Dallas #1-Rated Immersive Art Exhibit, Rainbow Vomit, Invite Spring Breakers for a Picture-Perfect Experience

New Packages and Extended Hours for Fun with Friends, Families, and Spring Breakers this Season

Springtime in Dallas promises even more excitement with Rainbow Vomit, a family-friendly immersive art experience acclaimed as one of the city's top attractions. Nestled conveniently near the iconic Fair Park and accessible via DART, Rainbow Vomit has been dazzling visitors since 2019, amassing over 100,000 guests and garnering 2500 glowing online reviews. Celebrating 5 years of creative entertainment, Rainbow Vomit has consistently been a top-rated experience and was recently featured on the Destination Dallas travel show (VIDEO). 

Deanna Theis, Lead Artist and Curator of Rainbow Vomit, expresses her anticipation for the influx of visitors this season. "With new updates made at the end of 2023, Rainbow Vomit looks better than ever! Visitors can play with fan favorites like the cloud room, Gerard the unicorn, and new art pieces, including the banana explosion room, interactive magnet wall where you can make your own comic scene, and a revamped costume and accessory area!” She continues, “Each spring, we witness a surge in attendance, from locals enjoying staycations to out-of-towners seeking unique and enjoyable experiences with loved ones.  To accommodate this growing interest, we've extended our hours and brought back our family ticket package to make the experience available and affordable for everyone!” 

Notably, over the past five years, Rainbow Vomit has seen a remarkable increase in family attendance. "Our appeal spans all age groups! Children revel in the immersive experience, teens flock for TikTok-worthy moments, and adults relish the opportunity to reconnect with their inner child amidst our enchanting setting," explains Theis. With over 20 Instagram-worthy photo opportunities scattered throughout the exhibit, guests are encouraged to craft their own heroic narratives and preserve them in vibrant snapshots.

This Spring also marks the launch of Rainbow Vomit’s Ultimate Creator’s Package, an experience designed for aspiring creatives, influencers, models, or anyone who wants to create extra special photos and videos. This new package will give visitors the chance to dive deep into their creative potential by including extra shooting time and special props and lighting equipment only available for those who book the Creator’s Package. You’ll also be able to bring in professional camera gear of your own with this package. 

Rainbow Vomit also serves as an ideal venue for parties, corporate gatherings, and special events, including educational outings. "Our exhibit fosters experiential learning, allowing students to interact directly with art in various forms of expression," notes Theis. “We love having student groups visit and hosting birthday parties for both kids and adults. It is a great place to gather friends and family for a uniquely memorable event!” 

Created by a team of over 15 artists and visionaries led by Theis, Robert Andrews, and Jason Mendez, Rainbow Vomit's current installation spans 2600 square feet and boasts a plethora of artistic styles. Featuring over 10,000 LEDs, 3000 balloons, 300 pounds of cotton, 4 miles of ribbon, and the iconic life-sized unicorn named Gerard, the exhibit promises an unforgettable experience. As installations evolve, this spring presents the final opportunity to ride and capture photos with Gerard in his current incarnation. For more information, visit www.rainbowvomit.com.

DETAILS: 

Rainbow Vomit is now open for both public tours and private bookings during the following times during spring break:

Sunday 12:00 Noon – 6:00 PM

Monday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Tuesday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Wednesday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Thursday 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Friday 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Saturday 12:00 Noon – 9:00 PM

*Hours are subject to availability. Please call 469.248.0953 or email bookings@rainbowvomit.com for more information.

WHERE: Rainbow Vomit is located across the street from the historic Fair Park right off the DART at 3609 Parry Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75226 (map).

PRICING: 

GENERAL ADMISSION (ALL AGES) $20-$25 Includes entrance for 1 hour into Rainbow Vomit

STUDENTS (13-18 or w/ ID) / MILITARY / SENIOR $18-$22.50

CHILDREN’S ADMISSION (3-12) $16-$20 each

FAMILY 4 PACK (Includes 2 Adult + 2 Student/Child tickets): $65-$80

ULTIMATE CREATOR’S PACKAGE - $30-$38

Children under the age of 3 don’t need a ticket

Tickets and times are available here. 

