Fairmont Dallas is raising a glass to World Paloma Day – all month long! On May 22 and for the entire month of May, the Pyramid Bar invites guests to sip and savor the spirit of Mexico with creative takes on the classic Paloma cocktail, crafted with fresh ingredients and premium tequilas, for $16.

Happy Hour. Weekdays from 4 to 6 PM

The Pyramid Bar at the Fairmont Dallas offers a vibrant weekday Happy Hour, perfect for unwinding after a busy day. Sip on specially priced staple cocktails, like espresso martinis, mojitos and margaritas, draft beers, house wines, and select spirits. Choose from a variety of delicious bites, including Fairmont’s signature wings, short rib tostada, truffle fries, and poutine – a tribute to Fairmont's Canadian roots!

The Pyramid Bar's sleek design, lively vibe, and big-screen TVs create a welcoming environment. Don't miss the great deals and refreshing drinks! Visit the Pyramid Bar for National Margarita Day and Happy Hour in the heart of Downtown Dallas.

The Pyramid Bar is located in Fairmont Dallas at 1717 N Akard St.

Park Place Lexus Plano recognized Plano Independent School District 2025 Teachers of the Year, Adalixa Gomez-Velasquez and Thomas Rooklidge. Gomez-Velasquez, from Hickey Elementary, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, while Rooklidge, from Frankford Middle School, was selected as Secondary Teacher of the Year.

As part of the recognition, both teachers were offered their choice to drive a Lexus ES or NX for the 2025 summer. Additional gifts included a deluxe detail and a full tank of gas for their personal vehicles, two tickets to a Texas Rangers game with a parking pass and access to the Lexus Lounge featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet and drinks of choice, four passes to the Dallas Arboretum, and Park Place-branded merchandise.

“Adalixa Gomez-Velasquez and Thomas Rooklidge exemplify the commitment and resilience that define impactful teaching,” said Chris Brunner, General Manager of Park Place Lexus Plano. “Their ability to connect with students and create meaningful learning experiences reflects the very best of Plano ISD. It’s a pleasure to recognize their dedication with a small gesture of appreciation.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. For more information, visit parkplace.com.

John Wayne is an American icon, going beyond his on-screen presence and extending to the values and ideals he symbolized and communicated throughout his life. His legend is celebrated on John Wayne Day, which takes place each year on Duke’s birthday, May 26. This year, John Wayne: An American Experience in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards will celebrate the 118^th anniversary of Wayne’s birth all weekend long.

From left, John Wayne’s son Ethan Wayne, granddaughter Anita LaCava Swift, daughter Marissa Wayne and son Patrick Wayne.

On Saturday, May 24, guests can play games including corn hole and dummy roping, have chain-stitching done on items purchased at John Wayne Stock & Supply, and enjoy samples from Gold Handle Coffee and Duke Spirits. Regular museum admission applies to those visiting the exhibits; ticket purchases come with a 15% discount at John Wayne Stock & Supply. The fun runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At 4 p.m., a special VIP event will take place. Guests can join the Wayne family for a birthday celebration featuring hat branding, chain-stitching, Gold Handle Coffee and Duke Spirits tastings, book signings and photo opportunities with members of the Wayne family. When purchasing tickets, select May 24 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to attend. Tickets are $69.95 for adults, $22.95 for kids, include museum admission.

On Sunday, May 25, join Wayne family members for a John Wayne Family Estates Wine Dinner at Los Vaqueros. Come to the museum before dinner and tour the exhibits beginning at 4:30 p.m. At 6, head over to Los Vaqueros to meet the Wayne family and enjoy live entertainment by Moses and a special art exhibit by Buck Taylor. Los Vaqueros has thoughtfully created a Duke-inspired menu to pair with the John Wayne Family Estates wine collection. Dessert will be served with freshly brewed Gold Handle Coffee. Tickets are $150, include the museum tour, wine dinner and 15% off your purchase at John Wayne Stock & Supply.

On John Wayne’s actual birthday, May 26, which this year falls on Memorial Day, have Coffee with the Waynes from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Start your Memorial Day with an intimate morning where members of the Wayne family will share personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights about John Wayne’s life. Ask questions over freshly brewed Gold Handle Coffee and pastries. This session is a heartfelt tribute to the Duke’s legacy. Tickets, $49.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids, include museum admission and 15% off your purchase at John Wayne Stock & Supply.

