11/19/2009

Q&A with Kid Sister, who's playing this weekend's Meltdown
Q: Your handler said you have a crazy day ahead of you – what all is involved?

Up All Night at Lemon Bar
Back in October, the West Village said goodbye to what I believed to be a wonderful restaurant – Lazare. But I started to hear good buzz about its replacement, Lemon Bar, and gathered that the food was top-notch yet affordable.

A few words with comedian Bob Saget
There is the TV Bob Saget – star of the cornball family comedy Full House and the eternally chipper host of America's Funniest Home Videos in the late '80s and early '90s.

Fun With Lists: Thanksgiving-themed TV episodes we'd like to see

This week's top local-music shows

DJ profile: Tommyboy
Outside the Dallas DJ scene, Tommy Blackburn (a.k.a. Tommyboy) is probably best known for his unique style of video sampling. He pieces together old, often forgotten footage to create new narratives (see some of his work at arawa.fm).

Pinkberry opens in Preston Royal Village
The wait is over. Pinkberry – the buzzy frozen yogurt chain that's attracted devoted followers in New York and LA – has opened a shop in Dallas (5959 Royal Lane. 214-361-6617. pinkberry.com). At the store's Nov. 12 launch, guests noshed on yogurt in a multitude of flavors – the creamy and slightly tart original, pomegranate, coconut, chocolate, green tea and passionfruit – topped with any number of the dozens of fresh, sweet and crunchy add-ons available.

Gordon and the Whale's Screen Grabs: Cage's comeback and a teaser for 'Titans'
The founders of local movie Web site Gordon and the Whale discuss their latest cinematic obsessions.

11/12/2009

Talking touring, TV and spirituality with Regina Spektor
It's been nearly 10 years since Russian-born singer Regina Spektor began performing her intelligent piano pop in New York, her adoptive hometown. And with every album release, she's expanded her fan base and her musical horizons.

Up All Night at Thrive nightclub
Once upon a time, hotel bars had a reputation as charmless, dark holes blaring static-y Muzak and brimming with lonely travelers nursing their bourbon on the rocks. Thankfully, Dallas has set the bar high with its slew of fabulous hotel haunts (see: Dragonfly at Hotel Zaza, Library bar at the Warwick Melrose, Ghostbar and the Living Room at the W). New to the scene is Thrive, a dance club located inside the downtown Crowne Plaza hotel.

Fun With Lists: Teenage monsters we'd like to see in 'Twilight: New Moon'

This week's picks: Local music highlights from Nov. 12-18

Liner Notes: A brief preview of Norah Jones' new record
Dallas-raised singer Norah Jones will probably never get as much buzz and attention as she did in the months following her 2003 Grammy wins for new artist, record and album of the year (plus two more categories). And, knowing what we've read and heard about the Booker T. Washington grad, she probably doesn't long for the extra attention.

11/05/2009

The Crash That Took Me deepens its sound
The Crash That Took Me made a splash in the local scene with its 2007 debut album Orchestrated Kaleidoscopes. Frontman Dylan Silvers (formerly of DARYL) and his bandmates created a mix of dreamy vocal harmonies and bombastic arrangements, citing the color spectrum as their inspiration.

Up All Night at Deux
Two common threads among many luxurious nightclubs in Dallas: They don't have happy hour specials and they don't look quite so awesome in the daylight.

Fun With Horoscopes

Sure Shot: Catching up with rapper Chucky Sly
Dallas' Chucky Sly is one of the most respected lyricists on the scene. He built his name in the early '90s in the group Native Poet (which also featured Tahiti).

This week's local-music picks: Teenage Cool Kids, A Revolution of Kings

Liner Notes: Innovations from Forever the Sickest Kids and Damaged Good$
Forever the shrewdest kids?

Fun With Lists: Best NBA player nicknames

Sex Talk: Q&A with 'Loose Girl' author Kerry Cohen
Kerry Cohen is a self-proclaimed "loose girl." The 39-year-old writer and psychotherapist defines that as "a girl who needs male sexual attention to feel like she matters."

