Back Talk Far North Dallas

Tolbert's chili resurfaces at Whole Foods and in Grapevine

I'm showing my age here, but a brief in the DMN about X2 Chili being sold at Whole Foods Market made me recall the one-and-only, original Dallas chili-man: Frank X. Tolbert. Tolbert (who died in 1984) was a true bear of a man, tall and lanky and loud and funny and everything I imagined a Texan would be when I was growing up in Minnesota. And in case you didn't know, X2 is Frank's son, as well as an accomplished but eclectic artist, and X2 Chili is a frozen version of what the son cooked up for the father at the downtown Tolbert's Chili Parlor on Main across from El Centro, where those of us who worked at the Morning News back then spent many a lunch and, sometimes, dinner hour.

In fact, the first restaurant I remember eating at when I arrived in Dallas in 1978 was the Tolbert's across from the Melrose Hotel on Cedar Springs at Oak Lawn (there's a Walgreen's there now, and it was a Luby's before). Tolbert's super-serious chili was way too hot for my Yankee tastebuds back then, and that was before I met Frank X. his-own-self at the Morning News, where the guy pretty much had the run of the place. He occasionally wrote a history column, but he seemed to spend most of his time telling stories to youngsters like me when he wasn't holed up with Blackie Sherrod and/or John Anders (also rather elusive but personality-laden columnists at the News back then). Tolbert had a hand in starting up the Original Terlingua International Frank X. Tolbert - Wick Fowler Championship Chili Cookoff, and if you don't want to try the frozen variety, you can get a fresh batch of Tolbert's chili at the remaining Tolbert's in Grapevine, operated by Frank's daughter (and X2's sister) Kathleen.

And I guarantee you that if you click on all of the links in this blog post, you'll have added a mini-history of Dallas and Texas to your party repertoire.

King Tut roadshow: Not enough class for Dallas and the DMA?

There's an interesting story in Sunday's DMN about the upcoming King Tut artifact exhibit, which is being held downtown October through May at the Dallas Museum of Art. Not being a big-time art aficionado, it was interesting to read the point-counterpoint of the article, which can be summed up pretty clearly. One side believes that having a high-profile exhibit such as King Tut will bring up to one million visitors downtown to the DMA, many of whom have never visited the museum, hopefully expanding the museum's reach into the community and paving the way for future growth. The other side believes that the carnival-barker atmosphere surrounding the Tut exhibit (remember, these are serious art people debating this issue, so carnival-barker is a relative term here) isn't worthy of a serious museum like the DMN, and the people who agreed to put the show on there should have their heads (and presumably their art credentials) examined.

I saw the last Tut show when it visited Dallas, and the pieces were amazing to see in person. Since that time, we had the good fortune to see thousands of additional Tut pieces at the national museum in Cairo, Egypt; there's something about the boy king that just makes people flock to see his retinue. I have no doubt the same will happen here in Dallas again this year. More importantly than whether the DMA is "too good" for this exhibit is the traffic the Tut show will bring downtown — just about the time that the new arts district really is taking shape. A chunk of the money for the district came from city taxpayers, who now will get a chance to see what we've paid for up-close-and-personal. That's the real benefit here for Dallas residents.

Moviemakers: Make your movie

But you better get to work. The Video Association of Dallas is accepting entries for the 21st annual Dallas Video Festival, which will be held at the Angelika Film Center, in Mockingbird Station through August 11. You can register online here. And if you're into video, but not quite ready to submit your opus, get involved with the VAD — they have lots of activities and info that might get you ready in time for next year's festival.

Free admission to Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture Center all weekend

Yes, that's right — and they're air-conditioned, too, so all the better. The DMA and the Nasher, which normally charge adult admission prices of $10, are opening their doors from 6-10 p.m. tonight and all day Saturday and Sunday to anyone who wants to visit, free of charge. It's part of the Dallas City Arts Celebration, which lasts all weekend long and includes outdoor concerts, dance performances and culinary showcases in the Dallas Arts District (not air-conditioned, but still lots of fun).

On top of free admission, the DMA is offering half-price tickets to its newest exhibition, "Making It New: The Art and Style of Sara and Gerald Murphy". Since only seven Gerald Murphy paintings are known to exist (each, including the one above, is part of the exhibit, two in the DMA's permanent collection), the exhibit is mostly a history of the Murphys' lives, which I found fascinating. Display cases are full of memorabilia from their interactions with well-known artists and thinkers from the 1920s and '30s, such as Gerald Murphy's Yale University classmate Cole Porter, with whom he collaborated on a breakout American jazz ballet, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose family was part of the Murphys' social circle during their time as expatriates living on the French Riviera.   

My favorite part of the exhibit, however, had to be the newspaper clippings with witty captions sent from caustic American poet, Dorothy Parker.

