Enter the Mystery Room

Meow Wolf Grapevine debuts community space for workshops and private parties

Texas-inspired mural called We Are Home by Dallas artist Daniel "DIY" Yanes at Matt King Mystery Center

Photo by Kaitlyn Armendáriz

Meow Wolf, the immersive art exhibit from Santa Fe that debuted in Texas last July, is expanding its location in Grapevine with a new offshoot. Called the Matt King Mystery Center, it's a creative hub and event venue, newly opened within the installation at Grapevine Mills Mall.

Named for the late Matt King, an artist and co-founder of Meow Wolf, it's a multipurpose space that can be used for workshops, community center, open studio, or private venue for rent, vying for bookings such a birthday parties and corporate meetings for 35 to 300 people.

The center will offer programming throughout the year including free public programming as well as ticketed events. Anyone who buys a ticket to an exhibition can utilize the space during open studio hours on Saturdays and Sundays from 3-6 pm.

Rental rates are dependent on the type of event, but a typical private party might start at $600 per hour with a 2-hour minimum.

It's the franchise's first multipurpose space outside of Rainbow Rainbow, a similar set-up at the original locale in Santa Fe.

The space is a former meeting room which they've transformed into artsy with the addition of a vividly colored Texas-inspired mural called We Are Home by Dallas artist Daniel "DIY" Yanes.

Meow Wolf Grapevine will also host a monthly workshop series there with Trade Oak Cliff starting February 20, featuring Meow Wolf & Trade Oak Cliff artist Laura Davidson.

According to a release, Matt King was a driving force and lead artist across approximately 34 Meow Wolf projects around the U.S., leading up to their flagship groundbreaking exhibition The House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe. From 2018 to 2021, he played crucial roles in leading three exhibitions: Omega Mart, Kaleidoscape, and Convergence Station.

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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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