TX Whiskey presents Picnic Day at the Ranch

Photo courtesy of TX Whiskey

To kick off Father’s Day weekend and celebrate National Picnic Day, TX Whiskey will present Picnic Day at the Ranch. Visitors can enjoy live music and sip TX cocktails. Admission includes baskets with two drink tickets, two picnic snack boxes and a commemorative TX Whiskey blanket. A food truck will be selling on-site, and Air Style Art will be engraving TX Whiskey bottles with purchase.

Photo courtesy of TX Whiskey

TX Whiskey presents Limited-Edition Baseball Bottle Release & Movie Night

To celebrate MLB Opening Day, TX Whiskey is launching a limited-edition Baseball Bottle of the TX Blended Whiskey. Former Texas Rangers pitcher Derek Holland will be on-site for a meet & greet, and complimentary bottle engraving by Airstyle Art will be available with bottle purchase. There will also be a screening A League of Their Own to commemorate Women’s History Month. Food trucks will be selling on-site.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Toro Toro presents Woodford Reserve Tasting Event

Toro Toro Fort Worth in The Worthington Renaissance Hotel will present a Woodford Reserve Tasting Event, where guests can meet the skilled craftsmen behind the brand and learn about the unique process that goes into creating each and every bottle.

The complex flavor profile of Woodford Reserve's signature bourbon and rye expressions will be paired with curated bar bites designed to enhance every note and aroma. As one of the oldest and most respected distilleries in Kentucky, Woodford Reserve has been producing award-winning spirits for over 200 years using only the finest ingredients and traditional methods.

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14 cool celebrations to bring in the New Year around Dallas-Fort Worth

Cheers to 2023!

Everyone likes to celebrate the New Year in one way or another, and Dallas-Fort Worth offers plenty of options for doing so. The following list is by no means comprehensive, but it gives a glimpse at the variety of different events taking place on New Year's Eve. Whether you prefer low-key or all-out, you can welcome 2023 in style. (Looking for best New Year's Eve dining options? Find that list here. New Year's Day brunches are here.)

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents New Year’s Eve: ABBA The Concert
ABBA The Concert is considered to be one of the best ABBA tribute bands around, and they'll join the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at this special New Year's Eve concert at Bass Performance Hall. Featuring hit songs like "Dancing Queen," "Mamma Mia," "Money, Money, Money," and more, the concert will be among the more fun ways to spend the last day of 2022.

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents Noon Year's Eve
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is hosting a New Year celebration fit for the whole family. New Year-themed activities will include making confetti poppers and noise makers; decorating party wear with a Noon Year's Eve hat; writing New Year’s resolutions on ribbon and adding it to the confetti pile; exploring New Year’s Eve-inspired items and animals from the History and Science Collections; and more. After the countdown to noon, guests can stay to explore the museum.

Four Day Weekend present New Year's Eve Celebration
With outposts in both Dallas and Fort Worth, Four Day Weekend is an established local comedy force. They'll celebrate New Year's Eve the only way they know how, with a special show created from audience suggestions and participation. Their annual New Year's Eve celebrations, taking place in both Dallas and Fort Worth, features their signature comedy show, catering from Reata, and a champagne toast at midnight.

Fort Brewery & Pizza presents New Year's Eve Celebration
Fort Brewery & Pizza in Fort Worth will present a New Year's Eve Celebration featuring an expansive dinner buffet, a complimentary Luc Belaire Champagne toast with party favors at midnight, and dancing to '90s hip-hop hits from DJ Con the Baptist.

Fort Worth Neon New Year's Bash
The Fort Worth Neon New Year's Bash, at the only covered and heated rooftop in Fort Worth at Texas Republic, will feature an open bar, live DJs playing hip hop, electro, top 40, and old school music, super confetti cannons, a Champagne toast, festive party favors, and late night tacos.

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark presents Epic Family New Year
It may cold outside, but you can still swim to your heart's content at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie. Their New Year’s Eve celebration will feature circus and aerial performances, hula dancing, interactive games, and more. The event will also include a special Hawaiian-themed dinner including a pig on a spit, pulled pork sliders, baby back ribs, coconut shrimp, and mini pineapple upside-down cupcakes.

