Renowned Ukrainian ballet dancer who fled war stars in Dallas-Fort Worth 'Nutcracker'

World stage

Photo courtesy of Vsevolod Maevsky

On February 24, 2022, Ukrainian-born dancer Vsevolod "Seva" Maevsky lay in bed, nursing a back injury at his home in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where he was a member of the world-famous Mariinsky Ballet.

Photo courtesy of Vsevolod Maevsky

Vsevolod "Seva" Maevsky gave up his career with Mariinsky Ballet to help his family flee Ukraine.

The phone rang.

It was a friend and former Mariinsky colleague, calling from Mexico.

“In your country, Ukraine, now is war,” the friend told him.

Seva phoned home to Kyiv.

Russian military forces had invaded the country. Family members wanted to leave.

Seva wanted to help, but it meant saying goodbye to the Mariinsky - his dream ballet company and dance home for the last four years.

“I really had no choice,” he says. “I had to help my family.”

But at 24 - a man of combat age - Seva could not go back to Kyiv, as he would not be allowed to leave once he entered Ukraine.

Instead, with little money, few possessions, and still suffering from debilitating back pain, the dancer journeyed from Saint Petersburg to Turkey to reunite with his mother, brother, two sisters, and a niece fleeing Ukraine.

There, they would try to make a plan for the future - whatever the future should look like.

Conflicting worlds
Ten months later, Seva is sharing his story ahead of his unlikely appearance as a guest principal artist in the Tuzer Ballet’s Nutcracker performances December 17-18 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson.

His engagement as the Nutcracker Prince with the respected Tuzer Ballet likely would not have come about had Seva not found himself displaced from both his homeland and his adopted home country - and seeking opportunities to perform where he can.

In a virtual video interview from Seva’s new temporary home of Dresden, Germany, he makes two things clear: 1) He will not complain about his personal situation because many of his countrymen and women have it much worse, and 2) Out of respect for his friends in both Ukraine and Russia, he does not want to discuss politics of what he calls “a stupid war.”

“To be honest, sometimes it’s so hard when I start to think about it because, yeah Ukraine’s my home, but Russia, I have a lot of friends,” he says.

In fact, Seva says, the day he told his Mariinsky director that he would be leaving Saint Petersburg to help his family, he was met not with a “goodbye,” but with a big hug.

“It was difficult because I grew up there and everybody was so kind to me,” he said of the company he’d come of age with since he was 19.

Born in Kyiv, Seva achieved early success as a ballroom dancer, partnered with his sister from the age of 5. It was his mother’s dream for him to dance ballet, so she enrolled him in the Kyiv State Ballet School. Seva went on to win several international awards and competitions, including the prestigious Gold Medal Grand Prix Kyiv (Ukraine) in 2016. He earned a scholarship to study with the Ellison Ballet in New York and then, in 2018, won the Gold Medal at the acclaimed Youth America Grand Prix New York.

Then came the Mariinsky Theatre Ballet, one of the biggest and most respected companies in the world (rivaled only by Russia’s famed Bolshoi).

Determined to help
But in the spring of 2022, Seva suddenly found himself in Turkey without work, without income, without the routine of rehearsals and performances with one of the world’s pre-eminent ballet companies.

Determined to help his mother and siblings - who were struggling with employment and finances - he took out a loan with friends, searched for auditions, and reached out to ballet contacts around the world to help him find dance work. Yet his crippling back pain persisted, and he felt his 24-year-old body falling out of shape.

“I had to do something because I had to help my family and I had to just keep going because it's my profession,” he says. “It was hard. I remember I did my second audition and (I was) not in shape… I was disappointed. I was like, okay what happened with my body, I’m losing everything here. It’s really important for dancers, if you want to improve yourself, you just keep going.”

Seva’s first performance after he left Russia ended up being in Orlando, Florida. The Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), which he’d won in 2018, invited him to perform at their gala in April 2022.

“I was so happy to be back on the stage, to be back (in) shape,” Seva says.

Gala performances with companies in Switzerland and Italy followed, and on May 1, he moved to Dresden and started with the Dresden Semperoper Ballet. He proudly paid off his loan in three months. “I’m so thankful to the director and teachers here, that I can keep going,” he says.

