Articles for May, 2011
Dirk Nowitzki Makes a Child Cry
Tim doesn’t think this is real. Something about the kid being too close to the bench, and his hips look funny, and Tim fancying himself (could just end there) as some sort of Photoshop expert. Like, “WAIT — the shadows don’t match.” We already have a Photoshop expert around here, sir, and I don’t see you wearing a vest, so it’s obviously not you. Anyway, that clip comes via the great J.E. Skeets of The Basketball Jones. GO MAVS.
Tony Romo and Chace Crawford Hide From Tornadoes in the Bowels of Winspear Opera House
As Bethany noted, last night’s storms caused a little havoc at the Rock of Ages show at the Winspear Opera House. What you didn’t know is that the need to take refuge from the weather brought together the rare confluence of A, B, and C list celebrities that you see above.
Here’s how it was described by the PR rep who passed along the photo:
While taking shelter from Tuesday night’s tornados backstage at the Winspear Opera House, ROCK OF AGES star Constantine Maroulis, got a visit from the Romo/Crawford clan gathered in town for this weekend’s nuptuals. Pictured from left are Chace Crawford (brother of the bride), Maroulis, and Tony Romo. Also spotted backstage were bride-to-be Candice Crawford and her parents. ROCK OF AGES plays the AT&T PAC thru Sunday.
Heinbaugh Leaving City Hall for AT&T PAC
Must be a good day for new beginnings. Chris Heinbaugh, who’s been at Dallas City Hall for nearly four years, says he’s been tapped to become director of external affairs at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, starting June 9. The PAC also recently named Mark Weinstein its new president and CEO, effective next Wednesday.
In his new position Heinbaugh will oversee the PAC’s governmental relations, “institutional” media (in other words he’ll be publicizing the center itself, not specific shows) and community outreach. A reporter for seven years at WFAA-TV (Channel 8), Heinbaugh left there to become Mayor Tom Leppert’s chief of staff, then stayed on as a media and policy adviser to Mayor Dwaine Caraway.
Things To Do in Dallas Tonight: May 25
The thing to do tonight is not hide in your closet/bath tub/basement/apocalyptic bomb shelter. Meanwhile, I have a crick in my neck from falling asleep cuddled up with my shoe collection.
Right, so, a survival celebration might be in order. If you find yourself in Lower Greenville, you have plenty of options, the first being The Grape’s come-as-you-are wine dinner. I like the restaurant for nostalgic reasons (my first fancy dinner date ever), but it’d be nice to enjoy the food here in a more casual fashion. You get three courses paired with French wines (a white, a red, and a sweet, fortified red blend) for $45, which is not a bad deal. If you prefer hops to grapes, Libertine Bar is doing their own dinner in honor of dearly departed American Craft Beer Week. I’m trying not to make bad A Christmas Carol jokes about the ghost of pilsners past, but there I go. You can still get reservations for both dinners.
And since it’s still only Wednesday, find comfort in the knowledge that there’s an office more hellacious than yours. Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5: The Musical is on at the Music Hall in Fair Park. The film is farcical genius (three female employees “accidentally” kidnap their obnoxious boss), so I’m interested to see how this touring production holds up without the car scenes. Interestingly, the theater scene feels a little bit like an American Idol reunion right now. Constantine Maroulis is holding court in Rock of Ages, and season three runner up Diana DeGarmo is playing Parton’s roll in 9 to 5.
For more things to do with your storm-free evening, go here.
Last Night’s Severe Weather Causes Wee Problem for PAC Goers
Last night, several hundred people went to AT&T’s Performing Arts Center to see “Rock of Ages,” which I heard is good if you like American Idol and Journey. I kid. I hear it is good. Period. But especially if you like American Idol and Journey.
Anyway, the PAC is all glass, right? When word came that giant hail and big wind and possibly tornadoes were swirling around out there, building management apparently put the lockdown on the place, not letting anyone leave the auditorium for fear they would be sliced and diced, presumably, by theoretical flying glass.
A theater-going FrontBurnervian describes the scene thusly: (more…)
Leading Off (5/25/11)
Storms Blow Through North Texas. I followed most of it online, because my TV kept losing signal, or my house kept losing power, or Channel 8 kept refusing to leave Dancing With the Stars. More wrap-up here.
County Commissioners Threaten to Dismantle Constable’s Office. I don’t have much to add to this, but I think commenter Ben Edmondson said it best when he wrote, “THEY WANT TO DO THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION TO STALL THE PROCESS AND NOT GET FIRED, A PEACE OFFICER IS SUPPOST TO FOLLOW ALL LAWS AND CARRY THEM OUT THAT IS THEIR JOB AND NOT LIE AND SAY THEY SERVED THE WARRANTS IN THE LATEST SCANDEL THAT IS GOING ON, ONLY REASON THAT THEY DID IS SO THEY COULD KEEP THEIR JOBS AND NOT GET FIRED, THEY ARE SUPPOST TO SET AN EXAMPLE TOWARDS THE TAX PAYERS AND THE COMMUNITY, AND IF THEY BREAK THE LAW THEY SHOULD PAY THE PRICE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER PERSON IS TREATED.” I mean, right?
Josh Hamilton Makes All Rangers Fans Crazy Nervous. He keeps sliding headfirst, even though that’s how he got injured the first time. But, you know, whatever. [Ron Washington catch phrase goes here.]
