spectacle, to some, of seeing priests roaming about with pint of their favorite ale, has generated regular comments about a church coming to their favorite watering hole. And, in general, it is meant as a good thing. Theology Live isn’t meant to be evengelical. It’s meant to be friendly. A simple chance to be a part of the community in which Incarnation resides. With no ostensible agenda more than sharing a dram with others while conversing, the event has grown each year and now is usually packed every Monday night, at least 15 minutes before it starts.

Official info on the web: http://www.incarnation.org/events/theology-live-1/

2012 Theology Live Lineup:

MONDAY, JUNE 4 “Faith & Politics”
with Dr. Billy Abraham (SMU)

Born in Northern Ireland in 1947, Dr. Billy Abraham is currently a Distinguished University Teacher at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen and Queen’s University, Belfast, Abraham went on to receive a Master of Divinity Degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky and a doctorate in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Oxford, England.

MONDAY, JUNE 11 “Christians & Divorce”
with Fr. Greg Methvin

In addition to being the Vice-Rector of Church of the Incarnation, Greg Methvin is a gifted and sought-after event speaker who connects with people through humor, wisdom and heart-felt life stories. He was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church in 2004 after 20 years as a Southern Baptist minister where he served churches ranging in attendance from 1 to 13,000.

MONDAY, JUNE 18 “Mormonism”
with Gerald R. McDermott

Gerald R. McDermott wears three hats. He is a full-time religion professor at Roanoke College, an author of 12 books and scores of articles, and a part-time Anglican priest, serving as teaching pastor at a Leran church. He specializes in Jonathan Edwards (five books), Christian theology of world religions (four books), and diverse topics in Christian theology and spirituality, such as Mormonism. He and Jean have been married for 35 years, and are the parents of three grown sons, and five grandchildren.

MONDAY, JUNE 25 “The Problem of Evil”
with Dr. Jim Denison

James C. Denison, Ph.D., is a cultural apologist, building a bridge between faith and culture by engaging contemporary issues with biblical truth. He founded the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture in February 2009. Having lived and traveled widely in the Muslim world, Dr. Denison has wide expertise on the subject of Islam. He has also taught world religions for 25 years with four seminaries. He has spoken in China, Cuba, Brazil, Australia, Europe, Israel, Greece, Egypt, Bangladesh and Turkey and served as a short- term missionary to East Malaysia, in Southeast Asia. He also leads frequent study tours in Israel, Greece, and Europe.

Dr. Denison currently serves on the board of the Baylor Health Care System and as chair of the advisory Board for Dallas Baptist University. He teaches Ph.D. seminars and graduate-level classes for Dallas Baptist University and serves as a teaching fellow for the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute. He has taught on the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and at McAfee School of Theology, and has served on the boards of Dallas Baptist University, George W. Truett Theological Seminary and the Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University.

Visual Speedbump Studio Tour Has 15 Oak Cliff Stops

Jo_England — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:00:00 -0500

This year's Visual Speedbump Studio Tour is pulling out all the stops — and making them, too. In fact, there are 15 studios on this year's tour route, stretching down Davis Street, to Tyler Street, to Commerce Street and beyond.

Always wanted to take a peek inside the place where artists create their original works? Then this tour is just for you. Take a gander inside studios such as Incense & Peppermints, Davis Foundry, Chuck & George, and the Palomino Lofts.

Additionally, tour-goers can check out the public art display "Seventeen Hundred Seeds" at 715 W. Davis St. courtesy of the Mulcahy Modern.

For more information about the tour, visit oakcliffstudiotour.com.

Plenty of Great Places to Celebrate Mom This Weekend

Jo_England — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:22:49 -0500

If you're looking for a great way to celebrate the mom or mom-to-be in your life, we have just the thing. Need a little last-minute inspiration? There are tons of brunches and special events through the weekend, so check out our event list below:

Uptown/Downtown Dallas: Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park is hosting a Mother's Day plant sale.

