When People Lead, a play

Here's another piece from Chris over at Stage Directions. We always enjoy reading his heady, thoughtful musings on theatre and the like. In this one, Chris goes to check out a play at Art Six and winds up ruminating on the importance of truth in art, connecting the play to the recent This American Life episode, "Retraction." Read through and let us know what you think. 

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Alan Bounville in WHEN PEOPLE LEAD

On Sunday night, I went up to Art 6 in Denton to work on the musical I am writing with a couple of the owners of the shop. I didn’t expect to run into a production happening in the back room but when I arrived, there was something being set up in the back room. Beginning Spring Break is always a challenge, I almost always end up wasting the time and not completing the stack of tasks that I have set for myself. One of the tasks was to have a new blog post and the week wasn’t looking like it was going to bring anything my way. Then, a couple of things happened; Mike Daisey, the revered monologuist cum activist was deposed from his throne by his own hand and I found myself as the member of a small audience sitting in on WHEN PEOPLE LEAD. Alan Bounville wrote the play from a collection of interviews and claimed “verbatim” theatre in that respect. He is involved in a movement called Into The Light which supports people sharing their stories regarding the LGBTQ movement and Bounville is walking across the country sharing his story and trying to build awareness for the struggle for equal rights. Pushing a large cart with a rainbow flag, he began his walk in Seattle and came through Denton on Sunday with little promotion around his production. The play itself is a loose narrative that shares interviews and his own experience as “local color.” Bounville is first an activist and his acting showed commitment if little depth. There were a couple of the monologues, mostly from older men who participated in actions years ago that were quite moving; the story of one man caring for his dying partner and trying to find an apartment was the highlight of the evening for me. I can’t characterize the piece as anything but agitprop, there was a moment when video from a die-in in Grand Central played behind Bounville shouting “Civil Rights Now!!” repeatedly that perfectly captured the essence of the piece. Within the stories, the undercurrent of activism was never far below the surface. While I understand, and fully support, the quest for rights that many LGBTQ people struggle for daily, as a straight audience member, I felt out of place. Many of the issues that Bounville talked about and showed in performance were so specifically tailored to a queer audience that I felt like an oppressor sitting in the audience. I had planned to talk to him after the show but many of the audience (7 in all) were talking to him about their own experiences and I didn’t feel that my “talk to me about your process” had a place in the discussion. Bounville wore his activist flag on his sleeve and bragged about his own hunger strikes and familial problems within the wider context of the struggle. The art was sublimated to his own experience.

“Why is this a problem?” you might ask. 

It isn’t, for Bounville. Would be my answer. For Bounville. 

Now to the larger issue. I have been listening to This American Life since at least 1997 and have missed very few episodes. Running, cycling or working around the house, TAL has been the soundtrack of a good portion of my life. I also listen to Studio 360 and the episode about Nikola Tesla was the first time that I hear of Mike Daisey. The story that he told in that episode was compelling and laced with historical details. History aside, I never thought about the veracity of his points; history is falsifiable not subjective (arguably) and so the stories he told were not something I spent a lot of time thinking about. Then, sometime last week, I heard about the retraction episode. Newspapers, magazines and websites are where I have encountered retractions, TAL didn’t seem like the kind of place where a retraction makes sense. Then I did some research into the story. If you haven’t followed the story here it is, in brief. 

