Bring the Family and Enjoy Cocoa with Santa With Fun Photos, Gourmet Treats for Adults and Children and Interactive Activities benefiting the Dallas Historical Society

Have a wonderful time celebrating the magic of the season at the 2^nd Annual Cocoa With Santa happening on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the home of Helen and John Carona, which features photos with Santa, fabulous gourmet treats by Wendy Krispin Caterer, libations for adults and refreshments for children.
        

Chaired by Jennifer and Andy Scripps with honorary chairs (and last year’s chairs) Calvert Collins-Bratton and Vince Bratton, guests will enjoy a lovely afternoon where families are surrounded by fanciful Christmas decorations throughout and treated to an absolutely fun experience including interactive activities such as cookie decorating with all sorts of sparkles, toppings and sprinkles and face painting, all in support of the Dallas Historical Society (DHS) with smiles all around.
        

This is a wonderful opportunity to not only bring the family to a fanciful event but to also know that proceeds go towards helping secure the archives, exhibits, ongoing tech advances and much more happening at DHS.
        

Tickets are $100 for a family of four, which includes 4 photos with Santa. Options include additional photos with Santa, extra adult family members can attend.  Sponsorships are $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 with varying benefits. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased here: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E359819&id=13
        

For more information, contact the office assistant at Dallas Historical Society: assistant@dallashistory.org or call 214-421-7500.

The Dallas Historical Society: Whether someone is new to Dallas or a native Texan, the Dallas Historical Society offers programs and exhibits that educate and inform visitors about their home city and reveal insights and little-known facts that one might be unable to attain from history books alone, especially with the museum’s newest permanent exhibit, the interactive Texas Liberty Forever: The Battle of the Alamo diorama by Thomas Feely.

Ongoing events include Brown Bag Lectures, An Evening With programs, and Pour Yourself Into History happy hours. Join in discovering more about Dallas and take part in one or more of these wonderful programs. Visit the website for more information at www.dallashistory.org

The Dallas Historical Society Celebrated Its Centennial Year In 2022

The stories of Dallas are shared each day at the Dallas Historical Society through the three million items that comprise our archives and artifact collections. Established in 1922, the Dallas Historical Society collects, preserves, and exhibits the unique heritage of Dallas and Texas to educate and inspire future generations.

Housed at the Hall of State in Fair Park since 1938, DHS presents these collections through education programs, exhibitions, tours, access to research materials and workshops. 

Among the three million historical artifacts at DHS are such treasures as Sam Houston’s handwritten account of the Battle of San Jacinto, the only known original Juneteenth document, James Fannin’s watch, and Santa Anna’s spurs. The DHS collection houses over 10,000 bound volumes and receives more than 1,500 research requests annually.

Each year, the Dallas Historical Society is visited by over 160,000 people and serves students through guided tours and educational programming at the Hall of State, as well as outreach programs at schools. Visit the website for more information at www.dallashistory.org  IG: @dallashistory

FB: @DallasHistoricalSociety

Photo by Thomas Garza Photography. 

Celebrating its founding a half-century ago along with the leadership of Dr. Harry Robinson, Jr., the African American Museum, Dallas will hold its Founders Gala on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Chantilly Ballroom of the Hilton Anatole Hotel (2201. N. Stemmons Fwy., Dallas). The event begins with a VIP and general reception at 6 p.m. followed by the program, dinner and dancing at 7 p.m.

With a theme of “The Artful Dream Fulfilled,” the Founders Ball not only celebrates the 50 years of bringing African American art, culture, history and community to North Texas but also pays tribute to retiring founder and CEO Dr. Harry J. Robinson, Jr. and his enduring legacy. Dress is black tie.

Taking the helm as title sponsor is Oncor, and the honorary chair is Autry Warren. The event chair is Grace Daniels.

“This milestone event represents an extraordinary opportunity to show our deep support for the African American Museum, a cornerstone institution that has been instrumental for 50 years in documenting and sharing the rich tapestry of African American experiences,” said Daniels. “And it wouldn’t be here today if not for the dream that Dr. Robinson set into action 50 years ago.”

Guests will be greeted with a red-carpet experience. The intimate gathering will feature a gourmet dinner and program with tributes from Dr. Robinson’s friends and associates past and present. A night of dancing will conclude the evening.

Media partner is CBS 11, and veteran TV anchor/reporter Steve Pickett will serve as the emcee.

