A concert inspired the historic gardens of Europe

Lumedia Musicworks presents its latest concert titled A Little Night Garden Music in Dallas at St. John’s Episcopal Church on April 21 and at On the Levee event venue on April 22.

The program promises an enchanting exploration of musical biodiversity, presenting works by Bach, Handel, Pachelbel, Purcell, Vivaldi, Uccellini, Clérambault, Roman and film score composer Gabriel Yared. 

Known for their “innovative approach” to classical music (Friends of WRR Classical Radio), the concert is reminiscent of the musical events held in the formal gardens throughout Europe in the 18th century. The group performs just in time for Earth Day.

Some perennial favorites include Pachelbel’s Canon and Gigue, Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Violins in A minor. “This is not your garden variety baroque concert, nor your typical baroque group,” says Christopher Phillpott, founding member and viola da gambist/baroque cellist based in Dallas. “To be sure, audiences have proclaimed Lumedia to be ‘wacky and wonderful!’” 

The “essential concert” can be heard at Concerts at St. John’s series on April 21 at 3:00 pm, St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dallas. Tickets are $10 and only available at the door.

The “enhanced concert” is April 22 at 7:30 pm at On The Levee venue in Dallas, Texas. Garden walls of ivy, surround seating, lighting and other special effects combine to create the enhanced experience. Tickets are $36 and include a wine reception with the artists. Purchase tickets online or at the door. 

Concert run-time is approximately 60 minutes.

THE ESSENTIAL CONCERT: APRIL 21

St. John's Episcopal Church
848 Harter Rd, Dallas

Parking: Free onsite
Doors open: 2:30 pm
Concert: 3:00 pm
Tickets: $10 at the door

THE FULL EXPERIENCE: APRIL 22

On The Levee
1108 Quaker St, Dallas

Parking: Free onsite
Doors open: 7:00pm
Concert: 7:30 pm
Tickets: $36 

Ticketing Website: https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/MjA1ODE4

With spring just around the corner, the African American Museum, Dallas will host a variety of educational and entertaining happenings this March through May. Highlights include two Music Under The Dome jazz concerts, a lecture series entirely devoted to women’s issues, a two-day family-fun art show and a Black History academic competition for middle and high school students..
 
Also, the museum is currently featuring two exhibitions through May 30, 2024 – “Central Track: Crossroads of Deep Ellum” and “Seeing A World Blind Lemon Never Saw.” The newly refreshed exhibit – “The Souls of Black Folks – Imagination and Materiality: The Power of Memory and Storytelling in Black Art”– will also be on view.

Visitors are also encouraged to view the newly dedicated Texas Historical Marker, which commemorates the Hall of Negro Life that was constructed for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition at Fair Park in Dallas. The Hall, which celebrated the numerous achievements and deeds of the African American community in America, attracted more than 400,000 visitors over the course of the fair, with an estimated 60% of visitors being White. The African American Museum, Dallas now stands at the original site of the Hall of Negro Life. Museum leaders say they never intended to replace the Hall of Negro Life but to instead carry forward its mission.

MARCH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

ESTELLA DOTY YOUNG LEADERS LECTURE
WITH AMBER SIMS, YOUNG LEADERS STRONG CITY
Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas – AT&T Auditorium
Free and open to the public

In honor of Women’s History Month, the Estella Doty Lecture provides a platform for young female leaders with an emphasis on leadership, education and/or religion. Doty was an educator/administrator in Dallas ISD and an outstanding church leader in the community. The featured speaker will be Amber Sims, executive director of Young Leaders Strong City (YLSC).

PALOOZA IN THE PARK
Saturday, March 9, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Fair Park Museum Green (2nd Ave. and Grand Ave, Dallas)
Free and open to the public

The second-annual Palooza in the Park is a family-friendly celebration featuring performances by local artists, a car show, face painting, caricatures, food vendors and plenty of fun photo ops. The African American Museum will be open, plus numerous community organizations will be on site offering activities for all ages. Palooza in the Park is supported in part by the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.

