D

Kenyan Rides the Bull

While working on putting together the print issue, we’ve come across a rather unexpected photo: a man riding the mechanical bull in traditional African clothing. When I looked up the gentleman’s name, I discovered he’s from Kenya and a member of the Samburu tribe. He and his friend are traveling through America with producers from National Geographic. They’re working on a show titled “Two Kenyan Guys.”

Not only did the gentlemen apparently enjoy a rather interesting evening at Cattle Baron’s, but they also went to an SMU football practice, learned to line dance at Billy Bob’s, and visited a “fainting goat” farm in Bowie. I’m not sure these choices are the best representation of Dallas. I like picturing them at the Cattle Baron’s Ball, but I think a Cowboys game would have been exciting. I also wonder where they went for dinner. Their diet consists of beef, blood, and milk.

Check an upcoming issue of D for the picture of the man. He seems to be having a great time.

What You Missed Last Night: Two by Two First Look

If you didn’t go to last night’s Two by Two First Look Party, benefiting amfAR and the Dallas Museum of Art, here’s what you missed. Hint: Gavin Rossdale sang (meow), Christian Siriano showed off his Spring 2010 collection (fierce), and lots of people partied (natch). If you’d like to go to the Two by Two gala on Saturday night, good for you. Get more info here.

D Magazine Lands Widower in Court for Necking

Apparently our humble publication is responsible for getting a man crosswise with the law. And it involves making out in a public park. After the jump, one of the best e-mails I’ve gotten in a while (name withheld to protect the relatively innocent):

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Newt Gingrich Doesn’t Want to Party With Topless Bar Owner After All

You can read the full release after the jump. In September, Newt Gingrich’s outfit Americans Solutions for Winning the Future gave Dawn Rizos, owner of the Lodge, an “Entrepreneur of the Year” award for all of Texas and invited her to a private dinner in Washington — which was apparently a mistake. Rizos even called to confirm the award, and she paid a requested $5,000 to join Americans Solutions for Winning the Future. Then someone in Gingrich’s camp realized what they’d done. Oops.

Here’s the letter telling her about the award, and here’s another confirming that she ponied up the cash. I know Dawn Rizos. I bet she’s having a good laugh over this.

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Cowboys Fans Celebrate Win With a Bang (NSFW)

… in the “Hall of Fame Level” bathrooms at the brand new broken in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. No joke. Two fans clad in Michael Irvin throwback jerseys decided that all the excitement of a thoroughly lackluster win by Romo and the Boys could only be sated by a quickie in one of Jerry’s marble-tiled handicap bathroom stalls.

This definitely NSFW link will take you to the Deadspin post that includes video of the pair drunkenly going at it. The video is very short, but in IMHO the dude was over served and lacking in the imagination department. Is it wrong that I hear Brad Sham’s voice saying, “Irvin loves Irving Irvin,” every time I watch it?

Also, check out photographer Eliot Boney’s website. He’s the guy with the apropos name taking credit for the masterful camera work. No word yet on who the two Irvin wannabees are. My question: Where was security while this was going on?

Comments are on like Donkey Kong. Who’s got the best Chris Berman play-by-play?

A Tardy Recap of the Bridging the Trinity Party

I know, I know. I’m way late with this. But on Friday there was this party on the Continental Bridge. If you want a real, honest to goodness recap of the night’s proceedings, I suggest you read John P. Meyer’s well-written account. Thing is, I took photos. They’re only iPhone shots. Nothing special. But I feel compelled to share them, if for no other reason than sharing them allows me to delete them from my phone. So a few observations and pics after the jump.

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Party Over the Trinity on Friday

This Friday evening, the Trinity Trust Foundation is throwing what it’s calling a “bridge fair” on the Continental Bridge to celebrate the progress being made on the Marget Hunt Hill Bridge (full release after the jump). Santiago Calatrava will be in attendance. The band Boys Named Sue will play, and the foundation promises other “delectable delights.” Tickets cost $150, a price point established, I believe, to keep Jim Schutze from attending. D Magazine is a media sponsor, so I’ll be there. Look for me wherever the delectable delights are located.

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Where You Should Be Tonight: D Reading Room at Legacy Books

We’re having a cocktail-y thing at Legacy Books tonight from 6 to 8. It’s part of our Reading Room series. Tonight, you get free cheese, wine, and Laura Kostelny, who will be on hand to discuss the last D Reading Room selection, Wonderful World, and unveil the next selection, Evidence-Based Practice of Cognitive-Behavorial Therapy, by Deborah Dobson. I hear the first 400 pages are hard to get through, but after that it’s a real page-turner!

What To Do in Dallas This Labor Day Weekend

Staying in town? Looking for something to do? Never fear. Our girls-about-town Kyle Kearbey and Sarah Eveans did the legwork for you.

Who’s the Guy in the Picture With Fun-Time Dirk?