Oak Cliff: Skin & Body Solutions Day Spa has the perfect gift for any mom in need of a little pampering.

Lakewood - Check out the historic homes along Swiss Avenue during this year's Swiss Avenue Mother's Day Home Tour .

Lake Highlands - Lake Highlands Jazz Band will be performing a concert in their stadium for "Jazz Under the Stars"

Plano - Hit Mother's Day in stride with the Virtual Mother's Day Run.

Southlake: Need to get chic? Take in a mother-daughter fashion show.

Grapevine: Need a Texas-sized brunch? The Gaylord Texan has just the thing; Or perhaps you'd be interested in trying your hand at glass-blowing? Make a gift for mom at this event.

Fort Worth: Plan on getting wild? The Fort Worth Zoo is hosting a Mother's Day brunch: 1989 Colonial Parkway Fort Worth, TX 76110; 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.; $65 for adults, $25 for children 3-17 and free for children under 3

Allen: Cru Wine Bar is hosting a Mother's Day brunch, which is perfect for your favorite female foodie; and kids can make a trinket for mom at Lucky Duck Kid's Club.

Frisco: Mom have a sweet tooth? Make a cupcake for her at Williams-Sonoma in Stonebriar Centre; Or perhaps your little one would rather have a lunch date with mom and their favorite doll?

McKinney: Gather in downtown McKinney is hosting a Mother's Day brunch buffet; So is Rick's Chophouse inside the Grand Hotel.

Dallas ISD Magnets Rank at the Top of U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools

Jo_England — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:44:35 -0500

Dallas ISD's School for the Talented and Gifted Magnet and School of Science and Engineering Magnet took first and third place, respectively, in US News & World Report's 2012 Best High Schools list.

Additionally, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts located in the Dallas Arts District was ranked 134th in the list.

The survey, which weighs college readiness, math and reading proficiency, and student-to-teacher ratios, awarded all three Dallas ISD magnets a gold medal. Booker T. Washington also ranked No. 15 among high schools in the state.

For more information about the rankings, visit the US News & World Report site.

Texas Discover Gardens Host Butterfly Plant Sale May 12 at Fair Park

Jo_England — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:22:25 -0500

Our Butterfly Plant Sale is nearly here (and right behind it is our annual Mother's Day Concert with The Women's Chorus of Dallas)! Our amazing staff and volunteers have been hard at work prepping the greenhouse for the sale, and we hope to see you out here this weekend.

The sale is Friday from 4-7 pm for members and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm for general public. Can't make it out? We'll open up the greenhouse from 10 am to 2 pm May 19 as well; quantities for the second date will be very limited.

See below for details, and find a plant list here!

The Plant Sale Cheat Sheet (get in; get out; get planting!)

1. Fair Park may charge for parking at the gate. Tell the attendant you are attending the Texas Discovery Gardens Plant Sale for free parking.

2. Park around back by our Greenhouse (Turn right past the gate and follow our fence line and signs along your left.)

3. Park your plants! We have 'Plant Parking Spaces' where you can load plants while you shop. Volunteers are on hand to tally up when

you're finished. You then take your ticket to the greenhouse to pay.

4. Feel free to bring a dolly or cart (or a spouse, neighbor, boy scout, etc.) to help with carry out. We have a few (carts, that is) available to help you out once you have paid and are ready to go home, but it can back up at the beginning of the sale.

5. Questions? Just ask! We have plenty of wonderful volunteers and staff on hand to answer your plant questions and more.

Prices: $3 - 4-inch; $7 - gallons; trees, shrubs, and veggies are special prices. Cash, check and credit card are accepted. New this year: we are using the square credit card payment system, which will make your purchases go much smoother!

We have limited quantities of some items; come early for the best selection!

Happy Gardening,

Texas Discovery Gardens staff

Crow Collection Hosts Asian Art For Kids During Dallas Asian Festival

Jo_England — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:02:30 -0500

The Crow Collection of Asian Art will host a free Passport to Asia for Kids art-making class during the Dallas Asian Festival at Main Street Garden on May 12. The Crow Collection will run a free shuttle between the two locations.

The festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is a free event presented by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

Participants can enjoy authentic Asian cuisine, cultural performances, children's activities, a health fair, games, and many other activities

For more information visit asianfestivaldallas.com.

Dallas Museum of Art Opens Exhibits Friday For Free

Jo_England — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:18:31 -0500

Want to check out the Dallas Museum of Art collections for free? You can on Friday, May 18, starting at 11 a.m. as the museum celebrates Art Museum Day and International Museum Day.

All musuem patrons will recieve free admission to both the museum's collection and the special exhibition "Youth and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties," from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. After that, the DMA will host it's "Late Night" program for half price.

Tomorrow, head over to the DMA for Arts & Letters Live, which will feature authors H.W. Brands and Mark K. Updegrove at 7:30 p.m. Brands will discuss his book "The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr," and Updegrove will talk about his new non-fiction work entitled "Indomitable Will: LBJ in the Presidency."

Monday, May 7

Arts & Letters Live

Texas Bound III: Friday Night Lights

May 7, 2012; 7:30 p.m.

Actors Brad Leland, Glen Morshower, and Steve Walters read stories by T. C. Boyle, Robert McBrearty, and Sarah Vowell. Travel back to high school as we feature stories about football, family relationships, and the joys and sorrows of school, using the show Friday Night Lights as inspiration.

Horchow Auditorium

Tickets: $37; reduced prices available for students, and seniors. DMA Members: Free. To purchase tickets and reserve seats online https://www.tickets.dallasmuseumofart.org/public/ or call 214-922-1818

Wednesday, May 9

Gallery Talk

The Photography of "Youth and Beauty"

May 9, 2012; 12:15 p.m.

Jessica May, Associate Curator of Photographs, Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Meet at the Flora Street Visitor Services Desk. Requires an exhibition ticket to Youth And Beauty: Art of the American Twenties.

Arts & Letters Live

Wit & Wisdom: H. W. Brands & Mark K. Updegrove

May 9, 2012; 7:30 p.m.

As an author of twenty-two works of nonfiction, it seems there is little that H. W. Brands doesn’t know about our country’s history. His newest book, The Heartbreak of Aaron Burr, is the second in his American Portraits series, a collection of books that “take moments and individuals who have interesting stories on their own, stories that are gripping in their own right, and use them to illuminate certain themes in American history.”Mark K. Updegrove has loved presidential history ever since he attended the U.S. Bicentennial celebration in 1976. Now the Director of the LBJ Library and Museum in Austin, his newest book is Indomitable Will: LBJ in the Presidency.

Horchow Auditorium

Thursday, May 10

Thursday Night Live 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Jazz in the Atrium

The Ron Jones Group
May 10, 2012; 6:00–8:00 p.m.

Composer Ron Jones leads an ensemble of players performing his original compositions and other arrangements of jazz standards.

Atrium

Free with general admission

Exhibition Special Event

Face to Face: A Conversation on Collecting
May 10, 2012; 7:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Maxwell L. Anderson, The Eugene McDermott Director of the Dallas Museum of Art, for a discussion with Margaret McDermott, Dr. Anne Bromberg, Dan Boeckman, and Marguerite Hoffman, celebrating the exhibition Face to Face: International Art at the DMA. Together they will explore the history and origins of the DMA's collection, share insightful stories and unique perspectives on collecting art from various cultures and centuries, discuss the power of partnerships and transformational gifts, and explore future trends in collecting.

Horchow Auditorium

Free with general admission

Friday, May 11

Saturday, May 12

Studio Creations

May 12, 2012; 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.

Compare works of art in the Face to Face: International Art at the DMA exhibition and pick two of your favorites. In the studio, use your selected artwork to create a new creation in an art mash-up!

