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Thursday, September 09, 2010

SEVENTH ANNUAL CITYARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY TXU ENERGY FINDS NEW HOME AT HISTORIC FAIR PARK FOR THREE-DAY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA MAY 7 – 9
TXU

April, 2010

DALLAS (April 20, 2010) – Moving a month earlier to May 7 – 9, the seventh-annual CityArts Festival presented by TXU Energy will feature a diverse mix of festivities for families and art aficionados alike to enjoy against the backdrop of historic Fair Park, a national landmark featuring the world’s largest collection of art deco exhibit buildings, art and sculpture. Highlights of the three-day weekend extravaganza include a record-breaking line-up of more than 250 renowned juried artists at The 500, Inc. Artist MarketPlace, more than 50 entertainment acts including headliner Bugs Henderson, free Fair Park museum visits at select times, a Crafters Village, concessions offered by popular North Texas restaurants, plus huge culinary and children’s areas.

Free and open to the public, CityArts Festival will run Friday, May 7, from 6 – 10 p.m.; Saturday, May 8, from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday, May 9, from noon – 6 p.m. Indoor and outdoor activities will take place in the Automobile and Centennial Buildings, Court of Honor, Exposition Plaza and the Esplanade at Fair Park (1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd, Dallas, 75210).

“With all its many great assets, Fair Park is a perfect setting for CityArts Festival, and in fact, it was designed for exactly this kind of event,” said David Luther, chairman of Friends of Fair Park. “With ample parking, easy access to DART, its massive size and historic beauty, it’s a fitting venue for this increasingly popular and expanding festival to flourish.”

The 500, Inc. Artist MarketPlace will almost double in size from last year. The popular juried art fair will showcase fine art and original works by more than 250 renowned Texas and national artists inside the Automobile Building. The artistic talent will include ceramic maker Rose Downs, glass gurus Lyn Foley Lampwork and Eric Mort Art Glass, Elkin Studio Jewelers, leather and textile creator Cosette Originals, mixed-media artist Steve Hunsicker Studios, painters Maria Reyes Jones, Vernon Rollin III and Ovcharov Art Studio, Clark Crenshaw Photography and wood-worker Daryoush Ababaf. Bigger and better, the expanded art area gives The 500, Inc. an increased opportunity to raise money for cultural arts organizations in the Dallas area.

“We are thrilled about the magnitude and assortment of talented artists on board for CityArts Festival,“ said Dillard Coates, president of The 500, Inc. “Everything from ceramics, pottery and blown glass, to jewelry, leather goods, fine art and large-scale pieces including sculptures and metal and wood works, will be on view to buy or just admire. The artists were chosen for their originality and premium quality, and our festival goers will see that.”

Offering something for everyone, a variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment will rock Fair Park with more than 50 musical, dance and performing arts groups set to show on multiple stages. Serenading sounds from around the world will range from jazz, blues, pop, R&B and classical rock, to African drumming, Chinese folk and Latin salsa, to retro swing, classical compositions and even kid-friendly acts.

“TXU Energy has been a strong supporter of the CityArts Festival since it began, and we’re all looking forward to a weekend of good food, fun and entertainment,” said Michael Grasso, chief marketing officer for TXU Energy. “TXU Energy has a long history of supporting the communities we serve, all across Texas. Our involvement with City Arts Festival gives us an ideal opportunity to support the Dallas community and connect with our customers.”

The legendary Texas-grown rockin’ guitarist Bugs Henderson will perform an outdoor gig Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Fox 4 Stage. Other big-name bands will include The Zydeco Stingrays set for Friday at 8:30 p.m. and the high-energy Latin dance ensemble Havana NRG! headlining Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The Dance Stage will feature moves by the Dallas Black Dance Academy, Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and many others, plus a concert by the Dallas Wind Symphony Quartet on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Time Warner Cable Family Stage inside the Centennial Building will feature ongoing entertainment from folk acoustic duo Bella Ruse, teen singer-songwriter Hayley Orrantia, plus nostalgic sounds by 60s-era surf band The Big Guns and more.

