Wednesday, 09/21
covers of Lucia by the sea by Elizabeth Strout.
Courtesy of Penguin Random House
Arts & Letters Live: Elizabeth Strout at the Dallas Museum of Art
The name Elizabeth Strout should be as familiar as her best-selling title characters Amy and Isabelle or Olive Kitteridge … or Lucy Barton. And speaking of Lucy, Strout brought her back. On the side and to Dallas. The Dallas Museum of Art (1717 N. Harwood St.) welcomes Strout to an Arts & Letters Live event on Wednesday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. The author will speak with Lois Kim of the Texas Book Festival about her protagonist’s journey through the earliest days of the pandemic in her new novel Lucy by the sea. The event is offered in person and virtually, so ticket prices vary. Due to COVID there will be no signing, but books purchased through the event will be pre-signed by the author. Shop your preferred option and learn more online.
Thursday, 09/22
HEB | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival with Plano Symphony at Oak Point Park
The balloons are ready to take off! Balloons in Plano and Collin County have been filled with hot air for 41 years, and this year’s four-day Plano Balloon Festival opens at 5 p.m. Thursday at Oak Point Park (2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway). From 6 p.m. the balloons will be inflated on the field, at 7 p.m. the Plano Symphony Orchestra will spoil the families with exciting music from films such as war of stars and Pirates of the Caribbean. The evening culminates just after sunset with a balloon flight not to be missed. Can’t make it on Thursday? Hit the scene on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children, and are available online or at the event — where entry and everything else is cashless.
Let yourself be lit up at the Plano Balloon Festival.
Courtesy of the Plano Symphony Orchestra
LaToya Watkins at Interabang Books
It’s not hard to get excited about an author’s debut novel when it’s from someone who’s been published in books like this McSweeney’s, Kenyon review, The Pushcart Awards Anthology and other. Texas LaToya Watkins celebrates her novel Die at Interabang Books (5600 W. Lovers Lane) at 6pm Thursday 22 September. The book tells the story of a black family as we learn about Helen Jean and her Turner clan over decades, with all the generational trauma and internal debates about forgiveness, personal challenges and secrets that come to light when grief is on the table . Watkins is seated talking to Lori Feathers. The event is free; Books can be purchased on the website.
Friday, 09/23
That OVO Insects are fascinating creatures.
Randy Cremen
Cirque du Soleil OVO at the Dickies Arena
Cirque du Soleil’s 25th production celebrates the fascinating lives of insects and the egg that is the origin of their lives and so many others. OVO (if you guessed that the Portuguese is for “egg” you’re right) features a mix of language and an international cast that dazzles while building an engaging ecosystem of music, acrobatics, lively theatrics and captivating story. Dive into the cycle of life when the show hatches Thursday through Sunday at Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth). Showtimes vary and tickets start at $58. Find out more on the Dickies Arena website.
Saturday, 09/24
Art Market on the Boardwalk in Granite Park
The Boardwalk at Granite Park is hosting its annual arts market on Saturday, September 24, and Plano’s little dining oasis, Granite Park, is expanding its horizons to offer even more cultural opportunities. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Boardwalk (5880 State Highway 121) will be presenting the art market along with FGIII Fine Art Productions and Jackson the Brand. The family-friendly event allows 30 artists, makers and creatives to shop and watch at work. Shop local… and eat while you’re there. More information on Facebook.
Learn to make pizza the Partenope way.
Alison McLean
Pizza baking course at the Partenope Ristorante
We have a theory. We haven’t gotten into the dough maker scene during the pandemic, but we do see the appeal of carbs. However, thanks to our cats, we can see how super relaxing the action can be — especially when it ends with something as delicious as Neapolitan pizza. The Partenope Ristorante (1903 Main St.) doesn’t care what your reason is, and Dino Santonicola and all the folks in the coveted downtown area are offering an hour-long dive into the world of dough on Saturday, September 24 at 2 p.m. It costs $75 per person and is very limited. So don’t worry if you don’t get a reservation. There are other courses on October 1st and 8th. Book on Resy.
Sunday, 09/25
Number 41 raises funds on a different type of dish.
Courtesy of Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic
Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic at SMU Tennis Complex
He’s the man, the myth, the legend. he is dirk And he’s Dallas’ giant beacon of greatness. The best thing about Dirk is that he continues to be great even after he retired from being great. The Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic at 11 am Sunday, September 25 at the SMU Tennis Complex (5555 N. Central Expressway) is a perfect example. The fifth annual Pro-Am competition welcomes the other big D’s plus Andy Roddick, Boris Kodjoe, Mardy Fish, some locals named Luka (KIDDING: We love you!) and others for a fun day dedicated to children’s education and wellbeing via Dirk Nowitzki benefits the foundation. Tickets are $41 (of course) through SMU.
These queens were the stars of 2019. Who will be crowned Miss LifeWalk 2022?
Prism Health North Texas
Miss LifeWalk Pageant in the Rose Room of Ward 4
Do you know Miss LifeWalk? You’re in. At least when you go to the official closing ceremony of the Summer of LifeWalk benefiting Prism Health North Texas and the Queen’s coronation. You’ll learn who the top fundraisers are, and then the pageant will feature incredible drag performances with impassioned testimonies about why Miss LifeWalk candidates are committed to ending HIV. Tickets cost $20 to $30 and are available online. The 17th Miss LifeWalk pageant hosts include Heather Thomas, Miss LifeWalk 2012 and Bea Dazzle, Miss Lifewalk 2018. Judges tasked with the difficult task of determining the Miss LifeWalk 2022 winner are Linze Serell, Layla Larue, Lotta Pink , Eric Saldana and Part-Time Justin, hosts of The Kidd Kraddick Show.
Monday, 09/26
Pumpkin nights at Howell Farms
Release the bats! It’s not even October yet, but Halloween lovers can commit early to pumpkin season. (Sorry, had to.) Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms has begun! Head to 4016 Division St. in Arlington for some not-too-scary lighted scenes that are sure to brighten up your social selfie game. The farm is open Wednesday through Monday from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Tickets cost $18 to $26 for adults and are available online.
