Out & About

February 2015

Feb. 14

Masquerade ball

The sixth-annual Oak Cliff Mardi Gras masquerade ball features the music of Johnny Tone of Club Wood and Ice House Band. Tickets cost $60 and include a 7-8:30 p.m. buffet from Alligator Café.

The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, 214.272.8346, thekessler.org

FEB. 3

‘Pay 2 Play’

John Ennis’ 2014 documentary about “our Monopoly-inspired system of government” is the February installment of the free first Tuesday social justice film series.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff, 3839 W. Kiest, 214.337.2429, firsttuesdayfilms.org

FEB. 14

Dash for the Beads

Oak Cliff Mardi Gras kicks off Saturday morning with a 5k run. The run begins and ends at Kidd Springs Park, and the after-party includes barbecue, beer and wine, live music, a bounce house and costumes.

Llewellyn and Fifth, dashforthebeads.org

OAKCLIFF.ADVOCATEMAG.COM/EVENTS

FEB. 14

Ballet

The Dallas Neoclassical Ballet presents “The Turning Point,” a 1977 fictional film about at the real-life friendship between ballerinas Isabel Mirrow Brown and Nora Kaye. The company performs three pieces at 6 p.m., prior to the movie. Tickets cost $15. The Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson, 214.948.1546, dallasneo-classicalballet.com

Feb. 22

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Buffy Sainte-Marie, a singer/songwriter, artist and political activist since 1962, performs an 8 p.m. show at the Kessler Theater. The show is presented by WordSpace and sponsored by The Arts Community Alliance and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. Tickets start at $25. The Kessler Theater, 1230 W. Davis, thekessler.org

FEB. 15

Mardi Gras parade

The 4 p.m. Mardi Gras parade is the largest event in Oak Cliff, drawing thousands of revelers to our neighborhood. The route starts at Rosemont Avenue and runs east on West Davis to the Bishop Arts District. West Davis is closed from Rosemont to Bishop from about 3-5 p.m. gooakcliff.org

FEB. 19-MARCH 1

New play competition

Six local playwrights produce original one-act plays in this annual competition. The winner receives $1,000, and audience members get to vote for their favorites. Tickets cost $15. Bishop Arts Theatre Center, 215 S. Tyler, 214.948.0716, tecotheater.org

FEB. 28

Poetry

B. Randall hosts “Verse & Rhythm,” a free poetry night at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center starting at 7 p.m. Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 W. Jefferson, 214.670.3777, dallasculture.org/ oakcliffculturalcenter

Vh

1115 N. Beckley 214.946.1308 vhrestaurant.com

AMBIANCE: FINE DINING

PRICE RANGE: $9-$24

HOURS:

TUESDAY-FRIDAY, 11 A.M.-10 P.M.; SATURDAY, 10 A.M.-11 P.M,; SUNDAY 10 A.M.9 P.M.; CLOSED MONDAY

DID YOU KNOW?

CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN IS ONE OF THE BEST-SELLING BRUNCH ITEMS.

Victor

Hugo, owner of VH, knows what you think.

His restaurant space on Beckley has housed several popular yet short-lived restaurants. Maybe you think VH will fail too, but Hugo isn’t worried about it.

“I take care of every person who walks in the door and make sure they come back,” he says.

After all, it can’t be the location. Jonathon’s, just next door, packs the house daily. And VH has found a loyal following, too. Without a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night, diners could wait up to an hour for a table in the small restaurant.

The draw is great hospitality plus value. Nothing on the menu costs more than $25.

“It’s the best possible food, that you’re familiar with, for the best price,” he says. “We’re going to give you the feel of a four-star restaurant for an affordable price.”

Popular items include bacon-wrapped mapleglazed pork loin, macadamia-crusted mahi-mahi and red-wine pot roast. The menu, from chef Eric Brandt, represents the influences of Mexico, California and Texas, where Hugo has lived. The OC salad has black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, queso fresco and ancho-lime vinaigrette. Duck and goat-cheese taquitos, a starter, are served with cascabel chili salsa. It’s a solid, consistent menu. VH also offers an approachable wine list, and everything is available by the glass. Plus, local beer on tap and craft cocktails. Give them a try; you just might come back.

—Rachel Stone