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EVENTS
Denton Time
IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK
For holiday event listings, see Page 4.
THURSDAY
ON THE COVER
9:30 a.m. — Crafters’ Corner at Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St. Work on projects and learn new techniques. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.denton library.com. 9:30 a.m. — Toddler Time for children ages 1-3 and their caregivers at North Branch Library, 3020 Locust St. Free. Followed by Toddler Play Time at 10 a.m. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com. 2 to 4 p.m. — Homeschool Coding Club for ages 8-17 at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Learn how to code and collaborate on projects at this primarily self-directed, weekly gathering. All skill levels and coding languages welcome. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.denton library.com. 7 to 8 p.m. — Conversation Club, for those wishing to practice their English language skills with others, at Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St. Free. No registration required. Call 940-349-8752.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
Episode VII technically opens in theaters on Friday, but serious fans already have their tickets in hand for tonight’s first screenings. And some of them have costumes. (Disney/Lucasfilm) Story on Page 6 DMN
MUSIC
Concerts and nightclub schedules. Page 3
MOVIES
Reviews and summaries. Page 6
Merry swanky Christmas
FRIDAY 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. — Finish It Fridays at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Bring a craft project for this come-and-go program and visit with other crafters. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.denton library.com. 3:30 to 5 p.m. — LittleBits and Doodle Bots cards for ages 8-15 at South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Lane. Explore electronics and invention by using electronic modules to build robots that magnetically snap together. Free, but registration is required. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com.
SATURDAY 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — Every Drop Counts Blood Drive at Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St. Donors will receive a free T-shirt as part of Carter Blood Care’s Holiday Heroes program. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com. 4 to 6 p.m. — Journal making workshop led by Shay Haas at SCRAP Denton, 420 S. Bell Ave. Cost is $20. Register online at www.scrap denton.org, or visit the shop. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. — Lego Builders Club for ages 6 and older at Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St. Free. Call 940-349-8718 or email stacey.irish-keffer@cityof denton.com.
MONDAY 6 to 8:45 p.m. — Chess night at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Players of all ages and skill levels welcome. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com.
FIND IT INSIDE
Dan’s does fancy dinner, drinks and swinging sounds
D
an’s Silverleaf is celebrating the holidays with a retro twist on Saturday. “’Twas the Night” serves up a three-course dinner by Denton chef Pam Chittenden, and a holiday orchestra conducted by Denton composer and arranger David Pierce. “It’s very straight-ahead, 1940s and ’50s-style music. It comes easy for me,” said Pierce, who coordinates the Denton Holiday Spectacular the first Friday after Thanksgiving. “I like the idea that there’s this place in town like Dan’s where we can do this kind of show. It’s a nod of the cap of the Irving Berlin Christmas classic.” Pierce will be leading a 14piece orchestra on Saturday, with singer Marion Powers trading the microphone with the conductor on vocals. Chittenden, who plans to launch a restaurant called the
Juicy Pig with Ken Currin in 2016, has her menu ready. The first course will be wild mushroom soup, followed by smoked salmon en croute (a pastry crust) with creamed spinach. Chittenden’s sweet finish is a hazelnut brulee. The menu riffs on 1940s and 50s dishes. Pierce said the idea bubbled up a year ago. He mentioned the idea to Dan Mojica, the owner of Dan’s Silverleaf (and Chittenden’s other half), and they booked the date. The notion was to “swank up” the no-frills downtown bar for a night. Tablecloths and candles for atmosphere, Pierce said, and the orchestra in black suits. Pierce said patrons can dress up or enjoy the night in blue jeans and a T-shirt. Pierce will lead the orchestra through popular Christmas carols and some interpretations of sacred songs. “I’ve been doing holiday
shows for a while, and a fun challenge for me is to take holiday songs I’ve arranged in the past and give them a new taste, a new flavor,” Pierce said. “All of these are going to be my arrangements. So much of the Christmas music we really know is from the 1940s and the 1950s. We’re doing some songbook stuff, and we’ll do some music that you’d hear maybe more in the church world, reimagined.” The evening starts with cocktails at 7 p.m., followed by dinner at 8 p.m. and music at 9 p.m., Pierce said. The orchestra will play two hourlong sets. The bar will have room for dancing. Tickets cost $15 for concert-only, $30 for rear table seating and $40 for front table seating. For advance tickets, visit www.danssilverleaf.com. Reservations are recommended for dinner patrons.
TO GET LISTED INFORMATION
Include the name and description of the event, date, time, price and phone number the public can call. If it’s free, say so. If it’s a benefit, indicate the recipient of the proceeds.
TELL US ONLINE:
Visit DentonRC.com/calendar and add your event to our calendar. It’s fast and free.
EMAIL IT TO:
drc@dentonrc.com
FAX IT TO:
940-566-6888
MAIL IT TO:
Denton Time 314 E. Hickory St. Denton, TX 76201
DEADLINE:
Noon the Friday before publication. All information will be verified with the sender before publication; verification must be completed by noon the Monday before publication for the item to appear.
REACH US EDITORIAL & ART
Features Editor Lucinda Breeding 940-566-6877 cbreeding@dentonrc.com
ADVERTISING
Advertising Director Sandra Hammond 940-566-6820 Classified Manager Julie Hammond 940-566-6819 Retail Advertising Manager Shawn Reneau 940-566-6843 Advertising fax 940-566-6846
EVENTS Continued from Page 2
TUESDAY 7 p.m. — Anime Club for high school and college students at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Watch and discuss anime. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.denton library.com. 7 to 8:45 p.m. — North Branch Writer’s Critique Group at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. For writers of fiction or creative nonfiction, ages 17 and older. Free. Visit http://dentoncritique.wordpress.com.