Tickets to all of the above events can be purchased at johnwayneae.com.

For those who want to get a head start on John Wayne Day celebrations, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is hosting a 95^th anniversary screening of The Big Trail on Thursday, May 22. This is the movie that introduced Marion Robert Morrison to the world as a movie star named John Wayne. The Big Trail paints a larger-than-life portrait of the trek across the Oregon Trail on an early widescreen format using 70mm film, decades before similar formats became the norm. Patrick Wayne will be in attendance, courtesy of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. The screening, hosted by Ryan Bijan Jeri, creative director of Cowtown Movie Classics, takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tickets to the event are $5.

John Wayne: An American Experience is structured to give guests an intimate tour of the life of John Wayne. Starting with his early childhood and career, each room highlights an aspect of Duke’s legacy. Museum patrons have exclusive access to never-before-seen family photos and correspondences that have been thoughtfully curated by the Wayne family to give guests a holistic view of the icon, whose values translate both on and off the silver screen.

Donations to the John Wayne Cancer Foundation can be made at John Wayne Stock & Supply and at johnwayne.org.

WHAT:                John Wayne Day Events

WHEN:               

• Daytime Museum Visit & Celebration Activations: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24
• Evening VIP Experience: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 24
• Wayne Family Estates Wine Dinner: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. May 25 (museum tour begins at        4:30 p.m.)
• Memorial Day Coffee with the Waynes: 9 to 11:30 a.m. May 26
• The Big Trail 95^th Anniversary Celebration, Museum of Modern Art, Fort Worth: 6:30 p.m. May 22  

WHERE:             

John Wayne: An American Experience

                             Fort Worth Stockyards

                             Historic Exhibits Building

                             2501 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164

                             Wayne Family Estates Wine Dinner

Los Vaqueros

                             2513 Rodeo Plaza

                             Fort Worth, TX 76164

                             The Big Trail 95^th Anniversary Screening

Museum of Modern Art, Fort Worth

                             3200 Darnell St.,

                             Fort Worth, TX 76107    

TICKETS:            

• Daytime Museum Visit & Celebration Activations: $22.95 for adults, $20.95 for seniors 65+, students with college ID and military with ID, and $17.95 for kids 6-12
• Evening VIP Experience: $69.95 adults, $22.95 kids
• Wayne Family Estates Wine Dinner: $150 (adults only)
• Memorial Day Coffee with the Waynes: $49.95 adults, $19.95 kids
• The Big Trail 95^th Anniversary Celebration, Museum of Modern Art, Fort Worth: $5, Tickets can be purchased here. 

INFO AND TICKET PURCHASES: johnwayneae.com

About John Wayne Enterprises:

John Wayne Enterprises’ mission is to preserve and protect the name, image and likeness of John Wayne by associating the John Wayne brand with quality and timeless products and experiences that embody the spirit of John Wayne and give back to the community. To further its mission, John Wayne Enterprises enters into selective licensing or partnership agreements in merchandising, cancer research, treatment and education as well as public facilities, institutions and agencies. For more information, please visit www.johnwayne.com.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum just took retail to new heights. On Tuesday, May 13, the museum unveiled its newly reimagined store—an elevated 1,400-square-foot space designed to surprise, delight, and spark curiosity in visitors of all ages. Abi Erickson-Torres, FOFM President & CEO welcomed supporters and honored guests who were among the first to shop exclusive Frontiers of Flight merch and interactive STEM kits, aviation-themed books, bold art prints, and clever, design-forward toys. The shop also features handcrafted goods from local Dallas makers—think small-batch candles, stylish apparel, and jewelry with a story—each piece carefully chosen to reflect the innovation and wonder that define the Museum.

Notable VIPs in attendance included; Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, co-founder of the Frontiers of Flight Museum; Michel Brosler, FOFM Board chair; Katie Robbins, President and CEO Hoblitzelle Foundation and funders of the new Museum Store; Craig Davis, President and CEO Visit Dallas; Ken Malcolmson, President and CEO, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce; Cindy and Greg Kozmetsky, founders, Kozmetsky Family Foundation; Lynn Fisher, Vice President, The Rosewood Foundation; Frontiers of Flight Board Members Dan Hamilton, Adele Mallot, Tiffanie Rice, Courtney Woo, David Drabinsky and Theresa Flores.

