Where is a good place to have a book launch/art exhibit in Dallas, Texas?
June 22, 2010 10:02 AM Subscribe
Where is a good place to have a book launch/art exhibit in Dallas, Texas?
I wrote a book entitled Why Not A Spider Monkey Jesus? A 30 page excerpt appeared in McSweeney's #11 and now the complete book is finally available! I'm going to be in Dallas, Texas at the end of September and I am planning a launch party/art exhibit (MultiMedia Art Party!) with the artist and musician Scott Krakowski (Saddle Tramp, The Bipolar Express).
We're looking for a venue that could hold 30-40 people. There's going to be a conversation between Scott and myself, a (very) short reading and some art on display. There might be a band. Right now we're leaning toward Cliff Notes bookstore in Oak Cliff, but we are hoping you fine folks will have other ideas! Galleries, bars, restaurants... any thoughts? Thanks so much!
I wrote a book entitled Why Not A Spider Monkey Jesus? A 30 page excerpt appeared in McSweeney's #11 and now the complete book is finally available! I'm going to be in Dallas, Texas at the end of September and I am planning a launch party/art exhibit (MultiMedia Art Party!) with the artist and musician Scott Krakowski (Saddle Tramp, The Bipolar Express).
We're looking for a venue that could hold 30-40 people. There's going to be a conversation between Scott and myself, a (very) short reading and some art on display. There might be a band. Right now we're leaning toward Cliff Notes bookstore in Oak Cliff, but we are hoping you fine folks will have other ideas! Galleries, bars, restaurants... any thoughts? Thanks so much!
They might be booked, but it's an awesome place. 500X might be worth a try. They've got two levels and a couple of smaller spaces.
posted by cmoj at 11:45 AM on June 22, 2010
posted by cmoj at 11:45 AM on June 22, 2010
I attended an art collective/party thing at The Absinthe Lounge a few years back (involving a MeFi friend) that, assuming it's under the same management, I'd think would be great. They had a projector/screen setup and it's large enough to fit 40 or so comfortably without feeling like it's empty.
Good luck! If I hadn't left Dallas a year or so ago, I'd love to attend (yeah, I know, it's an empty gesture).
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:00 PM on June 22, 2010
Good luck! If I hadn't left Dallas a year or so ago, I'd love to attend (yeah, I know, it's an empty gesture).
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:00 PM on June 22, 2010
If you're going to have a band, then you you should think about somplace on Lower Greenville or in Deep Ellum. It's more fun there anyway. Deep Ellum now has a train line that runs to it; Lower Greenville is a little more middle-class.
Absinthe Lounge is not a bad option. The Granada Theater would be a great one too.
It also depends on if this is a weeknight or weekend. Going to do better in the burbs/bookstores on weeknights, downtown empties out during the week.
Legacy Books is more in the burbs, but I don't know how loud a band they would like. Borders and Barnes and Nobles in the area both hold events, but you have to go through some bureaucracy to get booked.
And um, if you don't have a band yet, I know many in the area, feel free to message me.
posted by emjaybee at 2:31 PM on June 22, 2010
Absinthe Lounge is not a bad option. The Granada Theater would be a great one too.
It also depends on if this is a weeknight or weekend. Going to do better in the burbs/bookstores on weeknights, downtown empties out during the week.
Legacy Books is more in the burbs, but I don't know how loud a band they would like. Borders and Barnes and Nobles in the area both hold events, but you have to go through some bureaucracy to get booked.
And um, if you don't have a band yet, I know many in the area, feel free to message me.
posted by emjaybee at 2:31 PM on June 22, 2010
For what it's worth, I would go to Oak Cliff for something like this, but not to Plano.
posted by bwanabetty at 2:43 PM on June 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by bwanabetty at 2:43 PM on June 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Agree that Legacy Books is awesome, but also agree that it wouldn't lend itself well to a band.
You might look into some of the facilities available through the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. I've been to events at the Latino Cultural Center and it's well-located and a beautiful structure.
The Lakewood Theater in East Dallas is full of personality. You might check out the Texas Theater in Oak Cliff. (I don't believe Oak Cliff is "that bad." My 2¢.)
ALOFT hotels are all over the Metroplex, and specifically there is a property right downtown. This is a Starwood brand featuring hip and artsy décor, staff all in black, etc. What is notable and useful about the ALOFTs is that, in my experience with 2 of them in DFW, they will let you have your small event (30-40 people) in their lobby/bar area for free, including live music, as long as you buy drinks/snacks from the bar. It's corporate, but the venue price is right and parking is plentiful.
posted by pineapple at 5:17 PM on June 22, 2010
You might look into some of the facilities available through the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. I've been to events at the Latino Cultural Center and it's well-located and a beautiful structure.
