Concert for a Cause

Inaugural Dallas concert blends a night of fun with the joy of giving back

Having a good time, listening to live music, and donating money to a good cause are all things that make you feel good, so do all three at once at Hope Fest: Live from HARWOOD. The inaugural event, which is presented by Harwood International, will take place at Happiest Hour on September 30, and its proceeds will help give hope to different groups of people by funding three amazing groups.

Those organizations are: Connecting Point of Park Cities, which provides impactful day programs for adults with special needs; Cornerstone Achievement Center, a private school providing individualized support for children with special needs; and Love Like You Mean It, which seeks to change the treatment of young girls and women in India who are cast into trafficking.

Hope Fest chairs Katelyn and Oliver Barbier-Mueller, who is executive vice president of Harwood International, have worked with all three, and have seen firsthand the incredible impact they all provide.

“We wanted to be do our part to ensure that these organizations would be able to go on providing services for many years to come,” says Katelyn Barbier-Mueller. “Because when you meet the teammates and students that Connecting Point and Cornerstone serve, you can't help but fall in love with them and do whatever you can to help them have the most meaningful and fulfilling lives possible.”

Fort Worth musician Josh Weathers, who will be performing at the concert, and his wife Kady are huge supporters of Love Like You Mean It, and have even traveled to India to lend their support.

“After our first trip, Kady and I saw things that we couldn't unsee,” Weathers says. “After witnessing children in such extreme depravity, we were compelled to create a solution that would ensure that future generations would have more opportunity.”

In addition to Weathers, local musicians Cas Haley and Michael Lee will also be performing at Hope Fest.

“My music is rooted in hope and inspiration,” says Haley, who was the runner-up on season two of America’s Got Talent. “I'm stoked to be a part of Hope Fest and take part in this community effort to give hope.”

While galas and benefit concerts can sometimes be outrageously expensive, tickets for Hope Fest are only $60 for general admission and $150 for a VIP experience. A small price to pay indeed for not only a fun night at one of Dallas' most popular hot spots, but also the knowledge that you're helping those in need.

“We also wanted to do all this in a fun way that could bring our wonderful group of friends together to work together to benefit the city we live in,” Katelyn Barbier-Mueller says. “We also strive to be people not just of good words and intentions, but of tangible acts of love.”

For tickets and more information, visit www.hopefestlive.com.

Happiest Hour is the place to be on September 30, for the inaugural Hope Fest: Live from HARWOOD.

Photo courtesy of HARWOOD District

Happiest Hour is the place to be on September 30, for the inaugural Hope Fest: Live from HARWOOD.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen