It's a Barbie world

Live your Barbie dreams with the top pink parties & sweet treats in Dallas-Fort Worth

The Barbie Collection of macarons is perfectly pink at Savor Patisserie.

Photo courtesy of Savor Patisserie

Dallas-Fort Worth is blushing with excitement forBarbie, the Greta Gerwig film that has people everywhere obsessed with a movie they haven't seen yet.

Is it the relentless hype (wait, no) amazing PR, the escapism, or the nostalgia for a childhood toy? Whatever the reason, Barbie is a cause for celebration, and people seem to want that right now.

On July 21, pink-clad audiences will descend on movie theaters across the country. But it's looking like things will be especially exciting around here: According to Google Trends, Texas was the third-most interested state in the search query "Barbie."

Not that fans need any help in this department, but these parties, spectacles, and offers will help DFW get in the mood for this exciting film, and a more fantastic life in plastic going forward.

Klyde Warren Park Goes Pink
July 17-21
Dallas' Klyde Warren Park is painting the town pink all week all week. Lights in trees around the park are illuminating with pink hues at night, and vinyl signs around the grounds advertise Barbie's arrival to the big screen.

Klyde Warren Park Barbie pink trees Even the trees are lit up pink at Klyde Warren Park this week.Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Early screenings (multiple theaters)
Get ahead of the crowd and see the movie early. “Barbie Blowout Party” early access screenings are taking place at 7 pm Wednesday, July 19 at the Angelika Dallas and at Movie Taverns in Fort Worth (Hulen and West 7th), Bedford, and Denton. Remaining tickets are limited. There's also an early screening event at Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas, Victory Park Dallas, beginning 6:30 pm July 20.

"Destination: Barbie Land" at EVO Entertainment Southlake
July 19-23
The Southlake movie theater and entertainment venue will host an immersive pop-up Barbie party that lasts the whole long opening weekend of the film. It is free and open to the public, whether you have tickets to see the movie or not. Highlights will include: walking the pink carpet into Barbie dreamscape vignettes; Barbie Glam Boutique, including a glam station and larger-than-life photo installation; Barbie Beach Club, a playful beach oasis outfitted with palm trees, light-up chairs, and photo-op installations; andBarbie Disco Dance Floor, a disco-club filled with shimmering lights, groovy beats, and a pulsating dance floor. For more information, check out this story.

Pink Power Rooftop Market at The Worthington
July 20
The downtown Fort Worth hotel hosts a Shop & Sip event, and in time for the new Barbie movie, its theme is “pink power.” All vendors will be women-owned businesses who’ll showcase clothing, décor, gifts, and permanent jewelry. The pop-up will take place on the rooftop at The Worthington’s Rooftop Cinema Club just before a movie screening of Clueless. Guests can take advantage of half-price beer and cocktails and discounted tacos while they shop, and admission is free from 5:45-7:45 pm. Tickets must be purchased for Clueless, which starts at 7:45 pm.

Dreamland Dollhouse Party at Sweet Tooth Hotel
July 21, 7-10 pm
The interactive art experience Sweet Tooth Hotel is hosting a party in Barbie’s Dreamhouse in downtown Dallas. Tickets ($25-$35) include access to the Dreamland pop-up art exhibit, DJ Barbie-Q in the Calirosa Cocktail Lounge, Barbie-themed cocktail, and Barbie-themed jewelry and clothes from local vendors.

Barbie Skate Night at Galleria Dallas
July 22, 6-8 pm
Guests of all ages can lace up skates and glide around the ice rink to a Barbiecore playlist (think “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and “Fun, Fun, Fun”). Tickets can be purchased onsite for $12, plus $5 to rent skates.

Barbie Pool Party at The Westin Stonebriar
July 22, 11 am-7 pm
The luxe Frisco hotel, golf resort, and spa is turning the pink pool lights on for an all-ages Barbie party. It'll include a DJ spinning tunes from 12-4 pm, foam cannon fun from 1-3 pm, and photo opps throughout. Tickets are $50 for adults, $20 for children, and infants (under 1 year) get to join the party for free; secure them by ordering a "day pass" online.

Barbie Pool Party at The Westin Irving
July 22-23, 12-6 pm
Don your prettiest pink bathing suit for Barbie-themed pool parties by the pool. Highlights include live DJ entertainment, interactive Barbie-themed games, and a Barbie look-alike contest at 5 pm. Tickets (pool day passes) are $30, and the event is for adults 21+.