Mike Daisey, one day, decided to look deeply into where his favorite devices come from when he saw some pictures on a website that were found on an iPhone that had been taken in the factory where they were made. He booked a trip to China and spent some time in and around the Foxconn plant where many Apple devices are built. He painted a bleak picture of overwork, underage workers, unsafe working conditions, repetitive motion injuries, illegal unions and a police state-style surveillance system set up in the factor. Foxconn, you may remember, was where there were a number of suicides by workers in the recent past. Daisey and his interpreter, Cathy Lee, went all around Shenzhen talking to “hundreds” of workers to corroborate the story that Daisey was sure was there. He created a monologue called “The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs” which had an amazing impact for a solo performer. Daisey put himself front and center (as in all of his shows) and was suddenly the poster child for Apple abuse, not nearly as salacious as it sounds. He even had part of his show broadcast on TAL in January and it seemed like things couldn’t get better for him. Then the debunking began. Between January and last week, reporters from all over the NPR universe found problems with Daisey’s account, billed at the Public Theatre as “non-fiction”. It was fiction. Lots of it. Moments that killed on stage were completely fabricated and Daisey was called to the carpet by Ira Glass on the Retraction Episode in a public and painful way. I don’t need to talk about the history of fabricated stories, if you have been paying attention they are all over the place. I’m not interested in jumping on the Daisey bashing bandwagon, what I am interested in is posing a question. Daisey said that his work in the theatre, fabricated or not, was effective and he stood by what he called the strongest work he had ever done. Lying, in the theatre, wasn’t an issue because the theatre is concerned with creating real, human moments. The emotional narrative that Daisey continues to tell, though in slightly altered form, is acceptable and good because he understood that his experiences in China did not add up to what he thinks of as a powerful show. 

Reduced: As long as you create a strong, satisfying emotional narrative, regardless of whether you bill it as non-fiction or fiction, you have succeeded. What does this say for other performers who present something close to truth? With this story in my head, Bounville’s performance caused questions of the “verbatim” quality of his work. Was it really verbatim? Did it matter? 

I talked last night with Brad McEntire about what he thought, as a solo performer, about the issue. Hopefully in the next installment we will have some of his thoughts about it. I think what came from the discussion last night that really stuck with me is that Daisey has become more of an activist and less of a playwright of late. His work has taken on a victim mentality, a holier than thou mentality that can clearly be understood by looking at some of his more recent work. I watched a video on Slate.com that showed an audience member leaving (along with a large group) and pouring water on Daisey’s papers. His response, indignation, is telling. He called on the audience member to explain himself and when he didn’t, he read into the man’s motivations for injuring him in such a personal way. Interesting to hear him on the other side of the table. 

Listening to the retraction, one of the most powerful and painful moments was when Daisey came back into the studio after recording some other moments of the show and tried to point out that some of the experiences he had were real. Glass pointedly said “I don’t believe you, I can’t believe you.” Now, I don’t believe in the willing suspension of disbelief. I believe in something called “the blend” which I will not go into here. Belief in a performer and story are intertwined in my mind. If the performer doesn’t believe it, I don’t believe it. If I am supposed to be listening to something that is purported to be true and it isn’t, I don’t believe it. It doesn’t change the truth of the issue (global labor struggle) but it does affect my view of the performer/writer as a reliable narrator. If one is unreliable, doubt is cast. 

So that is the question. Does it matter? I’m conflicted about it. Surely when one agrees to be held to the highest journalistic standard, as Daisey did in having his work presented on TAL, it does matter. In the theatre, I don’t know that it does. I always go in to a performance with the expectation of at least someartistic license. In an academic lecture or news conference, not so much. 

More reviews and interviews of this caliber can be found at his blog.

Photo of the Week: Week of April 2nd

Here's your photo of the week, courtesy of Lauren Hensens. 

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Here's what Lauren had to say about her photo: 

"This photo was shot in a pine forest right outside of Lake Sharon. I often walk the trails over there (camera always in hand) and came upon this couch one evening! I love this area, I have many wonderful memories here. Its very different from most of North Texas' scenery. There is also a creek running through the clearing. Sadly, I have heard rumors that they plan to tear down the woods."

Shot with: Canon EOS Rebel T2i, EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens, 1/200, f/3.5"

Check out more of Lauren's work here. 

Do you have a recent photo that you're particularly fond of? Email it to us at Molly@wedentondoit.com and share!

20 Facts (and a few opinions) about Oak St. Draft House

Denton is in a sort of bar renaissance at the moment. 2011 brought us Paschall and right around the corner (not to mention down the street) was Oak Street Draft House (full name Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor). So far both have proven to be popular establishments. The latter has been open since the beginning of March. We've learned quite a few things about the Oak St. Drafthouse during that time. Below are a few of those things. 

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Inside Oak St. Drafthouse.

