Wild for Wildflower

A by-the-numbers look at the most exclamatory festival in North Texas

Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival in Richardson

Richardson's beloved Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival returns May 20-22.

Courtesy photo

Finally, it’s that time of year when people head outside looking for any outdoor activity they can find to enjoy the cooler temps before the dog days of summer hit (which, in Dallas, is usually, what, next month?). Well, as luck would have it, Richardson’s 24th annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival is coming up May 20-22, and we can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend, given that this event covers pretty much everything on our checklist — good music, yummy food, stuff for the kiddos, and more good music.

Here’s a by-the-numbers look at what this three-day musical bonanza has to offer:

17
The number of bands performing at this year’s event. The lineup includes The Guess Who, Finger Eleven, Peter Frampton, John Waite, Toadies, Survivor, Soul Asylum, Black Joe Lewis, and Jimmie Vaughan, among others. New York-based Unforgettable Fire, the world’s longest-running U2 tribute band, also performs each night. Check the lineup for times.

70,000
The number of people who attended Wildflower last year. This year’s projected attendance is expected to be even higher.

3
The number of locations the festival has had since opening in 1993. First held at a small park in northeast Richardson, Wildflower began as a springtime community event celebrating the wildflowers in the area (hence the name). Headlining bands were added in 1995, and, eventually, the festival moved to its second location, the Greenway Corporate Office Park, where it expanded to a three-day event. Finally, in, 2002, it moved to its current location, Galatyn Park.

50
The average number of kids who try out each year for the festival’s Budding Talent program, a vocal competition for youths that takes place a month before the festival. This year’s auditions (which are closed to the public) will be held April 24, 1-5 pm, at the Senior Citizens Center in Richardson, and winners perform on the last day of the festival. To register for the competition, click here. Registration closes April 18.

200 million
The number of monarch butterflies expected to migrate through North Texas this spring. What does this have to do with Wildflower, you might wonder? Well, the festival happens to offer a Kidz Korner full of activities for the little ones, including the Texas Native Butterfly Tent, which gives an up close and personal look at butterflies. Very educational. Very cool. And very fun.

$40
The cost of a three-day pass, which is available until 5:30 pm on May 20, via Tom Thumb or the Wildflower website. Single-day adult tickets can be purchased for $25 at the gate, as well as through the festival website starting April 18. Kids ages 5 to 12 can get in for $5 each; admission for kids 4 and under is free. For more ticket info, visit the website.

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RIP Mark

Colorful Dallas musician and DJ Mark Ridlen passes away at 65

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Mark Ridlen RIP

A bright and colorful light in Dallas' music scene went out: Mark Ridlen, DJ and musician, passed away on November 17, following a bout with cancer; he was 65.

From his appearance in Ron Howard’s 1978 directorial debut, Cotton Candy, to his groups Quad Pi, Lithium X-mas, and a plethora of side projects with scores of DFW musicians, to his full-time job as a professional DJ under the moniker "DJ Mr. Rid," Ridlen had been a steady staple on the local creative scene.

He surfed pretty much every musical wave: from Dallas' epochal dance music scene in the early 80s, to punk rock to his role as one of Dallas' top DJs — the guy you called when you wanted your event to be cool and fun.

Ridlen had been quietly battling kidney and lung cancer for the past three years. Over the summer, he had his second kidney removed, which meant he was on dialysis treatment a couple times a week.

He remained upbeat, but according to friends of the family, two more tumors were recently found in his brain. His family and friends decided to forego further treatment and were by his side when he died.

He remained in demand until his passing. In May, he DJed a party at the Kessler Theater, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Starck Club, the legendary '80s dance music club designed by Philippe Starck, which had a huge influence on Dallas, and which Ridlen was part of.

He was invited to DJ at the Starck Club when it opened in 1984 and remained in that role until the club closed in 1989.

Reid mark ridlen Mark Ridlen (right) with close friend Reid RobiinsonFacebook

From there, he migrated to Expo Park, the underground neighborhood across from Fair Park where art and music ruled. His stints at XPO Lounge, Double Wide, and other neighborhood venues made him a staple in the community.

At the same time, he was a member of Lithium Xmas, a psychedelic art-rock band which he formed with acclaimed musicians Chris Merlick and Greg Synodis.

He was also a pop culture savant with a comprehensive knowledge of music, who balanced a low-key charm with a vibrant sense of style, whether it was a vivid pop-art tunic or a flashy sequinned jacket, he did it all with originality and panache.

In late August, a large circle of musicians and friends rallied to participate in a benefit for Ridlen, to help pay for his medical costs — a sweet indication of the high regard in which he was held.

“I do want people to know that I am not being slowed down by cancer,” Ridlen said at the time. “I'm ready to continue working. I have more-or-less a clean bill of health for the moment, and hopefully that doesn't change.”

Survivors include his mother Nancy and his brother David. A memorial service is in the works with details still to be announced.

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