ART & FLOWERS
Creativity take many forms at this new eatery
Seems there’s a new “it” restaurant in town: Iris.
Susie Priore, original owner of Suze, opened her new Lovers Lane spot just a few months ago, and it’s been packed most nights ever since, often with well-known names and faces.
Chef Russell Hodges created the contemporary American menu, which includes items such as steamed black mussels, a portabello “steak,” blue crab corncakes and the dish shown here: grilled salmon with spicy mango couscous and red chile oil.
But while the food is interesting, the restaurants décor is at least as intriguing. Months before she opened the place, Priore asked some of the many artists she knows to contribute an original creation to her newest venture.
She put a few stipulations on her request: The art could be any interpretation of an iris, it needed to be of a size she could handle, and it would be given as a gift. There were no offers to sell their work, no promises to return them.
Anyone else with such a request might have received nothing more than incredulous stares. Priore, though, got walls and walls of free art. In fact, artists she didn’t know began contacting her, asking to be part of “the iris project.”
The result? A surprisingly diverse art collection that’s worth a trip to the restaurant, even if the food weren’t as good as it is.
IRIS
5405 W. Lovers 214-352-2727 Hours: Tues-Sat 5:30-10:30 p.m. $$$, FB
Military Storyteller Sunday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m. Trained in counterintelligence in the 40s: a veteran of the Korean War; recipient of multiple awards as a combat correspondent, W.E.B. Griffin truly writes what he knows. The best-selling author has written more than 30 military and police novels over the years, and he’s in town this month to sign his most recent, Retreat, Hell! At Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Park, 7700 W. Northwest Hwy. Call 214-739-1124 for more information.
Jews in Hitler’s Army? Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7-8:30 p.m. Based on interviews of German veterans, Dr. Bryan Mark Riggs maintains that Hitler’s forces included soldiers of Jewish descent. Hear him speak on his research and his book, Hitler’s Jewish Soldiers: The Untold Story of Nazi Racial Laws and Men of Jewish Descent in the German Military, at Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal 214-670-7128.
in the arts
An American Opera Thursday, Jan. 29 through Sunday, Feb. 1, 8 p.m. Folk songs, bible stories, paranoia and arias … just some of the elements you’ll find in Susanna, one of the few American operas ever to receive worldwide acclaim. Echoing the fears of the McCarthy era, Carlisle Floyd’s classic is story of bigotry, loneliness, murder and more, set in the rural valley of New Hope, Tenn. Presented by Meadows Opera Theatre. Tickets are $12 adults, $9 senior and $6 students. Bob Hope Theatre, on the SMU Campus. Call 214-768-2787 for tickets and information.
calendar
arts & entertainment
Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Jan. 2, Caroline Aiken ($12); Jan. 9, Rory Block ($15); Jan. 16, Eddie from Ohio ($15); Jan. 23, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart; Jan. 30, The Laws, with special guest Mary Flower. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are $10 unless otherwise noted. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit www.unclecalvins.org
San Francisco in Perspective Through Saturday, Jan. 3, Debris Gallery presents new works by Dallas resident William Fegan. 1204 Slocum. Calll 214-752-8855 for more information.
Through the Needle’s Eye Beginning Sunday, Jan. 11, the Dallas Museum of Art features this small but important collection of American quilts created from 1820s to 1945. The exhibition is part of Quilt Mania, a citywide collaboration among 11 Dallas area cultural institutions. Tickets to the DMA are $6 for adults, $4 for senior adults and children 12 and under. Downtown Dallas, between St. Paul and Harwood, just south of Woodall Rogers Freeway. For more information visit www.dallasmuseumofart.org or call 214-922-2100. To learn more about Quilt Mania, visit www.quiltmania.org or call 214-979-6476.
Student Conductors’ Concert Friday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 25, 3 p.m. Part of Meadows School of the Arts’ 2003-2004 music season, this free concert will feature classical masterpieces performed under the baton of young conductors in the graduate program at the Meadows School. Owen Arts Center, 6101 Bishop on the SMU campus. Call 214-768-1951 for more information.
Pugsley’s Library Live music on Saturdays. Openers 7-8:30 p.m., headliners 9-11 p.m. 2443 Walnut Hill. For information, call 972-243-111 or visit www.pugsleys.com.
