Arlington, TX

As always, we have great music around town and a couple of plays you can check out. The G-Kon gaming convention is in town and Fright Fest is starting up at Six Flags.

Be sure to check out the Front Street Festival in downtown Arlington this weekend. There will be art, entertainment, history, food and fun. Admission to Knapp Heritage Park is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

What: Fender Bender
When: Friday, Sept. 28 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: Professor D
When: Friday, Sept. 28 @ 9:30pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Bonedriven 
When: Friday, Sept. 28, 9:30 pm
Where: Hot Rods & Hoggs, 706 N. Watson Road, 817-649-5220

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Some of Arlington’s finest restaurants will gather together on Tuesday, October 2 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. for the annual Taste of Arlington celebration. This year marks their silver anniversary.

The event, which brings together nearly 75 restaurants at the Arlington Convention Center, raises money for the Arlington YMCA and Theatre Arlington. In addition to all the great food, organizers have planned a silent auction, a Big Board auction, music, sponsor displays, and a performance by Theatre Arlington’s youth touring group. Auction items include theater and other fine arts tickets, dinners, autographed collectibles, jewelry, art, event tickets, entertainment tickets, autographed books, gift baskets, spa treatments, and overnight stays. (more…)

What: Gone By Dawn
When: Friday, Sept. 21 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: Inflateable Love Boys
When: Friday, Sept. 21 @ 9:30pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Le Freak
When: Friday, Sept. 21 @ 9:30pm
Where: Reflections (Admiral Hotel), 1507 N. Watson Road, 817-640-7712

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What: Little Shop of Horrors
When: Fri.-Sun., Sept. 21-23 @ 8 pm
Where: Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St., 817-275-7661

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Much to do this weekend, as usual! We’ve got some great family activities, some rockin’ bands and lots of other fun things going on. I’m probably going to stay home and lay low. I might watch the Emmy’s on Sunday. (Exciting, eh?)

Enjoy yourselves!

What: Little Legends Storytime
When: Friday, Sept. 14 (call for details)
Where: Legends of the Game Museum, 1000 Balpark Way, Suite 400; 817-273-5087

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What: Ballpark After Dark Sleepover
When: Friday, Sept. 14 (call for details)
Where: Legends of the Game Museum, 1000 Balpark Way, Suite 400; 817-273-5087

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What: Mario Marcus
When: Friday, Sept. 14 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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Remember American Gladiators? For some reason, NBC had decided to ressurect this show and they are holding audtions right here in Arlington.

If you remember the original, which ran from 1989 to 1996, it pitted weekend warriors against some pretty scary, very large ‘gladiators’ in competitions such as The Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough and Eliminator. The updated version will keep the same concept but will offer updated versions of the classic events. A broadcast date for the series has not been announced, but it is expected to premiere mid-season in prime time.

Here are the details for the audtions: 

September 22
10am to 6pm
Arlington Courts
2500 E. Mayfield Road
http://www.arlington-courts.com/ 

• Please bring a non-returnable photo of yourself along with a completed application to the open call.
• Open Call Lines will begin forming 2 hours before the start time. Please do not line up prior to that.
• Time is limited and there is no guarantee that everyone will be seen-so please arrive early.

Gladiator hopefuls must come dressed in workout attire and wear appropriate footwear. A workout towel and water are suggested. Contestants will be tested on physical ability in areas such as strength, speed, balance and agility. All contestants must be at least 18 years of age and a legal US resident.

If you’re interested, check out NBC.com to download the application.

Arlington, Arlington TX, American Gladiators, NBC, Auditions, Casting Call

My pick for the weekend is the Mansfield Night on the Town in Town Park on Saturday. Me & My Monkey will perform and there will be food and drinks available. Should be a great family-friendly night (In case of inclement weather the festivities will be moved to the Mansfield Activities Center at 106 S. Wisteria).

What: Author Aziz Shihab
When: Friday, Sept. 7 @ 6-8 pm
Where: George W. Hawkes Library, 101 E. Abram St., (817) 459-6900

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What: Texas Ramblers 
When: Friday, Sept. 7 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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My friend, Bam Bam, gave me a heads up on an event some of you may be interested in. It’s not in Arlington, but if you’re a Dallas Mavericks fan, you may want to head over to Dallas to check it out.

The Mavs ManiAACs are holding auditions on September 15 for a few good men to join their performance team. If you’re not familiar with the ManiAACs, they are an energetic group of guys who do hip-hop dance routines at Dallas Mavericks home games. You don’t need to be a professional dancer to try out. You just need to love the Mavs, have a lot of energy, and be committed to rehearsing and performing at the games. You don’t even need to be in good shape. In fact, the beefier the better I hear.

