Denton Music

Ever wondered who the people are that make the Arts & Jazz Festival Denton’s jazziest event? Top Hands, that’s who!  Top Hands work behind the scenes making sure the festival machine runs so smoothly the massive event is a seamless success to everyone including festival-goers, performers, artists, and vendors.  They are the feet on the ground; they are the heart and the soul.  Their dedication is, in fact, the magic ingredient that has garnered international recognition for the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival.

The Denton Festival Foundation works year-round to secure top-billing musicians and artists, funded in large part by Foundation membership contributions.  These same members are also the ones who roll up their sleeves to cook, sell food and drinks, peddle the coveted Jazz Festival collectible souvenirs, and help visitors maneuver the festival grounds.

Top Hands Chair Carrell Ann Simmons knows well every step of the road to the Jazz Festival’s well-deserved fame.   Vice President and Branch Manager for Meridian Bank of Texas in Denton, Carrell Ann has called Denton home for the past 26 years.  A 10-year volunteer veteran of the Denton Festival Foundation, Carrell Ann and her leadership team of six of the toppest of the Top Hands head up the entire volunteer force from recruiting to assignment.   With this year’s grounds expansion, that volunteer force will fill about 700 individual slots in the vast schedule of events and tasks.  “It’s a lot of work for sure; but we work as a team and have a blast doing it.  Really, Top Hands are the best recruiters because friends, family and coworkers see just how much fun Top Hands are having and they want to get in on it,” Carrell Ann exclaimed.   Local businesses have even anted up for booth space at the festival just because of the eager involvement by their employees. 

Higginbotham and Associates is an example of one such business that has already confirmed with Arts & Jazz organizers that they will staff a booth with 12 employees.  Ed Coker, Managing Director of the Higginbotham Denton office, is looking forward to their Top Hand membership experience.  “It is Higginbotham’s corporate philosophy to give back to the community.  Volunteering to work a booth at the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival not only helps achieve this goal but is a great team building opportunity for the office.  Most of all, we have a great time!”

While membership is only $15 per person per year, Top Hands take pride in the knowledge that their memberships, combined with sponsorships, help bring Lou Ritenour, Los Lonely Boys and Brave Combo to the Jazz Stage at the Arts & Jazz Festival.  “Top Hands are the backbone of the festival,” says Carrell Ann, adding that their membership dues are significant because collectively, they are a major festival sponsor.   

Top Hands Headquarters (the Denton Women’s Building) provides a place to sit, rest, cool off and make new friends.  Creating memories and being with friends is a top motivator for Top Hands returning year after year.  Families like father and son team Larry and Andy Whitlock have made volunteering at the festival a tradition for the past 13 years.

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Whitlock moved his family to Denton.   At the recommendation of church friend Jackie Jackson, Mr. Whitlock and then 18 year old Andy signed up as Top Hands to meet and make new friends.  “We like the music, the people we work with and we love seeing the smiles on attendees’ faces” says Whitlock.  “You don’t have to be a business person or college professor to volunteer.  It’s just the general public doing what they can to bring visitors to town.  As for requirements,” he adds, “you do have to be a people person and you have to smile.  You can’t sell your town without a smile.”

It takes time and energy to be a Top Hand and it’s no secret that time is a highly-valued commodity.  Carrell Ann’s reminder really hits home. “If you enjoy free and fun events and don’t invest some of your own time to keep them going, then eventually they’ll go away.   Just one 3-hour shift can make a huge difference!  And the work is fun because festival organizers make sure Arts & Jazz is organized and well run at every level.” 

The rewards are fulfilling.  According to Carrell Ann, the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is one of the happiest things that happen in Denton.  “It’s not just one sound you hear; it’s a mix.  Very much like Denton herself.  And people walk up to booths all weekend long just to thank Top Hands for another awesome Arts & Jazz Festival.  That’s when we realize the impact we really make.  You can’t help but smile!”   

Top Hand Membership is open to individuals with an interest in the arts and available to volunteer for at least one three hour shift at one of the various booths at the festival.  Members receive RESERVED PARKING for Arts & Jazz, discounts on festival T-shirts, complimentary food and beverage coupons, media recognition and are the first to know who headliners are via the Festival Foundation’s newsletters.

It’s a great time to be outdoors in north Texas and historic downtown Denton offers the perfect activities for taking it all in this spring. The downtown merchants of the Denton Main Street Association (DMSA) invite you to enjoy shopping, dining, and a fashion show during the Spring Open House weekend May 5^th and 6^th. Many shops will be open extended hours and will be offering specials to their clients, such as refreshments, discounts, and drawings for prizes.

DMSA will host a fashion show at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5^th, on the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square lawn, 110 W. Hickory St. This is an eye-catching, entertaining way to give shoppers an impression of what downtown businesses have to offer. Apparel, shoes, jewelry and accessories will be modeled in the show from various shops participating in the Open House weekend. Come for a “taste of downtown” with samplings from area restaurants while you watch the fashion show.

