Winning Getaway

This hot spot has everything you need for the ultimate staycation near Dallas

Summer is almost over, but you can still squeeze in one last getaway. You’ll need something convenient with minimal planning, yet dynamic enough to please the whole family. Here’s an idea: Choctaw Casino & Resort–Durant in Durant, Oklahoma.

Just across the Texas state line, Durant is close enough to home for a staycation but far enough away to feel like an escape. The amenities will remind you that this isn’t your typical casino. You’d expect games and gambling — and there is plenty of that on the high-energy gaming floor— but there are also a few things that will surprise you.

The spa is full-service and offers massage therapy, manicures and pedicures, facials, and salon services. For the kids (and the kids at heart), the resort features an area called The District. It’s a fun-focused concept that includes a 3,600-square-foot arcade, 20-lane bowling alley, four-theater cinema, two laser tag arenas, sports bar, and food court.

There is also the Oasis Pool, an indoor and outdoor multi-level swimming pool with private cabanas, six hot tubs, water loungers, and two swim-up bars. The cabanas can be rented on any level for different guest needs: adult-only, kid-friendly, or for larger groups of friends. You can also shop fashion, accessories, and jewelry with the onsite retail stores, or catch a live show at Choctaw Grand Theater. Acts include big names like The All American Rejects, Styx, Jake Owen, and Dierks Bentley.

Accommodations range in style, the most luxurious being the Choctaw Spa Tower with 286 rooms waiting to spoil you. We’re talking plush linens, pillow-top mattresses, large walk-in showers, sound machines for relaxation, and in-room coffee service. Plus there’s cool decor like refurbished barn-door entryways into the bathrooms and all the modern perks are available: high-speed Wi-Fi and a 48-inch HDTV with an interactive resort directory. The Choctaw Grand Tower offers similar accommodations but with a boutique feel that's a little closer to all the fun and entertainment.

If you’re looking for something a little rustic, the Choctaw Lodge is a short shuttle ride away from the main resort and gives visitors a more secluded option. You can also bring your pets with you. Or, try Choctaw Inn. It’s full of cozy rooms that work well for business or pleasure and offer quick access to the casino, Oasis Pool, and arcade.

What would a getaway be without plenty of good food? Choctaw Casino & Resort–Durant delivers on this front and lets guests choose from an array of restaurants and eateries. You can find everything from fine dining at 1832 Steakhouse to Asian bowls at Bamboo Noodle Bar. There’s also La Cantina, Jackpot Java, Blue Moon Cafe, and more. The kids won’t be disappointed either; head to Subway, Papa John’s Pizza, or Smashburger in the south casino.

Ready to book your getaway? To see room availability and rates, click here.

Accommodations in the Choctaw Grand Tower have a boutique feel and are close to all the fun and entertainment.

Photo courtesy of Choctaw Casino & Resort–Durant

Accommodations in the Choctaw Grand Tower have a boutique feel and are close to all the fun and entertainment.

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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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