WHAT WE DID: AUGUST 11th

Alright, here's the "real" What We Did for today. We've complimented y'all's photography skillz before, but now we're impressed by your photojournalism ability. You've captured the easy-going youth spirit that encapsulates much of Denton life so perfectly. Lounging on a trampoline with a cigarette while a dog looks away in shame is such a perfect moment of Denton life (you should probably stop smoking, though, lady). That, plus all of the other wonderful moments and hidden corners make this our favorite column to put together. And we're limited here, folks. While we love the photos we've selected to highlight, y'all should definitely take the time to search #WDDI on Instagram. You'll find so many great photos that we jsut didnt' have the space to showcase. 

Scroll down for some photo greatness from this week. Click the photos, themselves, to be led back to the photographer's Instagram account.  Tag your perfect Denton moments with #WDDI throughout the next seven days and then come back here next Monday to see another collection. 


The City of Denton Public Library's Reading Program celebrated the end of the summer with a free night at Waterworks Park with the folks who made it through all thirty days worth of reading (we actually read for more). It was a crowded night at the …

The City of Denton Public Library's Reading Program celebrated the end of the summer with a free night at Waterworks Park with the folks who made it through all thirty days worth of reading (we actually read for more). It was a crowded night at the water park. 

Oh yeah, here's that picture we were talking about. What's in the box?!

Oh yeah, here's that picture we were talking about. What's in the box?!

We missed a night of metal at Hailey's? Dang it. 

We missed a night of metal at Hailey's? Dang it. 

SpoOky Folk (we always read that with the same "O" sound as CoOkie Crisp cereal FYI) had a reunion show of sorts last week. 

SpoOky Folk (we always read that with the same "O" sound as CoOkie Crisp cereal FYI) had a reunion show of sorts last week. 

What an awesome building in Denton. While we love all of the historical homes and buildings in town. We'd love to see more structures such as this around.

What an awesome building in Denton. While we love all of the historical homes and buildings in town. We'd love to see more structures such as this around.

Shopping at the mini mall where you may find cheese hats. 

Shopping at the mini mall where you may find cheese hats. 

Shadows and Rothko-esque walls in town. 

Shadows and Rothko-esque walls in town. 

Treat yoself. 

Treat yoself. 


Sponsor: 

Crossfit 940 off of 35 by University. 

Crossfit 940 off of 35 by University. 


Molly Valdez shares one of our favorite spots in town to shoot. This is over by the DCTA station which you can see in the background. 

Molly Valdez shares one of our favorite spots in town to shoot. This is over by the DCTA station which you can see in the background. 

If you told children that the sky was on fire Saturday evening, they believed you. We know from experience. 

If you told children that the sky was on fire Saturday evening, they believed you. We know from experience. 

Sara Button and some crepe myrtles at a kid's bday. 

Sara Button and some crepe myrtles at a kid's bday. 

Said kid and the same crepe myrtles at her own bday. We're lucky to have so many of these trees around. They're blooming harder than ever right about now. 

Said kid and the same crepe myrtles at her own bday. We're lucky to have so many of these trees around. They're blooming harder than ever right about now. 

Christopher Walker got to attend a meeting at the home of a former chair of the Historic Landmark Commission last week and we're jealous. 

Christopher Walker got to attend a meeting at the home of a former chair of the Historic Landmark Commission last week and we're jealous. 

Mulberry St. Cantina continued their "Second Saturday" streak of having the makers of handmade goods come and sell their wares at their bar this past Saturday. 

Mulberry St. Cantina continued their "Second Saturday" streak of having the makers of handmade goods come and sell their wares at their bar this past Saturday. 

Yeah, we know we've been stressing going inside the courthouse a lot lately. But have you actually done it yet? Once again, it's a beautiful building and you can scope it out for FREE dollars. 

Yeah, we know we've been stressing going inside the courthouse a lot lately. But have you actually done it yet? Once again, it's a beautiful building and you can scope it out for FREE dollars. 

Cultivar Coffee gave out free cold brew at Recycled again this past Saturday. They'll be open before you know it with Hypnotic Donuts in their new location on Hickory St. 

