Sundance Square Stockyards Cultural District Near Southside
Y our P assport T o C enter C it y L ife
‘tis the SEASON
December 2009
what to buy now | times ten cellars | lincoln park at trinity bluffs downtown neighborhood alliance
Staff
december 2009
Inside
Sundance Square Stockyards Cultural District Near Southside
F E AT U R E S • • • • • • holiday shopping: what to buy now .....4
Y our P assport T o C enter C it y L ife
Advertising Director Kristen Jenkins 817-321-9724 kristen@downtownfw.net
ten times cellars.....6
Managing Editor Dana Crumbliss danac@downtownfw.net
lincoln park at trinity bluff.....10
Business/Operations Trish Bermejo Art Director/Layout Editor Amy Royer
downtown neighborborhood
DOWNTOWN FW is a free monthly publication distributed in the Fort Worth center city. The entire contents of DOWNTOWN FW are copyright 2005 JSW Publishing. NO portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the publication. Mission Statement To be the catalyst for transforming Downtown Fort Worth into a vibrant place to live, visit, enjoy and conduct business
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COLUMNS•••••• kidding around.....8 the foodie pages.....14 entertainment.....18
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downtown fort worth
december 2009
december 2009
downtown fort worth
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Holiday Shopping
what to buy now
Workin’ a Slick Bookends / $99.95 a set This cowboy is rounding up an unbranded cow or “workin’ a slick.” Resin bookends look and feel like wood and bronze (9 ½” long x 5” wide x 6” high). Available at the Sid Richardson Museum in Sundance Square 817.332.6554
Cat Studio Hand-Embroidered Pillows / $136 Remember the lst of the West with these handembroidered Texas Pillows, celebrating all that is unique about the Lone Star State and legendary Fort Worth. Available at Billy Bob’s Gift Store 817.624.7117
Texas Pecan and Brown Sugar Manicure / $40 for 30 min
Photo Montage Prints / $29.95 and up Earth Bones carries beautiful photo montage prints by local artist Carl Walker Crum, inspired by Cowtown and the great state of Texas. Ready to frame. Available at Earth Bones in Sundance Square 817.332.2662
Perfect for your girlfriend, mom, or co-worker, this beautiful spa in the Omni Hotel offers several treatments unique to Fort Worth. Gorgeous Texas pecans are finely ground and mixed with brown sugar and shea butter for a decadent moisture scrub. Nails are shaped, filed, and polished to perfection. Available at Mokara Spa at the Omni Fort Worth 817.350.4123
Dallas Cowboys Outdoor Scoreboard / $110 Collectible Fort Worth Books / Prices vary For the reader on your list, Retro Cowboy offers a variety of books that portray the rich history of Fort Worth and the colorful characters that are part of its past. Available at Retro Cowboy in Sundance Square 817.338.1194
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Always know the score with our exclusive, licensed Dallas Cowboys Outdoor Scoreboard. This weather-resistant scoreboard shows the time, date, and temperature. A unique gift for the home, office, or patio. Available at Fort Worth Billiards 817.377.1004
Holiday Shopping
Mrs. Renfro’s Gourmet Salsas / $3.50 per jar Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions / $350 for full set and first two-week refill* The Lash Lounge is the first eyelash salon in Texas and offers several cutting edge eye-enhancing procedures. You will save yourself time in the morning - and look gorgeous all day long! Available at the Lash Lounge 817.332.5274 *mention this listing for $50 off
Backwoods Collection Two-Bottle Wine Carrier / $110
Homegrown company Renfro Foods offers great gifts for co-workers or neighbors. Choose from 29 specialty products with a heat index ranging from mild to very hot. Latest flavors include pomegranate tequila and award-winning pineapple salsa. Recipes are on the label. Available at local grocers or www.renfrofoods.com
Fragrance from the House of Creed / $15-$350 Candles and Home Aromatherapy / $5-$55
The Backwoods Collection Two-Bottle Wine Carrier meets the needs of the wine connoisseur or anyone wanting to warm up with hot beverages on demand. This canvas and leather tote comes complete with a corkscrew and two Thermos brand carriers for hot or cold beverages. Available at Backwoods 817.332.2423
Give the gift that keeps on giving from Marie Antoinette’s in Sundance Square, carrying the finest fragrances from the Houses of Creed, Jivago, Vera Wang, Prada, and many more. Marie Antoinette also offers a full service spa menu. Available at Marie Antoinette scentsational spa and gift gallery for men and women 817.332.2888
