From a Texas Rangers game to a Paul McCartney tribute, residents have plenty to choose from in Dallas-Fort Worth this week. Music Celebrate the music of Paul McCartney at “Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney,” a tribute concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Arlington Music Hall. Doors open at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $46.38. Entertainment Experience the rich cultural heritage of Latin America with the opening of Create Texas at Wellspring’s “Beyond Borders: Contemporary Visions of Latin America” from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Wellspring on Main. The contemporary art exhibit will be on display until Aug. 28. The exhibit includes works from 12 local artists and spans topics such as landscapes, iconic figures, current events and soccer’s cultural significance. Residents can take their furry friends to the Canines and Coffee event from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Downtown Arlington Doggie Depot for coffee, community and canine fun. The free event is designed for dog lovers and their pets to socialize and enjoy fresh air at the dog park. Meet Texan writers at the fourth annual Texas Author Con and Book Festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. The free event will feature authors from a variety of genres, including romance, fantasy, thriller and children’s books. Enjoy book signings, readings, panel discussions, Q&A sessions and more. Celebrate National Moth Week at the fourth annual Arlington Citizen Science Program’s Moth Night at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Webb Community Park pavilion. Residents can observe and identify moths in their local habitat at the viewing stations along the trails and learn about their role as pollinators in North Texas. Sports See the Texas Rangers and the Detroit Tigers bat it out at 6:10 p.m. Sunday at Globe Life Field. Tickets start at around $18, and the doors open at 4:10 p.m. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

It’s a bird! It's a plane! It's another “Superman” movie flying into theaters last Friday, bringing writer and director James Gunn’s first big-screen DC Universe project to audiences. Overall, fans of the superhero genre and the last son of Krypton stand to be pleased with the movie. Lighthearted and colorful, the Gunn production embodies the Golden Age of DC Comics, when Superman was originally introduced. The film serves as a solid introduction to Gunn’s DC Universe. Every scene with flying and fight choreography feels fluid and true to character, with close-ups of Superman’s emblem shown more than once and Hawkgirl’s scream emphasized. However, it isn’t perfect. The movie’s storyline is relatively straightforward, and all the plot twists are glaringly foreshadowed. Some parts linger longer than needed, while others pass by too quickly. As the fifth live-action iteration of the “Man of Steel” in the last 25 years, David Corenswet had big shoes to fill. And he passed with flying colors, embodying the hope Superman is known for while balancing the humanity of Clark Kent. Unlike previous adaptations, “Superman” shows ace reporter Kent already established in the world, donning the red and blue suit, with a partly formed Justice League working in tandem with him. Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern make up the LordTech-funded version of the league called the “Justice Gang.” The trio, not occupying the screen for long, manage to establish the world’s other heroes without overshadowing Superman. Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane and Corenswet’s Kent are already in a relationship at the start of the movie, not going through the overdone love triangle with Kent, Superman and Lane. The relationship emphasizes that not every relationship is perfect and that everyone is a work in progress. This Kent is more realistic than previous iterations: He isn’t perfect, and he’s sure to remind everyone of that. Gunn said in an interview with Deadline that Kent is a well-adjusted person due to his stable upbringing in a loving household, a rarity in superhero media. He is written to be a corny Kansas farm boy, always wanting to save lives rather than worry about the consequences of his actions. Several instances in the film show Corenswet portraying both Kent and Superman as a person trying to do his best, despite his outbursts while trying to defend himself. Nature versus nurture is explored throughout the film as Kent faces a dilemma between his biological parents’ choice and his own. Lane’s subplot at the Daily Planet plays a significant part in the movie. She's always an investigative journalist first and Kent’s love interest second. She doesn’t hesitate to call out the ethical implications of Kent interviewing his counterpart. This plot point turns full circle, playing a pivotal role in taking down the big bad of the movie. Music also plays an important part in the movie, setting the tone for each scene. The music ebbs and flows, building up to nail-biting moments. “5 Years Time,” Noah And The Whale’s upbeat, stuck-in-your-head tune, plays when Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific shows audiences exactly why the smartest member of the gang is called Mister Terrific. Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, Skyler Gisondo’s Jimmy Olsen, and Krypto, Superman’s foster dog, steal every scene they’re in. Hoult’s take on the supervillain makes the audience sympathize with him one moment and despise him the next. Luthor is aware of the consequences of his actions, but in his own sick and twisted way, believes he is the hero of the story, sent to save humanity from the alien Kent. As Olsen, Gisondo takes a character who is usually Kent's sidekick and gives him more importance, gathering laughs along the way as his character helps expose Luthor's malicious plan. Dubbed “the worst dog in the world, with superpowers” by Gunn, Krypto is a menace throughout the film, bringing more chaos into Kent’s life and making him seem more relatable. This movie isn’t the dark and emo Superman that fans of Henry Cavill’s Superman remember. Corenswet’s interpretation of the beloved character is the embodiment of hope and compassion. He may not be the Superman of the past, but he’s the Superman we need. @marupudisairam opinion-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From live sports and a murder mystery to swing dancing and artmaking, residents have plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Entertainment Step back five decades during “Panic at the Disco!: A 70s Murder Mystery” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The night will feature a disco dance contest, celebrity drama and major twists. Registration is free, but required to attend. Join Downtown Arlington’s Summer Dance Series from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at George W. Hawkes Downtown Library. The series brings beginner-friendly swing and salsa classes — no partner or experience needed. Registration is free and available through the library’s website. Find antiques and vintage goods at the Rhythm & Relics Flea Market at Binions Ice House on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will feature vendors selling an assortment of goods, a DJ and food and drinks available in the restaurant. The event is free to attend. Sports All Elite Wrestling comes to Globe Life Field on Saturday for the first-ever professional wrestling event at the venue. “AEW All In: Texas” marks a major moment for professional wrestling fans in Arlington. Tickets can be bought online. The Ultimate OCR 3K Championship takes place Friday at Dallas Market Hall. This course spans a full 3K with over 25 obstacles in between. The event runs in timed waves for different age demographics from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. start times. Top male and female finishers will compete for a $4,000 prize. All finishing participants will receive a medal and shirt. Music Enjoy classic country tunes and family-friendly fun at Johnnie High’s Country Music Reunion at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Arlington Music Hall. The show celebrates Texas country tradition with a mix of heartfelt songs, lively performances and a welcoming atmosphere. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From country music to museum visits, there’s plenty to enjoy across Arlington and Dallas-Fort Worth this weekend. Entertainment Residents can check out “A Shining City on the Hilltop,” a limited-time exhibit of 35 paintings by President George W. Bush from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 19 at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. On Friday, admission is free, and the museum will remain open until 8 p.m. Tickets are available here. Laugh the night away at Boots on the Ground Comedy Jam with Angelia Walker at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Arlington Improv, located in the Arlington Highlands shopping center. Tickets start at around $19, and doors open at 6 p.m. The event is 18-plus. Join Benji Brown at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Arlington Improv for a night of comedy. Known for his character Kiki, Brown is building up to be the next major urban comedic household name. Tickets start at around $25, and doors open at 6 p.m. The event is 18-plus. Music Wrap up the weekend with free live music and fireworks at the Clover Club Independence Weekend Concert from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Enjoy ’90s country hits from Straight Tequila Night, then stick around for a 15-minute fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Sports Take a 90-minute premium tour of Globe Life Field on Saturday. The tour includes a 60-minute behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium and 30 minutes playing catch and taking photos in the outfield, where the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers played. Tickets start at $35 for adults. Discounts are available for ages 4 to 14, ages 65-plus, military and first responders. @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From 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

The 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

From a Smurfs experience to watching a bare knuckle fighting championship, residents have plenty to do in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Entertainment Enjoy the “Bee Gees Gold: The Ultimate Tribute to the Bee Gees” at 8 p.m. Friday at Arlington Music Hall. This tribute offers showgoers a chance to relive the 1976 album with a live band and vocals recreating the group’s iconic look, sound and falsettos from the. Tickets start at around $40 and are available online. Doors open at 6 p.m. Learn about health, try free samples of food and enjoy in-store discounts during the Fitter Together Wellness event Saturday. The event will kick off with a health and wellness panel from 9 to 11 a.m. at Inclusion Coffee. Afterward, attendees can head over to Ann’s Health Food Center for food, discounts and giveaways. Family Fun Shrink down and help save the planet from the evil Gargamel in The Smurf Experience USA at the Arlington Museum of Art. Available until August, attendees can navigate obstacle courses and complete scavenger hunts. The experience is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets start at $31 with various VIP packages to choose from. Globe Life Field is hosting Family Field Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. The action-packed event will include fun activities, including yard games, a meet and greet with the Texas Rangers’ captain, face painting, a home run derby and more. Ticket prices vary and are available online. Sports Experience the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship: BKFC 76 at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. The event will feature fighters Ben “The Bomber” Bonner and Tony “Loco” Soto, and Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski will be making his league debut against veteran fighter Josh Copeland. Many more are set to fight. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster and start at around $64. Doors open at 6 p.m. Witness two exciting matches of the Cognizant Major League Cricket 2025 season with the Seattle Orcas versus the LA Knight Riders and the Washington Freedom versus the Texas Super Kings at the Grand Prairie Stadium. Tickets start at $20, with matches continuing throughout the week. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Thousands gathered to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during the 2025 Dallas Pride Parade on June 15 at Fair Park. The two-day celebration featured a spirited music festival with performances and a variety of vendors. The event aims to foster a sense of belonging for all people, and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community. The parade brought a dazzling display of floats, as extravagantly dressed marchers handed out free goods to attendees. @pixaperfect_ @mabelcruzjournal photo-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Glitter clung to sweaty shoulders as music thumped through the warm air Saturday evening at Levitt Pavilion. Pride shimmered in every flash of sequin, skin and laughter. Hosted by the Health Education Learning Project Center for LGBT Health & Wellness, Arlington Pride 2025 marked the event’s fourth run in the city. What began as a small backyard gathering is now a vibrant celebration — drawing over 10,000 attendees. Kate McDougall-Pillai, director of Behavioral Health at the center said it felt surreal seeing the event grow to feature big name performers like Trixie Mattel while still preserving a sense of intimacy that sets it apart from larger celebrations. As the evening unfolded, attendees draped in rainbow flags laughed and embraced one another as the sound of music blended with the energy of families and friends arriving together. “We were here at 7:30 a.m., it makes it so worth it,” McDougall-Pillai said. “I’m seeing kids, I’m seeing dogs, I’m seeing families. I love it. It makes me really happy.” Handheld fans popped and waved in cheer as the cast of Club Reflection performed. Also in attendance was Sister O.M.Gee, a member of the DFW Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a group of 21st-century nuns who vow to bring love and joy to the community, fight stigma and advocate for social justice. They said the group attends pride events all over North Texas, giving them a way to spread love and support throughout the community. There is more purpose behind the glitter and glam when it comes to events like these. Pride is both a celebration and protest — born from resistance and sustained by the ongoing fight for equality. That legacy began in 1970, when the first documented Pride marches were held in response to the Stonewall riots a year earlier, marking a turning point in the gay rights movement, according to the Library of Congress. Today, cities around the world carry that spirit forward, honoring both how far the community has come and how far there still is to go. For many, the fight is personal. Public health senior Ivette Robledo said as a member of the LGBT community, it’s important to show up for each other. “With the events going on right now, it’s so easy to make you feel alone and vulnerable,” Robledo said. “It’s important to show out and show that there is a community, and there are people who care about you and feel the same way that you do .” Fort Worth resident Stephanie Vasilio, 46, said this was her first pride event and it was amazing to see all the love around everything. “I feel that any support whatsoever is greatly appreciated, no matter what your sexual orientation [is], you just need to show love to everyone,” Vasilio said. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Arlington Pride 2025 drew a large crowd to Levitt Pavilion on Saturday, as thousands celebrated LGBTQ+ visibility and community unity. The event featured electrifying performances from “RuPaul's Drag Race” stars Ra'Jah O'Hara, Nymphia Wind, and Ginger Minj, alongside country music artist Brooke Eden. The event also featured drag queen Trixie Mattel, captivating attendees throughout the evening. The event provided attendees with free water, ice packs and a variety of vendors selling food, drinks and other products. For Plano resident Cailey Manley, 31, it is important to celebrate pride as an ally. “Pride’s a protest. It’s very important to celebrate those who need the support,” Manley said. “As a straight, white cis woman, I need to lift them up as much as I can.” @pixaperfect_ @greycoloredglass photo-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From professional baseball to theater shows, residents have plenty to choose from in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Sports Cheer on the Texas Rangers as they take on the Kansas City Royals at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Globe