Swing: Who says there’s no jazz in the Dallas area? Did you know April is National Jazz Appreciation month?  A group of clubs, bands and presenters, including UNT, South Dallas Cultural Center, the Amsterdam bar and the Sammons Center, has organized to declare the first week in April a celebration of the music. Here’s the lineup.

Head east: I’ve spent the last two weekends in East Texas. First, Winnsboro, to see a fantastic show by blues guitarist Buddy Flett. That show was presented by Crossroads Music Company, which is currently taking over the Winnsboro Arts Center while its former home is renovated. This week, Crossroads brings in Emily Elbert, whose music you may have heard on a little radio station called KXT. Last weekend, I went to Linden, where his friends were throwing a benefit for Ronnie “Mouse” Weiss (Mouse and the Traps). That was at Music City Texas Theater, a great club I’ve wanted to visit since Mike Granberry wrote about it when it opened. At the show, I ran into Brooks Gremmels, who reminded me that Moore’s Store in Ben Wheeler, is also a fine place to see a little music and enjoy some community spirit. These spots are all less than two hours from Dallas, and Spring is breaking out all along the roadside….I’m just sayin…

ArtsPark: Tempting as it is to complete an East Texas trifecta in Ben Wheeler this weekend, I will instead be at North Park, along with about 100 arts groups, for the second ArtsPark event. Lots of demonstrations, performances, opportunities to create art, or volunteer to help make it happen.

You have until noon to sign up to win our ArtsPark-related Big Deal: two amazing prize packages – each offering more than 20 art experiences to a lucky winner.  If  you make it out, please stop by Art&Seek’s table to say hello to  me and Jerome, Gila and Therese. And more important, to sign up to win more prizes.

Vision: I made it about three-quarters of the way to the Visionary Awards in Fort Worth last night. I suspect I will be spending three-quarters of the day today with my mechanic. Sigh. Looking for accounts of what I missed. Please pass them along.