If you missed the Etsy Spring Bash, don’t fret, the Jingle Bash is not too far away. Or, if you are like me and need instant gratification, you can always go to Etsy’s site and shop local businesses. Not quite as fun, but you can do it in your pajamas.

This episode was hosted by Kyle Austin, shot by Zach Kelly, audio was captured by Bryce Bezner, and Jason Bunnell directed. Bryce Bezner also edited footage. Be sure to check out other episodes on our YouTube page. You can also follow us on Facebook for updates.

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Make a flying machine: Red Bull’s annual Flugtag is coming to Dallas this September, so grab the closest engineer (even if just in spirit) and DaVinci up a human-powered flying machine. Application deadline is June 1, so assemble your team and start drawing up plans!

Have a super happy funtime: Dallas finally has a music festival to call it’s own, and it’s awesome because it’s not as crowded or annoying as ACL. Kick of the summer at KXT’s Summer Cut on June 1 at Gexa with national favorites like The Avett Brothers and Matt and Kim as well as a few local lovelies like RTB2 and Oil Boom.

Image provided by the Trinity River Vision Authority.

Float, drink, listen: Dallasites often overlook some of the awesomeness Fort Worth has to offer. Every Thursday this summer starting June 6, head out to Panther Pavillion for Rockin’ the River. Float the Trinity in a tube, knock back a cold one and listen to local live music. Those who prefer to stay dry can roll up with blankets or chairs and enjoy the show on the lawn. Beer and tacos can be purchased on site, and 6 pack coolers can be borrowed to keep your beer cold on the water. Dogs welcome.

Be a local tourist: Maybe you’ve seen a 6 foot B and G hangin’ around lately (or maybe you haven’t, but they are there). It’s all part of a new campaign launched by Dallas encouraging folks to stand in the middle to be the “I” in “BIG” (as in “Big D” but there is no D). There are 23 BG’s around town; be a local tourist and visit them all. Yeah yeah, there’s a contest involved too. I’m too lazy for that, but by all means go for it if you have it together enough to submit all those photos of yourself as I.

Head to a museum: A really hot day is a great time to visit area museums, because, you know, they have to keep it at like 68 degrees or else the art and stuff will melt off the walls. If you haven’t been yet, then the Perot Museum is new to you. The DMA is now free of charge (excluding special exhibitions), as is the Crow Collection of Asian Art across the street. And then of course there is the new Bush Library, where you can see a twisted steel beam from one of the World Trade Centers and statues of George W. and George H.W. made out of chocolate. (I kid, but those things really do look like chocolate, am I right? I bet they’re even hollow in the middle like the real thing…)

Go see a movie: Keep your eyes open for the various free movie events going on all summer, like summertime movies on the big screens at Victory park and the summer dive ins at the Fairmont pool. (Schedules have yet to be announced.) Also keep your eyes open for the opening of Dallas’ first Alamo Drafthouse. The date has not yet been set, but the location in Richardson is slated to open by mid-summer. (Don’t worry; we will definitely keep you updated on that.)

Get musical: What’s a summer in Dallas without the Dallas Summer Musicals? Head to Fair Park and check out one or all of this year’s lineup, including Flashdance, Wicked, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sister Act and The Lion King.

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We stopped by to see Robin Hood, on the Road To Sherwood. Be sure to watch our video as Rodney Dobbs explains the genesis of the play. Was the play a success? It seems at Pocket Sandwich Theatre, success is measured by the amount of popcorn on the floor. This episode of Dallas Theatre Geek is hosted by Katherine Bourne and directed by Jason Bunnell. You can see more episodes of Dallas Theatre Geek on our YouTube page here.

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When I first visited Hopdoddy, it was due to the hype of a few of my fellow colleagues.  Their praises were grand, expectations were high, & I rolled in thinking that I could order anything and it would be at least on par with the burgers around the corner at Hillstone (Houston’s) and Cafe R&D.  Looking at the menu, and having a new check in the bank, I decided to put it all on red and order the Prime Time (the most over highest priced burger on the menu).  Let me tell you now, the ingredients sound like they go together better than delivered.