  1. The Oak Street Draft House & Cocktail Parlor features 48 beers on tap.
  2. Half of those are from Texas: Deep Ellum, Franconia, Rahr, Live Oak out of ATX, Shiner, No Label out of Katy, Southern Star out of Conroe, and a few from Houston. The rest are all high-end rarities. 
  3. A third of the beers rotate seasonally.
  4. The thought behind the place seems enormous and subdued all at once. John Williams, the owner of this fine establishment, certainly has an eye for comfort and aesthetics.
  5. The place used to be the late vintage clothing store Time Bandits. Nostalgia alert: may evoke a bittersweet sentiment.
  6. If you’re keen on things anachronistic, you’ll like this place. It’s like going back to a time you only know through books.
  7. The walls and mantles are decked with creepy photos, fascinating photos, lovely photos, family photos, old men in top hats photos, sports teams photos, old cowboys photos....
  8. With the trophies, barber chair, tractor stools, and cozy lounge space, the OSDH&CP has a very masculine tone to it...
  9. While number 8 is very true, one could also say the place is feminine, as well, with curvy, ornate sofas covered in velvet and floral patterns, and soft colors all around.
  10. The house (dare I say home?) has gardens in the front, and inside are wood floors and high ceilings.
  11. John had a buddy of his blow and shape beautiful and unique glass handles instead of using large tap handles with perhaps, say, the brew name-- and instead of the usual, and downright unappealing little black tap handles.
  12. They use small glass tap handles as to not hide the bartender from the patrons, and to keep that open feel, which compliments the rest of the house's atmosphere fantastically.
  13. THEY HAVE A PATIO LIKE YOU NEVA SEEN IN DENTON. Trust me, it’s huge.
  14. Inside is non-smoking.
  15. Bring your own food and have a picnic on the patio. 
  16. They have both evening happy hour specials from 4-7pm daily and late night specials from 9-11pm. 
  17. It has the potential to have some great outdoor concerts/events. 
  18. It’s just off the square and nearby the Industrial Street developments-- new restaurants, favorite restaurants, new apartments.
  19. The OSDH&CP puts on honky tonk/bluegrass Sunday Fundays with the best mimosas and bloody marys around.
  20. People now have a reason to travel eastward on Oak St. past the square. 

What do you think is the best about the Oak Street Draft House & Cocktail Parlor?

Avenue Q - Music Theatre of Denton

Below is an in-depth review of Avenue Q originally written by Christopher David Taylor of Stage Directions that he was kind enough to share with us. More reviews and interviews of this caliber can be found at his blog. We'll hopefully see more from him soon. 

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When I was a kid growing up in South-Central Montana, just a stone’s throw from Colorado and the creators of “South Park”, I dreamt of a world where the profane, perverse baby voice that I practiced in the parking lot of the local IGA would someday find a voice. Then, as now, the idea of a child or childlike object spouting the darker aspects of humanity was at once funny and disturbing to passersby. I got some very strange looks from the old ladies walking in to do their shopping as my little baby voice spouted out things that would make my physics teacher, who had just spent a summer on board a NOAA vessel, blush. As things progressed and I became more and more interested in the theatre as an art form, I noticed that certain things were becoming acceptable; things that were unthinkable in the isolated upper midwest were finding a foothold in far off New York City. 

“Avenue Q,” first produced in 2003, captured the spirit of a depressed and newly vulnerable nation. Puppets were racist, misogynist, serial masturbators who had degrees and fully realized sex lives. The foil for humanity, the puppet, was a safe avenue for the expression of the darker feelings that had lain under the surface and were boiling up, finally, in the face of a growing war on terror and the erosion of civil liberties under the Bush administration. This all may seem to be high-flown rhetoric, but “Avenue Q” found an audience in NYC that craved an outlet. If puppets are calling each other racist and saying it is ok, if the childhood dreams of Sesame Street and people coexisting with Muppets could be a reality, wouldn’t it be more fun if they were more like us? 
Music Theatre of Denton secured the Regional Premier for Amateur Production rights, Theatre Three is producing the musical in the coming months, and MTD found their audience opening night with an almost packed house. This production doesn’t suffer on the technical side. The set and lighting both serve their parts in this production and it is easy to imagine the apartments on any street peopled by both puppets and humans. Puppets, rented, are present and as raunchy as expected; some of the puppets even seem to be channeling their professional lineage by sounding as close to the Broadway production as possible. Trekkie, voiced by Ted Minette, is perhaps most guilty of cribbing from the cast recording. Perverted and lively, hearing what amounts to character theft come from the mouth of a puppet may be a sort of homage to the original production, in this case it comes across as what the majority of the performers in this production do: present a reasonable facsimile of what many in the audience had already seen in NYC. 

