Shorthorn News
- Light Up Arlington to bring fireworks, festivities to downtownThe Arlington Parks and Recreation Department will bring a night of fireworks and activities across the city Thursday during its 17th annual Light Up Arlington event. The free event will last from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and bring festivities across the downtown area. There will be musical performances across two stages. The DREAM Park stage will kick off with over three hours of performances at 6 p.m. during “Jimmy Pitstick presents Young Stars and Guitars.” At the Levitt Pavilion, Chef Dee will perform at 7 p.m. and Brad Thompson at 8:30 p.m.. The fireworks show is set to begin around 9:50 p.m. and last around 20 minutes, Arlington spokeswoman Susan Schrock said. Over a dozen vendors and food trucks will be available for attendees to visit during the event. The George W. Hawkes Downtown Library is also offering several activities for the event, including rock painting, a children’s fireworks painting and a Fourth of July scavenger hunt in the children’s area of the library. Free parking will be available throughout the downtown area, but some streets will be closed for the event, such as city hall, 101 Center and the city tower. “We do encourage people to come early and be patient when it comes to finding parking,” Schrock said. She also encourages attendees to stay well hydrated, bring insect repellent and wear comfortable clothing since attendees will be standing outside in the heat. “We want [people] to come out in their festive gear and enjoy some of the free activities,” she said. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
- National Medal of Honor Museum will host FreedomFest to celebrate Independence DayThe National Medal of Honor Museum is set to host its first FreedomFest from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. The event will feature outdoor activities, live music, lawn games, face painting, immersive experiences and activities based on Medal of Honor characteristics: freedom, patriotism, courage, integrity and community. “July 4 being probably the most patriotic day in the calendar of our country, we certainly wanted to do something appropriate for the day,” said Chris Cassidy, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation president and CEO. The museum opened earlier this year and tells the stories of 3,500 military personnel who demonstrated acts of valor throughout history, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. The museum offers a journey through the stories of ordinary people in history who did something extraordinary in service to others. “This is our way to showcase ourselves for Arlington and the DFW metroplex,” Cassidy said. Museum tickets for Friday are 50% off for Arlington residents, and 25% off coupons will be available at the Arlington Independence Day Parade at 9 a.m. that day. The museum is offering discounted admission to veterans and free admission to active duty military personnel who present a valid military ID. Summertime foods such as brisket sandwiches, hamburgers and hot dogs can be purchased on-site. The hope is that attendees walk away knowing the museum is a great place to bring family, Cassidy said. “Arlington is an amazingly patriotic community, and FreedomFest is just an extension of that,” he said. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Shorthorn Sports
- Women’s Volleyball Nations League will return to Arlington for 2025 preliminary week threeThe Volleyball Nations League comes to Arlington on July 9 with matches hosted at College Park Center. The Volleyball Nations League is an annual international volleyball tournament organized by the International Volleyball Federation. The tournament hosts men’s and women’s national teams in various cities around the world. The women’s tournament began June 3 and will run through July 27, when the finals are held in Łódź, Poland. The tournament opened with a 3-1 win by Turkey over France. The men’s competition started on June 11, with Poland defeating the Netherlands 3-1, and will conclude Aug. 3 in Ningbo, China. For the third year in a row, Arlington is playing a key role in the women’s group of the Volleyball Nations League. The city hosted the women’s finals in 2023 and week two of the preliminary phase in 2024. This year, Arlington will host week three games of the women’s preliminary round. The second week of the women’s preliminary round ended June 22, with the most recent match a 3-1 win by Poland over Serbia. Italy currently holds the top spot with eight wins and 22 points, followed closely by Poland with seven wins and 21 points. To start week three, Arlington spectators can expect to see matches from the United States, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Germany and Thailand teams. The remaining women’s teams will compete in Apeldoorn, Netherlands and Chiba, Japan. This year’s Volleyball Nations League tournament features a new competitive format, expanding the number of teams and matches. In each gender, 18 teams will compete in 116 matches. Last year’s tournament included 16 teams and 104 matches per gender. In the preliminary round, teams play 12 matches spread across three weeks. There are three pools per week played at three different venues. Each pool includes six teams. The tournament picks back up July 8 with a match between Brazil and Bulgaria in Chiba, Japan. To start its hosting stint, Arlington will host a day full of matches starting with a game between Canada and Germany at 12:30 p.m. July 9 at College Park Center. All matches are available to stream on VBTV. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
