Despite big party, Klyde Warren Park’s opening night was about the little things

by Brenna Rushing

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We now have a beautiful park in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas. You should use it.

DALLAS — Even the bone-chilling temperatures and freezing wind couldn’t sour the opening night of Klyde Warren Park. Arched light fixtures guided visitors along the sanded path that border the gorgeous park made of lush green grass, multiple gardens, a dog park, and even a playground. As skyscrapers loomed over the gardens, we were mere ants in a giant world. New Orleans’ own Trombone Shorty and Dallas band The Polyphonic Spree warmed up the sizeable crowd on opening night, celebrating the $110 million project with much fanfare.

Owen Wilson, A-lister and the evening's honorary chair, introduced Trombone Shorty to the stage with jokes and a gleaming smile. The soulful Louisiana band came ready for a party with horns blazing. This Grammy-nominated funk group pairs a mix of horns against a traditional rock set up, making for an out-of-this-world style not heard in these parts. Mastermind and trombone extraordinaire Troy Andrews made the trombone cool again by baffling the crowd with his trombone and trumpet skills. What started as an accompaniment to the bluesy guitar chords became a cluster of roaring horn solos that stole the show. Young fans seemed surprised at how much fun they were having; they began dancing and throwing their hands up and like a gospel choir, per Andrews' request.

Due to the holiday weekend, the night was also about finding who had the best Halloween costume. We saw Mary Poppins, a penguin in a full wet suit, and a grown-up Boy Scout, just to name a few.

With a style that’s outside the box but still uplifting, The Polyphonic Spree sang about love and joy in such an infectious way that it was hard to fight a silly grin. The 10-plus member band who just released a Christmas album has an orchestral collection of instruments including a harp and an upright bass. They appeared onstage by cutting through a red banner that was stretched across, eventually splicing it in two with an instrumental burst.

Front man and maestro Tim DeLaughter owned his role by flying across the stage in giddy fashion. He wore a vibrant green robe while the band donned their signature white robes that were adorned with a large heart belt -- maybe they were in the Halloween spirit! Their tree-hugging style continued the celebratory mood of the evening. Songs like “Section 12: Hold Me Now” and “Light & Day/Reach For The Sun” painted a sunny picture about enjoying the little things. Being thankful was what this night was all about. In the midst of a tough economy, we were given a beautiful park in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas to stop and enjoy life's little pleasures.

The night ended with a magnificent fireworks show that cascaded upon the late night crowd with oohs and aahs. These festivities are just the beginning of a great relationship for the city of Dallas, of balancing the daily grind and taking time for ourselves in the stunning Klyde Warren Park. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to take a trip. Don’t forget your dog.

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