"I care about the things I witness and how they resonate with me" - Bill Simmons, The Book of Basketball

I have had the privilege to listen to great music performed in houses for relatively few people. I have seen amazing assortments of talented musicians who form a band for one night, make angels come down from heaven, and never play together again.

Being young in Dallas, TX and part of what you may describe as the underground arts scene is an exhilirating feeling. The scene isn't underground out of any intellectual or snobbish reasons. Nor is it a result of a backlash against a repressive art establishment

The scene is underground simply because no one knows where to go and artists are constantly finding each other, then losing each other, then buying into the ridiculous notion that Dallas can't ever be their home.

Young artists in Dallas don't want to be here. They have this idea that fame, truth, lifestyle, money exists for them somewhere else - Austin, Chicago, Portland, and always, New York. So the best of us - leave - but they also come back, a few days in town here and there, and they are like ghosts, rumors, whispers, lightening in a bottle that can be caught at some friend's house, in the corner of some dive bar, perfectly anonymous, talented as hell, and constantly in motion.

My best friends are like this, and it disgusts me. I came to Dallas because I think it is the most exciting place in America to be part of the art community. Everything about the city screams potential.

The arts in Dallas is all bones - state of the art facilities, a few well-run organizations, a group of seasoned veterans - a skeleton that might burst to life at any moment if we attach flesh to her.

Art scenes in other places, Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York - they are more mature, more established, they have less flexibility for someone young to come in and matter. The gift of the Dallas art scene is that you - as a young talented artist - matter here. You become a breath of fresh air, a sign of hope, a bit of blood threatening to pump through the veins of this cities art infrastructure.

And how important it is to be relevant! For your existence to matter to somebody. Dallas offers this in spades - what better place to plant roots and make a name for yourself?

When I first returned to Dallas in 2008 - knew very few people in the arts community and sent blind emails to many gallery directors and arts administration professionals at large non-profits (Dallas Museum of Art, Office of Cultural Affairs, Big Thought, etc). And these people who had never heard my name - responded to me - were willing to sit down for coffee - listen to my ideas - give me advice - and introduce me to other people.

What more could you ask from an art scene than that it embraces and nurtures the young?

Yet, my peers give up on Dallas without really trying to understand her. They don't try to delve beneath the cliches that Dallas offers in abundance - a land of $30,000 millionaires - and find a vibrant core of like minded individuals who hide beneath the surface and create a sort of shadow economy of desire.

However, even though most young artists aren't brave enough to approach the gatekeepers, hat in hand, the gatekeepers do not devote hardly enough time or energy to provide infrastructure to keep young artists here.

Even though young artists leaving Dallas is a big reason the Dallas arts scene is underground, the other big reason is that no one knows where to go. Young artists who came of age during the first decade of the millennium found a Deep Ellum that was in shambles and intellectually bankrupt, didn't find a cultural scene in Uptown, was confused as everyone else by Victory Park, were slow to find the Design District, and although noble, Southside wasn't enough.

In the last year you had the success of the Bishop Arts District, Centraltrak and Amsterdam (yes, always, but if there could be one place that was an anchor - Monday night at Amsterdam is the closest thing you have), and a re-emergent Deep Ellum. You also had an economic recession kill arts programs, shut down non-profits and galleries with equal abandon - while two new multi-million dollar buildings open up - shining, new, glorious, and completely out of touch with the young artists who live (and don't live) in the underground.

Given this background, perhaps it isn't surprising why so many young artists live in Dallas for a while and then despair. It takes energy and certain type of personality to sketch out the underground. To find the little of pockets who, from time to time, valiantly come together for nights of artistic defiance - who validate, in secret, that Dallas is a viable city for the arts and for young artists.

And maybe the only reason I have so much faith in the future of the arts in Dallas is because I go to so many of these underground events - things advertised only by a facebook event invite, an email, or a text message - if at all.

I see so many talented artists creating all kinds of great art, 4 to 5 days a week, week in and week out, and rarely at an "established" venue or art space. I make friends with these artists, get to know them, and time after time, I watch them decide to leave, attend their going away parties, and then force myself to head back to the shadows, praying that I will find someone who can decide, like I have, to make Dallas their home.

Orginally posted at A Decade Of Excellence

In honor of one of my best friends and Art Star writer, Matt Hayes - I have put together our probable itinerary for our weekend in Dallas. It is super artsy and covers some of the coolest places, groups, and events you might not have known existed in Dallas.



Friday June 19, 2009

1 p.m. Darryl's House

Matt Hayes, my best friend, fraternity brother, line brother, fellow artist, and partner in crime, who I talk to everyday but haven't seen in a year - arrives to Casa de Ratcliff. There are general hello's and greetings with my family, and with luggage dropped off into the guest bedroom we depart.