The Lakewood Theater in East Dallas is full of personality. You might check out the Texas Theater in Oak Cliff. (I don't believe Oak Cliff is "that bad." My 2¢.)
ALOFT hotels are all over the Metroplex, and specifically there is a property right downtown. This is a Starwood brand featuring hip and artsy décor, staff all in black, etc. What is notable and useful about the ALOFTs is that, in my experience with 2 of them in DFW, they will let you have your small event (30-40 people) in their lobby/bar area for free, including live music, as long as you buy drinks/snacks from the bar. It's corporate, but the venue price is right and parking is plentiful.
posted by pineapple at 5:17 PM on June 22, 2010
You know, I hadn't even thought of the Lakewood Theater, even though it's two blocks from my house, but it's definitely worth looking into. I know from personal experience that you can talk them down on rates, and it does have some bar and restaurant traffic nearby. Bands welcome (the Cowboy Junkies played there last week). But the best thing going for it is the really cool used bookstore right down the street, Paperbacks Plus. This is a big hub for local writers, people who have heard of McSweeney's. Some are also writers for a fairly high-traffic national blog that could get you some publicity.
And if you don't want to go the East Dallas route, Oak Cliff would be my second choice. Not bad at all.
posted by bwanabetty at 8:28 PM on June 22, 2010
And if you don't want to go the East Dallas route, Oak Cliff would be my second choice. Not bad at all.
posted by bwanabetty at 8:28 PM on June 22, 2010
GuerillArts is a new gallery space in east Dallas pretty near where I live (and where some other MeFites do, apparently). Do let us know when the event is, I'll totally come!
posted by lhall at 9:34 PM on June 22, 2010
posted by lhall at 9:34 PM on June 22, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for your help, everyone! Lots of interesting-sounding venues to check out. As soon as Scott and I nail down a date, I'll send you all invites! It'll be great to meet The Dallas MeFites! Thanks again-- if anyone has any other suggestions, please keep 'em coming!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 6:34 AM on June 23, 2010
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 6:34 AM on June 23, 2010
Curiosities in Lakewood. Let me know if you're interested, I know the owners.
Also, laughing SO hard at the idea of Oak Cliff being "that bad" when parts of it are rapidly becoming the most gentrified, urbane and buzzworthy areas of the city, like the Bishop Arts District.
The Soda Gallery would be worth looking into, they have had virtually every kind of show there imaginable.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:50 PM on June 24, 2010
Also, laughing SO hard at the idea of Oak Cliff being "that bad" when parts of it are rapidly becoming the most gentrified, urbane and buzzworthy areas of the city, like the Bishop Arts District.
The Soda Gallery would be worth looking into, they have had virtually every kind of show there imaginable.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:50 PM on June 24, 2010
Also, the Half Price Books on Northwest Highway.
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:51 PM on June 24, 2010
posted by Unicorn on the cob at 9:51 PM on June 24, 2010
Unicorn: The key part of your response is, "...parts of it...". You and I both know the biggest part of Oak Cliff is dangerous as hell.
posted by Gerard Sorme at 6:05 PM on June 25, 2010
posted by Gerard Sorme at 6:05 PM on June 25, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks again for all the responses, folks!
Scott and I checked out some of the venues mentioned above, but the one we settled on is a restaurant owned by a buddy of his: SMOKE.
The Dallas launch of "Why Not A Spider Monkey Jesus?" featuring a conversation between A.G. Pasquella (that's me) and Texas artist and musician Scott Krakowski (Saddle Tramp, Bipolar Express) is happening Thursday Sept. 30, 7PM to 10 PM, SMOKE Restaurant, 901 Ft. Worth Avenue, Dallas, Texas!
Hope to see you all there!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 2:11 PM on August 31, 2010
Scott and I checked out some of the venues mentioned above, but the one we settled on is a restaurant owned by a buddy of his: SMOKE.
The Dallas launch of "Why Not A Spider Monkey Jesus?" featuring a conversation between A.G. Pasquella (that's me) and Texas artist and musician Scott Krakowski (Saddle Tramp, Bipolar Express) is happening Thursday Sept. 30, 7PM to 10 PM, SMOKE Restaurant, 901 Ft. Worth Avenue, Dallas, Texas!
Hope to see you all there!
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 2:11 PM on August 31, 2010
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posted by Gerard Sorme at 11:43 AM on June 22, 2010