Taste Addison’s decades-long dedication to bringing top-tier performances to North Texas is evident yet again in their 2024 music lineup. From May 31 to June 2, renowned national headliners and talented regional and local artists will perform across six performance areas throughout Addison Circle Park.

On Friday at 10:30 p.m., festival goers will get a dose of Y2K nostalgia as Sugar Ray brings their Southern California pop beats to the Taste Addison WFAA Main Stage. Led by Mark McGrath and Rodney Sheppard, the band has sold over 10 million records since their debut. Their sunny tunes, such as the chart topping single “Fly,” will bring a fresh sense of fun, perfect for dancing or simply sitting back and enjoying the show.

The party continues on Saturday as the legendary Toadies take the WFAA Main Stage at 10:30 p.m. For over 30 years, Toadies have maintained relevancy with hits that transcend generations. For their debut album, the Fort Worth native band crafted a sound comprised of indie, alternative, punk and metal influences that made them an iconic part of music history – being named one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest Grunge Albums.

Sunday’s headliner is multi-instrumentalist and platinum-selling artist Hunter Hayes. Hayes’ debut album landed him on top of country music charts, and Hayes has since received 5 Grammy nominations. From his first single “Wanted” to his newest release “Song About You,” Hayes combines his country roots with a genre-blending singer-songwriter style. With his memorable melodies and instantly catchy hooks, music enthusiasts of all genres will find something to love when he performs at 4:30 p.m.

The beats continue throughout the 12-acre park with five new performance areas, each with its own vibe, in addition to the main stage. Guests can travel the world as they experience live entertainment from international musicians on the WorldBeats Stage, brought to you by UDR, and various surprise performers on the WorldBeats Balcony. The festival’s first-ever Corkyard and Speakeasy, brought to you by Silver Star Spirits, will provide a live soundtrack of easy listening, jazz, blues and spoken word acts to enjoy while sipping your way through wine and spirit tastings. Sponsored by Whataburger, the Blue Dot Spot, located in the heart of the park, will feature dynamic local and regional talent, including jugglers, dancers and magicians.

TASTE ADDISON EVENT INFORMATION

WHAT:                Taste Addison, the iconic festival that dates back to 1993, is leaning into the arts. The culinary arts include top-notch Addison restaurants, the performing arts feature national headliners and the visual arts are both creative and immersive. Eats, beats and artistic treats combine to make for a family friendly weekend that includes an experience for every vibe.

WHEN:                Friday, May 31, 6 p.m. to midnight

Saturday, June 1, 12 p.m. to midnight

Sunday, June 2, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

WHERE:              Addison Circle Park

4970 Addison Circle, Addison, TX 75001

The event entrance is located at the corner of Quorum Drive and Addison Circle.

TICKETS:             Purchase at www.TasteAddisonTexas.com.

• General admission: $10 ages 13+, $5 ages 6-12, free ages 5 and younger. Please purchase tickets in advance; onsite purchase is via card only.
• VIP: $50/$45 presale - includes single day admission, two beverage tickets (valid at Festival Beverage Tents), scheduled Tastings throughout the weekend in the VIP area, private bar and restrooms. VIP tickets are required for all ages to access reserved areas (except for infants 12 months and younger). Limited quantity available. A $75 value.
• Hotel packages: Book a Taste Addison hotel package and enjoy special rates on quality accommodations, four general admission tickets and two Chow Hall passes good for 5 tastings each. Guests should request a hotel package voucher at check-in at participating hotels to present at the event.

