RAKING IT IN: We frequently lament in this space how difficult it is for arts organizations to raise money. So it’s nice to report some good news on the subject: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has announced that it has exceeded its fundraising goal of $185 million a year early. The museum recently received a $6 million donation from the Moody Foundation that put it over the top. Nicole Small, the museum’s CEO, tells dallasnews.com that raising that kinda cash is, “a remarkable feat in what has been challenging economic times.”

ACT NOW: There are only three performances left of DVA Productions’ Billie’s Blues – an original play that pays tribute to Billie Holiday. And from reading the reviews, it sounds as if you’d better get thee to one of those shows. Of course, if you’re doing a show about Billie Holiday, its success is going to pretty much hinge on your Billie. In this case, DVA’s Tamara Stovall Peterson delivers. “She doesn’t sound like Holiday — but who (aside from Madeleine Peyroux) could mimic that aching, soulful whisper?” Mark Lowry writes on dfw.com. “She does, however, nail the phrasing, vocal style and volume levels. More importantly, she feels the music.” Kris Noteboom was also impressed. “The vocalist has to be strong, and Stovall Peterson is more than able to soar over that high bar.” he writes on theaterjones.com. “Stovall Peterson imparts the kind of emotional imprint on the songs that Holiday was known for.”

THE FUTURE: Sting was in town last night to play the Verizon Theatre. (Preston Jones writes that the affair was, “largely devoid of emotion.”) And while the show was a parade of hits from yesteryear, the once-and-future Gordon Sumner has his eye on the future when it comes to music distribution. “I think the app is the new model,” he tells billboard.com. “People are going to stop buying CDs. People are going to stop selling and making them, so I am looking for different ways to get music to people, and the application at the moment seems to be the favorite.” It’s a common feeling among one-name singers.