C3, Art Studio

Free with general admission

Undermain Reads: Color Struck

Presented in partnership with Undermain Theatre

May 10, 2012; 2:00 p.m.
Undermain Theatre continues their popular reading series with a staged reading of Zora Neale Hurston's playColor Struck. Performed in connection with the DMA's exhibition Youth and Beauty: Art of the American Twenties,* Hurston's 1925 play explores issues of self-perception, fragmentation, and colorism. Exemplifying the cultural and intellectual blossoming of the Harlem Renaissance, this stirringly unapologetic tragedy is still relevant today.

Horchow Auditorium

Free with general admission

Book Explaining Texas to Yankees Now Available for Kindle

sdtex200178 — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:17:19 -0500

Ten years after it first hit bookstore shelves, Oak Cliff writer Sophia Dembling’s book The Yankee Chick’s Survival Guide to Texas is now available for Kindle.

Dembling, who lives in Kiestwood, moved to Dallas from New York City in the 1980s. Living first in Oak Lawn, then East Dallas, she moved to Oak Cliff about 25 years ago with her husband Tom Battles, who owns Tom Battles Custom Picture Framing on Tyler Street.

In The Yankee Chick’s Survival Guide to Texas, Dembling explains for other transplants all the things she needed to learn about her adopted home state, with chapters on topics from food to dating, church to travel.

Not only can the book help Yankees understand Texans, she says, but Texans who read it might gain some insight into their Yankee friends. And, says Dembling, “It hasn’t pissed off a Texan yet, that I know of, even though commenting on Texas as an outsider—especially a Yankee--can be risky.” But, she adds, “I contend that Texans and New Yorkers are the same: Both are convinced they live in the center of the universe, and pity the poor fools who live elsewhere."

The Yankee Chick’s Survival Guide to Texas is available on Amazon in both print and electronic form, and at major bookstores. (If it’s not on the shelves, ask them to order it, Dembling says. “Support a fellow Cliff dweller.”)

Since Yankee Chick was released in 2002, Dembling has co-authored two other books—The Making of Dr. Phil: The Straight-Talking True Story of Everyone’s Favorite Therapist (also available for Kindle); and I Can Still Laugh: Stories of Inspiration and Hope from Individuals Living With Alzheimer’s (written with an expert at The Center for BrainHealth). Her next book, The Introvert’s Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World (Perigee Books) will be released in December.

“I’m actually a little surprised Yankee Chick is still in print,” says Dembling. “It was my first book, written for the impressive advance of $500. But it’s spunky—it just keeps selling and selling. I have great affection for it.”

For more information, visit www.yankeechick.com

Frontiers of Flight Museum's Flight School Takes Off This Summer for Young Aviators

news4U — Sun, 06 May 2012 10:11:08 -0500

The Frontiers of Flight Museum's Flight School 2012 offers hands-on activities for pre-kindergarten through 10th-grade this summer. From simple classroom projects to stimulated flying, these summer camps cater to the adventurous spirit. For a full list call (214) 350-3600 or visit www.flightmuseum.com. The museum is at 6911 Lemmon.

Advanced Aero: Grades 9-10 spend five days July 9-13 learning advanced engineering, design and building structures, and applying the knowledge to aircraft accident investigation. The cost is $175 ($150 Museum Members).

Rocket Science: Younger campers in grades 3-6 explore missions to Mars, design a spaceship and launch their own model rockets. It runs June 18-21 for grades 3-4 and June 11-14 for grades 5-6. The cost is $140 ($125 Museum Members).

Friday Flights: Little ones ages 4-6 learn about space and famous pilots during this mini-camp that lasts just one hour for four Fridays in June and July. The cost is $40 ($35 Museum Members).

Third Diorama-O-Rama at Bolt Studios Benefits Cafe Momentum

Jo_England — Fri, 04 May 2012 13:13:48 -0500

You won't find any hodge-podge popsicle-stick dioramas in on display at the third-annual Diorama-O-Rama benefiting Cafe Momentum. Each of the three-dimensional scenes — most often assigned to elementary school students as projects — is crafted by a bona-fide Dallas artist.

