The Eye at the Joule presents "Ride at the Eye"

Photo courtesy of The Eye

The Eye at The Joule Hotel will present "Ride at The Eye" to kick off the 11th Annual Wheel to Survive® fundraiser benefitting Be the Difference Foundation.

Visitors can choose from two ride times: 8:30 am with Thomas Renner of Equinox or 10 am with Chelsea Bailey of Life Time Fitness. Each time slot is limited to 50 riders each, and participants should wear workout or cycling shoes and bring their own towel and water. After a the session, cyclists will be treated to a mimosa and a taco to reward for their hard work.

For more than a decade, Wheel to Survive has served as Dallas’ premier cycling event to raise funds for ovarian cancer research and the support provided by Be the Difference Foundation.

Run for the Rosé 5K/Facebook

Lace up for the most fun Dallas-Fort Worth 5Ks in May

On Your Mark

May is that golden month in North Texas, where the weather is warm but not yet scorching. Dare we call it ... spring?

That alone makes it an excellent month to get outside, especially if your goal is to run (or walk) a 5K, 10K, or even a marathon.

Here are but a few of the races and fun runs you can participate in during May:

Run for the Rosé 5K , McKinney, May 6
What makes everyone run faster? A glass of sparkling rosé waiting at the finish line. There will also be brunch bites, grape-stomping competitions, a photobooth, and local vendors after you run through Towne Lake Park, all presented by Mayweather Boxing + Fitness McKinney and benefiting The Treasured Vessels Foundation.

Grand Prairie Cinco de Mayo 5K, May 6
There's a distance for everyone, with 1 mile, 5K, and 10K, and it's your last chance to get moving through scenic Mike Lewis Park before the Texas summer heat. Creative costumes are encouraged, as are pom poms, horns, instruments, and signs (for spectators).

Bagel Run, Dallas, May 14
Join JCC Dallas for "the mother of all runs," now in its 37th year. Run or walk through a scenic neighborhood course in a timed 10K, 5K, or Kids K run. Winners in each category receive the coveted bagel trophy while everyone gets to enjoy the real thing post-race.

Fiesta de Mayo Half Marathon, Irving, May 20
Held at Toyota Music Factory and downtown Las Colinas, this USATF-certified race (which also include 5K and 10K), benefits the Irving Schools Foundation. Race day perks include cash prizes, free professional race photos, and trophies for fastest 5K team, fastest 10K team, and best-dressed team. The post-race party on Texas Lottery Plaza includes free beer, tacos, live entertainment, and much more.

Honor Connor 5K & Smile Mile, North Richland Hills, May 20
Nicknamed "the happiest race in Texas," this high-energy event celebrates the life of Connor Kelly Gage and benefits The LV Project. Connor was a runner who enjoyed the scenic trails around his home, so the course follows that route and welcomes everyone to run, walk, or even crawl. Besides medals, winner can score a happy face spatula, pancake skillet, or flag, among other prizes.

22nd Annual Polkafest, Ennis, May 28
Name a better hype instrument than tubas — we'll wait. Polkafest Run benefits the children's reading program at the Ennis Plublic Library, and you can choose from 5K, 10K, or a fun run/walk, all starting in front of the Lonestar Fitness Center. There is food, drinks, and entertainment post-race.

Memorial Day 5K, Fort Worth, May 29
Head to Trinity Park to join others who are running or walking, some in memory of, to servicemen and servicewomen who have given their lives to protect our freedom. Awards will be given out for overall male and female, Masters male and female, and top three for each 5-year age group.

Camp Sweeney's 11th Annual Play for the Day 5K & Festival, Lake Highlands, May 29
Bring the whole family to this 5K and 1K fun run, which also features a live band, dancing, Memorial Day celebrations, and Kid Zone rides and games. The day raises awareness for childhood diabetes and T1D, as well as scholarship funds for children to attend Camp Sweeney.

EarthX Facebook

Stretch your Earth Day celebration into fun runs, kite-flying, and more this April

Do It For Mother Nature

According to Baylor Scott & White Health, just 20 minutes of exercising outside is equivalent to drinking one cup of coffee in terms of its energy boosting effects.