- Rangers drop series against Mariners with a 6-4 lossThe Texas Rangers (41-43) dropped their series finale 6-4 in extra innings against the Seattle Mariners (43-40) on Sunday at Globe Life Field. The Rangers opened the series against the Mariners with a 7-6 loss Friday, then bounced back with a 3-2 win Saturday. Every game in the series went into extra innings. Earlier in the series, former shortstop Elvis Andrus — who signed a one day contract to retire with the Rangers last September — was inducted into the Rangers’ Hall of Fame. Andrus debuted with the Rangers in 2009 and spent 12 of his 15 MLB seasons in Arlington. Additionally, there was a moment of silence before the first pitch Sunday for three-time Golden Glove winner Dave Parker, who died Saturday from Parkinson’s disease. Parker will be posthumously inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame on July 27. Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter said that trial and error has gone into his game, but he is trying to keep it as simple as possible. Leiter recorded six innings and delivered seven strikeouts while on the mound. “There’s so many little things you could think about as a starting pitcher in this game. You can dive into all the little nuances or you can keep it as simple as possible; I’ve seen it done both ways,” he said. The Rangers opened the scoring in the second inning off an RBI from third baseman Josh Jung, who ran in outfielder Evan Carter. The Rangers were then held scoreless for seven innings. Mariners catcher Mitch Garver tied the game in the sixth inning with an RBI single. Seattle added two more runs to open extra innings and took the lead. In response, Rangers shortstop Corey Seager smashed a two-run home run over left center field, running in catcher Kyle Higashioka and tying the game. Seager recorded three RBIs and one hit in four at-bats, and tallied his 10th home run of the 2025 season. After a scoreless 11th inning, the Mariners broke through in the 12th inning on a sacrifice fly, running in outfielder Luke Raley. Immediately after, Garver hit his second home run of the game, sending a left-center field hit over the wall that scored outfielder Randy Arozarena. The Rangers managed one more run off a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 12th, but could not overcome the deficit. A pop out by Ranger’s second baseman Marcus Semien secured the game and the series for the Mariners. Despite the overall outcome, Leiter was pleased with what he saw from the team. “Obviously wish we could’ve gotten a win, gotta shout out [Jacob] Latz and Luke [Jackson] and Cole [Winn]. The bullpen has been great all year and those guys kept us in it,” he said. “It’s been fun to watch everybody in the bullpen work.” The Rangers revisit the Baltimore Orioles at home, having just won a three-game away series against the team earlier in the week. Texas will host Baltimore at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Globe Life Field. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
Shorthorn Life & Entertainment
- Texas Rangers, reggae rhythms and concerts featured in this week’s To-Do ListFrom classic rock and reggae rhythms to immersive tours and ballgames, residents have plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Music Sing along to classic hits as the Little River Band takes the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday at Arlington Music Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the event is open to all ages. Tickets are sold out. Join Tejano Queen Forever with Quimikoz Del Son on Friday at Levitt Pavilion for a free outdoor concert. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. with Quimikoz Del Son, a DFW band blending reggae rhythms, hip-hop and horns. Tejano Queen Forever will follow at 8:30 p.m., honoring Selena Quintanilla Perez’s legacy. Join Demola the Violinist at 7 p.m. Saturday at House of Blues Dallas for live music and vibrant energy. Guests can also enjoy the upscale Foundation Room experience before or after the show. Ticket prices vary and can be found here. Catch Japanese pop-rock band SCANDAL on its Love, Spark, Joy! tour at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Cambridge Room at House of Blues Dallas. Known for its high-energy performances, the band is bringing an electrifying night of music to the stage. Ticket prices vary and are available here. Sports Take a step back in time – and into the present – with a joint tour of Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium, the current and former homes of the Texas Rangers. The 90-to-120-minute experience begins at Globe Life Field at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday and continues to Choctaw Stadium, home of the Rangers from 1994 to 2019. Ticket prices start at around $47 and can be found here. Cheer on the Texas Rangers as they take on the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Globe Life Field. Tickets start at around $14 and doors open at 5:05 p.m. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu
- He set out to save Arlington's only gay bar. He says it rescued himThe crystal chandelier flickered to life, illuminating a corner of 1851 Club, a gay bar Dalton Haynes purchased in 2021. Directly under the yellow light sits a wooden set of furniture near the club’s main door. To its left hangs a photo and plaque. They honor Haynes’ grandmother, Sherry Boling. "That spot where that chandelier is, right where that table is," Haynes, 34, said, "that's the last place that my grandma and I shared a hand of poker together." Boling is crucial to understanding who Haynes is and how he has worked to build the LGBTQ+ community through the city's only gay bar. His advocacy for safety and inclusivity, both in and out of the bar, has garnered praise from patrons and Arlington leaders, who credit Haynes for keeping 1851 Club's legacy alive. The club, he said, saved him as he pieced together his world in the days, weeks and months following his beloved grandmother's death. 1851 Club, located on West Division Street, is for everyone, LGBTQ+ and straight, Haynes said. Every week, the club offers comedy open mic nights, karaoke, bingo and pool tournaments. Steven Morris, executive producer of Theatre Arlington, called 1851 a “safe and friendly atmosphere.” Bar patron Haley Barron said the club and Haynes brought her smile back and helped her feel comfortable with herself. Even the city’s leader, a self-labeled 64-year-old white heterosexual Christian man, is a fan. After assuming office in 2021, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross created multiple advisory councils — including separate ones for the Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities — to better understand Arlington’s diverse populations. “It was great to have the 1851 Club open up to people and have some food and drinks and having different parts of the community socialize in there and realizing that while it does cater to the LGBTQ+ community, there are plenty of heterosexuals that go there just to have a good time,” Ross said, referring to 1851 hosting a gathering of advisory councils. Haynes has engaged with the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council since its establishment. “He brings a passion for not just helping the LGBTQ+ community in Arlington but the entire community of Arlington,” Ross said. It is easy to see the love Haynes has for his club, his staff — most of whom are his friends — his patrons and his community. It’s how Boling raised him. “I want to do this place the way she raised us: loving everybody and not caring about who you love and what color your skin is, what your faith is — any of that,” Haynes said. “She just loved everybody, and that's what I want to do.” It was a Friday. Haynes was 13 years old, watching Boling apply makeup for family poker night. He approached her. He had to tell her about his realization: Haynes preferred Barbie dolls over G.I. Joe. While the boys in his class were crazy about girls, he was attracted to guys. He recounted the conversation while using his vape to imitate Boling’s makeup blender. “Grandma, I gotta talk to you about something,” he said. “OK, well, what is it?” his grandmother responded. “Well,” Haynes said, “I'm gay.” “Are you not going to be here on Friday for poker?” she asked Haynes. His eyes went soft. “Grandma didn't care at all. She was always my biggest fan.” But he had another worry. Growing up, Haynes once struggled with his faith and his sexuality. Would he “go to hell” for being gay? He, again, turned to his grandmother. “God doesn't make trash, and he doesn't make things that he doesn't want. He made you just the way you are, and also he doesn’t make mistakes, so here you are in his image,” Boling said to her grandson. When people weaponize religion against the LGBTQ+ community, Haynes feels more sad than angry, he said, because religion is about bringing people to God. He doesn’t want to push his religion on someone, but he’s open to discussing it if people are curious. “Everything that he does is from the heart,” said Matthew Hanson, Haynes’ boyfriend of one year. “Whether it's in his personal life or in his business life, it's all about, ‘How is this going to affect the people around me, and how can I show them a Christ-like example?’” Shortly after Haynes’ first trip to the 1851 Club, Boling’s breast cancer diagnosis contributed