You remember these classic pictures of Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash after perhaps a few too many beers? Did we ever learn who the grinning guy in the ball cap was? If you know, hit me up directly.

Local Journalists to Drink Drinks at Bryan Street Tavern, Ctd.

Having just returned from the Press Club confab at Bryan Street Tavern, I have information that you may or may not find useful. First, there seems to be some question as to whether the Press Club will continue its monthly happy hours, as I stated earlier. One PC official told me that the board hadn’t yet met and that no decision has been made. Another PC official said, “We couldn’t exist without happy hours.” So we shall see.

Second, the Bryan Street Tavern is worth a visit. That’s a solid bar. Capacious without feeling cavernous. Pool tables, a comfy couch area, board games aplenty. (I played backgammon and won $1 from my son, whose “workday tag-along with Dad” ended poorly for him.) Also, fans of former Old Monk waitress Hillary, she of the curly locks (and I count myself among that group), will be happy to learn that she is plying her trade at Bryan Street. Next time you’re looking to explore a new watering hole, check it out.

Josh Hamilton’s Wife Takes On DMN Commenter Over Drunk Photos

At about 10:22 p.m. Sunday night Katie Hamilton started commenting on this post on the The Dallas Morning News’ Rangers blog. From the the handles used in the comments section it appears that Mrs. Hamilton not only defended her husband but traded some civilized barbs with a commenter named “JJ.” Richard Durrett of DMN writes that they verified the identity of Mrs. Hamilton.  All in all it lasted until about 12:40 a.m. Monday.

Here’s an excerpt from the DMN post that summarizes the debate:

I thought I would share some of my own thoughts and feelings on the subject- as you can imagine, I have a few things to say. First of all, thank you so much to those who have a forgiving spirit and for praying for and supporting our family during this whole ordeal. I honestly appreciate it and I’m very thankful to you all. Secondly, to all those who “just can’t forgive” Josh for this one night- I have a question for you: Why is it that I (his wife- the one whom he hurt the most, by far through this) can forgive him, but you can’t?

Tim Cowlishaw Fesses to Fracturing His Skull While on a Binge

Great column by Tim Cowlishaw today that warrants a few minutes of your time. It’s about Josh Hamilton. But it’s also about Tim Cowlishaw. The crux:

I watched the Cowboys lose to the Eagles, 44-6, last December from my room at Parkland Hospital after suffering a fractured skull of undetermined origin. When Josh says he’s foggy on the details of his drinking in Arizona, I’m right there with him in the fog. How I got into an ambulance to go to Parkland will remain one of my life’s little mysteries.

It takes guts to put it out there. Kudos to Cowlishaw.

This brings up a side question in my mind. Maybe this doesn’t apply so to Cowlishaw, who, even though he has his picture in the paper every week, must enjoy a certain amount of anonymity, but it certainly applies to Josh Hamilton. Hamilton is an easily recognizable fellow. What bartender or waiter serves him a drink? Okay, let’s say the guy decides to rip a few lines of coke. A dealer is going to deal. Drugs are illegal. You wouldn’t expect a dealer to have a huge conscience. But how does Josh Hamilton get served in a Tempe, Arizona, bar? Who does that to him?

Eric, Here’s The Link To Best Jukeboxes In Dallas

The jukebox at the Elbow Room.

Do I have to do everything myself? I guess so. For future reference, here’s how you do it. Step one, go to www.dmagazine.com. Step two, type “best jukebox” into the search field. Step three, hit go. Step four, click on the first search result you see. As always, I’m happy to help.

Elbow Room Clearly The Best Place To Go For Docs

There is a press club event at the Elbow Room this eve. And we’d just like to point out that, if you’re young and you wear scrubs (or know someone who does) and you like great jukeboxes [note to web team: please insert link to our great jukebox story here], this is the bar for you. Side note: new name for the racehorse owned by Zac Crain and myself: Six Ponytailed Nurses.

Where the Girls Were: At the 2009 Hair Color & Swimwear Preview at NYLO

Out of modesty, I won’t tell you which one of these women is me. But should you enjoy looking at hot chicks in bikinis–I mean, who doesn’t–then check out these party pics from last week’s 2009 Hair Color & Swimwear Preview, sponsored by D Beauty, at NYLO Plano. I would tell you what the party was about–showcasing summer hair trends by Blaine’s Color and swimwear looks from Everything But Water–but I suspect you’ve already clicked through to the photo gallery.

Warriors of the Discotheque Brings Starck Club Back to Life — And So Will Another Documentary

Tonight at the Angelika Film Center, as part of the USA Film Festival, Joe Alexandre and David McDonald premiere their 19-minute documentary-in-progress about the now-defunct Starck Club, Warriors of the Discotheque. Good timing, since the 25th anniversary of the club’s opening is on May 12.