VIDEOFEST THIS WEEKEND
The Dallas Angelika will host hundreds of screenings from Thursday to Sunday during VideoFest (known in years past as the Dallas Video Festival).

Gordon and the Whale's Screen Grabs: More horror, and a prayer for 'Saints'
The founders of local movie Web site Gordon and the Whale discuss their latest cinematic obsessions.

Q&A with 'Untitled' actor Adam Goldberg
Adam Goldberg could be considered the Woody Allen of his generation, having brought neuroses to the screen with greater comedic effect than most other modern actors.

10/29/2009

Band profile: Q&A with Alan Palomo of Neon Indian and Vega
It's been a year of constant creation and success for Alan Palomo. The 21-year-old former Ghosthustler frontman, who now splits his non-touring time between Austin and Denton, moved on from his previous band to a couple of buzzed-about projects.

Q&A with John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants
Clever rock duo They Might Be Giants branched out to children's music back in 2002. It was a logical step, since the Giants' smart and infectiously fun style – think "Particle Man," "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" and "Doctor Worm" – could easily appeal to kids as much as adults.

Restaurants transform into late-night lounges
There are plenty of bars and lounges in Dallas where you can also get a bite. But a handful of new nightspots have upped the ante, with a bit of a Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde act. Upscale, full-service restaurants close the kitchen and transform into vibrant lounges where the grown and sexy congregate for hours of mixing, mingling and music. Here are five of the newer kids on the block.

Liner Notes: News on KXT radio station, Midlake
The excitement for the Nov. 9 launch of KERA's new sister music station KXT-FM (91.7) grew substantially this week as on-air talent and programming details were announced. Head to the new Web site kxt.org, where you can get a peek at the schedule of programs, as well as bios of the new local hosts for the station, Gini Mascorro and Joe Kozera .

Sports Chat With Zip Zippler and Calamity Dinkens

10/22/2009

50 things we love about Dallas nightlife
We picked our brains to find the best aspects of the local scene, be it a hotspot, a cocktail or a person who makes the scene that much more fun.

DJ profile: DJ G
Very few weekly parties have dominated Denton nightlife the way the Thursday night '80s party at Hailey's has. At times during the past five years, it seemed as though it was impossible to throw a conflicting event with any degree of success on a Thursday in Little D. Nobody would show up.

This week's local-music picks: Spooky Folk, Dovetail

Band profile: Q&A with Noah Bailey of the Naptime Shake
You've probably sampled Noah Bailey's takes on music and entertainment in the pages of the Dallas Observer. He serves as a calendar editor for the alt-weekly paper. But the 28-year-old Dallas native doesn't just write about music – he also creates it as the singer and principal songwriter for Dallas' the Naptime Shake.

Liner Notes: Local musician Pedigo gets behind the camera
Earlier this week, the Internet world got a look at the preview trailer from an upcoming documentary about Dallas' ultimate country party band, Speedtrucker . What some folks might not realize is that the director behind the documentary is none other than the O's and Boys Named Sue member John Pedigo .

Sex Talk: The art of the toy party
I've hosted two very different sex toy parties in my life. The first was in the depths of suburbia in Richmond, Va. I lived in a Stepford-like gated community, where all the women were pretty, all the children were smart and all the men were successful. At least that was the façade of it all. The truth was that many of the couples I met were unhappy in all sorts of ways, not the least of which was sexual.

Skin previews the Mavericks season
You'll see plenty of new faces when the Mavericks tip it up on Tuesday in their home opener against the Washington Wizards. The Mavs spent the offseason getting more athletic, adding more offensive punch and attempting to shore up their team defense.

Nerd Alert: 'Star Wars' concert and fan convention
This month's Nerd Alert is dedicated to one of the greatest intergalactic sagas of all time. No, not Ice Pirates.