Reunion Tower presents New Year's Eve Fireworks
As has become tradition, Reunion Tower will usher in the new year by presenting the seventh annual Texas-sized Reunion Tower “Over The Top NYE 2023” fireworks show. Although there is no viewing allowed near the tower, you can take in the show at nearby parties (including several of the above) or surrounding city streets. If you'd rather stay home, NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth / KXAS will broadcast the event from 11:30 pm-12:30 am, and KLUV (98.7 FM) will simulcast the celebration.

ArtPark presents New Year's Party
ArtPark, located in West Dallas just on the other side of Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, will have 14 private bubble tents, two fire pits, and two VIP areas for rental that include champagne, a $50 gift card from Trinity Grove's newest concept Nitro Burger, and party favors. There will be a live DJ for dancing and celebrating, and an ideal view of the Reunion Tower fireworks at midnight.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents New Year's Eve
The annual New Year's Eve celebration by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra is a tribute to the Viennese tradition as they toast the New Year with lively waltzes from the Strauss dynasty, honoring the most prestigious of New Year’s musical traditions. The concert, conducted by Gemma New, will be at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Pegasus City Brewery presents NYE 2023
Pegasus City Brewery will ring in the New Year and celebrate the roaring ‘23s with a night of 1920s fun and flair. There will be live music from the New Orleans-style David Washburn Jazz Band, heavy hors d'oeuvres from Southern Gentleman's Table catering, beer, wine, & cider, exclusive beer cocktails and samplings, an NYE photo booth, champagne toast at midnight, and a commemorative NYE 2023 glass.

The Statler presents New Year’s Eve: The Royal Masquerade Ball
The Statler in downtown Dallas will celebrate New Year’s Eve with an extravagant Masquerade Ball. The evening will feature an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, casino chips, an optional three-course dinner, dancing to favorite Top 40 Hip Hop mashups, and more.

Virgin Hotels Dallas presents Glitz & Glam NYE Party
Virgin Hotels Dallas' Glitz & Glam soiree will be dripping in disco balls, spanning the entire 4th floor with two parties and two DJs. Guests can reserve a table with bottle packages and reserved seating or purchase a ticket for open bar. There will be an open bar from 8:30 pm-12:30 am with premium spirits and champagne, plus complimentary bites from 8-11 pm. The party will allow guests great views of the city skyline & fireworks from the 4th floor.

Legacy Hall presents New Year’s Eve Disco Party
Legacy Hall in Plano will present New Year’s Eve Disco Party, featuring three floors of live music, five craft bars, a huge midnight celebration, and more. The event will feature a performance by The Rich Girls, who will play the music of Hall & Oates, Prince, '80s classics, and more. Select eateries will be open throughout the venue for delicious late-night bites.

SĒR Steak + Spirits presents New Year's Eve Celebration
SĒR Steak + Spirits on the 27th floor of Hilton Anatole will ring in 2023 with some of the best views of the Downtown Dallas New Year's Eve fireworks show. The event will include a DJ and dance floor, a midnight toast, and gourmet food & drinks from chef-featured live-action gourmet food stations and premium bar. Guests are encouraged to dress in upscale and formal fashion.

Photo courtesy of Origin Hotel Austin

The 10 hottest Austin hotels to book for a full ACL Fest experience this fall

Night Moves

This year's Austin City Limits Festival is right around the corner, and hotels in Austin are booking up fast. The event — taking place over two weekends, October 7-8 and 14-16 — sees approximately 400,000 people descend on the city's Zilker Park over two weekends, many of whom have to make their way en masse to hotels, perhaps not knowing that P. Terry’s is a great move for a late-night snack well below festival prices.

As one might imagine, hotels around Austin offer ACL deals, but they’re not very well publicized. Frankly, they don’t need to be, because people will find them. And fast. There are two long, official lists of hotels with vacancy on the festival website, for plucky travelers who love to scroll.

For everyone else, here are 10 great hotels and deals to springboard the search, from budget finds to music industry favorites. Since rates are slippery with all the different room sizes and dates available, CultureMap compared the lowest prices from each hotel on the same four nights, and assigned a dollar-sign rating:

$ — $250 or less
$$ — up to $500
$$$ — up to $1,000
$$$$ — above $1,000

At the end of the day (literally), as long as a hotel is safe and comfortable, it’s auxiliary to the ACL experience. But why not have a little extra fun?