Select Compilations from 2009 Van Cliburn Winners / $18.00
Sterling Silver and Turquoise Scenic Landscape Bracelet / $135
Share the excitement of the 2009 Cliburn International Piano Competition with CD recordings of gold medalists Nobuyuki Tsujii and Haochen Zhang and silver medalist Yeol Eum Son. Available online at www.cliburn.org 817.738.6536
Give the gift of an artist’s miniature rendering of a scenic landscape, with a clear quartz crystal overlay embellished with turquoise. A complete collection of Barse sterling silver and semi-precious stone jewelry in all price ranges waits for you. Available at Barse in Sundance Square 817.820.0404
december 2009
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sit down relax... have a glass
W
at times ten cellar s
hen Fort Worth residents crave the relaxing setting of a winery, it usually means traveling to the outskirts of town. But with the opening of Times Ten Cellars on Foch Street on the Lower West Side, lazy afternoons spent amongst vats and barrels are now available without the long drive. “The response has been great,” said Dustin Walker, one of the winery’s founding partners. “People are saying, ‘Finally something like this is open in Fort Worth.’ ” Times Ten Cellars began in Dallas five years ago, and Austin and Houston were originally looked at for a second location. Walker, who’s been making wine for more than eight years, says Fort Worth seemed like the right fit when it came to expanding. “Our crowd varies from young TCU women to older people in their 70s,” he said. “We get a lot of women because it’s so cozy. It’s something they’ve been looking for. We also see a lot of dates. You don’t really see the bar crowd here.” Situated in the developing West 7th Street corridor, Times Ten is located next to several beer-drinking hot spots, including Chimy’s Cerveceria, Fred’s Texas Café, and now the new Pour House. But the winery’s setting is a far cry from the loud bar scene. Low lighting, dark curtains, and glowing candles set an intimate tone. Cherry wood cocktail tables and bar stools mix with comfy couches and low seating areas. The inviting patio is perfect for cool nights when the warm chimanea is burning. Walker says groups both small and large will feel comfortable in the winery’s quiet and sophisticated environment.
Regarding the grapes, Times Ten mainly sources from growers in California. However, the winery also sources from its own vineyard in Alpine, Texas, where Walker says Spanish grapes flourish. “It’s 4,500 feet above sea level, and the microclimate has very cool nights and hot days,” Walker said. “Spanish varietals thrive in that kind of environment. It has old volcanic soils, so it’s really rich in minerals.” The Alpine vineyard is called Cathedral Mountain, and the first wine produced there was Vino de Tierra Alta, a lush red with spicy notes. It’s Walker’s recommendation right now, but he stresses that at Times Ten, any type of wine drinker is welcome. “I always tell guests that there’s no certain way to enjoy wine,” he said. “You like what you like. If you like sweet wine, then you like sweet wine. If you like heavy red wine, you like a heavy red wine. I think people should drink what they want to drink.” Times Ten features a handful of white wines and an extensive list of reds, from pinot noir to cab and red zin. For new wine drinkers, Walker recommends the sweet Muscat Blanc. He says the only way to turn a beer drinker into a wine drinker is to start them out sweet. Guests will also enjoy ordering food from nearby restaurants, including cheese and hummus plates from Lambert’s Steak, Seafood & Whiskey and pizzas from Rocco’s and Nizza Pizza. Walker is waiting to add the new Tillman’s Roadhouse to the order list as well. As far as the service, the very personable staff is a treat to chat with, whether about wine or about life in general. “If people want to learn more about wine,” Walker said, “we’re here.”
“Finally something like this is open in Fort Worth.”
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Happy Holidays from the Chadra Family.
Serving Fine Lebanese & Italian Cuisine 1622 Park Place Ave Fort Worth, Texas 817-924-2372 www.chadramezza.com
We work with all budgets!
Kidding Around
for the young, and young at heart
d
Christmas is for children, and nowhere will
f
early-1900s-style celebration of the season. Two neighboring historic
that old song’s lyrics ring truer than in Fort Worth
near-Southside mansions will be throwing a party together. At Thistle Hill
this Holiday Season.