The dioramas, which will be auctioned off by KERA's Rawlins Gilliland and Dallas Cultural Affairs Commissioner Catherine Cuellar, is slated for May 12 starting at 4 p.m. at Bolt Studios.

A $5 donation will get you in (but it's free for kids), and expect music from local DJs Chikki G and Hammertimez. Photographer Chris Arrant will be taking crowd snaps, and the first 50 attendees will receive a tote screened by Model Citizens Print Co and an illustration by Amanda Pounds.

Today, May 4, is the pre-registration deadline for artists wishing to participate.

For more information about Diorama-O-Rama and Cafe Momentum, visit http://diorama-o-rama.blogspot.com/.

(Poster by Justin Cox)

Children's Medical Center's Food Allergy Camp Still Has Openings

Jo_England — Thu, 03 May 2012 23:41:00 -0500

Food allergies can keep you from enjoying some tasty treats, but don't let it stop your child from creating lasting memories at summer camp. But you'll have to act fast!

If you've been looking for a safe way to send your children to camp without worrying about making a trip to the emergency room because of food allergies, Children's Medical Center's Camp Sweeney is the answer to your prayers.

Children ages 7 to 15 can do all of the things other campers do: flag football, archery, swimming, arts and crafts, and so much more without worrying about what might be in their dinner. The Gainesville, Texas, camp makes sure each meal is tailored to the camper's needs.

The summer session runs from August 6 to 10, and while the May 1 deadline to sign up has passed, there are still some openings! To sign up, or to find out more about Camp Sweeney, email foodallergy@childrens.com.

Dallas' Polyphonic Spree, Eryka Badu to Share Stage With Booker T. Washington Student

Jo_England — Thu, 03 May 2012 01:04:47 -0500

Flying Horse II, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts' annual fundraiser, will feature Dallas-based band The Polyphonic Spree and award-winning R&B artist Erykah Badu as well as several Booker T. performers and ensembles on Saturday.

The event is part art festival part fundraiser and occurs at the recently remodeled arts magnet campus inside the Dallas Arts District on Flora Street. For $125, patrons can watch students perform African drums, harps, in string quartets, and on-stage alongside world-class performers.

Tickets are scarce, so snap them up fast.

For more information or to purchase tickets to Flying Horse II, visit bookertflyinghorse.com or call 214-468-8642.

Projected Schedule for the Evening (subject to change):

OVERVIEW:

6pm

ARRIVAL

Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts

Super Tasty Snacks + Beverages + Student Performances

Incl. African drummers, Meistersingers, Latin Ensemble and More…!

7:30 pm

MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE in the Montgomery Arts Theatre

Feat. Polyphonic Spree + Booker T’s Creative Revolutionaries

9pm

HOP ON THE SHUTTLE to THE MASON BAR where the party rolls on

2701 Guillot

PERFORMANCE DETAILS:

6 – 7:30pm

STUDENT PERFORMERS BTWHSPVA Lobby and Foyer

• African Drummer 6:10 – 6:50pm/on – off

• Instrumental (harpist or an electric synth.) 6 – 6:15pm

• String Quartet

• Meistersingers (approx. 21 students) 6:30 – 7pm

• Latin Ensemble GreenRoom/Outdoor Amphitheater

6:45 – 7:15pm

MAINSTAGE Performance Montgomery Arts Theater 7:30pm

• Growth (A Part of a Bigger Picture)

- choreography by Dwight Rhoden

- BTWHSPVA dance students Dominique Harris and Mason Manning

• ELLIOTT SKINNER BTWHSPVA music student

• POLYPHONIC SPREE

- With guest artists/BTWHSPVA students

• Rachel Dupard Voice

• Mike Mitchell Percussion

Gregory Alan Isakov Plays Benefit for DFW Tornado Victims

Jo_England — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:25:32 -0500

Church of the Incarnation, a 501(c)3 non-profit is hosting

A CONCERT BENEFITING THE DFW TORNADO VICTIMS featuring

GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV live in concert
with THE FOX AND THE BIRD

