Archive for July, 2007

Tonite is the kick off for the 20th Dallas Video Festival.

• All-Day Passes range from $10 (weeknights) to $25 (weekends)
• All Festival Pass & Party Access $150
• All Festival Pass $80
• All Festival Pass for VAD Members $60

Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.acteva.com/go/videofest.

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A big Happy Birthday to the rockingist guitarst- vocalist- biker around….Daniel Ash of the legendary goth band Bauhaus and Love & Rockets celebrates his birthday today!

A BIG “Thank You” to Robert Wilonsky of the Dallas Observer for bringing the plight of the Union Banker’s building to light.

As I office half a block west of this building, I am often sickened to watch the junkies make their way into the building. Even though Westdale Management won’t do jack about the building, perhaps we can. Here is what we know:

• Union Bankers Building was originally the Knights of Pythias Temple
• It was constructed in 1916
• According to a 1986 news article, it was the only commercial building built in Dallas by blacks, for blacks, utilizing black money.
• The building was designed by Sidney Pittman who was son-in-law of Booker T. Washington
• The building has city-designated historic landmark status as noted in this link
• As quoted by Wilonsky: “Westdale actually has the building listed on the county tax records as 2505 Elm, not 2551 Elm — the historic address. Fact is, if Westdale went to the city and asked to get 2505 Elm demolished to make room for a parking lot, no one would ever notice — and in the meantime, 2551 Elm would get adiosed.”

Here is what I find interesting about this situation….that building sits on the northwest corner of Good-Latimer and Elm Street and adjacent to the land that is now under development for the DART Deep Ellum station for the new Green Line.

According to this listing with the Dallas County Tax Appraisers office, the building is valued at: $272, 970 BUT the land is valued at: $1, 874, 590.

If you want to do something to save at least ONE historic building in Dallas from the greed of developers that are appearing to take shortcuts (by jacking with the addresses), contact the Mayor and City Council, Preservation Dallas and Dallas Historical Society to voice your concerns.

The following 3 photos were taken from my office window and show the Union Bankers building, the construction of DART and a view of how close all of this is to downtown Dallas.

Of all the gin joints (or ice cream parlors) in the world, why did Rudy Giuliani do a campaign stop by Wild About Harry’s on Knox?

After the massive paparazzi attention being directed towards Victoria “Posh Spice” and David Beckham, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Nicole Richie and the queen Paris Hilton, I can understand why celebrities would rather live in a more non-invasive city like Dallas.

George Michael is often in town as his boyfriend, Kenny Goss, as they own the Goss Michael Foundation on Fairmount. GM has often said he likes it here and truth be told, you rarely hear anything about him when he’s in town, yet when he’s in London it’s non-stop where he had dinner, who he was with, etc. etc.

You also rarely hear things about locals like Don Henley. Though, truth be told, Henley will take a much more pro-active stance by sending scathing letters to those establishments that call up Alan Peppard to tell him who ordered what. We are chock full of sports celebrities as well like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

I suppose many restaurants want the attention - which translates to free PR in situations and that’s why they send “tips” to the columns.

If you are hardcore wanting to see where the celebs on tour might be, your best bet would be to frequent Hotel ZaZa off of McKinney Avenue. But please keep this in mind….the more normal you treat a “celeb” the nicer they usually are and please do not impose upon them when they are eating….how would you like someone with a camera phone dashing in front of you the split second you open your mouth to take a bite of something?

Pajama Party GayBINGO happens TONITE at the Lakewood Theater, 1825 Abrams Parkway, with proceeds going to the Resource Center of Dallas. Tickets are $16.50 and doors open at 5 p.m.

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For those of you on the far west side of Dallas (a.k.a. Fort Worth), tonite the D-List Lady herself will be performing at Bass Performance Hall.

Any woman who can evoke Britney Spears’ nether regions and a chow tongue in the same sentence deserves your $32.50. And that’s exactly what you’ll need to enjoy Kathy Griffin who performs at 8 p.m. tonite at the Bass Performance Hall, Fourth and Calhoun streets in Fort Worth. Tickets are also available for $55, and there are limited premium seats for $100.

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DJ AM - known for his celebrity romances with Nicole Richie and Mandy Moore - will be performing at ghostbar this Tuesday nite and the event is complimentary with doors opening at 8pm.

You’ve heard all the hype now come check out this guy in person — and for FREE. See why artists like Papa Roach, Madonna, Will Smith and Shifty have all had him scratching on their tracks. Come and listen to his unique mixes in punk, crunk and funk, and see the man in action.

ghostbar is located on the 33^rd floor of the W Hotel at 2440 Victory Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75219.

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Typically when I am in my studio in Deep Ellum overlooking Elm Street, the most action I see is the preliminary construction of the DART station across the street. Today, however, Prison Break was on location taping.

If you want to be part of the PB action, be sure to visit Reno’s Chop Shop as the owner, Alan, is in the know on getting people spots as extras.

Below is a scene from my window showing the massive crew working on PB.

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In other Deep Ellum news, today we stopped by for lunch at the Fantasy Cafe on Main Street (just east of Good-Latimer). We were intrigued by this combination convenience store/cafe and decided to give it a try.

Chef Joey prepares Southern Style Soul Food with a twist.

Today, almost all of us chose the Black Angus Burger that was grilled to order and heaped with lettuce, tomato, sauteed onions, pickles and mayo. A heaping serving of curly fries was included with each sandwich.

We were all pleased with the sandwich and gave it high marks — we will be back.

Fantasy Cafe is an interesting concept and is open for deliveries of beer, cigarettes, ice cream, chips, etc. from 9am - 1am. The Kitchen is open from 7am - 3am Mon-Sat.

Visit their website and take advantage of specials including the current Buy 1 entree and receive the second for half-price.

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All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum will host a screening of The Beatles “Yellow Submarine” tonite at 8:30p as part of their Rock ‘n Reel Wednesday film night. The $5 donation benefits the Video Association of Dallas.

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If Rockabilly is your scene and you appreciate someone with obviously fake sideburns and withering comments about “none of that scumbag hippie crap”, then Unknown Hinson, the King of Country Western Troubadours is just for you. Check him out tonite at the Granada Theater at 8p. Tickets are $12 - $15.

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and last book of the series, is being released at 12:01 on Saturday, 21 July 07. Give the kiddies some candy and keep them up late so you can hit the book stores to get your copy and find out who the two main characters are that are supposed to meet their demise. Barnes & Noble lets you enter your zip code to find the location nearest you hosting a Midnight Magic Party.