Out & About

February 2015

Feb 28-April 12

Dallas Blooms

Get ready for the Dallas Arboretum’s biggest floral festival, Dallas Blooms. On Feb. 28, the garden explodes with color as more than 500,000 springblossoming bulbs burst, and the beloved peacock topiaries return to spread their colorful petal tails in the Jonsson Color Garden.

Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, dallasarboretum.org, 214.515.6500, $10-$15, plus $15 on-site parking

FEB. 7

‘Pollinators and Predators’

Attend the opening reception for this exhibit, which features photographs of nature by Bob Curry, from 7-9 p.m.

Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, 214.670.8749, bathhousecultural.com, free

FEB. 7-MARCH 7

‘El Corazon’ exhibit

It’s time for the 21st annual El Corazon exhibit, which features eclectic and passionate art inspired by the heart, curated by Jose Vargas.

Bath House Cultural Center, 521 E. Lawther, 214.670.8749, bathhousecultural.com, free

FEB. 14

Shoreline Spruce-Up

For the Love of the Lake invites neighbors to join its monthly Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce-Up at White Rock Lake. They will meet at the office starting at 8 a.m. For the Love of the Lake office, 1152 N. Buckner, whiterocklake.org 214.660.1100, free

FEB. 19

‘Shades of a Rich Culture’

Celebrate African-American History Month at the Lakewood Library with Robin Perry, founder of Bringing the Joy Entertainment, from 7-8 p.m. Take a journey through the poetry of African-Americans from 1851 to the present with a dramatic and musical performance by Perry. Lakewood Library, 6121 Worth Street, lakewoodlibraryfriendsdallas.org, 214.670.1376, free

FEB. 19

David Cook

Don’t miss “American Idol” contestant David Cook when he comes to play at the Prophet Bar in Deep Ellum. The concert starts at 8 p.m. The Prophet Bar, 2513 Main, 214.742.3667, theprophetbar.com, $20 advance, $25 day of show, $70 VIP, $15 parking

FEB. 7

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k

Gear up for a brisk 15k or 5k run with inflatables and games to occupy the kids and an all-chocolate post-race party. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Dallas. The 5k is at 7:30 a.m. and the 15k is at 8:15 a.m. For expo/ packet pickup, go to the Fair Park Automobile Building at 1121 on First Avenue on Feb. 5 from 2-7 p.m. or Feb. 6 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Fair Park, 1300 Robert B Cullum Boulevard, hotchocolate15k.com/dallas, $44-$74

FEB. 8

‘Why the Arts Matter to Faith’

Join theologian Dr. Jeremy Begbie as he argues that the arts are crucial to faith because they immerse us in this world in a way that is bodily rooted, emotionally engaged and socially uniting. As they do this, they make us wonder if there is anything other than this world. The lecture beings at 5 p.m. and is followed by a reception.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Cathedral, 5100 Ross Avenue, cathedralartsdallas.org, 214.887.6552, free

FEB. 20-MARCH 1

‘Teen Brain: The Musical’

This shows follows the life of eight teens as they navigate the rough waters of high school, and gives an honest, powerful look at the inner workings of the mysterious teenage brain.

Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, dct.org, 214.740.0051, $14

THROUGH FEB. 22

‘Skippyjon Jones’

Skippyjon Jones is a rambunctious Siamese kitten with big ears and an even bigger imagination. When his loving but exasperated mother puts Skippyjon in time-out, he starts to daydream. His imagination takes him far, far away to Mexico, where he pretends that he is a swashbuckling Chihuahua named Skippito Friskito.

Dallas Children’s Theater, 5938 Skillman, dct.org, 214.740.0051, $15-$28

Shuck N Jive

5315 Greenville Avenue 214.369.9471 dallas.shucknjive.com

AMBIENCE: LAID-BACK, CASUAL

HOURS: 11 A.M. - 2 A.M. DAILY

PRICES: $4-$15.50

Thedoors to Shuck N Jive Cajun Food Restaurant on Greenville open, and a warm, aromatic gust drifts out. It smells exactly as it should, like kitchen grease and French fries. Inside, a pack of rowdy football fans crowds the central bar, which dominates the small space. They sip on tall glasses of beer and yell lighthearted banter back and forth across the restaurant to the waitresses. Along the walls, couples sit at small tables scanning the menu. At a table near the door, a dad prods his young daughter to eat more of her chicken strips, but she’s more interested in showing off her latest boo-boo to a patient waitress. Shuck N Jive is a T-shirt and jeans kind of joint where you’re probably not going to make it out without eating something with your fingers. John Kranz founded the original location in East Dallas, and it survives on its friendly service and fresh Cajun food. The oysters are delivered fresh from the Gulf every week, and its biggest seller, Shuck’s Famous Catfish, is delivered daily. Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and karaoke is on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. For those looking for some late-night grub, it’s always open until 2 a.m. —Brittany Nunn