Visit Denton

Celebrate the tradition and fun at the 19^th Annual Dog Days of Denton Celebration on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd.   Relax in the evening shade of north Quakertown Park on Friday night as the festival brings back “yappy” hour from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and start the fun again on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m..

“We will continue our Friday night hours, and we saw an increase in attendance on Friday night last year due to the cooler evening temperatures,” said Christine Gossett, co-director for the Dog Days of Denton Celebration.  “We also plan to continue expanding our cool zone and rest areas for all to enjoy.”      

In addition to festival fun, Dog Days of Denton features educational programs with a spotlight this year on the Lions’ Club Leader Dog Program – a service dog program for the seeing-impaired.  Tammy Freeman with her leader dog, an English Black Lab named Vince, will share her story about how she benefitted from the Lions’ Club program and the importance of this special bond between canines and humans.  Sandy Griffin, a Leader Dog trainer, will also talk about what is involved in preparing dogs for service.  A portion of the proceeds from the hot dog and water sales at this year’s event will go to the Lions’ Club Leader Dog Program. 

The same traditional fun will happen on both Friday night and Saturday, with some activities and contests featured on Friday or Saturday only. The “Heinz 57” Contest is on Friday night, with several fun categories for any pooch of any mix or breed to compete in several categories ranging from curliest tail to longest tongue.  Attendees can also learn about various breeds and pet care tips on Friday and Saturday, as well as see canine training and sport demonstrations.  Returning again this year are the Dallas Dog ‘n Disc, TC Cappel Dancing with the Dogs (Freestyle) and Texas Heat Flyball with demonstrations on Friday and Saturday. The “Glamfur” photos, creative arts/crafts items for both canines and their owners, games for kids and canines, pet care information, pet adoptions and rescues, festival foods and more will also be featured Friday night & Saturday.

Saturday’s festivities start off with a Canine Couture Fashion Parade, more demonstrations, presentations, and the traditional canine contests including Pet Tricks, Dog Singing, and the popular Spokesdog Pageant between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m..  For 2012 Spokesdog Pageant entry guidelines and a complete schedule for the weekend, including contests, entertainment, demonstrations and more, please visit the website www.dogdaysdenton.com.  

The Dog Days of Denton Celebration will be held in the north end of Quakertown Park at 321 E. McKinney Street in downtown Denton.  General admission to the event is FREE.  Friendly, non-aggressive dogs are welcome. The Dog Days of Denton Celebration requires that ALL dogs be kept on a leash and controlled by their owners. Owners are responsible for their dogs’ behavior.  Dogs need to have current vaccinations. For more information on the event, please visit www.dogdaysdenton.com. Dog Days of Denton – where fun and responsible pet ownership and care come together.

Dog Days is presented by Denton Record-Chronicle, City of Denton, Denton County Animal ER, Invisible Fence of Greater Dallas, and Huffines, with the support of Muenster Milling and Southridge Animal Hospital. Dog Days of Denton is a not for profit 501 (c) (3).  

For pet-friendly overnight accommodations, please check the www.dogdaysdenton.com website or visit www.discoverdenton.com.      

The Texas Travel Fair, produced and sponsored by the Texas Travel Industry Association of Texas during the Texas Travel Counselors Conference (TTCC) sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation - Travel Information Division, represents one of the premier showcase opportunities for Texas destinations.  Held this past April in Waco, the Travel Fair is a trade show targeting Texas Department of Transportation officials, Texas Travel Counselors from the 12 Texas Travel Information Centers at Texas points of entry, and Texas Parks & Wildlife officials.  

In attendance are more than 100 travel counselors along with another 100 visitor center managers and AAA office representatives from around the state of Texas.  These professionals give guidance to more than four million travelers to Texas each year. 

During the expo showcasing Texas cities and attractions, Kim Phillips, Chamber Vice President and Director of the Denton CVB invited attendees to “get on board” with Denton’s newest form of transportation, the A-train.  

