Editor's note: As we look back at the most-read arts & entertainment stories of 2022, we see Dallas readers were eager to get out and have fun, in ways both familiar (Christmas lights) and new (an immersive Banksy experience). We covered a sad musician obituary and the sad closure of a beloved art supply store. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders got the boot from CMT, but CMT announced it's coming to Texas for its big awards show. These are the most popular A&E stories of the year.
1. Where to see the most spectacular Christmas lights dazzling Dallas-Fort Worth in 2022. In early November, it was already time for Dallas-Fort Worth to light up, merry and bright, for the 2022 holidays — from towering trees that twinkle and shine to dazzling drive-thru displays and immersive walk-thru experiences. This was our guide to the biggest, brightest, most spectacular Christmas light displays in the area (many of which are on through at least New Year's Eve). We also broke out the top homes and neighborhoods for lights in a separate list.
2. How to get every possible discount at the 2022 State Fair of Texas. The 2022 edition of the State Fair of Texas started its 24-day run at Fair Park on September 30, with music, games, and food. But first, we were here for discounts. There were a multitude of discount ticket options being offered by the State Fair and other entities, meaning there's no reason you ever had to pay full price.
3. Texas will host CMT Music Awards for the first time ever in 2023. Big news for country music fans: During Carrie Underwood's sold-out show in Austin on November 2, CMT Music Awards co-host Kelsea Ballerini came on stage to announce that the CMT Music Awards will come to the city's new Moody Center next year. Airing Sunday, April 2, 2023, the fan-voted awards ceremony will be hosted in Texas for the first time ever.
4. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team gets the boot from CMT. After 16 seasons, CMT broke up with "America's Sweethearts." The network revealed on March 31 that Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team was not being renewed. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders organization said, however, that it would "look forward to continuing the exclusive journey on a new platform."
5. Dallas musician Jess Barr, one-time guitarist for Slobberbone, dies at 46. A Dallas-Fort Worth musician and club owner died at a young age: Jess Barr, who was a member of seminal alt-country rock band Slobberbone, passed away in the early hours of December 6; he was 46. Friends of the family said he suffered from a heart condition.
6. Art of Banksy comes to Dallas in immersive event with signature secrecy. Street artist Banksy has always been known for his secrecy, and Dallas got a taste of that when a new immersive art exhibition, Banksyland, came to the city for two weekends, June 24-July 4. Held in a secret location in the Dallas Arts District, Banksyland is an international touring exhibition that immerses audiences in the works of the elusive artist.
7. Dallas hires Martine Elyse Philippe as new director of arts and culture. The city of Dallas has a new Arts boss: Martine Elyse Philippe, who has worked in arts administration and the nonprofit world, was appointed Director of the Office of Arts & Culture, a division of the City Manager's Office that fosters partnerships and support with arts and cultural organizations. Philippe began her tenure on December 5.
8. Dallas-based art store chain is calling it quits after 71 years. After 71 years, a revered Dallas-based art store chain is calling it quits. Asel Art Supply, first founded in downtown Dallas in 1951, is closing all its stores as of December 31. That includes locations in Richardson, Arlington, Fort Worth, two in San Antonio, and one in Lubbock.
9. Dallas Summer Musicals lands big Broadway shows and new name for 2022-23. In March, Dallas Summer Musicals — or Broadway Dallas, as it would now be known — revealed its 2022-23 season of touring Broadway shows in partnership with Broadway Across America, and there were some pretty big names on the list. They were not just musicals and not just in the summer.
10. Vivid new mural in Deep Ellum Dallas is from a world-famous artist. In November, Deep Ellum became home to a new mural from a world-famous graffiti artist. Entitled: Texas Tantrum Trots and Pals, it's from Ron English, dubbed the "Godfather of street art." The large-scale mural measuring 1,728 square feet is on the southwest corner of Good Latimer and Elm Street, in a building with plans to become a Velvet Taco.
Banksyland ran in the Dallas Design District from June 24-July 4.
