Weekend Plans: Jan 13-16

This edition of Weekend Plans is extended to cover a few events on MLK day! Click on the yellow text for direct links to each event.

FREE

Fort Worth Stock Show All Western Parade 

Free!

January 14, 11AM, Sundance Square

Kick-off the Fort Worth Stock show with their annual All Western Parade, featuring horseback riders, wagons and some of the coolest riding outfits you'll see in the West!

Learn more here!

  

Family Movie Day 

Free!

January 14, 1-3 PM

Families are invited to bring a blanket and snuggle in for a free screening of 101 Dalmations. Adults must be accompanied by a child :0) While you're there don't forget to explore the Central Library and get your little one a library card!

Learn more here. 

MLK Day Parade
Free!
January 16, 10:00 AM, Fair Park 

Join the MLK Community Center fort it's 35th birthday celebration to honor Dr. Martin Luther King's vision of equality. The parade will begin at 10, travel through Fair Park, and is followed by a free event at the MLK Community Center.
Learn more here!

BUDGET FRIENDLY 

Burleson Foodie and Fun Market
Free with 2 canned food donations or $2 per adult
January 14, 10AM-5PM

The Burleson Event Center is hosting a foodie event with vendors showcasing salsas, jellies, bbq and more. The first 24 attendees will receive a free tote and there is a cash bar if you'd like to up your adulting factor. Canned food and donations will benefit the Harvest House Food Pantry.
Learn more here. 

Brunch on Broadway: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
$ Movie tickets + brunch items
January 14, 11:00

Brunch on Broadway is a partnership between the Alamo Draft House and the AT&T Performing Arts Center to showcase classic musicals in a movie theater. Join fellow Sherlock fans for a screening of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and themed brunch menu items.
Learn more here!

BLOW-OUT WORTHY

Red Bull Flying Bach 

Price: $22-75

January 14, 15 and 16th 

Eeeekkk! I'm SO excited about this show (German promo video aside). The Red Bull Flying Bach show showcases world championship crew Flying Steps dancing to Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier on piano, harpsichord and electronic music.  

Learn more here!

Cowboys of Color Rodeo 

$20

January 16, 2 PM 

If you prefer to celebrate MLK day with rode, the Cowboys of Color event is made for you! Traditional rodeo events such as bareback riding and bull riding will be presented by a diverse ridership. It's a great (Texan) way to honor MLK. 

Learn more here!

Have a fun weekend ya'll!
-DBC

#MondayMotivation: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson

In 1935 NASA began hiring white women to serve as human 'computers', charged with checking the math of their male counterparts for a fraction of the pay and title. In 1941 President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 8802, which banned discrimination in the employment of women in defense industries or government sector because of race, creed, color or national origin, leading to a recruitment of degree holding African American women as computers. 

Although the African American women held the same, or greater, credentials as their white counterparts, they were subjected to separate dining facilities, separate bathroom facilities and were not eligible for promotions within NASA. That is until Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson came along. 

Here's a sampling of what these women accomplished: 

Katherine Johnson was something of a math prodigy and became the first black woman to attend West Virginia's state college in 1938 for her graduate degree.  Katherine would provide some of the key mathematics allowing John Glenn to orbit the earth and for Apollo to land on the moon, earning her both the respect of her predominately white, male colleagues and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015). 

Dorothy Vaughan became the first black supervisor at NASA and one of the leading experts in FORTRAN programming. She also trained her 'staff' of African American computers in early computer programming, allowing many of them to retain their jobs at NASA as technology became more readily available. 

Mary Jackson sued the City of Hampton in order to take classes at the segregated Hampton High School, allowing her to become the first black female engineer at NASA. Over her career Jackson made it her mission to help other women and minorities advance their careers, later serving as the Federal Women's Program Manager in the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs and as the Affirmative Action Program Manager. 

I find each of their journeys individually inspiring, but what struck me most about them was their common mission to help lift up other women and minorities in NASA. What a beautiful lesson to have!