Kid-friendly activities, bounce houses, crafts, rock-climbing walls, art show and more on tap

Kid-friendly fun will be aplenty at the Prudential Children’s Area and Art Exhibit which will house arts and crafts, interactive art, storytelling, demos and more inside the Centennial Building during the day. Quiggly’s Clayhouse, Inc. will have 10 pottery wheels for children to try out. Big Thought will host a children's art exhibit sponsored by Prudential featuring works by Dallas ISD students participating in its Thriving Minds After-School program, along with hands-on activities and performances by local youth at the Big Thought booth. Other crafts will include origami folding, coloring, drawing contests, unity wreaths, Mother’s Day cards and more. Plus, outdoors there will be children’s activities, bounce houses, bungee jumping, rock-climbing walls and other rides and revelry to keep kids amused. A nominal fee will apply for certain rides and rock-climbing walls. (Note: Select outdoor rides and activities, the indoor art exhibit and the Time Warner Cable Family Stage will stay open all weekend including Friday; the other indoor children’s area will be open till 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.)

Culinary Showcase to feature cooking demos, samplings, wine tastings plus restaurant cuisines

Foodies and wine lovers will want to congregate at the Culinary Showcase for cooking demos and samplings by local chefs, wine tastings, wine pairings, mixing sessions and other delectable delights to tempt the palette. Chefs from Canary Café, Crosby Catering & Coffee, Kirby's Prime Steakhouse, Parigi, Whole Foods Market and other local hubs will participate. On the menu are tequila tastings, banana sushi, chocolate and wine pairings, short ribs, Greek pizza, tamales, vegan ribs and more.

Celebrity Chef Andre Bedouret from the Milestone Culinary Arts Center will be on tap to kick off the culinary run at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Chef Vicky Zamora of La Victoria at 7:30 p.m. and tequila tastings at 9 p.m. On Saturday, Chef Carla Chavez of Whole Foods Market will begin with a banana sushi and granola children’s demo at noon, followed by head chefs Janice Provost and Chad Houser of the Oak Lawn favorite Parigi at 1:30 p.m. Chocolate connoisseur Dr. Sue Williams will sample and sell her infamous heart-healthy treats, chocolate bark and chocolate ganachi, coupled with red wine pairings at 3 p.m. Afterward, Chef Daniel Nemec of Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse will dish up prime braised short ribs, followed by creative cocktails with Rick Shew at 6 p.m., Chef Mico Miguel of MCM Restaurants at 7:30 p.m. and tequila tastings at 9 p.m. Chef Mansour Gorji of Canary Café will kick Sunday off with a Mediterranean mix including baby spinach salad, roasted pistachio and berries with champagne vinaigrette, plus Greek pizza at noon. Other Sunday cuisines will include vegan ribs and creamy coleslaw by Chef Jeanette Prasifka of Crosby Catering & Coffee and other appetizing fare from the Latino Culinary Institute.

Throughout the park, well-known vendors and restaurants will stock Texas-style treats and meals including Dick's Last Resort, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs (founder of the State Fair favorite), Nuevo Leon Mex-Mex Restaurant & Catering, RJ Mexican Cuisine, The Butcher Shop, Selim's Doner Kebad House, Aint No Mo Butter Cakes, Celebration Station, CiCi’s Pizza, Marble Slab Creamery, Texas Holiday Cakes and dozens more.

Crafters Village to offer demos and unique gifts at every price point

The Crafters Village will offer a retreat for creative folks complete with demonstrations of visual and performing arts inside the Centennial Building. In addition, vendors and artists from around Texas will set up shop offering unique items such as handmade and silver jewelry, apparel and accessories for adults and children, summer-time essentials including sandals and spa packages, scooters, college and sports memorabilia, customized keepsakes, candles, organic soaps and body products, plus artwork and decor including pet portraits, paintings, wood carvings, wall hangings and more.

Dancing water shows and free museum admission and programming planned (at varying times)

Guests will be able to enjoy “dancing water” shows choreographed to music at the Esplanade Fountain, plus the Fair Park museums will offer free admission and special programming at varying times. (Check cityartsfestival.com for complete schedules.) The African American Museum will be open for free from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and will feature the “23rd Carroll Harris Simms Black Art Competition and Exhibition” and “GEMS: African American Museum’s Permanent Collection.” The Texas Discovery Gardens will offer free admission Saturday and Sunday until 5 p.m., meet-and-greet with artist Sharen Chatterton from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday as she paints acrylic garden scenes, plus a $2 discount to the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium.