2 p.m. Goody Goody Liquor - Oak Lawn

With a bunch of BYOB events this weekend, what better place to shop for tasty spirits to share with all. Amazing variety and prices. Ask for best friend and Goody Goody in-house wine consultant, Giacomo Yaquinto, who never leads you wrong when picking out the proper vino for the occassion. Matt and I grab a few bottles and then continue on.

3 p.m. Zaguan's

One of the best places in Dallas to order a quick bite is Zaguan's, a South American bakery and cafe. Ham and Cheese Cachitos, Tequenos, and perhaps their award winning Cachapas will be involved. After getting the food wrapped up to go we continue our journey.

3:30 p.m. Grapevine Bar

What is better on a Friday than Happy Hour? At the Grapevine, a gem of a bar in the Oaklawn area of Dallas, drinks are $2 you-call-it until 7 p.m. Matt and Darryl buy a few rounds for his friends, hilarity and amazing conversation ensues, and of course a great game of H-O-R-S-E on the outside basketball court. You are encouraged to attend.

7:00 p.m. Jazz Night Out

A summer night calls out for great music, and you won't find anything better than Jazz Night Out hosted by Sol Studio Art. From 6 - 8 p.m. an art exhibit and reception for Ignacio Guevarra, Solange Mariel, and Ximena Mariel. Then from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. the last performance of the legendary Sam Ezzeldin Trio, featuring Sam Ezzeldin, Bo Thomas, & Ryan Hagler, before Sam departs back to Egypt. A fun and eclectic group of people will be in attendance. This event is BYOB and Pass The Hat for the musicians. As always being graciously held at the home of Federico and Solange Mariel (one of the coolest couples you could ever meet) 10171 Robin Hill Lane Dallas, TX. 75238.

11:30 p.m. Balcony Club

We strongly believe that you can never have too much of a good thing. So what should you do after listening to 3 hours of the best jazz music in town... go listen to even more great jazz music. Probably my favorite bar in Dallas, the Balcony Club has great Jazz music at just the right volume for listening and yet still having a conversation. The Martini's are out of this world, especially the Peach Martini made by Karen O' Leary.

Saturday June 20, 2009

12:30 p.m. Bishop Arts District

One of the coolest areas in Dallas to just stroll around. Checking out the Soda Gallery is a must and the Bishop Arts District will be a great way to start our shopping adventure for the perfect shirt.

2 p.m. Ahab Bowen

Next stop on our shopping adventure is the go-to vintage store in Dallas. The perfect place for finding that perfect accessory or fun shirt without looking like the typical Uptown crowd clone.

3 p.m. North Park Mall

If all else fails, there is always the mall - and North Park is about as good as any. We will be sure to check out Billy Reid, Adidas, and Lush. If walking around the mall gets you tired, grab a strawberry-banana smoothie at Thirsty's.

4 p.m. Gloria's

Tasty Mexican and Salvadorean Food and tastier Margaritas. Their pork tenderloin quesadillas are to die for.

5:30 p.m. Light and Sie Gallery Opening

Now the evening starts in earnest with one of my favorite activities, gallery hopping. Light and Sie is one of my favorite galleries in town ( I love Andrew Sie). Haven't missed an opening in a year, and the streak continues.

6:00 p.m. Cameron Gallery Opening

The Cameron Gallery is the type of gallery I don't go to. However, it features art about San Miguel de Allende and artists from there, and I am a sucker for nostalgia and good memories.

6:30 p.m. Central Trak Gallery Opening

The coolest art space in Dallas you may have never been to, and the best place outside of And/Or to see new media/video art. Director Charissa Terranova knows what she is doing in managing this artist residency space.

8 p.m. Artist's Night Out

What can be said about this event that hasn't been said already? Simply put this is the event that changed my life. There is nothing better going on Saturday than Artists Night Out, and if you think there is, you haven't been to Artists Night Out. A magical open mic experience created by Solange Mariel and Will Richey in 2004 that attracts the best artists in Dallas that you have never heard of (and a few you have). Just eclectic, wonderful, magical, fun, etc. In a word - Pure. The last one was July 2008. The one before that was July 2006. They don't happen often - but at this event is the magic and community that so many say does not exist in Dallas. Be there. No excuses.

A few notes:

Please bring something to share - its a big part of the A.N.O. culture and tradition is the potluck - food and drink for yourself and some extra for others.
Also if you HAVE to have a chair, I would bring it. There are about four large couches and a few chairs at the space but they will fill up quickly.
If you would like to help out at the door, or interested in bringing either some coolers with ice, or napkins, plates, and cups, let me know cause we need those.
If you are a creative person, please bring your art! Bring a poem, bring your instrument, even if you have never done something like this before, you will never find a better audience and people who "get" it then at Artist Night Out

Here is the email from Will Richey:

An Artist's Night Out
upstairs from Hal Samples' gallery
@ SPACE - www.thisisspace.com
2814 Main Street, Ste #201
Dallas, TX

THIS Saturday - July 20, 2008
8:00pm - $5 donation

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