Monday, May 7 | Doors at 7:30pm, show @8pm

Tickets are $10 advance / $13 @door – includes open beer & wine bar between sets

3966 McKinney Avenue, in the main church

www.incarnation.org for tickets

or for online post use direct link: https://www.spunetickets.com/SPUNEPRESENTSGREGORYALANISAKOVTheChurchoftheIncarnation

Special Thanks to Art House Dallas, yelp.com, and spune for promotional help

UPTOWN, DALLAS, TX – Coming up Monday, Church of the Incarnation is hosting another community benefiting the victims of the tornados that recently ravaged part of the DFW Metroplex. All of the proceeds of this concert will go directly to assisting these people. Church of the Incarnation is an official Red Cross "Ready When The Time Comes" secondary response team, coordinating with the Red Cross to help offer help to victims. We have helped the victims of natural disasters in Joplin, Tuscaloosa, after Katrina ravaged New Orleans, and abroad.

“[Isakov’s] voice is just putting it out there … no affectation or

pretension. It’s like punk folk.” -Amy Ray, Indigo Girls

“Gregory Alan Isakov makes quietly lush, deeply vibrant music more

rooted in the starry night sky—like the one on the cover of his latest

LP—than any terrestrial locale.” -PASTE MAGAZINE

Spune Presents

Gregory Alan Isakov U.S. Tour

with Fox and Bird

One Night Only Benefiting DFW Tornado Victims

Hosted by Church of the Incarnation

Monday, May 7, 2012

Doors at 7:30pm

Opening act at 8pm

Mother's Day Jazzy Brunch in Strauss Square Will Be a Hit

Jo_England — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 02:02:07 -0500

Treat Mom to a special day with a complimentary concert at Strauss Square, Delicious Food provided by Wolfgang Puck (available for purchase) and $6 mimosas!

Strauss Square is now BYOB!

Patrons attending events in Strauss Square may bring their own food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages, to the event. Coolers and picnic baskets up to 16” X 16” will be allowed. Concessions, including alcoholic beverages, are also available for purchase at most events. However, purchased alcoholic beverages must be consumed in the defined area and may not be transported to the patron’s performance seat.

Brunch Menu

- Salted caramel and marcona almond popcorn balls $5
- Ratatouille tarts with local goat cheese $7
- Tarragon chicken salad, housemade focaccia $8
- Breadsticks, melon & prosciutto $7
- Blueberry lemon scones, maple butter $5
- Parfait of vanilla honey greek yogurt, granola $5
- Fruit salad $5

JOSEPH VINCELLI
During this ten year stint, he toured and recorded with Buddy Miles, Ice Cube, Bobby Gol...dsboro, Jerry Vale, and Burt Reynolds. Also, Joseph wrote for several film scores and movies, commercials, and jingles. king for a quieter life, he moved to Dallas, Texas where he currently resides. The desire for Texas did not change his New Jersey dialect, but it did change his career in a big way. Joseph has recorded thirteen CD's and a DVD in a thirteen year period. It includes ten smooth jazz CD’s, two Christmas CD's and two classic Jazz CD’s. As well, he recently has finished a fifteen year book project entitled, The Art Of Tone, Understanding Our Love For Music. Joseph does not limit his talent entirely to the stage of entertainment. He devotes time to giving master classes to students interested in the industry of music. As well, he continues to write music and books for future recordings and publications.

MARCUS ROCKWELL
Since the release of his 1999 highly successful CD “A Very Jazzy Christmas” and his 2003 Contemporary Gospel Jazz CD Speak to My Heart. Trumpeter, vocalist and composer Marcus Rockwell has received tremendous comparisons to Miles Davis, Rick Braun and Chris Botti. This success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop music.