But it’s not all good news for Alexandre and McDonald (a former waiter at the club): Blake Woodall, Starck’s founder and owner, has announced he is teaming up with Michael Cain to produce his own film about the club. Cain, AFI Dallas’ artistic director and the man behind the award-winning doc TV Junkie, is taking a year-long sabbaticala little time off (see update) to make it happen. From this, though, there sounds like enough material to fill at least two films. I guess we’ll see.

UPDATE: From Mr. Cain: “I am only taking off a few months during the summer and then will oversee the film while still serving on the Executive Board of the Dallas Film Society. I will return to my Artistic Director of the festival in late summer.” From me: Thanks a ton, Peppard.

See Paris Hilton Making Out In Public

I know, I know. You’re above that. So don’t click here to see pics taken at Aura last night.

Re: Pics From Last Night’s AFI Gig

I’ve got better pics of Adrien Brody at last night’s event over here.

Look Over Here! More AFI Goodness!

See how much fun everyone had last night at the AFI Film Festival? Don’t you want to take part? Check out Peter Simek’s feature on  “Eight Movies You Must See,” at this year’s fest. Also, click here for a few photos of the opening gala that do not include D staffers, courtesy of photog Matt Shelley.

Pics From Last Night’s AFI Gig

First, you’ll want to start with Councilwoman Angela Hunt’s Flickr page. The councilwoman was eager last night to meet Spider Monkey. And meet her she did. The other pic you’ll enjoy is the one of Big Bob Wilonsky and Zac Crain trying to give Councilwoman Hunt cancer. Next, you’ll want to jump to see the woman last night who wore the see-through dress.

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Get Your AFI Tweets

The AFI Dallas International Film Festival opens tonight with a screening of The Brothers Bloom at NorthPark. The evening begins around 6:30 with some red carpet hooha, and there’s a party after the movie. Sarah Eveans and Stephanie Quadri will be in attendance. So will yours truly and Eric Celeste, the latter no doubt clad in French cuffs. So what about you? Staying home because you’ve got March madness? Well, why not follow some Twittering about the event? Here are some feeds you might enjoy (Michael Cain and John Wildman, in particular). You can also follow me and Eric. I’m sure once we’ve plied each other with cocktails, the tweets will be of the high quality you’ve come to expect from us.

Billy Bob’s and Purgatory Make Top 100 Clubs In US

A couple of surprising things: One, that there’s a publication called Nightclub & Bar Magazine. Two, that it has yet to reproduce its Top 100 Nightclubs in the U.S. issue online. (Thankfully, someone did.) Three, that Dallas’ Purgatory made it in the top 25 (it’s no. 23). Four, that Billy Bob’s didn’t crack the top 10 (it’s no. 14). (h/t Preston Jones)

Anybody Got a High-End Strip Joint I Can Manage?

Michael Precker gets a nod in today’s WSJ, in a story about the dangers of identifying yourself too strongly with your profession. Precker, as many around these parts know, was a reporter and editor at the DMN until 2006, when he took a buyout. Now he manages the Lodge, which as many around these parts also know, is a high-end strip joint. And I see that on Valentine’s Day weekend, the Lodge will host Tiny Tina. At 3-foot-5, she’s billed as the world’s tiniest dancer. Kudos to you, Mr. Precker. We shall have our singles folded lengthwise and at the ready.

N9NE Closes: Is Dining in Victory Park Dead?

Mario Batali was in Dallas a few months ago. SideDish asked him if he planned to open a restaurant in Dallas. I don’t have the exact quote in front of me, but his message was clear. He said Dallas has a reputation for “spanking” out-of-town restaurants that open locations in Big D. He intimated that Dallas was a mean restaurant town and we didn’t like big dogs coming in from larger markets and doing business here.

I’m sure the folks at N9NE, Bice, Il Mulino, Nove, and countless others agree with him.
The downside of our bravado is that the whole Dallas dining scene gets a bad rap. Our super star chefs have a tough time winning national awards. Why? Because the judging panels are filled with folks from New York, L.A., and Las Vegas.

The death of N9NE brings up a lot of emotion. It hurts to see any restaurant fail, but N9NE, in particular, was doomed from the start. Rumors of its closing started the day it opened. I spent most of my time yesterday on the phone talking with restaurant folks. Most were saddened and scared by the high-profile loss. The comments below yesterday’s post on N9NE’s demise ranged from happy to helpful. One wrote:

The solution is so easy: beer. People want to drink and hang out down there. Screw these restaurants and stores. I don’t want a $60 steak dinner or a new pair of jeans before a Mavs game. I want beer. And lots of it. Put in bars. Fun bars. Sports bars. Casual bars.

That remark reminded me of this article that ran last spring in the Dallas Business Journal. Nobody deep in the corporate hills and woods will go on the record, but I understand that there are “perhaps five” less expensive, locally owned restaurants either under or readying for construction at the south end of Victory Park. Perhaps there will be plenty of beer, and bars, and cheeseburgers. And pedestrians. I see a little light.  I just can’t tell if it’s Millers or Coors.