Barbie-themed brunch at La Neta Cocina y Lounge
July 23, 12-4 pm
The Dallas restaurant and lounge hosts a special Barbie-themed brunch with a guest appearance by LeeAnne Locken, an ex-Real Housewife of Dallas. It'll transform into a real-life dream house with glamorous pink decor, accessories, drinks, and desserts. View the full menu here. Reservations are full, but call 469-397-0937 inquire about the wait list.

Barbie in a Blender Barbie's everywhere, including an art show in Dallas this month. Facebook/Daum Gallery

"Barbie in a Blender" Art Show at Daum Gallery
July 27, 5-9 pm and July 29, 5-10 pm
A 1999 lawsuit by Mattel against artist and photographer Tom Forsythe over a photo of a Barbie in a blender spawned an annual Barbie in a Blender Day celebration. This event, while equally thought provoking, has a less malevolent theme, with photographs and art installations that acknowledge the doll's cultural significance. Gallery owner Taylor Daum is joined by Robert Fernandez and Lea Ellermeier for the show, and their art just might point you to a take on Barbie you haven't seen yet. The events, which include Barbie-inspired snacks and cocktails, are free. Thursday is sold out, but reserve a spot here for Saturday.

VIP Barbie Market at Main Street Garden
July 29, 5-10 pm
More than two dozen local and shop-small vendors will be on hand for this Barbie-themed outdoor market, at 1902 Main St. Dallas. It's free, family-friendly, pet-friendly, and will include live music and activations. The first 50 attendees dressed in their Barbie-best will receive free Barbie totes. Find more information on their Facebook page.

Animal Cracker Cake, Barbie cake, Loft22 Animal Cracker Cake from Loft22 Cakes (vanilla cake with animal cracker crumbs layered with signature mouse and topped with pink vanilla buttercream and sprinkles).Facebook/Loft22 Cakes

Barbie Week at Loft22 Cakes
July 18-22
The Fort Worth custom bakery is rolling out fun new pink treats and sweets (like Animal Cracker Cake, above) each day of the week. Take your pick and order from their selection online. They'll then host a special pop-up on Friday, July 21 from 10 am-4 pm, with signature mocktails crafted by Rose 32 Craft Coffee & Mocktail Bar, including Strawberry Rose Lemon Spritz and Grapefruit Julep. There'll be activities, prizes, and more - don't forget to dress up in pink.

Barbie Cakes by SusieCakes
SusieCakes is making Barbie-themed cakes with Barbie dolls and choice of cake flavor from vanilla, vanilla confetti, chocolate, or red velvet; and choice of icing from SusiePink, SusieBlue, white vanilla, or chocolate buttercream. They're in Dallas at 6100 Luther Ln. or 6441 E. Mockingbird Ln. # 150, and Fort Worth at 1621 River Run. Margot Robbie reportedly celebrated her birthday with one of these cakes — that's Barbie-approved. Order 48 hours in advance at susiecakes.com.

The Barbie Collection of Macarons at Savor Patisserie
A pretty pink collection of gluten-free macarons includes the following flavors: two vanilla printed with Barbie and Ken; two pink champagne; two pink lemonade; two strawberry shortcake; and two raspberry printed with the Barbie logo and the iconic Barbie silhouette. The whole sweet box is $28, available online and in store for a limited time at Casa Linda and McKinney locations.

Exclusive Barbie jewelry by Kendra Scott
Famous Texas jewelry designer Kendra Scott has done one Barbie collab in the past, and now she's ready with another. This time, choose between three necklaces, two bracelets, and four pairs of earrings. Some styles are covert, with pink accents, while others are all gold and say "Barbie." Others combine the two with the iconic cameo logo. Twenty percent of sales benefit the Barbie Dream Gap Project.

Kendra Scott barbie Now, we can all be Barbie girls when we go see the film. Courtesy Kendra Scott

Barbie Bar Crawl in Bishop Arts
2-7 pm August 5
Dallasites101 hosts a crawl through the Bishop Arts neighborhood, featuring more than 10 local businesses. It will include food & drink specials, Barbie pink cocktails, live music from a local DJ, photo ops, swag items, and more. Tickets are $20 for the 21+ up event.