WEDNESDAY 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. — Denton Breakfast Kiwanis Club meets at El Chaparral Grille, 324 E. McKinney St. Call 940-453-2688 or 940-2065177, or visit www.dentonbreakfast kiwanis.org. 1 to 3 p.m. — Homeschool Teen Gaming Club for ages 11-17 at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com.
MUSIC The Abbey Inn Restaurant & Pub Each Wed, County Rexford, 7-9pm, free. 101 W. Hickory St. 940-5665483. The Abbey Underground Thurs: Kites and Boomerangs, Arenda Light, Coyote Cyanide. Fri: Basically Basie Band, Pizza Party. Dec. 31: Soul Patrol, Velvet Army, Autumns Amber. Weekly events: Each Sat, “’80s and ’90s Retro Dance Party”; each Sun, open mic hosted by Bone Doggie, sign-up at 7:30pm; each Mon, karaoke. 100 W. Walnut St. www.face book.com/TheAbbeyUnderground. American Legion Post 550 Each Fri, free karaoke at 9pm; each Tues, free pool. Live band on the last Sat of the month, free. 905 Foundation St., Pilot Point. 940-686-9901. Andy’s Bar Each Thurs, “The Rotation” (jazz, blues, funk, fusion); each Mon, open mic, sign-up at 9 pm; each Wed, karaoke. 122 N. Locust St. 940-565-5400. http://andys.bar. Audacity Brew House Each Thurs, open mic with host Caleb Coonrod, 7-10pm, sign-up at 6:45pm. Each Sat, live music, 4-6pm. Each Sat & Sun, yoga at 10am, $5. 1012 Shady Oaks Drive. 940-218-1987. www.audacity brewhouse.com. Dan’s Silverleaf Thurs: Boxcar Bandits, 9pm, free. Fri: Big Tasty and the Moonshiners, 5pm, free; the Holler Time, George Hughen of Black Oak Arkansas, 9pm, $5. Sat: “’Twas the Night,” dinner, drinks and dancing, with music by David J. Pierce & His Holiday Orchestra, 7pm, $15-$40. Sun: Raised Right Men, AM Ramblers with guest Brent Best, Isaac Hoskins & Glass Mtn., Kim Nall and the Fringe, 5pm, $5. Mon: Paul Slavens and Friends, 9pm, free. Dec. 26: Brian “Beerman” Houser, 7pm, $10. Dec. 27: Hares on the Mountain, 5pm, free. Dec. 28: Paul Slavens and Friends, 9pm, free. Dec. 31: Starparty, 10pm, $10. 103 Industrial St. 940-320-2000.
H
ip-hop artist and University of North Texas graduate Lecrae Moore was named among the Ebony Power 100. The yearly list recognizes Ebony magazine’s top 100 black thinkers, leaders, artists and agitators. Lecrae was nominated in multiple Grammy categories for his 2014 album Anomaly, which explores the artist’s religious journey. ■ Here’s something to look forward to: 50 Shades of Black, a documentary about the lives of ordinary black men and women living in Denton, Dallas and Fort Worth. The documentary will screen during the 2016 Denton Black Film Festival. The festival is just in its second year, and organizers have already built music into the event. 50 Shades is directed by Denton filmmaker and media entrepreneur Daniel Amotsuka. In talking about why the video series is important, Amotsuka says, “As a minority group in the U.S., there is a tendency to view blackness in reductive terms; to lean on stereotypes rather than experiencing people as individuals. This series is challenging that
www.danssilverleaf.com. The Garage 113 Ave. A. 940-3830045. www.thedentongarage.com. The Greenhouse Mon: xxx. Each Mon, live jazz at 10pm, free. 600 N. Locust St. 940-484-1349. www. greenhouserestaurantdenton.com. Hailey’s Club Thurs: Afroman, Fab Deuce, -topic & Koclouise, Ritchy Flo, DJ Spinn Mo. Sat: “The Last Supper,” DJ Spinn Mo, DJ Ju$Trill, Trey Detroit, host DMoe, 9pm, $3-$5. Sun: “Merry Bunkin Christmas” with Smitty, DJ She Real, hosted by Gas House
Wooda, 9pm. Each Tues, “’90s Night” with DJ Questionmark, $1-$5. 122 W. Mulberry St. 940-323-1160. www. haileysclub.com. Harvest House Fri: Doug Burr, Dove Hunter, 10pm, free. Sat: Reinventing Jude, 9pm, $2. 331 E. Hickory St. 214-578-7499. www.dentonharvest house.com. Jack’s Tavern Fri: Ed Vargas, 8:30pm. Sat: Leland Williams, 8:30pm. Sun: Jack’s Christmas Party, 7pm. Wed: Dusty Smirl, 8:30pm. Dec. 30: TX Avenue, 8:30pm. Dec.