This milestone event represents an extraordinary opportunity to support a cornerstone institution that has been instrumental in documenting and sharing the rich tapestry of African American experiences. For half a century, the African American Museum, Dallas has been at the forefront of preserving and celebrating African American art, culture and history. Sponsorship of the Founders' Ball will be instrumental in safeguarding irreplaceable artifacts and documents, expanding the museum’s educational programs, maintaining and enhancing its facilities, and demonstrating the organization's commitment to cultural diversity.

Tickets are $250 each, and sponsorships remain ranging from $5,000 to $35,000. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to aamdallas.org and select the 50^th anniversary tab in the drop-down menu.

About the African American Museum, Dallas. The African America Museum, Dallas was founded in 1974 as a part of Bishop College 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.

Final Cut

Hollywood Mystery, #1

by

Marjorie McCown

Murder on location at an already troubled movie production.

Final Cut is the first book in author Marjorie McCown’s fascinating new Hollywood Mystery series, and it features Hollywood costumer Joey Jessop as the unlikely and reluctant amateur sleuth. Joey’s latest job is as the key costumer for a new superhero epic, a film she had doubts about accepting because her ex is the assistant director, and the director, while a hugely successful moneymaker, has a problematic reputation for creating a toxic working environment. From the first day of photography, Joey’s doubts appear to have been well founded, but things go from bad to worse when she discovers the body of the second assistant director, her ex’s new love interest, in the surf on the beach near the shoot. Suddenly, Joey, who lives her life pretty lowkey, is in the media’s spotlight and is attracting a lot of attention from the police. 

I loved Joey: her personality, her expertise, and her ability to navigate so well in such a highly charged work setting and demanding career. Her running explanations of what goes on behind the scenes to costume a film were fascinating, and her care and concern for her coworkers, staff, and actors made me like her even more. Due to the early trajectory of the police investigation, she is almost obligated to get involved in investigating Courtney’s murder and determine the truth behind what’s going on with the film. She did a good job gathering information and putting things together. 

She’s joined in the story by a cool variety of secondary characters, some involved in the film or the film industry, but a few are not. There were some strong personalities at work throughout the story, and several quirky individuals, as well as real celebrities, made an appearance or were mentioned, keeping the story interesting and current. The Malibu/Hollywood/LA setting is familiar, but the author’s descriptions were vivid and fresh, and I almost felt like I was seeing these places in person for the very first time. 

The plot moves quickly, first with prep for the film and then picked up even more as tragedy strikes the set and the murder happens. I was so absorbed in the story I was surprised at how much time had flown by as I’d read. This cozy mystery is perfect for a relaxed, kicked-back with a book evening. 

I recommend FINAL CUT to cozy mystery readers, especially those interested in behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories and filmmaking.

Celebrating Black artists, businesses and local music, the annual “Christmas Music Under the Dome and Christmas Marketplace” will take place Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the African American Museum, Dallas. The Museum is located at 3536 Grand Ave., Dallas, 75210, in historic Fair Park.

Free and open to the public, the holiday extravaganza will offer visitors a variety of unique “shop local” gifts – including handcrafted jewelry, accessories, handbags, wallets, skin care and more – plus a children’s craft area, pictures with Santa and performances by North Texas musicians and school groups.

The Museum’s store – which offers a curated collection of books, gifts, posters, jewelry, art, children’s items, attire and more – will also be open. 

Additionally, local choral and band groups will perform throughout the day including Dallas ISD’s Comstock Middle School, the South Dallas Children’s Choir and Music Lover’s Learning Center.

Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Museum’s permanent exhibition, Facing The Rising Sun: Freedman’s Cemetery, which was initiated by Govenar and Documentary Arts and curated by Collins in 1996. The exhibition contains photographs, found objects and historical documents that provide further insight into the area now known as Uptown. Interactive video kiosks allow visitors to see and hear from the people who knew Freedman’s Town first-hand.

Season sponsors of the African American Museum, Dallas, are Toyota, Eugene McDermott Foundation, Lowe’s, Comerica Bank, Peggy and Carl Sewell, Helen Giddings, Vivian and Charles Johnson, North Texas Cluster of The Links Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Dallas Mavericks, NBC 5/Telemundo 39, Texas Metro News, Garland Journal, OVG360, Dallas Tourism Public Improvement District, City of Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture and the State Fair of Texas.

HOURS. The African American Museum, Dallas is open 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.

For more information, go to aamdallas.org or call 214-565-9026.

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.