Movie Time Every first, third (and fifth, when applicable) Tuesday of the month, 10:30 a.m. Each session includes an interactive discussion following the film’s conclusion. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.
Art Classes Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Artist Veronique Jonas leads the class in ceramics and painting. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact scane@jccdallas.com.
Library Exhibit Throughout January. Jewelry designs by Barbara Wright. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal.
community
Dallas Children’s Museum Saturday, Jan. 24, 9:30-11 a.m. Young Artist classes begin, with parents and children exploring fun techniques of watercolor artistry, along with Sesame Espanol Spanish classes with Tingo the puppet. For more information on these and other classes and events, call 972-380-0404 or visit www.dallaschildrens.org.
Photography Club Thursdays, 1 p.m. This class is for anyone who’s ever taken photographs and wondered what they could do to get better results. Some classes include outings to local sites for picture taking. All you need is a camera, film and enthusiasm. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact scane@jccdallas.com.
health & fitness
Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.
Stretching and Exercise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Stretching and low-impact group exercises with instructor Dorothy Gross. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.
library
Library Live! Songs of Community Tuesday, Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m. Accompanied by Cynthia Daniel Wolf on dulcimer, autoharp and guitar, students will work together to create dynamic group sounds as they sing in English, Spanish, Russian, American Sign, Zulu and Native American languages. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
literary
Reader’s Theatre Mondays, 1 p.m. Sharon Cane leads weekly sessions reading various plays, with one or more performances planned throughout the year. No memorization required. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.
Preston Royal Book Discussion Group Wednesday, Jan. 21, 10:30 a.m. Join us for a lively and fun discussion of Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Author Signings and Events Saturday, Jan. 10, 1 p.m., Author George Kohler will sign copies of his book, The Texan; Sunday, Jan. 11, 2 p.m., Best-selling author W.E.B. Griffin will sign copies of his new book, Retreat, Hell!; Friday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. Randy Jackson, American Idol judge and Grammy-winning record producer and performer will sign copies of his book, What Up, Dawg? How to Become a Recording Star. Saturday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m. Etiquette expert Jana High will sign copies of her book, High-Tech Etiquette: Perfecting the Art of Plugged-in Politeness: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7 p.m., Author Lawrence Schwartz will sign copies of his book, Fat Daddy, Fit Daddy: A Man’s Guide to Balancing Fitness and Family.
The Writers Studio Sunday, Feb. 1, 7-9 p.m. The Writer’s Garret and KERA 90.1 present author T.C. Boyle as part of a series of interviews with some of the world’s most accomplished writers, recorded live for radio broadcast. Theatre Three, 2800 Routh in the Quadrangle. For more information, visit www.writersgarret.org or call 214-871-3300.
seniors
Shepherd’s Center of North Dallas Thursdays, beginning Jan. 8, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. This interfaith group of men and women ages 55+ resumes meetings this month, featuring classes in Tai Chi, pilates, wellness techniques and intermediate line dancing. Also offered are spirited panel discussions, speakers, book reviews, musical presentations, medical advice, card games and social activities. Bring lunch; coffee is provided. Newcomers welcome. For more information, call Executive Director Anabel at 214-350-0465. Lover’s Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood.
Exercise For Older Adults Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9-10 a.m. A stretching and low-impact group exercise class for seniors, led by instructor Dorothy Glass. For more information, contact aangorina@jccdallas.org.
CALLING ALL KIDS Ever wonder if your favorite fairy tale characters knew each other, what with them all living “once upon a time, in a land far, far away?” Here’s your chance to find out: Visit the Fairy Tale Road exhibit at the Dallas Children’s Museum, opening Friday, Jan. 9. Featuring Hansel and Gretel, the Frog Prince, Rapunzel and the Brementown Musicians, the exhibit brings characters to life through activities, puppet shows, art and music. And as if that weren’t enough, kids (of all ages – we know you parents are intrigued) can check out live storytelling, play-acting and story puzzle cards, all in the name of promoting literacy. Also at DCM this month is the Chinese New Year Event, on Saturday, Jan. 17, noon-5 p.m. As part of the museum’s Cultural Bridges program, kids can make paper lanterns, “fire crackers,” money envelopes and opera masks, as well as see a performance by Lion Dancers. For a full list of DCM activities and classes, visit www.dallaschildrens.org or call 972-386-6555, 308 Valley View Center.
