A couple days ago I met local artist Carmen Menza. Her work will be featured this Friday, along with 16 other artists at Off the Grid, an old Power & Light substation that has been renovated for cool events like this one. The exhibit is one night only, open to the public, and 30% of all proceeds will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center.

Expect lots of new age art and chatter. Meet the artists and other enthusiasts. Or don’t meet anyone and just look at the art. The reception is from 7-10pm. Go. Support local artists. Have fun.

On Friday, May 1st, Texas Theater will be showing Lon Chaney’s 1923 horror classic, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Paul Slavens will lead a live musical score to accompany the screening. Tickets are cheap – $8/Adult $4/Children. Purchase tix online. Showtime is at 7pm.

These are the best sort of events to go to. A classic film in an old theater, a live orchestra, and a cheap ticket to get in. Take advantage of stuff like this. You’ll be surprised at what you get out of it.

For all the brides worried about their husband breaking it down on the dance floor, or those just worried about breaking their bank – clear your calendar for Sunday. (And your fiance’s calendar too.)

BRIDES magazine invites bride and grooms-to-be this Sunday to an all-day instructional dance event, designed to help couples master the first dance. Learn from the pros of Arthur Murray, win great prices throughout the day, talk to other couples, partners and sponsors, and receive a swag bag. Oh, and here’s the fun part. There’s a dance off. Don’t be shy, because you’ll be on camera and will have the chance to win $10,000 at the grande finale for your wedding day.

Valley House Gallery & Sculpture Garden will be having a garden party and reception tomorrow afternoon for the opening exhibition of America Works. America Works features American 20th Century and Contemporary Paintings, Drawings, Fine Prints, Photographs, and Sculpture of Americans at Work and Their Accomplishments. The exhibition will continue through June 6, 2009. Get the preview tomorrow (4/26) from 12:30-3:30pm.

Discover how Aureliano de Beruete (1845-1912) was influenced by his contemporaries Martín Rico and Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida, the French Impressionists, as well as his enthusiasm and appreciation for Diego Velázquez. Professor de Miguel Egea will also examine how Beruete was able to travel extensively, experience first-hand the work of his European contemporaries, and freely paint subjects that interested him, such as old Castilian cities and their surrounding landscapes.

Next Friday, “Is Anybody There?” starring Michael Caine opens. The USA Film Festival will be featuring the film on Thursday, April 30 at 7PM at the Angelika Dallas. People will be purchasing tickets to get in to see the film but, guess what? You might not have to purchase your tickets. The folks at cinecamp have some comp tickets to give away! That’s right, we’re giving away 5 passes which each guarantee 2 spots in the screening (10 seats total guaranteed admittance) to the 4/30 showing of IS ANYBODY THERE? at the USA Film Festival in Dallas, Texas. Details in full post!

It’s not often I post about music shows in Dallas, and it’s not because Dallas does not have great acts coming through, it’s just that I’m not the source to go to for music. If you are an author of/for one of these sites, thank you for keeping us up-to-date on all the local shows in DFW. There is nothing worse than going to a bands website and finding out they were in town … 2 days ago. And so, 2 bands I’ve been excited about now for a while are coming to Dallas in June.

Reserve your seat for next Wednesday’s panel discussion about how art impacts and often leads the way to social changes. The evening will also feature discussion about the upcoming operas, Dead Man Walking (Fort Worth Opera, May 2009) and Moby Dick (world premiere, Dallas Opera, 2010) and music from Dead Man Walking and other Heggie/Prejean collaborations.

The Dallas Observer will be hosting its 3rd annual Wine & Dine event, benefiting El Centro College Kitchen & Culinary Arts Foundation Scholarship Fund and the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association Scholarship Fund.

Tickets are $25 in advance ($40 at the door) and includes samplings of wine, beer, spirits and food from over 30 area restaurants. I bet this event will be more wild than you think.

This will be a cool event to attend if you’re a history buff or into photography. Guided tours never fail for learning random pieces of information and also for taking some cool pictures. Get on and off the tour bus with other Dallasites and learn about the great city we live in.