More photos and videos are available here.

Please note that all sales are final unless trip insurance is purchased, but transferring to other days is permitted.

WHO/WHAT:

Haynes Boone will present the Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit benefitingGrantHalliburton Foundation on Thursday, May 16, at The Kessler Theater featuring headliner Rhett Miller. KXT 91.7 is the media sponsor.

Tickets are on sale and going fast, with standing-room-only tickets remaining. Sponsorships are sold out. Celebrating its 12thannual concert, the Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit is the namesake’s way of giving back to help further mental health efforts. A mental health advocate, Nadel is best known as the longtime radio voice of the Texas Rangers, the 2023 World Series Champions.

The event features Dallas nativeRhett Miller, acclaimed singer, songwriter, and best known as the frontman of the Dallas-based alt-country band the Old 97’s. He is also a long-time mental health advocate. Opening the show is Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Leslie Mendelson, who drew worldwide attention for her collaboration with Jackson Browne on “Human Touch,” written and performed for the 2019 documentary film “5B.”

The fundraiser event also features a live and silent auction to help raise funds to support the work of Grant Halliburton Foundation, a local nonprofit that provides mental health education, training, and support to North Texas children, teens, and families. For more information, visit GrantHalliburton.org.

WHEN:

Thursday, May 16, 2024

7:00 p.m. Doors open

7:45 p.m. Leslie Mendelson, opener, performs

9:00 p.m. Rhett Miller, headliner, performs

WHERE: The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis St., Dallas

INFORMATION/TICKETS: GrantHalliburton.org/ericnadel.

Talent Bios:

Rhett Miller, a Dallas native, is best-known as the frontman of the Dallas-based alt-country band the Old 97’s, although he has also pursued a critically acclaimed solo career and toured relentlessly for many years. Most of Miller’s solo albums are dominated by cool, melodic pop tunes with a drier and more confessional bent than his work with the band.

An accomplished author, Miller has written two children’s books, “No More Poems! A Book in Verse That Just Gets Worse” and “The Baby-Changing Station” as well as numerous articles for national publications including “Rolling Stone,” “Salon,” and “The Atlantic.” He also hosts a popular podcast, “Wheels Off,” a show about the messy reality of the creative life. A long-time mental health advocate, Rhett appeared in 2016 as part of the Okay to Say campaign, encouraging the use of therapy to address mental health issues.

Leslie Mendelson, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, drew worldwide attention for her collaboration with Jackson Browne on “Human Touch,” written and performed for the 2019 documentary film “5B.” She then toured with Browne, which included a performance at Austin City Limits. Her collaborations with Bob Weir are frequently streamed on YouTube and she has opened shows for Roger Daltrey and The Who, among many others. Leslie will tour extensively this year to support her soon-to-be-released album, “After the Party,” which includes the singles “Other Girls” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll on the Radio.”

About Grant Halliburton Foundation

Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19. The Foundation that bears his name works to help families and young people through education, resources, and support. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided mental health and suicide prevention education and training to more than 325,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals. The Foundation also offers Here For Texas, which includes HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. These free community tools, available in English and Spanish, aim to offer easy access for North Texans seeking mental health and substance use information and resources. Learn more about Grant Halliburton Foundation at GrantHalliburton.org.

Event Features 5k Run/One-Mile Walk & Festival With Live Music, Art to Redefine Disabilities

The 30^th Annual U&I Dash will be held Saturday, March 23^rd at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas featuring a 5K & 1 mile benefiting U&I’s Underdogs -- those with disabilities who have been underestimated and undervalued for far too long.