For some audience members, this isn’t a problem. For me, the shining performances came from actors that created their own versions of the characters. Kate Monster, voiced sweetly by Nikki Cloer, is perhaps the most genuine of the puppet characters. Cloer’s puppet voice was spot on, her face, while not distracting from her big, pink persona, was interesting to watch as the emotions of the character were played out. Not so with her love interest Princeton. Voiced by Matt Purvis, Princeton was flat and emotionless. The highs and lows of the character were seemingly vacant from Purvis’ face and it was difficult to focus on the story when the performer so clearly wasn’t present. As disappointing as this was, the lack of character was more than made up for in two of the human characters. Olivia Emile, playing the equivalent of an Asian Jim Crow, was fantastic. Her portrayal of Christmas Eve, the harpy wife of the average Brian (played by Eric Ryan), Emile played with the careful balance between forcing a stereotype and finding something in her character that was redeemable. Numbers like “The More You Ruv Someone” and “It Sucks To Be Me” were well served by Emile’s powerful voice. She was joined in this regard by Erica Cole (Gary Coleman) and Kelsey Macke (Lucy The Slut). All three of these performers raised the level of the show from mediocre to good, anytime one of them was onstage, the energy of the production jumped to a new level. Cole’s “You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)" channeled the recently passed Etta James and Whitney Houston both. As Gary Coleman, Cole was clearly enjoying herself and she was perhaps the most comedic of the human characters. Macke positively exuded sexuality, as much as a puppet can, and made her number one of the highlights of the first act. 

One of the other standout puppet performances came from Chris Jordan as Rod, the sexually repressed, closeted gay puppet. Jordan clearly loved performing and it made his character one that I kept hoping would come back on stage. Following closely behind, the Bad Idea Bears bear mention. Travis Turek and Anna Marie Boyd were hilarious as the...bad angels that Princeton has on his shoulders.  

Jordan’s love for the opportunity to portray a character in “Avenue Q” is one of the elements that makes community theatre so appealing when it comes to avocational actors. Rather than looking at the performance as a step to something much bigger, each of these actors had the opportunity to step outside of their daily grind and transport themselves and the audience to a place where a puppet can say “Fuck you!!” and the things that a large majority of the audience would never utter are heard in full volume from the stage. 
Director, Bill Kirkley, did an admirable job with his cast, moments were just long enough and the flow of the production never slowed. Perhaps one moment that should be mentioned, passing hats during “The Money Song” completely pulled the audience out of the production. Lights were brought up and while the actors were singing and dancing (if choreographer Stephanie Felton’s work could be called dancing), the audience was digging in purses and wallets to fill the hats coming around.

Overall, this production will not disappoint the avid fan of “Avenue Q” (I saw at least two T-shirts from the London production walking around), neither will it disappoint a complete nube (in which category I will admit to being). The strength of the show comes in the script and in the shining moments that are brought to you by the letters S-c-h-a-d-e-n-f-r-e-u-d-e. Taking comfort in the suffering of others, be they puppets or your-fellow- man adequately states the purpose of this musical. You won’t suffer if you see this production, you may just not come away with all the comfort the writers would like.  

“Avenue Q” continues it’s run through 11 March. Tickets are going fast, reserve yours at here. 

The Chestnut Tree

By Kates McCann

The Chestnut Tree has made some incredible strides in the way of science, or magic, or maybe both—they’ve figured out a way to fill your eyes, ears, nose and mouth full of charm.  I’ve always been a big fan of charm, the charming, being charmed, lucky charms, Charmin toilet paper… Okay, so that one was a stretch, but you get the point—The place is Charm City, and I can’t wait to go back.