Over the past two decades he has shared the stage with the best in music; including Larry Carlton, Stanley Clark, Norman Brown, Spyro Gyra, KEM, Will Downing, Gerald Albright, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons. Just to name a few.

Marcus the former trumpeter for Faces the Band has performed in some of the most highly visible festivals and prestigious venues throughout the region as well as the Majestic Theatre and the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth. His incredible new band the “Marcus Rockwell Trio” blends Smooth Jazz, R&B, Gospel and Pop.

Marcus smooth delivery and unique blend of smooth jazz, straight ahead and gospel jazz continues to be a crowd pleasure which translates to an unforgettable concert experience.

Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Caps 40th Anniversary Season

Jo_England — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:31:36 -0500

The Greater Dallas Youth Orchestras will perform the “Season Finale” on May 20 at the Meyerson Symphony Center at 8 p.m.

The concert features Alessio Bax performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. In addition, the orchestra will premiere a 40th Anniversary commission by SMU professor and composer Xi Wang entitled "Fall at Bernard Cottage." The orchestra will also perform Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

The 40th Anniversary Ruby Gala benefiting the GDYO scholarship fund will be held that evening at the Meyerson. The silent auction starts at 5:30 pm and dinner starts at 6. Tickets to the gala are $100 per person (includes dinner and concert ticket). You can purchase tickets to the gala by calling 214-528-7747.

Single tickets to the concert only are $10-$40. You can purchase them online at www.gdyo.org or by calling 214-528-7747 or the night of the performance at the Meyerson Box Office at 2301 Flora Street in Dallas.

Find Mother's Day Fun at Nasher Sculpture Center

Jo_England — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:21:43 -0500

Know a very deserving mom? Treat her to a very special day at the Nasher Sculpture Center on May 13.

For $55 ($45 for members) moms can enjoy brunch catered by Wolfgang Puck at the Nasher Cafe, complete with mimosas and tons of atmosphere, courtesy of performances from The Dallas Opera. Admission is half price for kids ages 6 to 12, and for children 5 and under, it's free.

As if that wasn't enough to make mom swoon, there will be family themed scavenger hunts as well. Take time to relax among the museum's collection on Mother's Day, too, as guided tours will also be available.

For more information about Mother's Day at the Nasher Sculpture Center, or to make reservations, 214-242-5144.

Wolfgang Puck Specialty Brunch Items

Slow Braised Kobe Short Rib and Sweet Onion Hash, Poached Eggs and Truffle Hollandaise
Hand Picked Maine Crab Cakes topped with Miso Cod, Cucumber Pea-Green Salad and Chili Citrus Aioli
Crispy Free Range Chicken and Waffles with Vanilla Maple Butter and Sauce Chasseur
Creamy Spring Harvest Asparagus Soup with Spring Herb Gremolata and Squash Blossoms
House Smoked Salmon “Croque Monsieur” with Caviar and Bechamel

Traditional Brunch Items

Classic Eggs Benedict

Forest Mushroom Chilaquiles with Tomatillo Salsa and Queso Fresco

Tuscan Breakfast Potatoes

Applewood Smoked Bacon

Breakfast Sausage

Limone Ricotta Blintzes with Wild Berry Compote

Hand Crafted Omelets

Build your own Belgian Waffles

(whipped butter, vanilla whipped cream, fresh berry compote, maple syrup)

Assorted Breakfast Pastries

Fresh Fruit and Artisan Cheeses with Crackers and Lavosh

Steak Au Poivre with Mustard Cognac Sauce and Sweet Potato Crisps

Pommes Aligot

Marinated Roasted Vegetables with Shaved Parmesan

Chinois Chicken Salad

Spinach Apple Salad with Gorgonzola

Kids Brunch Items

Scrambled eggs

Mini Pancakes

Hash browns

Dessert Station

Assorted miniature desserts from Wolfgang Puck’s pastry kitchen

Performance Schedule

by The Dallas Opera’s lyric soprano Julie Dieltz and lyric tenor Zach Hess:

12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm

Nasher Hall

BubbleLife Running Columnist Ken Lettre: “If I Can Run, You Can Run”

Ken Lettre — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:35:15 -0500

Welcome to “The Middle Of The Pack”! My name is Ken Lettre, and I will be your monthly running guide as we explore the fun and exciting world of running in North Texas and beyond.