Combine time spent outdoors with even the tiniest action to improve the planet and your mood is bound to skyrocket, as well.

This month, we're rounding up events that get you out into the fresh air and benefit Mother Nature. Whether you're directly celebrating Earth Day or not, bookmark this list for an instant mood lifter.

The Awareness Project: Earth Day Block Party, April 15
Fun, food, music, games, and vendors converge at this free block party in Hurst, which runs from 10 am-3 pm at 364 E. Pipeline Rd.

This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, which helps us continue to serve the HEB community and beyond. Food donations, monetary contributions and volunteers are appreciated.

Earth Fest: An Earth & Arbor Day Celebration, April 15
Local vendors, food, music, learning stations, and kids activities can be found from 10 am-2 pm at the Alan E. Sims Recreation Center in Cedar Hill. Bonus: Cedar Hill residents can take home a free tree to plant.

Oak Cliff Earth Day, April 16
This grassroots green festival is comprised of local volunteers who wanted to educate the community about protecting our planet. The theme for the 2023 Earth Day is “Environmental Justice for All," with speakers from EarthX joining local politicos at Lake Cliff Park from 12-5 pm.

Celebration White Rock 5K & 10K, April 20
Start at Winfrey Point and then jog along the shores of White Rock Lake during this evening race, which promises pretty sunset views along with a pre-run stretch by Orange Theory and DJ Matthew Stafford at the afterparty. All proceeds go toward improving the park. Overall winners of the the 5K and 10K will have their name engraved on a stone at the spillway on the south side of White Rock Lake forever.

EarthX Earth Day Expo, April 21-23
Join approximately 177,000 attendees, 700 exhibitors, and 400 speakers at Fair Park for the world's largest green gathering, founded by Dallas' own Trammell S. Crow. Take notes at the electric vehicle and alternative fuel showcase, pick up tips at the recycling workshops, and visit the immersive planetarium. Sound overwhelming? Register for free in advance to take advantage of the event's experience planner and map our your ideal schedule.

Take Flight on Earth Day, April 22
Make and fly your own kite during an Earth Day celebration starting at 9 am at Bob Cooke Park in Arlington. Lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets are welcome, and registration is $5 per person.

Addison Earth Day Block Party, April 29
Mark your calendar and clean out your closet for this massive garage sale that also includes live music, food trucks, crafts, an Earth Day scavenger hunt, and the Pop Up at the Park trailer. It's happening from 12-2 pm at the Addison Conference and Theatre Centre Parking Lot and in Addison Circle Park.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Property Showcase

Gow Media powers up new site to report on major Texas city's energy transition

Website news

A new media platform from CultureMap's parent company officially has gone live: EnergyCapitalHTX.com, announced in March, is now up and running. Houston-based Gow Media, a multi-platform media company that owns CultureMap, InnovationMap, SportsMap, and Houston's ESPN Radio 97.5FM and 92.5FM, launched the site June 1 at an event at Gow Media's office.

“We are excited to roll out our new outlet, EnergyCapitalHTX.com. We have been very impressed by Houston’s efforts to lead the global transition of energy and to address the 'dual challenge' of meeting the world’s growing demand for energy while at the same time reducing carbon emissions,” says David Gow, CEO of Gow Media.

“On our new site, we plan to provide informative, unbiased coverage of the Houston-based initiatives, spanning big corporations and startups," he continues. "We hope that a site dedicated to the transition will bring visibility to the city’s substantive progress and to the path forward.”

The site will cover Houston's energy transition ecosystem — the people, companies, capital sources, and numerous initiatives in Houston. Lindsey Ferrell serves as the inaugural editor of the site.

The site’s first sponsor is HETI, which launched in 2021. Led by Executive Director Jane Stricker, HETI was founded to drive economic growth in the Houston area within the energy transition toward a lower carbon future.

“We are excited to support Gow Media with the launch of EnergyCapitalHTX.com,” Stricker says in an earlier news release. "There is so much innovative and exciting activity in our ecosystem. Houston is the Energy Capital of the World, and this platform will amplify the energy leadership that is already happening here.”