My palett was offended, and I swore off this overhyped, high end hipster entrenched, burger bar forever…

At least until tonight when my buddy got me good and drunk and convinced me I give Hopdoddy another go… and I am glad he did.

First off, the atmosphere was good and light.  Sure I was already halfway drunk, but everyone working there seemed to play along, and made some rather convincing recommendations, given my 10 minute dialogue on how I swore I would never eat at Hopdoddy again (thanks cashier girls for putting up with me).

Second off, it was pretty cool that everything (at least that is what they told me) is from Texas.  From the kobe ground beef Texas imported knockoff breed of ground beef to the Frito/Lay conglomerate corn chips.  But seriously, everything is Texas, from the ingredients to the beer to the music to the art on the walls.  Well played Hopdoddy.  Well played.

I ordered one of the burgers that I believe was recommended to me the first time.  The Terlingua, which according to the menu consists of “angus beef, chile con carne, corn fritos, tillamook cheddar, & sassy sauce” but apparently is made out of pure fuckin awesome!  If you are a pro you order it with a side of fresh jalapeno (again kuddos to the girls working the register).

Seriously, if you would order this burger and remove any of the ingredients, do me a favor and punch yourself in the face until you can’t eat.  Look at the picture below.  It all goes together so well, this burger might make my upcoming top 5 best burgers in Dallas list.  The chili is amazing and fritos make it a frito pie on a burger.  That is double cardiac arrest points, but I don’t care.  It is that good!

The fries were good, but I am off lowering my carb intake, so I only stole about a third of a basket.

Nomnoms.  Seriously, mine was gone before I realized I started (and it was a good size burger).  Had plenty of time to wipe my chops off and then compose this pic.

This shake had alcohol in it, and for the life of me, I can’t remember what they said was going into it, but I would have eaten part of my hand had this shake spilled on it.  It was that good.  Your homework assignment, find out what it was and go get it!

Oh, and they have beer!… and a fairly good beer selection.  Some things I had not tried before.  Again, cannot remember what this is called but a gold star if you can figure it out in the comments below.

All in all, I owe an apology to Hopdoddy.  For the past 9 weeks I have been steering people away and pointing my burger snob nose in the air when it came to people recommending the place to me.  For that, I am deeply sorry.  I can only say, RUN, don’t walk, to try these burgers out if you have not already.

I will say, my only remaining critique is take off, rework or lower the price of the Prime Time burger.  As it is false advertising as is, and does not do the rest of the brand justice.

The hopdoddy menu in case you are still debating (in which case I judge your ability to make good life decisions).

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Day Break will make its debut Saturday, April 27 at Brewed in Fort Worth. Image courtesy of Martin House Brewing Company

Yeah yeah, that’s great and all, but what you really want to know about is their brews, am I right? They rolled out with two house staples that are available now (click the big red “Find Our Beer” button on their website for a Google map of where to find some). The River House Saison is their session beer, which means it’s easy-does-it down the hatch with an abv that won’t put you under the table in 2.5 beers flat. The second brew is their Imperial Texan, a hoppy and piney red ale that quickly became a favorite at this weekend’s Untapped Festival.

Next up: the Day Break 4 grain breakfast beer, called so because it was modeled after a bowl of cereal with barley, oats, wheat and rye and finished with honey and milk sugar. They had a soft-launch of this sweet and light sip Tuesday and are fully releasing this brew to the public on Saturday at Brewed in Fort Worth. Go, sip, enjoy, and dammit be responsible with your sesh. Their last beer rollout that will be available year ’round is There Will Be Stout. A stout, clearly. This pint of goodness is actually a pretzel stout, brewed with pretzels. The sweet and roasty-toasty (this is a technical term) notes of chocolate mixed with the saltiness of the pretzels is sure to sate that sweet-and-salty tooth, and is one in particular I am really looking forward to. They have just started the brewing process on this little baby (according to their twitter feed) so keep an eye out for it in about… umm, however long it takes to make, ferment, keg and distribute beer.

