Made by Marge, the Dallas-based maker of from-scratch, ready-to-bake cookie dough, has announced its retail launch at Central Market. Two flavors, Original Chocolate Chip and S'mores, will roll out to eight Central Market stores across Texas, with products expected on shelves within the next two weeks.

The partnership marks a fast rise for 28-year old founder Margaret "Marge" Peus, who started Made by Marge in 2023 as a side hustle while working from home as a consultant, baking batches between client calls. The cookie connoisseur got her start selling at the St. Michael's Farmers Market in Dallas, where shoppers came back week after week for her cookies. In January 2026 she left her full-time job to grow the business. Eight months later, her dough is headed to one of Texas' most respected specialty grocers.

"I love building this company because a cookie is such a simple, joyful way to bring people together and make everyone feel at home," said Marge. "Three years ago, my grandmother told me, 'You should be in Central Market.' I laughed, because landing on the shelves of such a beloved Texas grocer felt completely out of reach. Now my cookie dough will be sold at the same Central Market my family has shopped at for years. It's surreal."

Made by Marge cookie dough is made by hand in Dallas, Texas with real butter, real sugar and simple ingredients, and contains no artificial dyes. The frozen dough goes from freezer to oven in minutes and bakes into thick, gooey, bakery-style cookies. Made by Marge is a proud member of GO TEXAN, the Texas Department of Agriculture program that promotes products made in the Lone Star State.

While Central Market is a major retail milestone, Made by Marge remains primarily a direct-to-consumer brand. It ships frozen cookie dough nationwide through madebymarge.com, and it has become a go-to gift for birthdays, holidays and just-because moments. Every gift order includes a handwritten note.

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Central Market locations carrying Made by Marge cookies:

•      Austin North Lamar

•      Austin Westgate

•      Dallas Lovers Lane

•      Dallas - Midway Hollow

•      Fort Worth

•      Houston

•      Plano

•      San Antonio

•      Southlake

Shoppers will find Made by Marge Original Chocolate Chip and S'mores ready-to-bake cookie dough in the frozen section at a retail price of $25.99 each. For nationwide shipping and gifting, visit madebymarge.com and follow @made_bymarge on Instagram.

State Fair Saddle Up, the Big Tex Champion Club's annual boot-scootin' benefit, raised more than $320,000 for Texas students, where event co-chairs Robert Walne and Grant and Courtney Pruitt delivered a magnificent evening of high-spirited fun under the Texas stars at The Rustic Dallas.

Guests were treated to a live performance by American Idol's Cash Byers and Big Valley, live and silent auctions full of State Fair-themed experiences, midway-style games, special activations from brands like Yellow Rose by Kendra Scott and McKinney Hat Company, and plenty of Texas hospitality — all shared among a community that believes in the future of the State Fair and the Texas students it supports. Spotted in the crowd: State Fair of Texas President Mitchell Glieber and his wife Lisa, FOX 4's Steve Noviello and Paige Ellenberger, Chris Khale and Austin Green, The Ticket’s Donovan Lewis, Kat Dunn, and New Country 96.3 FM's Michelle Rodriguez.

A one-of-a-kind celebration with a heart as big as Big Tex, this kick-off to the State Fair put 100% of every bid and every table to work for the Big Tex Youth Livestock Auction and Scholarship Programs, which have awarded more than $25.3 million in auction awards and college scholarships to thousands of students across the Lone Star State since 2018 alone.

Photos by Imani Black

Chef Kendall Williams has officially opened the doors of Bluebonnet & Thyme Southern Bistro & Bar, her first brick-and-mortar restaurant, in the heart of Victory Park. Located at 2610 N. Houston St. in the former Dirty Bones space across from American Airlines Center, the 3,386-square-foot restaurant and bar is now serving Dallas a concept Williams describes as a “Cajun and Texas culinary explosion” which is a mashup of her Louisiana heritage and Lone Star roots, built with the technique of Southern food. Bluebonnet & Thyme takes its name from two staples of Williams’ own story: the Texas state flower and a Southern herb she reaches for often in the kitchen. After a soft opening on Aug. 7 introduced the neighborhood to the menu, the restaurant is now fully open for dinner, weekend brunch, and happy hour.

Dinner entrees include Golden Fried Hen with sweet cream corn, a 2 lb. Gulf Red Snapper served over dirty rice, Seafood Linguine made with lobster, crab, shrimp and a white wine butter sauce. Save room for dessert! Chef Williams family favorite is on the menu: a Southern Banana Pudding made with warm vanilla custard, wafers, fresh banana, and whipped cream. Weekend brunch includes catfish and shrimp with grits, whole fried Cornish hen, red velvet waffles, stuffed French toast with cheesecake and Strawberry compote, and $30 bottomless mimosas. Behind the bar, longtime William’s collaborator Dr. Angela Williams leads the beverage program, crafting Texas-inspired cocktails such as the DAMM Good Old Fashioned and the Bluebonnet Ranch Water from fresh, local ingredients.