(1509 Pennsylvania Ave.), enjoy A Cattle Baron’s Christmas. At Mitchell-
Casa Mañana will be in the Holiday spirit
Schoonover (600 8th Ave.), celebrate Hanukkah: Yesterday & Today.
throughout December. Through Wed., Dec. 23,
Horse-drawn carriages will provide transportation between the two
the legendary theater will stage Santa Claus is
mansions, and there also will be music, crafts, traditional refreshments,
Coming to Town, an adventure tale about a ragtag bunch of singing, dancing children
e
trying to save Christmas from a greedy company that has convinced a judge
and more. Admission is free for kids 3 and under, $7 for 4- to 12-year olds, and $15 for everyone else. Visit www.historicfortworth.org. Looking for Santa? Then look no farther than Sundance Square. Throughout December from 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to
to outlaw jolly ol’ St. Nick. Suitable
6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays at Main Street between 3rd and
for all ages, Joel Ferrell’s musical
4th streets, Santa will avail himself to the kiddos. Visiting hours will be
will take place at 3101 W. Lancaster
extended later in the month: from 5 to 8 p.m. on Mon., Dec. 21, and
Ave. in the Cultural District. Visit www.casamanana.org or call 817-332-
Tue., Dec. 22.
2272. Children will also love Birds’ Christmas Tree at Fort Worth Botanic Garden on Sat., Dec. 5, at 11 a.m. Kids will be able to decorate the tree with birdseed “ornaments.” Admission is free. Visit www.fwbg.org.
d
e
d
f
The annual Christmas in the
Stockyards helps showcase the
Santa Claus is coming to Casa Manaña through Dec. 23.
traditionally Fort Worth side
town throughout the Holiday Season. At Bass Performance Hall (525
p.m. on Sat., Dec. 5, the
Commerce St. in Sundance Square), Texas Ballet Theater will present its
famous historic district will
lush production of the Tchaikovsky classic The Nutcracker from Fri., Dec.
be packed with pony rides,
11, through Wed., Dec. 23. Visit www.basshall.com or call 817-212-4325.
a petting zoo, carriage
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downtown fort worth
And like sugar plum fairies, ballerinas will be dancing all over
of the season. From 1 to 6
At Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium (3301 W. Lancaster Ave. in
rides, and, of course, “Ride
the Cultural District) on Fri., Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., Ballet Concerto will
for Toys,” a Texas-sized
present Ballet For Youth/Holiday Special, a night of several dance
parade and charity toy
pieces, including O Holy Night, a re-enactment of the nativity scene
drive. The lighting of a
choreographed by Ballet Concerto director Margo Dean. Admission
40-foot-tall Christmas tree
is $20 for adults, $18 for students (12 to 18 years old) and seniors, $10 for
will cap off the event.
children (5 to 11 years), and free for children 4 and younger. Visit www.
Admission is free. Visit www.
balletconcerto.com or call the box office at 817-738-7915.
fortworthstockyards.org. Don’t forget about Quality Hill Holidays, an
december 2009
Overall, there’s enough to do this holiday season to keep your little ones from stirring — or making Santa’s “naughty” list.
FW Weekly holiday ad 11/13/00 3.897x10.109
december 2009
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O
ne of the most historic streets in Fort Worth is Samuels Avenue. Just a half-mile northeast of the Tarrant County Courthouse, the street is located on the bluffs above the Trinity River where roaming Indians once camped.
When the white settlers moved in during the mid-1800s, Samuels was the home of a popular trading post. By the 1880s, wealthy homes were built by those calling Fort Worth home. But during the 1900s, the neighborhood slowly fell into disrepair. Gang activity — including graffiti and violence — marked the street during the 1990s. But new developments by Tom Struhs and others are making Samuels Avenue once again a downtown Fort Worth destination for those seeking wonderful housing units with great views from the bluff. The Uptown Fort Worth development will eventually combine housing, retail stores, and restaurants, all very close and convenient to Sundance Square. All told, the development will encompass 30 acres and will cost more than $300 million in investment. One of the first housing projects being completed is Lincoln Park at Trinity Bluffs. The rental units have many choices, from large townhomes to efficiency apartments. Several buildings are still under construction and should be completed by April 2010. In all, more than 350 units will be completed.
Townhomes vary in size & all come with attached garages.
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“This is an amazing place to live, with some really breathtaking views of the Trinity River, a close proximity to all of the theaters and restaurants downtown,” said Candice Norvell, assistant manager for Lincoln Park at Trinity Bluffs. “We already have completed units where residents can move in immediately,” Norvell said. “But we also have specials where residents can pre-lease housing units still under construction. Some can get a reduction of 10 to15 percent off their lease terms by pre-leasing.” Lincoln Park at Trinity Bluffs is a good mix of different housing styles, both in size and amenities. The townhomes are one- and two-bedroom units, ranging in size from about 1,200 to 2,600 square feet, with lease rates running between $800 to $1,500 a month. The townhomes also come with attached garages. The apartment side of Lincoln Park at Trinity Bluffs range from efficiencies to three-bedroom units. Rents range from $700 to $1,400 a month. Residents of this Samuels Avenue complex have great amenities: a 24-hour fitness center, large patios and balconies, and access to a wireless Internet service. Kitchens feature granite countertops and island space. There are also wooden blinds, built in bookshelves, and relaxing fireplaces. “What we are able to do is offer everyone many different choices, whether it be the living size they want, as well as many choices in floor plans,” Norvell said. “But one of the best things about this place is the location. We are very close to downtown, but the developments in the future will also bring many retail, dining, and entertainment right into this spot.” “This will be a place where people will be able to walk to get whatever they want, and we are finding that is a very attractive lifestyle option for many people,” Norvell said. For more information on Lincoln Park at Trinity Bluffs go to their website, www.lincolnparktrinitybluff.com, or call 817.348.8557.
DON’T LET THE WEATHER BE THE ONLY COOL THING THIS HOLIDAY
2160 N. Collins Arlington, TX 817.261.2800 bydesigntexas.com
december 2009
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Downtown Neighborhood Alliance: A Winning Partnership by Lee Ostermann Owner/resident, Houston Place Lofts When I escaped from the suburbs and moved downtown a couple of years ago, it was a big change. Yard work was the most noticeable thing missing from downtown life, but I didn’t miss it for long. Now my weekends contain more interesting pastimes, such as plays at Circle Theatre or movies at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. I’ve traveled all over and believe this is the best downtown anywhere: It’s clean, safe, classy in a cowboy way, full of friendly people, and has lots to do. Police officers are everywhere — we even have our own neighborhood police officer for our section of town. I’m a new fan of the Lone Star International Film Festival — you can walk to any flavor of movie at several venues. My favorite this year was The Scenesters, a clever black comedy created by Tarrant County residents. A few restaurants offer late-night or happy hour specials, so it almost makes sense not to cook. Music is diverse, with Thursday night blues at Mambo’s Tapas Cantina, jazz at Scat Jazz Lounge, and the music series at 8.0 Restaurant & Bar. Of course, Main Street Arts Festival is superb, and it’s so cool to live a block Adonis Rose away from all the entertainment and art. The Cultural District is almost close enough to walk to, but it’s quicker by bus or car. We belong to the Modern and the Kimbell Art Museum and enjoy the special members’ tours and events. The Intermodal Station is right here, where you can catch the train to Dallas or the Amtrak Frequent players at to Austin and travel Scat Jazz Lounge. cheaply in comfort.
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Being prodowntown, I was excited to hear about the creation of the Fort Worth Downtown Neighborhood Alliance, or DNA, from my friend Vickie Powell. She is on their board, and we also work together on our condo association board for Houston Place Lofts. The DNA’s first Board of Directors, formed this past March, includes Lee Rogers, president; Debbie Hunn, vice-president; Henry Borbolla, treasurer; and Vickie Powell, secretary. Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., presenters of the big downtown events, created the DNA last year to facilitate communications between city officials and downtowners. The large number of in-town residents means this is no longer just a business district; it is home for many. Where residents and businesses exist side-by-side, mutual respect is essential so everyone is happy. The DNA promotes dialogue and provides opportunities to strengthen the downtown community. Anyone living or working downtown can join; residents pay $20 and businesses pay $75 per year. Members have voting rights and access to social events to promote awareness of local happenings. So far, I’ve been to a wine tasting at Zambrano Wine Cellar and the first pub-crawl, which were both fun. We hope to have regular Ricki Derek social events such as home tours, restaurant previews, downtown “sneak peaks” for projects in the works, and so on. This is a wining partnership for everyone. For more information and to join the DNA today, please contact Megan Henderson at megan@dfwi. org or call 817-870-1692.
Lee Ostermann (817-832-5363) is a freelance writer specializing in small-business communications.