Life Field. Tickets start at around $13 and doors open at 5:05 p.m. The first 20,000 fans will receive a 2023 World Series Final Out Bobblehead. Watch North Texas SC go up against Austin FC II at 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Choctaw Stadium. Tickets start at $24 and doors open at 6:45 p.m. Music Enjoy a free concert from folk-pop singer-songwriter Gina Chavez from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday at Levitt Pavilion. The show will also feature indie folk singer-songwriter and producer Lorena Leigh. Jam out to some indie sleaze at the Peach Pit & Briston Maroney: Long Hair, Long Life Tour at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the South Side Ballroom in Dallas. Tickets start at around $58 Dance to nostalgic tunes during a concert from pop band The Buckinghams at 8 p.m. Friday at Arlington Music Hall. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets start at around $50. Entertainment Celebrate the 50th anniversary of “A Chorus Line” by attending Theatre Arlington’s performance of the musical Saturday and Sunday at varying times. Tickets start at $38 for students. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Rarely has anyone benefited from a rebrand like Addison Rae. Rae, whose stardom started from posting viral TikTok dancing clips and has amassed almost 90 million followers on the platform, and her brilliant team of creative directors have tried hard to make her new aesthetics appear like they haven’t tried at all. She began rocking Y2K-inspired looks — ultra-mini ra-ra skirts, cropped denim jean jackets, a bellybutton piercing and low-rise jeans. Rae flaunted an old iPod Nano like a trendy toy. Her Instagram became a means to create a cohesive, deliberative world. The music changed, too. Far from the kitschy dance-pop 2021 debut single, “Obsessed,” the songs in “Addison,” her debut, self-titled album released Friday, are more cool and controlled. The production, taken charge by two women producers, Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd — Swedish hitmaker Max Martin’s proteges — mirrors ’90s trip-hop, with frequent interruptions allowing songs to shift in intensity and texture. They are pulsating, lush and full of stacked harmonies. The songs in “Addison” echo Lana Del Rey, sometimes Britney Spears and also Madonna, and they’re not bound by any particular genre. She doesn’t deny being a student of the game either. The album, then, is the sort of pastiche that is familiar without being redundant. Each turn is sharp and deliberate, but they all confine within the kaleidoscope of the album’s pop maximalist sonic universe. Rae’s vocals are sweet and foggy, and her lyrics are threaded with images of a life that's young, fun and free: being naked on a beach, flying to Paris on a whim and taking shots at a bar. There's no ego and rarely any self-seriousness, which makes for pop perfection. Take “Diet Pepsi” for example. On a chillwave synth beat, Rae coos, “My cheeks are red like cherries in the spring / Body's a work of art you'd die to see,” and that she was, “Sitting on his lap, sippin' Diet Pepsi.” The combination of seductiveness and product placement makes up the brilliance and ridiculousness, and Rae plays it off not with a quirky wink but with a daring stare. On “Aquamarine,” a deep-house/dream-pop track that evokes Madonna’s “Ray of Light” and Kylie Minogue’s “Fever,” Rae puts listeners through a glimmering, airy and sultry vibe. Unlike a regular pop hit structure, its bridge appears almost like an entirely new song, taking the European trance sound in a completely different direction from the second verse and pre-chorus. It works like a charm. “High Fashion” sees a deliberate choice of contrast between Rae’s soft, airy vocals on a more gritty, cinematic production. “Summer Forever” is one of the standout moments where Rae slows the pop urgency down and looks for something more atmospheric, daring her lover to be more spontaneous. She also leaves enough space for self-reflection. “Times Like These” is ethereal, layered and a highlight lyrically. In the fuzzy “Fame is a Gun,” where she teases, “You know I keep it real, I live for the appeal,” the track is sharp, and its twinkly production encapsulates stardom dreams. “Money is Everything” tethers on the same satirical line as Rae repeats, “Can’t a girl have fun?,” which sums up the entire album’s ethos. She digs deeper during “In The Rain,” a hauntingly beautiful track where she expresses, "Misunderstood but I’m not gonna sweat it / Isn’t it all for the show? / Keepin’ a smile on my face for protection.” All the self-reflection, youth and enjoyment of life as a 24-year-old woman culminates in “Headphones On,” a vulnerable and poignant album closer. The ambient textures, soft strings and strong percussion cozy up into a full trip-hop, electronica experience. Like any ambitious debut album, Rae has misfires. As interludes, “Lost & Found” and “Life’s No Fun Through Clear Waters” rather serve as stylistic choices and bog down the album’s pace. Its opener, “New York,” a nod to the works of Rae’s close friend and collaborator, Charli XCX, leans toward being bombastic. Rae has neither the best vocals nor writing skills. The tracks in “Addison” would have soared coming from someone who could write stronger lyrics and have a more emotive tone. But there would be no guarantee that someone would have as strong a vision for its moodboard as Rae, who knows what she wants and who she is. So, talented or not, try-hard or real, that’s ultimately up to you to decide about Rae. One thing this quintessential debut makes certain, though, is that: TikTok — it’s her time to take on a bigger stage. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