New this year, look for “check-in” promotions throughout Spring Open House weekend. Businesses will enroll people for a drawing if they check-in on Foursquare, Facebook, or any of the other social sites. The more places a shopper checks-in, the more chances he or she has to win a prize.

Want another way to enjoy downtown Denton? Come to the Square for the Denton Main Street Association’s Twilight Tunes concert series. The concerts start May 3^rd, with Hollertime returning to Denton after a memorable performance at 35 Denton back in March. Twilight Tunes concerts are free every Thursday night in May and June from 6:30 to 8 p.m. All concerts are on the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square lawn, 110 W. Hickory Street.

Enjoy the beautiful weather with friends and family and a meal-to-go from one of the many downtown eateries. Spread your blanket or set up your chairs, and enjoy an evening of great live music as the sun sets over downtown Denton. The 2012 Twilight Tunes series offers an eclectic assortment of music for all listeners. It is the perfect way to kick off the weekend early and listen to some of the best local bands in the Denton area.

For more information and a complete schedule of Open House weekend activities and the Twilight Tunes concerts, please visit the website at www.dentonmainstreet.org .

Long before we shared stories online, there was a time when stories were passed from generation to generation as a form of entertainment, cultural preservation or as part of a religious ritual.  Each spring Storytellers from around the nation gather to celebrate the art of telling a good story and Denton and its visitors enjoy the fruits of their performances at the Texas Storytelling Festival.

Featured story tellers
The Texas Storytelling Festival will captivate its audience at the Denton Civic Center on March 8-11, 2012 with some key nationally known storytellers.

Performance artist Mary Ann Blue will entertain the crowds with stories of her childhood growing up in Tulsa at her father's drive-in movie theater or of Mexico’s language and customs through her bilingual stories.

Patrick Ball will bring alive an Irish oral tradition with his Celtic harp. He uses Irish words, music, and history to retell medieval legends such as The Romance of Tristan and Iseult.

Kevin Kling, playwright and regular commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered, will present by adding humor to ordinary life or even objects.

Spiritual and whimsical is what best describes Kim Lehman’s storytelling style who is also on the roster of Touring Artists for the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Become a master storyteller
Workshops will be available to foster or master the art of storytelling.  They cover a large spectrum from how to begin to tell your story, effective use of voice, bilingual storytelling and how to collect Oral history.  All of the featured storytellers will shed light on their secrets.  The conference also includes a Master Class writing workshop lead by Kevin Kling. 

Performance Highlights
Along with the Featured Tellers Stories, keep an “ear” out for many additional entertaining stories and concerts.

Opening night’s Ghost Stories get scarier as the evening progresses.  Will you be slipping out right before the spine tingling, hair raising stories?

Saturday’s Fringe performances are unique presentations which always surprise with originality. Take for example George Kett’s A Pastor Uncorked: Stories of the Parish You Won’t Hear from the Pulpit.  You may even start to recognize some of the parishioners from Pastor Kett’s story.

If your liar radar is pretty accurate, you may want to put your skills to practice at the Liars Contest.  This is one of the family friendly contests that make up the Kids’ Day Schedule.  Also included in the Kids’ Day Schedule are workshops for those children that are already entertaining with their own stories. Be sure to visit the Story Store to stock up on books, CDs, puppets and musical instruments to help your young storyteller along.

If the Texas Story Telling Festival evokes memories of stories you heard around a camp fire or even on grandpa’s knee, go ahead and plan your road trip.  Mention Texas Story Telling Festival to the festival’s host hotel, Hampton Inn and Suites-Denton, to receive the special festival rate.  Or visit Discover Denton for additional hotel options.

Denton CVB eNewsletter Giveaway:
Fill in the blank from the Texas Storytelling Festival schedule “I want to attend ________ at the Texas Story Telling Festival”.  Be the first to post this in the comments section and win a Complimentary FULL Weekend Pass valued at $130.00.

Excitement rippled across the social media world and through the streets of Denton the moment the January-June 2012 issue of Denton Live Magazine came off the press.  The Music Mecca of Texas is raring to rock and jazz at Denton’s Arts and Jazz Festival April 27-29, 2012, in Quakertown Park.  Lee Ritenour will take the stage Friday night to the delight of jazz fans everywhere, more than a mere nod to the festival’s true jazz roots.  A master Jazz guitarist, Ritenour’s skill on the strings has earned him the moniker "Captain Fingers.”  He is also an acclaimed composer and producer with countless awards under his including a Grammy and 17 more Grammy nominations. Ritenour expertly fuses funk, pop, rock, blues, Brazilian and classical music with jazz.  It’s his own perfect mix that attracts the likes of other guitar gurus like Eric Clapton and Joni Mitchel, just to name a few, to join audiences at sold out performances. 