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The Foodie Pages
table scout
The Pour House Nearly one year after closing its downtown doors, the Pour House is back and turning heads on West 7th Street. With a spacious street side patio, fancy new fixtures, and shiny flat-screens on every wall, even the old regulars will be pleased with the updated feel. The Pour House is all grown up. In 2008 the Pour House was forced out of its secondstory leased space on 5th Street after 13 years downtown. Owner Eric Tschetter built quite a following of loyal locals by offering upbeat live music and hosting signature events, including the popular “Cowtown Idol” and the everbeloved bikini Jell-O wrestling. While the Pour House of
yesterday is remembered for its crazy, hazy nights, the new Pour House is lot more mature, showing a stronger focus on service as well as its extensive menu. The eager staff is excited about their new digs, as witnessed by a smiling door greeter and new hostess
stand, both that give more of a restaurant vibe. Servers are friendly and attentive, happy to replenish beverages quickly and go over the many menu offerings. Lunch-goers will be happy to find old favorites including the pecan-crusted chicken and massive chicken fried steak. Appetizers are creative, with choices like tortilla crusted shrimp and lightly battered stuffed olives. Offering wraps, pastas, salads, seafood, burgers and even rib-eye steaks, the Pour House menu was always impressive, but shines a little brighter in its swanky new home. Brunch is offered on Sundays again, sans the word “hangover” in the title. Try the green eggs and ham with jalapeno cilantro pesto or eggs
Benedict Mexicana, featuring spicy sausage patties served atop house-made biscuits and topped with queso. The Bloody Mary bar offers four different tomato mixes, pickles, pepper, hot sauces, and more to blend with a generous pour of vodka. Severs will even bring you an entire pitcher of bottomless mimosas. The Pour House’s new setting takes the best attributes from the former location (large TV screens, live music stage, and a laid back atmosphere) and partners it with a modern, open feel. Visit for lunch, a Cowboys game, or even dinner with the parents. That’s right, parents can enjoy this new Pour House but only before the bikini wrestling begins. The Pour House 2725 West 7th Street 817-335-2575 www.pourhousefw.com Open 11 a.m. – 2 a .m. daily Serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch Tortilla Crusted Shrimp $8.79, Pecan Crusted Chicken $8.79, Pour House Breakfast Quesadillas $8.59, Bottomless Mimosas $5 (Sundays only, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
YOU GOTTA TRY THIS
Taverna is a relaxed, cozy, and classy little restaurant in the heart of downtown offering Italian fare as well as great happy hour and brunch specials. While the menu includes pizza and pasta as well as other traditional Italiano dishes, Taverna takes pride in its slightly more exotic choices for the more sophisticated palate. The Scampi al Forno con Polenta is an excellent way to start off lunch or dinner. The tender, succulent shrimp are parmesancrusted and laid on top of crispy polenta made from finely ground yellow cornmeal. The textures and tastes of the shrimp and polenta are very complementary and the spicy lemon butter dipping sauce is absolutely mouth watering. Scampi al Forno con Polenta • $10 ($5 during Happy Hour) @ Taverna 450 Throckmorton St. • 817.885.7502
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The Foodie Pages
beat the clock Dixie House Café
Time in: 12:45 am
The setting: Thanks to a new downtown location, there are now six Dixie House Cafés in town. Downtown workers who regularly frequented the East Belknap location for lunch can now find home-style favorites within walking distance. Located where Bennigan’s once sat, Dixie House offers quick service and more than enough seating to handle busy lunchtime crowds.
The service: If a waitress isn’t available to seat you, a bus boy will. Everybody is eager to help here, whether it’s refilling drinks or getting the ketchup. From the time lunch was ordered, hot plates arrived in three minutes flat. The staff at Dixie House is ready to get you in and get you out, unless you care to hang around for a slice of one of their homemade pies.
The menu: Touted as the “Home of the Big Buns,” Dixie House offers its signature massive hot rolls complimentary with each meal. Extras are 75 cents each. The menu features everything from chili Frito pie ($5.95) and pintos and corn bread ($5.95) to taco salads ($7.95) and grilled, thicksliced ham and cheese sandwiches ($6.20). But it’s the daily, home-style lunch specials that capture most diners’ taste buds. Choose one entrée and two vegetables from the white-board list, all for only $7.95. The chicken fried steak, medium in size and easily cut with a butter knife, is offered daily. Other lunch special standouts include homemade meatloaf and turkey and dressing.