Williams describes the newly designed dining room as “your grandmother’s house — if your grandmother happened to be Dolly Parton.” The look mixes alligator-skin seating, floral cast-aluminum bistro chairs, exposed stone walls, and a Texas longhorn skull, with an outdoor patio and lounge rounding out the space.

Williams has spent a decade building a name for herself in Dallas food circles. A history graduate of Texas Woman’s University, she taught herself to cook out of passion, made her first solo Thanksgiving dinner for her family at just 13, and later traveled internationally to sharpen her technique. In 2019, she founded Pretty Tasty Foods, the catering company and Pretty Tasty Pasta concept that first introduced her Creole- and Italian-influenced cooking to Dallas.

Her cooking has also earned recognition beyond her own kitchen, including a 2025 Big Tex Choice Award for Most Creative Dish at the State Fair of Texas for her Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders. While this particular creation isn't on the menu, diners can order an assortment plate of Chef Kendall's award-winning deviled eggs, featuring a half-dozen flavors: Texas BBQ, seafood boil, smoked paprika, hot honey chicken, Birria taco, and smoked salmon.

Bluebonnet & Thyme is open Monday through Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations are available via OpenTable, and complimentary three-hour parking is offered at 1701 Payne St. More information, menus, and online ordering can be found at bluebonnetandthyme.com.

Photo credit: Jason Byg

The AT&T Performing Arts Center (AT&T PAC) and Dallas Theater Center (DTC) today announced exploratory plans to combine their organizations in a bold, forward-looking partnership designed to strengthen the future of the performing arts in Dallas while preserving the distinct artistic identities and missions of both institutions.

At the core of uniting AT&T PAC and DTC is a desire to create more great programming for more people, expanded education opportunities for more students, sustained support for local artists, and ensure that Dallas continues to thrive as one of America's great performing arts cities.

“By coming together, we are able to achieve much more than either of us could do on our own,” said Kevin Moriarty, Dallas Theater Center Executive Director. “Not only will this innovative model benefit our audiences, artists, students and our city, it also strengthens and expands our combined ability to meet the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

"The performing arts industry has been undergoing profound systemic change nationwide,” said Warren Tranquada, president and CEO of the AT&T Performing Arts Center. “Stagnation is not an option. Two major Dallas institutions are coming together in a proactive way to write our future, creating a new artistic and business model that can set the stage for strength and sustainability in North Texas and beyond.”

Under a unified AT&T PAC organization, led by president and CEO Warren Tranquada, DTC will continue to produce bold, innovative theater under the leadership of Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda building on its history of national recognition, including the 2017 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. AT&T PAC will continue presenting world-class performances, touring Broadway and its Elevator Project. This alignment will bring a broader range of lasting theatrical experiences, more ambitious productions, and added opportunities to enjoy exceptional live performance.

"Dallas Theater Center will keep creating the bold, adventurous theatre that defines us while expanding the kinds of stories we can tell, the artists we can collaborate with, and the audiences we can serve,” said Castañeda.

The alignment of organizations also reinforces the vision behind the Dallas Arts District and its importance to the success of downtown Dallas.

“The arts play a critical role in our city, especially in creating a vibrant downtown.” said Mayor Eric L. Johnson, who applauded the innovative efforts. “This is a bold step for these signature cultural institutions, one that distinguishes Dallas as a national change leader and helps ensure our Arts District continues to be an economic, cultural and tourism engine for Downtown.”  

 Education is a cornerstone of the combined vision. Together, AT&T PAC and DTC will build on their award-winning programs, including student matinee performances and  after-school/summer theater programs to backstage tech training, dance engagement, leadership training and community workshops. Aligning resources and expertise will greatly expand access to the performing arts, with a long-term goal of ensuring every student in North Texas experiences live theater as part of their education.

This alignment also supports Dallas artists. DTC will remain a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) and produce more exceptional theater with its Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company. This will create more opportunities for actors, directors, designers, playwrights, musicians, technicians, and other creative professionals. AT&T PAC will keep providing critical resources for Dallas artists and cultural organizations with collaborative marketing, ticketing services, and premiere performance spaces. 

For audiences, there will be no interruption to performances, subscriptions, memberships, or programming during the transition. Patrons can expect the same high-quality experiences they know and value. They will have more ticketing options, such as creating personalized packages across multiple art forms, more flexible exchanges, and new membership opportunities.

The AT&T Performing Arts Center and Dallas Theater Center come to this with a long history of partnership. Since AT&T PAC’s opening in 2009, DTC has been one of its five esteemed resident companies. DTC’s home is in the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre. The combined organization will bring finance, marketing, HR, fundraising and ticketing under the AT&T PAC umbrella.  

Founded in 1959, Dallas Theater Center commissioned and built the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalita Humphreys Theater as its historic home, where it continues to produce theater today. The combined organization will operate and steward the Kalita under its existing agreement with the City of Dallas. 

Combining the two organizations is subject to approval of their individual boards. They are now entering a due diligence and capital fundraising phase through the summer and fall, with the official approval and uniting expected to occur at the beginning of 2027.