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For those of you not-so-familiar with this veteran establishment, it’s located on Denton’s Historic Square. A “garden tea room” traditionally open for brunch and lunch, the Chestnut Tree is now offering an extended menu and hours to include dinnertime.  The new evening meal offerings will be based on a revolving menu. Each weekend, diners will be presented with a fresh set of dinner options.  Opening weekend, I was given a menu that included the following main course dishes:

  • ·    Peppered Pork Loin Medallions with Champagne Dijon Cream Sauce
  • ·    Asian Glazed Salmon
  • ·    Italian Stuffed Portobello with Pasta Arabbiata

Woof, right? I partook of the Asian Glazed Salmon, and my date ordered the N.Y. Strip. Beyond the incredible entrées, the menu includes an excellent selection of vegetable sides to complete your meal. I ordered the Haricot Verts Amandine and Sweet Glazed Baby Carrots to go with my meal, and my date ordered the Roasted Garlic Smashed Potatoes and Sautéed Asparagus with Red Peppers to go with his. Between the two of us, we were able to sample almost all of the available side dishes, except the Green Onion Risotto, which I am at this moment experiencing regret about not having tried with our meal, as I am certain I would have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed all of the others.

Before our meal, we dined on the Pan Con Tomate appetizer, which consists of fire-roasted tomatoes on slices of toasted bread. I was also adamant about trying the Tomato Basil soup, which is a menu staple at the Chestnut Tree—a stationary component of the revolving menu.

The appetizer, soup, main course, and side dishes all shared in consistently delivering simple and well-executed flavor. While many of the dishes sound complex in name, their tastes were straightforward and distinctive. My date and I found ourselves more than pleased with our meal—very full and satisfied. Honestly, it was just like having a home cooked meal, if every night was “fancy food” night at your house.

Beyond the charm of their unique spins on familiar meals, the Chestnut Tree’s ambiance—the shabby-chic décor, starry sky lighting, eclectic soundtrack, and charismatic staff also adds to the delightfully alluring experience you’ll find there at dinnertime.

The extended menu and hours occur every Thursday thru Saturday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. For updates on the revolving dinner menu, check out The Chestnut Tree’s Facebook page here or head to their website and click on Revolving Dinner Menu when you get there.

NOTE: The Chestnut Tree dinner menu includes a selection of appetizers, soups, salads, main course dishes, vegetable side dishes, adult beverages, and desserts. While I wish I could tell you about all the available options, it is physically impossible. My stomach is the same size of that of most other human beings… the size of my fist, and let me tell you, folks, I got small hands

The Proposed Smoking Ban

As you already know, there are talks of instituting a smoking ban in Denton (here's a link to the presentation given about the proposed ban). True to character, much of Denton is highly opinionated on the subject (tell the city your opinion at Engage Denton). We had two fake Dentonites tell us their side of the story. Below you can read the reasons why Linda is pro-ban and why Vernon is anti-ban. Tell us your side in the comments!

 

Hi! I'm Linda and these are my five self-absorbed reasons for wanting a smoking ban in Denton. 

My wardrobe. Granted, not everyone has quite as fabulous a wardrobe as mine, but who wants to come away from a bar with their blazer reeking of cigarettes? I mean, I know this is Denton and on any given day you can find bar-goers in jeans and a hoodie (both easily machine washable), but for those of us who like to wear fine fabrics... I don’t want to have to take my outfit to the dry cleaner just so I can rid my closet of the smell of burnt tobacco.

My dining experience. For anyone who dines in the bar section of local restaurants, cigarette smoke is a nuisance. My epicurean escapade is ruined by the palette-pulverizing aroma of cigarette smoke.

Fuckin’ A!-- and by that, I mean fuckin’ allergies. Red, dry eyes. Hacking cough. I can literally feel my sinus cavities decomposing as I sit in a bar with poor ventilation, surrounded by nicotine addicts. Like literally, the insides of my face start sizzling, then drying and cracking open. I have to wrap a hot towel around my head when I get home, and I curse you, Smoker, every moment of it.

