Impressionism is Hot

Second immersive Van Gogh experience headed to Dallas to tempt art lovers

"Immersive Van Gogh" will open on June 17 at a to-be-named location in Dallas.

Photo by Michael Brosilow

UPDATE 6-3-2021: The exhibit's location will be Lighthouse Dallas, 507 S. Harwood St., organizers say. Also, permit delays have delayed the start of the show until August 7. The show will now run through October 3, and a new block of tickets will go on sale June 8.

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A second immersive art exhibit about post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh, appropriately titled "Immersive Van Gogh," is coming to Dallas, running at a to-be-named location from June 17 to September 6.

According to a March 10 release, "Immersive Van Gogh," presented by Lighthouse Immersive and Impact Museums, is a digital art experience that invites audiences to enter the works of Van Gogh, evoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement, and imagination.

If you're confused, that's because a completely different immersive Van Gogh experience, this one titled "Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience," was announced for Dallas on March 1. It's running September 15-December 12 at a to-be-named location.

According to the New York Post, "Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" has received a poor rating from the Better Business Bureau because of its ticketing platform, Fever.

The newly announced "Immersive Van Gogh" merges state-of-the-art technology, theatrical storytelling, and world-class animation, transporting guests inside the artist's most famous paintings. The art experience has over 500,000 cubic feet of projections that bring each of Van Gogh’s brushstrokes to life.

The exhibition, which was featured on the Netflix series Emily in Paris, showcases a selection of images from Van Gogh’s 2,000+ lifetime catalog of masterpieces, including Les Mangeurs de pommes de terre (The Potato Eaters, 1885), La Nuit étoilée (Starry Night, 1889), Les tournesols (Sunflowers, 1887), and La Chambre à coucher (The Bedroom, 1888).

“Despite being unknown throughout his life, Van Gogh’s artwork has created a lasting impact through its emotional richness and simple beauty,” said Massimiliano Siccardi, Immersive Van Gogh creator and designer, in a statement. “Luca Longobardi and I are very excited to visit Dallas and once again bring Van Gogh’s legacy to life in a way that embraces this city’s one-of-a-kind energy.”

The walk-through experience is an hour long and will utilize timed entry tickets to limit capacity. The experience features digitally projected social distancing circles on the gallery floors to ensure appropriate spacing. There will also be temperature checks upon arrival and hand sanitizer stations, and guests must wear face coverings at all times during their visit.

Tickets, which run from $29.99 for children 6-16 years old to $99.99 for VIP Flex, are now available at DallasVanGogh.com.

In addition to these "immersive" Van Gogh experiences, the Dallas Museum of Art is set to host the blockbuster exhibition "Van Gogh and the Olive Groves," starting on October 17.

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Pickleball News

Indoor pickleball concept from Georgia bounces into Frisco

Ace

Pickleball paddles face off.

There's a new indoor pickleball concept coming to Dallas: Called Ace Pickleball Club, it's a growing chain from Georgia, making its Texas debut in Frisco in an old BuyBuy Baby space at at 2930 Preston Rd. #600. According to a release, it opens July 12.

Ace Pickleball was founded in Roswell, Georgia in 2023, and calls itself the only facility of its kind, delivering a member-focused approach and all-inclusive pricing.

Professional-grade cushioned courts and a welcoming community create the optimal playing experience for all skill levels. The chain currently has 15 locations across the U.S. including Colorado, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

They emphasize an inclusive community with unlimited open play, and offer clinics, tournaments, social events, and ball machine reservations. They also offer paddle demos so that members can test out the newest technology from a variety of brands to find their favorite.

When they open, they'll offer free introductory pickleball clinics for beginners to go over the rules of the sport and feel more comfortable as they learn about the game.

Ace Pickleball ClubAce Pickleball Club

Indoor facilities have an advantage in that they're impervious to weather so players can play year-round.

The Frisco location is a nearly 33,000-square-foot facility with 11 full-size courts and one dinking court designed to welcome players of all skill levels. Memberships are $129 monthly with the first month free.

Bringing the concept to Frisco is Juan Menchaca, a former corporate worker who is a pickleball player himself. When he and his wife relocated to the DFW area in May 2023, he brought with him a lifelong dream of opening a sports facility.

Introduced to pickleball by his brother-in-law, who is now training to go pro in pickleball, Menchaca was instantly hooked by the game’s fast pace, simple rules, and strong sense of community.

Opening a dedicated pickleball facility felt like the ideal first serve into the world of sports.

“I saw the demand I knew Ace Pickleball Club was the right fit,” Menchaca says. “The model is perfect for all skill levels across the Frisco community. I’ve always wanted to create something people could rally around, and this not only provides that, but helps in bringing our community closer.”

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