While visiting Denton CVB’s exhibit, travel counselors and managers received a squeezy A-train and Kim had an opportunity to talk about Denton County Transportation Authority’s train amenities, schedule and train stations.   She also gave updates on attractions, entertainment, special events, and accommodations in Denton.  New and existing collateral materials including the Horse Country Tour brochure, Hip to be Square brochure, and the Denton Live magazine were also on display. 

Counselors and managers were excited to learn about Denton’s new mode of transportation.  Easier travel between Dallas and Denton will be a huge hit when they pass it along to the thousands of visitors passing through their centers throughout the year. 

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.

Story By Tommy Simmons

Ever since I was little I’ve been afraid of horses. So when it was decided that I would be going to a local horse ranch to check out the North Texas Horse Country Tours I was less than excited about it. My head was filled with images of the State Fair farm exhibits of my childhood.

But what actually greeted me at the Tabor Ranch in Aubrey was a well kept and clean ranch with animals that looked relaxed and natural instead of jittery and on edge. We met Izanna Villanueva, who showed us around the ranch and introduced us to some of the award-winning and world famous horses at Tabor Ranch. She also showed us how the ranch makes most of its money, which is by collecting and selling horse semen. Which I personally was not prepared for and found very… enlightening.

Many ranches like the Tabor Ranch are a part of the North Texas Horse Country Tours. These ranches specialize in anything from reining to halter horses and the tours are designed to not only educate people on what exactly goes on at a ranch, but to get people up close and personal with the people and the animals at these ranches. And believe me when I say you will be up close and personal. Many of the ranches make their money from breeding and how they go about collecting the semen is included in the tour, so if you want to bring your kids, make sure you have had the “birds and the bees” talk or else you’ll have some serious explaining to do.

But all in all, the North Texas Horse Country Tour is a great way to spend the day. I saw some of the most beautiful animals I’ve ever seen before. And even with my slight horse aversion I still found myself genuinely enthralled with the tour. After my day of fresh air and magnificent animals I even found myself a little sad to be heading back to my city life.

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Need to escape city life?  Join one of the upcoming North Texas Horse Country Tours to experience ranch life and see the new spring baby colts grazing next to their majestic moms.  The tours provide a behind-the-scenes look at life in Horse Country and include a home-style lunch.

The North Texas Horse Country 2012 tour dates are: April 7, May 5 and then September 8, October 6, and November 3. The tours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and depart from Denton Historical Park at 317 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201. Tickets are available in advance from the Denton CVB for $40 or on-site-day-of for $45 and include snacks, lunch, and drinks.

Contact the Denton CVB at 940-382-7895 or 1-888-381-1818 and make your reservations today or visit www.HorseCountryTours.com.

In the heart of the North Texas Horse Country, the only work colts at Reata Ranch worry about is basking in the sun.

Nielsen’s third quarter survey of mobile users revealed that 43 percent of US mobile phone subscribers own a smartphone. And EyeforTravel’s Social Media & Mobile in Travel Report claims that over 5 million people use their mobile device for travel services.  

These are the growing trends that led the Denton Convention and Visitor Bureau to partner with the City of Denton, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton Museums, and the Denton County Transportation Authority to launch a mobile version of its consumer website, www.DiscoverDenton.com at the beginning of this year.

Developed in collaboration with Madden Media, the mobile website offers valuable Denton travel information like where to stay, what to do and how to get around. In fact, even attractions and events found on www.DiscoverDenton.com easily accessible in this new environment. N areow when Denton’s mobile-savvy travel consumers launch the CVBs website from their phone, they are automatically directed to a mobile-friendly version of the site designed specifically for DROID and iPhone devices. 

Mobile website visitors are now guided to Denton’s attractions, dining establishments, and tourism destinations with GPS tracking and turn-by-turn directions. Event listings are updated daily. Hotel accommodations are booked from the palm of the hand. There is even an optional downloadable icon to the phone for faster access and return visits for Denton information.