In honor of Pride Month, Arlington will celebrate LGBTQ+ identity and inclusion with its annual pride event from 5 to 11 p.m. June 14 at Levitt Pavilion. Hosted by the HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness, Arlington Pride 2025 is now in its 4th annual celebration, reflecting the increasing support and visibility of Arlington’s LGBTQ+ community. The event is free, but attendees must register online for entry. “The event serves as a vibrant expression of love, inclusivity and unity. It's a space where individuals can come together to celebrate their identities, connect with allies and advocate for equality,” Austin Jennings-Ralph, special event and volunteer coordinator, said in an email. This year’s festival will feature a variety of talent, from local to nationally recognized performers, including several stars from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Drag artists from the 1851 Club in Arlington and Club Reflection in Fort Worth will perform, with Liquor Mini hosting and music by DJ Al Farb. Special guests include music artist Brooke Eden and drag performers Ginger Minj, Nymphia Wind, Ra’Jah O’Hara and Trixie Mattel. Attendees can also enjoy different food trucks, vendors and community resource booths alongside performances. For safety, attendees must pass through metal detectors at entry. Weapons, large bags over 12-by-12 inches and outside food or drinks are prohibited. Pets are allowed but must remain leashed and under control. The venue is wheelchair accessible, and accommodations can be requested in advance. All parking is free in the lots around the pavilion. “Arlington Pride is more than just a celebration; it's a testament to the resilience and strength of our local LGBTQ+ community,” Jennings-Ralph said. “It's an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the challenges that remain and renew our collective commitment to equality and justice.” @samip.parajuli.54 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

From concerts to a half marathon, residents have plenty to choose from in the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. Music Attendees can sing and dance during the Stray Kids dominATE world tour at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Globe Life Field. Tickets and packages can be found here. Join Colombian pop star Shakira at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Globe Life Field as she brings her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to Arlington. Tickets start at around $67 and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Entertainment The Arlington Museum of Art’s summer exhibition is displaying printmaking work through "M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations." The showcase explores the metamorphic work of one of the most famous printmakers in modern times. The exhibition is available until Aug. 3, and tickets are available here at varying prices. Residents can experience the 50th anniversary of “A Chorus Line,” a high-energy musical paying tribute to the unsung heroes of Broadway — the chorus dancers. From June 6 through 22, performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at Theatre Arlington. Tickets start at $38 for students and can be purchased here. Find handcrafted treasures or fresh, locally sourced produce at the farmer's market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday behind the Arlington Public Library. Parking and entry are free, and more information can be found here. Sports Lace up for the Hometown Half Marathon/10K/5K from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Anderson Bonner Park. This family-friendly race features chip timing with live results, free photos, finish line treats, and swag, including a designer shirt and custom medal. Registration is available online. @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Tre’s Bar-B-Q doesn't go about things the traditional way. In the back of the Maverick Dining kitchen, executive sous chef Austin Banks and his crew use an indoor smoker to slowly cook 18 to 22 briskets each night for next-day service. “We put in a system in place to where we always want to be ready for the next day,” Banks said. The setup was years in the making for Banks and Maverick Dining. Banks used to bring his own barbecue pit to smoke meat for catering events on campus, he said. After receiving positive feedback and hosting a few sold-out events, the concept slowly baked into a full-fledged campus restaurant in January 2025. Now, Tre’s Bar-B-Q looks to establish a unique experience among Arlington’s ever-growing barbecue scene — teaching student workers how to cut meats, offering vegetarians alternative options like baked potatoes with beans, corn or other toppings and introducing international students to the vast world of barbecue. “It's something that brings all cultures together,” Banks said. For sous-chef David Patton, these conversations with students opened his mind. “I can recall just a quick story of seeing international students and they're asking me questions where I'm like, ‘Oh you don't know what coleslaw is?’” Patton said. “But then having to backtrack and be like, ‘You know what? Maybe this person doesn't know what coleslaw is. They’ve never ever seen it.’” These interactions are what shape Tre’s Bar-B-Q’s flavors as it grows into its space within the university. The restaurant looks to bring barbecue to all parts of campus and do so with care. To do so, they also add something traditional. “We put love,” Banks said. “It's all about the love and what you put into it.”

