08.05.2024

Today’s Forecast

The Deep Ellum blues

Deep Ellum’s blues and jazz history

Deep Ellum historic neon sign that lights up the day pictured during the day.

Deep Ellum’s history of music is still evident today. | Picture via WFAA

Deep Ellum may be one of the most up-and-coming neighborhoods in the US, but it also has a rich musical history. Blues and jazz, specifically, have deep roots in this musical Dallas neighborhood, which acted as a gateway for many famous musicians.

The past

Deep Ellum became part of the national Harlem Renaissance movement in the early 20th century, as it was a hub for the city’s Black culture and music after the Civil War.

A lot of establishments on the 200 block of Central Avenue were opened by musicians and families in the community. Hotspots like The Gay Paree and the Gypsy Tea Room provided a place for musicians — like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Bessie Smith, Texas Bill Day, and Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter — to get their start.

Many of these venues have since disappeared, due to the construction of the Central Expressway in the 1950s, but their historical impact remains the same.

Picture of lights blinding the inside of the Deep Ellum Brewery — Deep Ellum is now home to many music venues, breweries, and stores in the area.
|
Photo cred via @jaimesasco

The present

Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair is an annual event that features live music performances by musicians from all walks of life, including jazz and blues musicians. The festival takes place every year in the first week of April. Local acts including RC Williams, Cure for Paranoia and The Grays, and 40 Acre Mule have all performed at the festival previously. The festival also features a variety of vendors offering food, drinks, and arts and crafts. It is free and open to the public.

Last year, the neighborhood became a national historic landmark. Visitors can see music history recognized in areas like Blues Alley on Clover Street, which uses art to recognize North Texas musicians, including many blues greats like Blind Lemon and Ray Charles.

With the emergence of The Bomb Factory, Club Dada, and The Green Room, locals can still see live music in the neighborhood.

Events

Monday, Aug. 5

Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros | Monday, Aug. 5 | 7:05 p.m. | Globe Life Field | $9-$596 | The Rangers go head-to-head with their 2023 ALCS opponent, the Houston Astros.
Intro to Dance Improv | Monday, Aug. 5 | 6 p.m. | Stomping Ground Comedy Theater & Training Center | $10 | Dance and dress up at this all-ages “High School Musical"-themed class.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

Dollar Days Presented by Whataburger | Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Dallas Zoo | $1 | Visit the Zoo for $1 during the Dallas Zoo Dollar Day.

Wednesday, Aug. 7

School Supply Drive for Lake Highlands High School | Wednesday, Aug. 7 | 4:30 p.m. | Vector Brewing | Free | Donate backpacks, notebooks, and other school supplies at this drive for students at Lake Highlands High School.
“Pardon My French” Presented by Reggie French | Wednesday, Aug. 7 | 7 p.m. | Addison Improv | $15-$120 | This is a “no bad words” comedy show perfect for the whole family.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Dallas Reunion Tower announced Saturday via Instagram that for each North Texas athlete who wins gold, the tower will light up for the win. In honor of Scottie Scheffler’s gold medal in golf, the tower lit up the Dallas sky with a special show Sunday night. (NBC DFW)

Development

The owners of Epic I tower on Pacific Ave. got a $115+ million loan to help maintain their assets. Dallas-based Westdale Real Estate Investment and Management firm will refinance its debt on the 282,873 sqft property. (Dallas Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Construction has started on a 226-unit townhome community in southeast Arlington. Yardly Eden is an estimated $55 million development that will be located at 1701 Mansfield Webb Rd. (Dallas Business Journal)

Eat

Donatos Pizza, an Ohio-based chain known for no-crust, is opening two new spots in the Frisco and Flower Mound area. Both spaces will open in fall 2024. (Dallas Culture Map)

Concert

For the first time, legendary singer Mariah Carey will be coming to Dallas. Her 2024 “Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time” tour will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her Merry Christmas album and holiday anthem, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

Edu

On Saturday, Aug. 10 North East Mall is partnering with Hands on Texas for their “Out with the Old, In with the Cool: Back to School” event. Family-friendly entertainment, freebies, interactive crafts with ArtsNET, Thinkatorium’s hands-on STEAM activities, and more will featured at the event.

Stat

2 in 5. That’s how many Cowboys fans count down the days until the next season starts, according to a study by Casino.ca. Are you one of them?

Olympics

Dallas Native Sha’Carri Richardson came in second place during the women’s 100 M final with a 10.87 performance, making her the world’s second-fastest woman. Keep up with Team USA and Dallas’ local athletes, like Richardson, via WFAA. (WFAA)

Sports

Texas Rangers Kumar Rocker makes his Double-A debut. What’s next for the pitcher? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Drink

Welcome to Twilite Lounge

Red lights and memories: Welcome to Twilite Lounge

Red lighting with 1920s wallpaper with an old newspaper in a frame.

Twilite Lounge is a dive bar and music venue for musicians and good libations. | Photo Via Justin Hoard

Dallas’ Twilite Lounge has made a name for itself as one of the premier music and bar venues in Deep Ellum. Since the opening of its doors, the dive bar has become a go-to place for live music performances as well as karaoke.

The bar opened in 2013 as a project of former radio DJ Danny Balis and Slobberstone guitarist Jess Barr. The pair wanted to create an easygoing atmosphere with good vibes and libations different from their other Deep Ellum counterparts.

The bar’s New Orleans-inspired patio, 1920s wallpaper, and vintage bookcases lean into the neighborhood’s musical history. The lounge has two stages on the inside and outside of the establishment, and often hosts local acts including jazz musicians Shelley Carroll and Ryan Thomas Becker. The venue still hosts many performances which are posted on their website.

Share your experience at the Twilite Lounge.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maiya

From the editor

Deep Ellum is filled with many stories that are often silenced or forgotten. As a community, it’s our job to make sure the stories of those before us aren’t forgotten. Send me their stories.

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