“This mobile site is yet another innovative way to communicate with our visitors,” says Kim Phillips, CVB Vice President. “With travel information delivered straight to their phones, visitors can find everything they need to have the best possible experience in Denton, which always our number one goal.”

Another notable feature within the mobile website is a detail page where visitors can simply click on a phone number to dial with their Smartphone or click on a link to open a website. 

“The development of the new mobile site reflects our commitment to communicate and engage potential visitors: where they are, when they need it most, and how they prefer to hear from us,” said Veronica Maldonado, CVB Communications Manager. “Technology evolves almost daily, and visitors are consuming information in new and varied ways. It’s vital that we stay on that precarious cutting edge so we keep the forward-thinking reputation Denton has earned in the tourism marketplace.”

The mobile website is the latest CVB effort to deliver quality and current information beyond traditional communication channels. The CVB also utilizes tools such as QR codes, an online brochure, Facebook and Twitter to share the latest updates about Denton happenings through social media. The mobile website will be strategically integrated with these tools and within the Denton CVB’s overall marketing efforts that include print and digital advertising initiatives and aggressive social media activities.

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.

The Denton Convention & Visitors Bureau is excited to announce that the North Texas Horse County Tours are back and (is it even possible?) better! in 2012 with six tour dates instead of just four! The new tour dates will take advantage of our moderate spring and fall weather plus provide more opportunities to see Horse Country’s major attraction:  the babies!  Sweet little colts and their mammas frolic all over North Texas’ spring.

With the largest concentration of horse farms in the US, North Texas is the premier place to breed, raise, and train horses in the United States.  More than 350 farms and ranches with a population of 40,000+ horses make the equine industry vital to North Texas’ economy.

The impact of Horse Country reaches the tourism industry, too.  More than 2,000 visitors come to North Texas every year specifically to tour the famous Horse Country.  Groups come from as far as Scandinavia and as close as the next door neighbor, every one eager to get behind-the-scenes at very modern-day and quite elite working ranches. 

2012 kicks off with a very special group visiting in DFW during January.  More than 3,300 attendees representing motorcoach operators, tour operators, suppliers, hotel companies and other travel professionals across North America will attend the American Bus Association’s Marketplace in Grapevine.  Taking advantage of the tremendous opportunity to showcase Horse Country to them, the Denton CVB will host a Familiarization Tour to showcase Horse Country and make sure it stays at the top of their lists as they plan future group travel programs.

The North Texas Horse Country’s 2012 are:   March 3, April 7, May 5 and then September 8, October 6, and November 3. The tours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and depart from Denton Historical Park at 317 W. Mulberry St., Denton, TX 76201. Tickets are available in advance from the Denton CVB for $40 or on-site-day-of for $45 and include snacks, lunch, and drinks.

Contact the Denton CVB at 940-382-7895 or 1-888-381-1818 and make your reservations today or visit www.HorseCountryTours.com.

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. 

The Food Network’s show Heat Seekers will be featuring Rooster’s Roadhouse in Denton when their new episode of the season airs this month. Heat Seekers features spicy foods, while testing to see if Hosts Aarón Sanchez and Roger Mooking can take the heat.  In the season opener, the hosts decided to take on the heat at Rooster’s by trying out the Hell Burger.

Featuring the nether-worldly ghost pepper in its sauce, the Rooster’s Hell Burger is so hot that anyone who wants to take on the challenge must be 18 years or older and sign a waiver.  The Bhut Jolokia, or ghost pepper in the U.S., was once considered the hottest pepper in the world, and still easily ranks within the top 5. With that added kick, the Hell Burger can make grown men cry for mercy.

Sanchez and Mooking visited Dallas in October during the State Fair of Texas.  Wanting to test their mettle against Rooster’s famed Hell Burger, the two chefs each teamed up with a bull rider from the State Fair.  Rooster’s manager, Johnny Law, found the visit “was quite entertaining,” since the loser of the challenge ended up looking like a clown. 

