It's been a whirlwind week on the scene. As noted in an earlier post, I attended the launch party celebrating chef Blythe Beck's tenure at Central 214.
Continuing the launch theme, Thursday evening I hit a party at Hotel Zaza celebrating the reopening of the Urban Oasis poolside bar at Dragonfly lounge (above). My companion and I sank into a sofa stuffed with azure pillows and watched the Uptown crowd mingle, ladies in maxi dresses, gents in jackets and slacks. We relaxed with mojitos (and wine and Ciroc and tonics) in hand until a familiar face approached. It was none other than my fellow nightlife writer at Quick, Jennifer Kyle! We toasted our first meeting and made plans to attend a whisky tasting next week. Fab!
I left my peeps at Dragonfly and jetted off to the Granada to catch James Morrison's show. The British soul singer was spectacular and blazed through his songs with the raspy voice and passionate intensity we've all come to love from him. But the revelation of the evening was opening act Diane Birch. Perched behind her piano and backed by guitars, tambourine and sometimes a horn, the soulstress sounded a lot like the love child of Carole King and Janis Joplin. Check out one of her tracks from the show below, as well as J.Mo's "You Give Me Something." While you're here, may as well check out Quick's Q&A with Morrison, too.
Diane Birch, live at the Granada:
James Morrison, "You Give Me Something (clip)" live at the Granada
A few upcoming art-related events to put on your weekend calendar:
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is hosting its first-ever free open house this Saturday at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Season pass holders get a chance to pick out their seats for the year, and everyone gets to enjoy a meet-and-greet with conductor Jaap van Zweden (above) and DSO musicians. DSO instrumentalists as well as quartets from SMU and Booker T. Washington High will perform. 1-3 p.m. at the Meyerson, 2301 Flora St.
The Norwood Flynn Gallery is hosting a fundraising event for the Dallas Flamenco Festival tonight. From 7-11 p.m., guests can savor tapas as well as entertainment by the Conte de Loyo Flamenco Theatre. $25 donation at the door. 3318 Shorecrest Drive. RSVP at 214-351-3318.
As announced in this week's Quick profile, Yolk 2009: Shared Visions of a Shared World will be cracking wide open tonight at 7 at 4 Dog Studio. The exhibit's uniting theme (but not encompassing every work on display) is egg yolk, so throw on some bacon cologne on your way out the door to the fashion, photography and mixed media event. Munchies and wine will be available. $5 suggested donation, benefiting Family Getaway. 150 Howell St.
Gordon: Matthew Stafford of Highland Park might be the first player taken in Saturday's NFL Draft. In what kind of draft might you be the first person taken?
I would be the first person taken in the "People Who Just Don't Care" draft. Seriously, I don't care about nothing. Not even proper grammar or double negatives. I'll say whatever. The other week, I was at a wedding and they asked if anybody objected, and I said "Hell yeah!" I continued with my reasoning aloud. I said this woman would not be a good wife to this man because her hips were not wide enough for a proper vaginal birth. What? It was what everyone was thinking, but too damn afraid to say. They looked at me like I was crazy, but who was crazier? Me, or my father for remarrying?
If you're looking for a solid hip-hop event to attend this weekend, look no further than Final Fridays at Liquid Lounge (2800 Main St). A-Teem/Metro Music/Vigilante Music Group have "Teemed" up for the first time to bring you a diverse mix of hip-hop and rap music from the Dub scene.
The stacked performance bill for today's monthly event include: Sivion, Cris Cash & The Amazing Amateurs, Ty City, JayBee (OKC), Street Tribe, Frost/Da Otha Side and Loose Cannons. That's more than enough heat to keep the party moving!
The doors open at 9 p.m. and the show jumps off at 11 p.m. Ladies are free before 10:30 p.m., so get there early! $10 at the door. For more info myspace.com/djvizateem.
Local country heroes Eleven Hundred Springs perform with their buddies Tejas Brothers, Deke Dickerson and Jesse Dayton at Double Wide, 3510 Commerce. Doors at 6 p.m. $15. 214-887-6510. www.double-wide.com.
Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinandmade a worldwide splash with the thunderous hit "Take Me Out," off its eponymous debut album. Known for having a repertoire of inventive covers, maybe the boys from Glasgow will bust out their version of Brit Brit's "Womanizer." 7 p.m. House of Blues, 2200 N. Lamar St. $26.50-$50. 214-373-8000. ticketmaster.com.
Grab a blanket, find your spot and enjoy the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. Headliners include Stanley Clarke, Arc Angels and Brave Combo. 5-11 p.m. (also Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.) Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney St., Denton. Free. dentonjazzfest.com.
The Warriors, Walter Hill's strange little New York gang tale from 1979, is now considered a cult classic. It's not much for star power, with Michael Beck (of, um, Xanadu) leading the way. Stranger still is how the all-knowing DJ (Lynne Thigpen) could report so quickly on the night's violent events. Midnight (also Saturday at midnight). Inwood Theatre, 5458 W. Lovers Lane. $10. 214-764-9106.
If the football offseason has you depressed, buck up: The Lingerie Football League is starting its inaugural season. Our local heroines are called the Dallas Desire, and the team will meet fans and go through drills in this two-hour "minicamp" event. Alas, we won't see them in a real game until Sept. 25 against the Denver Dream, so satisfy those curiosities early. Noon-2 p.m. QuikTrip Park, 1600 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie. Free. lflus.com/dallasdesire.
Pop act the Secret Handshake from Dallas is enjoying the success of a catchy new single, "TGIF," and just released an album, My Name Up in Lights. See what all the fuss is about at his release show -- if you can manage to elbow your way in front of the teen girls who'll be lined up to see it. 7 p.m. The Door, 2513 Main St. $12. thedoordallas. myspace.com/thesecrethandshake.
Couture Cocktails vodka party at the Hotel Capri. Complimentary vodka drinks made to order from 8 to 10 p.m. DJ NVS starts at 10 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. 2020 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-370-9944. thehotelcapri.com.
Rock Candy Friday with DJ Marvel at Glo Lounge. Free champagne for the ladies until midnight. 8 p.m. 2323 N. Henderson, Suite 101. $10. 214-824-2271. glo-lounge.com.
The Church presents Funker Vogt at Lizard Lounge. Special guests Impulse Control. Doors open at 9 p.m. 2424 Swiss Ave. $15. 214-826-4769. thelizardlounge.com.
"We Rock K Wash" at Kinki Lounge. Pyro spins hip-hop and dance for Kent Washington's birthday. 10 p.m. 3606 Greenville Ave. No cover. 214-868-6943. kinkilounge.com.
Electronic guitarist Joy Basu performing mash-ups. 9 p.m. Plush, 1400 Main St. No cover. 214-606-1203 for table reservations. plushdallas.com.
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