FREE PARKING: Colonnade Garage (15305 N. Dallas Parkway)

Addison Circle One Garage (15601 N. Dallas Parkway)

Addison Circle Two Garage (15725 N. Dallas Parkway)

Accessible parking available at DART Transit Center (4925 Arapaho Road)

Rideshare pick-up available at Beckert Park, 5000 Addison Circle.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO: www.TasteAddisonTexas.com

14 Pieces of Artwork from Dallas Artists Were Donated with the Mission of Reshaping Perception and Fostering Inclusivity for People with Disabilities

Artwork from The 30th Annual U&I Dash that was revealed at the nonprofit’s event in Klyde Warren Park Saturday, March 23 is now up for auction. There are 14 pieces of artwork available to the highest bidder that were featured in two distinct areas of the event - the Redefining Disabilities Experience, an immersive art experience, and the Rise Up Live Art Show featuring local muralists who created their pieces onsite. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork benefits U&I’s mission, meeting the needs of disabled individuals in our community. 

Eight distinguished Dallas artists paired up with eight U&I clients - youth and adults with disabilities as well as disabled veterans - to create artwork that redefines what it means to create and collaborate. The artwork is being auctioned off through Give Butter at the U&I website uandispreadthelight.com/auction. The auction will close at 1 pm CST on Wednesday April 3. All sales are final. To learn more about the story of why the artists partnered with U&I, visit U&I’s YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@ui4715

The Redefining Disabilities Experience featured the following artists with U&I clients:

• Kyle Steed & U&I client Ellington Rucker
• Magdiel Lopez & U&I client Gina Garza
• Temi Coker & U&I client Joann Maduagwa
• Dora Zeneth Reynosa & U&I client Jose Garcia
• Agustin Chavez & U&I client Gilbert Gonzalez 
• Carlos Don Juan & U&I client Bryan Shed
• Mariell Guzman & U&I client Kathy D’Elena
• Eric Rodriguez (Drigo) & U&I client Marquiset Nash

“We brought these eight prominent Dallas artists together with eight of our clients,” said Bobby Cerda, U&I Creative Director. “They got to know each other, and each artist created an original piece of artwork that was featured at The U&I Dash in Klyde Warren Park. The goal was to tell the clients’ story and help put the viewer in their shoes… to feel what it’s like to be an underdog.”

This year’s event theme, Underdogs Run Faster, honored each person's innate creative potential. Each piece of art conveys a message about resiliency, self-expression, and the strength of human connection via vivid colors, complex textures, and distinctive forms.

The Rise Up Live Art Show, curated by Ray Butler and powered by The Box Co, featured local muralists Daniel Yanez, JD Moore, Patricia Rodriguez, Hatziel Flores, and Eliana Miranda who created murals inspired by U&I clients and their daily challenges. Artists Raul Rodriguez and Christopher Machorro, known as Bestu Friendo, teamed up for a joint collaboration and invited the community to participate in the creation of their live mural on the day of the event. 

"Art reflects a world that we don't understand, so to be given this opportunity to collaborate with someone that cannot typically express their creativity has been truly amazing,” said Dora Reynosa, one of the featured artists. “These pieces show how being different can be great and how art forces you to examine things differently.” 

Each artist has given freely of their time, skills, and creations. All of the auction's proceeds—100% go straight to U&I—supporting the organization’s purpose of empowering people with disabilities, encouraging inclusivity in our community, and advancing the idea of redefining disabilities.

In 1951, Jean Walker Bentley overcame cultural barriers and spoke out for disabled children and their families. She started the Children’s Development Center to meet the scholastic and socialization needs of children with special needs. In 1981, the federal government mandated that public schools had the responsibility to educate children with disabilities. The organization evolved to help veterans find employment and provide vocational training for special education students preparing to transition out of high school.

Today, as one of the largest workforce development centers in DFW, U&I continues to meet the needs of disabled individuals by providing vocational training, job readiness training, paid work opportunities and community placement to more than 1000 youth and adults with severe intellectual, physical and/or mental health disabilities. More information is available at uandispreadthelight.com.