notion by telling the stories of individuals.” Tickets go on sale Jan. 2, and the festival will be Jan. 29-31. For tickets and information, visit www.dentonbff.com ■ There is a curious game afoot in downtown Denton. Escaping the Square is an hourlong international spy game for teams of up to six people. (Singles can play too, though smaller teams may be booked together.) The game casts players as spies who have infiltrated the Republic of the Square to save the world from World War III in just 60 minutes. It’s held in rooms with clues, riddles and evidence in a suite at the Opera House, and the price is $30 per player. Check it out here: http://escapingthesquare.com. ■ One-time Denton artist Robert Gomez has recorded a bendy, psychedelic-sounding instrumental version of that old Charlie Brown Christmas chestnut, “Christmas Time Is Here.” We were suckers for his truly beautiful rendition of “The Little Drummer Boy” during the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival a few years ago. This version of the Peanuts song makes us feel kind of tipsy. Guess what? You can hear both of them here: https://robertgomez.bandcamp.com/ album/christmas-orphans-newborns. ■ Just curious: How many of our readers would attend a Krampuslauf? It’s basically a running of the Krampuses. Seriously. If some people dressed up as Krampus and ran around downtown looking menacing, would you attend? Or would you escape the Square instead?
Parting shot “I like it rough and dirty. The accompanist knows just how I like it.” — Denton musician and conductor Arturo Ortego, explaining how he wants the Robson Ranch Music Club Chorus to sing the blues Denton Dammit is an old-fashioned gossip column about people, places and things in and around Denton. Send your submissions to Lucinda Breeding at cbreeding@dentonrc.com.
31: New Year’s Eve Bash. 508 S. Elm St. 940-808-0502. www.jacks denton.com. J&J’s Pizza 118 W. Oak St. 940-3827769. www.jandjpizzadenton.com. The LABB 218 W. Oak St. 940-2934240. www.thelabbdenton.com. La Milpa Mexican Restaurant Each Fri, Mariachi Quetzal, 7:309:30pm. 820 S. I-35E, Suite 101. 940-382-8470. Lone Star Attitude Burger Co. Shows on the upstairs patio, 7-10pm, no cover. 113 W. Hickory St. 940-383-
1022. www.lsaburger.com. Mable Peabody’s Beauty Parlor and Chainsaw Repair Sat: Gitsie St. James Presents “Saturday Night Seduction” burlesque show, 10pm, $5. Each Thurs, Glitterbomb variety show, 9pm, $5; each Sun, Shay Fox’s Dames of Deception, 10pm. 1125 E. University Drive, Suite 107. 940-566-9910. Mulberry Street Cantina Dec. 29: Raised Right Men, 9pm, free. 110 W. Mulberry St. 940-808-1568. http://
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HOLIDAY EVENTS THURSDAY
Oakland Street and Pioneer Circle. Tickets cost $15-$21. Visit www. dentondance.com or www.denton citycontemporaryballet.org or call 940-383-2623. 7:30 p.m. — Denton Community Theatre presents A Tuna Christmas at the Campus Theatre, 214 W. Hickory St. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $18 for seniors 62 and older, $15 for students with valid ID and $10 for ages 12 and younger. Call 940382-1915 or visit www.denton communitytheatre.com.
10 a.m. — Santa Story Time at South Branch Library, 3228 Teasley Lane. Children ages 1-5 can enjoy stories, songs and puppets with Santa. Snap your own photos with Santa. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com. 1 p.m. — A Very Geeky Nerd-mas for ages 11-17 at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Make ornaments, decorations and small gifts using provided craft supplies and images from pop culture (Doctor Who, Star Wars, My Little Pony, Pokemon, Lego, Marvel, etc.). Free. Call 940349-8752 or visit www.dentonlibrary. com. 6 to 8 p.m. — Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce’s holiday mixer, “Let’s Mingle and Jingle,” at Northstar Bank, 700 U.S. Highway 377 in Pilot Point. Event features Christmas carols by Deanie Deal. For more information, call 940-686-5385. Reservations are appreciated; email chamber@pilotpoint.org.
FRIDAY 11 a.m. — Holiday Family Crafts with SCRAP Denton at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St. Best for ages 4-10 and their caregivers. Free. Call 940-349-8752 or visit www. dentonlibrary.com. 4:30 p.m. — Natural Christmas Ornaments for ages 5 and older at Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St. Join the Garden Culture Club and use natural materials to make holiday ornaments. Free, but registration is required. Call 940-3498752 or visit www.dentonlibrary.com. 6 to 8 p.m. — Liberty Christian School presents “God With Us: An Advent Journey Living Nativity” at Warrior Stadium, 1301 S. U.S. Highway 377 in Argyle. Call 940-294-2000. 7:30 p.m. — Denton Community Theatre presents A Tuna Christmas at the Campus Theatre, 214 W. Hickory St. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $18 for seniors 62 and older, $15 for students with valid ID and $10 for ages 12 and younger. Call 940382-1915 or visit www.denton communitytheatre.com.