ROBERT AND CHARMAINE PRICE KNOW YOUR HERITAGE BOWL
Saturday, March 23, at 9 a.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public

Presented by the African American Museum, Dallas and the W. Marvin Dulaney DFW Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the Robert and Charmaine Price Know Your Heritage Bowl is a competition for local middle and high school students that seeks to encourage young scholars to appreciate and learn more about the rich history and culture of African Americans. Complete with prizes and fun, the friendly competition marks the culmination of a months-long effort by African American middle and high school students to study their history.

MUSIC UNDER THE DOME FEATURING SHEREL RILEY
Thursday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Tickets are $15; register at aamdallas.org/events

Bringing jazz concerts to the heart of Fair Park, Music Under the Dome continues with vocalist extraordinaire Sherel Riley. Tickets are available for $15. Food and beverages will be available for sale.

APRIL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

SOUTHWEST BLACK ART SHOW
Saturday, April 20, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, April 21, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public

Committed to the exclusive presentation of art produced by artists of African and African American descent, the Southwest Black Art Show (SWBAS) was envisioned to present a quality experience for artists, collectors, galleries, educators, art professionals and anyone interested in Black fine art. In addition to showcasing quality black art, the Southwest Black Art Show will present workshops for people interested in becoming collectors as well as presentations by seasoned collectors, scholars and gallery owners. In addition, there will be hands-on activities for families and children throughout the weekend.

MUSIC UNDER THE DOME WITH HERBIE K. JOHNSON
Thursday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas
Free and open to the public; register at aamdallas.org/events

Music Under the Dome continues with jazz sensation Herbie K. Johnson. While admission is free, seating is limited and registration is required. Food and beverages will be available for sale.

MAY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

BESSIE R. LASSITER DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
WITH BIANCA A. CARTER, B WHOLE AESTHETICS COMPANY
Saturday, May 4, at 2 p.m.
African American Museum, Dallas – AT&T Auditorium

The Bessie R. Lassiter Distinguished Lecture in Women's Healthcare is devoted to women in health and women's healthcare issues. Bessie Lassiter, a registered nurse, was the wife of Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr., who with his two children endowed the lecture. Established healthcare professionals will be invited to present the lecture as part of the African American Heritage Series and a part of the museum's Culture of Wellness Initiative. The featured speaker will be Bianca A. Carter, owner and founder of B Whole Aesthetics Company.

A. MACEO SMITH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD BRUNCH
Saturday, May 18, at 10 a.m.
Location TBD

Named for the late A. Maceo Smith – a consummate community leader whose volunteer service spanned a period of more than 50 years – the A. Maceo Smith Community Service Award Brunch will honor five volunteers for their outstanding service to the African American community in the areas of arts and culture, civic and human services, education, business and youth involvement. In addition, an award will be presented to a community servant under 40 years of age. Smith served as a regional director of fair housing and equal opportunity for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He was a leading figure in the Progressive Voters League, NAACP, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, Dallas Urban League and Bishop College, and was integral in the development of Hamilton Park. In addition, he was a founding supporter of the African American Museum, Dallas and the founder of the Hall of Negro Life that was erected at the State Fair in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Fair. The award has been given since 1978.

Free and open to the public, the three exhibitions on view at the AAM are as follows:

“CENTRAL TRACK: CROSSROADS OF DEEP ELLUM”
Through May 30, 2024
Free and open to the public

“Central Track: Crossroads of Deep Ellum” focuses primarily on the 1920s and 1930s and features newspaper clippings, archival photographs, posters, and recordings of blues, jazz and popular music of the period. The exhibition unravels the growth and demise of North Central Avenue, in the area known as Central Track or Stringtown, which connects Deep Ellum to what was called Freedman Town after the Civil War. The area was later renamed Short North Dallas then Old North Dallas before being identified as Uptown. The exhibition raises questions about cultural identity difficult to reconcile, juxtaposing the harsh realities of racism to the vitality of a community that struggled to survive. While few photos have been found, numerous newspaper accounts bring to life a world little known and often overlooked that was destroyed in the 1940s to make way for North Central Expressway and the I-345 overpass.