Cultivar Coffee gave out free cold brew at Recycled again this past Saturday. They'll be open before you know it with Hypnotic Donuts in their new location on Hickory St. 

Mattress graffiti is only bested by Ikea Billy bookshelf graffiti. 

Mattress graffiti is only bested by Ikea Billy bookshelf graffiti. 

La Sabrocita. 

La Sabrocita. 

Loco Cafe delicately arranges their avocados. 

Loco Cafe delicately arranges their avocados. 

The Greenbelt. 

The Greenbelt. 

A rustic door and some principles of design. 

A rustic door and some principles of design. 

Oh yeah, while this isn't "butter stacking" by any means, two members of WDDI married one another this past Saturday at the courthouse. Shaina Sheaff was on hand to take some photos and we hung out at Hannah's afterward to celebrate. If you saw fanc…

Oh yeah, while this isn't "butter stacking" by any means, two members of WDDI married one another this past Saturday at the courthouse. Shaina Sheaff was on hand to take some photos and we hung out at Hannah's afterward to celebrate. If you saw fancy-dressed folks walking around in the heat Saturday morning, that was us, but it was worth it. 

We love these two jerks who are currently away on their honeymoon and wish them all the best. Tell Glen and Alyssa congrats if you get the chance. 

We love these two jerks who are currently away on their honeymoon and wish them all the best. Tell Glen and Alyssa congrats if you get the chance. 

WHAT WE DID: AUGUST 11th (Special Edition)

This was a super special weekend here at #WDDI headquarters. You've probably already heard by now, but over the weekend, we managed to stack together ten individual packs of butter while waiting for food at Bagheri's. That's right. Not a measly five stacks of butter, but double that. Ten stacks of butter. We know what you're wondering. "Do you have photos of this butter stacking?!" Of course we do! It's What We Did for cryin' out loud! Thanks for tagging all of your pics with #WDDI for the week, but we all know that this is what's important (jk real post coming later). Now for what you're waiting for...

The top six of the infamous "ten stack."

The top six of the infamous "ten stack."

This wasn't even mentioned above, but after going for the ten stack, we still didn't have food yet at Bagheris so we upped the ante to "extreme butter stacking" which, if you're interested, is stacking things of butter on top of a straw. 

This wasn't even mentioned above, but after going for the ten stack, we still didn't have food yet at Bagheris so we upped the ante to "extreme butter stacking" which, if you're interested, is stacking things of butter on top of a straw. 


SPONSOR: 

The Denton County Museum in the courthouse. 

The Denton County Museum in the courthouse. 

DENTON'S WORST HOUSE SHOW: IS THIS EBOLA?

Throughout the years we’ve all attended our fair share of house shows and local venue performances - some bad, some good. This weekend’s house show was one for the record books, meaning the record book that we don’t ever open because no one reads it anyway except for a hearty laugh and reminder of nights we try to forget. Is this Ebola?

This past weekend hosted a 3-day album release celebration for local artists Heavy Baby Sea Slugs who just came out with their second album, "Fistula Missle" (which you should all check out here right now for future solo and group “ragefests.” Trust us. It owns.) Night two of this three day debacle, though originally scheduled alongside other local acts on Bolivar Street, was conveniently “interrupted” by Denton’s Finest, leaving no choice but for the congregation of followers to pilgrimage onward to another location hosted by new-found occupants of Crescent Street, one part of a two part street section affectionately deemed “House Show Row.” That’s when it happened.

Picture this: Two well-defined separate groups of party-goers with age as the number one factor; one with beards, thick framed glasses and slick hair cuts, the other with thick eye liner, absence of any sign of facial hair, and clothes found attempting to look like Thrift Store finds (Cut the crap, younglings. We’ve been doin’ this a while.) Two clearly very new-to-the-scene chicks begrudgingly asking for assistance on how to even operate a keg (because that’s pure rocket science, right?) while a cover of “My Sharona” gets ran through a meat grinder by some newbie wannabe pop punk band. Totally original. (Editor's Note: This cover actually sounds awesome to me, but I wasn't there.)