Dallas Arts District detailed; lots is going on there, but most is pretty high-dollar

I have to admit I've never quite grasped the entire downtown arts district vision; in the abstract, it sounded like a good idea, but despite looking at some of the generic site plans over the years, the whole thing just never clicked with me. But the Morning News has an outstanding package of information (two pages' worth) in Sunday's paper, complete with architectural critiques of the new buildings, a site plan identifying each building, and commentary describing what's being built and what probably should have been added to the plan. Overall, the arts district — according to the way I read the DMN package — is shaping up to be a pretty-to-look-at but a little pricey-to-enjoin area of downtown. Lots of arts opportunities (clearly, if you have an artistic kid, you should be looking at the brand new $55 million Booker T. Washington arts magnet school, given its proximity to everything down there), a few retail opportunities (with lots more needed) and some downtown condo/high-rise housing, if you happen to be packing upwards of $500,000 to $1 million and more in your housing budget. What's missing, according to the News, is more "middle-income" (which would probably be defined as $250,000-type stuff, in this setting), an actual DART stop closer to the district, and a more well-rounded shopping experience. But hey, given what's been in that area between Ross and Woodall Rogers for as long as I've been in town, it's a great step forward, with more to come.

'The Drowsy Chaperone' leads me to Gilbert Blythe

Last night my sister and I took our husbands to the Dallas Summer Musicals performance of "The Drowsy Chaperone", which we saw on Broadway two years ago with the original cast. Our first time to watch the show, we didn't really know what to think during the first act, but by the time we reached the second act, tears were rolling down our cheeks from laughing so hard. We finally figured out that it's a musical for people who both love musicals and can appreciate all the quirks of the classics.

We decided to see it again when the national tour came through town at Music Hall at Fair Park, and bought tickets a few months ago. I honestly hadn't looked into it to see if the touring cast was as good as the original, mostly because I didn't want to go in with any preconceived notions, but it turns out that this cast has gotten rave reviews, including here locally.

Of course, I didn't read any of this before I sat down in the theater last night, so when I opened my Playbill to look over the cast list, my eyes popped when I read the name of the person playing the lead role — Jonathan Crombie.

Last night my sister and I took our husbands to the Dallas Summer Musicals performance of "The Drowsy Chaperone", which we saw on Broadway two years ago with the original cast. Our first time to watch the show, we didn't really know what to think during the first act, but by the time we reached the second act, tears were rolling down our cheeks from laughing so hard. We finally figured out that it's a musical for people who both love musicals and can appreciate all the quirks of the classics.

We decided to see it again when the national tour came through town at Music Hall at Fair Park, and bought tickets a few months ago. I honestly hadn't looked into it to see if the touring cast was as good as the original, mostly because I didn't want to go in with any preconceived notions, but it turns out that this cast has gotten rave reviews, including here locally.

Of course, I didn't read any of this before I sat down in the theater last night, so when I opened my Playbill to look over the cast list, my eyes popped when I read the name of the person playing the lead role — Jonathan Crombie.

Pee Wee Picasso studio opening this week

If you've picked up a current copy of the Far North Dallas Advocate (which I certainly hope you have), then you've seen our Snaps photo essay featuring Pee Wee Picasso. If you've got kids, you've likely already heard about this neighborhood art program for kids. In fact, you might have first read about it in our magazine last year.
Art classes used to meet over at the Fretz Park Recreation Center, but all that's about to change now.
Far North Dallas neighbor and owner of Pee Wee Picasso Courtney Milburn has just bought a new studio in the Shops at Spanish Village. It will be right there off off Coit and Arapaho (right behind Chuck's, next to Durango's).
She's hosting a big grand opening party this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free food, music, and art activities for the kids. If you're out and about in the neighborhood, swing by and check out the new space.

Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend

I was driving down Belt Line today when I spotted those unmistakable little white tents that always sprout up this time of year at Cottonwood Park. Ah yes, that can only mean one thing: it's time for our neighborhood's annual Cottonwood Arts Festival.
You can get the full scoop on on this year's event in the current Far North Dallas Advocate. We're supposed to have a glorious weekend (sunny and warm), so make sure you swing by the free festival. I know I'll be there. You'll likely find me parked out by the funnel cake stand.

North Dallas Studio Tour this weekend

If you're looking for something fun and free to do in the neighborhood this weekend, check out the North Dallas Studio Tour. It's our neighborhood's biggest and longest-running studio tour, plus it's a great way to discover some artists in your community. You can get the full scoop in this month's Far North Dallas Advocate, or on the event's website.

SPCA poster contest now taking submissions

Think your kid could be the next Picasso? Well, if you've got a truly artsy tyke, listen up: The SPCA's "Be Kind to Animals Week" is coming up (May 4–10). In celebration of that, the SPCA folks are having a poster contest for kids age 8 through 12. The posters must have an animal theme, and they must be turned in no later than Wednesday, April 30.
If you'd like to enter your child's art submission, check the SPCA website to find out where you can drop it off or mail it. All winning entries will be publicly displayed at various shelter locations during the "Be Kind to Animals Week." There's also going to be several free activities for kids that week. If you'd like to sign your kids up for the free activities, just contact Jason Firebaugh, or call 214.461.1811.