Five stories that have North Texas talking: Dallas VideoFest 26 kicks off tonight, a metro-wide art project tries to make art with purpose, the beloved kolache goes under the microscope, and more.
- Opening night for Dallas VideoFest 26: VideoFest opens at 7:15 tonight with “True Tales,” which delves into Nancy Myers’ life as a headliner at Jack Ruby’s Carousel Club in the ‘60s. The documentary will be shown at South Side Music Hall Gilley’s Dallas, 1135 S. Lamar St. If you’re going, you’re encouraged to come dressed in your best early ‘60s or “Mad Men” attire. Other films include “As I Am,” about a young man trying to escape poverty; “City of Hate,” about Dallas’ connection to the Kennedy assassination; and “Mercy Mercy,” which follows all participants in the adoption process. On Thursday, the festival heads up to Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Richardson, where it will host more than 140 screenings through Sunday. Last week’s Art&Seek Big Screen podcast previewed the fest.
- Putting art on the MAP: Make Art With Purpose is happening in Dallas-Fort Worth through Nov. 24. It’s a series of exhibitions and art projects designed to engage the community while restoring and preserving the environment and promote social justice. MAP includes performances, public art, workshops, lectures, a bike share program, and more. KERA’s Stephen Becker has a report. Today at noon, “Think” host Krys Boyd talks with Janeil Engelstad, artist, curator and founding director of Make Art With Purpose. Listen live on KERA 90.1 FM or online. One example: Greenmeme is producing a canopy from a repurposed, woven boat in collaboration with University of North Texas students. The project is designed to spark a campus-wide conversation about the environment. A reception and artist talk takes place from 6 to 8 tonight at UNT.
- The tasty, Texan kolache – is it the new doughnut?: The New York Times explores the kolache and its Texas ties. The newspaper declares that the kolache “straddles several constituencies: the descendants of Czech immigrants, who still make the pastry in the broad swath of central Texas known as the Czech Belt; the highway commuters who have made it a coveted road food; and the artisans and entrepreneurs around the country who are now positioning it as the next-generation doughnut.” Dawn Orsak, an Austin folklorist, told the Times: “Kolaches are in the love-child phase of their development.” One kolache establishment in Houston sells chicken enchilada and Philly cheesesteak kolaches. We think we’ll stick to the fruit ones. (Anyone want to head to The Czech Stop in West?)
- It’s going to be a while before AT&T Stadium hosts another Super Bowl: Dallas-Fort Worth won’t be getting Super Bowl 52 in 2018. The Dallas Morning News reports that New Orleans, Indianapolis and Minneapolis have made the final cut. The NFL will choose the winning city in the spring. Met Life Stadium in New Jersey will host the 2014 Super Bowl. Glendale, Ariz., gets the 2015 game. San Francisco hosts the 2016 Super Bowl, while Houston gets the 2017 show. Arlington hosted the 2011 bowl – remember how that went? Outside, there was a big snow and ice storm – inside, there was a seating controversy. Our only hope is for the Cowboys to get to the Super Bowl. But based on how the team’s doing so far this year, that’s not going to happen for a while, either.
- Glitzy gifts in the 2013 Christmas Book: A sign that Christmas is just around the corner — Neiman Marcus has released its 2013 Christmas Book. Looking for a whimsical, fantastical holiday gift for that special someone? The Dallas-based luxury retailer has some ideas. How about choosing a diamond ring that includes a diamond-hunting trip to Africa and a trip to New York to have your ring designed? It’s yours for just $1.85 million. Or what about a “his and hers” entertainment system with a 201-inch TV that rises out of the ground? A steal at $1.5 million. KERA News has more details – and we built a slideshow of some of the fantasy gifts.
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