Just call it the little park that could. Years ago, when Dallas city officials began talking about building a deck park on top of Woodall Rodgers Freeway, many of us (especially downtown dwellers) were cautiously optimistic. But for much of the populace, the attitude was, “Build it, and no one will come.”
Yet here we are, celebrating the 5.2-acre Klyde Warren Park’s second anniversary, and what an astounding, successful addition to our city it has become. It’s hard to find a place to park nearby on a weekday, and on a weekend? Fuggedaboudit. Just take DART or the McKinney Avenue trolley, or a cab. You might find a parking spot at the Dallas Museum of Art’s garage across the Woodall Rodgers access road to the south, but the DMA is also hopping these days.
The park’s four-day birthday fest began Oct. 22 and continues through Oct. 25. It includes musical performances, a simulcast from the Dallas Opera, a family festival and much more. Here are the Top 5 things I’m looking forward to.
1) DALLAS OPERA SIMULCAST OF THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO: If you can’t afford opening night at the Dallas Opera inside the Winspear Opera House (it’s glamorous and fabulous, but, whoo, most of the seats are expensive), this is the next best thing. Figaro is one of opera buffs’ favorites, and with good reason: Mozart’s 1786 comedy is a true delight, and, it’s being directed by Dallas Theater Center artistic director Kevin Moriarty, who’s — What’s that word? Oh, yeah: brilliant. Fun trivia: The stage play on which Figaro was based, by Pierre Beaumarchais, was at first banned in Vienna because of its “licentiousness.” The comic Mozart version, though, got approval and achieved great success. The Dallas Opera gives it a family rating of PG-13 for “adult themes and attempted seductions.” Lorenzo Da Ponte wrote the Italian libretto for Mozart’s version; it’ll be sung in Italian with English supertitles. (For more on the performance, see Page 9.) Oct. 24 on the Great Lawn with pre-show activities starting at 6:30 p.m., including a screening of the Three Stooges’ Micro-Phonies and a “Worst Bridesmaid’s Dress” contest (something every woman over 20 could probably enter), a bouquet toss and more. Simulcast begins at 8 and runs till around midnight. dallasopera.org.
2) YOGA: There’ll be yoga sessions Oct. 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. as part of the family festival. The Dallas Yoga Center will offer basic yoga, and the Crow Collection of Asian Art will focus on family yoga. Go get stretched out so you’ll be in fine fettle for the rest of a fun, busy day. dallasyogacenter.com, crowcollection.org.
3) ACTIVITIES FROM ARTS DISTRICT NEIGHBORS: You and the kiddos will find an abundance of intriguing, engaging activities including face painters, a juggler, a caricature artist and crafts for kids. Oct. 25 throughout
the park from noon to 5 p.m. klydewarrenpark.org.
4) SECRET LIFE OF PIGEONS: I’ve always been inordinately fond of pigeons; I love the iridescence of their wings and their “I dare you” stance when facing an oncoming car. Learn about these abundant city birds with the Trinity River Audubon Center’s program. My big question: Why do we never see baby pigeons? Oct. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. on the Great Lawn. trinityriverauduboncenter.org.
5) DALLAS SKYLINE 360 TOUR: This is the best way to get to know downtown Dallas without thoroughly exhausting yourself. Basically, you stand in one spot and turn 360 degrees as someone from the Dallas Center for Architecture tells you about the buildings, both contemporary and historic, that you’re seeing. It’s an unusual, relaxing way to learn new things about the city’s architecture. Oct. 25 from 2:30 to 3 p.m. at The Dallas Morning News Reading and Games Room. dallascfa.com.
All activities are free at Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. For a complete schedule of events and more information, visit klydewarrenpark.org. 214-716-4500.
On Twitter: @joytipping