Their story of friendship, hard work and perseverance is told in the book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and was given the Hollywood treatment in the recently released blockbuster titled Hidden Figures. Click on either link to learn more. 

- DBC 

Fresh Art Friday: Sedrick Huckaby

On September 17th we attended the Amon Carter Museum's Party On the Porch. While the music was fun and the company great, I was stopped dead in my tracks in front of this stunner: 

My photo can't do it justice. So how about we try a video of the install: 

Sedrick Huckaby was born in Fort Worth Texas in 1975. He graduated from O.D. Wyatt High School, studied art at Texas Wesleyan, obtained his Bachelor's of Fine Art from Boston University and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Yale. 

Huckaby paints the people, objects and themes he knows. And he does it with a brilliance that I just can't shake it. 

A Love Supreme, 2014 

One of the objects Huckaby paints frequently are his family quilts. In interviews he has noted that he grew up with his family quilts and turned his attention to them more broadly after taking a class on African textiles. His large scale canvases of these family heirlooms elevate what may have been viewed as crafts to fine art. I'm drawn to their colors, textures and rich histories. 

For the project titled The 99%, which was installed at the Amon Carter, Huckaby approached portraiture and the community his work represents from the analogy of those same quilts. 

Not to be outdone by his black and white portraiture, his color images are something of a revelation. 

The Family: Rising Sun, 2016 

The artist examining his installation at Valley House Gallery in Dallas

Alice, Prophetist Jones, 2014

Huckaby's large scale, full color works remind me of the stylistic prowess of Lucian Freud with the darkness of Francis Bacon. You could also just call it love.  

Huckaby is definitely one home-town artist to keep an eye on.

Fresh Art Friday posts are intended for the sole purpose of promoting excellence in the arts community and inspiring readers to find a love of art. Almond Milk & Honey is honored to share interesting, innovative and high quality art with readers. The author in no way intends to deprive the originating artist of his or her copyright status and readers are encouraged to respect the copyright status of all works posted. 

Weekend Plans: January 6-8

Happy New Year! It's a bit of a slower weekend following a big holiday season, but there are still plenty of fun things happening in the metroplex. Click on the yellow text for direct links to each event. 

FREE

Bike Friendly Fort Worth Family Cycling Outing
Free!
Saturday, 10 AM
Join Bike Friendly FW for their monthly family ride on the Trinity Trail! Ride with a group at an all-ages event with plenty of time to stop and take in the scenery. Helmets are required for all participants, but Bike Friendly can provide a limited number of children's helmets if you need one.
Learn more here!

Kaleidoscope of African American Art Exhibit
Free!
Saturday 10 AM- 6 PM
Visit the Ella Mae Shamblee Branch (SUCH A COOL BRANCH!!!) of the Fort Worth Library to experience original art work of Ken Carter and John Johnson, as they explore the colors and mediums shaping African American Culture.
Learn more here!


Panel Discussion on Race and Ethnicity Through the Arts
Free!
Saturday, 3 PM
Join panelists representing a range of artistic disciplines as they discuss their work addressing issues of race and ethnicity through art. This highly anticipated discussion will address art as social critique, depictions of racial identity in art and art's ability to unite communities.
Learn more here!

BUDGET FRIENDLY 

The Trains at Northpark
F & Sat. 10 AM to 9 PM, Sun. 11 AM to 7 PM

$3 for children under 12 and senior citizens, $7 for adults 

If you've never seen the Trains at Northpark you are in for a holiday treat! This years exhibit includes 1,600 feet of track rambling across America, and over 4,000 square feet of train themed environments, including a steam engine and interactive train station. All proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas making this attraction that much sweeter.
Learn more here!


Books, Boards & Bottles: An Action Board Social
$10
Sun 6 PM
Have you ever thought about creating a vision board? Women Cultivating Women is hosting an AWESOME vision board party full of fellowship, goal setting and snacks. Plus it's a really wonderful 'excuse' to check out Deep Vellum Books, one of my favorite publishing houses/book shops in Texas.
Learn more here!


