Archive for the ‘Concerts’ Category

From WFAA.com:

Larry Hagman was reluctant to be on a new TV show called “Dallas” when he first read the script in the late 1970s, figuring there wouldn’t be any money in it.

But his wife persuaded him to give the role of conniving oil baron and cattle rancher J.R. Ewing a shot, saying they could “renegotiate” and that the job might pay off.

It did, eventually earning Hagman a reported $100,000 or more per episode. And now fans from across the world are paying as much as $1,000 apiece to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the debut of what became one of the most popular prime-time soap operas in TV history.

“People are crazy,” Hagman said Thursday. “I guess it’s a TV show people identify with.”

On Nov. 8, J.R., Bobby, Sue Ellen and other Ewing kin will mark the anniversary with a reunion and barbecue at Southfork Ranch. Viewed panoramically in the show’s introduction, the ranch is in the Dallas suburb of Parker, about 25 miles north of the flashy downtown skyscrapers also featured in the opening scenes.

Fans from Japan, Australia, Europe and across the United States have plunked down anywhere from $100 to $1,000 for the tickets. The more one pays, the greater one gains access to cast members including Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy.

“This thing is going to be a lot of fun,” said the 77-year-old Hagman, seated in the formal living room of the Southfork mansion, a trademark cowboy hat on his head. “It’s the first one we’ve ever done with fans. They’re coming from everywhere.”

Along with the barbecue, there will be country music, dancing, fireworks and a laser light show.

“This is a chance to live like and be a Ewing for a day,” said Jason Hardison, the event’s executive producer. “We’re going to celebrate the excess and success of the 1980s, at least the oil boom, and the money that surrounded Dallas.”

Given the various story lines and characters in each hourlong episode, Hagman said he saw Dallas as more of a cartoon and “had fun with it.”

Hagman, who grew up in Weatherford, west of Fort Worth, said he patterned J.R.’s twang, persona and family views after a businessman he worked for in high school who supplied oil drilling equipment.

But those close to Hagman say he’s the antithesis of the scheming, arrogant head of the wealthy but dysfunctional Ewing clan.

Hagman, a former vegetarian and outspoken nonsmoker who gave up alcohol after his 1995 liver transplant, is now an avocado farmer. He and Maj (pronounced MY), his wife of nearly 54 years, rise with the sun and are often asleep by 7:30 p.m.

Their 44-acre spread in Ojai, Calif., is all-organic. Their home runs on solar power, which Hagman said knocked their electric bill from $40,000 a year to $13.

He remains close to a few “Dallas” cast members, hunting and fishing with Duffy, aka brother Bobby, each month. And he and Maj often dine with Gray, who played his trophy wife on the show.

Maj Hagman recalled that when her husband first got the “Dallas” script, he was out of work. The couple were in New York, where Hagman’s mom, actress Mary Martin, was doing a show with Ethel Merman.

He was busy reading a script for a half-hour comedy while Maj reviewed the “Dallas” proposal.

“Woo! Larry, this is it!” she shouted. “There’s not one redeeming character in the whole show.”

She said it was right down his alley.

“But Maj,” he replied. “The money is terrible.”

She said: “We’ll renegotiate.”

After the “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger that concluded the 1980 season, when it was unclear whether J.R. would live, Hagman bargained hard with producers and landed a huge raise.

“That’s chutzpah,” Hagman said, explaining that the writers could have easily killed off his character. “But I made millions and they made billions. Everybody did well.”

Today, Hagman said the question people most often ask him as a conversation opener is, “Who shot you, J.R.?”

When he tells them it was Bing Crosby’s daughter, Mary, who played his sister-in-law and pregnant mistress on the show, they say, who is Bing Crosby?

“It’s a different generation,” Hagman said.

Ok boys and girls, The State Fair of Texas is now open! Opening day is always a wonderful time to go….

….the park is clean…
…the carnies still have their voices…
…the grease is fresh…

Fletcher’s Corny Dog’s are the original and located near Big Tex’s boots, the struedel, fried twinkies, lemonade and battered deep fried bacon is all waiting for you.

The Midway’s game booths are stuffed full and the Arts & Crafts building show off amazing crafts handmade by local residents and the Embarcadaro building has the best of Texas produce whether it’s salsa or jams.

And remember, nothing beats people watching at the Fair! Mullet hunting season is now open.

See ya’ll out there.

This weekend, get into the swing of things with Addison Oktoberfest.

With more than 60,000 fans of polka, German food and Paulaner Bier will gather in Addison’s spectacular Addison Circle Park for music, folk dancing, sing-alongs, children’s entertainment and more.

This authentic German festival is one of the largest Oktoberfest festivals outside of the famed Munich celebration.

HOURS:
Saturday: Noon – midnight
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Admission is $5 for ages 4 and up.

With a gorgeous weekend in store, make plans to catch the Plano Balloon Festival.

Saturday, September 20
6:00 AM Gates & Parking Lots Open and Bus Service Begins
6:30 AM Dawn Patrol “Wake up Plano”
7:00 AM Balloon Launch presented by the City of Plano
2:30 PM The Impostles perform on the KLUV Main Stage
3:30 PM Mount Righteous performs on the KLUV Main Stage
4:00 PM KDFW FOX 4 presents “Are you Smarter than Tim Ryan” on the KLUV Main Stage
5:00 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
5:45 PM National Anthem performed by Camille Broker on the KLUV Main Stage
6:00 PM Balloon Launch presented by EDS Credit Union
7:00 PM Beatles Tribute Band “Me & My Monkey” in Concert
on the KLUV Main Stage
8:00 PM “Lite up the Night” with the new 103.7 FM Balloon Glow
9:00 PM Spectacular Fireworks Show presented by Crest Cadillac / Infiniti

Sunday, September 21
6:00 AM Gates & Parking Lots Open and Bus Service Begins
6:30 AM Dawn Patrol “Wake up Plano”
7:00 AM Balloon Launch presented by The Dallas Morning News
8:30 AM The Black Prairie Band performs on the KLUV Main Stage
2:00 PM EDS Jazz Ensemble performs on the KLUV Main Stage
4:00 PM Plano Community Band performs on the KLUV Main Stage
5:00 PM RE/MAX Parachute Team Exhibition
6:00 PM Balloon Launch presented by Allstate Insurance
7:00 PM Festival Closes

The Dallas Arboretum is in the midst of the “Autumn at the Arboretum” festival now through 2 November 08. Special events for this weekend include:

For those that wish to visit during the less busy weekdays, click here for discount coupons.

Let’s hope the weather stays nice for this!

The All About Uptown Fest will be this Saturday, 13 Sept 08 from 11a - 11p.

There will be historic tours of Uptown and sponsors include: City Vets, Pets R Uptown, Dean Foods, Kids Korner, Renowned Restaurants

Located on Fairmont Street between McKinney Avenue and Cedar Springs

CHEF SHOWCASE TENT
11AM: Juan Rosado - The Crescent Club at Rosewood Crescent Hotel
12PM: Vu Le - The Fish Restaurant & Sushi Bar
1PM: John Coleman - Fearings at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
2PM: Chris Meier - The Capital Grille
3PM: Paula Lambert - Mozzarella Company
4PM: David Bull - Bolla at the Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa
5PM: Brian Wubbena - Trulucks
6PM: Gianni Santin - The Conservatory at Rosewood Crescent Hotel

MAIN STAGE
11AM: Scott Whitaker - Country
1PM: A Hard Days Night - Beatles Tribute Band
3PM: Mount Righteous - Progressive Big Band
4:30PM: Jonnie Blanco - Pop Alternative Rock
7PM: Brave Combo - Alternative Polka Party Rock
9PM: The Killdares - Irish Rock

For more information, contact the Uptown Association at:
469.341.0613
www.AllAboutUptown.com

George Michael - who is currently on his 25 Live Tour - spends a good deal of time in Dallas t his home here yet likes to maintain a low profile.

However, that will be changing on October 25.

Art collectors Cindy & Howard Rachofsky have sweet talked Michael into performing for the black-tie patrons after the live auction.

This will be the 10th anniversary of Two by Two for Aids and Art gala.