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This episode was hosted by Kyle Austin, shot by Zach Kelly, and audio by Jason Bunnell. Zach Kelly edited this episode. Be sure to check out more episodes at our YouTube channel. If you have an idea for a future episode, be sure to leave the suggestion in the comments.

They also have some cool programs. Be sure to check out their site for details. Every year near Halloween they have the pumpkin festival. I think they said there were 10,000 pumpkins. It is amazing. They just finished Dallas Blooms.

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Before the show begins, Kilmer wafts through the audience — a one-liner here, a raised glass of whiskey there.  He is already charming his soon-to-be cohorts, enticing them to hang onto his every word.  As performance techniques go, this is an undeniably successful one given the right artist.  And Kilmer is exactly that.  He is electric, clever, witty, and indubitably lovable.  He is everything one would expect Mark Twain himself to be.  Through his delectable stage persona, Kilmer is able to achieve an entirely inviting experience for his audience.  Throughout the hour-and-a-half-long show, I couldn’t help but feel that I was sitting on a porch beneath the stars discussing life and the everlasting with my old friend Mark Twain.  With anyone, that would be a delightful Friday evening ….  With Kilmer as Twain?  Perfection.

Kilmer builds a strong rapport with his audience, which put me in of the most excited audiences in which I have ever had the privilege to sit.  Audience members cackled at all the right jokes, shouted out answers to Twain’s questions, and sat in silence to reflect on the enormous challenges he bestowed upon us.  At times, the audience was so invigorated that it was a bit unsettling.  It has been a long time since I’ve sat in such a responsive and enthusiastic audience – and it was a pleasure.  I wish every audience were like this one; they proved to me that the theatre is still very much alive and vital to our cultural heritage.

Citizen Twain comprises a company rife with brilliant artists.  The show was written, directed, produced, and performed by Val Kilmer.  Also featured are: General Manager Tammy Taylor, Production Manager Gabriella Rhodeen, Creative Consultant Casey Stangl, Set Designer John Arnone, Lighting Designer Daniel Ionazzi, Hair/Makeup/Costume Designer Byron J. Batista, Sound Designer Cricket S. Myers, Original Video Art Designer Simon J. Reilly, Video Mapping/Projection Designer Integrated Visions Productions, Documentary Director/Editor Leo Scott, Props Master Shannon Dedman, Director of New Media Marketing Peggye Marks, Dallas Public Relations Jo Ann Holt, and Production Stage Manager William Coiner.  John Arnone is a local talent, whose scenic design prowess can also be seen in The Ghost Sonata, which is currently playing at Undermain Theatre through May 11.

I am proud to say that this is the caliber of show being brought through the Wyly Theater.  Unfortunately, it was only for one weekend.  But if you are interested in seeing more nationally-touring shows, Wicked will be playing at the Music Hall at Fair Park through May 5.  A list of upcoming nationally touring shows can be found on Broadway World.  Shows coming soon to the AT&T Performing Arts Center are:  Fela! (May 7-19 at the Winspear Opera House) and Traces (June 11-23 at the Winspear Opera House).

Local shows currently playing in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area include: Rx at Kitchen Dog Theater (through April 27), The Ghost Sonata at Undermain Theatre (through May 11), Enron at Theater 3 (April 25-May 25), Robin Hood, the Road to Sherwood at Pocket Sandwich Theater (through May 11), The Grapes of Wrath at Water Tower Theatre (through April 28), and 4000 Miles at Stage West (through May 5).

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Friday: After you kick off from work on Friday, head to the Granada to see a great local lineup with The O’s, Telegraph Canyon and I Love Math. If you’re looking for some grub before the show, check out some farm-to-table fare and local craft beer goodness at Sundown at the Granada next door.

