THE MERCURY MAY BE DROPPING, and maybe you’re thinking more about Christmas trees than palm trees, but why not break the holiday monotony with a tropical escape? Okay, so it’s not really an island vacation, but Preston Hollow Elementary’s fundraiser, Preston Hula, will certainly get you in a Caribbean state of mind. There’s going to be live beach music from Kenny and the Casuals, tropical food you’d typically find at a luau and plenty of loud Hawaiian print shirts. In fact, casual beach gear is the attire for the evening, and ladies, if you’re feeling brave, you’re free to sport a grass skirt. There will also be a silent and live auction with some pretty sweet scores up for grab, like a spa package, a poker party, champagne dinners, a night at the Belmont, and even a year’s worth of naming rights to things such as Preston Hollow Elementary’s baseball field and main driveway. Last year’s funds went to improving the school’s playground, and this year’s proceeds will fund a beautification of the school’s landscape, building maintenance, and student enrichment programs. So dust off those flip-flops and come sip a Mai Tai for a worthy cause. Tickets are $50 per person. For information, contact Kaky Wakefield at kakymail@swbell.net.
arts & entertainment
Intimate Evening Concerts Thursday, Nov. 2, Dan Dyer featuring Sam and Ruby; Friday, Nov. 3, Steve Poltz; Saturday, Nov. 4, Johnny Lloyd Rollins; Friday, Nov. 10, Carter Albrecht and Jayson Bayles; Saturday, Nov. 11, Jon Dee Graham and Tom Freund; Thursday, Nov. 16, Open Mic Thursday/Fall Fling; Friday, Nov. 17, Diana Jones; Saturday, Nov. 18, Deadman; Thursday, Nov. 30, Creede Williams. All shows start at 8 p.m. Discounts available for advance purchase. $10-$30. Bend Studio, 5014 McKinney. 214-841-9642 or bendstudio.com.
Spoken Word Poetry Friday, Nov. 10, 7:30-10 p.m. Hosted by Dallas Theater Center’s DaVerse Lounge for Teens, this is a non-competitive, open microphone event for teens. Free. DCT, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Call 214-522-8499.
Fridays at Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Nov. 3, Jean Synodinos, Jay Mankita; Nov. 10, no show; Nov. 17, Stairwell Sisters; Nov. 24, closed for Thanksgiving. All shows start at 8 p.m. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. $12. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. 214-363-0044 or unclecalvins.org.Dallas Arts District.
Free Monthly Stroll Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:30 a.m., rain or shine. The hour-long, docent-led walking tour highlights architecture, tradition and history of the district. Tour begins in front of the Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, 2010 Flora. RSVP 214-953-1977 or visit artsdistrict.org.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Through Sunday, Nov. 5, Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees, 2 p.m. Tickets $15-$60. Discounts for groups of 10 or more. Dallas Theater Center, Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. 214-522-8499 or dallastheatercenter.org.
Seussical, the Musical Thursday, Nov. 16, and Saturday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. Presented by the J Youtheatre, this musical appeals to kids from ages 2 years to over 90. Tickets $10 in advance adults, $15 at the door; children $8 in advance, $12 at the door. Zale Auditorium, Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. Contact Judy Cohn, 214-239-7115.
“Ornament Extravaganza” – Opening reception Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the exhibit continues through Sunday, Dec 31. A celebration of shape, color and the holiday season, featuring glass ornaments from artists nationwide. Presented by Kittrell/Riffkind Art Glass, 5100 Beltline Rd. Suite 820, Dallas, TX, 75254. Visit www.kittrellriffkind.com or call 888-865-2228 or email Artglass@KittrellRiffkind.com.
South Pacific Auditions Sunday and Monday, Nov. 19 and 20. Presented by J Players, rehearsals begin Jan. 7 for February show dates. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. Contact Judy Cohn, 214-239-7112 to set an audition time.
A Christmas Carol Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday, Dec. 24. This Dickens holiday classic is the perfect gift for the whole family. Kalita Humphreys Theater, Dallas Theater Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd. Ticket information, 214-522-8499 or dallastheatercenter.org.
Bancroft Family Concert Saturday, Nov. 25, 3 p.m. Tom Derner’s Country Chamber Orchestra performs music from Bach to country liddin’. Presented by Fine Arts Chambers Players. Free. Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood. 214-520-2219 or fineartschamberplayers.org.
