Arts District shows off creativity and craft with month of events

by Louiseza Sanderson of The Assignment Desk, DFW

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Art in October gives you exactly 31 days to get to the Arts District.

DALLAS — Get ready to be artfully inspired. Art in October is upon us, and the Dallas Arts District is ready to celebrate a new season, all month long. There are events as wide ranging as tai chi or beer and wine tasting; for the more artsy types, the month is generously flowered with ongoing art exhibitions, live performances, and more. So hold on to your paint brushes, because October is for the art lover in you.

Let’s get this started: You won’t want to miss October 1, opening day celebrations in the Arts District. Kick off the month with breakfast and art that morning in One Arts Plaza. After that, head down to Flora Street to watch the Art in Motion Parade. It promises to be an artful menagerie of strollers, bikes, and all things human powered, and of course artfully decorated. Throughout the day, there will be a plethora of free events.

On exhibit: October will be the optimal time to visit the ongoing exhibitions in the district. Visit African Headwear (currently exhibiting) and the works of Mark Bradford (opening October 16) at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA). Be sure to check out emerging Shanghai-based artist Qiu Anxiong. His works in paint and video will be featured at the Crow Collection of Art in the exhibit, Qiu Anxiong: Animated Narratives, which opens October 15. Stop by the Nasher Sculpture Center for Tony Cragg (currently exhibiting) and Sightings: Diana Al-Hadid (opening October 22).

Cross-cultural club: Head into the second week of the month with a cultural infusion of dance and art. The Dallas Black Dance Theatre hosts its 6th Annual Dance Africa Marketplace on October 8 in Annette Strauss Square. It will include free performances, as well as an African marketplace complete with food and vendors. On October 9, make way for workshops and three stages of free entertainment at the 5th Annual Fiesta Latinoamericana.

Art staples: With so much going on this month, don’t forget about the mainstay activities. Get the kiddos out for a Saturday romp at Nasher Sculpture Center for Target First Saturdays on October 1. Later on in the month, experience Late Nights at the DMA on October 21.

Recession proofing: On October 21, the Wyly Theatre hosts a Pay What You Can Performance of the classic To Kill a Mockingbird.

Art history: Take in the culture of the city, thanks to the Sacred Spaces of the Arts District Tour on October 27. Learn about the architecture and history of the city on this ethereal tour while visiting Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin Guadalupe, St. Paul Methodist Church, and First United Methodist Church.

Art, outside and abound: Installations of lights, sounds and performances will illuminate the city at Aurora 2011 on October 28. Take in the works of emerging and established artist. Just be sure to keep your eyes wide open for artistic surprises in unexpected places.

Bid adieu: The month closes out with costumed activities, including the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Monsters of Film. Over-dose on culture with free admission to the museums. The coup de grace will be the district’s first-ever, come-as-a-zombie audience participation Zombie Walk.

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