MAGICAL MYSTERY TOURS

Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas takes art appreciation on the road

Photographs Do Not Bend (PDNB) Gallery
PDNB
PDNB Gallery
Reading Room
Photo courtesy of CADD
Barry Whistler Gallery
Photo courtesy of Barry Whistler Gallery

Despite welcoming gallerinas, eclectic patrons and free booze, the world of the modern art gallery can be an intimidating one. Patrons who have yet to darken the door of one of the city’s emerging spaces can ease into a more artistic state of mind on one of CADD’s (the Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas) ongoing bus tours.

“Our No. 1 goal is to get people familiar with coming into galleries,” explains Missy Finger of Photographs Do Not Bend (PDNB) Gallery, spokesperson and member of CADD’s publicity committee.

“Our role is to get people familiar with what are some of the best galleries in Dallas and show them it’s a friendly atmosphere,” says Missy Finger, CADD spokesperson.

“Generally, when people enter a gallery, they just feel uncomfortable. That’s not good or bad; it’s just a part of our culture people don’t tend to understand. Our role is to get people familiar with what are some of the best galleries in Dallas and show them it’s a friendly atmosphere.”

Past tours have included a viewing of the contemporary art collection at Cowboys Stadium, a jaunt through art studios in Denton and behind-the-scenes peeks at some of the city’s private art collections.

First up for 2013? A January 19 trip to PDNB Gallery in the Design District and the Barry Whistler Gallery in Deep Ellum, plus a look at the alternative space the Reading Room. After a brief talk, patrons can enjoy lunch from Hypnotic Sushi before traveling to the home of Lizzie and Dan Routman for a glimpse at their collection.

Retired Dallas Morning News arts critic Janet Kutner will be along for the ride to guide the tour, which costs $50 and contributes to the CADD-Booker T. Washington Scholarship Fund.

Formed in 2006, CADD is a nonprofit organization that promotes the advancement of all levels of contemporary art, and its ongoing contributions to the Booker T. Washington Scholarship Fund has helped to support the next generation of Dallas artists. Our city is a fertile one for both up-and-coming and established talent, as Art Place America recently recognized the Dallas Arts District, with parts of Deep Ellum and Exposition Park, as one of America’s Top ArtPlaces 2013.

Future tours include Holly Johnson and Cris Worley galleries on March 1, and Valley House Gallery and 500X on May 18, along with TBA visits to studios or private art collections. For more information, please visit the CADD website.

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Season Announcement

Kitchen Dog Theater unleashes immersive 2025 season in new Dallas space

Kitchen Dog Theater presents Safe at Home

Photo by Jordan Fraker

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Seven years after announcing it had purchased a building in the Design District, Kitchen Dog Theater is finally ready to move into its new home.

The third and final production of its 2025 season — the theater company's 34th — will take place all around the new "Doghouse." The other two productions will follow the immersive format at non-traditional performance spaces that was established last season.

With three fully produced events that each run the gambit from captivating and gutsy to heartfelt and hilarious, the monthly New Works Festival Staged Readings Series returns, as does the 23rd annual PUP Fest, nurturing high school talent from all over DFW.

First up is the area premiere of Will Eno's Wakey, Wakey, directed by KDT's artistic director Tina Parker and starring KDT co-artistic director Christopher Carlos.

"Is it now? I thought I had more time." These first words in Will Eno's play are spoken by Guy, a man who knows, like all of us on some level, that he is about to die. The play questions why we are here and the journeys that everyone takes to eventually get to the same place. Performances will take place at Expo Park, 840 Exposition Avenue, and run February 7-23, 2025.

Production No. 2 is full of mystery: The title and performance location will be announced soon and run in March/April 2025.

The Happiness Gymby Ken Weitzman closes out the season in August 2025 (exact dates TBA).

This regional premiere is a joyous, experiential event based on the science of well-being. Participants take part in a curated theatrical experience meant to boost their sense of happiness, joy, and feelings of connection. This one-of-a-kind project will be the soft opening to Kitchen Dog’s new theater and will take place all over the entire facility, giving patrons unparalleled access to KDT’s new home.

From March to July 2025, the 26th annual 2025 New Works Festival will showcase four-to-five staged readings of the newest and most exciting local and regional playwrights working in contemporary theater today. Each reading will feature some of DFW's most accomplished actors and directors and will take place at different venues across DFW.

For its 23rd annual event, PUP Fest will feature six staged readings of jury-selected plays written by DFW high school students, featuring student actors directed by area professional directors. PUP Fest is the culminating event of Dallas Playwriting Arts Collective (D-PAC), a partnership with Dallas ISD and Junior Players. Performance location is TBA, but the event will happen June 7, 2025.

For more information, visit kitchendogtheater.org or call 214-953-1055.

kitchen dog theater theater