5th Annual Hypnotic Donut Polar Plunge
$10
Sunday 3PM
Do you like to watch grown men jump into freezing cold water for fun? Better yet, are you one of those grown men who would jump into freezing cold water for fun?! If so, the 5th annual Hypnotic Donut Polar Plunge is for you! Crazy folks will be jumping into a pool and then warming up in the heated Tiki Bar for a $!0 donation to the Alzheimer's Association. This year will also feature a kids are with snow!
Learn more here!

BLOW-OUT WORTHY

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents The Legend of Zelda 

Saturday at 7:30 PM
Ticket Pricing Varies

The FWSO returns to the stage with their Legend of Zelda multimedia concert experience. The performance will include a cinematic video presentation, live chorus and the full orchestra. Get your tickets quick as this show is expected to sell out.
Learn more here!

Have a fun weekend ya'll!
-DBC

#MondayMotivation: My 2017 Resolution

Image by Jodie York

In thinking back over 2016 some of my favorite moments were discovering the stories of strong, smart and brave women. My 2017 resolution is to start blogging again and, specifically, to share my discoveries with you via my #MondayMotivation posts. My hope is that you find someone (or many someones!) worth aspiring to and that they will inspire us all to be bolder.

PS. If you want to nominate someone for a feature please send me a message or leave a comment!

- DBC 

Weekend Plans: April 22-24

Weekends are made to play! Here are a few of my favorite fun things happening in the metroplex. Click on the yellow text for direct links to each event. 

FREE

Cinderella and the Glass Flipper 

April 22, 5:00

Visit the Fort Worth Community Arts Center for a fun twist on the classic Cinderella fairy tale. Please note that only the 5:00 Friday show is free and is first come, first served so get there early. 

Fam Fest

April 23rd

Music, art and great food (for purchase) make this family friendly event a sure winner! Bonus: be sure to check out the 100/100 Art Show which features 100 pieces for $100 each.

North Dallas Artist Studio Tour

April 23rd and 24th at 10:00 AM

Ever wanted to peak inside an artist studio and learn about their process? This event is for you!

Dallas Earth Day Festival 

April 22-24

This incredible festival brings together environmental organizations, businesses, scholars, speakers, interactive programming, live music, outdoor experiences and family events to celebrate living green. Wanna take it to the next level? Ride the TRE/DART to Fair Park and save the commuter cars for Monday. 

BUDGET FRIENDLY 

Wayne Toups at Billy Bob's 

April 22nd, 6:00 

$14-22 

If you like cajun music (or in my husband's case married a cajun) the name Wayne Toups should ring a bell. Toups is incredible live and puts on a fun show at Billy Bobs! You just might see me there jitterbugging. 

FW Youth Orchestra Concert

April 22, 7:00 

Donations Suggested

The FW Youth Orchestra is incredible on their own, but this show is a rare opportunity to also hear two winners of the Hong Kong International Music Festival. All proceeds benefit the next FWYO International Tour. 

BLOW-OUT WORTHY

TITAS presents Kidd Pivot

April 21st and 22nd at 8:00

$22-75

TITAS is knows for it's presentation of innovative, high-quality dance and I'm betting that Kidd Pivot fits that bill. This show is a hybrid of theater and dance, fusing classical elements with structured improvisation. Check out a sample video on the event site. 

Chris Botti with Dallas Symphony Orchestra

April 22-24

Variety of Prices

Jazz and symphony lovers alike are sure to appreciate Botti's Grammy winning musical stylings.

Have a fun weekend ya'll!
-DBC

#MondayMotivation: Being an inspiration.

A dad named Philippe started classes called the Daddy Daughter Hair Factory 101. 

Classes are held all over the country and give dad's the opportunity to learn how to do their daughter's hair, bond with them and build a community with other dads. 

Their Facebook Page has 18,000+ likes and almost as many darling pictures of dads engaging with their daughters in a meaningful way. 

When asked why he started the classes he says he saw a need and wanted to make an impact. That's all it takes to change lives folks. 

This guy totally wins in my book.

-DBC