Early registration is available online at thedash24.com. Race day registration and packet pickup begins at 7:00 am and the race will start promptly at 8:30 am. The 5K fee is $35 for adults 18 & over. The one-mile fee is $25 for adults 18 & over. The fee for 5k or 1 mile is $15 for children 17 & younger. Included in the fee is a custom competition medal, a dry fit-style running shirt, race bib, and for participants 21 years and older, a Mi Cocina Mango Margarita at the finish line. DJ D-Train will be setting the mood to keep the celebration going at the dog-friendly race. 

“We’re redefining disabilities,” said Hugh Breland, CEO of U&I, a 72-year-old nonprofit that empowers individuals with disabilities. “Many of the clients we serve have been designated as unemployable and have been told they can’t work. We know they are capable of so much more. Our organization provides employment, housing, transportation and vocational training for veterans, adults and youth with disabilities. This race will help fund programs to assist the most vulnerable across DFW and beyond.” 

The 5K is chip-timed, and age group awards will be presented during the post-race ceremony. Age group categories include: Overall Male and Female; Male Masters; Female Masters; as well as Male & Female First to Third Place in the following age categories: 9 & under; 10 – 19; 20 – 29; 30 – 39; 40 – 49; 50 – 59; 60 – 69; and 70+.

The course will wind through the Dallas Arts District and Uptown neighborhoods.  The post-race ceremony and celebration includes a DJ, face painting, balloon artists, a Mi Cocina food truck, the McDonald’s Midway interactive playground, the Redefining Disabilities art exhibit, and the U&I Underdog Wall presented by Michaels for participants to sign their name. 

The festivities continue later in the day with the U&I Dash Festival from 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm at Klyde Warren Park. There will be fun activities for the whole family with DJ Sober mixing live alongside a full line-up of amazing musicians, the McDonald’s Midway featuring games, face painting and interactive activities; culinary delights and spirits by Mi Cocina; live art demonstrations by local artists and items for sale by Dallas-makers and brands in the Shop Local Lane. 

The lineup of performing artists include DJ Sober, Dorrough, Tay Money, Lil Earl, Ash Tag, Carrissa Cruz, Muriel, EJ Galvez, DJ Ari, and Mayta. 

Explore the “Redefining Disabilities Experience” immersive art show and experience the Michaels Creativity Zone featuring the Rise Up Live Art Show and Inspiration Stations. Admission to the family-friendly festival is free and open to the public. Donations are suggested to help U&I fulfill its mission of supporting members of our community with disabilities. 

Visual artists featured at the event are Magdiel Lopez, Temi Coker, Carlos Donjuan, Kyle Steed, Dora Zeneth Reynosa, Mariel Guzman, Agustin Chavez aka Dummy Fresh, Hatziel, and Drigo. Each artist is donating their work to be auctioned off to the public with proceeds going to U&I.

Event sponsors include NAI Robert Lynn, Mi Cocina, Michaels, Kumar/McDonald’s, Klyde Warren Park, Veritex Community Bank, Park Place Dealerships, SPCA of Texas, The Box Company, Artwork 10, Interior Runway, and Pink Porch Productions. 

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 North Texas, 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 about U&I is available at uandispreadthelight.com.

# # #

As spring break approaches, families now have an exciting new option for innovative and memorable activities to do in D/FW. Puttshack, renowned as the world's first upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience, has recently opened its first location in the D/FW metroplex in Addison. Spanning 32,000 square feet over two stories, this social entertainment venue is poised to become the go-to destination for families seeking to create lasting memories over spring break.

Nestled in the vibrant Village on the Parkway, Puttshack is an exciting addition to the already lively open-air shopping destination. With its reputation as a hub for entertainment, dining, and retail, the Village on the Parkway offers the ideal setting for families looking to enjoy a variety of activities during spring break. 