Saturday’s performance on the Jazz Stage will be a hot bed for Tex-Mex Rock loving fans when Los Lonely Boys crank out the faves from their most recent record, Rockpango.  The new CD title refers to a rock style that combines Latin celebration with the Latin rhythm of the huapango.  Just as the CD title does, Los Lonely Boys mix rock, blues, a little funky neo-bohemian, and even rock-pop accompanied by a string quartet.  It makes sense that they’ll play Denton, Texas where the vibe is always eclectic, fresh and new.  And, Fans, rest assured:  Los Lonely Boys #1 hit “Heaven” is guaranteed.

The party isn’t over until after Brave Combo takes the stage on Sunday night.  The Denton band has traveled the world and introduced millions to their original nuclear polka dance jam.  The A&J crowd is nowhere near jazzed out as the energy rises, everyone signs and spontaneous dancing breaks out to beats of salsa, meringue, rock, cumbia, conjunto, polka, zydeco, classical, cha cha, the blues… and more.  It’s been said that the famous slogan “Fun is the Thing and Jazz is King” was born during a Brave Combo show.  See for yourself; it’s probably quite true!

Pack your lawn chair or blanket, head to Denton and pick your spot – sunny or not!  There’s plenty of both among the 7 different stages and more 2,200 performers.  The bonus?  All the concerts are FREE.

Don’t leave the family at home, either.  Kids 12 and under can mold, sculpt and create in the Children’s Art Tent. 

You don’t have to go home empty handed.  You can peruse among more than 175 juried artists and crafters for that special piece that speaks to you.  And souvenirs are abundant, as well. 

Want to go it easy?  Leave coolers behind and enjoy seven food courts of all kinds of foods plus wine and beer!

The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is a music-lover’s heaven.  It’s fun and music and art - a complete experience.  And it’s all in that special Denton, Texas style:  Original; Independent.

  Brave Combo’s sound electrifies the crowds during Arts & Jazz.  
 

Watch Arts & Jazz video to see a glimpse of the festivities in action. Visit www.DentonJazzFest.com for a complete schedule of events.

Denton’s culture is ideal for supporting our moniker as a music mecca thanks to the intelligent and creative infusion of two universities, a thriving arts community, and a music scene that is making headlines around the world. Combine these essentials with downtown merchants catering to bustling shoppers whose love of art and music draw them to the heart of the city in the first place: Denton’s vibrant and historic Downtown Square.

It is in such a place that 35 Denton has grown into a thriving festival where the music world comes to experience new sounds.  This March 8-11, 35 Denton will fill Downtown’s live music venues with fans of every age plus music industry professionals, talent scouts, and recording labels.

35 Denton’s creative team recently launched a festival video to summarize for 35 Denton newbies exactly what it’s all about. Check it out now and secure your chance to win complimentary access wristbands.  And, you’ll get an inside look at how Denton’s Downtown Square transforms into an electric music mecca.

While the video gives you a feel for what 35 Denton is like, the way to savor the music and dive in for the full experience is to own a 35 Denton wristband.  Sample what’s coming at www.35Denton.com.  Stay current about shows and artists via their Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest pages.  Don’t miss the Podcast link on the website to listen to some intriguing conversations with artists and even a Denton City Council Member.

Are you planning a 35 Denton road trip? Think about the A-train as an option and come for the night or even the whole weekend! In fact, Amtrak is offering a rate between Austin and Dallas for under $50 per roundtrip. And it’s an easy 45 minute ride from Dallas to Denton via the DART’s Green Line. Request the 35 Denton rate at the Days Inn for $45, the Comfort Suites @ UNT for $70 or at the Courtyard by Marriott for $89.  

Dining around the Denton Square is diverse. Many restaurants offer deals and special hours during 35 Denton, like Chestnut Tree located right on the Square. “We want to make sure that music lovers visiting during 35 Denton have the opportunity to try our unique cuisine. So we’re opening our doors for dinner Thursday through Saturday, beginning the first of March,” says owner Valeree Clegg.

What’s all the 35 Denton hype? Denton City Council member Kevin Roden summed it up best in the 35 Denton Podcast interview. ”35 Denton is trying to make a world-class festival, and we have all the ingredients, all packaged in a small town. It’s really helped to raise the Denton flag,” Roden said. “The festival obviously had a level of success before but it’s great to see where it is now. We have world-renowned artists talking about Denton.” 

International documentary film festival brings an array of talent and entertainment to Denton
February 10^th-20^th, 2012

One of the “World’s Coolest Film Festivals” according to Movie Maker Magazine is reeling in some amazing material for this year.  Last year, The New York Times dubbed Thin Line Film Fest as “one of the things to do” that week.  TLFF did not disappoint, premiering films such as “Troubadours”, fresh from the Sundance Film Festival, and the Oscar-nominated, “Restrepo”.   

