We?ve categorically become an arts region to reckon with. Back-to-back arts seasons offered notable performances in all four disciplines, revelatory exhibitions, gorgeous galas, and annual events like Dallas Art Fair. While the summer slows down a bit to allow for vacations, Patron?s BEST OF THE ARTS issue gives readers a second chance to savor a few of those that defined our cultural landscape. It?s a bit of a battle putting this roundup together with manifold to choose from, so we highlighted a few favorites among the lesser known that deserve closer inspection.
For my family, the eight-month stretch culminated in a glorious one-of-a-kind experience known as CancerBlows. From the imaginings of DSO?s Principle Trumpet, Ryan Anthony and his wife Niki, the unprecedented concert presented star soloists onstage to raise funds for multiple myeloma research?a disease Ryan was diagnosed with nearly five years ago. The audience was transfixed?only distracted enough to applaud or use cell phones to take photos of legends. Who could blame them, The Legends Return was an event to memorialize?like the hot-pink, black sequin-jacketed Doc Severinson in red (or were they magenta?) leather pants who served as the evening?s amusing emcee. Arturo Sandoval was clearly enthused as he performed The Brave Matador and other numbers with his colleagues. Lee Loughnane led a spectacular medley of tunes by his alma mater-band Chicago and even sang a bit. Rashawn Ross (Dave Matthews Band and Wycliffe Gordon [the only solo trombonist]) had the audience clapping throughout their playing time. Ryan?s performance of Gabriel?s Oboe from The Mission along with so many others ignited the evening. A personal favorite: the high-pitched virtuosity of Wayne Bergeron, a trumpeter tapped for solos in the nearly Best Picture, La La Land.
Of the arts to take in now, our cover shares a dress invented by Dutch designer Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion, an exhibition mounted at the Dallas Museum of Art through August 20. The Polaroid Project at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art displays the use of everyman?s camera with the inclusion of snaps by artists Dennis Hopper, James Nitsch, Andr? Kert?sz, and others. Was their experimentation better than our own brilliance with the technologically advanced film of yesteryear? Take a visit and see. Other highlights this summer include Doug Aitken: Electric Earth at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. In Viewer Involvement is Advised, we delve into the breadth of Aitken?s practice including his multichannel video installations. On the performing arts front, The Next Wave gives a preview of Bruce Wood Dance Project?s world premiere, Chasing Home. Conceived by choreographer Albert Drake III and New York-composer Joseph Thalken, the 25-minute dance draws inspiration from today?s refugee experience through 10 company dancers. No doubt the late Bruce Wood himself would have been proud of this contemporary feat. At Patron, we are most eager to learn about the new, now, and next. Share a few of your own favorite art moments. Drop us a line.
?Terri Provencal