Kick off spring with a colorful celebration of spirituality and Indian culture at the fifth annual Festival of Joy. The festival willtake place at Klyde Warren Park (2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas) on Saturday April 27, beginning at 11 a.m. and culminating with a live headline stage performance from 7 p.m. on. Presented by acclaimed East Dallas restaurant Kalachandji’s,the Festival of Joy brings togetherthousands of families, young adults and dignitaries for a fun-filled day of bright colors, beautiful flowers and a free vegetarian feast, along with riveting music, dance, and interactive holistic living and cultural exhibits. A variety of ethnic vegetarian foods will also be available for purchase.

New this year is an evening stage performance by popular Indian artist Gaura Vani, an internationally acclaimed multidisciplinary artist fluent in music, film and the visual arts. Vani performs a genre of traditional Indian kirtan music with Western elements such as 12-string guitar, gospel choruses and hip-hop rhythms.

“Dallas is a diverse, forward-thinking city, and the Festival of Joy has become a much-anticipated tradition that brings thousands of people together every year,” said Dallas City Council Member Jesse Moreno, who represents the district where Kalachandji’s and the Radha Kalachandji Temple are located. “The festival is a great way to fully immerse yourself in a holistic experience focusing on mindfulness, fun and harmony.”

The Festival of Joy, also celebrated as Ratha Yatra or Festival of Chariots, has its roots in the ancient Indian bhakti tradition. It has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in the South Indian state of Orissa, making it the world’s longest-running street festival. It is now held in major city centers worldwide, including New York City’s Fifth Avenue and London’s Piccadilly Circus.

“The energy and joy felt by the thousands who attend reminds us that hope and faith can conquer all. Our lives can be filled with anxiety and fear, or with love and wholesomeness. We strive to build the consciousness of love and oneness with the universe. The Festival of Joy spreads this inner consciousness to inspire others, and we hope more people will come and experience this special celebration of spiritual culture,” said Nityananda Das Adhikari of the Radha Kalachandji Temple.

The festival will start at 11 a.m. with a welcome ceremony at Klyde Warren Park, followed by a parade at 11:30 a.m. through the Dallas Arts District and back to the park at 1:30 p.m. Hundreds of festivalgoers, pilgrims and faith leaders will pull the colorful chariot carrying the sacred deities of Jagannatha, Subhadra and Balarama along the route. Hundreds more will dance, sing sacred mantras and play traditional musical instruments. Devotees believe that if they get the opportunity to pull the ropes of the giant chariot carrying Lord Krishna, known as Jagannatha or the Lord of the Universe, they can obtain eternal service to the Lord in the spiritual world.

After the procession returns to Klyde Warren Park, families and guests can enjoy a free vegetarian feast and live stage entertainment, sample regional Indian street food favorites, visit an ethnic clothing bazaar, and explore holistic living exhibits revealing the spiritual heart of India, featuring Ayurveda, yoga, traditional crafts, mehndi, try-a-sari, ask-a-monk, vegetarian cooking and more.

At 7 p.m., Vani will be featured in a concert performance on the main stage with kirtan (musical mantra meditation) and bharat-natyam (classical Indian dance).

“The Festival of Joy has been a wonderful addition to Dallas’ spring traditions, showcasing our growing diversity and the cultural enrichment that the Indian community brings to the city and our community,” said Kristina Kirkenaer-Hart, VISIT DALLAS’ director of cultural tourism.

Note: Although the free feast and some activities will close at 5 p.m., the Indian street food concessions will remain open during the evening concert.

Festivalgoers who would like to experience more can get info on the Kalachandji Konnect program of daily philosophy classes and kirtan, and continuing education programs in meditation, yoga, Ayurveda and vegetarian cooking.

Go to festivalofjoydallas.com for updates on entertainment and activities.

The Highland Park Education Foundation (HPEF) celebrated successfully raising $1.7M
through its annual Mad for Plaid campaign. This amount was pledged by HPEF to the District going
into the 2023-24 school year, upon a request from HPISD to help fund 1% of a 5% raise for teacher
and staff salaries. To celebrate a successful campaign and thank patron donors who made this
possible, the Foundation hosted an evening of gratitude on Wednesday, February 28, at the home of
Joanna and David Iliff on Beverly Drive, with Vista Bank as the event sponsor.

