This Week's Hot Headlines

New downtown Dallas district tops this week's most popular stories

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines.

1. Downtown Dallas veteran buys up land for massive planned district. A veteran player in downtown Dallas has plans to create an urban development extending more than 20 acres that would include offices, residential, retail, and restaurants. Called Dallas Smart District, the development is located on several prime blocks near Dallas City Hall.

2. Dallas' most colorful art auction and gala draws more than $7 million. It was only fitting that Dallas' most artful benefit take place in a setting that was, itself, a work of art. More than 500 patrons gathered inside a stunning 7,000-square-foot geodesic dome at the Rachofsky house for the 2017 Two x Two for AIDS and Art benefit dinner and contemporary art auction.

3. Exciting new bakery-cafe with crusty breads rises in downtown Dallas. One of downtown Dallas' most exciting concepts is ready to pop from the oven: Commissary, the bakery and butcher shop from Joule Dallas hotel owner Tim Headington, will open on November 6, and will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

4. New family Mexican restaurant plays the only game in town for Frisco. A new family-run and family-owned Mexican restaurant is coming to Frisco, with some quintessential combination plates but also some unique specialties. Vakeroz Mexican Restaurant and Cantina is from husband and wife David and Kelli Dickey, who are opening their first restaurant.

5. New boutique hotel opening in Uptown Dallas piles up the perks. There's a new boutique hotel coming to Uptown Dallas that'll channel the art and spirit of the neighborhood. Opening at 2950 Cityplace W. Blvd., Canopy Dallas | Uptown is being developed by Canopy by Hilton and The Javelin Group, and is part of a new chain by Hilton hotels.

A rendering of the planned Dallas Smart District.

Photo courtesy of Pelli

A rendering of the planned Dallas Smart District.

hot-headlines

RIP Joe

Texas country music singer-songwriter Joe Ely dies at 78

Joe Ely/Facebook

Joe Ely was a major figure in Texas' progressive country scene.

Joe Ely, the legendary songwriter, singer, and storyteller whose career spanned more than five decades, has died from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia. He was 78.

According to a statement posted to his Facebook page, Ely died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife Sharon, and daughter Marie, at his side.

Born February 9, 1947, in Amarillo, Texas, Ely was raised in Lubbock and became a central figure among a generation of influential West Texas musicians. He later settled in Austin, helping shape the city’s reputation as a hub for live music.

"Joe Ely performed American roots music with the fervor of a true believer who knew music could transport souls," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

In the 1970s, Ely signed with MCA Records, launching a career that included decades of recording and touring around the world. His work and performances left a lasting impact on the music scene and influenced a wide range of artists, including the Clash and Bruce Springsteen, according to Rolling Stone.

"His distinctive musical style could only have emerged from Texas, with its southwestern blend of honky-tonk, rock & roll, roadhouse blues, western swing, and conjunto. He began his career in the Flatlanders, with fellow Lubbock natives Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock, and he would mix their songs with his through 50 years of critically acclaimed recordings."

Read the full story at KVUE.com.

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