10/15/2009

Fun With Lists: Fan taunts we'd like to see at the Texas-OU game

Up All Night at Geisha House
These days it seems like Dallas nightlife venues want to do it all. A lot of clubs have happy hours serving appetizers (two clubs in the area do an entire buffet), and more restaurants are putting in bars and lounges.

Sure Shot: Dem Southernfolkz talks new EP
Dallas hip-hop group Dem Southernfolkz puts together a compelling mix of soul and jazz influences on its latest EP, Something to Hold Onto.

This week's local-music picks: Paper Chase, Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights
Trey Johnson, Danny Balis, Ward Williams

Liner Notes: Daniel Folmer releases new album, 'Dead End'
Denton folk troubadour Daniel Folmer is beginning the fall with another new album, a follow-up to January's unexpectedly poppy collection The Roaring Twenties. This new set, Dead End, is a return to the lovelorn, lonesome sound for Folmer, and will be released with a show Saturday at J&J's in Denton.

The Sports Chat With Zip Zippler and Calamity Dinkens

Whittle while you work
When it comes to exercise, most of us are looking for a shortcut, a way to lose weight and firm up without spending endless hours in the gym.

10/08/2009

Band profile: Bowling for Soup is back with 'Sorry for Partyin''
Bowling for Soup's irreverent pop tunes gave the North Texas band an international following, more than a few silly music videos and even a Grammy nomination (for 2003's "Girl All the Bad Guys Want"). The foursome has enjoyed great highs since forming in 1994.

Up All Night at Liar's Den
You don't hear much live music anymore as you stroll down McKinney Avenue, thanks to a noise ordinance prohibiting outdoor performances after 9:30 p.m.

Fun With Lists: Things we'd like to see Oprah Winfrey do at the State Fair

Dunham & Miller talk the greatness of U2
As listeners of The Ticket's Dunham and Miller morning show know, there may be no bigger U2 fans in Dallas than George Dunham and Craig Miller.

DJ Profile: Sista Whitenoise
It's definitely refreshing to listen to a DJ who doesn't feel pressured to sandwich in that radio cut that will keep the dance floor alive. When it's simply about digging through the stacks and playing great tunes, the musical menu can be tasty.

This week's local-music picks: Creede Williams, Hormones

10/01/2009

Q&A with Dallas-raised soul singer N'Dambi
Erykah Badu isn't the only soul diva putting Dallas on the map. Locally raised singer N'Dambi, who's collaborated with Badu in the past, garnered acclaim for three of her own albums in the past decade. The fourth, Pink Elephant, will be released Tuesday, and is her first on the historic Memphis R&B label Stax Records.

Up All Night at Kismet Lounge
How many clubs can you name that were around in 2005 and are still around today?

The Sports Chat With Zip Zippler and Calamity Dinkens

Liner Notes: New DJ nights, Moving Atlas EP release
DJs are a vital part of the Dallas music scene, often pulling in crowds more consistently than live bands. So we're betting on success for a couple of new DJ nights debuting at Lower Greenville haunt the Cavern .

Fun With Horoscopes

College games converge
It's a heavy football weekend in D-FW, with three big college football games around the area. How big? Well, they all get official titles, which automatically makes them Very Important Games. Here's a look. Rob Clark

Is swinging their idea - or hers?

09/24/2009

State Fair: The main stage music acts
The fair's music schedule on the Chevrolet Main Stage includes a dreamy former American Idol contender, a blockbuster R&B girl group, a Texas country queen and much more. All are free with fair admission. Here's a look at the highlights.

Fun With Lists: Attractions we'd like to see at the State Fair of Texas

Up All Night at Sunset Lounge
In the fickle nightlife scene in Dallas, it's not unusual for a club or lounge to go belly-up as soon as the once-rabid crowds move on. So it's refreshing to know that Sunset Lounge has been a spot for low-key lounging for almost four years.

Q&A with Dallas rapper Tum Tum
Dallas' Tum Tum (real name: Tony Richardson) is already on the map as one of the better known Texas rappers.

