Dallas Arts Gala

@ the Dallas Convention Center Arena on Saturday, September 18

"An evening of spectacular music, theatre, and dance entertainment and an exciting visual arts exhibition"

Truer words never said it- this was the first annual benefit and it brought together about twenty nonprofit arts organizations to feature the diversity of talent here in Dallas. It had a great deal of special celebrity guests like Kirk Franklin, Irma P. Hall (the lady in The Ladykillers) Charley Pride, B.J. Thomas,  and more.

I must say it really did show the diversity of Dallas- I was reminded of my old high school's cultural diversity program. They had salsa dancers, wierd short skits, soloists, duets, and more. It was good to be able to take my mother out. We both agreed that the House Band was probably the best part of the show.  I will say that it is a shame not as many people showed up as should have, but then it was scheduled on the same weekend as the Addison Oktoberfest and the Fort Worth Jazz On The Boulevard, so that probably had a great deal to do with it. My only other complaint was how long it was- people were leaving before it was even half-way through- it was about four hours long!

My favorite part was before the show even started- Remoto Spanish Rock Band was outisde rocking out, and man, these guys kicked ass! I also liked seeing the rich people covering their ears!

GREETINGS: This part they really should have cut down (there were too many speeches throughout the whole thing). They had speeches from Mattie Roberts (TXCN- the gala's Mistress of Ceremony), Senator Royce West, Deputy Mayor Don W. Hill, Ron Melton (Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau), Laura V. Estrada (Office of Cultural Affairs Commission), Director Betty Switzer (Office of Cultural Affairs), and the Steering Comittee Chair, Paige Nash (VP/Dallas National Bank). If you think it took a long time to read that- imagine sitting through it!

THE OPENING: The show started with an "Honor Dance" by the Bear Claw Indian Group, kind of like a pow-wow or rain dance. Then The Dallas Arts Gala Chorus sang "Big D."

PART I: Kiki Shepherd did a speech, then the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas came out and sang "Waltzing Maltida," and "Mary Had A Little Blues"- with shades on. This was followed by "Lakme' Duet"- an excerpt from an opera to piano. Next, the Dallas Arts Six (though I only counted five) sang "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning" to piano. Following was what I thought to be Part 1's best act, "Sinfe" by the Djely Kunda West African Dance & Drum Ensemble- a recreation of African tribal drums ceremonies, including a great deal of dancing and showmanship.

PART II: A speech from Regina Taylor, then the Dallas Arts Gala Chorus sang "Texas Our Texas," "The Yellow Rose of Texas," "The Eyes of Texas," and "Deep In The Heart of Texas." After that, the Azteca Mariachi Band performed "La Negia," and Echo Theatre performed a song/speech, "American Burka," denouncing discrimination. Followed was a hispanic dance with women in big, colorful dresses and tap-dancing men by the Daniel de Cordoba Bailes Company. Then Tevin Campbell sang "A Change is Gonna Come."

PART III: Speech by Irma P. Hall, who is still recovering from a car accident that broke an arm, a leg, and eight ribs. Following was "Glimpse of the Phillipines," an Asian-style dance where they tapped together these two ceremonial sticks in unison- it was pretty cool. Then Theatre Three did a medley (a woman singing to a guy on piano), Mountains, Rivers and Seas Through The Eyes of Pablo Neruda," a poetic monologue by Teatro Dallas. "Squeeze Me," by Liz Mikel- kind of a naughty song for a family-event. Next was my favorite part of Part III, "The Bongo Brothers: The Gazeeka Box," a funny wordless skit about getting what you wish for by Our Endeavors Theatre Collective. "Harlem River Dance" by Bobbi Humphrey- a flutist, a multi-person monologue "Shakespeare: Midnight Echoes," "Rustic Scene" from "a Mid-Summer Night's Dream," by Shakespeare performed by the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas. Followed was the crowd-pleasing act, "Don't Stop The Music," by Yarborough & Peoples. This male/female duo really new how to work a crowd- they had the whole audience standing and singing along.

INTERMISSION: Thank God! I got to get out of my seat and walk away- my back ached from sitting so long! I got a chance to see a male/female African American duo, "Rizpah," in the lobby. The woman was on a giant harp.

PART IV: Speech by Anna Martinez (La Vida) and "Oh, Happy Day" sung by Beverly Crawford and the Dallas Arts Gala Chorus. Then "Night Run"- a very beautiful dance by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Then the Sakura Japanese Women's Choir sang "Mother's Prayer," and FLIRT! Rich Tone Chorus (a 4-piece female act) sang "Original Dixieland One-Step." "Fiesta Mexicana" by the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico. B.J. Thomas ended Part IV with his song, "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head."

PART V: Speech by Kirk Franklin, which really pissed my mom off- she wanted to see him perform! Then Donnie Ray Albert sang "Ol' Man River," and let me tell you- that man had a voice! It was like rolling thunder! Charley Pride came out and sang "Kiss An Angel Good Morning," and the Booker T. Washington High School Latin Music Ensemble did a salsa medley that was three singers in front of their own orchestra, which incorporated Santana's "O Ya Como Va,"  with an awesome guitar solo. Erykah Badu was supposed to do "Green Eyes," but apparently she didn't show up! The finale was "America" sung by the Dallas Arts Gala Chorus.

Dallasmusic.com hopes to be more involved in this event next year- a great exhibition of the performing arts in the Dallas area.

-Grady Smith, Ftworthmusic.com Editor

http://www.dallasartsgala.com

   
Remoto Spanish Rock Band                                                                 Rizpah