Watch the Food Network Channel to find out which host could take the heat in Denton when the show premiers its new season on January 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. CST or at 2:00 a.m. CST January 17.  Or stop by Rooster’s in Denton’s dining and entertainment district at 113 Industrial Street and find out if you can handle the heat.

The Greater Denton Arts Council (GDAC) presents the 25th Annual Materials: Hard & Soft National Contemporary Craft Competition and Exhibition. The exhibition, which has run continuously since 1987, was the idea of local artist, Georgia Leach Gough.  The name, Materials: Hard & Soft, refers to the entire range of fine craft.  This competition and ensuing exhibition still draws the attention of fans of contemporary craft across the country.  In 2006, the Texas Commission on the Arts designated this show as a “must see” exhibition in Texas.  It is one of the premier craft exhibitions in the country.

Editor in chief of American Craft magazine, Monica Moses, is this year’s juror. She brings to that role 20 years' experience in media organizations as an editor, designer, and creative director – as well as a lifetime of passion for the visual arts. Moses is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate in English of St. Olaf College and has a master's degree in Visual Communication from the University of Minnesota. She was on the visual faculty of the world's leading training institution for mid-career journalists, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, for four years and served as a Pulitzer Prize juror in photography in 2006. When she is not editing the magazine, she paints, makes jewelry, works with handmade paper, and dabbles in clay.

Ms. Moses is very excited about the exhibit.  “What a joy to serve as juror for the Materials: Hard and Soft exhibition! Overall, the entries showed a solid mastery of technique and material, along with a sure sense of design.

The strongest pieces, in many cases, were the simplest – the well-conceived, well-made objects that were true to their own implicit principles and didn’t try too hard. A striking number of works seemed to transcend material; it wasn’t immediately obvious to the observer what material was used, because the artist simply used whatever medium would best convey the message. In the Mixed Media category, for example, unorthodox materials were often used because they were effective, not as a gimmick or to show prowess.

A number of pieces in the show have a fine-art presence. Others have an original, exuberant functionality. The world is big enough for both, as the Hard and Soft artists have demonstrated so well.”

GDAC received entries from 220 artists this year, with a total of 582 pieces. Ms. Moses, chose 75 pieces for the exhibition.

As usual, the work submitted stretches the typical definition of craft.  Typically, craft is defined as having a functional purpose to separate it from fine art.  While there may be a reference to a purpose, these artists have stretched the boundaries of the craft definition.  The skill of the artist in manipulating their chosen material is readily apparent.  This opportunity to see first-hand the mastery of technique and manipulation of material draws viewers from many parts of the country. 

The quality of work, as well as the duration of this exhibition, promotes Denton’s artistic community.  Drawing exhibitors and visitors nationally advances the perception that for two months Denton showcases the best craft in the country.  The excellent work continues to stretch the boundaries of artistic expression. 

The Opening Reception is Friday, February 3, 2012, 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  Recognition of awards will begin at 6:45.

GDAC encourages visitors to take the new A-train to The Center for the Visual Arts! Visitors can connect to the A-train from DART’s Green Line at the Trinity Mills station.  View train schedules or find out more or at www.mya-train.com.

To obtain additional information about the exhibit either visit the GDAC’s website, www.dentonarts.com, or call 940-382-2787.

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.
  

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.

When Qantas Airlines announced earlier this year that they were offering a non-stop flight from Sydney Australia to DFW, travelers in both countries were excited and looking forward to take advantage of the flights for both business and leisure. One group in particular that took some fancy to the new schedule was a group of superstar Travel Agents from Australia. And what did they want to see? Well the Western lifestyle in Texas of course!

The Denton Convention & Visitor Bureau was excited to learn that 12 of Qantas top sellers were headed to Texas and their first stop was the North Texas Horse Country.   Despite the jetlag, the group was ready and eager to start their True Texas experience.  Their adventure began at Lantana Lodge Resort & Marina at Ray Roberts Lake State Park where they enjoyed dinner at the Bronze Buffalo Grill and overnighted in rooms that overlooked the lake and cedar, post oak and black oak trees. 

