New museum on the block

Perot Museum of Nature and Science opens big and proud

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Ross Perot, Margot Birmingham and others cut theribbon to officially open the Perot Museum.
Photo by Spencer Jay
Perot Museum CEO Nicole Ginsburg Small speaks to the crowd while flanked (fromright) by museum namesake Ross Perot, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Carolyn PerotRathjen and Margot Birmingham Perot, among others.
Photo by Spencer Jay
Ross Perot and Margot Birmingham Perot.
Photo by Spencer Jay
Anje Lockhart (left) and Rachael Lincoln of Bandaloop rappelled down thebuilding as part of the opening ceremonies.
Photo by Spencer Jay
Two children enjoying the leap frogs in front of the museum.
Photo by Spencer Jay
Children playing the xylophone in the music garden in front of the Perot Museum.
Photo by Spencer Jay
The balloon man was a popular pre-opening attraction.
Photo by Spencer Jay

It's been an extraordinarily busy year in Dallas, with no less than four major openings along the downtown/Woodall Rodgers corridor. The final month of 2012 kicked off with the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on Saturday, December 1.

More than 10,000 people packed the museum during opening weekend to check out the museum's 11 exhibit halls, 3D theater and multiple interactive exhibits. In fact, daytime slots to the museum sold out on Saturday, making their decision to stay open until midnight that day seem wise. The museum has already sold about 12,000 memberships.

Multiple dignitaries were on hand for ribbon cutting Saturday morning, including Margot and Ross Perot, the namesakes of the building, plus their five children and multiple grandchildren. Also in attendance were Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and other Dallas City Council members, as well as Perot Museum CEO Nicole Ginsburg Small and her family.

While the adults beamed at their accomplishment, kids banged on xylophones in the music garden and watched Bandaloop rappel down the side of the building — just a taste of the learning and excitement to come.

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Want to see our city's influencers playing in the museum? Then check out our coverage of the Perot Museum opening gala.

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Concert News

Herb Alpert hits Dallas on first Tijuana Brass tour in 35 years

Photo courtesy of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass will play at Winspear Opera House on August 2.

Legendary musician Herb Alpert will come to Winspear Opera House in Dallas on Saturday, August 2 as part of his first tour in 35 years with a new version of his band, The Tijuana Brass.

2025 marks a couple of big milestones for Alpert. He will turn 90 years old on March 31, and his classic album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The tour, dubbed Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights, will feature the band performing many songs from that No. 1 album, including the seminal "A Taste of Honey," along with hits like “The Lonely Bull,” “Spanish Flea” — used famously as the background music for TV show The Dating Game — “Tijuana Taxi,” and more.

The 90-minute show is designed to be informal, as Alpert will answer questions from the audience about his career, his collaborators, and more. A giant video screen will display classic photos, videos, art, and various memorabilia from his music career.

Alpert, best known as a trumpeter, is still going strong despite his advanced age. He has released 48 albums in his career, including the new 50 in 2024.

In addition to his own storied career as a recording artist, Alpert founded A&M records with his business partner Jerry Moss. The two discovered artists like The Carpenters, Sergio Mendes, and many others.

Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, have their own lengthy history together, as they'll celebrate 52 years of marriage in 2025. The husband and wife regularly perform together, including a concert at Majestic Theatre in Dallas in 2024.

Tickets for the show are now on sale for AT&T Performing Arts Center Center Circle Membersat attpac.org. They will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 14 at 10 am.

concerts music