From Cranach to Monet Through Sunday, Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Offering 57 works from the extensive Perez Simon private collection, the exhibit features 46 different artists including masterpieces by Rubens, Van Dyck, Gauguin and Renoir. Admission is $8 adults, free for children under 12 and Thursdays after 5 p.m. Meadows Museum, Southern Methodist University, 5900 Bishop. 214-768-3785.
community
League of Women Voters of Dallas Candidates Forum Series Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. Sponsored with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Dallas, Texas House of Representatives candidates for District 114 will be on hand: Republican Will Hartnett, Democrat Phillip Shinoda and Libertarian Edward C. Cormack. Zale Auditorium, Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 7900 Northaven. Contact Sally Garcia, sbg0115@swbell.net.
Rummage Rampage and Craft Fair Saturday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $2. Presale Party Friday, Nov. 3, 7-10 p.m. Admission is $10. Sponsored by the Junior League of Richardson, price includes food, beverages, entertainment and shopping. Proceeds benefit Richardson, Garland and North Dallas community projects including, Don’t Wait to Vaccinate, the Galaxy Counseling Center and the Richardson Regional Cancer Center. Richardson Civic Center, 411 Arapaho. 972-644-5979 or jlrtx.com.
Northway Christian Church’s Annual Bazaar Wednesday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m. Shop for handmade children’s furniture, toy boxes, hand-decorated table top trees, food items, Christmas decorations, ceramics and more. 7202 W. Norhwest Hwy. Contact Gloria Austin, 972-239-3939 or austin239@aol.com.
Junior League of Richardson General Meeting Wednesday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. Members will be collecting nonperishable food items for Network Food Ministry. Guests welcome. Community room at the First Bank of Canyon Creek, 1755 N. Collins Blvd., Richardson. Contact joinjlr@jrtx.com or visit jlrtx.com.
Aaron Family Tribute Event Saturday, Nov. 18, 7:45 p.m., The Jewish Community Center of Dallas will host a fundraiser honoring the Aaron family and their commitment to the community. There will be a live and silent auction, live music, dancing, a wine pull, and dinner. Individual tickets are $250 and sponsorships are also available. Trade Mart Courtyard, 2100 Stemmons Freeway. Contact Heika Muller at 214-239-7136 or www.jccdallas.org.
Oil Painting Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $5 a lesson with ID card. Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway. Contact Mary Ann, 214-352-7366.
One-Act Play Ages 5-8 on Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. Ages 9 and up on Mondays, 4-5 p.m. Young children of all ages will perform in seasonal holiday plays. Participants will learn how to memorize lines and create costumes. Each play is performed in a dinner theater setting. Participation is free, reservations for shows are $6. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Carol Burris, 214-670-6477.
Ramblin’ Round Dance Lessons Wednesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. Dancing in the round with cues given by a professional. $50 per couple per quarter. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Christine Hixon, 972-270-7292.
Duplicate and Party Bridge Thursdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for duplicate bridge, and Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon for party bridge. Duplicate players will need a partner. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Bill Frye, 972-247-5619.
Big-D Barbershop Harmony Chorus Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m. Men of all ages who love to sing are invited to participate. Experience not required. Town Village North at 12271 Coit. 972-247-4345.
Lunch & Learn Seminars Wednesdays, noon-1:30 p.m. Cost is $7, includes a light kosher buffet. Sponsored by Aaron Family Jewish Community Center. Nov. 1, Morton Meyerson, The Impact of Tzedakah in My Life; Nov. 8, Steve Blasnik, Think Like a Professional Investor; Nov. 15, Ynette Hogue and Betsy Swango. Starting a Business and Staying Friends; Nov. 29, Marlene Gorin, Social Justice Lessons. RSVP two days in advance to 214-239-7149 or hpmerrett@jccdallas.com.
family
Third Annual Truck Time Sunday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., rain or shine. Parents and children of all ages are invited to explore large trucks, tractors, earth movers, fire trucks and police vehicles. Admission is $6 adults, $4 children 2-12, free for children under age 2. Congregation Shearith Israel, 9401 Douglas Ave. Contact Esther Wolf, 214-361-6606, Ext. 231 or ewoll@shearith.org.
