The SMU Tate Lecture series is one of my favorite things to look forward to in Dallas. They have done an extremely amazing job at hosting some of the finest intellectuals, musicians, politicians, activists, and journalists from around the world. The series not only assists in offering Dallas residents the opportunity to listen to some of the greatest influential leaders of our time, but it also gives SMU recognition as being forefronts of continuing education. The series started in 1983 and today is”one of the country’s leading forums for intellectual inquiry and discussion.” I couldn’t agree more.

Who doesn’t love House of Dang? They throw bad-ass parties, make their own line of clothes, and have vintage finds that only exist in family heirlooms.

House of Dang will be showing off their new line of designs with agency talent from Campbell-Wagner Runway LLC.

The Runway Monday event is Monday, August 31st at The Mitchell Lofts. Show starts at 7pm and there’s an afterparty at Vapiano in Mockingbird Station at 9pm.

Meet interactive artist/designer Chris Cast at Cafe Izmir on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009. The reception for the artist features his latest work using his own photography and sketches and using digital tools to remix.

A few months ago ILiveinDallas did a podcast with the folks from In This Economy and Five O’Clock Dallas on Citizen Journalism. We had received some really nice feedback from listeners and decided to submit a panel session for SXSW Interactive 2010. The panel will discuss finding your niche in Citizen Journalism, how to get started, what to expect, mistakes we made along the way, the lessons we learned, and where is CJ heading. We need your help!

Celebrate the final weekend of Summer Spotlight, Willie Doherty & Private Universes and the premiere of All the World’s a Stage with free admission and special programs and tours. The DMA is free all weekend. Take advantage of the tours, lectures and films, as well as access to three exhibits. Although, I expect a lot of people will be doing the same.

Among the exhibit of All the World’s a Stage will be a group of pastel ballet dancers by Edgar Degas. Growing up in pink tights and a black leotard I became very familiar with Degas’ ballet dancers. Years of plies and arabesques at the bar, and staring at the Degas posters that lined the wall in cheap frames from Michael’s- I got to know them well.

Join the Dallas Arts District this Saturday, August 08, 2009 for a walking tour of the Dallas Arts District, the largest urban arts district in the United States. Listen to experienced docents share the area’s history and architecture while strolling by the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center, historic Belo Mansion and Cathedral Shrine of the Vrigin of Guadalupe. Get a close up view of the Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theatre under construction and set to open in fall 2009.

Support local art and the artist’s by getting out to George Fowler’s artist reception this Saturday at The Cameron Gallery. His new exhibit, Heavy Metal, will be on display and available for purchase. Stop by for a glass of wine and check out his work before heading anywhere else Saturday evening. It will be fun. Promise.

Join The Women’s Museum for their annual Women’s Equality Day lunch on August 26th, 2009 at 12:30pm. Celebrate American women’s suffrage and discuss the fight for suffrage past, present and future. Their exhibit during Equality Month, Jailed for Freedom, explores the experiences of members of the National Woman’s Party in 1917.

Lunch can be purchased for $10 or feel free to brown bag it if you prefer. Make sure you RSVP to [email protected] or buy your ticket online.

Thursday, August 20th is Arts Advocacy Day in Dallas presented by the Cultural Affairs Commission, City of Dallas and Dallas Area Cultural Advocacy Coalition.

Arts Advocacy Day is an opportunity for everyone interested in the arts to learn more about new media marketing and the economic impact of the arts.

The featured speaker is Douglas Sonntag, Director of Dance for the National Endowment for the Arts. There will be workshops and panel discussions in the morning dealing with advocacy and public relations techniques. The cost for Advocacy Day is $35 and includes lunch and all workshops.

Do something memorable on Friday, August 21st! Learn how to dance to the beat of Indian classical and Western hip-hop, get a custom henna design, or share some of your latest poetry during open mic.

Want to just chill out and watch a movie? You can do that, too. Under the stars and in a garden! The Nasher Center is showing The Princess Bride. And in the DMA auditorium catch the Hitchcock classic movie, Rear Window.

There will be food, drinks, lectures and tours. The last late night summer block parties in the Dallas Arts District is going to be a night to remember.