Hampton Inn — $
The lowest priced of the entire ACL-sanctioned list, the Hampton Inn at 4141 Governors Row in South Austin will likely still require a paid ride to Zilker Park, about seven miles away. But it’ll be worth it to save hundreds with a few exclusive rate offers remaining. Even if those run out, it’s a reasonable option that’s very close to South Congress. It’s a mile-and-a-half from Cosmic Coffee, an excellent place to wake up before a busy day.

Origin Hotel — $
Origin Hotel, a four-city boutique hotel that just opened in Austin's Mueller neighborhood in June of 2022, is offering a special ACL rate. This deal gives a great opportunity to stay somewhere buzzworthy and unique for roughly the same price as a status-quo national chain. Origin also contains an all-day diner called Blue Lacy, something a little hard to find in Austin. Almost six miles from Zilker, it’ll require a drive, but the more residential area will be a great escape near locally loved restaurants.

Colton House Hotel — $$
Colton House Hotel on South Congress, a new boutique hotel as of January 2021, makes a special offer for ACL guests of four nights, with one night at half off and free parking for anyone with tickets. In addition to its stylish, neutral rooms, the hotel maintains a private yoga studio, great for working on those hamstrings after lots of walking; Zilker Park is about a mile from end to end. Use promo code ACL2022 when booking online.

Hyatt Regency — $$
The closest of the official ACL partnerships is the Hyatt Regency at 208 Barton Springs Road. This is a straight shot to Zilker, with only about a mile-and-a-half of walking. With great views and accessibility to Auditorium Shores and all of downtown, this is a great option for guardians, partners, or friends coming along for the ride who haven’t bought a wristband or tickets every day.

Moxy Hotel — $$
Moxy Hotels have a fun, young vibe in their many locations, with smart, space-saving room designs that help keep prices relatively low for their downtown locations. This one at 2552 Guadalupe St. is just over three miles from Zilker, but because of its West Campus location, it’s very accessible to buses. Moxy doesn’t appear to offer any ACL discounts, but check-in comes with a free cocktail (and sometimes other perks).

Hotel Indigo — $$
Airbnb is not the only option for festival-going pet owners. ACL partner Hotel Indigo accepts pets of up to 50 pounds ($75) and is located on one of Austin’s busiest streets for nightlife Red River. This area is full of live music venues (great for a musical nightcap, which are sure to be raging during the festival), and the hotel is right next to one of Austin’s quintessential bars, Cheer Up Charlies. Intrepid festival-goers could technically walk the two-and-a-half miles to Zilker.

Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt — $$$
A special deal (weekends one and two) from the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt combines a three-night stay with merch and two festival wristbands, for those who haven’t splurged on them yet ($2,850). Even if you have, the Rainey Street hotel is a unique place to extend the musical experience to the point of breaking sanity. Geraldine’s, the excellent rooftop restaurant and bar, has jazz brunches, a “record society,” daily guest artists, and monthly artists in residence.

Soho House — $$$
Don’t count this South Congress members-only option out yet — a Soho Friends membership ($14 per month or $130 per year) is much more affordable than the whole shebang, and allows visitors to book hotel rooms, bring guests, and save on dining and spa packages. Soho House’s ACL special includes welcome cocktails at the very cool Dante’s HiFi vinyl bar, plus a luxurious Sunday brunch for two. And just imagine the rainforest showers after a long day.

Hotel Zaza — $$$
This boutique hotel can offer something priceless during such a crowded time: mobility. Hotel Zaza’s free three-mile shuttle brings guests wherever they ask to go within its downtown radius. Between the ACL shuttle that stops on the same block as the hotel, and the hotel’s shuttle starting at 3 pm, guests may not have to pay for a rideshare throughout their entire trip. Visitors for three nights or more receive a percentage discount.

Hotel Saint Cecilia — $$$$
It doesn’t offer any ACL-specific deals, but it would be a crime not to mention this musical hotel for visitors who really want to commit to the bit. The famous Hotel Saint Cecilia, tucked behind South Congress, played host to the Foo Fighters during their 2015 headlining ACL run, who then recorded a five-track EP there. The rooms are music-themed and have Gibson guitars on loan. Even though there is no ACL discount, there are four-night and pre-booking deals.