The 2012 festival promises to be bigger, better, and more revered – already having received nearly twice the number of films submitted to be considered than in the previous year.  This year more than 75 stellar films from around the globe will be screened at the historic Campus Theatre in downtown Denton, February 10th-20th, 2012.  This year also marks a few firsts for Thin Line.

“Ever since the beginning of the Thin Line concept, we have wanted a two-weekend festival and in 2012 this becomes a reality.” Butler is excited about 11 days of documentaries. “I know, it's crazy! These two weekends in February will be the new calendar home to Texas' International Documentary Film Festival. And as a bonus, instead of ending on the traditional Sunday, Thin Line will now take advantage of the Presidents Day holiday and offer a lineup of festival winners and crowd favorites.”

Another innovative idea added to the festival line up is a documentary race.  Filmmaking teams are invited to register starting January 16 in order to participate in the Docu-Denton 7K.  Each team will have 7,000 minutes to create a short documentary.  Not sure if your skills are up to par? Festival organizers have invited Dallas-based documentary filmmaker, Mark Birnbaum to present a Docu-Intensive Workshop on February 10.  The race begins at the end of the all-day Friday workshop and teams will have until the following Wednesday to turn in their completed work.  Screenings of the completed films will take place Saturday, February 18.  

Not destined to film?  Maybe you’re a writer?  Thin Line is inviting the public to become a part of Docu-Denton 7K by pitching a topic for the documentary race.  Topic ideas are being accepted through February 3 by submitting an idea in 300 words or less to topics@thinlinefilmfest.com.  If selected, your topic could be a filmmaking team’s short documentary on the Thin Line screen February 18.  (Visit www.thinlinefilmfest.com for complete details.)

Although the film line up has not quite been announced, we have an inside scoop on a few that have an “original” and “independent” Denton fit. 

• Southwest Premiere of The Love of Beer: Produced and Directed by Alison Grayson.  This film is a documentary devoted to the stories and passion of the women at the forefront of the Pacific Northwest beer community. The beer industry is exploding, but out of the approximately 50,000 craft beer workers, only 598 currently belong to the Pink Boots Society, an organization for women in the industry.  The documentary follows the struggles and accomplishments of women in the industry as they open door for females everywhere for the love of beer.
• Down: Indie rocke in the PRC: Produced and Directed by Andrew Field. 
  Down documents the indie rock music scene in China today.  From underground clubs to outdoor concerts and festivals, Down features some of the hottest bands in the PRC.  Filmed and narrated by Andrew David Field, Down includes interviews with band members, music promoters, and club owners, who are deeply invested in building up China's indie rock music scene.  Set in the context of modern China, Down highlights the disenchantment of youths resisting mainstream society.  It touches on universal themes of youthful alienation and freedom of expression, while also highlighting the power of music to bring people together.
  
  
• World Premier of Pure Fruit: Produced and Directed by Emile Bokaer. 
  Everybody has heard of vegetarianism. Many people know vegans. Practically no one has met (or seen) a fruitarian, someone whose diet consists of 100% fruit.  Pure Fruit, the first documentary film on fruitarianism, is a whimsical road movie that chronicles two fruitarian lovers' 3,000 kilometer journey from a Sydney, Australia housing project to tropical North Queensland, where they hope to settle in a climate of perpetual summer that will allow them to grow and eat copious amounts of nutritious, hearty tropical fruit. The fruitarians, desperate to escape suburban Sydney, hope to find a home among like-minded eaters.  Once they reach their destination in the tropics, they encounter a paradise stranger than they ever could have imagined.

It’s not a Best Kept Secret any longer.  If you’re looking for the hottest music scene in Texas, Denton’s got it:  independent, original, organic, energetic  sound.   So, it only makes sense that Denton would celebrate that sound with a festival featuring her local music scene in tandem with nationally and internationally known bands.  35 Denton will rock March 8-11, 2012.

What began as North by 35 and a way to showcase Denton’s homegrown music in the midst of SXSW Music Conference in Austin has become its own dynamic music generator.   Not only does 35 Denton’s following not hesitate to purchase tickets well in advance but they don’t even require the list of bands scheduled to play.  Well before bands were announced, much less contracted, wristbands sold out in one day during a blind presale.  When fans clamored for more, festival organizers obliged.

According to Denton festivals’ economic impact report, 35 Denton is credited for bringing in $2 million to the local economy in 2010.  During the 2011 festival, attendance averaged 4,000 to 6,000 per day.  Since the festival is hosted in music venues around Denton’s Historic Square and those thousands also enjoy dining and shopping, it’s is no wonder 35 Denton caught Texas Downtown Association’s (TDA) attention. 

This past November, during the TDA’s President’s Awards program, 35 Denton was recognized as a “Best Promotional Event.”  35 Denton organizers collaborate with city officials, downtown merchants, and artists to offer extraordinary, unique programming each year.  They do an astonishing job promoting the event, too.  Last October, one presale event was on location at local music venue Hailey’s while another was on-site at the same time in Norman, Oklahoma at a Music Exchange. 