During the reception, guests mixed and mingled while enjoying drinks and appetizers catered by Nick
and Sam’s. Attendees included Bryce Benson, Maryjane and Chris Bonfield, Liza and Jae Ellis, Ellen
and Paul Lee, Kelly and John Diehl, Frances Mitchell, Laurie and Mark Aldredge, Judy and Jim Gibbs,
Catherine Seals, Beth and Nick Peters, Christopher McGuire, Vista Bank President and CEO John
Steinmetz and Sr. Vice President Adam Hefton, HPISD Superintendent Dr. Mike Rockwood and wife
Jené, and HPEF’s Board President Bill Ogle and wife Lisa.

HPEF Executive Director Meg Boyd provided opening remarks and thanked everyone for their
generosity, and then introduced the guest speaker for the evening, HPISD Superintendent Dr. Mike
Rockwood, who joined the District in April 2023. “The Mad for Plaid campaign epitomizes the
incredible community support we have for Highland Park schools,” said Dr. Rockwood. “This
initiative is not only appreciated, but it is vital to ensure our teachers and staff are more
competitively compensated. A sincere thank you to each and every individual who contributed to this
worthy cause.”

The Foundation would like to thank this year’s Mad for Plaid Co-Chairs Kamela and Kenneth Aboussie,
Claire and Andy Baker, Mary Katharine and Martin Gill, and Chris Palmer and Terry Steger. It would
also like to thank our Mad for Plaid Campus Reps, Grandparent Committee, Patron donors ($1,000+)
and MFP Leadership Society donors ($10,000+). We are all “Mad for Plaid!”

2023-2024 Mad for Plaid Leadership Society as of March 6:

Visionary ($50,000+)
Clements Foundation
Judy Jackson Gray, in memory of C.D. Bowlby
La Fiesta de las Seis Banderas
Park Cities Dads Club Teachers Cup

Legacy ($25,000-$49,999)
Kamela & Kenneth Aboussie
Robin & Bernay Box
Simon and Louise Henderson Foundation
Maleiah & Ryan Rogers
The Trinity Family Foundation - Elisa & Stephen Summers

Luminary ($10,000-$24,999)
Anonymous (4)
Lori & Jon Altschuler
Carol & Taylor Armstrong
Heather & Ray Balestri
Stacy & Tyler Burke
MacKenzie & Benjamin Carpenter
Sylvie & Gary Crum
The Dreyfuss Family
The Gwinn Family
Judy & Jim Gibbs
Kim & Chuck Giglio
The Hankins Foundation
The Hegi Family
Jean & Jason Signor
Joanna & David Iliff
Ellen & Clayton Kershaw
Catherine & Chuck Lundberg
Luther King Capital Management
Carolyn & David Miller
Origin Bank
Nancy Poole
Gail & Dan Settle
Catherine & Tom Sharpe
Ann & Jeff Swope
The Trammell Foundation
Vista Bank
The Bill and Katie Weaver Charitable Trust
The Gil and Dody Weaver Foundation
Kathy & John Yeaman

One hundred and ten Shelton students, parents, teachers, coaches and staff worked with the Dallas Sports Commission and CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) to take part in the pregame banner ceremonies at the CONCACAF Nations League Finals on Sunday, March 24, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Shelton was the only school selected to assist on the field during the Final Center Banner Ceremony. Shelton participants were involved in the flag ceremony before the third-place match on Sunday, March 24, at 5:00 p.m. and before the final game at 8:15 p.m.  Thanks to Shelton parent Stacey Segal, Director of Operations for the Dallas Sports Commission, and Shelton Athletics Director Alan Burt for making this opportunity happen for Shelton students, parents and teachers. Leading up to the final ceremony, participants took time to participate in two rehearsals at Shelton. People traveled from all over the world to help run the practices with our Shelton community.