“SEEING A WORLD BLIND LEMON NEVER SAW”
Through May 30, 2024
Free and open to the public

“Seeing a World Blind Lemon Never Saw”presents a photographic series by Alan Govenar from 2021-2023. The exhibition explores rural East Texas, little-known places in Dallas and locations that the legendary blues singer, Blind Lemon Jefferson, visited or alluded to in his songs. Govenar’s compelling photographs of Jefferson’s environment are characterized with chromatic elegance and depth. The images encapsulate the spectrum of human experience. The photographs’ clear tonal contrast of light and shadow evokes a timeless quality that transcends the boundaries of time and gives Govenar’s photographs universal appeal.

“THE SOULS OF BLACK FOLKS – IMAGINATION AND MATERIALITY: THE POWER OF MEMORY AND STORYTELLING IN BLACK ART”
Main level of the museum
Ongoing
Free and open to the public

Spotlighting folk and self-taught artists from Texas and beyond, the exhibition features works from the museum’s permanent folk art collection which is one of the largest collections in the country. Featured pieces include an 1821 coverlet made and signed by a 16-year-old enslaved girl, an 1888 crazy quilt, a desk made by slaves in 1830, an 1864 silver spoon made by a slave, and a chair designed by Charles Harrison, a 30-year industrial designer at Sears.

Season sponsors of the African American Museum, Dallas, are Toyota, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dallas Mavericks, NBC 5/Telemundo 39, Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, OVG360, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District and the City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture.

HOURS. Hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free self-parking is available in nearby lots.

The African American Museum, Dallas is located at 3536 Grand Ave. in Dallas’ historic Fair Park. For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call214-565-9026. For the latest updates, follow the Museum on Instagram and Facebook.

About the African American Museum, Dallas
The African American Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College. The Museum has operated independently since 1979. For more than 40 years, the African American Museum has stood as a cultural beacon in Dallas and the Southwestern United States. Located in Dallas’ historic Fair Park, the African American Museum is the only museum in the Southwestern United States devoted to the collection, preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural and historical materials that relate to the African American experience. The African American Museum incorporates a wide variety of visual art forms and historical documents that portray the African American experience in the United States, Southwest, and Dallas. The Museum has a small, but rich collection of African art, African American fine art and one of the largest African American folk-art collections in the United States. Learn more at aamdallas.org.

As the temperatures rise and the sun shines brighter, it's important to keep your home cool and energy-efficient during the spring season. One effective way to achieve this is by installing a cool roof. Let's explore the science behind cool roofs and how they can help you stay comfortable while saving energy!

What are Cool Roofs?

Cool roofs are specially designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat compared to traditional roofs. They are typically made of materials that have high solar reflectance and thermal emittance properties. These roofs help to reduce the amount of heat transferred into your home, keeping it cooler and more comfortable.

The Benefits of Cool Roofs

Energy Efficiency

Cool roofs can significantly reduce the amount of energy needed to cool your home during the spring and summer months. By reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption, they help to lower the temperature inside your home. This means that your air conditioning system doesn't have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable indoor environment, resulting in lower energy bills.

Increased Comfort

With a cool roof, you can enjoy a more comfortable living space even on hot spring days. By reducing heat transfer, cool roofs help to minimize the temperature fluctuations inside your home. This means that you won't have to constantly adjust your thermostat or rely heavily on air conditioning to stay cool. Instead, you can maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature throughout the day.

Environmental Benefits

Cool roofs not only benefit homeowners but also contribute to a greener environment. By reducing the energy demand for cooling, they help to lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation. Additionally, cool roofs can mitigate the urban heat island effect, which is the phenomenon of cities being significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas. By reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere, cool roofs help to reduce the overall temperature of urban areas.

How Cool Roofs Work

Cool roofs work by reflecting sunlight and emitting heat back into the atmosphere. They achieve this through two key properties: solar reflectance and thermal emittance.

Solar Reflectance

Solar reflectance refers to the ability of a material to reflect sunlight. Cool roofs are made of materials that have a high solar reflectance, meaning they reflect a large portion of the sun's rays away from the roof's surface. This prevents the roof from absorbing excessive heat and transferring it into the building.

Thermal Emittance

Thermal emittance refers to the ability of a material to radiate absorbed heat. Cool roofs have high thermal emittance, which allows them to release the heat they do absorb back into the atmosphere. This helps to keep the roof and the building cooler.