Here are the details: (more…)

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The Mayor is at the Mall, The Wiggles are at Nokia, our good friends, Me & My Monkey are at Stumpy’s Blue’s Bar, and there are lots of other things happening. Enjoy your last weekend of summer. School starts Monday! 

What: Hearsay in concert
When: Friday, August 24 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Me & My Monkey
When: Friday, August 24 @ 9:30pm
Where: Stumpy’s Blues Bar, 2811 W. Division St., 817-275-3231

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What: Rangers vs. Seattle Mariners, Fri - Back to School Backpacks; Sat - MercyMe Pregame Concert
When: Fri.-Sun., August 24-26 @ 7:35pm
Where: The Ballpark, 1000 Ballpark Way, 972-RANGERS

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What: Astronaut (11am), Cosmic CSI (2pm)
When: Friday & Saturday, August 24 & 25
Where: UTA Planetarium, 700 Planetarium Place, 817-272-1183

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Most of us will be out doing our tax-free shopping this weekend, but there’s also a Bridal Show and some good music around town. Check it out:

What: SALES TAX HOLIDAY
When: Friday through Sunday, August 17-19
Where: Retailers in Texas; valid on clothing, shoes, diapers, backpacks

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What: Rat Ranch in concert
When: Friday & Saturday, August 17-18 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: Little Legends Storytime
When: Friday, August 17 (call for details)
Where: Legends of the Game Museum, 1000 Balpark Way, Suite 400; 817-273-5087

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What: Ballpark After Dark Sleepover
When: Friday, August 17 (call for details)
Where: Legends of the Game Museum, 1000 Balpark Way, Suite 400; 817-273-5087

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Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales taxes on August 17, 18, and 19 - the state’s annual tax holiday. Lay-away plans can be used again this year to take advantage of the sales tax holiday. 

Most clothing and footwear priced under $100 will be exempt from sales tax, which saves shoppers approximately $8 on every $100 spent. New this year, backpacks under $100 for use by elementary and secondary students will also be exempt.  It’s a great time to get all the back-to-school clothes.  Diapers are also included so it’s a great time to stock up if you have an infant.

Here is a list of the items that are exempt: (more…)

Over 100 of the finest restaurants in the Metroplex are participating in KRLD/1080 AM and Central Market’s Restaurant Week which will be observed through Sunday, August 19.In Arlington, participating restaurants include Cacharel, Piccolo Mondo and Olenjack’s Grille. Cacharel has joined several other North Texas restaurants by extending their Restaurant Week through September 2.

For $35, diners receive a three-course meal; $7 of that price will benefit the North Texas Food Bank or the Lena Pope Home. Reservations are required. Mention “Restaurant Week” when making the reservation.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.krld.com.

It’s a busy weekend around town. We’ve got craft shows, bands, theater, baseball and more!

What: Le Freak in concert
When: Friday, August 10 @ 9:45 pm
Where: Sherlock’s Baker Street Pub, 245 Lincoln Square Center, 817-226-2300

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What: The Party Crashers 
When: Friday, August 10 @ 9:30pm
Where: Reflections (Admiral Hotel), 1507 N. Watson Road, 817-640-7712

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What: Rufus Wainwright, Neko Case & A Fine Frenzy in Concert
When: Friday, August 10 @ 8 pm
Where: Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie (972-647-5700 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/)

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Arlington is home to some great charitable organizations and two of them have some back-to-school events going on this month.  I encourage you to support them in any way you can.

Arlington Charities is collecting donations for its annual Supply Train, which provides about 1,100 families with school supplies. They are accepting donations of supplies and/or money for the cause. School supplies are needed by August 17. Here is a list of what they are looking for: (more…)

There is something for everyone in the Arlington area this weekend:

What: Ultimate Bubble-Blowing League qualifier - winner gets a chance to meet LeBron James
When: Friday, August 3 from 1-8 pm 
Where: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, 1800 E. Lamar Blvd., 817-640-8900

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What: KISS Party 2007 with Avril Lavigne, Rihanna, Good Charlotte & Baby Bash
When: Friday, August 3 @ 7 pm
Where: Nokia Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie (972-647-5700 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/)

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What: Arsenic and Old Lace
When: Friday & Saturday, August 3 & 4 @ 8 pm; Sunday, August 5 @ 2 pm
Where:  Theatre Arlington, 305 W. Main St, 817-275-7661

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What: Astronaut (11am), Cosmic CSI (2pm)
When: Friday & Saturday, August 3 & 4
Where:  UTA Planetarium, 700 Planetarium Place, 817-272-1183

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