Seva is also working with a manager who is focused on helping artists, displaced by war, find opportunities in America. On November 12, Seva performed in a sold-out concert in Los Angeles called “Reunited in Dance,” featuring renowned dancers from around the world impacted by the war in Ukraine.

From Dresden to Dallas
Seva connected with Dallas’ Tuzer Ballet through Lauren Lovette, another guest principal dancer in the Tuzers’ Nutcracker. Lovette is the choreographer in residence at the acclaimed Paul Taylor Dance Company and performs as a guest principal dancer around the world.

Tuzer Ballet co-founder Pat Tuzer says that when a couple of the dancers from prior years’ Nutcrackers became unavailable this year, a friend recommended Lovette, who recommended Seva.

"We're really excited to have someone of his caliber joining us,” Tuzer says. “He's a citizen of the world with the experiences he has already had at such a young age. It will be wonderful."

Pat and Tanju Tuzer’s ballet company has the longest running Nutcracker in Dallas-Fort Worth, back for its 41st holiday season. They describe their Nutcracker as “a blend of global inspiration and local brilliance,” with technically difficult choreography inspired by their international training in Hamburg, Germany - along with more than 400 original costumes and professional sets that transport audiences to a magical wonderland.

Seva will rehearse in New York for several days before flying to Dallas-Fort Worth for the weekend performances. It will be his first time in North Texas.

“I really appreciate it, this invitation to be back on the stage in USA,” Seva says. “I'm really happy and to be honest, USA was from my childhood like a dream… Dallas is a new place for me, and I think we will do everything great and I just want to be thankful for that opportunity.”

As for his family, Seva’s brother and mother have remained in Turkey. His sisters, remarkably, have gone back to Ukraine.

“I know it’s so dangerous for them still,” Seva says. “They’re like, ‘We’ll just see what happens.’ I hope everything will be okay.”

With the unprovoked war dragging on and instability throughout Ukraine and Russia, Seva is not sure what his own future will hold. It’s been two years since he stepped foot in his homeland of Ukraine, and he also misses his friends in Russia tremendously.

“I don’t have, like, exactly plans,” he says. “I have some offers to keep going and to maybe change companies next season, but we’ll see. I just want to dance, I just want to improve myself, and help my family.”

'Art helps'
Coincidentally, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet premiered exactly 130 years ago, in December 1892, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. What has now become a holiday tradition around the world features themes of growing up, conquering fears, and finding beauty in lands around the world.

They are themes that resonate offstage with Seva.

“Art, and in this case, ballet, help people to forget for a while about problems outside,” Seva says. “They come to see this performance and they see me, like, as a prince in Nutcracker, for example, and they think about this. Art makes people think in a better way.

“With this situation (in Ukraine) ... we can change it if we will start thinking in a different way, like a more peaceful way, and art helps with this.”

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Tuzer Ballet presents "The Nutcracker," 2 pm December 17 and 18 at Eisemann Center for the Performing Arts, Richardson. Tickets: $20-$80 through the Eisemann Center website.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Tanglewood: Top schools and community spirit in this Fort Worth neighborhood

Your Expert Guide

There are so many great places to live in Fort Worth that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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Just southwest of downtown Fort Worth is Tanglewood, a neighborhood known for its family-friendliness, excellent schools, and deep sense of community.

Real estate professional Sharion Innis Bostic couldn’t agree more. The Fort Worth native has called this part of town home for more than 25 years, and says there is not a better place to live.

“We moved here because we wanted our children to go to exemplary, neighborhood schools where their friends were close by,” says Bostic. “This is a neighborhood where kids can still walk to school or ride their bike. The parks, bike trails, and community tennis courts make it a great place to get out and meet your neighbors, too.”

It's also a centrally located place where you can walk to shops and the grocery store — not to mention TCU and Colonial Country Club. The Stockyards are also just 15 minutes away, and Dickies Arena is only 10 minutes away.

As a former flight attendant, Bostic enjoyed buying and remodeling homes so much in her off time that eight years ago she decided to take her keen learnings and insights and pursue a full-time real estate career. Not only does she rely on her expertise in negotiating to assure that her clients have a smooth and rewarding experience, her background in visual marketing is also an asset.

When she’s not working, you might find Bostic with her husband and three daughters cheering on the Aggies or Horned Frogs. She also loves walking her Labradors along the Trinity Trails and attending events for The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth.

