Dallas is facing its 25th day in a row of 100 degree weather. We have tried everything to stay cool, but V Spa has some Summer Spa Treatments are are sure to help you chill out and relax. What a cool way to beat the Texas heat!

It goes without saying that Dallasites enjoy a nice chilled summer cocktail. V Spa at Hilton Anatole is serving up three new 50-minute summer spa treatments including the Mango Margarita Body Polish, Strawberry Daiquiri Facial and Pina Colada Manicure/Pedicure. These luscious, cocktail-inspired services offer a healthy, non-caloric alternative without a hangover. They are available all summer, through September 4,2011 with happy hour pricing of 25% off weekdays between 3pm – 7pm. (Discount not available with other discounts and promotions. Restrictions apply.)

The Mango Margarita Body Polish ($95)
Helps brighten dull skin with a sweet-smelling mango scrub followed by a mango butter moisture application to replenish dry skin.

Strawberry Daiquiri Facial ($95)
Strawberries contain alpha hydroxyl acid, salicylic acid, and tons of vitamin C which help shed dead skin, minimize pores and create a healthy glow. That’s why V Spa loves the Strawberry Daiquiri Facial which combines a strawberry leaf exfoliate, berry mask, and tantalizing strawberry hand treatment.

Pina Colada Manicure or Pedicure ($50 each)
It’s exotic, conditioning, tropically fragrant and nourishing. The Pina Colada Manicure or Pedicure  includes a refreshing pineapple coconut soak, rejuvenating scrub and hydrating moisture application. The manicure also includes a coconut pineapple scented paraffin dip (paraffin available with pedicure for an additional fee).

All treatments include a complimentary day pass to the Verandah Club, an 80,000-sq. ft. fitness facility which includes an outdoor pool with swim-up bar. You can chill out and relax with V Spa’s summer treatment, then chill out  and enjoywith one of your favorite frozen cocktails poolside.

V Spa is located at 2201 Stemmons Freeway (I-35E) in the Hilton Anatole, just north of downtown Dallas, Texas

Listen to the smooth sounds of Jazz with Uptown Jazz Dallas Live at House of Blues beginning Friday, August 12, 2011 9:30 pm – until. Come out and support Dallas’ jazziest.

Did you know? In the wild, important agricultural plants–from bananas, breadfruit, and mangoes to cashews, dates, and figs–rely on bats for pollination and seed dispersal. Learn more about these amazing animals in  new exhibit Denizens of Darkness at the Heard Nature Museum.

Night Hike

July 23, 2011, 8:15pm

Sneak a peek into the nocturnal world and experience nature in a whole new way! Registration required. Email smann@heardmuseum.org to reserve your spot.

Native Texas Butterflies

Through September 30, 2011

Enjoy being immersed among native Texas fluttering butterflies in the butterfly house and garden. This is also a beautiful setting for family photos.

Dinosaurs Live!

October 1, 2011 to January 29, 2012

Encounter life-size animatronic, dinosaurs along the Heard’s nature trails at the 6th annual Dinosaurs Live! Life-size Animatronic Dinosaurs at the Heard.

Animal Adventure Camp – Next Week – July 18-22

Campers experience a behind-the-scenes, hands-on adventure with our education and exhibit animals. Learn about our different animals and what it takes to properly care for them. More info.

Fort Worth’s Circle Theatre continues its 30th Anniversary Season with Becky’s New Car, a new play by renowned playwright Steven Dietz. When Becky’s New Car first premiered in 2008, Variety claimed that it “takes the audience on a smart, comic cruise through the perils of middle-aged longing and regret.” In 2009, it was one of six finalists for the prestigious Steinberg New Play Award given by the American Theatre Critics Association. Preview performances are Thursday, July 28; Friday, July 29; and Saturday, July 30 (matinée). The production officially opens Saturday evening, July 30, at 8:00pm, followed by a post-show party with the cast and crew.