But it was their part in downtown revitalization that put them at the top of TDA’s list. “We are becoming more well-known,” said Julie Glover, economic development program administrator for the City of Denton. “This is good publicity for the city.”

This year, 35 Denton is more promising than ever.  A record number of bands applied to play so far; more than 30 bands across several genres have already been confirmed; and more bands are added daily.  A few of 2012’s confirmed artists include Bun B, Built to Spill, Mountain Goats, The Raincoats, John Vanderslice, Thee Oh Sees, and Light Asylum.

Visit www.35Denton.com for a complete listing of artist and venues for March 8-11.  

HINT:  The best way to experience 35 Denton is purchase a wristband.  Wristbands can be ordered at www.35Denton.com.  Don’t mind the Sold Out sign.  According to 35 Denton’s Facebook Page, they will be available again starting January 10. 

By The Denton Holiday Festival

The 23nd Annual Holiday Lighting Festival at Denton’s Courthhouse-on-the-Square promises to delight visitors of all ages with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. This marks an historic year for the festival, as the event has officially moved to Friday – so you and your family can gaze at the twinkling lights, carol to your heart’s content, and sip wassail well into the evening.

A tremendously successful family-oriented event, the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival kicks off with a sing-along and the lighting of the community Christmas tree on Friday, December 2 at 5:30pm. Visitors will enjoy music and dance recitals by area performers, have a visit with Santa, make arts and crafts in our children’s area, enjoy snacks from one of our food vendors – and most importantly – can donate a toy to the Community Toy Drive benefiting needy families in Denton County.

You don’t want to miss the exciting entertainment in store on the Festival Stage this year – it’s going to be an amazing night of music, dance and holiday cheer you won’t soon forget.

The Denton Holiday Lighting Festival was started in 1988 by a group of volunteers. Today the annual tradition is continued by the efforts of volunteers and funded by donations from local businesses and individuals. For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.dentonholidaylighting.com or Facebook.com/DentonHolidayLighting.

INFO:

• DHFA – www.dentonholidaylighting.com         
  
• In case of inclement weather, please contact the CVB at 940.382.7895
  
• "Like" Denton Holiday Lighting Festival on Facebook.
  
• DHFA is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose primary mission in hosting the annual Holiday Lighting Festival.  The DHFA raises funds from the private sector to purchase banners, lights and decorations for public buildings and the Courthouse-on-the-Square in historic downtown Denton.
  

Each school year, the One O’Clock Lab Band has a “dramatic” start, at least for those students auditioning for a coveted spot with the band. The drama ends when results are posted on the legendary “Board of Tears”. But the end result is a reinvigorated band that treats every day like an audition.

With only 4 returning veterans, the band set out to be introduced as this year’s jazz band sensation. According to Steve Weiss’ blog entry in The Blog Shed, the first concert at the Syndicate was astounding. “How do 15 new students get to ‘sensational’ after only three rehearsals?” seemed to be the crowd’s question.

Imagine the sound now with well over a month of creativity at work. The legend of the One O’Clock Lab Band makes it a sought after concert. Luckily, Denton always has an opportunity to be part of the jazz experience since there are several concerts offered for the community and fans throughout the year.

The closest opportunity to listen to this six time Grammy-nominated band will be at the state of the art Murchison Performing Arts Center on November 22 when they perform their annual Fall Concert at 8 p.m.   The band will perform immediately following this year’s guest artist, award-winning trumpeter Terell Stafford. Ticket prices are amazingly affordable.

There are also several milestones to note for the One O’Clock Lab Band this year. The addition of three female band members brings an end to the “gender barrier”. And, for the first time, the release of the band’s annual CD includes a bonus DVD.   Full-length videos of all nine tracks from Lab 2011 are included in the DVD. Add to that list a new website that shows the band’s mobile app, concert dates, and photos. While checking it out, be sure to link to The Blog Shed stories, sign up for their newsletter The Messenger, and read some interesting articles about the real world music business from record label companies.

It is easy to say that Denton’s music scene branches out from much of its university talent. But it is an understatement that watching that talent take shape is the most inspiring and enjoyable part of Denton’s music scene.

Is your acoustic band the envy of Fry Street? Does your stand-up act leave everyone in stitches? Do you think you have what it takes to be the best of Denton? Come out and prove it! Three minutes of your time could be all that is standing between you, fame and cash prizes!

Music Theatre of Denton (MTD) is holding auditions for its membership to participate in "Denton's Got Talent!" Preliminary auditions will be held on October 4th and 6th and are open to any member of MTD in good standing. Performers are required to pre-register for an audition by calling the MTD office [940-381-3562] or by e-mail [mtd@musictheatreofdenton.com] to reserve a 3-minute timeslot.

