Keep your sanity in Dallas this Summer!

We all know that summer, with all its freedoms, can sometimes get really boring. And sometimes its hard to find whats going on, I mean there has to be stuff to do right? I wanted to make a list… kind of a survival guide if you will, of things that it would be helpful to know about to survive a boring summer in Dallas. (I’ve left out somethings that seemed a little obvious, like Texas Rangers games or Six Flags, which can be fun, but kind of normal expected summer activities) Ok so with out further ado, if you are in the Dallas area for the summer, here is my top 10 things you need to know to help you from going crazy from boredom! (appearing in no particular order)

1. Get Reel Summer Movie Series @ Victory Park:

Every Tuesday from June to August they will be showing movies outside at Victory Park in Dallas. This is really awesome because it is so unique and free! Last Tuesday I went out and saw Top Gun, it was a really cool experience. You can bring your own lawn chairs out, or you can sit at some tables and chairs that are provided. Also you can bring your own snacks or buy some from a couple of vendors that are there. It starts at 7:30, we got there last week at around 7:05 to beat the crowd and there weren’t to many people there so we got to get a good spot, it kind of filled up later, but not to where it was uncomfortable. There is a parking lot a couple of blocks south of Victory Park where parking is free for the first two hours and only three dollars for up to four hours of parking. This week they will be showing The Mummy, and are advertising the following showings before the movie starts, unfortunately I could not find a place online where they had the viewings listed. http://www.victoryparktheatre.com/

2. MOKAH Coffee Bar

This is a sweet place to chill and get drinks during the week and on Thursdays – Saturday nights, its an even sweeter place to hear cool music and check out some sweet art. They’ve got events going on year round and you can check out their website here to get more info, also click here to see their MySpace for more information.

3. QuickDFW.com and DallasObserver.com

Ok so its the weekend and you’re starting to get bored, and you don’t know whats going on in Big D. Well you are in luck. There are a couple of places that can help solve this problem, depending on what you’re looking for. From Night Life events to Local Music, QuickDFW.com has you covered. They make a print edition of the Quick that I love, its one of the best daily publications ever, but if you’re at home and all you got is the net to help you out, their website can do just that. On the other hand The Dallas Observer online is far better than its print edition. You can visit their website and search all kind of things going on. You can search from free events to read reviews on cool new restaurants to eat. They have an excellent search bar that will help you narrow it down from price range to neighborhood in Dallas. You can visit the Quick website at http://www.quickdfw.com/ and the Dallas Observer website here http://dallasobserver.com/

4. Top Secret Recipes

Ok so you don’t really have to live around Dallas to enjoy this one, but this is a really cool website you can check out in those times of boredom. http://www.topsecretrecipes.com/ is a website that has all types of really cool secret recipes from Brand Name Restaurants revealed! For instance I remember seeing this guy on Oprah when I was a kid, and he was revealing how to make a McDonald’s Big Mac, of course this was back when the secret sauce was still a secret, but I was so impressed. Well here we are years later, and he just wow’d me again by revealing the secret to making Twinkies (you can check that vid out here) Most of the recipes are for sale, you can order books and junk like that, but there are also free recipes you can check out, they are denoted by the red FREE, by each listing, for example the 7-Eleven slushee recipe is free and is next on my list to try. So when you’re bored and you’re tired of going out to eat, why not invite some friends over and have some of your favorite restaurant meals, in the comfort of your own home?

