Fall for Art

5 can't-miss activities at Richardson's Cottonwood Art Festival this fall

Now in its 49th year, Cottonwood Art Festival continues to reign as one of Dallas' most beloved events. Held the first full weekend in October (and again during the first full weekend in May), the twice-yearly festival at Cottonwood Park in Richardson is fun, family-friendly, and free.

Whether it's your first visit to Cottonwood or your 49th, here are five things not to miss at the festival, held this autumn on October 6-7.

1. Some of the best art in the country
Cottonwood Art Festival entices artists from across the U.S. to show and sell their work at what many consider to be the premier art event in North Texas. This year, more than 240 artists were chosen from the 1,400 that submitted. Expect to see museum-quality work in 14 categories, including pastels, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and metalwork. This year's featured artist, New Orleans-based Amanda Bennett, uses midcentury advertising as a springboard for her mixed media creations.

2. Live music galore
The Courtyard Main Stage and the Food Court Stage will be rocking all weekend, as top local bands performing the best in rock, country, jazz, blues, swing, and folk will be making the park sing. On the lineup are multi-instrument musician Zuriel Merek, two-man band The Tu-Tones, the Chris Watson band, singer-songwriter Erik Carizalles, The Pour Brothers, Justin Tipton, Morgan Alana Taylor, and the EJ Mathews Band.

3. Stop for ArtStop
Pint-size Picassos can tap into their creativity at this kid-friendly zone, which offers interactive workshops and arts-and-crafts projects so fun that adults will be wishing they could join in.

4. Chow down
The festival is open 10 am-7 pm on Saturday and 10 am-5 pm on Sunday, so obviously you'll need to keep up your strength. Luckily, there are more than a dozen delicious food options from which to choose, including some new treats this year. Mrs. Lively's Southern Cuisine brings a taste of Louisiana to Texas, with Cajun cooking that includes boudain, fried oysters, and catfish. Kona Ice and Taylor's Sweet Shop keep things sweet, while Sonny Bryan's barbecue, Mario's Greek food, and Asian grilled kabobs from Satay Hut satisfy practically any craving.

5. Visit the (beer) garden
The Lakeside Courtyard is an oasis for craft beer lovers, and it's where you'll find such pours as Revolver Blood and Honey, Rahr Ugly Pug, and Lakewood Lager, just to name a few. If you're an early bird, you can enjoy Mimosa Mornings beginning when the festival opens at 10 am. And if you're not a suds fan, you can still enjoy margaritas, prosecco, and wine.

For more information, visit the Cottonwood Art Festival website.

More than 1,400 artists submitted to Cottonwood Art Festival, but only 240 were chosen.

Woman painting at Cottonwood Art Festival 2016

Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Art Festival

More than 1,400 artists submitted to Cottonwood Art Festival, but only 240 were chosen.

cocktails parks shopping craft-beer promoted galleries concerts festivals nature families kids

Theater Critic Picks

From Wilde to 'The Wiz': 8 unmissable July shows in North Texas

Second Thought Theatre presents Your Wife’s Dead Body

Photo courtesy of Second Thought Theatre

undefined

Your instinct during the summer might be to hide out in an air-conditioned theater, and there are plenty of options to do exactly this month. But we would be remiss if we didn't remind you about a North Texas tradition: Shakespeare under the stars. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and watch The Bard (and this year Oscar Wilde) at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater with Shakespeare Dallas. Both shows opened in June, but continue through most of July.

Here are eight shows local shows, listed in order of start date:

The Importance of Being Earnest
Shakespeare Dallas, ~~through~~ ~~July 18~~ extended to July 26
This witty romantic comedy by Oscar Wilde, first performed in 1895, tells the story of two men who assume the identities of a fictional man named Ernest. This leads them to each fall in love and encounter an assortment of comical problems along the way.

Othello
Shakespeare Dallas, through July 20
In this Shakespearean tragedy, Othello is at the peak of his powers: not only Venice's greatest general but also husband to the noble and beautiful Desdemona. But he does not know that in passing over his servant Iago for promotion, he has created a deadly but brilliant enemy. This production is set in an alternate-history version of the 1990s in which the Venetian empire is the predominant political, military, and economic power.

King Kirby
American Chronicle Theatre Co., July 4-12
This is the story of Jack "King of Comics" Kirby. The play follows him from the tough Jewish ghetto of Hell’s Kitchen in New York, to the harrowing battlefields of Normandy during WWII, to tense Senate hearings in the 1950s. Watch as he creates some of the most iconic heroes in pop culture: Captain America, Thor, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, the New Gods, and countless others.

Your Wife’s Dead Body
Second Thought Theatre, July 9-26
Written by Second Though Theatre artistic associate Jenny Ledel in her playwriting premiere, the play takes place in the near future, as Jane takes advantage of a new AI technology that would extend her lifespan ... even if she's not around to see it for herself.

The Wiz
Broadway at the Bass, July 15-20
This all-new production of the groundbreaking, Tony Award-winning musical returns “home” in an all-new pre-Broadway tour, the first one in 40 years. The groundbreaking twist on The Wizard of Oz changed the face of Broadway, from its iconic score packed with soul, gospel, rock, and finger-snapping '70s funk to its stirring tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a contemporary world.

Noises Off
Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas, July 18-August 2
This play-within-a-play captures a touring theater troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Playwright Michael Frayn gives a window into the inner workings of theatre behind-the-scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie
Uptown Players, July 18-August 3
Inspired by true events, this musical tells the inspiring story of Jamie New, a 16-year-old boy from Sheffield who dreams of becoming a drag queen. His loving mom showers him with endless support but it's not all rainbows for Jamie as his deadbeat dad and some ignorant school kids attempt to rain on his sensational aspirations.

Shucked
Broadway at the Bass, July 29-August 3
This Tony Award-winning musical comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score by the Grammy Award-winning songwriting team of Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and direction by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien. The corn-fed, corn-bred American musical is sure to satisfy an appetite for great musical theater.

broadway at the bass musicals national tour plays second thought theatre uptown players shakespeare under stars shakespeare in the park theater