Sponsor: Twisted Bodies Pilates & Yoga 

Sponsor: Twisted Bodies Pilates & Yoga 


Is this what is to become of the local music scene? Is this Ebola? Is this the end-times? One can only hope not.

We realize that each passing year brings in new students who seem to herd away our tenured Dentonites with fiery cattle prod in hand, however usually with a new batch of creative, enjoyable music.  This year seems different. The impression we’ve gathered from this house show alone, filled with unfamiliar young faces that force our locals to ask, “ Do you know anyone here? Are we the oldest ones around right now?” is that the future of Denton’s local music is now in the hands of some serious wannabe punks who are geared up to thrash about in the living rooms of their friends houses while the real musicians shake their heads in disappointment while finishing off the last of the free keg beer. 

This is Ebola.

This is Ebola.

PEOPLE OF DENTON: HANNAH FANCHER

Words by Naomi Wood, Photography by Wesley Kirk

Every once in a while, we like to interview a various folks in town that are of interest to us and probably you. They might be kinda weird, kinda funny, or just someone we ran into on the street. We take some photos, ask 'em some questions, and there you have it. It's People of Denton.

Hannah Fancher is a 22-year-old, born and bred Dentonite who happens to be head nurse at an allergy clinic in Denton, as well. Ironically she’s also a cat enthusiast who’s allergic to cats. Despite the allergies, Hannah has found an interesting way around her dilemma by raising, loving, and showing not-so-furry felines. We met up with Hannah and her sweet sphinx’s to get a sneak peak into her peculiar cat hobby.


WDDI: How did this happen to you? How did you become a hairless cat show lady?

Hannah Fancher​: My sister had a hairless cat, and she started showing her at competitions in the area, and I just started going with her. I liked it, and I really got into it too. I realized that I really liked raising and selling quality cats to responsible pet owners, it makes me feel good to know that I’m giving a cat to someone who wants to have a good pet. Now my sister and I are able to breed our cats together and since we’re both really introverted people, we’ve bonded with each other and with the cat community.


Where can you go to a cat show in the area?

Oh there are lots of cat shows. There’s some really good ones in Dallas, and we travel all over the country to show our cats. Mine have won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the country, and internationally.

 

Have you always been into cats?

I’ve always loved animals, but I’m allergic to the furry ones. I was a halfway heart foster parent for a few years, but would always suffer and get sick around them. I’m also an advocate for rescue animals, and have experience working with responsible breeders. It’s really just come full circle for me , and sphinx's are great for people like me, who just can’t handle dander. These cats are also the most loveable things in the world, and need so much attention and affection. I love that about them.

 

Why is your cat wearing a leopard diaper?

Smells are really bad with male cats. They tend to mark on things.

Do you name all of your cats?

Oh yeah. We just have to have the goofiest names. Like, Walter White, Mustachio, and of course In-furr-no.

 

We see you have a new litter of kittens. How often do you breed your female cats?

I try to be as ethical as possible with my cats, so I only let the females have one litter per year. I also only let one litter happen per season, so I have time to care for them, and sell them to responsible pet owners. I would never sell a kitten that wasn’t spayed or neutered, because I want these cats to be good pets, not breeding machines. I also buy cats from Russia and Ukraine (where they are native) and I try to keep the gene pool as pure as possible to help eliminate bad traits.


SPONSOR: Twisted Bodies PIlates & Yoga on South Elm by Bet the House. 

SPONSOR: Twisted Bodies PIlates & Yoga on South Elm by Bet the House. 


 

Are there cat shows like the dog shows on TV?

No, cats can’t and won’t do tricks. They are mostly shown based on their muscular tone, weight, height, etc… mostly like they do at livestock shows. But I will say that they have to be friendly enough to be handled by strangers, because no one likes a biter.

 

What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen at a cat show?

I saw someone go into complete anaphylactic shock after medication was given for a cat bite. This is the same show where seven different people got bit by the same cat. Cats aren’t like dogs at all. They get anxious, and can be moody and unpredictable, so you have to be careful with cats that aren’t cut out to be in the spotlight.

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What’s a major misconception people have about hairless cats?

Most people think they are ugly, moody, or scary. I guarantee that you’ll never find a friendlier feline than from these guys. They’re nice to pet too, because their skin feels like velvet. They are so emotional and loveable. They really do grow on you.