Performance Dates and Times

July 28 – August 27, 2011
July 28, 29, & 30, 2011 -Matinee
Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 8:00pm
Thursdays at 7:30pm
Fridays at 8:00pm
Saturdays at 3:00pm & 8:00pm

Under the direction of Robin Armstrong, Circle Theatre’s production of Becky’s New Car features John S. Davies* (Walter); Lisa Fairchild* (Becky); Mark Fickert* (Joe); Stan Graner (Steve); Fritz Ketchum (Ginger); Curtis Raymond Shideler (Chris); and Meg Shideler (Kenni).

Circle Theatre’s Executive Director, Rose Pearson, says, “With this show, Circle Theatre not only is discovering a new play, but is also forming a delightful friendship with Charles & Benita Staadecker, the couple who commissioned the writing of Becky’s New Car. The Staadeckers travel to see the opening of every production, so our cast, crew and patrons will have the chance to meet them, in person, when they come to Fort Worth for our opening. Charles Staadecker claims Circle Theatre is now part of their Becky’s New Car family.”

Becky’s New Car Plot

Playwright, Steven Dietz, introduces us to Becky Foster, a normal kind of gal who is married, middle-aged and a mom. She isn’t exactly unhappy, but from her desk at a car dealership, she can’t help wanting to know what else is out there. Unexpected plot twists and turns make this quirky comedy a journey worth remembering. (Adult Content due to subject matter)

Becky’s New Car was commissioned and originally produced by ACT Theatre in Seattle, Washington, and was part of the New Works for American Theatre in honor of Benita Staadecker. Kurt Beattie, Artistic Director; Susan Trapnell, Managing Director.

The Playwright

Steven Dietz, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, graduated in 1980 with a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Northern Colorado. Soon thereafter he moved to Minneapolis and began his career as a director of new plays at The Playwrights’ Center, where he eventually became resident director for a period of ten years. He began writing plays of his own in 1981, and since 1983, his twenty-plus plays have been seen at over one hundred regional theatres in the United States, as well as Off-Broadway.

International productions have been seen in thirteen countries and translated into seven different languages. In 2010, Dietz placed eighth on the list of the Top Ten Most Produced Playwrights in America, sharing that spot with Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee. He has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, including the Kennedy Center Fund for New Plays (Fiction), the PEN USA West Award in Drama (Lonely Planet), and the 2007 Edgar Award for Drama (Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure). He currently lives in Austin, Texas, where he teaches playwriting and directing at the University of Texas.

The Director

Robin Armstrong returns to Circle Theatre to direct her second show in the theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season. Robin most recently directed Circle’s productions of Boeing-Boeing and Bright Ideas, and Collin Theatre Center’s production of Hello Human Female. She is scheduled to direct Seven in One Blow at Circle Theatre later this season. In 2010, Robin directed Circle Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Bach at Leipzig, which garnered multiple Dallas Critics’ Forum Awards for Outstanding Direction, Outstanding Creative Contribution (for fight choreography and costume design), and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast. Bach at Leipzig was also cited on the “Year in Review Top Ten List” for Dallas Voice, Critical Rant and Rave, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Dallas Observer, Theater Jones and D Magazine.  Robin earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Theatre from Louisiana State University.

Circle Theatre

Founded in 1981 by Rose Pearson and Bill Newberry, Circle Theatre is currently producing its 30^th anniversary season of live theatre. The Theatre’s mission is to present professional contemporary and innovative productions in its intimate 125-seat setting.  Circle Theatre is partially supported by the City of Fort Worth, the Arts Council of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, the Community Foundation of North Texas, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.  For further information, please visit the Circle Theatre fan page on Facebook, www.CircleTheatre.com, or follow the Theatre on Twitter at circle_theatre.

Friday, August 19^th, is “University Night” at Circle Theatre. Student tickets will be available for $5. Faculty and staff tickets are $10. “University Night” tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance reservations are strongly suggested. Use the code UNIV to qualify for this offer when purchasing tickets at the box office or online. Students and Seniors (65+) receive a $5 discount on any full-priced tickets.  Student Rush tickets are available for half price, at half hour before show time (on standby).