“The impact of the Museum is multigenerational,” said Erickson-Torres. “With this beautifully designed retail space, we’re offering guests the opportunity to take home more than just a momento—they’re taking home a piece of inspiration, a moment of wonder, and a reminder of the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Located right inside the museum’s lobby—and open to everyone, no ticket required, the new store is bright, modern, and full of energy, thanks to a creative collaboration with design partner Gensler. With its airy, minimalist design and open layout, the space feels as expansive as the skies it celebrates.

The museum draws more than 160,000 visitors every year, including over 72,000 kids—and the new store has been built to leave a lasting impression. These aren’t your average mementos, they’re tangible takeaways that keep the spark of exploration alive long after guests leave the building. Long celebrated as one of Dallas’s top cultural gems, the Frontiers of Flight Museum takes visitors on a journey through aviation history—from da Vinci’s early flying machines to today’s cutting-edge spacecraft. With world-class exhibits, iconic aircraft, and award-winning STEM programming, the Museum makes the magic of flight feel real.

Frontiers of Flight Museum is located at 6911 Lemmon Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75209

???? Hours: Mon–Sat, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Sun, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

????️ Tickets: $15 Adults | $10 Youth (3–12) & Seniors (65+) | Kids 2 & under: Free

For more info, head to flightmuseum.com or follow them on Instagram and Facebook @frontiersofflightmuseum.

Lyric Stage presented the 16^th annual Schmidt & Jones Awards on May 6 at Moody Performance Hall with students giving riveting performances.

Scott Guenther, Lyric Stage’s managing and co-artistic director, said, “Developed in 2010, this award is named after renowned composer Harvey Schmidt and lyricist Tom Jones to honor excellence in high school musical theatre across Dallas-Fort Worth. These students are exceptionally talented.”

The winners:

Best Actor in a Lead Role

Grapevine High School, Sweeney Todd – Maxwell Nelson as Sweeney Todd

Best Actress in a Lead Role

Grapevine High School, Sweeney Todd – Roslyn Ackermann as Mrs. Lovett

Supporting Actor

Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, The Addams Family – Matthew Grand as Fester Addams

Supporting Actress

Grapevine Faith Christian School, Newsies – Sienna Dudding as Medda Larkin

Actor in a Minor Role

Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, The Addams Family – Brett Martin as Lurch

Actress in a Minor Role

Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, The Addams Family – Kimora Caldwell as Grandma Addams

Male Ensemble Performer

Lakeview Centennial High School, Little Shop – Manny Gonzalez as Multiple Characters

Female Ensemble Performer

Liberty Christian School, Oliver – Avery Graham as Rose Seller, Orphan, Dancer

Best Stage Manager

Denton Guyer High School – Hadestown – Emmerson Biddick

Best Choreography

Liberty Christian School – Oliver – Presley Anderson & Gigi Plisga

Best Lighting Design

Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, The Addams Family – Olivia Assay, Anissa Campos

Parish Episcopal School, Chicago – Cooper Hardeman

Best Scenic Design

Coppell High School, Matilda – Ashrrita Sathish, Tsering Sherpa

Best Costume Design

Cedar Hill High School, Something Rotten – Morgan Akins, Nyilah McDaniel, Jaden Devezin

Best Orchestra

Rockwall Heath High School, Les Miserables

Best Ensemble

Denton Guyer High School – Hadestown

Best Show

Grapevine High School, Sweeney Todd

A panel of judges, consisting of theatre educators and professional theatre artists, viewed dozens of productions of the accepted applicants from schools in Dallas, Tarrant and Collin counties. The panel made nominations and then voted to determine winners. The directors of participating schools also received written production evaluations.

The judging panel, adjudicating and awards are organized and led by the director of the Schmidt and Jones Awards, Amy Stevenson, who is well-known in Dallas-Fort Worth as both an artist and educator.

About Lyric Stage: Lyric Stage, a Dallas-based 501c3 not-for-profit professional musical theatre company, was established in 1993 with the mission of the development and preservation of the musical, a unique art form. In its thirty-year history, Lyric Stage has produced over 125 productions, which include 21 world-premiere musicals and 2 Off-Broadway shows. For more information, visit www.lyricstage.org