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'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

3 Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurs rank among Forbes' richest self-made women for 2023

Elite entrepreneurs

Twelve of the country's 100 most successful female entrepreneurs live in Texas this year, and three of them call Dallas-Fort Worth home. So says Forbes in its 2023 list of America's Richest Self-Made Women, released June 1.

"Bolstered in part by a rebound in the stock market, [the richest 100 female entrepreneurs] are cumulatively worth a record $124 billion, up nearly 12% from a year ago," says Forbes.

To make the Forbes list, women had to garner wealth on their own, rather than by inheriting or winning it.

Texas' wealthiest women have made their fortunes in fields ranging from home health care, insurance, and aviation logistics to jewelry design, dating apps, and running the show at SpaceX.

The three female entrepreneurs from North Texas who appear in the elite club of America’s richest self-made women (and their national rankings) are:

Robyn Jones, No. 29, of Fort Worth. Her net worth is estimated at $830 million. Jones is founder of Westlake-based Goosehead Insurance Agency LLC. She started the property and casualty insurance agency in 2003 after being frustrated with her truck-driver husband's "road warrior lifestyle," Forbes says. He joined her in 2004 and they took the company public in 2018. It has nearly 1,000 franchised offices.
April Anthony, No. 34, of Dallas. Forbes puts her net worth at $740 million. She founded the Dallas-based home health and hospice division of Encompass Health Corp and sold it for $750 million to HealthSouth. In 2022, she was named CEO of VitalCaring, a home health and hospice care firm.
Kathleen Hildreth, No. 44, of Aubrey. Her net worth is estimated at $590 million. Hildreth is co-founder of M1 Support Services LP, an aviation logistics company based in Denton. A service-disabled Army veteran, she graduated from West Point in 1983 and was deployed all around the world as a helicopter pilot.

The nine other Texans who appear on the list are from Austin and Central Texas. With an estimated net worth at $4.8 billion, Thai Lee, of Austin, remains at the top of the list in Texas, and ranks No. 5 nationally.

She falls behind only No. 1 Diane Hendricks of Wisconsin (co-founder of ABC Supply, $15 billion net worth); No. 2 Judy Loveof Oklahoma (chairman and CEO, Love's Travel Stops And Country Stores, $10.2 billion); No. 3 Judy Faulkner of Wisconsin (founder and CEO, Epic Systems, $7.4 billion); and No. 4 Lynda Resnick of California (co-founder and co-owner of Wonderful Company, $5.3 billion) among America's richest self-made women.

For some additional perspective, Oprah Winfrey lands at No. 13 on the list for 2023. The TV titan (and most famous woman on the planet) has an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion, Forbes says.

Austin's Lee, a native of Bangkok who holds an MBA from Harvard University, is founder, president, and CEO of SHI International Corp., a provider of IT products and services with a projected revenue of $14 billion in 2023. Fun fact: "Lee majored in both biology and economics," Forbes says, "in part because her English was less than perfect and she wanted to avoid writing and speaking in class."

The remaining eight Texas women on the list are:

Gwynne Shotwell, No. 27, of Jonesboro (Coryell-Hamilton counties). Her net worth is estimated at $860 million. Shotwell is president and COO of Elon Musk's SpaceX. She manages the operations of the commercial space exploration company and owns an estimated stake of 1 percent, Forbes says.
Lisa Su, No. 34, Austin. Forbes pegs Su’s net worth at $740 million, tying her with April Anthony of Dallas. The native of Taiwan is president and CEO of Santa Clara, California-based semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices.
Kendra Scott, No. 47, of Austin.Forbes says she has amassed a net worth of $550 million as founder of Kendra Scott LLC, which designs and sells jewelry in more than 100 stores (and is worth $360 million). The celebrity entrepreneur is also a judge on TV's Shark Tank.
Whitney Wolfe Herd, No. 52, of Austin. She is worth an estimated $510 million. Herd is co-founder and CEO of Bumble Inc., which operates two online dating apps: Bumble and Badoo. She owns a 17% stake in Bumble and became the youngest self-made woman billionaire after it went public in February 2021.
Paige Mycoskie, No. 73, of Austin. She is worth an estimated $380 million. Mycoskie created founded her 1970s-inspired California lifestyle brand, Aviator Nation, which took off during the pandemic and now has 16 retail locations across the U.S. If the name sounds familiar, that's because she'sl the sister of TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie, with whom she competed on TV's The Amazing Race.
Imam Abuzeid, No. 77, of Austin. Her net worth is estimated at $350 million. Abuzeid is the co-founder and CEO of Incredible Health, which she started in 2017 to help alleviate America's nursing shortage. Forbes describes it as "a souped-up version of LinkedIn for nurses." Abuzeid is one of only a handful of Black female founders to run a company valued at more than $1 billion, Forbes notes.
Julia Cheek, No. 92, of Austin. Her net worth is estimated at $260 million. Cheek founded at-home testing company Everly Health in 2015 "out of frustration at having to pay thousands for lab testing to diagnose issues related to vitamin imbalance," Forbes says. It got a Shark Tank deal with Lori Greiner and is now worth roughly $1.8 billion.
Belinda Johnson, No. 96, of Austin. She is worth an estimated $250 million. Johnson was Airbnb's first chief operating officer and led many of its legal disputes. She stepped down from that role in March 2020, Forbes says, and left the company's board in June 2023.