SATURDAY 9 to 11 a.m. — Breakfast with Santa for children ages 1-12 at the Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St. Event also includes a bounce house, face painting and holiday crafts. Register by Dec. 17 by calling 940-349-7275 or by visiting www.dentonparks.com. Cost is $10 per child in advance, $13 at the door. Adults may dine for $3. Noon — NT Tuba Christmas featuring more than 75 tuba and euphonium players, conducted by Don Little, on the UNT library mall off Avenue C on West Highland Street. Inclement weather location is the UNT Music Building commons area. Free. Tuba, sousaphone, euphonium and baritone horn players are invited to take part. Registration starts at 9
SUNDAY
Denton City Contemporary Ballet stages “A Gift for Emma,” a holiday fantasia in dance, this weekend. Courtesy photo
Company offers up ‘Gift’ this weekend
D
enton City Contemporary Ballet stages its annual holiday show, A Gift for Emma, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at Margo Jones Performance Hall, which is on the first floor of the Texas Woman’s University Music Building, at Pioneer Circle and Oakland Street. Artistic director and company founder Lisa Racina-Torre said the original show grew out
a.m. ($10 fee, $20 for a songbook), and rehearsal is at 10:15 a.m. in the Music Building. Visit www.tuba christmas.com. 7 p.m. — Robson Ranch Community Choir presents “Christmas at the Ranch,” a holiday concert, in the Robson Ranch Clubhouse Auditorium, 9400 Ed Robson Blvd. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Tickets will be sold in the clubhouse
of an informal show her studio put on every Christmas. By 1998, she said, she had choreography set to music from The Nutcracker but didn’t want to stage another version of the ballet, despite its status as the only classical ballet traditionally performed at Christmas. “I took the choreography I had, and I made up a story about a little orphan girl, Emma, who gets blown into the
between 8 and 10 a.m. Friday. Sponsored by the Robson Ranch Music Club. 7 to 11 p.m. — “’Twas the Night,” a night of dinner, drinks and dancing, at Dan’s Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St. With music by David J. Pierce and His Holiday Orchestra and dinner by Pam Chittenden. Menu is wild mushroom soup, smoked salmon en croutes with creamed spinach, and hazelnut
dance studio by the arctic wind,” Racina-Torre said. “She falls asleep and has a dream, and in the dream she goes to the Garden of Dreams, the Sea of Miracles and ends up at the palace of the snow princess.” Tickets at the door cost $25 for reserved seats. Advance tickets are $15 to $20, available online at http://bit.ly/ 1MPMipc. — Rhiannon Saegert
brulee. Tickets cost $30-$40 for tabled seating and three-course meal; or $15 for general admission, includes light hors d’oeuvres. 7:30 p.m. — Denton City Contemporary Ballet presents A Gift for Emma, a holiday fantasia in dance for all ages, featuring dancers from Denton Dance Conservatory. At Margo Jones Performance Hall, on the first floor of TWU’s Music Building at
10:30 a.m. — Christmas program at Ridin’ for the Brand Cowboy Church, 5926 W. FM455 in Sanger. Includes Christmas story with children and the Branded Hearts Band. Visit www.ridinforthebrand.org. Noon to 6 p.m. — Golden Holiday Indoor Market with Denton Community Market vendors at Golden Triangle Mall, 2201 S. I-35E. 2 p.m. — Denton Community Theatre presents A Tuna Christmas at the Campus Theatre, 214 W. Hickory St. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $18 for seniors 62 and older, $15 for students with valid ID and $10 for ages 12 and younger. Call 940382-1915 or visit www.denton communitytheatre.com. 2 p.m. — Denton City Contemporary Ballet presents A Gift for Emma, a holiday fantasia in dance for all ages, featuring dancers from Denton Dance Conservatory. At Margo Jones Performance Hall, on the first floor of TWU’s Music Building at Oakland Street and Pioneer Circle. Tickets cost $15-$21. Visit www. dentondance.com or www.denton citycontemporaryballet.org or call 940-383-2623. 4 p.m. — Robson Ranch Community Choir presents “Christmas at the Ranch,” a holiday concert, in the Robson Ranch Clubhouse Auditorium, 9400 Ed Robson Blvd. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Tickets will be sold in the clubhouse between 8 and 10 a.m. Friday. Sponsored by the Robson Ranch Music Club.
THURSDAY, DEC. 24 6 p.m. — Christmas Eve at Ridin’ for the Brand Cowboy Church, 5926 W. FM455 in Sanger. Includes a Christmas movie, a reading of the Christmas story, communion and candlelight service. Visit www.ridin forthebrand.org. 6 p.m. — Christmas Eve service at North Texas Trinity Cowboy Church, 9901 FM2164 in Sanger. Visit www.northtexascowboy.org.
SATURDAY, DEC. 26 7 p.m. — Brian “The Beerman” Houser’s annual holiday show at Dan’s Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St. Tickets cost $10. Visit www.dans silverleaf.com.
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Do your marketing at the mall Artisans, creators set up pop-up shops on Sunday Missing the Denton Community Market already? Don’t fret. The local market — which curates handmade goods, locally and regionally grown produce and plenty of art — is hosting the Golden Holiday Indoor Market from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Golden Triangle Mall, 2201 S. Interstate 35E. Shoppers can pick up holiday items and gifts made by local producers. Products range in price, and generally shoppers can find pet items, food, clothes and accessories, bath products, and handmade crafts and art. The Denton Community
HOLIDAY EVENTS Continued from Page 4
ONGOING Through Dec. 31 — Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Circle in Fort Worth. Twomile drive to view more than 200 lighted displays using more than 2 million LED lights, and a 22,000square-foot Santa’s Village in the track’s infield with refreshments and pictures with Santa. A portion of ticket sales will benefit Speedway Children’s Charities, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth, KLTY-FM’s Christmas Wish and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital. Open 6 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 31. Cost is $25 per car, $45 per RV or $55 per bus. For tickets, visit www.tmsgiftoflights.com. For more information, call 817-632-2218. Dec. 21-23, Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 4 — Holiday Blast Camps are for children in kindergarten through sixth grade at the Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St. Camp times are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Camps feature field trips, crafts, sports and games. Cost is $30 daily. Register at the Civic Center, or visit www.dentonparks.com.