When Tornadoes Touch Down Everywhere …
… and sirens are going off and other meteorologists at other stations are using words like “safe place,” “seek shelter” and “get off the road,” it’s nice to see that WFAA has its priorities straight, and gives Dallas what it really needs: Dancing with the Stars.
At this point, tornadoes may have touched down near 75 and Mockingbird. Funnel clouds were sighted (or rotation, at least) in the Park Cities. Storm systems that produced giantish hail are headed toward the Ballpark in Arlington, where thousands of fans sit, waiting for a rain delay to end. And yet, Dancing with the Stars is what WFAA saw fit to air.
I have an e-mail out to the station now, but don’t expect an answer until tomorrow, if at all. But given that Pete Delkus and crew seem to live for this kind of stuff, going so far as to send a member to Joplin, Mo., this week, not following storms that are actually, you know, local, seems weird.
An Allegedly Particularly Fearsome Tornado Threat Heads This Way
In the next couple of hours or so, the giant red, yellow blue, green and orange globs you see will be heading to the area, which has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Tornado Watch for the area. But not just any watch – this one has been given the PDS distinction – Particularly Dangerous Situation. You can read more about it here, here, and here.
So far, the gauge I use to determine how bad it really is hasn’t been on screen – Pete Delkus’ shirtsleeves status is still a mystery, and Oprah is on. So either it’s not that bad yet, or Oprah is way more powerful than Forbes lets on. But just the same, I would load the bathtub up with creamed corn and tuna, get your mattress and protective headgear ready, and maybe put on some nice clothes so when Anderson Cooper gets here later you look good on TV.
In all seriousness, though, as we’ve learned from the horrific damage and death toll from the Joplin and Tuscaloosa tornadoes, they don’t just hit the rural areas. And since this thing is looking like it might just hit while all of you are coming home, drive safely. Don’t make me call roll tomorrow morning.
ESPN Profiles Man Behind Scoops Callahan
For those of us who have been pretty much glued to our TVs for the past few weeks because of the Mavs playoff run, we remember vanquished Lakers coach Phil Jackson ending his storied career with a press conference after game 4 of the series, where BaD Radio producer Tom Gribble’s alter ego, Scoops Callahan, got the last question in.
Some found it hilarious. Some had the vapors and moaned about the demise of journalism. And then writer Kevin Duffy profiled Gribble for ESPN – and you should read it.
Things To Do in Dallas Tonight: May 24
I kind of love falling asleep before a Mavs game is over and waking up to either mad excitement or debilitating depression. It starts the day with a little bit of mystery.
And now for something right up my nerd alley: Tod Machover, composer of the new sci-fi/robot opera Death and the Powers, is explaining his work at the Winspear tonight as part of the Dallas Opera’s new conversation series. I like this for two reasons, the first being typically ridiculous. Has anyone seen the TV show Party Down? If not, you should, but that’s not the point. One of the characters, Roman DeBeers, is a huge sci-fi fan, and his frequent rants on the subject are unforgettably awesome. Machover’s first composition, way back in 1987, was an adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s Valis. In my head, I’ve decided that he’s kind of like a real-life Roman.
The second reason is because to say that opera is often a dense and difficult medium is being kind. The last one I saw was more than two years ago— Gogol’s The Nose at Lincoln Center. And yes, I did find the person running around the stage wearing a giant nose costume way more entertaining than the actual piece. Thanks for asking. But one big reason I didn’t enjoy The Nose is because my background knowledge was severely lacking. The opportunity to hear a composer put his own work into context would be an incredible aid in understanding, especially for something as experimental as Machover’s Death and the Powers. The event is free, seats are still available, and registration is required but easy.
Circling back around to mysteries. Why anyone would dedicate an entire day to snails is beyond me. But apparently, someone did and it’s today. Mignon is offering a chance to try the French delicacy for ten bucks. The way the restaurant prepares the dish (stuffed in puff pastry, covered in a meaty veal sauce) sounds like the easiest way to eat escargot without any unpleasant sliminess. Or actually tasting them. If you’re out and about in Plano tonight, why not? The patio is nice for drinks if it’s not too sticky out and/or pouring rain.
And finally, FrontRow is giving away free tickets to AT&T PAC’s production of Billy Elliot next month. Go throw your hat in the ring (bonus points if you get the reference). For more things to do this evening, go here.
Family of Champion Surfer Andy Irons Still Waiting for Answers
Last November, champion surfer Andy Irons was found dead in his hotel room near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. While it was rumored to be a methadone overdose, at the time the family said it could be the result of dengue fever.
His widow, Lyndsie Irons, argued for and received a temporary injunction delaying the release of the autopsy back in December. That injuction was due to to expire last week, but the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that a Dallas attorney, Arch McColl III, filed for an extension of that delay, which was granted.
The only problem, the story reveals, is that the family says is actually ready to find out whatever is in that report, and they don’t know why this attorney acted on their behalf.
How You Can Win Tickets to ‘Billy Elliot’
The hit musical lands at the Winspear on June 8, and you can be there. We’re giving away free tickets over on FrontRow.
Flying Qantas to Australia from D/FW? Your Checked Bags Might Not Arrive With You
The Australian Business Traveller reports that Qantas, which just launched direct flights between Dallas-Fort Worth and the land of Oz, intentionally left three containers of luggage off a full plane to Brisbane because of concerns over fuel consumption.
Apparently Sydney to Dallas is the longest 747 route in the world, and the aircraft Qantas was using had just enough fuel to get back to Brisbane on the return flight. The airline says it was especially strong winds that day that necessitated the move.
Passengers got their bags 24 hours later.
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