out&about in July

07.10.10 KESSLER KRAWL

$35 Take a peek at some of your neighbors’ “secret gardens” during the 12th annual Kessler Krawl, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at 1136 Turner. Organized by Kessler Neighbors United, the event is a dinner party that invites visitors to tour eight home and, for the first time, will feature extravagant backyard gardens. “A lot of people don’t know we have beautiful gardens behind our homes,” event chairman Bart Noel says. “When you go back there, you’re knocked off your feet.” And everything’s in full bloom this month. There’s also live entertainment and a silent auction that includes everything from plane tickets to artwork. All proceeds go toward beautifying the neighborhood, particularly the traffic islands. Parking will be available at Kessler Park United Methodist Church and Kessler Park Baptist Church. For more details, call 214.946.4454 or visit kesslerpark.org. —EMily TOMAN

07.01 AN URBAN CONVERSATION WITH LARRY

BEASLEY FREE The North Texas Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism will present a poolside lecture with Canadian urban planner

Larry Beasley at 8 p.m. at the Belmont Hotel, 901 Fort Worth Ave. Beasley will describe his ideas for a more pedestrian-oriented city and discuss his urban design principles, revealing his ongoing work with the Dallas City Design Studio. For more information, visit cnuntx.org.

Concerts in the Garden

07.14 BASTILLE DAY FREE The Bishop Arts District will start to resemble a French streetscape during Bastille Day, 6-10 p.m. Musicians will perform live, and there will be a Petanque tournament, a French game similar to bocce ball. For $10, you can sample wines at participating businesses with proceeds benefiting the Alliance Francaise de Dallas. For more details, visit bastilleonbishop.com or gooakcliff.org.

07.21 MAGGOT ART FREE Entomologist

Kim Schofield will lead a lesson in art and science, using live maggots dipped in non-toxic paint. It’s at 2:30 p.m. at the North Oak Cliff Library, 302 W. 10th. To learn more, visit dallaslibrary.org.

07.24 WINE AND ART $50-$75 The Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts annual Wine and Art Fundraiser this year focuses on Texas art of the 1930s, especially the Dallas Nine, a group of artists that drew inspiration from their surroundings rather than follow European trends. SMU professor Sam Ratcliffe will present the exhibit from artists including Jerry Bywaters and Otis Dozier, with a talk starting at 6 p.m. The wine and food starts at 7 p.m., and western swing band Shoot Low Sheriff will perform.

CAfÉ KIDDOS

C LI ff ITES MA y BE f AMILIAR with Hula Hotties Café and Bakery for its spaghetti, ribs or tropical dishes. But owners Roger and Jill Simpson have also won over the kids especially since starting kids-eatfree event Wednesdays. One adult meal equals two free kids meals, which include menu items like hamburgers, chicken nuggets or fish sticks with mac ‘n’ cheese. Each dish also comes with a chocolate chip or sugar cookie on the side. (The parents will also want to take home one of the decadent desserts in the glass case.) If you can’t make it to the restaurant on a Wednesday night, go Thursday for the $6 spaghetti and garlic bread meal. —EmIlY TOm A n