A D.O. COMMISSION: The Dallas Opera announced late Tuesday that it has commissioned British composer Joby Talbot to write a one-act opera about a 1996 expedition to scale Mt. Evererst. “Everest will blend documented facts and contemporary recollections of the transformative journey experienced by Everest survivors, with flights of the imagination designed to keep audience members transfixed in this harshly beautiful place at the top of the world,” the opera said in a news release. Everest marks the fifth world premiere for the Dallas Opera; look for it in February 2015.

IT’S GETTING DRAFTY UP HERE: Late Monday night, the Richardson City Council unanimously approved plans to build an Alamo Drafthouse at Belt Line and Central Expressway. That’s big news for movie fans as the Austin-based Drafthouse is known for expertly curated repertory programming in addition to the usual first-run films. And Tuesday, Bill DiGaetano, who owns the franchise writes for North Texas, told dallasnews.com, “We think we’re going to be able to open four to six in the Metroplex.”

LAS COLINAS COMPLEX UPDATE: Over the weekend, Irving voters elected two members to the city council who oppose the proposed Las Colinas Entertainment complex. And after a June runoff, the council could shift to a majority of members who oppose the deal. But that doesn’t mean the deal is dead. Las Colinas Group, who is developing the project, now says it can raise more money to pay for its part, lessening the burden on the city. All the details are over at dallasnews.com.