Bostic offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in and around Tanglewood. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Bostic suggests Jon's Grille, which is a ranch-to-table concept with an incredible BYOB (Build Your Own Burger) situation. Don’t skip their snacks either, where you can order such things as the Trainwreck (fries, tortilla chips, queso, chopped brisket, jalapeños, scallions, and cilantro) and elote fritters.

More legendary burgers can be had at Dutch’s, a neighborhood fave. And Charleston’s is another longtime local hangout for home cooking like meatloaf and chicken fried steak. For an upscale-yet-comfortable experience, Tavern is your place.

Where to play
Tanglewood is located near a branch of the Trinity River, so walking, running, or biking the Trinity Trails is a beautiful advantage of this neighborhood.

“You can also walk to The Shops at Clearfork, which is an upscale hub for shopping, entertaining, and dining,” says Bostic. “It’s so much fun!” She also loves playing tennis on the community courts.

What to see
The Cultural District is only five minutes away and has five award-winning museums within walking distance of each other, including the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Kimbell Art Museum, National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Where to live
Most of the properties are one- or two-story, traditional ranch-style homes that were built for families, according to Bostic. The homes are generally sited on spacious lots, ranging from one-third of an acre to three-quarters of an acre, and many have large trees, too.

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Sharion Bostic lives, works, and plays in Tanglewood. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email sbostic@briggsfreeman.com, or call 682-465-9674.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Walsh: A dreamy, new world-class neighborhood that thrives on community

Your Expert Guide

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While the term "master planned community" is frequently used, real estate professional Adrianne Holland, GRI, will tell you that Walsh is in a class of its own in this category.

Located in Fort Worth, the new, 7,200-acre development is one of the largest of its kind in a major U.S. city and includes commercial development, residential neighborhoods, and mixed-use areas.

“The developer invested in more than a decade of research and design to ensure every factor that makes a world-class neighborhood was planned out in detail,” says Holland, who was born and raised in Fort Worth. “This included many forward-thinking, long-term investments, such as a tree farm, integration with a top school district, 2,300 acres of green space, and some of the most advanced internet connectivity available in the United States.”

She’s so inspired by the area that she’s building her own custom home in Walsh and will be moving there in 2023.

“From creative neighborhood events that happen year-round to outstanding amenities and the friendly waves of passing golf carts, this neighborhood has a thriving community experience that is missing from so many others,” adds Holland.

One of her greatest joys is helping her clients find their perfect home, for whatever phase they are moving into in life. Another great joy? Halloween decorations! "My decorations definitely lean to scary rather than whimsical, and every year I try to build on what I did the year before," she says.

Holland is also a frozen yogurt aficionado — it's her "kryptonite" — and she will detour on road trips and block time to try new places.

Fro-yo aside, she offered up some of her personal favorites about life in Walsh. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
While Fort Worth is a mere 12 minutes away for anything you might be craving, Holland also suggests two excellent options even closer to Walsh: Fire Oak Grill in Weatherford and Railhead Smokehouse BBQ in Willow Park.

“Both places have Texas-style decor and laid-back ambiance," says Holland. "Definitely ask for my favorite off-the-menu item at Railhead: the fried turkey.”

Where to play
Walsh has 120 acres of green space in addition to a state-of-the-art Athletic Club with sport courts and two huge swimming pools.

But Holland’s go-to hangout is Lake Park — especially in the summer months — where you can rent a kayak, lounge in an Adirondack chair, or go for a swim in the nine-acre lake. There’s also a two-tiered, shaded playground with a cushioned floor to keep little ones safe while they play on swings, slides, and a globe spinner.

Holland also loves Makerspace, a creative lab and gathering place that provides innovative tools and technology like 3-D printers, robotics, laser cutters, woodworking tools, sewing equipment, and kid-friendly arts and crafts. Access to Makerspace is an included amenity for all Walsh residents.

What to see
“Don’t miss a chance to visit downtown Weatherford,” says Holland. “It has a rich Western and pioneer history that can be seen and explored in its downtown square and historic district.”

It’s also the Peach Capital of Texas, and there’s an annual Peach Festival where you can sample many fruity creations.

Where to live
Holland shares that Walsh allows future residents to select from a broad range of architectural styles, with one to suit almost any taste.

There are eight unique styles from which to choose: Colonial Revival, Mediterranean, midcentury modern, Arts and Crafts, modern farmhouse, Texas vernacular, transitional, and Tudor.

“The variety of architecture is so appealing, but if none of those styles perfectly match your taste there are custom-designated areas, such as Cline Park, that allow you to further customize your dream home,” adds Holland.

Holland represented the buyer of 2600 Paladora Drive, which is a quintessential example of a custom home in Walsh.

“Located in Cline Park, this modern hacienda home is elegant, timeless, and welcoming with its beautiful red tile roof, several alfresco gathering spaces, and a neutral color palette that garners a sense of relaxation,” she says.

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Adrianne Holland works and plays in Walsh. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email aholland@briggsfreeman.com, or call 817-988-7955.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Agent Adrianne Holland.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Colonial: Historic character and friendly neighbors in the heart of Fort Worth

Your Expert Guide

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Real estate advisor Raleigh Green considers the Colonial neighborhood of Fort Worth almost like a second home. Growing up, he spent a significant amount of time there at his grandparents’ and friends’ houses, and was always running up and down the streets to train for his high school and college track meets.

Green and his wife, Megan, who works with him, still have family members and close friends who live in Colonial, and they are constantly showing off the neighborhood to clients.

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Raleigh is active in the community and serves on several boards in Fort Worth. Fun fact: Raleigh’s community knowledge and associations have earned him the nickname “The Mayor of Fort Worth.”

“Location, location, location,” is a big advantage, according to the Greens, as Colonial is in the heart of Fort Worth and is close to Texas Christian University, shopping and dining in University Park Village, and several parks and bike paths along the Trinity River.

“Plus, Colonial has historic character, impressive architecture, and a true community of friendly, caring and respectful neighbors,” they add.

The neighborhood’s namesake Colonial Country Club is also attractive for homebuyers. The private golf course is home to the Charles Schwab Challenge, a PGA tournament that comes to Fort Worth every May.

The Greens offered up a few of their personal favorites about life in Colonial. Here's their guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
As part of chef Tim Love’s empire, the Woodshed Smokehouse pays homage to all things grilled, roasted, and slow-cooked, and it’s a favorite destination for the Greens. It’s also a great place for a cold beer or craft cocktail overlooking the Trinity River.

For authentic Mexican food and solid margaritas, the Greens suggest Maria's Mexican Kitchen. They also head to HG Sply Co. for healthy yet hearty and delicious fare.

Pacific Table brings an eclectic mix of modern, Pacific Northwest cuisine to the table (don’t miss the grilled artichokes or the San Francisco cioppino) — and their brunch menu is small but mighty with sweet and savory flavors.

Where to play
The Colonial Country Club is right in your backyard with its world-class golf course, while Courtside Kitchen serves up pickleball and good eats in one place. The Greens also recommend the Fort Worth Zoo for fun for the whole family.

To spend time in nature they head to Overton Park, the Trinity River for fishing and kayaking, and the Trinity Trails for running and cycling. Catching a sports game at Texas Christian University is another favorite pastime.

Where to live
The Greens advise that homes for sale in the Colonial neighborhood are generally large, updated two-story properties in a wide variety of styles, including Colonial, Spanish, and Tudor, along with a few ranch-style homes.

They recently sold 3708 Country Club Circle, a stunning four-bedroom that, as its address suggests, is directly across from the country club.

Raleigh and Megan Green work and play in Colonial. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email rgreen@briggsfreeman.com, or call 214-208-7417.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Rivercrest: Historic homes that harken back to Fort Worth's cowboy past

Your Expert Guide

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Few embody the concept of "cowboys and culture" like Donna Kyle Veale. The real estate agent is the wife of a sixth-generation rancher and descendent of J.J. Ward of West Texas.

She moved from Telluride, Colorado, (where she is still a broker) to live with her husband in Fort Worth and enjoys representing luxury buyers and sellers in North Texas.

Donna Kyle and her husband are members of River Crest Country Club and are quick to tout the Rivercrest neighborhood's proximity to Fort Worth's Cultural District, Northside, and downtown area.