Choosing the Right Cool Roof

When considering a cool roof for your home, it's important to choose the right materials and colors. Reflective materials, such as white or light-colored roofs, tend to have higher solar reflectance and are more effective at keeping your home cool. Additionally, some cool roof materials are designed to be more durable and weather-resistant, ensuring long-term performance.

Cool roofs offer a scientifically proven solution to stay comfortable and energy-efficient during the spring season. By reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption, they help to keep your home cooler and reduce the need for excessive air conditioning. Not only do cool roofs benefit homeowners by lowering energy bills and increasing comfort, but they also contribute to a greener environment. Consider installing a cool roof to enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency and a more comfortable living space this spring.

Tucker Roofing Systems is a leading provider of high-quality roofing solutions dedicated to excellence in craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. With over 60 years of experience, we specialize in installations, repairs, and replacements, serving both residential and commercial clients. Contact us at (972) 833-2271 to schedule a consultation.

Are you looking for a one-stop destination to enhance your beauty and well-being? Look no further than a Med Spa Center! Med spas, also known as medical spas, offer a wide range of services that combine the relaxation of a spa with the expertise of medical professionals. Let's explore the various services that you can expect to find at a Med Spa Center.

1. Facial Treatments

Med spas are known for their advanced facial treatments that can help you achieve a radiant and youthful complexion. These treatments often include:

• Facials: Customized facials tailored to your specific skin type and concerns.

• Chemical Peels: A procedure that uses chemical solutions to exfoliate the skin, revealing a smoother and more even-toned complexion.

• Microdermabrasion: A non-invasive treatment that gently exfoliates the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars.

2. Injectables

Med spas offer a range of injectable treatments that can help you achieve a more youthful appearance. These treatments include:

• Botox: A popular treatment that temporarily reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines by relaxing the muscles in the treated area.

• Dermal Fillers: Injectable gels that add volume to areas of the face, such as the lips and cheeks, to restore a more youthful appearance.

3. Laser Treatments

Med spas utilize advanced laser technology to address various skin concerns. Some common laser treatments offered at a Med Spa Center include:

• Laser Hair Removal: A safe and effective method for removing unwanted hair from different parts of the body.

• Skin Rejuvenation: Laser treatments that stimulate collagen production, improving skin texture, tone, and reducing the appearance of scars and pigmentation.

4. Body Contouring

Med spas also offer body contouring treatments that can help you achieve your desired body shape. These treatments include:

• Cool Sculpting: A non-invasive procedure that freezes and eliminates stubborn fat cells, resulting in a more sculpted physique.

• Radio Frequency Skin Tightening: A treatment that uses radio frequency energy to tighten and firm the skin, reducing the appearance of cellulite and sagging skin.

5. Wellness Services

In addition to aesthetic treatments, many Med Spa Centers also offer wellness services to support your overall health and well-being. These services may include:

• Massage Therapy: Relaxing massages that help relieve stress, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation.

• Nutritional Counseling: Guidance from experts to help you make healthier food choices and achieve your wellness goals.

Whether you're looking to rejuvenate your skin, enhance your features, or simply relax and unwind, a Med Spa Center has a wide range of services to cater to your needs. With the expertise of medical professionals and the luxurious ambiance of a spa, you can trust that you'll receive top-notch care and achieve the results you desire.

Disclaimer: The services offered may vary depending on the specific Med Spa Center. It is recommended to consult with the professionals at the Med Spa Center to determine the most suitable treatments for your individual needs.

Wellness at the Spa is a full-service medical spa dedicated to providing services that are designed to restore youth, allure, and weight-loss. Our holistic approach to our various wellness services are specifically designed by Dr. Sharon Wiener and our Nurse Practitioner, Shelby. As a practice we are committed to providing each and every client exceptional service, efficacy, and safety in a comfortable, spa-like atmosphere. Our providers include an experienced and licensed physician, nurse practitioner, nurses and medical assistants all trained to achieve the most beneficial results.