The Hall of State will feature “Tom Lea in Dallas” for free at the Margaret and Al Hill Lecture Hall, which will include a screening of The Brave Bulls at 7 p.m. on Friday, plus seminars at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and a screening of Wonderful Country at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future will be open for free from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and will feature the Artist & Dance Program – Honoring Asian Heritage Month on Saturday from 4 – 5:30 p.m. The Museum of Nature & Science will offer free admission to the Science Building from 5 – 9 p.m. on Friday.

Title sponsor for CityArts Festival is TXU Energy. Other major sponsors are Prudential, MetroPCS, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, Time Warner Cable, Baylor Healthcare System, Ben E. Keith Beverage Company, Bud Light, Coca-Cola, Community Coffee, FAGE Yogurt, North Texas Tollway Authority, Solemar Wines, Ultimate Vodka, and The Patrón Spirits Company. Media partners are Time Warner Cable, Fox 4 and My27, 98.7 KLUV, 100.3 Jack FM, NewsRadio 1080 KRLD, 103.7 Lite FM, Mega 107.5 FM, K104 KKDA, Smooth R&B 105.7 KRNB, WRR Classical 101.1, Al Dia, Downtown Business News and The Greensheet. DART is the Official Transportation Provider.

Founded by the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2004, CityArts Festival is now presented by the Friends of Fair Park in collaboration with a variety of Dallas cultural, civic and arts organizations.

Parking will be available at Gates 2, 5 and 6. Or ride DART’s Green Line to the Fair Park Station. For details and schedules, call 214-421-9600 or go to cityartsfestival.com.

About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retailer that provides electricity and related services to more than 2 million electricity customers in Texas. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004.

About The 500, Inc.
The 500, Inc. is a non-profit organization that has been producing successful fundraisers for the arts in Dallas for over 40 years. The 500, Inc.’s mission now includes three cornerstones of activity: to raise money for the Arts, to serve the Arts with talent, time and services and to train, interest and educate its Members about the Arts.

Since its founding, The 500, Inc.’s mission has grown to support Dallas’ visual, theatrical and musical Arts. The organization has donated over $12 million to over 45 different arts organizations and countless volunteer hours to support our mission of a healthy Arts Community. For more information on The 500, Inc., visit the500inc.org.

About Friends of Fair Park
The purpose of Friends of Fair Park is to promote the year-round use of Fair Park; to support the Fair Park Museums; to encourage year round use of the Park; to preserve the buildings, art, sculpture, and related artifacts of the 1936 Texas Centennial.

About Fair Park
Fair Park, a cultural and entertainment center, is a division of the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. Located two miles east of downtown Dallas, Fair Park is home to seven museums and six performance facilities/organizations, including the Dallas Summer Musicals/Music Hall, Superpages.com Center, Dallas Wind Symphony/Band Shell, African American Museum, Dallas Aquarium, The Women’s Museum, Dallas Historical Society/Hall of State, Texas Discovery Gardens, Museum of Nature & Science, Museum of the American Railroad and Cotton Bowl Stadium. This National Historic Landmark has the largest collection of 1930s Art Deco exposition style architecture in the world and is located on 277 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. Special features include the Leonhardt Lagoon, Texas Vietnam Memorial and the Smith Fountain. For more information, call the Fair Park Information Line at 214-421-9600 or visit fairpark.org.

< More Responsible Corporations

Thursday, September 09, 2010

SEVENTH ANNUAL CITYARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY TXU ENERGY FINDS NEW HOME AT HISTORIC FAIR PARK FOR THREE-DAY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA MAY 7 – 9TXU

SEVENTH ANNUAL CITYARTS FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY TXU ENERGY FINDS NEW HOME AT HISTORIC FAIR PARK FOR THREE-DAY WEEKEND EXTRAVAGANZA MAY 7 – 9
TXU