Trains at NorthPark Saturday, Nov. 18, through Monday Jan. 1. Mondays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays, noon-6 p.m. Presented by Chase Bank of Dallas, the exhibit benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, the exhibit benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and features 40 vintage locomotives running along 2,500 feet of track. They will travel across America from the Golden Gate Bridge to Mount Rushmore, through Texas, Washington, D.C. and New York City. $5 adults, $3 children age 2-12 and seniors. Free for children under 2. Discount tickets for $1 off each entry available at Tom Thumb stores. NorthPark Center, North Central Expressway US 7 at Northwest Highway. 214-631-7354 or rmhdallas.com.
Storytime Saturday Saturdays, 11 a.m. Parents and children are invited to participate together as storyteller Jill Peters leads interactive storytelling, improvisational comedy routines and sing-a-longs. Children’s Play Place, Level 3 (near Saks Fifth Avenue), Dallas Galleria, 13350 Dallas Parkway. 972-702-7100 or galleriadallas.com.
Alert Child of Texas Saturdays, 9-10 a.m. for ages 4-7, and 10-11 a.m. for ages 8 and older. Self-defense and anti-kidnapping classes brought to you by the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. $8 per class with a $12 registration fee. Walnut Hill Recreation Center, 10011 Midway. 972-578-7555.
health & fitness
Holistic Yoga Mondays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-noon; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-7 p.m. This class focuses on the mind/body connection while increasing flexibility, strength and balance. $85 a month or $10 per class. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Greg Moffett, 214-769-3889.
Tai Chi Wednesdays, 10-10:45 a.m. Gentle movements release stress by relaxing and rejuvenating the body while refreshing the mind. Participants of all ages and physical conditions can do the 20 simple movements. $6 per class, $5 for those 60 and over. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Sister Bernice Eidt. 214-350-5860.
library
Computer Confidence Courses Saturdays, Nov. 11 and 18, 11 a.m. Learn about one of the following topics: how to use the internet at the library and at home, or how to find books, both from home and at the library. Each class is self-contained and includes practice on the Internet. Park Forest Library, 3421 Forest. 214-670-6333.
Library Live! Saturday, Nov. 11, 1 p.m. Embark on a musical journey from the roaring ‘20s to the present with strumming banjo fun. Walnut Hill Library. 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.
Purls Knitting Group Fridays, except Nov. 24, 1-3 p.m. Experienced knitters or come to learn. Everyone is welcome. Preston Royal Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Computer Classes Mondays, 5 p.m. and Thursdays, 6 p.m. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. For this month’s schedule, call 214-670-6376.
Infant/Toddler Development Time Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Children and parents/caregivers learn fun, inexpensive ways to practice speech, motor, cognitive and social development. For infants and toddlers. Park Forest Branch Library, 3421 Forest. 214-670-6333.
Preschool Storytime Wednesdays, 10 a.m. (except Nov. 15.) Stories and activities for ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Park Forest Branch Library, 3421 Forest. 214-670-6333.
Preschool Storytime Thursdays 11 a.m. (except Nov. 23.) Stories and activities for ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Walnut Hill Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.
Preschool Storytime Fridays, 10:30 a.m. (except Nov. 24.) Stories and activities for ages 3-5 and their parents/caregivers. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
Toddler Time Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. Stories and activities for ages 18-36 months and their parents/caregivers. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.
literary
Urban Engagement Book Club Thursday, Nov. 2, noon, Sponsored by Central Dallas Ministries, the November book is “Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless in America: My Story,” by Michelle Kennedy. Open to the public, free. Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird. Contact Jeremy Gregg, 214-823-8710, Ext. 127 or Jgregg@CentralDallasMinistries.org.
seniors
Senior Connection Thursday, Nov. 9, 10-11:30 a.m. and Thursday, Nov. 23, 10-11:30 a.m. Free; RSVP required. The Senior Source, 1215 Skiles. Call 214-823-5700 or email SESD@theseniorsource.org for program details theseniorsource.org.
SeniorNet Computer Classes This non-profit organization offers a variety of “how to” computer classes for today’s active older adult. Seven per class, one-on-one instruction with easy-to-follow instruction manuals. C.C. Young Retirement Community, 4847 W. Lawther. For a complete list of classes and dates, contact Mary, 214-841-2818.
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. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven, aangorina@jccdallas.org.
Senior Aerobics Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:15-9:15 a.m. A vigorous workout with less of the jumping, twisting and impact of traditional aerobics. $56 for eight classes. Churchill Recreation Center, 6906 Churchill. Contact Charles Plafcan, 214-954-0777.