Here are all the ways to celebrate your Pride in Dallas-Fort Worth

Have Some Pride

The month of June is designated as Pride Month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and various groups and businesses around Dallas-Fort Worth are showing their support in a multitude of ways.

Here's our list of the best ways we've found for members of community and allies to participate in Pride Month in style. We start with the festivities that are running June 3-4, followed by other celebrations that will occur all month long.

Dallas Pride Weekend
June 3-4: Start the month off right at the biggest official celebration taking place at Fair Park. This annual event, which used to be in the Oak Lawn area before moving to Fair Park in 2019, includes a music festival featuring headliner Allison Ponthier on Saturday; the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Sunday; plus other activities celebrating the LGBTQ community.

Pride Day at Reunion Tower
June 3-4: The little ball in the downtown Dallas sky is celebrating Pride month, too. It'll kick off on June 3 with a splendid rainbow flag show that'll run all weekend long, and will continue to pop up during the month with dynamic rainbow displays on most Fridays and Sundays in June.

"Party with the Queens” Pride Brunch at El Chingon
June 3, 2-4 pm: El Chingon, Fort Worth’s “Bad Ass Mexican” restaurant, will host an exclusive “Pride Brunch” as part of its recurring “Party with the Queens” series. The brunch will feature live drag performances, mimosa specials, and more.

Pride Pool Party at Adolphus Hotel
June 3, 7 am-11 pm: Pool Adolphus at Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas will host an all-day Pride Pool Party, featuring colorful cocktail specials, rainbow Jell-O shooters, and a local DJ.

Lakewood Brewing Co. presents Pride Vendor Fair + Yas Queen! ReleasePride Vendor Fair + Yas Queen! Release
June 3, 12-4 pm: Lakewood Brewing Co. will host a party at its taproom with Wandering Roots Markets celebrating the release of Yas Queen, a taproom-exclusive Raspberry Wheat ale. There will also be Pride Vendor Fair featuring local artists and vendors, as well as on-site flash tattoos.

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum presents “Voices of LGBTQ+ Dallas”
June 7, 7 pm. The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is hosting “Voices of LGBTQ+ Dallas,” a special exhibition program for Pride Month highlighting trailblazers in the Dallas area LGBTQ+ community. The program featuring speakers such as Chris Luna and Naomi Green is already sold out, but the Museum’s current special exhibition, Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement, is on display through June 18.

Arttitude presents OutLoud: A Night of Pride
June 8, 6 pm: OutLoud: A Night of Pride is an inclusive event where artists and performers can fearlessly share their stories and experiences. The event will include poetry, burlesque, and a music performance by special guest Gina Chavez. At the Latino Cultural Center.

Dallas Wings Pride Night
June 9, 7 pm: Pride Night for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. They'll be taking on the Phoenix Mercury, who feature Brittney Griner as their star player. All attendees at College Park Center in Arlington will receive a special rally towel for the occasion.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Pride in Bloom
June 10-11: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will highlight Pride Month with its second Pride in Bloom celebration, featuring a full weekend of LGBTQ+ artisans, entertainers, chefs, and small businesses. Visitors can shop items at the vendor market, pack or purchase a picnic, listen to live entertainment, and enjoy Gary Lee Price’s Great Contributors’ bronze exhibition. Admission to the Children’s Adventure Garden will also be free.

Dallas Arts District presents Pride Block Party
June 16, 6 pm: The Pride Block Party in the Dallas Arts District features a variety of activities at the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Crow Museum of Asian Art, and throughout the district. Activities include gallery tours, drag performers, comedy, dancing, and a fashion show.

Dallas Comedy Club presents "Stand-Up for Hope"
June 17, 5 pm: Stand-Up for Hope is a stand-up comedy show featuring all-LGBTQ performers and benefiting Dallas Hope Charities, which helps provide food, shelter, and services that instill dignity, stability, and Hope For All. Hosted by Stefan Newman, host of Queer Factor, the event will feature performances by Kim Wadsworth,Kerry Day, Charlotte Parker, Lucia Hardaway, and Jamie Zeske.

Ride for Pride
June 24, 9 am: Ride for Pride is a four-mile bike ride down the Katy Trail and back, starting at Reverchon Recreation Center. There will also be Health and Safety fair from 10 am-2 pm.

Monthlong celebrations

Pride Month screenings at Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club on top of the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in downtown Fort Worth will screen a variety of films with LGBTQ+ themes or characters throughout the month of June, including Mamma Mia!, Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Birdcage, Moulin Rouge!, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Devil Wears Prada.

Special Pride drink from Gong cha
Gong cha, which has seven stores in the DFW area, will donate a portion of every purchase of their special Lemon Ai Love Yu bubble tea to the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) in name of #Equalitea. The special Pride drink is a sweet and tart Lemon Ai Love Yu bubble tea with white pearls and (edible) glitter for some extra festive sparkle. The limited time promotion will run through June 30.

Luckys Pride Celebration
A Dallas institution off Oak Lawn Avenue for more than 35 years, Luckys has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ community. They'll celebrate Pride Month throughout June with a special commemorative T-shirt and a celebratory cocktail, the Pride ’Rita, featuring El Jimador Blanco tequila blended with Chambord, lime juice, and agave nectar.

Electric Shuffle Pride Brunches
Every Sunday in June starting at 12 pm, Electric Shuffle in Deep Ellum will host a Drag Brunch and donate 10 percent of those brunch sales to DIFFA. There will be big-name performers, a Drag Race Royalty special guest, high-tech shuffleboard, live DJs, and more. Additionally, $1 of each purchase of their new summer cocktail, the Prickly Pear Margarita, will be donated to DIFFA.

Endless creativity of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse keeps superhero story in overdrive

Movie Review

The blast of pure fun that was 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse accomplished several goals, but none more important than reclaiming the character from being part of just the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By not participating in the never-ending connecting stories of the MCU, the filmmakers could do whatever they wanted, first and foremost using Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) instead of Peter Parker as its main character.

It was also at the forefront of multiversal storytelling that has become the rage in the MCU and elsewhere. Given the multitude of Spider characters that have existed in the comics over the years, it was uniquely suited to telling a story with people from multiple universes. That concept is taken to the nth degree with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, a film that has seemingly limitless levels of creativity.

Miles, having separated from Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), and other Spider-people at the end of the first film, is doing well as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, casually protecting people from threats big and small. But when a highly unusual villain named The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) proves especially tricky, a series of events has Miles follow Gwen into a portal where he encounters every other Spider character in existence.

Lest you think that’s hyperbole, among the people he meets are Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman (Issa Rae), Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), Ben Reilly/Scarlet Spider (Andy Samberg), and Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Revelations made while meeting all of them lead Miles to a whole new understanding of himself and the multiverse in general, with far-reaching consequences.

The filmmakers, once again led by writers/producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, fill the screen with so many visual elements that at times it can be overwhelming, but in the best possible way. Unlike most animated films, there are multiple different styles employed throughout, and never knowing what to expect gives the film a kineticism that borders on manic, although it always stops short of being incomprehensible.

The storytelling is much more complex this time around, no surprise since it involves so many more characters. But the personal stories of each of the Spider characters, especially Miles and Gwen, maintain a grounded nature that keeps the plot anchored even while delving into increasingly fantastical territory.

Although this film deals with some darker themes, there is still plenty of humor to be had. The intersection of so many Spider characters highlights their differences, and the way they interact can’t help but be entertaining. Miles is still a 15-year-old kid, and the way he navigates the world(s) has a lightness to it that is a sharp contrast to the various adults in his life.

Moore, who’s not as well-known as some of his co-stars, has proven to be the perfect voice for Miles, making him relatable and powerful at the same time. Everyone else gives similarly great performances, although the fact that many of them are famous for their non-voicework doesn’t really play a factor in how well they come across here.

A third film, Beyond the Spider-Verse, is teased with a cliffhanger, and unlike other franchises where multiple films are unnecessary, there are no such reservations here. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse equals the success of the first film, and there is no doubt that the filmmakers will bring the same level of attention to detail to the end of the trilogy.

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse opens in theaters on June 2.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation

Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

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