"Rivercrest is a great neighborhood for families, and especially golfers!" she says. "People greet you with a smile and live an active lifestyle. With easy access to downtown and the Trinity Trails, this area is a great location for young couples, families, and those interested in immersing themselves in Fort Worth."

Donna Kyle offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Rivercrest. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Donna Kyle's absolute favorite place to dine is Paris 7th, where the classic French cuisine reminds her of the year she lived in France. "My favorite small plate is the foie gras de canard au torchon," she says.

Roy Pope Grocery is her favorite place to grab a quick bite with friends, thanks to its comfortable, trendy atmosphere. "It has a fabulous gourmet deli, serving specialty coffees, wine, and beer," Donna Kyle says. "I can always count on fresh fruit from the produce section or a select Angus steak for the grill. The staff is especially friendly and always so helpful."

Where to play
River Crest Country Club offers much more than just a round of golf. "I always feel pampered by the staff, whether I’m hosting a special event or enjoying refreshments from the 1911 Lounge," she says. "Tuesday night is fried chicken night, and it is well attended by Rivercrest families."

What to see
Just a short distance from Rivercrest are the Cultural District museums. "I love visiting the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame," Donna Kyle says. "During the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, it’s a must on my list of places to take our out-of-town guests."

Her favorite specialty shop is PS The Letter, which is where she goes whenever she needs a unique gift. "I especially love sending handwritten notes, and PS The Letter has the most lovely collection of custom stationery," she says. "Their bespoke crystal gifts and custom decor never disappoint."

Where to live
"The historic elegance of the estates in Rivercrest captured my interest when I first moved to Fort Worth," Donna Kyle says. "The homes are diverse in terms of architecture, with styles ranging from Mediterranean to modern. Many of these homes date back to 1910, when Fort Worth was considered the Old West and populated by cattlemen, ranchers, and oil tycoons."

The grandest historic homes are the few that sit along the bluff on Crestline Road. Donna Kyle's personal favorite home in the Rivercrest area is the Baldridge House, a Georgian mansion built in 1910 that has been beautifully preserved and updated. It was designated as a Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 1978.

"Its gardens are as opulent as the chandeliers that drape the ceilings throughout the home," says Donna Kyle. "The home rivals many of this era — it is sincerely captivating!"

Some Rivercrest homes are tucked away for privacy yet have expansive golf course views. The floor plans are fitting for growing families, with three-plus bedrooms and ensuite baths — and expect to see large kitchens and dining areas separate from the living areas.

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Donna Kyle Veale works and plays in Rivercrest. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email dkyle@briggsfreeman.com, or call 970-708-1535.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Overton Park: Great schools make this family-friendly neighborhood shine

Your Expert Guide

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When Margaret Motheral says her neighborhood feels like family, she's not kidding. The real estate agent has lived in Overton Park for the past 34 years, raising her family surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who also chose to put down roots in this special community.

"Now my adult children have chosen to live in the neighborhood, too," she says. "We have so many friends and family who live in the area. The schools here are highly ranked, and it’s centrally located. We knew our investment would be safe here!"

Indeed, Overton Park has a new state-of-the-art elementary school — Overton Park Elementary School — that runs pre-K through fifth grade. The neighborhood is also close to several great private schools, as well as I-20 and I-30 for commuting.

Motheral offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Overton Park. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Motheral lists Yogi's Deli & Grill, Cafe Bella, and Tavern as tried-and-true favorites.

Where to play
"Take a bike ride on the Trinity Trails or walk through Overton Park," says Motheral. "Your children will love playing on the playground or even having a birthday party at the park."

The Shops at Clearfork is a must for shopping and dining, and Motheral points out that it's a great place to bowl or see a movie, too.

Where to live
Overton Park consists of one-story ranch-style homes, midcentury modern homes, and two-story Colonial-style homes. Homes are sited on spacious lots that range from a third of an acre to a half-acre or more.

"The winding, tree-lined streets make for a beautiful landscape," Motheral says. "Pride of ownership is evident as you drive through the neighborhood."

"Having moved from California, it was great to have a real estate agent with such experience in the Fort Worth market," says Dave, one of Motheral's clients. "We were able to weigh the pluses and minuses of each area and came out with a great deal in a wonderful neighborhood."