Saturday: Sleep in a little, then get ready for a day jam-packed with activities. Start by heading to Deep Ellum for the North Texas Taco Festival to make sure you don’t suffer from the munchies before you head out to Fort Worth for the rest of the day. Then hop on I-30 and follow the white lines until you get to downtown Fort Worth for the annual Main Street Arts Festival. Check out the fine art and fine crafts at one of the country’s premiere art fairs. Walk around, check out some really cool art, maybe buy something if it strikes your fancy, then grab a beer at the craft brew pavilion and a bite before heading to Panther Island Pavillion for the Untapped Festival of indie music and craft beer. (I know, our two favorite things married at last!) Gates open at 2, music starts at 3, and the local craft beer will be aflowin’ for the rest of the evening. Please drink your craft beer responsibly; it’s a long drive home for Dallasites. Headliners include Sarah Jaffe, Deer Tick, Justin Townes Earl and Cedar Creek Brewery. If you don’t mind walking, go ahead and park at or near Panther Pavillion as soon as you get to Fort Worth, as it’s only about a mile from the art festival. Good beer + being on foot = safe good times.

Sunday: Go green all day on Sunday at Fair Park. Start by elevating your ecological awareness at 2013 Earth Day Dallas. Check out the booths, listen to a few speakers that do waaaay more for the Earth than you do, or dress like a farmer and participate in the Truck Farm Fun Run. Just make sure to bring a change of clothes so you can then walk over to the Music Hall (also at Fair Park) for the matinee showing of Wicked, the awesomely popular musical that shows the Wizard of Oz from the witch’s perspective. It ain’t easy bein’ green, ain’t that right?

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Using the format of a traditional romantic comedy, Kate has strikingly portrayed our overmedicated society.  Her quirky, off beat characters give the play real heart while aptly taking aim at an industry where there is a pill to cure everything.

Rx tells the story of Meena Pierotti (Tina Parker), an editor at a cattle-and-swine magazine, who is suffering from what pharmaceutical conglomerate Schmidt Pharma hopes to diagnose as workplace depression.  Meena is enrolled in their study for a new drug aimed at “curing” what ails our nation’s sad employees, during which time she and her doctor Phil Gray (Max Hartman) – in classic romantic comedy form – fall in love, much to the dismay of Schmidt Pharma.

Director Chris Carlos (company member and co-artistic director of Kitchen Dog Theater) leads a stellar team of artists toward a smart, delicious production.  Showcased are the many talents of company members Tina Parker (Meena Pierotti), Max Hartman (Phil Gray), John M. Flores (Richard/Ed), and Martha Harms (Allison Hardy), as well as other locals Chris Curtis (Simon) and Jane Willingham (Frances).  The production staff comprises company members Jeremy Escobar (Stage Manager), Bryan Wofford (Set Design), Christina Cook (Costume Design), John M. Flores (Sound Design), Jen Gilson-Gilliam (Prop Design), and Alex Lorrain-Hill (Technical Director).

While a raucous good time, Rx is best left as a date-night play for the adults.  Due to a mature scene, I recommend leaving the kids at home.

Rx runs through April 27 at Kitchen Dog Theater in the Heldt/Hall Theater at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary (The MAC), located at 3120 McKinney Avenue in Uptown.  Ticket prices range from $15-$25 for adults and $10-$25 for MAC, STAGE, KERA, DART, ARTSCARD, TCG members, and students and senior citizens/65+ (all with proper ID).  Performances are Thursday-Saturday at 8PM.  Additional performances are: Wednesday 4/24 at 8 PM (with a Pay-What-You-Can option for the first 25 patrons) and Sunday 4/21 at 2PM; a TalkBack follows the Sunday performance.  Kitchen Dog Theater will be hosting a benefit night for area non-profit Human Rights Initiative of North Texas on Friday April 19.  $10 of every $25 Adult ticket sold that evening will be donated to HRI, who provides free legal services to immigrant survivors of human rights abuses.

Other plays currently running in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area: The Ghost Sonata (Undermain Theatre, through May 5), Robin Hood, The Road to Sherwood (Pocket Sandwich Theater, through May 5), The Grapes of Wrath (Water Tower Theatre, through April 21), and 4000 Miles (Stage West, Through April 28).

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