BLOG ABOUT TOWN: The Family Dinner

So I was invited by a good friend of mine to something he referred to as "The Family Dinner". Now I like to consider myself as someone in-the-know but if I'm being completely honest I just assumed I was showing up to take pictures of a family gathering of his. I had no idea what it was. I never even intended to be writing the blog that you're reading now, I was just doing a good friend a favor. Not to mention it was being held at The Island Spot which is owned by a mutual friend of us both. And lets be honest after all, do you really need a reason to go eat some good jerk chicken and plantains?! I think not! But What I encountered was much more than I expected. What I walked in on was this network of young professional men and women who came there merely to meet one another, connect with each other and fellowship over a good meal. Founded in New York in 2008, the community-based family dinner tradition now hosts thousands of the nation's most influential, passionate and diverse young adults, over family style dinners twice a year in each city across the country. They're now in New York, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, Miami, Austin and growing.
 We all know that Dallas has the penchant for bringing out the same individuals to the same social gatherings and while I always run into a few people I know I was pleasantly surprised to meet some new faces. Some faces that came from as far as Houston. The really refreshing thing about this experience was that it was really about genuinely connecting. Not to talk about what degree you had, what firm you worked at, or to try to pick up a member of the opposite sex. Now I would be remiss if I didn't mention how attractive the crowd was and that certainly didn't hurt things but it went much further than that. All pretentiousness was left at the door and people got a chance to eat great food and truly engage with one another. It's good to know that Dallas is now part of the "The Family".

DESTINATIONS: Dallas Autumn Ball

With the holiday season getting ready to get into full swing, there will be no shortage of formal black-tie affairs in the Dallas metroplex. Gentlemen will get into their spiffiest tuxes and ladies will adorn themselves in their finest evening gowns. Well finally there is one specifically targeted to the young and the young at heart. The Dallas Autumn Ball engages, impassions, and empowers civic-minded individuals and young professionals to celebrate, raise awareness, and encourage the betterment of education in Dallas by providing a unique black tie event delivering a philanthropic opportunity to give back in a setting of celebratory fun.

 The Dallas Autumn Ball presents a unique black tie event held at the Hotel ZaZa Main Ballroom on Friday November 8th, 2013 with renowned event band Emerald City providing the entertainment and an open bar available for the attendees. Through these philanthropic efforts, the Dallas Autumn Ball sets out to support the Dallas Education Foundation's initiative - Project: Amplify. All proceeds from the Dallas Autumn Ball will go directly to Project: Amplify and impact public education in Dallas. As if you needed a reason to get dressed up right?! But you can also party with a purpose!

DESTINATIONS: Lamar Street Festival

Dallas continues it's cultural expansion with the introduction of the Lamar Street Festival. The inaugural event brings together art, film, food and music. Attractions include works by more than 40 artists, a short-film competition for amateurs, music by groups such as the Relatives and Home by Hovercraft, and Dallas' own Erykah Badu as the headliner. It will mark the 100-year anniversary of the South Side on Lamar building. The 11th Annual Cedars Open Studios will take place in conjunction with the festival featuring tours of artists studios and lofts as film and art will be some of the main focal points. There will be food and fun for the entire family. While this might not immediately change the misguided perception that "there is nothing to do in Dallas" or "Dallas has no culture" this is certainly a step in the right direction.

SOURCE | Photo

SOURCE | Photo

The Store Across The Pond: The One Year Anniversary of Timothy Oulton

There is something to be said when British designer Timothy Oulton picks Dallas for his first stand-alone store. It’s an 8,000 sqft space that has everything from furniture, UK themed nic-nacs to apparel and an aquarium with a huge yellow submarine. It even boasts a full-service coffee and pastry bar, an in-house flower shop, and a giant working fireplace. Think of it as the ultimate “man cave” on sartorial steroids! So when it came time for them to celebrate their one year anniversary since opening here they pulled out all the stops. Complete with a live band, royal guards, bottomless champagne, and the unveiling of a new masterpiece from kinetic artist Didier Legros entitled "Chaos". Quite the contrary of something chaotic, the sculpture involves no less than fifty jumping marbles that are charged with kinetic energy and are then carefully choreographed to skip elaborately across five different vertically suspended panels. Not a bad way to spend your Thursday.

A BLOG ABOUT TOWN: "The Journey" Presented by Lincoln Motor Company and Uptown Magazine

More times than not when we speak of success it's often the destination that's talked about as opposed to the actual "Journey" it takes to get there. Uptown magazine and Lincoln Motor Company teamed up with for an evening celebrating the Journeys of successful and influential African-Americans. The evening featured a pre-reception followed by a panel discussion beginning at moderated by on-air commentator, Bevy Smith. eM The Venue provided the perfect backdrop for young professionals to network and participate in the discussion. Add lite bites and an open bar and it became a party with a purpose. See how it all played out below.