Experience North Texas
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EXPERIENCE NORTH TEXAS A Complete Guide to Visiting DFW, from Gay to Z 2 3 4 2016 VISITORS table of Volume 24 GUIDE 11 publisher RELOCATION CONTENTS Leo Cusimano GUIDE 55 editor Tammye Nash BUSINESS writers LISTINGS 64 Arnold Wayne Jones DISPLAY David Taffet James Russell ADVERTISING 82 art director COMMUNITY Kevin Thomas RESOURCES 108 project manager Terry Thompson advertising sales Leo Cusimano Chad Mantooth Kris Martin office manager Jesse Arnold photography Arnold Wayne Jones Chuck Marcelo Tammye Nash James Russell David Taffet Terry Thompson Dallas CVB Fort Worth CVB OUT North Texas 1825 Market Center Blvd Suite 240 Dallas, TX 75207 214.754.8710.p 214.969.7271.f OUTntx.com ON THE COVER Alyssa Edwards, North Texas based Entertainer Story on page 6 Photos by Terry Thompson MARGARET HUNT HILL BRIDGE 5 dallas drag diva knows how to seize the moment ALYSSA EDWARDS 6 ve been doing drag since I was about 9 years old, Saying that she had always been careful to keep “I’twirling in my granny’s nightgown with a towel Alyssa and Justin and their very different lives wrapped around my head, pretending to be Annie separate, she acknowledged that she had been a bit Lennox or something!” worried how her dance students and their parents — and even her own staff — might react to seeing That’s how Dallas performer Alyssa Edwards recalls Alyssa on Drag Race. She was, Alyssa said, pleasantly her humble beginnings as a drag diva. But she began surprised; she’s had no backlash at all. performing in drag professionally about 14 years ago, and her career has continued to soar. She added that filming has begun on the Logo series featuring Justin and Beyond Belief, and she hoped, as Alyssa counts winning Miss Gay Texas in 2004 2015 came to an end, to be able to share more news and Miss Gay USofA in 2006 among her greatest soon. achievements, calling the experience of winning the pageants “magical, because I had always sat at home “I cannot wait for Beyond Belief to invade your and watched pageants on TV and wished I could do televisions at home!” Alyssa declared. “It’s gonna be something like that some day.” But it was her turn as a hoot! Just imagine Dance Moms, Drag Race and a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race that launched her Honey Boo-Boo all rolled into one series. Stay tuned career on a national and even international stage. for it.” “I was a fan of the show, which offers entertainers such a huge platform to share their art, so when As for rumors that Alyssa might be making a I had the chance I went for it — high heels first,” small-screen comeback, via an “all-star” season of Alyssa said. “I submitted my audition, being completely Drag Race, she giggled and waved the question away. true to who and what I am, and Ru recognized my “If I told you all my secrets now, I wouldn’t have any charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.” secrets to tell” on her weekly YouTube series, Alyssa’s Secret, produced by World of Wonder. Alyssa competed in Season 5 of the Logo TV reality show. She was eliminated in Week 9, placing 6th With a month left to go in 2015, Alyssa was overall for the season. But her participation in constantly on the run, fitting an Out North Texas photo Drag Race just set the stage for more opportunities, shoot and interview in between a trip to Los Angeles including the chance to film a reality show about her for an audition and a trip to Brazil to perform. own business, Beyond Belief Dance, a dance studio in Mesquite just east of Dallas, where her staff She had recently finished filming RuPaul’s upcoming and students know Alyssa Edwards as dancer and Christmas special for Logo, and was a feature businessman Justin Johnson. performer for the annual MAC Cosmetics’ Art of Lip launch. She was also touring with Miley Cyrus The dance studio, Alyssa said, had been “a dream as an opening act and backup dancer on for as long as I can remember. I always wanted to be Miley’s Dead Petz tour. the Mr. Spielberg of dance. … I grew up in Mesquite in a large family, with seven siblings. So I learned at “After the Drag Race [Season 5] reunion show a very early age how to fight for the spotlight. But at where we had the Haus of Edwards performance, we the same time, I was a shy kid in school, and a little connected, and [Miley] had me and some other Drag socially awkward, believe it or not! Race alumni featured in her epic VMA finale number,” Alyssa said, explaining how she got the spot on tour “Being in dance class gave me the happiest