Membership must be verified before participation will be allowed. Memberships begin at $25 for adults and $15 for students. Contestants will be separated into two categories: Students (18-under) and Adults (college-age and above).

After the preliminary auditions, a panel of judges will set an exciting slate of performers for three fun-filled nights in front of a live audience to determine who has what it takes! On Friday, October 14th the adult category will take the stage and on Saturday, October 15th the students will have their say. The grand finale will be Sunday, October 16th where the top performers from the two brackets will go head-to-head to prove who IS the best of Denton!

All performances and auditions will be held at the historic Campus Theatre, 214 W. Hickory St. Denton TX. For additional details or information, contact Music theatre of Denton at 940-381-3562.

The American Bus Association (ABA) announced that the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, to be held on April 27-29, 2012, has been designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2012 by an experienced expert tourism industry selection committee. Inclusion in the Top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September/October issue of Destinations magazine, spotlights the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival for offering excellent entertainment value to tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.

With the release of ABA's 2012 Top 100 Events in North America, ABA celebrates 30 years of the program. What began as a way for motorcoach operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries has grown to be one of the most sought-after lists by travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.

"The attractiveness of the Arts & Jazz Festival as a don't-miss entertainment value is only part of why its selection this year is such a distinction for Denton," said Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS, ABA's president and CEO. "The real news here is that Arts & Jazz has been recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars, at a time when reenergizing domestic tourism is so important to our spirit and our economy. The honor gives Denton an important boost in visibility among professional tour planners."

According to researchers at The George Washington University and Dunham and Associates, one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can leave from US $5,000 to more than US $11,000 in a local destination's economy. Those dollars are spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes.

"Motorcoach groups spend more and stay longer,” Pantuso said. “That's why Arts & Jazz is truly a local economic asset. There is no better way to jump-start tourism than to attract motorcoach groups to a great event and convince them to extend their stay."

Arts & Jazz Executive Director, Carol Short was thrilled with the award, "Selecting the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival as one of North America's 100 Best Events for 2012 from the American Bus Association is a wonderful honor, not only for our organization but for Denton's citizens and the business community. Recognizing the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival as a destination for tourism that helps boost the economy for our community makes us all proud partners."

ABA's 2012 Top 100 Events Selection Committee selected the Arts & Jazz Festival from hundreds of event nominations submitted by ABA members. Judges considered the event's broad appeal, its accessibility to motorcoaches, skill at handling large groups, and a variety of other relevant criteria.

The Arts & Jazz Festival is scheduled for April 27, 28, & 29 of 2012. While headliners have not yet been announced, expect fantastic music from over 2,500 performers on seven stages. Music throughout Denton’s Quakertown Park underscores fine arts, crafts, children's art activities, food and games. Be on the lookout for headliner announcements at the end of 2011.

Summer in North Texas has been a scorcher this year. But, Denton’s music scene will be hot in the coolest way when the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo (NTSF) opens its gates August 19-27, 2011.

Go ahead and tip your cowboy hat to the rodeo, midway carnival and special attractions. Then scoot your boots to chart-topping music, the real sizzle in the NTSF’s nine days and nights of entertainment.  For country music lovers, it is hands-down the best music and the best value for your money!

Concerts these days typically surpass the $100-per-head mark; but, the NTSF has come up with a great country music junkie rate. For only $90 you get all 9 days of the fair, including 20 music concerts. Combine that bargain with Denton’s attractive hotel rates and you can turn this event into your family’s last summer fling. Check out www.igotleftindenton.com for special hotel packages designed for A-train visitors and pass the word to your friends in the area. It’s a steal!

This year’s line-up includes top artists like the Casey Donahew Band, Jack Ingram, Pauline Reese, The Josh Abbot Band, Cody Canada and the Departed, and Tracy Lawrence. And if you purchase your tickets on pure, country music faith, you will get a “hum-dinger” of a surprise August 6^th when NTSF announces the name of the “Biggest Band in Texas” who will perform on NTSF’s Budweiser Stage. Tejano Music fans will want in on the action, too, for cross-over great Emilio Navaira. 

“With savings of $45, this is the best value in fair venues and rodeos anywhere in North Texas,” says Nanci Kimmey, Executive Assistant at the NTSF.

It’s not just the big names in music that bring the excitement to this year’s stages. In Denton, we always keep our eyes on our local music scene, too.  When it comes to “down-home” and “genuine,” cowboys like 2011 Ironman Cowboy Champion Colby Yates pretty much sum it up: real cowboys singing about what they know best: working the ranch and winning bull riding competitions. Colby and two-time World Champion Bull Rider Justin McBride are among several cowboys- turned-musicians that will perform on NTSF’s Bud Light Stage.

Visit www.NTFAIR.COM for schedule information. And if you want to learn more about who’s taking the stage this year, read all about the performers at www.ntfair.com/news. While you’re there, go ahead and “like them” on Facebook or follow them on Twitter and be among the very first in Texas to get the top secret announcement of the “the biggest name in Texas Red Dirt Music” scheduled to perform August 26.