Groups of 10 (or more) receive a $5 discount on each full-priced ticket. Circle Theatre accepts the KERA Member Rewards Card, Sundance Square Inside the Square coupons and the Star-Telegram Press Pass.

Seating is limited and reservations are recommended.  Call 817.877.3040 or stop by Circle’s box office,

Tuesday through Friday, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm or one hour before show times.  Circle Theatre now  offers “24/7” online ticketing at www.CircleTheatre.com.

Circle Theatre
230 W. Fourth Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Sundance Square Entertainment District

Summer at the Heard Natural Science Museum offers time to reconnect with nature. Less than 10 miles from downtown McKinney and only 30 miles from the heart of Dallas, The Heard
is the perfect location for a day-trip or “staycation.” The Heard has picnic facilities, 289 acres featuring five eco-systems with miles of trails, a variety of education programs, exhibits, and more!

Denizens of Darkness

Through September 11, 2011

Are you afraid of the dark? Most humans are. Learn about bats and other creatures that are active at night–their purpose, their habitat and how they live their day at night. Study the moon phases and explore how our human limitations feed our imaginations. Muster the courage to look in your closet. Discover why there is nothing to fear.

Upcoming Events & Programs at The Heard Natural Science Museum

Canoe Try-Its! With the Heard at the Adriatica    July 3, 2011

Reptile & Amphibian Merit Badge Workshop  July 9, 2011

Camp Barn Owl  July 11-15, 2011

Camp Vampire Bat   July 18-22, 2011

Eco-Explorers Camp  July 18-22, 2011

Animal Adventure Camp 1   July 18-22 or  July  25-29, 2011

Camp Barn Owl  July 25-29, 2011

Animal Adventure Camp 2  August  1-5, 2011

Audubon Naturalist Art Camp  August  1-5 or August  8-12, 2011

Dallas Fish Market Date Night Menu

$45 per person- two person minimum couple with complimentary bottle of wine

Available Friday and Saturday Only, Not Available on Holidays No other promotions or discounts allowed with this menu 20% gratuity will be added for parties of 6 or more.

“…Dallas Fish Market stands out as probably the most ambitious and interesting of our seafood restaurants”.   By Leslie Brenner, The Dallas Morning News

Choice of Appetizer

Wild Salmon Crudo: Avocado, green apple, jalapeno and cilantro

Market Salad: Mixed greens, caramelized cipollini onions, spiced walnuts,

pear tomatoes, gorgonzola, white balsamic

Choice of  Entrée 

Pan Seared Wild Salmon: Braised bok choy, green curry nage, and red curry foam

Crispy Louisiana Redfish: Thai chili, pad Thai noodle, Asian vegetable stir fry, and roasted peanuts

Grass Fed Petit Filet Tenderloin: With caramelized onion mashers and daily veggies

 Pan Roasted Free Range Chicken: With caramelized onion mashers and wild mushrooms

Dessert  (Choice of One to Share)

New York Style Cheese Cake

Chambord gastrique

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Raspberry sauce

Make your reservation for Date Night at Dallas Fish Market.

July 19 – 31, 2011
Fair Park Music Hall

Get your tickets 20% off to the Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday evening performances in price levels 2-4!

Use Discount Code: SUPER

You will love this sparkling new production of the timeless Broadway classic coming to Dallas at the Fair Park Music Hall in July. The Dallas Summer Musicals presents  GUYS AND DOLLS.

Set in Damon Runyon’s mythical New York City, is an oddball romantic comedy–considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy. The show soars with the spirit of Broadway as it introduces us to the cast of vivid characters who have become legends in the canon: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight “Mission Doll,” is out to reform the evildoers of Times Square, starting with Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet but ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her fiancé, desperate to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game.With music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, The New York Times calls it “The show that defines Broadway dazzle!”

Click Here to order your ticket for Guys and Dolls.
To save 20%, use Code: SUPER.