Puttshack Addison now offers two distinct tech-infused mini golf experiences: the 9-Hole mini golf courses and the competitive Challenge Hole. The latter includes a dedicated suite featuring custom games and full-service dining, providing guests with a unique and immersive mini-golf experience. Whether families choose the 9-Hole mini golf courses or the exciting Challenge Hole, they're in for a treat with automated scoring, bonus point opportunities, interactive games, and more—ensuring fun for every member of the family. 

To complement the exciting gameplay, Puttshack's globally-inspired menu has been carefully crafted by their seasoned food and beverage team. Designed to warm hearts and satisfy taste buds, the menu pays homage to local flavors. Highlights include the Texas Tailpipes—spring rolls filled with green chile pork, bacon fat tamale, Fresno chile & Chihuahua cheese, avocado salsa & poblano cheese dipping sauce. The menu also features a local favorite, the Chicken & Waffle Flatbread.

Operating from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. on Sunday through Wednesday and extending the excitement until 1 a.m. on Thursday through Saturday, Puttshack Addison offers family-friendly hours. While kids are welcome until 8 p.m., the venue transforms into a 21+ atmosphere afterward.

Families eager to kick off their spring break adventures can make reservations at Puttshack.com/Addison, setting the stage for a spring break filled with family fun and unforgettable moments.

By Amy Cushner

Associate Head of Shelton School

Educator Elizabeth Stone once wrote that having a child is “to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” When children are hurt, parental emotions trigger a call to action. But what if the hurt is invisible? What if the struggle is not seen or the effects are not felt until years later? This is the path of a child with a learning difference.

A constitutional learning difference is a person with average to above average intelligence, who is at risk for failing when exposed to standard methods of education, due to neurological processing difficulties. This is not related to effort. Common learning differences are dyslexia (decoding, spelling), ADHD, oral language disorders, dysgraphia (handwriting) and dyscalculia (math). Learning Differences affect approximately 20 percent of the population or one in five children and adults. A learning difference is not overt or transparent like a skinned knee — unless the soft signs are present and the eye is trained to see them. 

Early Signs

Dr. Sylvia Richardson, pediatrician, speech pathologist, Montessorian, former president of the International Dyslexia Association and advocate for early intervention of learning differences, said, “If you would identify children who are high risk for failure in academic learning tasks, with the goal of providing early intervention, evaluate: coordination, language, attention, perception, social-emotional.” 

Delays in these areas during the critical developmental stage of birth to 6 are the early signs of a potential learning difference. Simply remember C-L-A-P-S. Delays, no matter the level of severity in any or all of these areas, can be acted on with early intervention. This is not new information. In 1902, James Hinchelwood was the first advocate of record to give the clarion call of action for early intervention. He said, “The sooner the nature of the child’s deficit is recognized, the better the chances of the child’s improvement.”

Time to Act

The conduit for a parent to understand and get help for these areas of child development can be a pediatrician, speech pathologist or early childhood educator. We can also build awareness and understanding of typical versus atypical child development through the use of online developmental charts and checklists or websites such as Understood.org. Podcasts from researchers like Dr. Sally Shaywitz address early signs of dyslexia. Intervention includes work with a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist and attending a school that specializes in working with children at risk prior to kindergarten, such as Shelton’s Early Childhood. 

Katrina De Hirsch, a pioneer in early learning disabilities, once wrote, "Our present-day knowledge is sufficient to clear the way for preventive work. We are undoubtedly able to pick out those youngsters in kindergarten who are liable to turn into dyslexic children. Exposing these particular youngsters to a different educational approach would eliminate much of the later-developing frustrations and disabilities." 

We are stewards of our children’s future, for they cannot make decisions regarding intervention. Our children cannot afford for us to “wait and see.”

Amy Cushner is Associate Head of Shelton School, Early Childhood-Sixth Grades at the Shelton School in Dallas, Texas. She holds an M. Ed., is a CALT, Qualified Instructor in MSLE programs for written language disorders and is Montessori certified, Elementary 1. Most important to Amy, she has 30 years of joyful experience in working with children with learning differences and their families.