"Margaret was great at helping us prepare, present, and market our home to achieve the best outcome," says Doug, whom Motheral represented as the seller. "She did a thorough job of researching our market, justifying listing it above nearby comps, and getting three offers at and above our listing price the day it was listed. It was the perfect outcome, as we needed every dollar to sink into our next, more expensive home. Thanks to Margaret for saving us thousands."

"Margaret was amazing!" say clients Paula and Floyd. "We were going to go 'for sale by owner' until a friend recommended Margaret. She made the process so easy. We completely trusted everything she suggested, from pricing the home to staging it for pictures. We were thrilled to get multiple offers, and it sold in less than a week."

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Margaret Motheral lives, works, and plays in Overton Park. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email mmotheral@briggsfreeman.com, or call 817-371-0939.

Agent Margaret Motheral

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

Agent Margaret Motheral

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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.

Best ways to celebrate your Pride throughout June in Dallas-Fort Worth

Have Some Pride

The month of June is designated as Pride Month to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and various groups and businesses around Dallas-Fort Worth are showing their support in a multitude of ways.

Here are some of the best ways we've found for members of the community and allies to participate in Pride Month in style. While some are specific events, other celebrations will occur all month long. Find even more events here.

Monthlong celebrations

Pride Month screenings at Rooftop Cinema Club
Rooftop Cinema Club on top of the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in downtown Fort Worth will screen a variety of films with LGBTQ+ themes or characters throughout the month of June, including Mamma Mia!, Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Birdcage, Moulin Rouge!, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Devil Wears Prada.

Special Pride drink from Gong cha
Gong cha, which has seven stores in the DFW area, will donate a portion of every purchase of their special Lemon Ai Love Yu bubble tea to the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) in name of #Equalitea. The special Pride drink is a sweet and tart Lemon Ai Love Yu bubble tea with white pearls and (edible) glitter for some extra festive sparkle. The limited time promotion will run through June 30.

Luckys Pride Celebration
A Dallas institution off Oak Lawn Avenue for more than 35 years, Luckys has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ community. They'll celebrate Pride Month throughout June with a special commemorative T-shirt and a celebratory cocktail, the Pride ’Rita, featuring El Jimador Blanco tequila blended with Chambord, lime juice, and agave nectar.

Electric Shuffle Pride Brunches
Every Sunday in June starting at 12 pm, Electric Shuffle in Deep Ellum will host a Drag Brunch and donate 10 percent of those brunch sales to DIFFA. There will be big-name performers, a Drag Race Royalty special guest, high-tech shuffleboard, live DJs, and more. Additionally, $1 of each purchase of their new summer cocktail, the Prickly Pear Margarita, will be donated to DIFFA.

Pride events

Weird Wednesday Night Market + Secret Movie Screening
June 7, 5-10:30 pm: Fort Worth Community Cinema hosts a special Pride Month Weird Wednesday event at Southside Preservation Hall. The event will feature more than 35 food vendors (but it's BYOB), along with art, collectors, "retro preshow," and a screening of a secret Pride Month comedy at 8 pm. Admission is free, but they request “pay what you can” donations for entry into the movie. Register here.

Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum presents “Voices of LGBTQ+ Dallas”
June 7, 7 pm. The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is hosting “Voices of LGBTQ+ Dallas,” a special exhibition program for Pride Month highlighting trailblazers in the Dallas area LGBTQ+ community. The program featuring speakers such as Chris Luna and Naomi Green is already sold out, but the Museum’s current special exhibition, Rise Up: Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement, is on display through June 18.

Arttitude presents OutLoud: A Night of Pride
June 8, 6 pm: OutLoud: A Night of Pride is an inclusive event where artists and performers can fearlessly share their stories and experiences. The event will include poetry, burlesque, and a music performance by special guest Gina Chavez. At the Latino Cultural Center.

Dallas Wings Pride Night
June 9, 7 pm: Pride Night for the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. They'll be taking on the Phoenix Mercury, who feature Brittney Griner as their star player. All attendees at College Park Center in Arlington will receive a special rally towel for the occasion.

Arlington Pride Celebration
June 10, 5-11 pm: Arlington's Pride Celebration takes place at Levitt Pavilion, which will fill with vendors and performers including RuPaul's Drag Race Queens, Symone, Angeria Paris VanMichaels, Kennedy Davenport, and Lady Bunny will DJ. The event is family-friendly and (well-behaved) dog-friendly. Admission is free, but tickets are required for entrance.

