It’s been just one year since the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas opened

by Sarah Blaskovich

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Here's a look-back on the past year.

DOWNTOWN DALLAS — The one-year anniversary of the AT&T Performing Arts Center snuck up on us. Has it really been only a year since we've enjoyed the Winspear Opera House, the drinks and food at One Arts Plaza, and that nifty "art cart" that shuttles us to shows to the Wyly when we're running late? To celebrate the anniversary, the Dallas Arts District is hosting "Art in October," a month-long celebration stocked with arty events for those so inclined.

We've put together a timeline, a "through the years," if you will, of what happened recently in the Arts District. Keep in mind that the Dallas Arts District itself has been around since the mid-'80s; but the big bang came on October 18, 2009, when the AT&T Performing Arts Center officially opened and brought Big D a new theater house, an opera house, and in general a great place for art lovers to go (in addition to the already-standing art houses nearby, which include the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Meyerson).

Here's your nostalgic look on the last few years in Dallas arts:

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2009

Photo by Scott Dorn

Winspear interior

October 16: We got a sneak peek at the new buildings in the Arts District. The immediate reaction from journalists all over DFW: The Winspear is so shiny! (This comes after we watched the final beams go in on the Winspear and the Wyly back in 2008.)

October 17: The Wyly is aptly described as a "theater machine" for its transformer-like qualities.

October 24: The Winspear opens its season with a sold-out performance of Otello.

December 2: The Winspear, in conjunction with Texas Ballet Theater, got knocked for using taped music instead of a live orchestra.



The Brad

Rooftop patio at Tei An

December 7: But the performance of The Nutcracker (as performed by Texas Ballet Theater) was still superb.

December 31: Construction is complete on Tei An's rooftop patio, located in One Arts Plaza. The Brad shared some pretty photos.

2010

April 30: We were stoked about the lineup for "Patio Sessions," including a performance we featured by Salim Nourallah.

May 22: Sting at the Winspear Opera House? Impressive.



Photo by Sarah Blaskovich

During the obligatory dirt toss at Museum Tower, one dignitary muttered, "What do we do with the dirt?" So they tossed it a few inches forward. And that, my friends, is a groundbreaking.

May 28: Not too shabby either was a performance by Elvis Costello with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. (This isn't the only one of its kind; a Michael Jackson tribute was also added to the DSO lineup, and it's safe to say that was ridiculously popular too.)

June 24: Museum Tower begins construction, just a short walk away from the rest of the Arts District.

July 26: President and CEO Mark Nerenhausen of the AT&T Performing Arts Center resigned. Media types begin to talk.

September 15: A cool 3D art exhibit opens in the lobby of One Arts Plaza.

September 30: Dallas officials dedicate Annette Strauss Square, the AT&T Performing Arts Center plot of land named for the former Dallas mayor who believed in the new vision for the Arts District from the beginning.

October 10: Local groups DADA and You & Yours Productions released new documentary film about the Dallas art scene called Dallas Art City.

And there you have it, folks. What's your most memorable part of the AT&T Performing Arts Center?

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