The verdict: Hearty and delicious, the food makes it dangerously easy to overindulge. Luckily the speedy service will allow for enough time to walk off that pie before heading back to the office.
Time out: 1:03 pm
Dixie House Café 515 Houston St. 817-347-9333 Monday - Saturday 6:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY TODAY!
fresh
delicious goodness
The Woolworth Building Sundance Square
111 West 4th Street Suite 15 817.348.0633 • www.simplyfonduefortworth.com december 2009
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Get Your View On!
Turn Your Weekend Get-Away Into a Weekend Get-Ahead.
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Introducing TCC Weekend College. Starting January 22, 2010, the Trinity River Campus
Fragrance, Flowers, Massage & Nails . . . Oh My!
in downtown Fort Worth and the Northeast Campus in Hurst will offer a full weekend College that makes it possible to earn an associate degree by taking classes entirely on a weekend. Addtional weekend classes are offered at the TCC South and Northwest campuses in Fort
It makes perfect scents to shop at Marie Antoinette’s in Sundance Square!!
Worth and the Southeast Campus in Arlington.
q Tomorrow Starts Here www.tccd.edu An Equal Opportunity Institution / equal access to the disabled.
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Marie Antoinette 101 W. 2nd Street Fort Worth 817-332-2888 marieantoinettespa.com
Flowers To Go 120 W 3rd Street Fort Worth 817-339-2555 flowerstogofw.com
ScatLounge Jazz
Live Music in December
3rd - Johnny Reno 4th - Brave Combo Holiday Show 5th - Ricki Derek & the Vegas Six 8th - Ricki Derek & His Big Band 9th - Scat’s 2nd Year Anniversary Party! Live Music w/ Adonis Rose & His Krewe of Swing 10th - Johnny Reno 11th - Sandra Kaye & A Few Good Men 12th - Tatiana Mayfield Quintet 15th - Pete Gallio 17th - Shawn Pickler Trio featuring Katrina Cain 18th - Paul Unger with Los Noviembres 19th - A Merry Little Christmas Show with Ricki Derek 22nd - Pete Gallio Trio 24th & 25th - CLOSED for the Holidays 26th - Red Young Organ Trio 29th - Pete Gallio 31st - Ricki Derek’s New Years Eve Ring-A-Ding* * tickets on sale now Every Wednesday in Dec. - New Orleans Nights with Adonis Rose Every Sunday in Dec. - Mi Son, Mi Son, Mi Son - No Cover
Best Cocktail Lounge - FW Weekly ‘09
Top 100 Jazz Clubs (in the world) -Downbeat Magazine
HAPPY HOUR • 5-7pm Tues-Fri
Hours: Tues-Fri 5pm-2am • Sat 6pm-2am • Sunday 7pm-1am • Closed Mondays
111 W. 4th, Suite 11 • 817-870-9100 Downstairs - Sundance Square • www.scatjazzlounge.com
Be Sure To Visit
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408 Houston Street • 817-698-8100 december 2009
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Entertainment
‘tis the season
The sights and sounds of the season will fill Fort Worth throughout the month of December. If there were such a thing as holiday-season overload, then it would happen this month –— too bad there isn’t! No, seriously. You’ve got to be a real black-heart if a season in which goodwill and giving are celebrated offends you. Sure, parts of Christmas are grossly commercialized, and often the reason for the season can get buried in credit-card debt, drunkenness, promises seemingly destined to be broken, existential angst, and unabashed gluttony. But beneath everything good or bad is always a tinge of hope — hope for a better, more peaceful tomorrow; hope for a better, more peaceful you — and hope, as we all know, is what makes the world go around and what inspires us to get out of bed everyday. But enough of that. Let’s get on with the events, starting with ... “Haaaaallelujah! Haaaaallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Ha-lay-ay-loo-oo-yaaaaaa!” That’s right. Handel’s Messiah is going to be performed this month by — who else? — the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, with the Southwestern Seminary Master Chorale, continuing the FWSO’s tradition of performing the choral masterpiece every year. Led by conductor Miguel HarthBedoya, the ensemble will wrap its strings, horns, and voices around the 1742 gem that includes the famous “Hallelujah!” refrain and is one of the most sacred pieces of orchestral work ever written on Mon., Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Bass
Wynonna’s A Classic Christmas at Bass Hall Dec. 15. Performance Hall (525 Commerce St. in Sundance Square, 817-2124325). For more information, visit www.fwso.org. Later in the month, the FWSO will also help ring in the New Year. On Thu., Dec. 31, at 8 p.m., the FWSO will perform classic melodies from the silver screen as well as contemporary scores as part of Red Carpet New Year’s Eve: A Night at the Oscars. Though attendees will no doubt be finely coiffed and dressed, the only stars will be on the stage. And in your eyes. Right down the street from Bass Hall at McDavid Studio (301 E. 5th St. in Sundance Square), the University of North Texas’ One O’Clock Lab Band will perform Holidays with the One O’Clock, a concert of swingin’ classics and lesser-known nuggets from straight-ahead sources as diverse as Stan Kenton’s Kenton Christmas, Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite, and Maynard Ferguson’s A Christmas for Moderns on Thu., Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. The band will also trot out new arrangements of old standards. Visit www.myspace.com/ mcdavidstudio.
