Summertime is officially over, and here comes the runaway train of fall festivals and outdoor shenanigans that’ll fill your to-do dance card on the daily. This weekend is jam-packed with the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Denton a favorite destination, so here is your go-to guide to the top #DEN10 events that you need to squeeze in this week… or have to explain to your angry future-self for missing come Monday next.
Read MoreTHE DEN10: JUNE 20TH 2017
With the Summer Solstice, we are officially in peak summertime mode, y’all. That rascal Glen is still hunting down Tex-Mex spots in France, and we’re still a little bitter about it. But don’t fret, there’s a ton of fun to be had, so here’s our run-down of your best sure bets for We Denton Doings this week.
Read MoreTHE PLAYLIST: DENTON TXMAS HOLIDAY EDITION
GLEN FARRIS AND SHAUN TREAT
TThe fine folks over at the Denton Record-Chronicle published a mighty fine “Denton Christmas Playlist” last weekend, which got our collective gears a’turning. To us, their 5 songs seemed like a good start to throwing together a longer selection of locally-sourced holiday cheer. So our gift to y’all this year is the following WDDI Denton TXmas Awesome Holiday Mixtape (vol. 7), our extended representative sampling in no particular order.
BOWLING FOR SOUP – “FATHER CHRISTMAS”
These Witchita Falls rockers honed their sound in Denton pubs, and this take is a fun way to kick things up a notch for your Holiday party.
NORAH JONES & WILLIE NELSON – “BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE”
Both of these music legends have their roots in the Denton scene, and their take on a notoriously slightly creepy tune is actually a welcome breath of fresh air.
BAPTIST GENERALS – “ALCOHOL”
Okay, not a Christmas song proper, but definitely speaks to a major (some would say essential) ingredient in a lot of holiday celebrations. We stand by our selection.
ROY ORBISON – “PRETTY PAPER”
Few can belt out a soulfully lovelorn ballad like The O, an old-timey tune that deserves far more holiday play than it gets.
PAT BOONE – “WHITE CHRISTMAS”
It just doesn’t come any whiter or more Christmassy than this NTSU alum. Trust us, your momma will applaud this pick.
POLYPHONIC SPREE – “HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER)”
These choral dynamos deliver a pitch-perfect cover of the haunting John Lennon classic.
CENTRO-MATIC – “FUSELAGE (ITS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE CHRISTMAS ONCE AGAIN)”
This Denton indy legend mixes growling pop beats with abstracted instrumentals, a toe-tapping homage to the more angsty aspects of the holidays.
EAGLES – PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
A Christmas mix without Don Henley and The Eagles? Blasphemy.
FISHBOY – “A SURPRISE RETURN”
Who else but our own beloved Fishboy could deliver a song about a zombie Christmas Tree returning for a hangout? That’s right, no one. You’re welcome.
SNARKY PUPPY – “THING OF GOLD”
Familiar holiday beats filtered through an acid jazz jam session? Yes, please.
NEW SCIENCE PROJECTS – “XMAS CALL”
One of our favorite punk blues tributes to another less-discussed holiday tradition, the drunken phone call to an Ex.
SLOBBERBONE – “GIVE ME BACK MY DOG”
The opposite of gift giving is demanding your dang pooch back, which is why we are totally counting this track on our holiday mixtape. I mean, Stephen King name-dropped this as one of his picks for the greatest rock-and-roll song of all time, so you can argue with him in the comments.
SARAH JAFFE – “CLEMENTINE”
Little known fact, Clementine is actually the name of Mrs. Claus before she… Okay, nah, just kidding. Because Glen appears in the hauntingly beautiful video for this amazing tune, we here at WDDI will always include it on every songlist ever. Always. It’s a thing, just roll with it.
If you want to sample and savor these songs along with plenty more local selections, then click on over to this WDDI MT007 playlist, or this epic YouTube mixtape variation by Shaun Treat. We went ahead and included the video for Centro-matic's "Fuselage" below because how can anyone resist all those stills from A Christmas Vacation?
As always, we love to hear your hot take in the comments in case we missed one of your favorites.
Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and Happy Holidays from the gang here at We Denton Do It.
THE DEN10: NEW YEAR'S 2016 EDITION
With 2015 two days shy of being wrapped up, we’ve got 10 glorious events for your Denton-loving, New Year New You’s to enjoy. Hailey’s will be closing its doors after its last ever show tomorrow night. With a party at literally every place in Denton going on tomorrow, we’re bringing you a special New Years Eve edition of the Den10.
Do you like thinking about things in the future? Asking for a friend. (P.s, I’m your friend, please email me about the future things mentioned above: sara@wedentondoit.com).
Read MoreWHAT WE DID: MAY 4TH 2015
Here's What We Did, our weekly photo recap of the past couple of days. Looks as if we spent a lot of time hanging out on or around the square. With Twilight Tunes kicking off our weekend early, we can't help but get those good summer vibes out and about. Follow that up with a Movie Night on the courthouse lawn, a Cinco de Mayo Parade, the Mudbug Boil, Free Comic Book Day, and a show from one of the best bands to ever come out of Denton, TX and you've got a pretty damned full week.
Click on the images below to get linked to the appropriate photographer's Instagram account where you can then follow them and get a new Instagram buddy! To be included in next week's What We Did, make sure to tag your Instagram photos with #WDDI and we will put our favorites in next week's post.
Oh, also, go vote if you haven't already. Check out all of our posts from last week if you aren't sure who to vote for yet.
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THE DEN10: April 29th
With the local election underway this week, the number one event that you need to attend is to go vote. Locations are open at the Civic Center and the county elections office. It takes 5 minutes and there’s no excuse not to be involved in the closing of our cities leaders. This week they are open until 5pm. Check out the county site for more details on where and when to vote. We’ll bring you more election coverage as it unfolds. In other news, prepare yourselves this Friday for our FREE Outdoor Movie Night on the courthouse lawn featuring the Tim Burton classic, Edward Scissorhands. As always, tag your best 'grams with #WDDI to get featured on What We Did next Monday.
Also of note: The OC Burger at 508 S Elm (next to Bet The House BBQ) is now open and is giving away free beer to celebrate.
Questions comments and temper tantrums can be directed towards glen@wedentondoit.com
Read MoreTHE DEN10: DECEMBER 31st
There is a flavor of event for everyone in Denton this evening. Be safe, y'all. There's a possibility ice/sleet, and it’ll be amateur hour out there on the roads with possible drunk drivers, too. Take advantage of AAA's free "Tipsy Tow" service if you end up needing to. Make sure to #WDDI your glorious photos of yourselves bringing in 2015.
Questions, comments, and confessions can be directed towards glen@wedentondoit.com.
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