Music Matters

Rock rules summer 2013 concert season at Gexa Energy Pavilion

John Mayer headlines the July 13 show at Gexa.
Courtesy photo
Kelly Clarkson joins Maroon 5 on the Gexa stage September 22.
Photo courtesy of Kelly Clarkson
Mumford & Sons plays Gexa on June 11.
Photo by Alistair Taylor-Young

Rock festivals and middle-brow rock bands will rule the stage of Gexa Energy Pavilion, which issued its official summer 2013 concert lineup, featuring shows by Train, Matchbox 2, Kid Rock and John Mayer.

Festivals include two with local roots: Summer's Cut, a season opener on June 1 hosted by feel-good KXT; and BFD 2013, the annual metal-fest hosted by 97.1 The Eagle, this year starring Megadeth, Slash and Black Label Society.

National festivals include the Honda Civic tour, with Maroon 5 and Burleson-born Kelly Clarkson, and two hosted by Rockstar Energy drink: the hard-edged Mayhem Festival on August 4 with Rob Zombie, and the grungy Uproar Festival on August 28 with Jane's Addiction and Alice in Chains.

Heart's tour with opening act Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience has a unique twist in which the two acts join forces every night for a 30-minute Led Zeppelin tribute to close out the show.

Gexa Energy Pavilion concert schedule:

June 1: KXT's Summer Cut with the Avett Brothers, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Matt & Kim + more

June 11: Mumford & Sons, Michael Kiwanuka and Mystery Jets

June 22: Tim McGraw, Brantley Gilbert and Love & Theft

June 23: Pitbull & Ke$ha

June 29: Big Time Rush & Victoria Justice

July 12: 97.1 The Eagle presents BFD 2013 Megadeth, Slash, Black Label Society + more

July 13: John Mayer, Phillip Phillips

July 20: Kid Rock, Uncle Kracker and Jamey Johnson

July 27: Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Lee Brice

July 28: Wiz Khalifa & A$AP Rocky B.o.B, Trinidad James + more

July 31: Matchbox 20 & Goo Goo Dolls, Kate Earl

August 2: Vans Warped Tour

August 3: Train, The Script, Gavin DeGraw

August 4: Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival Rob Zombie, Five Finger Death Punch, + more

August 6: Jonas Brothers

August 15: Heart, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience

August 16: Lil Wayne T.I. and 2 Chainz

August 17: Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch

August 28: Rockstar Energy Drink UPROAR Festival Alice In Chains, Jane's Addiction, + more

September 12: Fun, Tegan & Sara

September 13: Miranda Lambert & Dierks Bentley, The Cadillac Three and Brett Eldredge

September 20: Depeche Mode, Crystal Castles

September 22: Honda Civic Tour featuring Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson

October 26: Jason Aldean, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett

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Toddler Fun

Cloudbound debuts in Frisco as immersive indoor playground for kids

Photo courtesy of Cloudbound

The new immersive play experience Cloudbound is now open in Frisco.

Families in Frisco and the surrounding area have a new immersive play experience to hit this summer: Called Cloudbound, it's an indoor attraction that opened May 30 at 3333 Preston Rd., Frisco.

The 10,000-square-foot play space is the second location for Cloudbound, which also has a venue in New Rochelle, New York.

Designed for children up to 6 years old, the space blends imaginative play with early childhood development principles.

"Cloudbound brings a sky-inspired world of play to Frisco, inviting children to crawl, climb, slide, and discover," says a release.

Attractions for the older kids in the age group include a giant spiral and airplane slides, rainbow bridges, and castle-inspired climbing structures.

Little ones can enjoy musical walls, light panels, building-block zones, tummy-time mats, and cloud-soft areas where they can safely challenge themselves through movement and sensory play.

Parents and caregivers can visit the full-service cafe for espresso-based beverages and snacks. There is also lounge-style seating around the space where the adults can relax while staying connected to the playground.

Other amenities include complimentary wifi, dedicated nursing rooms, quiet spaces, and ample stroller parking.

There are also 30-minute guided classes for babies and toddlers held in private Cloud Rooms, with themes such as "Curious Creators: Building & Sensory Creation" and "Zumbini: Music and Movement," according to the website.

Three private party roomsare designed for birthdays and special celebrations.

Cloudbound offers CloudPass memberships ranging from $99-$129 per month for one child & parent/caregiver, which allow for daily 90-minute visits, "Moments" classes, discounts on cafe purchases, and more.

Non-membership options include $10 for first-time visitors, and $30 per child and $20 per sibling for return visitors.

Cloudbound is open daily from 8 am-6 pm, with special members-only "Twilight Hour" from 6-7 pm.

families kids