Mardi Gras parade

Legendary bluesman and Oak Cliff son Jimmie Vaughan is grand marshal of the big Oak Cliff Mardi Gras parade, which starts at 2 p.m. The parade got its start in 2008 with a few floats and a few hundred people in Bishop Arts. And now it’s one of the biggest celebrations of the year. The parade travels from Davis at Windomere to the Bishop Arts District and features fantastic floats, marching bands and tons of beads and candy. Neighbors should walk or ride bikes when possible because this little shindig now draws thousands of people from all over the Dallas area.

FEB. 2

‘The Tuskegee Airmen’

The first Tuesday social justice film celebrates African American History Month with the story of the first black U.S. fighter groups in World War II, “The Tuskegee Airmen,” starring Laurence Fishbourne. The film starts at 7 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff, 3839 W. Kiest, 214.337.2429, firsttuesdayfilms.org, free

FEB. 6

Masquerade ball

This night of dancing and partying at the Kessler Theater calls for tuxes, evening gowns and glamorous Mardi Gras masks. Admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres. Club Wood and Ice House perform. VIP tickets include a table for two upstairs ($150) or a table for four near the dance floor ($300).

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org, $60-$300

FEB. 6

Dash for the Beads

The sixth annual Good Space Dash for the Beads 5k race and 1-mile fun run starts at 9:30 a.m. at Kidd Springs Park and follows a route through Kessler Park. Last year’s event drew 2,500 participants and raised more than $22,000 for neighborhood schools.

Kidd Springs Park, 711 W. Canty, dashforthebeads.org, $20-$45

FEB. 14

A love story about art

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with “Herb and Dorothy,” the 2008 documentary about unassuming art buyers Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a U.S. Postal Service worker and librarian, respectively. The couple amassed one of the most important post1960s art collections in existence.

The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546

FEB. 25-MARCH 6

One-act play festival

Only about 22 percent of all plays produced in the United States are written by women, according to a 2015 Dramatist Guild/Lilly Awards survey. When Theresa Coleman Wash of TeCo Theatrical Productions saw that, she decided to produce “Down for the Count,” a one-act play festival featuring six plays by female writers.

Bishop Arts Theatre Center, 215 S. Tyler, 214.948.0716, tecotheater.org, $18-$25

FEB. 27

Flaco Jimenez

Max Baca and Los Texmaniacs return to the Kessler this month, and they’re bringing along a Texas treasure, Flaco Jimenez.

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, thekessler.org, $28-$42

Feb. 17

Pump and dump

Get a sitter and laugh so you won’t cry at “The Pump and Dump: A Parentally Incorrect Comedy Show and Night Out, For Once.” It’s a night of comedy and music from Denver-based comedian/ musician Shayna Ferm and her sidekick, MC Doula (a.k.a. Tracey Tee).

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, thekessler.org, $20-$30

3635 Cripple Creek Dr. Dallas, TX 75224

SOLD!

Mid-Century Design

3/2/2 2,414 sqft

Above Ground Pool Corner Lot 133’ x 125’

3927 Lost Creek Dr. Dallas, TX 75224

SOLD!

3/2/2 1828sqft Lot 70’ x 123’

Delicious

El Taxque O Taquer A

207 W. Suffolk at Zang 469.458.3901

AMBIANCE: TAQUERÍA

PRICE RANGE: $3-$8

HOURS: MONDAY-SATURDAY, 7 A.M.-8 P.M.; SUNDAY, CLOSED

DID YOU KNOW?

EL TAXQUEÑO HAS A VOLLEYBALL NET OUT BACK.

Monroy came to the United States at 15 where he found work as a dishwasher. In the course of a career spanning nearly 40 years, he worked his way up to cook and pastry chef in fine dining restaurants including the Tower Club and Bob’s Steak and Chop House at the Omni Dallas Hotel. His longtime dream came true last year when he and his family opened a restaurant in a former gas station on Zang. All of the recipes at Taxqueño are Monroy’s. He blends his own spices and makes four kinds of salsa — a red and a green that go with chips as well as red and green salsas that go with tacos. Monroy’s wife of more than 30 years, Maria, makes corn tortillas, gorditas and sopes by hand. And her recipe for ribs — costillas en verdes — is on the menu as well. Three Monroy daughters — 30-year-old Virginia, 22-year-old Alicia and 19-year-old Amanda — all work in the restaurant when not at work or school. Grandson Ricky, 16, also works there after school. The name Taxqueño pays homage to Amado and Maria’s hometown, Taxco, in Guerrero, Mexico. They open at 7 a.m. serving breakfast tacos, and keep cooking through lunch and dinner. Amado and Maria often are there until 10 p.m. or later, cleaning and prepping for the next day. “I don’t know how they do it,” daughter Virginia says. “Their work ethic is amazing.” But Maria says she doesn’t mind the hours. “It’s fun because all the family is here,” she says. —Rachel Stone

Amado

TACO TIME: FOUR MORE TERRIFIC TAQUERÍAS

Taco Rico No. 2

Texas Monthly recently named Taco Rico No. 2’s taco al vapor de deshebrada (that’s a steamed taco with shredded beef) one of the 120 tacos you must eat before you die. And one never knows when she could be hit by a bus, so hurry on over.

2850 W. Clarendon Drive

214.623.0885

El Tizoncito

This Mexico City-style taquería also made the Texas Monthly list for its chuleta con queso or pork chop taco with Monterey cheese, but everything on the menu is delicious, and we dream about the choriqueso.

3404 W. Illinois Ave. 214-330-0839 eltizoncitous.com

Tacoqueta

Great tacos, delicious salsa and excellent service are the hallmarks of this cute taco joint on Clarendon at Hampton. Try the volcan, a corn tortilla topped with melted cheese, meat, onions, cilantro and salsa.

2324 W. Clarendon Drive

214.943.9991 tacoqueta.com

Fito’s Tacos de Trompo

The specialty at this locally owned chain is trompo de puerco, marinated pork cooked on a spit and served in tacos.

3113 W. Davis and three other Oak Cliff locations

214.429.7458

VALENTINE’S PRIX FIXE MENU

SIX COURSE DINNER FOR TWO INCLUDES A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A CUSTOM FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

Curry and Coconut Milk Kabocha Squash Soup

1/2 Doz. Kumamoto Oysters on the Half-Shell / Yuzu Granita

Brandy Duck Breast in Steamed Buns

Tuna / Salmon / Yellowtail Nigiri Sushi / Xalapa Roll

Two Sake-Steamed Lobster Tails / Soy Butter and Grilled Angus Tenderloin / Roasted Petite Vegetables

Passionfruit Crème Brûlée

Restaurant & Bakery

Southern style comfort food and New York style deli favorites ready for you every day. Open 7 days.

One90 Smoked Meats

Offering bbq combo plates, sandwiches, tacos, sides, desserts & a wide variety of locally smoked meats, including Brisket, Bison, Turkey, Chicken, Pork, Salmon, Duck, Lamb & Tenderloins.

Hours: Mon. Closed , Tues.-Sat. 11am-8pm Sun. 11am-5pm

When the night grows dark and the moon glows bright, most of us cuddle between the sheets. But for some, the day begins when everyone else is asleep. They say it never feels quite normal staying up all night, but their jobs require them to keep vampire hours.

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