Behind the daily sounds that have become the norm of the Downtown Square there is another culture that lives among musicians and dining connoisseurs. 

If you decide to jump off of DART’s Green Line at the Trinity Mills station and head north on the A-Train you may encounter some art illumination at various spots in Denton.  This is the culture that takes aim at your visual senses versus your taste buds but that often is blended for a more savory entertainment.

Center for the Visual Arts:
Gough Gallery
Works from the Permanent Collection features the work of local, national and international artists, with an emphasis on Texan artists. Works represent contemporary trends in American art during the last half of the twentieth century in a number of styles and media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, photography, fiber arts, sculpture, collage and prints.

This exhibit is open through August 26, 2011, Tuesday – Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Admission is free.

Meadows Gallery
Translation in Time: 40 Years of Weaving is a juried exhibition that honors 40 years of the Denton Handweavers Guild by showcasing new works by guild members and University of North Texas fiber art students as well as historical works by charter guild members. 

The exhibit is open through September 2, 2011, Tuesday – Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Admission is free.

Black Box Theatre:
Donna Trammell’s “That’s Life”
This 90-minute musical parody spotlights and spoofs the real facts of life—everything from oil spills, inflation, political correctness and Facebook to a medley of “Old Folks Songs” lamenting nose hair, memory loss, acid reflux and assorted dysfunctions.  

The musical will run July 29 -31.  Tickets are available by calling Black Box Office at 940-383-1356.

UNT on the Square:
Frank Reaugh: Master of Pastels and the Plains of Texas

This exhibition contains impressive work of Frank Reaugh from the prestigious collections of Torch Energy, the Harry Ransom Center, the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum, Texas Tech University, the Dallas Public Library, the Dallas Historical Association, and the Dallas Museum of Art.

The exhibit is available through October 1, 2011.  Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to noon and 1 -5 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm on Thursday.  Saturday hours are 11am – 3 pm  and the UNT Gallery is closed on Sunday.  Admission is Free.

Campus Theatre
Little Snow White...A Grimm Musical by John Evarts

In an effort to help young thespians discover and refine their talents, the Denton Community Theatre School offers a Musical Theatre Production Camp for theatrical artist ages 10-18.  This final production is the end of the camp.

This production runs July 22-24.  The ticket price is $10 for General Admission and may be purchased by calling (940) 382-1915 or visit www.CampusTheare.com.

Banter Bistro
OXIDE @ Banter will debut mid-July.  OXIDE Gallery brings artwork by local artist to Banter’s unique historical location.  Artwork will be on display for two months at a time. 

For more information visit www.OxideGallery.com

UNT Art Path:
The UNT Art Path is a self-guided walking tour of artwork on the University of North Texas campus.  The tour includes 36 works, indoor and outdoor, which includes sculptures and paintings.

Download the free self-guided brochure or request a College of Visual Arts student-led tour. 

TWU Visual Arts East & West Galleries:
VAST 125-Mile Juried Exhibition

Juried 2D and 3D art work from artists within 125 miles of Denton.

This exhibit is on display through August 5, Monday – Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturdays by appointment.  Admission is Free.

To purchase local art, here are a few locations you may want to hobnob around:

Jupiter House
106 N. Locust Street
Open Daily from 6am - Midnight

Banter
219 W. Oak St
Open Daily from 10am – Midnight

A Creative Art Studio
227 W. Oak Street, Suite 101
Open Monday from Noon to 6pm and Tuesday – Saturday from 10am - 6 pm.

Oxide Gallery
501 W. Hickory St. inside Linwood-Alford Florist
Gallery hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday.

U.N.T. Ceramics Grads Summer Studio Sale
Oak Street Hall
July 8 ----10am-6pm
July 9 ----10am-6pm
July 10 ----12pm-6pm

On the horizon
Internationally renowned visual and performance artist Nick Cave will be the artist-in-residence for the University of North Texas Institute for the Advancement of the Arts during the 2011-2012 academic year.

Cave will also collaborate with the College of Music, Department of Dance and Theatre and other UNT arts programs to create a new performance piece.  The piece, scheduled to take place on campus in the spring, will include “30 newly created Soundsuits in the shapes of horse-like forms that move through campus and evolve into hybrid beings.”

The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo (NTSF) has had a long history and tradition of showcasing the cowboy way of life.  Now in its 83rd year the organizers strive to offer everyone this unique western entertainment and family fun.  

The fair is one of the largest events in Denton County, attracting about 135,000 fans from the northern Texas and southern Oklahoma areas.  This is the third year NTSF has been awarded the Best Overall Fair at the Texas Association of Fairs and Events Convention (TAF&E) beating out competitors that averaged between 400-450,000 attendees. 

