After a dinner at Red Lobster (or "The Lob," as Kristen Wiig called it on last week's otherwise atrocious SNL) that I was almost embarrassingly excited about, I hit the new Bar Céline at Park restaurant on Henderson.
Decorated in rich, dark colors and sumptuous, buttery textures, Bar Celine is dolled up like a French salon, and the room was like the interior-design version of Swiss chocolate -- decadent.
A long bench, backed by velvety corduroy pillows, lined the wall of the small space located past the Park dining room. Eclectic chairs were interspersed throughout, as were handsome tables, lamps and overhead light fixtures. The place was cozy and low-lit, perfect for cozying up to a date, and a smart playlist -- Ingrid Michaelson, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cut Copy -- served as an interesting backdrop.
Celine serves a handful of specialty cocktails, including the Lychee Thyme (left), an herb-y, delicately sweet concoction, though our waitress informed us that the bar was crafting more than a dozen to add to the menu. Nice! There's also a small menu of snackie-sized bites.
This week, our cover girl is the lovely and talented Kid Sister, whose debut album Ultraviolet hit stores on Tuesday. Dallas is lucky enough to get the rapper-singer inside its borders the weekend after her release. Not only is she on the bill at the electronic music fest Meltdown, Saturday night at the Palladium, but she's sharing the schedule with her friends and superstar DJs A-Trak and David Guetta (as well as a host of other DJs and acts).
Wanna hit Meltdown for free on Saturday with a guest? Be one of the first two to e-mail me at hhauk (at) quickdfw.com with the subject line "Right Hand Hi." G'luck.
(Kid Sister at Meltdown details are after the jump under Saturday's listings.)
FRIDAY
Comedian Doug Benson (of Super High Me and Best Week Ever fame) performs at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. at Hyena's, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane. $10-$15. hyenascomedynightclub.com.
Dweezil Zappa, the rock guitarist and son of Frank Zappa has one of the most memorable names in the biz (although not as memorable as that of his sister, Moon Unit). And to thank dear ol' Dad, he's on the road playing his father's music as part of a special "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour. 8:30 p.m. House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $35-$75. ticketmaster.com.
Relive the adventures of Chunk, Data, Mouth and Sloth at a late-night screening of The Goonies. Midnight (also Saturday at midnight). Inwood Theatre, 5458 W. Lovers Lane. $10. 214-764-9106. www.landmarktheatres.com.
Grammy-nominated band Skillet draws in lovers of hard rock, industrial and metal. And, despite writing songs with Christian messages, it hasn't had any trouble finding airplay on MTV, especially for the song "Monster" from this year's album, Awake. 7 p.m. Palladium Ballroom, 1135 S. Lamar St. $24. ticketmaster.com.
Hip-hop acts Eyedea & Abilities and Themselves perform, and Denton DJ Yeahdef will kick off the show with a set. 9 p.m. at Hailey's, 122 Mulberry St., Denton. $12-$14. 940-323-1160. haileysclub.com.
Jackopierce performs at 8 p.m. (also Saturday at 8 p.m.) at the Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. $30 and $40. granadatheater.com.
Up-and-coming North Dallas DIY venue the Project House will play host to Denton's PVC Street Gang, Austin's TV Torso and Dallas bands New Fumes and Cocky Americans. Should be a good one. 8 p.m. 2607 Walnut Hill Lane. Cover TBA. theprojecthouse.net.
Trey Johnson, Salim Nourallah and Dave Little's Meltdown, 9 p.m. Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St. $10. 214-747-4422. sonsofhermann.com.
Loud, out-of-control Denton rock band Kaboom will release its new album Blood at Rubber Gloves, with White Drugs, Drink to Victory and Dan Dockrill. 9 p.m. 411 E. Sycamore St. $5. 940-381-0551. rubberglovesdentontx.com.
Remixed Fridays at Mick's Bar. Hip-hop, mash-ups and house from DJs Yosh and Pierre. $3 drink specials. 10 p.m. 2825 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-827-0039. myspace.com/micksbar.