to ending her ladies poker league that lasted for about 40 years. Haynes contacted the club’s management at the time to host a poker night for her, he said. The first week saw 10 people. Then 40. At some point, the club didn’t have enough poker tables. “I can't tell you how many times I would look up and I couldn't find her because she was outside holding somebody while they're crying about a breakup or in the bathroom talking with the girls about whatever,” Haynes said. On Dec. 15, 2020, Boling died. Haynes prayed for signs. Where should he go? What should he do? How should he rebuild? The sign arrived a few weeks later. It was early January 2021, smack-dab in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Haynes was on Facebook when he came across a post from the previous management of 1851 Club announcing the bar’s closure. Haynes contacted his attorney and drafted up the paperwork. Within a few days, the bar was his. At 11 p.m. on a recent Friday, the drag performers weren’t ready yet. They blew past their showtime. Haynes took a deep breath. He had learned not to rush drag performers — or else. Instead, he hugged and shook the hands of most of the 100-plus attendees filling up the small dance floor and back patio. As the bar got busier, he jumped in behind the counter. Those who frequent the club said that it was a normal sight. “He's not just an owner,” said Nicholas James, the club’s top security. “He's a friend.” Hanson said Haynes has a mission of “five-minute friend,” which means all patrons should feel at home at the bar within that time frame. “The longer we've been together, and the more I see him in the element, the more respect I have for him because it's got to be tiring to do it over and over again, week in and week out,” he said. Haynes said that like many gay people, he partied with his friends on the weekends in his 20s, often thinking of ways he would improve the bars. But he had never owned a bar or worked in one before 1851 Club. After the bar’s reopening in February 2021, Haynes poured in 17-hour days, spending nights studying laws and fixing up decorations. Sometimes, it wasn’t feasible for Haynes to go home and sleep, so he slept in a military camping cot in the middle of the bar. Even now, he occasionally stops. And soaks it all in. “I take a step back and walk over to the bar, and I turn around and I see a full dance floor of people that are just having a great time, and I'm like, ‘We did this. This is so cool,’” Haynes said. Arlington has a perfect 100 score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, which examines how cities tailor laws, policies and services to LGBTQ+ people. The city recently hosted its fourth annual Pride celebration, which attracted over 10,000 people. Haynes plays a key part in educating Arlington that the LGBTQ+ community is simply a part of the city, Ross said. “He talks to the people in the bar and gets information from them,” said Morris, who served on the LGBTQ+ Advisory Council with Haynes. “He tells them what the community is doing. He tries to be a go-between between the community and the advisory committee and gets information in front of the mayor.” The city has addressed safety concerns related to the 1851 Club and worked to ensure the LGBTQ+ community feels comfortable expressing themselves — one of Haynes’ primary objectives on the advisory council, Ross said. “I consider Dalton a friend,” he said. “He’s a great guy, loves his city, loves the entire community, loves the LGBTQ+ community.” His work doesn’t stop at the committee. Haynes helped ensure Arlington’s first two Pride events happened by providing the bartenders, alcohol and his own money, Morris said. These days, Haynes no longer works long hours every day, but his schedule is still packed. He maintains close ties with customers from his hair business, crafts jewelry and takes photos. Haynes admits that Hanson has to mostly work around his schedule. “Bless him,” Haynes exclaimed. Hanson doesn’t mind — he said he wants to be Haynes’ support system. “I think that's the job of a partner, is to recognize we have our own individual lives, but there's a part of a partnership that it bleeds over,” he said. It was 11:45 p.m., and drag queen Kiana Lee took the stage to welcome patrons and introduce those working at the bar — including Haynes. Drag queen Bronx Davenport then lip-synced Beyoncé’s verse in Jay-Z’s “Hollywood” to rowdy cheers from the crowd. “I'm proud to be able to give people a place,” Haynes said. “It's so important to me to give people a safe place to go, a place where people can go and get drunk and have a good time and then the next day be like, ‘Oh my God, was I a mess last night?’” “And you say, ‘Girl, we were at 18. It's not a big deal. They're fine. Nobody cared.’” As the spotlight moved around the room, it captured the photo and plaque that glowed in the warmth of the chandelier. In the frame, Haynes smiles next to Boling, whose name is etched in bronze below. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu