New Holiday Event

Campy Christmas immersive experience debuts in Dallas Arts District

Camp Christmas will debut at Annette Strauss Square on November 22.

Photo courtesy of AT&T Performing Arts Center

AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas is getting some of that Christmas spirit with a new immersive winter holiday experience for 2024. Called Camp Christmas, it will take patrons on a journey through eras of winter holiday celebrations past and present told through extravagant interactive installations.

Dubbed a "Meow Wolf meets mall Santa's Wonderland," the event will take place at Annette Strauss Square for a month — running from November 22-December 29 — and promises to transform the venue into an over-the-top winter wonderland, showcasing the fantastical, colorful, and whimsical side of the holiday season.

Created by renowned artist and designer Lonnie Hanzon, Camp Christmas was originally staged in Denver in 2019. It eventually partnered up with Denver's Center for the Performing Arts, which hosted it in 2023.

Hanzon has been recognized for Christmas installations at Neiman Marcus, Houston Zoo Lights, and floats for the Denver Parade of Lights. For the Denver installation, he and a crew of 30 artists worked for six months, creating thousands of Santa figurines, lights, objects, plus 44 decorated trees.

The "camp" in the name is no coincidence: The installation takes a larger-than-life approach to holiday traditions, with quirky festive décor, interactive experiences, and themed environments ranging from dazzling winter scenes to nostalgic Christmas memories. For example, one element at the Denver event consisted of "pun trees" such as the gold Christmas tree decorated entirely with Regis Philbin heads.

The Dallas event will feature a series of themed holiday rooms, each filled with lights, decorations, and interactive activities. A Santa Claus will be on hand, with special times available for Spanish and American Sign Language speakers.

Visitors can choose from three options:

Classic Camp Christmas, which allows for fixed time entry
Guided Camp Christmas, offering guided visits at specific times
Camp Director Tour, special guided tours led by Hanzon himself

Prices start at $20; children under 2 are free. For more information on hours and to purchase tickets, go to attpac.org/campchristmas or call the AT&T Performing Arts Center box office at 214- 880-0202.

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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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