Hot Bod 2010 Calendar release party at Plush. Hosted by calendar creator Jayme Lynne. DJ Pollux spins in the main room and A One in the Zodiac Lounge. 10 p.m. 1400 Main St. No cover. 1-888-657-5874. plushdallas.com.
Winter Wonderland Party at the Hotel Capri. Music by DJ Sno White. Hosted by Tommy Gunn and the "sexy snow bunnies." 10 p.m. 2020 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-370-9944. thehotelcapri.com.
Access Dallas and Tommy C Productions presents House Party at M Street Bar. Casual dress code. No cover for ladies before 10:30 p.m. Doors open at 10 p.m. 3508 Greenville Ave. $10. 214-370-5500. mstreetbar.com.
See Saturday and Sunday events, including Kid Sister at Meltdown, Bob Saget and Justin Nozuka, after the jump.
The New Jersey native has stayed active since his 2001 debut, musicforthemorningafter, where he played every instrument on the album. Now, five albums later - including his recent release with actress Scarlett Johansson - Yorn has yet to show signs of slowing down.
Thursday night at the House of Blues was the same. On his second-to-last show of the tour, Yorn stayed busy on the stage.
From swapping guitars between songs - four total; two electric, two acoustic - to playing songs from every album, Yorn and his five-piece backing band kept the selections diverse and the sound tight.
While he's been known in the past to mix in several covers into the set, Yorn made the night about his music. He played a snippet of a Bruce Springsteen song and compressed "Bizarre Love Triangle," a seven-minute New Order song down, down to three minutes (and a rocking three minutes at that).
The audience was heavily involved in the show as well. Yorn pitted fans in the balcony against fans on the floor to see who had the better "Ahhhs" during "Murray" and both sexes were easily swooned by the harmonica solos in "Life on a Chain" and "Strange Condition."
Isaac Russell, a 17-year-old from California by way of Utah, opened the show with a six-song acoustic set. Recently signed to Columbia records, Russell had to battle a noisy, talkative crowd that, at times, overpowered the young singer/songwriter and his guitar.
While his efforts were valiant, in the end the crowd won out.
High point: The band
Yes, the reason to go to a live show is to see the band play your favorite songs live, but Yorn and company added a little something to each song.
Whether it was the graceful solos of the lead guitarist, the rhythmic bass lines or the tight-as-a-snare drumming, the band made you feel like you were in a club one minute and then at an open mic night at a coffee house the next.
Low point: The audience
"It's a mandolin! It's a mandolin!" screamed the guy next to me as he shook his friend.
Yes, that twangy, Southern sound you hear in the background of "Crystal Village" is a mandolin being played by the multi-instrumentalist. Now calm down.
As Yorn got deeper into his set, the audience members who started the night at the bar slowly moved onto the floor, song by song. Midway through the set, personal space was being invaded and there was nothing you could do about it.
I have a sinking feeling that most critics will hate The Twilight Saga: New Moon (opening at midnight) just as hard as the teenage girls watching last night's screening loved it. Every time the shirtless, buff Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) appeared on screen, an unnamed movie writer beside me groaned loudly and went straight for his pen and little pad o' insults, while the row of chick-lets behind me made sounds that can only be described as pre-orgasmic.
To be honest, I was a lot more annoyed by the critic. He went into a Twilight movie knowing he 1) didn't get its appeal and 2) didn't really want to. Seems like a waste of a highly coveted seat. I enjoyed the first film. Unlike so many other teen-marketed movies, it featured characters that are deeply complex and authentically awkward. And while they're not quite as awkward in New Moon, they're a hell of a lot more complicated.
For much of the latest installment, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is fighting severe depression after getting dumped by her vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). He doesn't want her to lose her soul as a result of being part of his underworld. Nice of him, really, but she just sees his move as abandonment. And she doesn't deal well. She screams out during bad dreams, sits alone in the school cafeteria and puts herself in dangerous situations with the hope that the bloodsucker will suddenly appear to save her.