Barbiecore Mani and Pedi at Bellacures
Go Barbiecore from head to toenails. Luxury nail salon Bellacures in Dallas' Preston Center has launched a special pink-themed Barbiecore Mani and Pedi service in time for the movie's premiere. The service includes a Pink Himalayan Salt Softening Soak with Rose Petals, Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Scrub, Pink Himalayan Salt Buttercream, and a Pink Polish of your choice. Cost is $55 for a mani and $65 for a pedi. In addition, they're offering fun Barbiecore-inspired nail designs such as metallic pink drip ombre, pink polka dots, a pink striped French and more.

Barbie drinks at Bar Louie
Bar Louie is getting fans into the Barbie spirit(s) with perfectly pink concoctions, including a Diva Martini featuring SKYY Pineapple Vodka and Pama Liqueur. Available at the Bar Louie locations in South Arlington, Park Lane, Allen, and Music Factory - all less than a mile away from a nearby theater, they note. All signature martinis are $7 during happy hour from 4-7 pm, Monday-Friday.

Barbie-themed cocktails at Bulla Gastrobar
The Spanish-style restaurant in Plano's Legacy West is serving an entire menu of Barbie- and Ken-themed cocktails through August 31. They include Pretty in Pink (vodka, elderflower, hibiscus ginger syrup); Barbieland Sangria (made with rosé sparkling wine); Malibu Barbie Mojito (rum, ginger beer, and mint), and ‘He’s Just Ken’ (A smoked Old Fashioned). The specialty drinks run $12.50-$19.

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Brianna Caleri contributed to this report.

desserts families movies

Movie Review

Long-awaited Wicked movie adaptation lives up to the hype

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera in Wicked.

The musical Wicked is indisputably the biggest Broadway smash of the 21st century, having grossed more $1.6 billion in New York alone and achieving the rare feat of running for over 20 years. All of which is to say that the long-awaited movie adaptation of The Wizard of Oz prequel will most likely be a massive success whether it lives up to what longtime fans envisioned or not.

Part one — yes, this 2 hour and 40 minute film is merely the first act of the musical; part two arrives a year from now — introduces Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the green-skinned witch who goes on to become Dorothy’s nemesis, and G(a)linda (Ariana Grande-Butera), the pink-garbed “good” witch, as they meet at Shiz University in Oz. Glinda is the ultra-popular one with sycophantic hangers-on, while Elphaba is shunned by almost everyone, sometimes including her disabled sister Nessarose (Marissa Bode), who’s desperate to make her own space away from Elphaba.

Her mistreatment by others leads Elphaba to get angry, which manifests itself in uncontrollable magic. Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) notices this and takes a personal interest in her, giving her one-on-one instruction in hopes of harnessing her power. In the meantime, Elphaba and Glinda attempt to go from forced roommates to actual friends, although Glinda’s entitled personality is more of an obstacle than anything else they encounter.

Directed by Jon M. Chu and written by original book writer Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, the film does a great job of distinguishing itself from the stage version while still remaining true to what made it so beloved. As Chu showed in his last film, In the Heights, he has an innate feel for how to tap into the essence of the source material while expanding it into something befitting the scope of a blockbuster movie.

In this case, he finds a way to give even greater emphasis to the bigotry that Elphaba faces simply because of her green skin; the fact that she is being played by a Black woman drives home the point even more. The story remains light and fluffy for the most part, but the ostracization/otherness that Elphaba feels is delivered in a powerful way, as is her empathy for talking animals like Dr. Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage), who are facing their own persecution.

Of course, the highlight of the film is Stephen Schwartz’s music, and while not all of the songs are equal in impact, they still make for a cohesive whole. The number of songs and order they appear in the first act is identical to the stage musical, with the standouts remaining “The Wizard and I,” “Popular,” and “Defying Gravity.” While there is some superfluous action and cutaways added to certain numbers, it’s not enough to distract from what makes the songs effective.

Oddly, the progression of the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda works better on stage when the timeline is accelerated, but Erivo and Grande-Butera make up for this slight lack with their fantastic performances. The emotion each brings to their characters fits them almost perfectly, and there’s simply no denying the strength of each of their voices. Bode, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, and more make for a solid supporting cast.

The well-known ending of the first act of Wicked is a huge high point that is so good that it almost makes up for the fact that audiences won’t see the second film for a long time. But if part one is any indication, part two should turn out to be another great musical theater adaptation in a decade that has already seen its fair share.

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Wicked opens in theaters on November 22.

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