Plano sizzles with hot music and cool pools all summer long

Fun in the Sun

The sun is shining, the kids are out of school, and you're all ready for some summer fun. Plano's where it's at, with everything from concerts to happy hours on tap this summer.

Dive in
From Memorial through Labor days, take a refreshing dip in 168,000 gallons of saltwater that's shaped like the great state of Texas. This membership-supported community pool (there are tourist passes available) features a diving board, two water slides, and an island with a shallow "South Texas" wading area for the little ones. Picnic tables, a beach volleyball court, barbecue grills, and a snack bar complete the experience.

C'mon, get happy
Head to Legacy West for its monthly sip-and-shop Happy Hour Hikes, where you can sample beer, wine, cocktails, and food; receive exclusive offers at shops and restaurants; and enjoy entertainment throughout the Legacy West neighborhood. There are also photo opps, featured local artisans and nonprofits, and a chance to win a $300 gift basket to your favorite store.

The hikes happen from 6-9 pm the first Thursday of the month, aka June 1, July 6, and August 3 in the summer. Participants must be 21 and up, and groups of 10 or more get a discount by emails happyhourhike@lot32.com.

Tasty tunes
From Monday night karaoke to a concert lineup that includes all your favorite genres of music, live music at Legacy Hall is a rockin' good time. Check upcoming acts here, and then arrive early to enjoy dinner from nearly 20 eateries and craft cocktails from five-plus bars.

For an even more elevated experience, reserve a Balcony VIP Lounge (21 and up only) and enjoy dedicated cocktail service, soft seating, and the best view of the stage. Fridays and Saturdays also come with free admission to the Late Night After Party on the third floor of Legacy Hall in High Bar.

First-rate Fourth
America's birthday is a big deal in Plano, beginning with a free patriotic concert on July 3 at 7 pm. Plano Community Band will be playing in Haggard Park in the Downtown Plano Historic Arts District.

On the Fourth itself, cheer on — or walk in! — the Rotary Clubs of Plano 4th of July parade at 7:30 pm. The route travels along Spring Creek Parkway in between Collin College and the Red Tail Pavilion, and you can sign up to participate here.

The parade is smack in the middle of Plano's All-American 4th, a free festival that starts at 6 pm and features a kids’ zone sponsored by Champion Energy Services and a fireworks show beginning at 9:30 pm. Blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers are welcome, with food and beverages available for purchase from onsite vendors — sorry, no pups allowed.

Staycation vibes
With all this fun on the agenda, you'll want to stay more than a day. Immerse yourself in Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West Hotel's "West of Zen" culture, with gorgeous artifacts hidden away in every public corner, and the menus for both beverage and food offer a bold take on Asian fusion.

Dine in the main restaurant, ŌMA, grab a quick bite at the quaint Texas Teahouse & Marketplace, or dip into The Whiskey Moon Bar + Lounge to sample its impressive selection of American, European, and Asian whiskeys.

Enjoy DJs on the pool deck every Saturday afternoon during the summer or live music at Whiskey Moon every Saturday evening — see a lineup here.

Speaking of the rooftop pool, you can now book private cabanas through Resort Pass and stay shady all summer long.

See all your Plano accommodation options here.

Photo courtesy of Happy Hour Hike

Join the Happy Hour Hike the first Thursday of each month.

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For a complete guide to Plano, head to www.visitplano.com.

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