moments with the singer. of my social life, and dancing was the perfect opportunity to express myself,” she continued. So Alyssa admitted that keeping up such a hectic at the age of 18 she began working as a student schedule can be trying. “Yes, it’s difficult at times to assistant and choreographer with a dance studio. balance everything. But it’s a good thing, too. I have a phenomenal and supportive faculty to assist with “With a great system and great passion, that dream [Beyond Belief studio], and did I mention I am in a became a reality,” Alyssa said of Beyond Belief. relationship? Yeah, I’m kind of superman-ish! “Teaching the youth of today and the future of “Seriously, I spend half my week on a plane, and the tomorrow is the greatest gift I’ve ever received. other half at Beyond Belief,” Alyssa added. “But one We have accomplished fab things at Beyond Belief; thing I’ve learned, you can sleep when you’re dead. So in 2007, we were in the top 25 on America’s Got while you’re still breathing, be productive and seize the Talent.” moment. That’s what I am doing.” — Tammye Nash 7 letters from the MAYORS Greetings! s mayor of the city of Dallas, it is my honor to congratulate OUT North Texas on its publication MICHAEL S. A of the 2016 Official LGBT Visitors Guide. The OUT North Texas family has been a reliable and useful resource to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) and showcases the RAWLINGS vibrancy of the city of Dallas. I believe that our city is stronger today because of its rich cultural diversity, and OUT North Texas is a reminder of that diversity. Dallas would not be the city that it is today without the many benefits of our diverse population. Entrepreneurs, small businesses and Fortune 500 firms are discovering the tremendous value of having a diverse workforce and community. That is what brings companies to Dallas and what encourages them to stay. The many retailers, companies, professionals and service providers listed in this publication play important roles in our region’s economy. I would encourage readers to support these businesses and explore what they have to offer to our city. OUT North Texas has also been a reliable and useful resource for travelers, providing the latest information on the city’s best entertainment, shopping and dining. The Voice Publishing Company’s long commitment to our community is commendable, and I wish OUT North Texas a successful edition. Again, thank you to OUT North Texas for consistently making a positive impact in our community. Best Regards, Michael S. Rawlings Mayor t is my pleasure to welcome you to Fort Worth, Texas. We hope that you will savor your stay and Itime spent here enjoying the unique mix of cultural activities found only in the city “Where the West BETSY Begins.” PRICE As mayor, it is with great pride that I would like to tell you about our city, a city of cowboys, culture and community. In one visit you can enjoy an enormous range of experiences – from art to animals, from fashion to family fun. We offer lessons in western history with a tour of the Historic Stockyards, auto racing at the Texas Motor Speedway or a relaxing night of shopping and dining in downtown’s historic Sundance Square. The choice is yours! While you are in Fort Worth, we hope you get a chance to visit: Our downtown area … a nationally noted model of successful urban renaissance filled with restaurants, museums, art galleries, theaters and an abundance of retail shopping. The Sundance Square area of downtown is a “must-see” for everyone visiting the city. The Cultural District … recognized as the “museum capital of the Southwest,” is home to world- class museums. We are proud to be home to the Texas Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and we have an outstanding equestrian center, one of the country’s top-ranked zoos, and a multitude of beautiful parks and gardens. Northside’s historic Stockyards area … is a delightful journey into the city’s western heritage. You are sure to enjoy the area’s many shops and restaurants while finding a real-life cowboy or two outfitted with horses and even the cattle drive of the Fort Worth Herd of longhorns! One of our most valuable assets is our people. Visitors often cite the “Fort Worth Friendly” spirit of our citizens and businesses as the top reason they plan a return visit. We are pleased you chose Fort Worth and hope you enjoy your time in Cowtown. Sincerely, Betsy Price Mayor 8 a letter from the PUBLISHER usiness is all about relationships, and the LGBT community is proud to do business with people Bthey know and trust.