Her indie-music-assisted funk finally begins to fade when she asks childhood friend Jacob to help her fix up a couple of motorbikes (for another death-wish activity, no doubt). His humor and humanity are just what she needs, even if it's obvious she'll never love him the same way she loves Edward. Still, the Bella-Jacob section of the movie is the most enjoyable, not for Lautner's impressive physique, but for his easy, breezy acting style. He's a natural; it amazes me that he could've lost the part after the first film had he not bulked up.
Oh, did I mention that Jacob's a werewolf? Kidding. You've seen the trailer, where he jumps into the air and transforms in front of Bella. While he and his "wolf pack" brothers help fend off the bloodthirsty vampires who've arrived to hunt down Bella in Edward's absence, his hotblooded doggy behavior eventually complicates his relationship with her.
The movie's final section takes a sharp turn that involves Italy, a scary Dakota Fanning (the best kind of Dakota Fanning, it turns out) and the reunion of Bella and Edward. No use in revealing more. But the events of the third act definitely cement the star-crossed lovers theme, echoing the book Bella's studying at the beginning of the film, Romeo and Juliet. Her relationship with Edward (and his killer hair) is strong enough that both would rather die than live in a world without the other's existence.
New Moon is thoughtful, beautifully filmed and doesn't cut any corners in adapting its source novel. There's sly, self-deprecating humor, meticulous character development and grandiose, blockbuster special effects. It's the second entry in a romantic's equivalent of the Star Wars or Lord of the Rings series.
So, write in your little pad, unnamed critic, about all the things you find wrong with the movie. Laugh haughtily at the first hint of trite dialogue. Groan at the lingering pec shots. The girls and fantasy freaks will be over here, getting swept away for a couple of hours. And they'll have a lot more fun.
Quentin Moore is a former University of North Texas football player in his late 20s who writes and sings organic, slightly jazzy soul tunes. His latest CD Vintage Love is by no means perfect or polished, but there's something about his old-school sensibilities that's appealing in the age of electro beats and Auto Tune. Check out qmooremusic.com to hear some tracks.
Correction: This item in this week's print edition of the Liner Notes column contained incorrect information about a concert this weekend for Moore. That concert already happened, but we'll keep you updated as to when he decides to perform live next.
Were you captured by our cameras this past weekend at Cirque Lounge? Click on the picture to see Quick's Club Cam gallery. And check back next Thursday for a new slideshow.
Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn has a thing for actresses who want to sing. He helped Minnie Driver get her first album off the ground, and he recently released a duets album with Scarlett Johansson. The lucky dog can also make a crowd swoon on his own with his earnest rock songs. 9 p.m. House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $17-$45. ticketmaster.com.
"A Folk & Spune Thanksgiving" comes early to the Hydrant Cafe, featuring Charlie Parr, Doug Burr and Seryn. 9 p.m. 208 W. Oak St., Denton. Cover TBA. 940-384-0033. hydrantcafe.com.
The Mountain Goats perform with Final Fantasy and Larkin Grimm. 8 p.m. Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. $15-$20. 214-824-9933. granadatheater.com.
DJ Sober spins at Top Notch Thursdays upstairs at The Cavern, 1914 Greenville Ave. 10 p.m. Free. thecaverndallas.com.
'80s Dance Night at Hailey's. Doors at 9 p.m. 122 Mulberry St., Denton. Free. haileysclub.com.
Smashburger, a casual food chain with locations in 11 states, opened its first Dallas branch with a tasty preview. Located just below the Addison Improv, the new restaurant is so named for the preparation of its burgers -- they're smashed whilst on the grill, in order to give them a nice sear and a juicy center. And, wow, is that technique workin' for 'em: My All-American burger (below) was exactly as I prefer such sammiches -- thick, dripping with juices, and revealing a perfect ribbon of pink as I bite into it. One of my companions felt that it was too greasy, but I corrected him: "juicy, dude -- it's juicy!"
Tyler family band Eisley is on a bill with Say Anything and others. Doors at 5:30 p.m. The Door, 2513 Main St. $17-$20. 214-742-3667. thedoorclubs.com.
LA Latin, funk and hip-hop band Ozomatli performs with Nathan Maxwell and the Original Bunny Gang. 8 p.m. House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $20-$45. ticketmaster.com.
Gutterth presents Dear Human, Lars Larsen, Vexed UK and Blixaboy at Rubber Gloves, 411 E. Sycamore St., Denton. Doors at 9 p.m. Free. rubberglovesdentontx.com.
Hallucinatory Hump-Day with DeeJay CeePee at 10 p.m., upstairs at The Cavern, 1914 Greenville Ave. Free. thecaverndallas.com.
Dru Kaba and Sam Sameni host Old School Wednesday at Glo. 10 p.m. 2323 N. Henderson Ave. No cover. 214-824-2251. glo-lounge.com.
... I finally connected with a friend I'd been meaning to hang out with for ages. What a fun night out! We met at Trece, which, along with Villa-O across the street, offers a special free menu on Monday nights. Free, with a capital free!! Now, of course, they must hope that most patrons will buy a bottle of wine or two or order a specialty cocktail or three. And who wouldn't want to -- I felt nekkid in this lavish, low-lit spot until I had martini glass in hand. And my Pomjito didn't disappoint -- sweet but not cloying with a tiny bit of tartness, it woke up my taste buds, just in time for the grub. I started with chicken nachos (above), which pretty much filled me up. But I still had a fish taco entree coming! I could only stuff down one fabulous fried snapper taco before my stomach waved the white flag.
From Trece, my friend and I made an unusual detour to Oak Cliff, so he could get a haircut. Yes, a haircut appointment at almost 10 at night. He gets his hair cut and styled at Sweet 200, which I had previously thought was either a bakery or an organization of local businesses. Nope! It was the cutest little salon you ever did see, with wood floors, big suspended mirrors at each station ... and a pool table. Nice! So as homeboy got styled, I worked on my game.
Once boyfriend got his hair did, it was off to the Library bar at the Warwick Melrose hotel. Sadly, we missed the fabulous Monday night happy hour, but we found a cozy corner, listened to the singing pianist and caught up on major dish, cocktails in hand. A fabulous evening all around.
Today, Fort Worth country-rock artist Collin Herring releases Ocho, his first record produced by Centro-matic's Will Johnson. Get it here. We've covered both Collin and Will extensively in the past, so seeing the two work together on something is quite a thrill. Check out their behind-the-scenes making-of video above. A little bit more on the new CD coming in this week's print edition ...
If you haven't checked out rising British star Imogen Heap yet, chances are you've probably heard her somewhere along the way. Her Frou Frou song "Let Go" was the star of the final scene in Garden State, and her music has appeared in everything from The OC to The Hills to The Chronicles of Narnia. Her latest album is Ellipse, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard album charts in August. If you snagged tickets for this one, good for you. It's sold out. 8 p.m. Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave. 214-824-9933. granadatheater.com.
Funkytown pop singer-songwriter Tim Halperin releases his new EP Make or Break. 9 p.m. The Aardvark, 2905 W. Berry St., Fort Worth. $7. 817-926-7814. the-aardvark.com.
CNU presents Tuesday Calls at the Hotel Capri. $3 you-call-its and bottle specials all night. DJ Huma spins. Casual dress code. 10 p.m. 2020 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-370-9944. thehotelcapri.com.
Rituals at Rok Republic. This is the grand opening for the bar formerly known as Republic. $3 domestics and $2 wells. DJ Pollux, Willie Trimmer and Kelly Taylor spin. 9 p.m. 2922 Hall St. No cover. 214-999-0053. facebook.com/rokrepublic.
Denton DJ Yeahdef presents his weekly '90s night. 10 p.m. Hailey's, 122 Mulberry St., Denton. $5 for under 21, no cover for over 21. 940-323-1160. haileysclub.com.