For more hairless cat goodness, you can check out Hannah’s website here

This column as part of a new ongoing partnership with Wesley Kirk's People of Denton project. Check out PeopleofDenton.Tumblr.com for more.



 

WHAT WE DID: AUGUST 4th 2014

This weekend was one for the books. Late nights full of drinks, oysters with friends, beignets and lattes midday, free coffee pour-overs by Cultivar Coffee at our favorite used book store, and generally trying to enjoy every ounce of less than 95 degree weather while it lasted (oh, and other non-food stuff, too). According to your pictures, y'all had some fun this weekend, too.

As always, thanks for sharing your weekend with us and keep on tagging those 'grams with #wddi! Click on the photos, themselves, to be linked back to the photographer's Instagram account. 

 

Soft pillows of beignet goodness at Hoochie's have our mouths watering day and night. Thank goodness they're available first thing in the morning and late into the evening. 

Soft pillows of beignet goodness at Hoochie's have our mouths watering day and night. Thank goodness they're available first thing in the morning and late into the evening. 

Tongue tattoos at the Denton Tattoo Co we think. More power to ya. 

Tongue tattoos at the Denton Tattoo Co we think. More power to ya. 

Texas summer sky. 

Texas summer sky. 

@itshannahgambleyall enjoyed some of that polar vortex awesome weather on the new patio of Wine Squared. Which took away one of our favorite photo backdrops, but it's okay because the patio is awesome. 

@itshannahgambleyall enjoyed some of that polar vortex awesome weather on the new patio of Wine Squared. Which took away one of our favorite photo backdrops, but it's okay because the patio is awesome. 

@ianharber shot a wedding in one of the most beautiful chapels in town, the Little Chapel in the Woods designed by architect O'Neil Ford. 

@ianharber shot a wedding in one of the most beautiful chapels in town, the Little Chapel in the Woods designed by architect O'Neil Ford. 

Wall of awesome old school cameras at Denton Camera Exchange. Film anyone? Thankfully @itshannahgambleyall found her way to Denton Camera Exchange so that she can get click happy. We have to limit the amount of time we spend in the store or we buy t…

Wall of awesome old school cameras at Denton Camera Exchange. Film anyone? Thankfully @itshannahgambleyall found her way to Denton Camera Exchange so that she can get click happy. We have to limit the amount of time we spend in the store or we buy too many things. 

Apparently there was a fancy photo shoot at Paschall's last week. We're sure the pics were all as awesome as this action shot. Thanks for sharing @alph0nso!

Apparently there was a fancy photo shoot at Paschall's last week. We're sure the pics were all as awesome as this action shot. Thanks for sharing @alph0nso!

The Forge was packed with the future documentary filmmakers at a workshop featuring Joshua Butler of the Thin Line documentary fest at @thedentonpubliclibrary. Workshop for the win. 

The Forge was packed with the future documentary filmmakers at a workshop featuring Joshua Butler of the Thin Line documentary fest at @thedentonpubliclibrary. Workshop for the win. 

K9 kayak companion! Now that's what man's best friend is for. Thanks for the pic @joshpiers. 

K9 kayak companion! Now that's what man's best friend is for. Thanks for the pic @joshpiers. 

HBSS on stage. Snapped by @apacheroseaeroplane. 

HBSS on stage. Snapped by @apacheroseaeroplane. 

Check out those summer sunset vibes on the square. Spotted by @ianharber. 

Check out those summer sunset vibes on the square. Spotted by @ianharber. 

Root beer and burger stop! @jdunccc 

Root beer and burger stop! @jdunccc 

Did you make it out to DIME's First Friday lemonade stand-off? We sure did, and really enjoyed the local handmade awesomeness, building a succulent and the tasty lemonade. Which was your favorite? 

Everyone admires the brewers behind Armadillo Ale Works - even @schrader_adam! 

Everyone admires the brewers behind Armadillo Ale Works - even @schrader_adam! 

Texas forever, y'all. @sarahlanette. 

Texas forever, y'all. @sarahlanette. 