Liner Notes: Good Records sees the Sunrise

This week's local-music picks: Polyphonic Spree, Bowling for Soup
The Polyphonic Spree

DJ profile: DJ Sopa
Two crates of classic hip-hop, a bit of jazz and a little emergency stash of reggae 45s are all DJ Sopa needs to keep the party live.

Racer feeds passion for speed
When Leslie Porterfield was 16, a slip of a girl at that, she bought an old Yamaha cruiser from a Lewisville neighbor for $200.

FALL FORWARD
Fall is here, and many a lady's thoughts turn to fashion (why do you think Vogue's famed September issue is so huge?). The impending arrival of cooler weather is the perfect time to rejuvenate your wardrobe with fun, new pieces. Here's a look at some trends for the season.

New version of 'Fame' hits theaters
The 1980 film Fame inspired a TV series, a stage musical and even a short-lived American Idol-style reality show. Folks must never get tired of watching talented kids follow their show-business dreams.

09/17/2009

Fantasy football: The Dallas Desire get ready for the Lingerie Football League
Football is physically demanding: the running, the catching, the tackling. Now imagine doing all that in your underwear.

Up All Night at Bar Belmont
September is in full swing. Beach vacations, flip-flops and bikinis are fading away. For me, there's a sense of sadness. Pretty soon, the days will be (relatively) cold, and summer lovin' will be just a faint memory.

Fun With Lists: Halftime entertainment we'd like to see at Cowboys Stadium

Sign Me Up: Recess regimen takes you back
It can feel disheartening when your regular workout routine becomes boring and monotonous. Usually the solution involves switching things up a bit: adding a new cardio element, taking your indoor workout outside, working with a personal trainer for a few sessions.

A closer look at local finalists in ACL Fest contest
Three North Texas acts have their eyes on a career- boosting prize. They're competing in Dell's Sound and the Jury contest against 17 other semifinalists for a high-profile performance slot at next month's Austin City Limits Music Festival.

UFC to hit AAC
Ultimate Fighting Championship action hits Dallas in a big way with UFC 103 on Saturday at American Airlines Center. Fans will get a whopping 13 fights in the octagon, led by the main event, Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort. Other main-card matchups include Mirko Cro Cop vs. Junior Dos Santos, Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley, Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg and Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca.

Liner Notes: Local music releases and news
Congratulations ...

Sex Talk: Questions from readers

RB is out to represent
Erin Marie Garrett is a running back on the Dallas Desire. The model, actress and singer has been playing with the team since February.

09/10/2009

Fun With Lists: Unlockable achievements we'd like to see in 'The Beatles: Rock Band'

Quick Profile: Chelsea Callahan's many musical movements
Chelsea Callahan is pretty hard to miss. With a mane of curly blond hair and sassy style that usually involves a cowboy hat and boots, Callahan is easy to spot at music gigs. That's also because she's at so many. Nary an evening goes by when she is not at City Tavern or Granada; Good Records or the Cavern.

Up All Night at Lost Society
Sometimes you just need to party like a rock star. You know, those nights that end up producing an outlandish story that only those who witnessed it could believe. This can be inspired by a bad day at the office, a test-heavy week at school, or suddenly becoming single again and wanting to cut loose with a night of debauchery.

Favorite things: John Pedigo of Boys Named Sue
No one would accuse the Boys Named Sue of taking themselves too seriously. The Dallas band's new Idol Records album The Hits, Vol. Sue! boasts comedic country tracks such as "Light Beers Away," "You Got Barred" and "You Just Got Sued!"

Talking volleyball with Olympic champ Todd Rogers
California native Todd Rogers is one half of the 2008 Olympic gold medal-winning duo in beach volleyball, along with his partner-in-sand, Phil Dalhausser.

In the Club: Hot nightclub events for the week

Q&A with David Ponder of Somebody's Darling
Dallas band Somebody's Darling got something a lot better than free beer when it won Shiner Records' Rising Star competition last October. Weeks after beating out 23 other bands in the contest, the country-rock foursome found itself in a Nashville recording studio, making an album on Shiner's dime with producer Dan Baird (of Georgia Satellites).