IN THE AREA ONGOING
Through Tuesday — Artisan Center Theater in Hurst presents Madeline’s Christmas, based on the
Out of the clouds 5 Denton Time
Afroman to make another local stop
Fotolia
Still have shopping to do? On Sunday, the Golden Holiday Indoor Market brings Denton Community Market vendors and more indoors at Golden Triangle Mall. Market pops up at the Denton County Historical Park each Saturday from April to November. For more informa-
book by Ludwig Bemelmans. Twelve little girls are grounded at their boarding school by the flu, but Christmas Eve brings an unexpected guest. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for children. For a schedule of performances, visit http://bit.ly/1QQxr49. Call 817- 284-1200. Through Wednesday — Pocket Sandwich Theatre presents the musical Ebenezer Scrooge. Performances are 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday at the theater, 5400 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 119, in Dallas. Tickets cost $12-$30; starting Dec. 17, all tickets cost $30; $2 discount for seniors and children. Call 214-8211860 or visit www.pocketsandwich. com. Through Dec. 26 — Dallas Theatre Center presents A Christmas Carol in Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, 2400 Flora St. in Dallas. Tickets cost $37-$107. Family saver performances are available. For a schedule of performances and to make reservations, visit http://bit.ly/1PX3wXH. Through Dec. 30 — Farmers Branch’s Christmas Tour of Lights, an evening drive through Farmers Branch, illuminated with more than 500,000 twinkling lights and holiday decorations. The route begins at Interstate 35E at Valley View Lane; follow the candy-cane signs to the Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, where you’ll find Santa Claus and a light show nightly (the park portion of the show will be closed Dec. 25). The lights are on nightly from 6:30 to 9:30. Free; donations are accepted. Visit www.fbspecialevents.com. Through Jan. 2 — Frisco’s
tion, visit http://dentonmar ket.org or www.facebook.com/ DentonCommunityMarket. — Lucinda Breeding
Christmas in the Square, with more than 175,000 lights blinking along to holiday music. Skate the Square outdoor ice rink costs $10 per person, including skates, through Jan. 3 (closed Dec. 25 or in inclement weather). On select dates, there will be carriage rides, flurries of faux snow, a Christmas tree lot, a petting zoo, pony rides and a trackless train. Light show through Jan. 2, nightly from 6 to 10, at Frisco Square, Main Street and Coleman Boulevard, Frisco. Free admission; some attractions require a fee. Visit www.friscosquare.com/cits. Through Jan. 3 — Lone Star Christmas at the Gaylord Texan, 1501 Gaylord Trail in Grapevine. The “Ice!” exhibit brings 2 million pounds of the cold stuff carved into festive holiday scenes, and this year’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.” It also features two-story ice slides, as well as the On the Blocks Ice Bar, an optional $15 add-on for those 21 and older at select times. Lone Star Christmas also features 2 million holiday lights, miniature trains, 16foot-tall Santa boots and other decorations; free admission to view decorations. Activities with fees include 12-lane snow tubing hill, the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt and Milk & Cookies With Mrs. Claus. Tickets are timed; check the website for a schedule. Adult tickets are $21.99 for nonpeak times and $29.99 for peak times; tickets for children 4-12 are $12.99 for nonpeak times and $16.99 for peak times; seniors 55 and older are $19.99 for nonpeak times and $26.99 for peak times; free for children 3 and younger. Visit www.christmasatgaylordtexan.com.
Afroman is probably best known for the anthem of slackers everywhere, “Because I Got High.” But the Los Angeles hip-hop artist has never been in a perpetual cloud of smoke. Afroman has an intuition for rhythm, hooks and — of late — an incisive point of view on so-called “post-racial America.” Afroman has been through Denton a time or two, and he returns to Hailey’s Club tonight, with fresh music from his The NWord EP. The record is chill and smart, and Afroman spares no one in his meditation on race in America. Some throwback sounds anchors “I Am Your Brother,” delivered as a sincere prayer for reconciliation between the races and within black neighborhoods. Most tracks on the EP are nice and easy, tempo-wise, and anger eases into acceptance — and some winking parody — lyrically. The show starts at 9 p.m. at
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AP file photo
Afroman (a.k.a Joseph Foreman) plays Denton tonight. Hailey’s, 122 W. Mulberry St., and the bill includes appearances by Fab Deuce, -topic, Koolquise, Ritchy Flo and DJ Spinn Mo. Tickets cost $15 to $20, available at http://bit.ly/1Zd5mp7. — Lucinda Breeding
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COVER “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens in theaters Friday, but screenings start this evening for lucky ticketholders. Disney/Lucasfilm
Hope renewed J.J. Abrams awakens ‘Star Wars’ with tremendous force By Preston Barta Film Critic
Few franchises capture every generation at once. Some children’s movies may include sly puns for the parents watching along, but rare is
the grown man or woman eagerly awaiting the next Spy Kids or the kid thoroughly captivated by 2001: A Space Odyssey. Star Wars is one of the few exceptions. There’s no mystery as to why it remains so pop-
ular: It’s a family affair. For more than 40 years, parents and children have flocked to theaters to share the experience and watch with delight. Thankfully, J.J. Abrams revives that love and creates a Star Wars film to be excited about again.