Jingle your run Dec. 5 in Sundance Square.
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december 2009
Entertainment
Bass Hall, basically, will be full of seasonal delights throughout the month. Other holidayseasonal shows include Michael Martin Murphey’s Cowboy Christmas (Mon., Dec. 14, 7 p.m.), Wynonna’s A Classic Christmas (Tue., Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m.), and A Country Christmas with Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers (Wed., Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m.). For the show, the legendary country band will be joined by the FWSO. Not to be outdone — and also, y’know, to celebrate the season — Casa Mañana presents Sandi Patty Christmas Live on Thu., Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. at Casa’s theater in the round (3101 W. Lancaster Ave. in the Cultural District, 817-332-2272). Joined by native Fort Worth pianist Danny Wright — who will perform several compositions from his new CD, An Intimate Christmas — Patty will belt out the classics, including “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Night Divine,” and “Star of Bethlehem.” Tix are $35-60. Visit www. casamanana.org. But as great as Santa is and all, his, um, physical appearance shouldn’t be an inspiration to you. Same goes for Frosty the Snowman. Don’t try to look like him, either. Rather, take your inspiration from Rudolph, who’s always in great shape (probably because of all that flying he does), and put on your running or walking shoes for the 18th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis and Holiday Festival. A fundraiser to help fight arthritis — the nation’s most common
Sandi Patty Christmas Live at Casa Manaña Dec. 3.
cause of disability — the race/walk on Sat., Dec. 5, that starts in Sundance Square will be one of dozens happening across the country. Racers/walkers typically wear holiday-themed clothing or outfit their shoes with jingle bells. Registration for the 5K race/ walk that kicks off in the Chisholm Trail Lot at Main and 4th streets ranges from $16 to 27. There also will be a costume contest, a Tai Chi demonstration, a 1-mile fun run, and, at the end, an awards ceremony. For more information, contact Martha Earngey at 817944-5673. Speaking of traversing the city, The T will be getting in on the holiday action by taking travelers on a Holiday Lights Tour on Sat., Dec. 12, and Sun., Dec. 13. Meet at Stockyards Station (130 E. Exchange Ave.) at 5:30 p.m. for cookies, holiday music, hot chocolate, and a visit with Santa Claus and board at 6:30 p.m. for the hour-long ride through a world of twinkling lights. Tickets are $5 per person; children 5 or younger ride free. Free parking
is available just north of the station. Visit www. the-T.com or call 817-215-8645. And what would the Holidays in Fort Worth be without Texas Ballet Theater’s annual production of The Nutcracker. From Fri., Dec. 11, until Thu., Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) at Bass Hall, the esteemed ballet company will perform TBT artistic director Ben Stevenson’s lush setting of the Tchaikovsky classic about a young girl who dreams a nutcracker prince to life and embarks on a journey with him. Along the way, they encounter a Christmas tree that grows to 40 feet, a battle between toy soldiers and evil mice, waltzing flowers, dancing candy, and “sparkling, swirling” snowflakes, according to the company. Beautiful music, breathtaking dancing, gorgeous costumes, and spellbinding sets make TBT’s Nutcracker a holiday classic for all ages. Visit www. texasballettheater.org. Happy Holidays to all! See you in 2010.
december 2009
downtown fort worth
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downtown fort worth
december 2009