This year’s North Texas State Fair and Rodeo will take place August 19 – 27.  While there are many activities that lead up to the opening day of NTSF, the first evening includes the Peterbilt Kid’s Tractor Pull, Great White Shark Experience, Spirit of the Horse, the PRCA Rodeo in the Miller Lite Rodeo Arena, the Brison Bursey Band on the “Bud Light Stage”, and the Casey Donahew Band on the “Budweiser Stage”.  And that’s just the first day! Just don’t lose sight that there are NINE days of carnival fun, live concerts, rodeos, contests, shopping, and, of course, food!

There is a fantastic music line-up this year! Performers include Casey Donahew Band, Jack Ingram, Emilio Navaira, Pauline Reese, Dale Watson, Cody Canada and the Departed, Josh Abbott Band, Tracy Lawrence, and Justin McBride.  But many fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of “the biggest name in Texas Red Dirt Music” which won’t be publicized until August 5th. 

For those zealous cowboys and cowgirls, there are 3 exciting nights of the PRCA Rodeo, an Invitational Ranch Rodeo, the 21 & Under Rodeo, and the ever popular Miller Lite Bull Blow-Out.

Guests are the inspiration that give the fair character, explains Glenn Carlton, Executive Director of the NTSF, “…the tone and inspiration comes from our volunteers, sponsors, and participates. This past Fair’s award winning theme was inspired by a photo taken by a parent. The photo featured 7 young cowboys, in their boots, chaps, and hats.  They really looked like a miniature old west gang!!  But mostly, it was their mischievous smiles and joy, on their faces, just because they were at the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo!”

Make sure you “gather” in Denton and add your personal touch to this year’s North Texas State Fair and Rodeo!

Fireworks will light the sky at one of North Texas’ biggest bangs, the Kiwanis Fireworks Show at Fouts Field on the University of North Texas campus after dark on July 4th.  But in Denton, the 4th of July is an all-day event. 

Early birds start the 4th of July celebration weekend by running or walking in the 13th Annual Liberty Run: 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk. The family-oriented race begins at 7:30 AM (check-in begins at 6:30 AM) at North Lakes Recreation Center. Medals are awarded to the top three 5K male and female finishers in each age group.  And, as a nice incentive to stay on the healthy path, all walkers receive a participation medal and all participants receive a T-shirt and snacks.

Downtown Denton is the next must be location.  The Yankee Doodle Parade, which begins at 9 AM, winds its way through downtown and to the Civic Center.

The celebration continues with the 4th of July Jubilee at the Civic Center and Quakertown Park.  The Jubilee will feature free children’s activities, including carnival games, the Great Gutter Race, and a whipped cream-eating contest.

After the celebration, guests receive $1 admission to the Civic Center Pool from noon to 7 p.m.  So hit the pool or maybe cool off at Water Works Park!

But don’t call it a day just yet.  Fouts Field fills up with eager spectators awaiting an awesome array of fireworks.  The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and live music begins at 6:30.  The event is FREE but avid gazers gladly make donations to the "Bucket Brigade" throughout the show.

Your drive home may be a weary one, but you will surely be glad you wore your patriotic pride in Denton!

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) continues to make progress on the A-train and expects to launch service on June 20, 2011. In anticipation of the opening, the agency has begun testing in order to finalize its operating schedule and be ready to host a community-wide celebration on June 18, 2011.

Construction for the A-train project is largely complete with minor work continuing in Denton at the stations and intersections. Vehicle and equipment testing and crew qualifying is the first phase of operations in preparation for revenue service and began on April 4 in the southern segment between Lewisville and Carrollton. System testing of the segment north of Lewisville Lake will begin in mid-May.

Since testing has begun and a portion of the system is now active, DCTA has increased its efforts to discourage trespassing along the rail corridor.  DCTA has a full-time Denton County Sherriff’s Deputy patrolling the corridor and is working with municipal police to enforce the “no trespassing” signage.

While DCTA has not finalized its rail schedule and will not do so until run times between stations are tested with trains, the Authority has outlined service parameters and operating hours. Pre-revenue testing will begin in late May and a detailed schedule will be released to the public in early June. 

DCTA will optimize its schedule to meet as many Green Line trains at the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Trinity Mills station. DCTA will operate at a 25 minute frequency during peak periods and 60-80 minute frequencies during the off-peak.

“DCTA has worked hard to develop an initial rail schedule that serves as many potential passengers as possible during the peak commute times while also providing some travel opportunities in the later evenings and on Saturdays,” stated Jim Witt, DCTA CEO.

In advance of the opening of revenue service on June 20th, DCTA will host a community-wide celebration on Saturday, June 18th from Noon to 4:00 p.m. The Rock n’ Rail celebration will celebrate the opening of the A-train and honor the musical heritage of Denton County with performances by local artists at all five stations. Local food vendors and businesses will also participate. DCTA will offer free special event service from Noon to 6:00 p.m. with service between Denton, Lewisville and Carrollton.