Star Wars: The Force Awa
Rated PG-13, 135 minutes. Ope
The seventh installmen Force Awakens, is set 30 events portrayed in Return pire has returned in the fo and it’s up to the Resistan store balance to the galaxy Abrams has piloted ma sels, directing both the rev
STORY
akens
ens Friday.
nt in the franchise, The 0 years following the n of the Jedi. The Emorm of the First Order, nce and its allies to rey. any science-fiction vesvival of Star Trek and
COSPLAY THE SMART WAY
Disney/Lucasfilm
New additions to the galaxy include Daisy Ridley as Rey, a tough young scavenger, and the bot BB-8, in a scene from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Clothes make the Jedi
TIPS ON MAKING A STAR WARS COSTUME
Fans connect with ‘Star Wars’ using costume play By Lucinda Breeding Features Editor cbreeding@dentonrc.com
the Spielberg-like Super 8. With The Force Awakens, he strikes a careful balance, tipping his hat to Star Wars creator George Lucas while also never overstepping his bounds. The film opens with an impressive action sequence that sees the Resistance’s best pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), caught in a battle looking for the whereabouts of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). The pace of the film continues at light speed from there, hardly leaving audiences time to catch their breath. The action set-pieces, from the film’s opening to its finale, are truly breathtaking, giving audiences a thrill that hasn’t been experienced since Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
See FORCE on 8
When the Force awakens for the latest, hotly anticipated Star Wars movie, thousands of people across the country will be dressed for it. They’ll be dressed as Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca the wookiee and Darth Vader. The first showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the area will be at 7 p.m. today at Denton Movie Tavern, Denton’s Cinemark 14 and the Carmike cinema in Hickory Creek. The movie is rolling in traditional and 3-D formats. Suzanne Shockley, the costume shop supervisor for the University of North Texas Department of Dance and Theatre Arts, said she’s seen costume play — usually referred to as “cosplay” — explode in the past seven years. And the Star Wars film franchise enjoys probably one of the biggest fan bases. This year for Halloween, Denton’s Rose Costumes said that 39
Denton’s Cinemark 14 and Denton Movie Tavern welcome Star Wars costumes (or any movie-inspired costume) this weekend, but will not grant admission to any patron wearing a mask or face paint, or who brings a replica of a weapon. The Carmike at Hickory Creek will allow full costumes, lightsabers and melee weapon replicas. Firearm replicas that look real should be left at home or in the car. Carmike officials said costumed patrons might be asked to remove headpieces if management or staff deems them to be safety hazards. Tonight, adults can take part in a Star Wars costume contest in addition to pint night at Oak Street Drafthouse & Cocktail Parlor, 308 E. Oak St. Pint glasses and Star Wars comics (provided by More Fun Comics and Games) will be given away at 6 p.m., and the costume contest starts at 8 p.m. Visit http://on.fb.me/1IajPOB.
Courtesy photo
Lewisville cosplayer Jacob Long dresses as Darth Revan from the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. years after the debut of original film broke box office records, customers still rent character costumes. “Before I went to the costume side of theater, I acted and directed and all that stuff,” said Shockley, who is also an adjunct professor who teaches in the UNT drama department. “Even then, my favorite part was when
See COSTUMES on 8
UNT costume shop supervisor Suzanne Shockley gives advice to costume player newbies who want to pay homage to a favorite Star Wars hero, villain, robot or creature. ■ Once you decide on a character, search online for costume patterns and how-to tips. You also can find costume patterns at fabric stores. ■ Gather photos of the character;. and check thrift stores or costume shops for items that are already made, such as vests, boots or belts. ■ Don’t forget craft stores: “If you want to be Princess Leia, you can buy brown yarn to recreate buns for her hairstyle,” Shockley says. “Be creative.” ■ Consider materials you might not think about right away, including cardboard and spray paint: “Gold or copper spray paint can recreate C-3PO’s shine,” she says. ■ Fabric stores will have a lot of choices, so check photos of your favorite character online to look for textures, colors and how garments drape. ■ Once you’re at a fabric or craft store, don’t be afraid to talk to employees and ask questions about fabrics or materials and how to add color, shine or texture: “Natural fibers such as linen, cotton, silk or wool will take dyes, but in different ways,” Shockley says. “Some man-made fibers won’t take color at all. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
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Force On top of the glorious action and practical effects, the performances brought by its stellar cast are top-notch. As a dauntless scavenger named Rey, Daisy Ridley (known from British TV) portrays a strapping and tough character worthy of our admiration. John Boyega (Attack the Block) also gives a breakthrough performance as Finn, a Stormtrooper whose conscience causes him to switch teams. The duo are indeed the new life of the franchise, and they grab the torch with style and certainty. It goes without saying that the familiar likenesses of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Hamill will bring warmth to even the coldest heart. Their characters are richly developed and will leave you wondering what they’ve been up to all these years. However, like the six Star Wars films before it, much of our anticipation stems from the Dark Side. As Kylo Ren, Adam Driver (Girls) portrays evil through a complex and vulnerable character unlike any we’ve seen before. He’s easily one of the most fascinating villains in years, and his story will leave you eager in your seats. Also of the Dark Side are the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie). While they make an impression, their screen time is minimal. However, it’s clear both characters are destined for much more. So rest easy. The Force Awakens is a nonstop thrill ride with a beating heart that will have original fans salivating and newcomers on their toes. It’s what we’ve been waiting for, and now, we must play a new waiting game for Episode VIII in 2017. PRESTON BARTA is a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Read his work on FreshFiction.tv.
