Coronavirus News

Dallas Symphony now requiring COVID-19 vaccine proof or negative test to attend concerts

If you want to see them play, you've got to follow their rules.

Photo courtesy of Dallas Symphony Orchestra

As coronavirus surges across the region once again, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra has updated its coronavirus protocols for all attendees.

"Due to the significant increase of COVID-19 cases in Dallas, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is taking action to improve the safety of our audiences, musicians and staff," DSO says in a January 7 release. "These additional efforts will make it possible for the DSO to continue to perform for our patrons and the community."

Beginning with the January 13 concert, DSO audience members age 12 and up must either:

show proof of vaccination.
have proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours.
or take a rapid antigen test at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center prior to the performance.

Further instructions are clear and direct, as follows:

For vaccinated patrons: "Prior to attending a concert, patrons should download the free Bindle app at the App Store or Google Play Store," DSO says. "The app will display a green check mark which validates vaccination information, and the patron will present the app screen prior to scanning their tickets."

For guests who need to test: "A negative, rapid antigen test taken on site will be required prior to seating," they say. "Rapid tests will be provided at no cost to patrons, and DSO staff will direct audience members to the testing area. Patrons should arrive 60 minutes prior to concert start time to make allowances for the testing. If a patron tests positive, they will be refunded the cost of their ticket and asked to return home."

Face masks are still required at all performances, and DSO will continue to limit attendance for social distancing. Keep up with their updated guidelines on their website.

For those who don't feel comfortable going to concerts in person but would like to enjoy the music at home, DSO is offering select performances on its Next Stage Digital Concert Series for on-demand viewing. Subscribers have free access to all available shows, and guests may purchase a digital ticket for $10 per concert or $125 per year. Find out more on their site.

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worldwide recognition

Stunning Dallas-Fort Worth museum declared most beautiful in the world

National Medal of Honor Museum

A new list of the world's most beautiful museums includes one gleaming North Texas museum on the roster for 2026: The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington.

The "World’s Most Beautiful Museums List 2026" is curated by Prix Versailles, a global architecture and design award program, and recognizes only seven institutions worldwide. The National Medal of Honor Museum is the only museum in the Western Hemisphere to win this highly prestigious accolade.

The National Medal of Honor Museum first opened on March 25, 2025, marking the anniversary of the first Medals of Honor awarded in 1863. The museum shares the stories of U.S. military service members who've received a Medal of Honor for their wartime efforts. More than 3,500 Medals of Honor have been awarded since its inception, and only 64 recipients are alive today.

In describing the building's appearance, Prix Versailles said the museum's overall design "is inseparable from its mission" to commemorate the courage of past and present servicemen and women.

"The steel-clad Exhibition Hall is a monumental space that reflects the strength of character that is forged in combat. That structure is suspended 12 metres in the air above a landscaped 'Field of Honor,' a central, open-air courtyard that serves as both threshold and gathering space. From there, sculptural spiral staircases and fully glazed lifts take visitors to immersive galleries, creating a powerful narrative journey through the lives and legacies of medal recipients. Supported by five megacolumns, each representing a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, the museum is bathed in natural light thanks to an oculus at its centre, symbolising the U.S. Space Force."

The museum was designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, and one of the firm's partners, Bassam Komati, said the recognition was a "tremendous honor."

"We are especially moved by the award’s celebration of architecture’s narrative power and its ability to reveal strength through harmony, sensitivity, and shared purpose — values deeply aligned with this project," Komati said. "Shaped through close collaboration with our client and an exceptional multidisciplinary team, the Museum gives form to a shared vision for a civic place of reflection and inspiration, honoring those who serve the common good while affirming architecture’s capacity to embody our highest ideals."

General admission includes access to the museum grounds, interactive exhibits, and the expansive exhibit deck, and the museum also offers VIP guided tours and virtual reality experiences with upgraded tickets. Tickets range from $30-$65, with discounts for veterans and free admission for active-duty military.

The full list of 2026's most beautiful museums in the world are:

Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Science and Techology Museum, Shenzen, China
Xuelei Fragrance Museum, Guangzhou, China
MoN Takanawak: The Museum of Narratives, Tokyo, Japan
Lost Shtetl Museum, Šeduva, Lithuania
National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington, United States
Islamic Civilization Center, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

museums awards arlington national medal of honor museum