Queenie's brunch donuts, covered in salted caramel. They come in a brown paper bag for shaking which immediately turns translucent by way of delicious grease. 

Queenie's brunch donuts, covered in salted caramel. They come in a brown paper bag for shaking which immediately turns translucent by way of delicious grease. 

More mimosas please! We dig the fancy pants, pulpy brunch staple at Queenie's brunch which comes complimentary. 

More mimosas please! We dig the fancy pants, pulpy brunch staple at Queenie's brunch which comes complimentary. 

Can't wait for our friends at Cultivar Coffee to get into their new space. In the mean time their Saturday morning pours at Recycled are getting us pumped up for their opening with Hypnotic Donuts in about two weeks. Hope to have more info on that s…

Can't wait for our friends at Cultivar Coffee to get into their new space. In the mean time their Saturday morning pours at Recycled are getting us pumped up for their opening with Hypnotic Donuts in about two weeks. Hope to have more info on that soon!

@wekeepexploring explored the rooftops in our city with their iconic signage. 

@wekeepexploring explored the rooftops in our city with their iconic signage. 

BAND INTERVIEW: PAGEANTRY

By Shaina Sheaff

Pageantry, image credit: Jimmy Alford

Pageantry, image credit: Jimmy Alford

We first talked about local band, Pageantry, last February for our 3 Songs column. Back then, we said, "We're gonna go ahead and throw the term "math rock" out there for this, but with a qualifier. If Don Caballero is Calculus, then Pageantry is College Algebra, and that's not a bad thing." Since then Pageantry has been profiled in the Dallas Observer, deemd one of the "20 Bands to See at SXSW" by Huff Po, played plenty of larger shows, and they are currently on their first tour. They're even playing INDEX Fest in Dallas in September. WDDI contributor, Shaina Sheaff, recently chatted with Roy, Ramon, and Pablo about their favorite songs, favorite music venues, and what's next for 'em. Read on for more...


WDDI: Tell us a little bit about your individual musical backgrounds and how you started playing together.

Roy - I started kind of late and mostly taught myself. Pageantry is my first band. I asked Ramon to play on a record of mine a while back and that turned into wanting to play shows so we asked Pablo to play bass and it just morphed into an actual "thing."

Ramon - Have been playing drums since I was about 11 and got my music degree from UNT. My dad and brother are both also drummers and a lot of my family immediate and extended are musicians too. 

Pablo - I've been playing in bands since I was about 16. I played guitar until I came to college in Denton where everyone needed a bass player, so I picked up a bass. I got a general music minor at UNT, but I learned the most theory and skills playing with people and teaching music. 

 

How did the name "Pageantry" come about?

Roy - I wanted something that would make sense for the places we'd go as a band. Something that was cynical but also celebratory and something we could grow with.

What did your writing process look like with Friends of the Year?

Roy - We don't have a process really, gave up on that early on. 

 

What's your favorite song you've written together?

Ramon - I think two of my favorite songs we have written are "Teenage Crime Wave" and "Influence" (working title). Both of them are on our new record but I feel like they are the most cohesive and well thought-out songs. "TCW" specifically has gone through many iterations and an earlier version of it was released via a very limited EP recorded on a 4 track tape player and that version is very different. "Influence" just has a really nice flow. 

Roy - Yeah "Influence" has this really wistful vibe to it that I think translates well. It just kind of exudes this personality without trying to which makes it fun to play.

Pablo - My favorite songs have been the ones we've written recently and are writing. That may be because they are fresh and different. 

 

Has living in a creative community like Denton influenced your music in any way?

Roy - It allowed us to find each other but creatively it's not a part of the band. Denton is a great city though, we're just influenced by other things.

 

Congrats on making Huffington Post's list of 20 best bands to see at SXSW earlier this year. What was that experience like for you?

Roy - Thanks, yeah that was crazy! It was our first time playing the festival so it was a nice milestone for us as a band. Our friends at Toro Booking put us on a great bill and we got to do some cool day shows as well, so yeah it was fun. 

 

You've been playing all over. What's the strangest thing that's happened while on the road?

Roy - I just think touring as a concept is kind of wild. It's opened our eyes to a lot of things and we've just started doing it. Weird stuff happens a lot but it's usually in a good way.

 

What's your favorite venue to play?

Pablo - That's hard to answer because if the show is a good show, I might be biased toward that venue. Some really cool places we've played aren't really venues, like a cereal bar in Lubbock called Serios. The Hi-Dive in Denver, Bunk Bar in Portland, and some house in Olympia were super cool. Locally, Dan's is my favorite. 

Ramon - Bunk Bar (Portland), Dan's (Denton), The Mohawk (Austin).

Roy - Mine is Dan's Silverleaf. Jimmy is the man, everyone knows it. Pablo's talking about the Guest House in Olympia, which was a lot of fun. 

 

Outside of making music, what do you guys like to do for fun? 

Roy - Hanging with my dog Gaila, running and I also do some graphic design.

Pablo - I'm working a lot right now, so finding free time is hard. If I had the time I would be traveling and camping with my girlfriend and my dog. 

Ramon - When I'm not working I love cooking and have a general interest in all things coffee. Most of the time I'm watching TV or working on my house with my wife and cat.

 

What's next for y'all? When can we expect more music?

Roy - a lot more touring. We're making our first full-length right now but not sure when that's going to come out. If you want to hear the newest stuff though you should come to a show, we're always testing out new things.

 

 

Until then, here are their "old" songs below and keep scrolling if you want to connect with Pageantry online. 


Shaina Sheaff was raised in Denton and has been combing through the stacks at Recycled longer than she'd care to admit. When she's not photographing weddings or working with Help-Portrait: Denton, Shaina spends most of her free time training her daughter to become the next Mario Kart 64 World Champion and hanging out with her moody cat, Zelda.

DAWN OF THE MUSEUM OF THE COURTHOUSE

Word by Glen Farris, Pictures by Will Milne

It had been a while since we had last visited The Courthouse Museum on the Square. Shame on us, too, because the free-to-enter museum has become really awesome in the past few years. Recently, the museum has unveiled it’s newest wing aimed at educating visitors on the history of Texas and on the first land deals that settled in North Texas, the Peters Colony. The wing features large pen and ink drawings by local artist and museum curator, Joe Duncan. Didn’t know our beautiful and ominous courthouse had a museum inside? You're not alone. Heck, we hear about Dentonites that have lived here for decades and never even stepped foot inside the building once. Let's change that. Go explore this beautiful structure that is the centerpiece of the living room of Denton next time you're on the courthouse lawn. We like it so much, we developed a list of seven reasons why you should do so. 


Here are a few reasons to go explore the courthouse:

1. It’s always free and open to the public from 8am until­ 4pm Monday through Friday.

2. The courthouse is full of antique weapons, guns, knives, dueling pistols, rifles, shotguns, grenades, mortar shells, you name it. Many of which are on display. 

3. There's an actual working county commissioners court on the second floor. So if you ever wanna go complain about things like road quality, you know where to go. 

 

4. On the second floor of the courthouse, you'll find what is possibly the cleanest public bathroom in downtown Denton, and a glaring omission from our controversial Take A Seat post.

5. The basement is literally a dungeon where they used to keep outlaws as they awaited the gallows and may or may not have tunnels connecting all the important buildings downtown. Yes, seriously. 

The basement is literally a dungeon where they used to keep outlaws as they awaited the gallows and may or may not have tunnels connecting all the important buildings downtown. Yes, seriously.

6. You might learn something about the difference between the City of Denton and Denton County. Yes, there is a difference. City of Denton is in County of Denton like the Solar System is in The Milky Way. Oh, and there's plenty more than that. 

7. The building was erected in 1895 or 1896 depending on whether you go off the cities website or the inscription carved into the granite it’s built out of (we’re going with the latter), this building was an inspiration to our most well known local architect, O’Neil Ford, who was responsible for City Hall, The Civic Center, and the Little Chapel In The Woods among others.

So the next time you grab a blanket and a bottle for a picnic, the drumming in the drum circle or the cover bands blasting from the patio of LSA get to be a little too much for you, take a moment and head into the courthouse. Explore a little bit and maybe you’ll learn something you didn’t know about the history of our county.

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