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About the AT&T Performing Arts Center

The nonprofit AT&T Performing Arts Center is a 10-acre downtown cultural campus in the heart of the Dallas Arts District. Its iconic venues include the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House, Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, Annette Strauss Square, and the welcoming green space, Elaine B. and Charles A. Sammons Park. Since its opening in 2009, the Center has presented world-class performing artists, touring Broadway productions, comedy, speakers, and – in partnership with TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND - the world's finest dance companies.  The Center also provides premier performance spaces for its five esteemed resident companies: Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Theater Center and Texas Ballet Theater. Through its celebrated Elevator Project, the Center provides stages for small and emerging Dallas arts organizations. The Center also provides a diverse range of award-winning arts education programs serving students in Dallas and Richardson ISDs. These include Open Stages, Backstage Spotlight, Young Women’s Leadership Conference, North Texas Ballet Folklorico Contest and Disney Musicals in Schools presented by the Moody Foundation. Additionally, the Center provides a range of free community programming and festivals at its downtown Arts District campus and at other locations throughout Dallas.  Discover something new at the Center. Learn more at www.attpac.org.

About Dallas Theater Center

Dallas Theater Center (DTC) is one of the leading regional theaters in the country and the recipient of the 2017 Regional Theatre Tony Award. DTC is committed to producing theater with resident artists that illuminate diverse experiences and spark collaboration and dialogue. Founded in 1959, DTC is a resident company of the AT&T Performing Arts Center and presents its annual season at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, and at its historic home, the Kalita Humphreys Theater, the only freestanding theater designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kevin Moriarty and Enloe/Rose Artistic Director Jaime Castañeda, DTC produces a year-round subscription series of classics, musicals, and new plays and an annual production of A Christmas Carol for more than 50,000 North Texas residents annually. DTC’s productions have been seen on Broadway and at theaters nation-wide. Additionally, the theater’s Department of Public Works produces extensive education programs, including the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award-winning Project Discovery, a partnership with SMU Meadows School of the Arts, and many community collaborations. DTC is also the home of the Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, which features twelve resident artists who perform in every season. For more information: www.DallasTheaterCenter.org  

Dr. William D. Allen is proud to announce his appointment as the new Director of Bands for Dallas ISD’s South Oak Cliff High School, effective for the 2026–2027 school year. A Grammy Award-winning music educator, accomplished musician, and nationally recognized leader in arts education, Dr. Allen will return to the campus where he previously helped elevate the Nu Soul of the South marching band into national prominence. For Dr. Allen, the appointment represents more than a professional milestone, it is a homecoming. Returning to the "School of Champions" offers an opportunity to continue building a program rooted in excellence, discipline, leadership, and opportunity for every student.

During his previous tenure at South Oak Cliff High School, Dr. Allen led the Nu Soul of the South Band during a period of national recognition, culminating in the program receiving the 2021 GRAMMY Museum Signature Schools Award, one of the nation's highest honors recognizing outstanding achievement in school music education. The award celebrated the dedication of the students, staff, families, and community that have long supported the program's tradition of excellence.

Today, Dr. Allen returns with a vision to build upon that legacy by developing musicians who excel not only on the performance field and concert stage, but also in the classroom and in their communities.

"South Oak Cliff is more than a school, it's family," said Dr. William D. Allen. "Returning home to lead the Nu Soul of the South is both an honor and a responsibility. This isn't about picking up where we left off; it's about building the next generation of leaders, musicians, and champions. Together, we'll honor the legacy that has been established while creating new opportunities for every student who walks through our band hall doors."

As Director of Bands, Dr. Allen's primary focus will be leading and growing the South Oak Cliff band program while inspiring students to pursue excellence in music, academics, leadership, and service. Under Dr. Allen's leadership, the Nu Soul of the South Band will focus on:

●      Developing exceptional musicians and student leaders

●      Expanding college scholarship opportunities

●      Strengthening academic achievement and character development

●      Increasing community engagement and alumni involvement

●      Building one of the premier high school marching band programs in Texas

Dr. Allen brings more than a decade of experience as a music educator, performer, arts administrator, and nonprofit leader. Beyond his work in public education, he founded the Texas Supremacy of Music & Arts Conservatory (TSMAC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to music and performing arts education for youth throughout North Texas. His leadership across education and nonprofit service reflects a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for young people through music and the arts.

Known throughout Texas as the "School of Champions," South Oak Cliff High School has earned statewide recognition for excellence in academics, athletics, and the performing arts. The campus has celebrated multiple UIL Football State Championships and continues to build upon a tradition defined by resilience, discipline, and community pride.

The vision for the Nu Soul of the South extends beyond performances. It is centered on preparing students for college, careers, and lifelong success while strengthening the program's legacy as one of the most respected high school band programs in Texas.

Student registration for the 2026–2027 Nu Soul of the South Band is now open for incoming students in grades 9–12. Families interested in joining the program are encouraged to contact South Oak Cliff High School or follow the Nu Soul of the South social media platforms for additional information and upcoming events.