EVENTS Continued from Page 3 mulberrystcantina.com. Rockin’ Rodeo Thurs: Shane Smith and the Saints, 7pm, $10. Wed: “Bad
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Peter Mayhew is back as Chewbacca and Harrison Ford returns to the role of Han Solo in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
Costumes we got our costumes. I remember a famous actor talking about getting into costume, and when you get into your costume, you start to find the character.” Shockley said that feeling of becoming someone else is probably shared by television, film and book fans who attend comic book and science fiction conventions dressed as beloved characters. “I think it’s something about seeing yourself in clothes you don’t normally wear, it makes it kind of easier to see qualities of the character in yourself,” she said. “It’s like having a physical connection to the character.” She hasn’t gotten involved in cosplay herself, but a lot of her students do. For some, cosplay is an introduction into costume design. “I like to dress up for Halloween,” Shockley said. “And I’m a lifelong fan of Star Wars. I have my fair share of Star Wars Tshirts.” In fact, the first movie she recalls seeing in a movie theater was Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, when she was 4 years old. Afterward, Star Wars stories and characters became part of playtime. Jacob Long, a Lewisville resident, is part of a group called the 501st Imperial Legion. It’s a network of adult video game and role playing enthusiasts who enjoy all genres, but who are united in their love of Star Wars Imperial personae. (For those of you who aren’t fanboys or girls, Imperial means the network identifies with the villains of the series, from the Empire’s Darth Vader to the cauliflower-headed Emperor Palpatine.) Long’s first foray into cosplay was the character Bane, the villain of The Dark Knight Rises back in 2012. It didn’t take him long to get more into the scene. “Like so many cosplayers, I’ve enjoyed dressing up in costume since I was a kid,” Long said. “Af-
ter I started doing cosplay, for me, it was about being as exact to the character as possible.” Long has played a number of characters in cosplay — Gaston from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jayne Cobb from the television series Firefly, Geralt of Rivia from the hack-and-slash video game The Witcher and Boromir of Gondor from The Lord of the Rings, among others. His Star Wars character is Darth Revan, who doesn’t actually appear in the movies. “He’s from the video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,” Long said. “He’s a total badass. He’s really hardcore. He is someone can use both the light and dark sides of the Force but is mastered by neither.” Revan isn’t a Jedi Knight, aligned with the light side of the Force, Long said. “But he isn’t a Sith either,” he said. A lot of cosplayers approach the scene as DIY artists, making their own costumes on a budget. Long calls himself “a patron of the artisans” who make costumes. He outsourced the work for Darth Revan. The character wears a hooded cloak, an armored breastplate, long armored gauntlets, boots and a full face mask. The character can use a number of weapons in the game, but Long favors the classics: single lightsabers and the double-bladed lightsaber. Long said he’s spent about $10,000 on cosplay costumes and accessories. For next year, he’s working on a War Machine costume from Iron Man, complete with Gatling gun. He’s also
putting together a Stormtrooper costume — the iconic Star Wars Imperial soldier uniform, the white, hard-surface gear that covers the body head to toe. Cosplayers can compete for cash prizes and bragging rights, depending on the event. “I don’t compete mostly because judges give more points to cosplayers who make their own costumes — which is something I absolutely understand and agree with, actually. I like to be involved in the running of things instead of competing,” he said. Long said he takes pleasure in the theater of cosplay. He’s developed 40 different character voices, and is accustomed to posing for photos at events. Shockley said that if she ever dips her toe into Star Wars cosplay, she’d dress as Queen Padme Amidala or her daughter, Princess Leia Organa. “Queen Amidala’s costumes are very beautiful in the prequels,” Shockley said. “They are much more elaborate than in the [original] trilogy. Of course, she’s a queen. [The costumes] pull from medieval times, and they pull from Asian [culture]. They’re historical, but futuristic. They’re quite spectacular.” Shockley also appreciates the first costume fans ever saw Princess Leia wear — a simple white dress with a high collar and a hemline that skims a pair of white boots. There’s a white hood, and Leia’s hair was worn in two coiled buns over each ear. “It looked really simple, that costume,” Shockley said. “But it’s actually pretty sophisticated. There’s a lot of beautiful draping.”
Shaggy Bash.” Dec. 25: “Ugly Christmas Sweater Soiree.” Dec. 31: “Red White and New Year’s Eve 2016,” 8pm, $12-$20. 1009 Ave. C. 940-5656611. www.rockinrodeodenton.com. Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios Thurs: Hotel Broslin presents Jack Frost, 9pm, free-$3. Fri: Roar
Shack, Fun Button, Animal Spirit, Off World, 9pm, $5-$7. Sat: Broken Gold, Party Static, Hate Your Friends, Codetalkers, 9pm, $8-$10. Dec. 31: NYE 2016 with Slobberbone, American Werewolf Academy, 9pm, $7-$9. 411 E. Sycamore St. 940-387-7781. www.rubberglovesdentontx.com.
Sweetwater Grill & Tavern 115 S. Elm St. 940-484-2888. www.sweetwatergrillandtavern.com. VFW Post 2205 Free karaoke at 8pm each Thurs, Fri and Sat. 909 Sunset St. Zera Coffee Co. 420 E. McKinney St., Suite 106. 940-239-8002.
