Let's Do Dallas, An Art Destination of Choice

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Dallas is third-largest city in the state of Texas and the ninth largest city in the United States making it a premier destination for tourists not only in Texas but across the nation. The city has a lot to offer especially in terms of arts, events and nightlife. In the northern section of Downtown Dallas lies the Arts District, home to the Dallas Musuem of Arts the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, The Dallas Contemporary, and The Dallas Children's Theatre to name a few. The district is thriving and growing with venues under construction or planned including the Winspear Opera House and the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. You will also find numerous galleries and cafes scattered throughout the district making it an absolute requirement for anyone exploring this city.

Another unavoidable area of Dallas is Deep Ellum which is directly east of Downtown. In the late 20s and 30s this area was known as a Southern hot spot for Blues and Jazz and continues in this tradition with a thriving arts scene that would make even Leadbelly hoot and holler. This highly-dense section of the city is brimming with artists, musicians, pubs, concert houses, hipsters, lofts, graffitti and an energy unmatched anywhere else in the city. In regards to public space, it is considered a yardstick in terms of the urban environment complete with community spaces, tunnels, a light rail, city parks and murals everywhere adding color to the landscape. A trip to Dallas would be incomplete without strolling the streets of Deep Ellum.

Lesser known Cedars, south of Downtown, is another district that has in the recent past given birth to a flourishing arts community fostered by studio artists and an expanding list of entertainment venues. This was initiated in early this decade when an old Sears warehouse was converted into lofts, studios and commercial use. This conversion injected new life into the district bringing with it a vibrant community.

There is also a burgeoning arts community in Oak Cliff called the Bishop Arts District home to artists of all types living in converted spaces, funky restaurants and a growing list of entertainment venues.

These areas provide fantastic focal points for the energetic, arts-loving explorer and they are perfect starting points to gaining a better perspective on this fabulous city. Once explored, you won't want to stop there. Word of mouth might possibly lead you to such gems as the The Pocket Sandwich Theatre providing madcap, popcorn-throwing melodramas for audiences with their unique style spoofing your favorite heroes, villains and monsters! It's more funky than fancy ands Late Night shows on Friday and Saturday, are usually a little raunchier, but - hey - your kids shouldn't be out that late anyhow. You will also gain invaluable insight into their Lucy Tradition, their tribute to our favorite and most loveable Peanuts character.

Your artsy conversations could also lead you to the Dallas Hub Theatre, a Best of Dallas Winner in 2007. Fueled by the Shane-Arts, this is one one of the fastest growing theatrical companies in the nation, continually providing more opportunities for audiences and talent alike. Establishing their motto in 1993 of "A Theater Coming Near You", their revised mission of "Seeking, Retaining & Cultivating Audiences & Talent" has lead to great success in recent years. Growing an average of 50% in the past two years, the various divisions were limited by the availability of performance venues. Comedy Killers, Upstart Productions, Dead Girl Circus and 12 Drink Minimum are one of many performing artists providing real live, local entertainment.

Kitchen Dog Theatre also draws attention from many locals and visitors alike. Their mission statement reads ... to provide a place where questions of justice, morality, and human freedom can be explored. We choose plays that challenge our moral and social consciences, invite our audiences to be provoked, challenged, and amazed. We believe that the theater is a site of individual discovery as well as a force against conventional views of the self and experience. It is not a provider of answers, but an invitation to question. Since theater of this kind is not bound by any tradition, Kitchen Dog Theater is committed to exploring these questions whether they are found in the classics, contemporary works, or new plays. ...Enough said.

Other organization you might hear in conversation are Dallas Theater Center, Contemporary Theatre of Dallas, Murder Mystery of Texas, Rover Dramawerks, Uptown Players, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Jubilee Theatre, Undermain and many many others. This town has no shortage of quality live entertainment. Come see for yourself and in the words of DTC, Let Yourself Go.