5. Music Hall at Fair Park

Stomp, Hairspray, High School Musical, Jerry Seinfeld… if any of those things catch your attention, you need to check out Music Hall at Fair Park. They have all kinds of events going on this summer that are worth checking out. I’ve seen a couple of operas here and they have been allot of fun. You can get all the information you need from their event calender to ticket pricing here at their website. http://www.liveatthemusichall.com/index.shtm

6. MCR

Before the Alt Rock, Post Hardcore, Emo band My Chemical Romance gave the initials MCR a new meaning, it stood for one thing in Texas, Mesquite Championship Rodeo! Thats right Mesquite Championship Rodeo currently has its season going on now every Friday and Saturday night at Resistol Arena in Mesquite Tx. Gates open at 6:30 and the performance starts at 8:00. Adults tickets start at just $12. If you’ve never experienced the rodeo, you’re missing out. Check out their website for special events and ticket information. http://www.mesquiterodeo.com/

7. Dallas City Arts Festival

A free arts showcase with multiple outdoor stages featuring dance, a variety of music and cultural performances, a juried art show, culinary demonstrations and wine tastings, complimentary admission to world-class museums, exciting exhibits, interactive children’s activities, and much more! The festival starts Friday June 13 and goes until Sunday June15. Go to http://www.dallascityarts.com/Index.htm for more information.

8. Taste of Dallas in the West End

Taste of Dallas is July 11- July 13, some of the best restaurants in Dallas will be on hand to show off. Bring your appetite! Samples range from $2-$5. In addition to the great food and entertainment there are crafts vendors and children’s events. You can check out their website for a detailed list of all the entertainment, map of the event, and other information. http://www.tasteofdallas.org/

9. Addison

With one restaurant for every 79 people in Addison, there is always something going on. You can explore and find a sweet place to eat that will satisfy everyone in your group. But Addison has also got some pretty sweet stuff going on this summer, from Free Live Salsa music on Friday nights, and outdoor movies, and one of the largest 4th of July fireworks displays, Addison has allot to offer! Check out their events calender for more details. http://www.addisontexas.net/about_addison/article_event_schedule.asp

10. Landmark Theaters (Dallas)

Ok so i know I said that these were listed in no particular order, but this has been one of my favorite finds in Dallas, so I’ve kept the best for last. There are two Landmark theaters in Dallas, The Magnolia located in West Village, and The Inwood Theater located just off the Tollway on Lovers Lane. These theaters have really cool events as well as showing some of the best indie films around. A couple of months ago I got a chance to see the 2007 Academy Awards nominees for best animated short film, it was a really neat experience.

So there are two reasons why this find has been the best, both of them are at The Inwood Theater. At first I favored The Magnolia because it has more screens, therefore offering a wider selection of movies that were interesting to me, but then after a couple of visits I signed up for the Landmark Theater’s Film Club, (which I strongly encourage you to do) and found out in the Film Club e-mail that they were going to be playing a special midnight viewing of Rushmore at The Inwood Theater. Rushmore being one of my favorite films, I had to go see it. I learned that they would be showing a number of films in special midnight viewings, and that really excited me. Since then I’ve seen along with Rushmore, American Psycho, Grease the Sing-Along, and Dazed and Confused, as midnight viewings. Its called Midnight Madness and its every Friday and Saturday night. Its been really great, the atmosphere is really laid back, its just a blast. So thats the first reason I really love The Inwood Theater.

The second reason goes back to the whole atmosphere that I just mentioned, because on the 1st level of The Inwood Theater, they have converted that theater into what they call the “Landmark Living Room” IT IS AMAZING! Hands down its the best way to watch a movie. They have removed all of the standard movie theater seats, and replaced them with LoveSac couches and bean bag chairs. Its the first theater of its kind and the most comfortable thing ever, I really can’t stop thinking about that theater for days after I go. Plus its only $6.50 with a student I.D. If they are showing a movie I want to see there, I’m going there over any other place for the rest of my life… It truly is that amazing. In fact it can turn a movie you don’t really want to see, into the highlight of your week. The Magnolia still offers a broader selection and is a really good theater, but the Landmark Living Room at The Inwood Theater will change your life! To find out more about the Landmark Theaters in Dallas or to sign up for the Landmark Film Club check out their website. http://landmarktheaters.com/Market/Dallas/Dallas_Frameset.htm

Alright so there you have it my Top 10 things you need to know about Dallas to keep your sanity during this summer. I hope this helps and you have an awesome time this summer… and if you need someone to do all these amazing things with, hit me up… I’m bored too!