An early rise the next day, the group was met by Monica with Black Mustang Ranch who had horses ready for a scenic trail ride through the wetlands of Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Immediately after the trail ride and as soon as the summer heat started to rise, these influential travel experts boarded a motorcoach for a driving tour of the beautiful Horse Country including a behind the scenes tour of the famous Valor Farm.

It wouldn’t be Horse Country Tour without a stop to Dennards Western Store. When the travel agents “saddled up” on the motorcoach again it was with a heap of western treasure. Many of the top sellers could not contain themselves at the sight of the child sized boots in assorted colors. Several kiddos in Australia will be bragging about mom or dad’s recent trip to Texas while adorned with Texas attire.

Dana Lodge, Sales Director with the Denton CVB, was the tour guide on the recent venture, “This was a great opportunity for Denton to be able to showcase our wonderful Horse Country to these individuals who have the capability to influence and send us many visitors from Australia.”

In true Texas hospitality before the group headed out of Horse Country there was room for one more stop at a local favorite. Lucy’s Mom’s on Main in Aubrey, had a home cooked spread that only “mom” would be able conjure up. The unique antiques that adorned the restaurant and the amazing ranches just visited were the topics of conversation while the group was introduced to Texas comfort food.

It was just a glimpse of the western lifestyle many of the Australian visitors were eager to discover. The Dallas CVB was the next host and while these top selling Travel Agents were on their way to visit some iconic Dallas attractions, the character, charm and new purchases in Horse Country will make it to the top of conversation when it comes to Texas Travel.

In Denton, anything antique or historic is a sign of character. Since we landed on the map more than 150 years ago, our city has clung to its original architecture, actively and creatively adapting original downtown buildings for new uses rather than razing them and starting over.

It is that same spirit of preservation that motivated the Denton Main Street Association (DMSA) to begin the Arts, Antiques and Autos (AAA) festival 12 years ago, an event that features vintage antiques and collectibles, the majority of which are carefully waxed, packing power under the hood, and showing muscle where it counts.   

On Saturday, September 10, from 9 am to 3 pm., highly competitive collectors will drive more than 200 cars, trucks and motorcycles  representing eras from today to days long past to Denton. They will gather all around the beautiful Courthouse-on-the-Square where visitors are free to wander among and admire them. Official judges are clandestine among the throngs keeping the car owners on their toes, alert and showing off in hopes of winning the coveted “Best of Show award.” 

In addition to the antique cars, numerous vendor booths offer unique arts, crafts, and demonstrations. Lectures throughout the day provide opportunities to learn more about the popular sports of collecting and antiquing under topics like: “Estate Sales ‘How to’”’ by John Bennett; “Antique Diamonds” by Joe Amyx; and “Vintage Purses” and “Tips, Tools and Techniques: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Caring for Antiques, Collectibles, and Other Treasures” by Georgia Caraway. Lectures will be inside the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square (CHOS) in the Commissioner’s Courtroom on the 2nd floor.

Hands-on crafts and games keep the kids busy while area bands such as Chris Watson playing Texas Blues Rock entertain crowds all day long. The festival atmosphere is complete with food from numerous downtown eateries and vendors.     

Take advantage of the specialists in some of the downtown stores as they conduct “Attic Treasure” Information Appraisals on general antiques and collectibles, including jewelry, clocks, china, silver, glass, and more (no furniture or photos of items please).

Producers have added a “Preview Night” on Friday, September 9, on Industrial Street, just east of the Square. From 6-8:30 pm, car and motorcycle enthusiasts can catch a sneak peek of some of the premier classics and hot rods and cast a vote for the “People’s Choice” Award.   All awards are   presented on Saturday afternoon at the show’s closing.  