Disqo Disco at Fallout Lounge, hosted by Sydney Confirm DJs. 835 Exposition Drive. 10 p.m. myspace.com/disqodisco.
There were a lot of great nightlife opportunities in Dallas this last weekend. One choice was the annual CF Concert Series at The Granada with Rhett Miller and friends.
Thanks to the video magic of Stan Rouleau, Quick readers can get a peek at the special VIP portion of the charity event - complete with intimate performances by Shibboleth and Rhett Miller. Expect to see more video from Stan in the next couple days, as he shares performances during the main event by The O's, Salim Nourallah and more Rhett.
Much like Isla Fisher, another flame-haired comedienne who got her first headlining role in a January rom-com, Amy Adams is hitting screens next year in Leap Year, a fizzy feature that just might have enough chutzpah to rise above expectations. I was definitely charmed by the trailer.
Adams plays a young lady expecting a bejeweled gift from her boyfriend -- and a proposal. When she instead unwraps a pair of diamond earrings, she devises a plan. Seems her boyfriend is heading to Dublin in late February. When Adams' character learns it's somewhat of an acceptable tradition there for ladies to propose to their gents, she sets out for Ireland. Problem is, inclement weather forces her plane to land in Wales. But cutie bartender Matthew Goode offers her a car ride to Dublin. One mishap after another gets the pair closer to each other, and by the time they finally reach Dublin, Adams isn't quite so certain about whom she wants.
Release date: Jan. 8
Chance of box office success: Amy Adams' bubbly personality might carry this movie, if it gets a good publicity push -- it could be the . The only real comedic competition that week is Michael Cera's first headliner, Youth in Revolt.
Should you see it?: If you're in prime, post-holiday chick-flick-y mood, then hell, yeah!
Fungi Girls, Darktown Strutters and DJ Wild in the Streets perform at 8 p.m. Mable Peabody's, 1125 E. University, Suite 107, Denton. Cover TBA. mablepeabodys.com.
Whiskey Folk Ramblers, Sans Soleil, RTB2, Billy Ratcliff and the Economy and Yeahdef perform at a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser at 9 p.m. at Hailey's, 122 Mulberry St., Denton. $3. haileysclub.com.
Tommy C Productions presents Detour Mondays at Mick's Bar. Each week features a different guest DJ who spins dance and hip-hop. 6 p.m. 2825 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-827-0039. myspace.com/micksbar.
Schwa, Fugita 5, Hot Flash and Big J supply the music at Cool Out Mondays. Happy hour specials all night. 10 p.m. The Cavern, 1914 Greenville Ave. Free. thecaverndallas.com.
Local band Mi Son, Mi Son, Mi Son plays Cuban, percussion-heavy music. 10 p.m. Dan's Silverleaf, 103 Industrial St., Denton. 10 p.m. Free. 940-320-2000 or danssilverleaf.com.
When Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard of The Swell Season took the Palladium stage last night, they sat on the floor and shared a mic, Glen wearing a well-worn knit cap with a pom-pom on top. The humble scene, unfolding to the strains of "Fallen from the Sky," harkened the duo's meet-cute scene in Once, the film that shot them into the stratosphere. From there, Irglova and Hansard, joined by the rest of Hansard's Irish band the Frames, regaled the audience with a mix of songs from the Once soundtrack and Swell's new CD, Strict Joy. Hansard played the hell out of a Van Morrison tune, while the full band tipped their hat to Texas with Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain."
Hansard, ever the congenial host, kept the audience in good spirits with funny quips and
musings. The more-somber Marketa displayed the buoyant sweetness we fell in love with in the movie and at the Oscars, leading the proceedings a few times , guitar in hand. She even plugged the solo CDs of two Frames members, available at the merch table.
This was my first show at the Palladium where chairs took up the areas closest to the stage, and while my tootsies were happy to be seated, doing so took a bit away from the audience's engagement with the band. Wisely, Hansard called everyone to their feet for encores one and two -- I gotta say that really felt more like a show.