Sanitation. Where do you think all that smoke settles? Besides in my clothes and hair and sinuses.... It’s settling on the surface of your cocktail or beer. On your bar snacks. On the counters, chairs, on the floor being kicked up with every shuffle and step. Cleanliness is godliness, folks. Think of how good all of our drinks would taste without the film of nicotine and tar on top?!

Health. If secondhand smoke can give a baby asthma or an octogenarian pneumonia, even the healthiest of young adults can suffer the consequences of the smokers in the place. Greedy, uncaring indoor smokers! Shame on you!



Counterpoint with Vernon

Hi, I’m Vernon and I smoke. I’ve smoked since the day I turned twelve and I’ll continue to do so until I’m two hundred and twelve. Also, believe it or not, but you enjoy my smoke. I’m the dude who blew smoke in your face that one time at Paschall Bar when you beat me at darts. I’m the guy that created that thick haze that prevented you from spying on the curly-haired dude in Peopleodian at Rubber Gloves last semester. I’m in your life, and I won’t be going anywhere.

Think of how much I add to your life. Without me, you’d taste what the food you’re trying to eat actually tastes like (spoiler: the black bean sauce at Mr. Chopsticks doesn’t actually taste like that). Without me, your clothes wouldn’t reek all the time and more people would talk to you (who wants that?!). Face it; without me, your life would suck.

That’s why I’m proposing the opposite of a smoking ban. I want to bring back smoking EVERYWHERE.

Let’s bring back smoking at the gas station. I need something to breathe in other than the fumes of spilled gasoline, people. I’m careful with where I ash, though. Don’t worry.

Let’s start smoking at hospitals! Listen, I know you just had a baby, but I really want him to first see me at my coolest -- with a cigarette in my hand. Maybe start making baby cigarettes, too!

Lest I forget smoking at school! Got a fourth grader who says his Austrailian Shephred ate his homework? Forget detention. No smoking in class for a week. I guarantee you, he’ll have his shit finished in time next week.

Besides, cigarettes play a larger part in your life than you know. How will you be able to tell apart good parents from bad parents unless you can see them smoking around their children?

You know what makes those lattes you get at Jupiter House taste so darned good? That’s right, ground-up Newports. Mmmm tar crema.

The staff at the Denton Record Chronicle is even paid in packages of Marlboro’s. Word on the street is that Editor in Chief, Dawn Cobb, is bringing home four cases a month.

What will people hold in their hands to avoid looking awkward at parties? There’s nothing, people. I’ve checked. I’ve tried sticks, my iPhone and even small-sized melons, but all of my attempts were futile. And don’t we all know that standing around awkwardly at parties only leads to one thing -- teen pregnancies.

And with that, I implore you, fellow Dentonites, don’t ban the smoke; just smoke and smoke a lot.

 

11 Things that Happened in Denton in 2011

2011 was an okay - good year in Denton. Below are 11 things that were important in some way, shape or form to the town. We're sure to be missing a few. Add what things you thought were important in the comments. 

1. Denton was overrun by breakfast cafes.
2011 was the year local business tried to give Old West a run for it’s money. First, the biscuit-heavy Loco Cafe opened on Congress about mid-year and then the partially-vegan Seven Mile Cafe (which we apparently need to try again) followed shortly after. In addition, what was originally a day and night affair, Denton Square Donuts, recently changed their hours to breakfast and lunch only (with the exception of Friday nights), as well. Where will you be eating your brunch, Denton? Are there enough people in town to support this many local am eateries? 

2. A-Train
While the powers-that-be continued to push for the widening of 35E, DCTA unleashed the A-Train and Denton took notice. While it might have hit a few cars while traveling (and a person), it still enables Dentonites to hop over to larger D while reading the latest Haruki Murakami book. In addition, it brought our local biz a few o’ them fancy Dallas folk with all their spending money.

3. New UNT Football Stadium
UNT/Apogee a dot on the Denton skyline next to the TWU towers and Morrison's Corn Kits this year when they finished building their new stadium. While it was heavily maligned during much of it’s conception, we haven’t heard much complaining since. The addition of the three eco-friendly wind turbines next door also helps.