Marc Fadel woke up at 7:40 a.m. on a Thursday. Around noon, he would start prepping for his barbecue food truck’s 5 p.m. Friday opening. Trim the brisket. Make the rubs and sauces. Prep the vegetables. But there was an issue. “I got to UTA so fast,” Fadel said. “I’m running across campus, and I got there, 8:02. Luckily, the professor still let me take the exam.” At 18 years old, Fadel is a construction management freshman at UTA who also runs his business, Habibi Barbecue, on West Arkansas Lane. During the week, he enjoys college life: taking some classes online at Tarrant County College, playing basketball at the Maverick Activities Center and eating Panda Express in the University Center. Starting Wednesday, he begins prepping his barbecue rub for Friday and Saturday openings. On one Saturday, his brisket and ribs sold out within two hours. “Almost 200 pounds of meat — gone,” Fadel said. The food truck, which opened in September, is already on Texas Monthly’s radar. It’s a family affair. His parents, both UTA alumni, help with prep and service. His girlfriend works the counter. Born to Lebanese immigrants, Fadel creates a fusion of traditional Texas barbecue with his favorite flavors from his culture — garlic potatoes, hummus, house-made garlic aioli and tzatziki. As Fadel talked about his food truck, his face beamed with pride as he went through every piece of equipment. It’s that attention to detail that he brings to his barbecue. The bark on his roundly trimmed prime brisket. The pork belly cubes, hand-seasoned one by one. He dry-brines his meat a day in advance, then makes all his rubs and sauces by hand, including a signature bright red sauce made with Big Red. He then smokes the meat with seasoned post oak sourced from Paris, Texas. Fadel credited his drive to high school. As an Arlington Independent School District senior, he juggled culinary competitions, working 40 hours a week as a pitmaster at Tex-Ethiopian restaurant Smoke’N Ash BBQ and filming a TV documentary called “BBQ High” on Max — all while being a student in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “I put my heart and my soul in this. I love it. Sweat, tears, blood,” he said. “A lot of blood — I cut myself a lot.” Fadel doesn’t talk much about the future for fear of jinxing himself. However, he has thought of a restaurant with a few booths and a nice wood finish in five years. He wants it to be in Pantego, Texas, or Dalworthington Gardens in Arlington. He has been playing “Restaurant Tycoon” on Roblox to prepare for that moment. For now, though, he’s enjoying UTA, which he loves despite it not being his first choice. He’s staying in school in case the barbecue business doesn’t work out as planned. He doesn’t mind being recognized on campus or while shopping for ingredients for his documentary appearance. And on Sundays, Fadel puts on his “body by brisket” shirt and enjoys sleeping in. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Barbecue has been a journey for 225° BBQ co-owner Rene Ramirez — literally. Before settling into its current location on East Main Street in east Arlington, 225° BBQ started as a food truck in Dallas in 2018. Then, it bounced to Grand Prairie, Texas, to various parking lots and eventually to where it is now. Although the location didn’t work out for a while, they were asked to come back and now own the spot. But Ramirez has not settled. He starts his day at around 3 a.m., trimming briskets, boiling beans and prepping sides. Some nights, he doesn’t sleep until midnight. “By the second day, third day, I’ve already worked like 40 hours, and then the week just started,” he said. At its current location, where the smoky scene of brisket drifts through the air, a mural of singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez lies on the wall as an intentional effort to represent the marriage of Texas pride and Mexican culture. It’s that culture of identity, history and hustle that led 225° BBQ to become KERA’s best barbecue joint in North Texas, voted by more than 9,000 readers in 2023. The Mexi-cue fuses traditional Texas barbecue with Mexican flavors and draws a loyal following. Ramirez estimated that around 70% of his customers are from word-of-mouth, with some coming religiously around once or twice a week. On the menu, brisket and shrimp tacos both have places alongside barbecue plates. With its meat, 225° BBQ provides something savory, sweet — and plenty of spice — that goes beyond salt and pepper. The rub has barely changed since the start. That meat is smoked with post oak and pecan wood in a two-to-one ratio that Ramirez sources from east Texas. After years of bouncing around, 225° BBQ now has a team of seven or eight. Ramirez never forgets its beginning. It’s the years of practicing barbecue in his backyard, taking orders from roadside pop-ups to the food truck, that have brought him here. It’s that failed brisket at his family cook-off over a decade ago that started it all. His brother, who won that cook-off, is now his business partner. “It’s still my baby at the end of the day,” Ramirez said. “I gotta make sure everything’s right.” Multimedia editor Ronaldo Bolaños contributed to this reporting. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Behind the modest-sized, single-story Hurtado Barbecue restaurant on East Front Street, five 1,000-gallon smokers run simultaneously. It’s around 2:15 p.m. on a recent Friday. Two pitmasters have been in the smoker area trimming and preparing the meat since 4 a.m. Soon they will tag out for the two other pitmasters who will stay past closing when necessary. “There’s no cutting corners, any of that,” pitmaster Chris Kurosky said. The smokers cook the chickens, sausages and briskets — all menu items that brought Hurtado Barbecue from serving at pop-up events to opening three brick-and-mortar locations in two years. Outside of the Arlington location, UTA alumnus Brandon Hurtado and his wife own restaurants in Dallas, Fort Worth and Mansfield. What makes Hurtado’s winning recipe? “The love we put into this,” Kurosky said. Hurtado Barbecue’s Mexi-cue flavor offers unusual fare like quail and sweet, plump bacon burnt ends. Its cultural influence is presented from the dry rubs to sides like street corn with spices and crema. On adventurous days, you can get the tostada, which consists of smoked brisket topped with refried beans, salsa verde, Valentina hot sauce, cotija cheese, cilantro and onions. As Kurosky sliced raw pork belly, his fellow pitmaster Joe Ponce tossed them in the spice blend, which is a Hurtado’s recipe but is packaged from a manufacturer that can produce big volumes. They work in tandem. Kurosky has more than 15 years of barbecue experience. “We all got a good amount of experience. This isn’t the place you come to learn barbecue. It’s a place you better know your barbecue,” he said, laughing. Heat radiates from the smokers. Once summer hits, the smoker area may reach around 135 degrees, Kurosky said. As the time goes on, they are gradually turned off. But as of right now, they need to make enough briskets for customers. No one wants a barbecue place that runs out of briskets, he said. At the front, customers lined up from the counter to outside the door, eager to put in their orders for Hurtado’s bold, sweet and spicy interpretation of Mexi-cue. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Fasicka Hicks still remembers the aroma of berbere, a classic Ethiopian spice blend, in her mother’s kitchen when she was a child living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. “I always think back when I work on any of the things that I do in this restaurant because it takes me back to the time that I spent with my mother,” she said. Berbere differs depending on each household, but it has more than a dozen different spices, starting with chili pepper. Fasicka Hicks’ sister prepares the spice blend using their mother’s recipe and ships it to her. The Ethiopian flavors now make up a whole section of the menu at Smoke’N Ash BBQ, Hicks’ restaurant that she co-owns with her husband, Patrick Hicks, on South Cooper Street. Patrick Hicks grew up in Waco, Texas, and barbecue is his life, his wife said. “The skill level on the barbecue was his, and the skill level on the Ethiopian side was mine,” Fasicka Hicks said. “So, we were just doing our own thing, and at the end, where we combined everything, where we can help each other as well.” Depending on the previous night’s preparation, the Hicks’ may arrive at their restaurant as early as 4 a.m. for the day’s work. She’s still hanging on to the Ethiopian recipes. “I have learned so much about my husband now than ever, and I think we understand each other much better now than ever because we’re here together,” she said. Smoke’N Ash BBQ was recently recognized by the Michelin Guide as one of the state’s best restaurants and named a best Texas chef semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Award. Fasicka Hicks is proud of the recognition, but she won’t grow a big head because of it, she said. “What matters is those people coming in here just waiting for the food,” she said. At Smoke’N Ash BBQ, traditional barbecue flavors blend with Ethiopian spices. The smokiness of the meat is paired with the spiciness of the seasoning. It’s rich, sweet and savory. The restaurant also serves lamb as an alternative to pork. Fasicka Hicks said she never thought there would be a platter that offers both Texas barbecue and Ethiopian dishes. If she were a first-timer, she would have doubted Smoke’N Ash BBQ the same way people have doubted them. But barbecue is about community, and Ethiopian food is about getting together. Smoke’N Ash BBQ is about sharing a meal together and hearing laughter at the table. Them being on the same platter makes sense, she said. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu