Crowning achievement

Dallas-area British shop fetes Queen's Jubilee with regal afternoon of corgis and cars

MFAH Tudors to Windsors, Cecil Beaton, Queen Elizabeth II

Party like the queen for her Platinum Jubilee.

Photo Courtesy of Cecil Beaton / Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Hear ye, hear ye! To celebrate both Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's long and glorious 70-year reign and British Emporium's long and glorious 30 years in business, the Grapevine shop for all things British is throwing a soiree.

On Sunday, May 15, from 11 am-4 pm, the British Emporium will invite customers to toast the store's success and mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee with a few of the queen's favorite things. Most especially: corgis.

As corgis have been the pet of choice since the queen was a child, they will hold a special place in the celebration. Corgi owners are encouraged to bring their dogs in costume — whether it be British-themed, royal family-themed, or any fun Halloween costume you might have hidden in the pet closet.

A corgi parade will commence at 2 pm. Don't forget to dress up, yourself: there'll be both prizes for best-dressed corgi and best-dressed corgi/owner duo.

Cars and motorcycles are another beloved British tradition that'll be a part of the celebration, in the way of a showcase. Those who'd like to showcase their treasured car or motorbike can do so for free, but advance registration is required so a space can be reserved. Interested owners can contact the store at 817-421-2311.

Awards will be given for “Best of Show” at 3 pm that day.

“This will be such a fun event with a British accent for everyone,” says Sheela K. Bailey, owner of the British Emporium, in a release. “This is our first event in over two years. It feels good to bring events back that everyone has been asking for. It's important for us to keep the tradition of British motoring alive here in Texas and to have a place for enthusiasts to gather.

"Attendees can gaze at classic cars and motorbikes at the most British spot in the Metroplex. And so many of our customers have adorable pet corgis. We know they're very creative people, and we can’t wait to see the fabulous costumes.”

While attendance at the celebration is free, the British Emporium asks guests to bring items for the GRACE Grapevine Food Pantry food drive to assist those in need.

It will all take place, starting at 11 am May 15, in the store's parking lot (which the release, with its British accent, adorably calls "the car park"), at 140 N. Main St., Grapevine.

The 30-year-old British Emporium is a one-stop-shop for groceries and gifts from the U.K. and, in pre-pandemic times, regularly hosted community-related events such as royal celebrations, car shows, Doctor Who parties, and meet-and-greets with VIP visitors from Great Britain.

For more information on the queen's actual Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, June 2-5, visit the official royal event 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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