Disney/Lucasfilm
DENTON PARKS & RECREATION Ages 8 and older can learn how to decorate trend cakes from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1300 Wilson St. Kids will decorate cupcakes for theme parties and holidays. Cost is $20. To register or for more information, call 940-3497275 or visit www.dentonparks. com. ■ Clear Creek Preschool Naturalists teaches children ages 3-6 about the flora and fauna of their region and their neighborhoods at Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, 3310 Collins Road. Each two-hour class costs $8 per child. Upcoming classes: 10 a.m. Jan. 8, “Worms”; and 10 a.m. Feb. 12, “Water.” For more information or to register, visit www.denton parks.com or call 940-349-7275. ■ Holiday Blast Camps are for children in kindergarten through sixth grade at the Denton Civic Center, 321 E. McKinney St. Camp times are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Monday through Wednesday, Dec. 21-23; and Dec. 28-31 and Jan. 4. Camps feature field trips, crafts, sports and games. Cost is $30 daily. Register at the Civic Center, or visit www.dentonparks.com. ■ Toddler Time is from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Mondays from Dec. 28 to Jan. 25 at North Lakes Recreation Center, 2001 W. Windsor Drive. Kids ages 2-5 will dance and build social skills in this structured play time with their parents. Cost is $20 per child. For more information and to register, visit www.dentonparks.com or call 940-349-8545. ■ American Red Cross Certification for Lifeguard Instructor Training will be offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Monday through Wednesday at the Denton Natatorium, 2400 Long Road. The class for ages 17 and older. Cost is $250. The Water Safety Instructor course trains candidates to teach water safety, including the basic water rescue course and the six levels of the Learn to Swim program and Parent and Child Aquatics from the American Red Cross. Cost is $250. For more information about these courses and to register, visit www.dentonparks.com or call 940-349-8545. ■ Ages 5-12 can join a mini-camp, Lego Winter Wonderland, from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 4 at North Lakes Recreation Center, 2001 W. Windsor Drive. Campers race their Lego snowmobiles through hills, build ice fortresses and use snowballs to defeat an ice monster, all with Legos. Cost is $36. Register by Dec. 28 by visiting www.denton parks.com, or call 940-349-7275.
MOVIES after Sylvester Stallone wrote and directed the capper (Rocky Balboa) to the uneven series. Yet Creed is the first of the series since Rocky III to feel more like a successor than a clone. Directed by Ryan Coogler. Rated PG-13, 132 minutes. — P.B. The Good Dinosaur (★★★★) Disney-Pixar crafts a wonderful world where dinos can keep humans as pets, managing to shock, surprise and pack an emotional wallop in its cannon. The film features an unlikely pairing of an apatosaurus named Arlo (voiced by Raymond Ochoa) and a human toddler, Spot (Jack Bright), as they navigate a world filled with all kinds of risks and dangers. Peter
Holiday classic
RKO Pictures/AP file photo
F
rank Capra’s holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life screens at 2 p.m. Sunday and 5 p.m. Christmas Eve at the Angelika Film Centers in Dallas, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, and Plano, 7205 Bishop Road. The beloved 1946 Christmas movie is about the despair of George Bailey, who is rescued from suicide by an angel named Clarence who shows him what his community would be like if he weren’t around. All tickets cost $7 and may be purchased online or at the box office. Visit www.angelikafilmcenter.com. — Lucinda Breeding
THEATERS Cinemark Denton 2825 Wind River Lane off I-35E. 940-535-2654. www. cinemark.com. Movie Tavern 916 W. University Drive. 940-566-FILM (3456). www.movietavern.com. Carmike Hickory Creek 16 8380 S. I-35E, Hickory Creek. 940-3212788. www.carmike.com. Silver Cinemas Inside Golden Triangle Mall, 2201 S. I-35E. 940-3871957. www.silvercinemasinc.com.
OPENING FRIDAY Sisters (★★★) Tiny Fey and Amy Poehler reunite on screen to portray middle-aged siblings who are forced to confront the realities of adulthood. Sisters, directed by Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect), starts off disjointed, but once it collects its footing it’s a mile-a-minute laugh storm that hits your funny bone where it hurts. Fey and Poehler’s timing, the offbeat dialogue and gags make this film the perfect couple and sibling hangout alternative to Star Wars. Rated R, 118 minutes. — Preston Barta The Danish Girl (★★★) Tom Hooper’s latest period drama is a fictionalized biography of Lili Elbe (an excellent Eddie Redmayne), one of the first people to undergo a sex reassignment surgery. While wellacted and often touching, its misguided direction keeps it from excelling to its full potential. Rated R, 120 minutes. At the Landmark Magnolia in
Dallas. — P.B.
NOW PLAYING Creed (★★★) We all know the rote formula of boxing films, and Creed doesn’t push those boundaries much. But once in a while, the fights in a film
are justified with stories full of enough crushing emotion that they become all the more intense and gratifying. Creed is that film. It extends the highly regarded Rocky franchise into a spinoff involving the previously unseen son (Michael B. Jordan) of Apollo Creed, nine years
Sohn, who directed the “Partly Cloudy” short that ran in front of Up, conjures up a visually dazzling animated feature. The Good Dinosaur’s pleasures are on smaller scale compared with the likes of Monsters, Inc. or even Inside Out, but the film’s heart is still monstrous and beats with purpose. It’s an old-school buddy adventure that would do Littlefoot proud. Rated PG, 100 minutes. — P.B. Krampus A family’s lack of Christmas spirit triggers the onslaught of a dark force and his minions. With Adam Scott, Toni Collette, David Koechner and Conchata Ferrell. Rated PG-13, 98 minutes. — Los Angeles Times
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