The following is not an overstatement: The sport of running has literally saved my life. And if I can run, you can run!

Here’s how my personal running odyssey started: The company I was with at the time decided to go from requiring employees to wear suits five days a week to a “Casual Fridays” policy. That meant I had to buy a pair of khakis. My wife, Karen, and I went to a local department store where I tried on a pair of 36-inch waist pants.

They didn’t fit.

Next, I tried on a pair of 38s. They didn’t fit much better, but I bought them anyway because I simply refused to buy a pair of pants with the number “4” as the front number.

After making my purchase, I commented to my wife that these pants had to be sized wrong. Then, as only a loving wife could do, she stopped walking, paused for a few seconds, took a hold of my left arm, squeezed gently and said, “No, honey, these pants are not sized wrong. You’re fat.”

Simple. Succinct. Brutally honest.

Exactly what I needed.

She was 100-percent correct. There was no politically correct way of saying it — I was fat. My 5-foot-11-inch frame was literally weighed down with over 235 pounds of ‘stuff.’ I needed to do something, anything, to start losing the weight immediately.

The very next day, my wife and I joined a local gym. I got on a treadmill and quickly found that I couldn’t even walk a mile. Not even close. My total treadmill distance on that first day was one-quarter of a mile. I simply could not go any further. I wondered to myself, at 35-years young, how could I have let myself get so out of shape.

That day was my epiphany.

I returned to the gym everyday, slowly building both my stamina and endurance.
First walking a half mile.
Then running/walking (more walking) a half mile.
Then a mile.
Then running more than walking.
Then a mile and a half.
Then even more running than walking.
Then two miles.
Then three.

I was running!

With my increase in physical activity coupled with a vastly improved diet (sorry McDonald’s), I noticed myself changing for the better. I was in the midst of an amazing metamorphosis. I was losing weight and feeling the best I had in years.

From that moment on, I was hooked.

One of my most magical moments was in June 2010 when I visited Florida to see my dad for his 80th birthday and attend a family reunion. My parents had five children, and I was always their largest child growing up. (Let’s just say I did most of my back-to-school clothes shopping in the “husky” department at Sears.) When I arrived at the reunion, I took a quick glance at my siblings and it was clear that I was by far the most fit. And I smiled quietly to myself.

Since I first started, I have run a total of 15 full marathons and a whole bunch of 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, and half marathons. Currently, I have the honor of coaching many local athletes before they run their first races, and I’ve recently become Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) Certified as a running coach. Oh yes, I do love to run.

The purpose of this and future articles is simple: To encourage, inspire, motivate, and, most important of all, help readers learn to LOVE the sport of running as much as I do.

I will explore places to run around the greater North Texas area report on races I’ve attended, relate a few personal stories along the way, and discuss tips about how you too can be a runner. These articles are meant to be interactive, and I encourage you to ask questions and offer ideas for future article subjects.

My direct email address is TXMidPack@gmail.com. Send me a note, and let’s talk about running.

Until next time, I’ll see you out there. Run strong!

Cedar Springs Art Fest Features Tons of Local Talent

Jo_England — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:32:41 -0500

Cedar Springs Road, Dallas' most eclectic street, will host its fourth-annual Cedar Springs Art Festival this weekend.

Clear your calendar on April 28, because from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. you can stroll Cedar Springs and check out the art from more vendors than you can shake a stick at. Most all of the artists on exhibit are from the North Texas area, and you can find the perfect thing to hang in that bare spot above your sofa.

There'll be plenty of food and drink from local vendors, as well as entertainment. To find out more about the vendors and artists at this year's Cedar Springs Art Festival, visit them online at http://shopcedarsprings.com/art_fest.asp.