Click through to the jump to find the setlist for last night's concert.
And the beloved frozen yogurt chain -- opening its first U.S. branch outside of NYC and LA -- landed with a splash. A giant spotlight and a velvet rope greeted the store's first customers last night, with guests partaking of free fro-yo goodness until 10 p.m. In addition to the crowd snaking out the front door, there were people angling to get into the VIP room next door (above). As the pink champagne flowed and a DJ spun tunes, servers balanced trays of every flavor of Pinkberry, and a long table was stocked with bowls full of fruit, cookie and even breakfast cereal toppings. It was like the wildest salad bar I'd ever seen (below)!
As I was led around the store by Pinkberry CEO Ron Graves, I ordered a cup of original-flavor yogurt (right) topped with coconut macaroon and Oreo crumbles. When Graves described the original flavor as tart, I actually cringed. I'd tried other fro-yos that were tart, and they tasted like creamy sherbets -- not what I expected. But Pinkberry had a creamy richness and intensity that made me forget about the other wannabes. NOW I understand the obsession!! And that was before I proposed to my cup of passionfruit yogurt -- fantastic!
Notably, Dallas is the first branch to offer chocolate Pinkberry, which was a decadent-yet-low-fat luxury. Look for more on the new branch of the fro-yo pioneer in next week's Quick.
The Texas Stampede returns to American Airlines Center, with big country acts in tow. Pat Green stars on Friday night, and Lady Antebellum performs Saturday night after all the bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc and bareback riding. 7 p.m. (also Saturday at 7 p.m.) American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave. $25-$105. ticketmaster.com.
Rob Zombie has focused more on movies than music in recent years, and has shown a flair for smart horror with The Devil's Rejects and the Halloween reboot. His new album comes out Tuesday, called Hellbilly Deluxe 2: Noble Jackals, Penny Dreadfuls and the Systematic Dehumanization of Cool. Figure out what that all means at this show. 7 p.m. Palladium Ballroom, 1135 S. Lamar St. $35. ticketmaster.com.
Tap Dogs has been recognized as revolutionizing modern tap dance by creating fantastic rhythms on a construction site-style set. They dance on ladders, metal beams and even suspended from the ceiling -- anything that will produce a beat that gets them and the crowd moving. 8 p.m. (also Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m.) Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St. $20-$49. ticketmaster.com.
Mike Birbiglia is a likeable everyman who can make the mundane aspects of life seem funny. He received critical acclaim for his 2008 off-Broadway one-man show Sleepwalk With Me, and is now trying out more new material during his Comedy Central-sponsored "I'm in the Future Also" tour. Get a sampling of his humor at birbigs.com. 8:30 p.m. House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $28.50. ticketmaster.com.
Dove Hunter brings its slinky Southern rock to the Trees stage. Also featuring Mo Brown, Dem Southernfolkz and They Were Stars. 8 p.m. 2709 Elm St. Cover TBA. 214-741-1122. treesdallas.com.
Sons of Hermann is hosting a lung cancer benefit called the Look Deeper Concert, featuring Shoot Low Sheriff, Dertybird and Salim Nourallah. 8 p.m. 3414 Elm St. $20-$30. 214-747-4422. sonsofhermann.com.
RTB2, Here Holy Spain and the Me Thinks at City Tavern. 9 p.m. 1402 Main St. No cover. 214-745-1402. citytaverndowntown.com.
The Backsliders, Spector 45 and Romantic Disaster perform at 10 p.m. Cover TBA. 3510 Commerce St. 214-887-6510. double-wide.com.
Fort Worth group Soulever Lift will play R&B-tinged rock tunes from the new CD Everything Must Collide at a release show. 9:30 p.m. The Aardvark, 2905 W. Berry St. Cover TBA. 817-926-7814. the-aardvark.com.
See Saturday and Sunday events after the jump, including the Swell Season, Rhett Miller and Erykah Badu.
Comments (0)