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Pride in Bloom
June 10-11: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden will highlight Pride Month with its second Pride in Bloom celebration, featuring a full weekend of LGBTQ+ artisans, entertainers, chefs, and small businesses. Visitors can shop items at the vendor market, pack or purchase a picnic, listen to live entertainment, and enjoy Gary Lee Price’s Great Contributors’ bronze exhibition. Admission to the Children’s Adventure Garden will also be free.

Dallas Arts District presents Pride Block Party
June 16, 6 pm: The Pride Block Party in the Dallas Arts District features a variety of activities at the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Crow Museum of Asian Art, and throughout the district. Activities include gallery tours, drag performers, comedy, dancing, and a fashion show.

LGBTQ SAVES Youth Pride Picnic 2023
June 17, 10 am-2 pm: Designed as a youth-centered Pride event for LGBTQ individuals 24 and younger, the festivities include a free picnic lunch and activities in Trinity Park. Participants are invited to invite their family or chosen family, but tickets are required. Ticket priority will be given to LGBT+ youth. Volunteers are needed, too. Register here.

Dallas Comedy Club presents "Stand-Up for Hope"
June 17, 5 pm: Stand-Up for Hope is a stand-up comedy show featuring all-LGBTQ performers and benefiting Dallas Hope Charities, which helps provide food, shelter, and services that instill dignity, stability, and Hope For All. Hosted by Stefan Newman, host of Queer Factor, the event will feature performances by Kim Wadsworth,Kerry Day, Charlotte Parker, Lucia Hardaway, and Jamie Zeske.

Ride for Pride
June 24, 9 am: Ride for Pride is a four-mile bike ride down the Katy Trail and back, starting at Reverchon Recreation Center. There will also be Health and Safety fair from 10 am-2 pm.

Holiday sensation Lightscape returns to Fort Worth for 2023 with new displays and pricing

Planning ahead for the holidays

Fort Worth's biggest holiday sensation of 2022 is coming back for a second year, promising to be even better than the first: Lightscape walk-through holiday lights experience will return to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, November 17, 2023-January 1, 2024.

Tickets are on sale now for FWBG members and go on sale to the general public Friday, June 9, according to a release.

The 2023 edition is being "reimagined" with 80 percent newly designed displays, organizers say. The popular Winter Cathedral and Bluebonnet displays will return.

“You may think you’ve seen Lightscape, but you’ve never seen this Lightscape," says Patrick Newman, CEO and president of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, in the release. “This is a celebration of the holiday spirit and a way for families and friends to come together to create a new holiday tradition with long-lasting memories – we like to call them emotional souvenirs.”

There's also new pricing for 2023, set based on feedback from the first year, Newman says. Although ticket prices are not yet available on the FWBG's website, organizers tease in the release that they just might be cheaper. (Admission for 2022 ran $28-$30 for adults and $18-$20 for children ages 3-12. FWBG members received $5 off of each ticket. Prices did not include parking, which ran $15-$20.)

According to the release, off-peak tickets for 2023 will be as low as $15 for adult members of the FWBG. Guests also can purchase an "Anytime Access" ticket that includes parking, flexible arrival times, and a dedicated check-in line, they say, although pricing is not yet available.

“This year members receive a deeper discount with $8 off each ticket, a great incentive for attending Lightscape at a lower price while also receiving free year-round Garden admission,” Newman says.

Lightscape, produced by the Fort Worth Botanic Garden in association with Sony Music and Culture Creative, made its North Texas debut in November 2022 and immediately attracted sell-out crowds as the most Instagrammable holiday experience in DFW.

The event immersed visitors in more than a mile of holiday light and music displays incorporated into the natural landscape of the garden.

A CultureMap review of the experience said, "What makes Lightscape different from other modern Christmas light attractions is that it’s not a constant, over-the-top, bombastic blast of LEDs. There are high-lights and low-lights, moments of razzle dazzle and moments of quiet contemplation. Parts are whimsical, parts are worshipful."

Lightscape creators aim to build on the success of last year’s inaugural show, organizers say, and are hard at work on new displays created exclusively for Fort Worth.

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