“Our historic downtown is authentic and it cannot be duplicated. This event highlights downtown in a unique way that truly captures the treasures of Denton’s past and present,” said Larry Parker, DMSA president. “What a perfect way to spend a day in Denton: immersed in history all day and then on the cutting edge of new the same evening when UNT’s Mean Green takes the field for the very first time in brand new Apogee Stadium. A historic day all the way around.”

General admission to AAA is FREE. Registration to compete in the car show is $25. Lectures and appraisals are $5. For directions, an event schedule, entry forms, and more detailed information, please visit www.dentonmainstreet.org or call the event hotline at (940) 349-8529. 

Western-themed collectibles and décor are in – whether you’re a real, live cowboy or cowgirl or not. So, where do you go to find the “best of the west?” The Western Heritage Gallery (WHG), home to the finest western Americana collection today and one of Denton’s Best Kept Secrets. Open 363 days a year and online, it is the premier destination for collectors, dealers, and designers alike.

With over 80 dealers, the WHG not only showcases collector items, Western and Native Indian Americana décor and artwork that spans centuries; it is also the host location to the upcoming Annual Cowboy Gathering & Trade Show, September 9-11, 2011.

Western dealers, makers and artists from across the country will be on hand at this trade show to display their work and collections for sale.  

If you’re into more of the “high bidder” action, be on the lookout for some first class contemporary work at the The Legends of Texas Auction.   Pieces of work by Jerry Cates, R F Ford, Earlon Shirley and Eduardo Grijalva will be displayed for auction along with works by more than 30 of today’s best contemporary makers.

The auction will be held on Saturday evening, September 10 at 5:30 pm and, according to the event planners, it will likely be the best western auction Texas has ever seen. While the auction includes jewelry, art, cowgirl memorabilia, furniture, western collectibles and Native American items, here are just a sampling of the exceptional items to be on the lookout for:

• A historic pair of Adolph Bayers spurs made for two-time World Champion, Sonny Perry. Sonny rode Cutter Bill and Senor George, both American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame inductees, owned by the late Rex Cauble.
  
• A special pair of spurs by legend Billy Klapper, a reputable contemporary spur maker. Klapper, a much sought after spur maker has a several year wait list but made a special pair of spurs specifically for this auction.   
  
• A rare fully floral-tooled saddle heavily silvered with over 30 pieces of custom sterling silver by Dale Harwood. Harwood is a Founder of the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association, and possibly the world’s most sought after saddle maker. His work has been known to sell for over $90,000.
  
• A beautifully hand-tooled duplicate saddle of the 1870’s style Mexican Saddles made for Ron Howard’s 2003 film “The Missing”, starring Tommy Lee Jones. Created by Clint Mortenson, these saddles were made exclusively for the film by Mortenson Saddlery. The duplicate is adorned with hand-made Sterling Conchos and trim and is accompanied by Apache saddle bags hand made from buffalo hide by Emmy winning costume designer, Cathy Smith and a custom monogrammed stand. saddle bags were hand-made from buffalo hide by Emmy-winning costume designer, Cathy Smith. Custom monogrammed stand included. saddle bags were hand-made from buffalo hide by Emmy-winning costume designer, Cathy Smith. Custom monogrammed stand included.

Cowboys don’t just muster to show off beautiful artwork work. The gathering will also include The International Guild of Bit & Spur Makers 3^rd Annual Conference.  The conference gives the guild an opportunity to network with international bit and spur makers and educate fellow artists, collectors, and the public.  The conference also gives the artists an opportunity to share ideas, methods, and techniques with fellow artists.  

 “We look forward to making Denton a destination for collectors, designers and all who are interested in Western Americana or just want well-made, quality merchandise.” Owner Stephen Plyler went on to say, “We are a different breed of Antique Mall. We want to bring Western Americana to North Texas in a new way. Owner Jeff Trammel added that “Our selection of Western Antiques and Art is second to none as we have dealers from Connecticut to California who exhibit in our Denton location.”

For more information about the Western Heritage Gallery and upcoming events visit www.thewesternheritagegallery.com.