Many know author Dan Brown for his chart-topping novels like “The DaVinci Code”but are unaware of his deep knowledge and early love for music. That passion will be revealed when the Lone Star Wind Orchestra (LSWO) presents “Wild Symphony,”a unique multimedia musical experience based on the children’s book and large-scale musical written by Brown. Under the direction of LSWO music director Eugene Migliaro Corporon, the family-friendly concert will be performed Sunday, April 7, at 3 p.m. at Moody Performance Hall in the Dallas Arts District (2520 Flora St., 75201).

Featuring nearly two dozen musical portraits drawn from the animal kingdom, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra will take guests on an amazing, narrated journey led by Maestro Mouse. From the joyous rhythms of “Bouncing Kangaroo” to the mysterious melodies of “Wondrous Whale” and the hair-raising harmonies of “Brilliant Bat,” the vibrant movements of “Wild Symphony” correspond to an animal featured in the picture book. Each animal has a special message to deliver – from the need for kindness, to rest, to play and learn, and more.

“Wild Symphony” reveals Brown as a lifelong musician and composer who counts himself among those inspired at a young age by “Peter and the Wolf,” “The Carnival of the Animals” and “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.”

“Music has always been a part of my life, and some of my earliest and most cherished memories include taking classical piano lessons from my mother, singing in choirs, and attending live orchestral concerts,” said Brown. “My intent with ‘Wild Symphony’ is to provide a fun, fresh opportunity for families, parents, children, and people of all ages to reconnect with the magical experience of live classical music.”

Joining as narrator for “Wild Symphony” is WRR Classical 101.1 FM’s Midday Music host Amy Bishop. She is a regular contributor to Arts and Culture Texas Magazine and an ardent advocate for supporting arts and cultural organizations.

Translated for more than 20 countries worldwide, Brown’s best-selling book launched in 2020 to glowing reviews, with Kirkus Reviews describing it as “whimsically engaging.” The School Library Journal’s starred review called it “a delightful musical debut.”

The full symphonic version of the symphony was premiered by Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra of Croatia and has since been performance across the world.

The Wild Symphony is a perfect fit for the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, whose mission is to use music to change lives in North Texas and beyond through inspired collaborations, exceptional mentoring of musicians, unforgettable performances and inclusive community engagement.

“Dan Brown's ‘Wild Symphony’ is a delightful combination of storytelling and music that depicts the imagined characters of various animals found in his book in sound,” said Maestro Corporon. “It is an audio-visual tour de force that will be of particular interest to children who like to have their caretakers read to them or are beginning to read themselves. The piece is both clever and humorous and promises to be a joyful family experience that's not to be missed.”

LSWO is heavily involved with year-round youth outreach. They operate the Lone Star Youth Winds, the St. Philip’s Percussion Ensemble, an after-school program where children in southern Dallas explore music and technique through the lens of the African Diaspora, and Lone Star Kids, which bring students face to face and behind the scenes with top musicians, composers and conductors.

Ticket and other details

Tickets to “Wild Symphony”, which start at $20 for adults and are $10 for students and seniors, may be purchased at lswo.com or at the door the day of the event.

The Lone Star Wind Orchestra is supported by the City of Richardson, Moody Fund for the Arts, City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture, Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and TACA. For more information, go to lswo.com.

ABOUT AUTHOR DAN BROWN
Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the best-selling novels of all time, as well as the subject of intellectual debate among readers and scholars. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages around the world with over 200 million copies in print. In 2005, Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine. The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion.

ABOUT THE LONE STAR WIND ORCHESTRA
The Lone Star Wind Orchestra is a non-profit arts organization founded in 2006 as a creative collaboration to further the wind orchestra as an artistic medium. The group’s mission is “music changing lives in North Texas and beyond through inspired collaborations, exceptional mentoring of musicians, unforgettable performances, and inclusive community engagement.” The nonprofit also operates the Lone Star Youth Winds, made up of 60 of the most outstanding woodwind, brass and percussion players in grades 9-12, selected from across North Texas. The Lone Star Wind Orchestra’s education and outreach programs include the St. Philip’s Percussion Ensemble, an after-school program where children in southern Dallas explore music and technique through the lens of the African Diaspora, and Lone Star Kids, which bring students face to face and behind the scenes with top musicians, composers and conductors. In response to COVID-19, Lone Star Conversations was created to give young people virtual access to leading composers and conductors. Learn more at lswo.com.