THE RYAN

Happy Summer, everyone! A lot of people don't realise just how much there is to do in the DFW area, especially during the summer. There's such a vibrant art and culture scene here, you just have to do the tiniest bit of research to find tons of fun and out-of-the-ordinary things going on all the time! (and most are free!!!!!!)

I've done you a bit of a favor here and collected all the fun-sounding events happening in the next couple months, including several indoor, AC-filled activities for when the temperature inevitably rises into the triple digits and sends us all inside.

Barefoot at the Belmont - The Belmont is my favorite hotel in town, perched up high in Oak Cliff with the best view of the Big D and overflows with unpretentious style. Barefoot at the Belmont is their concert series every other Thursday this summer on the poolside lawn. These intimate shows sell out fast so check out the schedule and get your tickets now!

Dive-In Movie at the Belmont - Same concept as their concert series only this time they present classic movies poolside once a month through the end of the summer, bring a lawn chair or blanket and check out Rebel Without a Cause, A Streetcar Named Desire, & Some Like It Hot. (free!)

Push Play Concert Series at Anthropologie FW - This Saturday night check out Sucré - a three-piece band from Tyler, TX of all places! They play what NYLON magazine describes as "fairy-princess rock" which is as awesome as it sounds. The concert benefits the Children's Education Program at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and you'll definitely find me there on Saturday night! ($5 suggested donation at the door)

Dive-In Movie at the Fairmont Downtown - I am a big fan of the whole "dive-in movie" concept and the Fairmont in downtown Dallas does it well! Every Saturday night through the whole summer chill out (or in!) by the olympic-sized pool surrounded by the city lights as you watch movies like Harry Potter and Indiana Jones while servers take your refreshment order! (free!!)

'Til Midnight at the Nasher - The Nasher Sculpture Center is one of my favorite places in Dallas and on July 20th get there early to stake out your spot for the Mon Julien concert and screening of The Artist all out in the garden surrounded by twinkling lights and sculptures. But I'm not kidding about the getting there early part because this event is NOT a seceret and you want a good spot to spread out your blanket! (free!!)

Chihuly at the Arboretum - Through November 5th visit the Dallas Arboretum and see artist Dale Chihuly's free standing, colorful blown glass sculptures scattered throughout the always beautiful gardens. The Arboretum stays open late Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so you can view the sculptures all lit up at night (and it's a lot cooler in the evenings anyway!).

Concerts at the Arboretum - Every Tuesady and Thursday night through July bring your blankets and picnic wares to the concert stage and lawn overlooking White Rock Lake. Get your tickets early, these concerts are known to sell out, but I'll definitely take the opportunity to hear music and tour the Chihuly sculptures lit up at night!

FLOAT: Concerts on the Lake - On July 4th and Labor Day head up to Hidden Cove Marina and Park on Lake Lewisville for big concerts with major names in Texas music. If you're lucky enough to have a boat, (or rent one for the evening from one of several marinas) pull it in the cove and watch the concert in style, or enjoy it from the beach and enjoy treats from Dallas' best food trucks. I'd probably go for a third option and bring a raft to rock out from the cool lake water!

Bastille on Bishop - Not just for Francophiles, this July 14th Bastille Day celebration in Dallas' hippest neighborhood (the Bishop Arts District) is a fun-filled street fair complete with crepe stands, mussles contests from the area's best chefs, petanque courts, mimes, accordians, dancing, and more! Tres bien!

Sunset Screenings at Strauss Square - If you just missed watching Basquiat at the Winspear Opera House outdoor theatre, the Annette Strauss Square, you'll have to wait until September 1st to come back and watch one of my favorite Baz Lhurman films, Strictly Ballroom. Bring your blanket and picnic basket! (free!!)

For when it gets way too hot to be outside:

Take a class at the Oil & Cotton Creative Exchange - Get artsy in the Bishop Arts District this summer and brush up on your watercolor skills, or something seriously crafty like bookbinding, or screenprinting. Check the website for weekly classes!

DMA Late Nights - Head to the Dallas Museum of Art for their July 20th and August 17th after hours concerts featuring Texas indie band Saints of Valory and singer-songwriter Amanda Shires.

Dallas on Film! - The Dallas Film Society and the DMA present a summer film series featuring a collection of films all filmed in and around Dallas. Every Thursday, beginning July 12th go see films like Bonnie & Clyde, The Night of the White Pants, and the one I'm most excited for, The Store - a 1983 documentary about the original and flagship downtown Neiman Marcus store, it's clients and employees during the holiday season. How have I never seen that??

So I don't want to hear anyone complaining about being bored and stuck in town this summer because there are seriously fun and interesting things to do every week here in Dallas!

:)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute presents Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, and to celebrate it's debut the annual Costume Institute Gala was this week in New York City. I noticed a couple of major beauty trends sported by the world's fashion and celebrity elite. Perhaps inspired by Schiaparelli's era between the two world wars, a surprising number of stars sported coifs of loose curls and finger waves swept to the side and dark merlot lips echoing back to a black and white world of high drama and high glamour.

{Lana Del Rey, Jessica Chastain, Coco Rocha, Poppy Delevigne, Amy Adams, Doutzen Kroes, Jessica Alba, Hilary Swank, Christine Taylor, Dianna Agron, Kirsten Dunst}