4. Kevin Roden elected
Longtime drinker and thinker, Kevin Roden, was elected to city council to serve in district 1 this year. Roden has already shaken things up quite a bit in his short time in office and seems to be a much needed catalyst to getting things done in Denton.

5. Eli Gemini moved away
A longtime friend of We Denton Do It, Eli Gemini, moved from Denton to Hollywood, CA this year. After his brief stint as host of Eli’s Monday Minute, he ran once more for city council, directed a short film on gay culture at UNT and then promptly moved to California. He will be missed.

6. Mellow Mushroom/Love Shack opened on square
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, a few slightly less-than-local businesses continued to open on the square this year. And while the fact that Mellow Mushroom spent $800,000 revitatlizing their location is an argument being used against food carts in Denton, it did warm our hearts to see the pizzeria man a booth on the square during the tree lighting. We’ll take Crooked Crust over any other pizza in town, though.

7. TWU Land Acquisition
Sometimes TWU buys and demolishes houses over by Austin St. to, “eliminate possible criminal activity.” Um...okay. In all fairness, they also say that the spaces left by the demolished homes will be used for future expansion. Kevin Roden pushed for some of the homes to be preserved, but it appears that TWU is still at it.

8. Gas wells
Remember that earthquake we felt a few weeks ago, many point to the many gas rigs surrounding (and inside of) Denton as the cause. Aside from earthquakes, air and water quality are also issues of concern that went mostly unattended this year.

9. 35 Denton’s Continued Growth
35 Denton had a banner year last year with Big Boi and many other high-profile artists. Closing down a portion of Hickory St. also showed that the city now seems to have an interest in throwing the yearly festival a bone every now and then.

10. Bike Friendlier
With the addition of sharrows, bike racks and more bike lanes not only around UNT, but Denton in general, 2011 was a stellar year for those atop two wheels.

11. National attention for larger music groups
While 2011 might have been slightly quieter on the music front than normal during 2011, Denton did have a fair share of local acts getting national attention. Seryn and Sarah Jaffe received much national attention (yes, even from media outlets other than Paste).

 

What are we missing here? Tell us in the comments!

Five Local Last Minute Christmas Gifts

With Festivus having come and gone very quickly this year Christmas is now right on our doorstep. Unfortunately, we've been really busy and forgot to buy our besties some gifts. We're not fretting, though. We know that there's plenty of local businesses that can help us out in a pinch. Here's where we're stopping. Maybe we'll see you there?

5. Rose Costumes

Head up to Rose's (288 and 35 by the antique malls) and wander around the labyrinthian mix of costumes until you get to the front counter. Maybe your significant other needs a wig? Maybe they need a set of pasties? Maybe you don't want to get slapped in the face and should buy them a gift certificate instead. Rose's can help you with all of these things. Make sure you check out the bathroom before you leave.

4. Jupiter House

Run over to Jupiter House before they close up shop for the holidays and start your friend or loved one a tab. Just give the barista the name of the person you're purchasing a tab for and they'll be getting macchiatos on you for the next month or so.

While there, you could also purchase an I Heart Denton T-shirt. Not only will your friend be decked out in their love of an awesome town, but you'll also be giving a charitable contribution to make sure that families in need don't die of heat stroke in the summer. It's a win-win purchase, really.

3. Denton Square Donuts

Maybe your BFF is a total coffee nerd like us and you'd like to get them the best cup of joe Denton has to offer. Well, surprisingly Denton Square Donuts is the place you should go. In addition to packing some pretty delicious pastries, Denton Square Donuts also sells bags of locally-roasted Bookish coffee. Get yourself a maple bacon bar before you leave.

2. Metzler's Food and Beverage

You live in Denton so your friends and family are most likely alcoholics. Why not be an enabler (it's the holidays, after all) and stop by Denton's best beer and wine selection to grab them something that'll make the holidays a little easier to tolerate? Maybe get yourself something, too.

1. 35 Denton Passes

Delayed gratification is a good thing. It's what separates us from the animals. Grab your friend a 4-day pass to Denton's best festival for the low price of $55 here. 35 Denton 2012 has already surpassed their previous booking efforts and looks to be an awesome time. In fact, maybe you should buy us a pass, too? You can give it to us under the mistletoe.