DJ profile: Mundo
If you have any question as to who is on the turntables at Green Elephant's monthly Dub Assembly party, it will surely be answered when the bass kicks in. Mundo is known for the kind of booming bass lines that make your rum and coke do the Pee-Wee Herman dance right off the edge of the table.

This week's local picks: The Backsliders, Will Johnson, Exit 380

Eco-friendly makeup: Good for you and Mother Nature
Once upon a time, Earth-friendly and eco-responsible makeup was a niche-y, hard-to-find corner of the cosmetics industry. But nowadays, it's easy to score good-for-the-planet makeup and even makeup remover. Here's more.

09/03/2009

Hip-hop and comics collide in the world of Samax
y his own account, Samax Randolph was drawing prior to developing basic motor skills.

Up All Night at Carpe Diem
Rising from the ashes of the former Egyptian-themed nightclub Thoth, Carpe Diem centers most of its action on its dance floor, which appears to suit clubgoers who throng there just fine. The ultralounge, open since May, regularly attracts a friendly and boisterous crowd.

Liner Notes: Beatlemania and Boys Named Sue
Next Wednesday, America will witness yet another Beatles invasion, with remastered versions of all the band's classic albums hitting stores for the first time in two decades, as well as the release of the long-awaited video game The Beatles: Rock Band. [Begins to hyperventilate.]

Nerd Alert: AnimeFest powers up
Do you enjoy animated adventures chock full of seizure-inducing action sequences, incomprehensible plot lines, mind-boggling dialogue and gravity-defying Technicolor hairstyles? You do? Well, then you've probably already secured tickets to AnimeFest 2009.

Local sports personalities talk fantasy football
It's crunch time for fantasy football players. The season opener is just around the corner on Sept. 10.

Mike Judge brings laughs again with 'Extract
Director Mike Judge dropped in at Dallas' Angelika a couple of weeks ago to screen his new film Extract, starring Jason Bateman as a downtrodden factory owner who's looking for something – anything – to spice up his life. Like Judge's other cult classics Office Space and Idiocracy, this one creeps up on you.

This week's local-music picks: Rubber Gloves' free week, Happy Bullets

HOT DEAL
It's common to feel over- whelmed every time you walk into the Oak Lawn gourmet market Eatzi's (3403 Oak Lawn Ave. 214-526-1515 or eatzis.com). Everything looks and smells delicious. How do you choose?

08/27/2009

Fresh faces: Meet three of Dallas' up-and-coming singer-songwriters
Summer Ames, Camille Cortinas and Becky Middleton have all found loyal fans in Dallas, without the benefit of constant blog buzz or headlining gigs at high-profile venues. But it's time more folks found out about these talented singer-songwriters.

DJ S.O.U.L.Jah marches all around town
Classic "true school" hip-hop, dancehall and even drum and bass are all part of the Monday night menu at Henderson Avenue's mainstay, the Slip Inn. Resident DJ S.O.U.L.Jah, a transplant from Puerto Rico, keeps the rotation packed with timeless tunes.

This Week's Picks: Elkhart, the Burning Hotels
The Burning Hotels

Liner Notes: Everything's cheaper in Denton
As I was perusing the slick new Hailey's Web site the other day (haileysclub.com), I noticed two weekend shows that should interest anyone with light pockets. Since all the students are back in Denton, the club's putting on a couple of back-to-school bashes.

Q&A with Rangers broadcaster Josh Lewin
Josh Lewin has the simple word Rangers fans want to hear. When the team seals a victory with an out or a run, the exclamation from Lewin is a simple but emphatic "Ballgame!"

Simple query is complex

Dallas stylist works the little black dress
Valerie Elizabeth is subjecting herself to any good fashionista's nightmare: She's getting up every morning this month and putting on the same dress.

MOVIE VS. MOVIE
Two horror movies face off at the box office this weekend. Which deserves the longer lines and more spirited crowds? Read on.