Texas Celebrity Travel News
by Grace Sydney
DallasIn September, the Big D was the place to be for stargazing. Rose McGowan "Charmed" the patrons of Dallas's favorite new haunt, Ghostbar on the rooftop of the W Dallas-Victory Hotel, while attending a bash held for "Prison Break" star Lane Garrison. Later in the month Clint Eastwood and his wife Dina, who celebrated ten years of marriage in March of 2006, also walked along the 100-square-foot glass deck at the hotel's luxury lounge......Former Dallas denizen Morgan Fairchild, whose ABC Family version of "The Initiation of Sarah" will terrify TV viewers this October, sampled the Italian cuisine served at Campisi's restaurant when she returned to her hometown recently.....Two top-selling songbirds enjoyed the amenities at The Mansion on Turtle Creek during their stays in the state's third largest city. The AAA Five Diamond and Mobil 5-star sanctuary welcomed both Jewel, who unpacked her luggage in the hotel's swank Terrace Suite, and Mariah Carey, who arrived with Jack, her constant canine companion.....Silver-haired singing sensation Taylor Hicks unwound after a concert appearance amid the avant-garde ambiance at Club Dada, Deep Ellum's hippest hotspot.
AustinAlt rock queen Fiona Apple, who created aural abstract masterpieces on her latest CD, joined the king of renegade movie-making Quentin Tarantino at a cocktail party held amid the contemporary art work on display at Volitant Gallery, a 5,000-square-foot space inside Austin's Koppel Building which houses pop art creations in a variety of media.
Horror movie fans enjoyed a hair-raising encounter with Leatherface himself when "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"'s Gunnar Hansen arrived for two nights of terror at The Nightmare Factory, voted Austin's scariest haunted house attraction.
CorsicanaLooking out through a series of sepia-toned portraits, the world-weary faces of "Lonesome Dove"'s Gus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, as portrayed on the small screen in the late 1980's by acting icons Robert Duvall and San Saba native Tommy Lee Jones, look at home among the cowboy paintings and Native American sculptures showcased at the Pearce Civil War Museum and Western Art Collection at Navarro College. Both Old West enthusiasts and fans of Hollywood history will enjoy the exhibition of 58 photos, on display through December 22, which capture the tale's transformation from literary masterpiece into one of television's most beloved mini-series.
San AntonioResidents of The Alamo City may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of actor Steven Bauer, better known to fans of the gangster classic "Scarface" as Manny Ribera, and Kuno Becker, who starred in the soccer move "Goal!," as the two thespians step in front of the camera for the upcoming boxer flick "From Mexico With Love," which will be filming throughout the month of October.
Labels: Texas celebrity travel
posted by Paris & John @ 12:38 PM
Luckenbach Contest Winner to be Announced Tuesday
Don't forget to enter our Luckenbach contest for a chance to win two Luckenbach t-shirts, two keychains, and two bumper stickers! We'll be announcing the contest winner in Tuesday's newsletter so be sure to subscribe. There's a subscription form on the contest page at
http://www.texastripper.com/contest.html . We've had over 500 entries so far so be sure to send us yours. Also in Tuesday's newsletter, we'll be announcing our new holiday contest!
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris & John @ 9:20 PM
San Antonio's McNay Art Museum Planning $50.8 Million Expansion
The Spanish Revival-style 1920s home that houses the
McNay Art Museum, San Antonio's first museum of modern art, is going to be undergoing a major expansion. Look for a new 45,000-square-foot exhibition facility designed by architect Jean-Paul Viguier in 2008. The expansion will allow the museum to host larger exhibitions as well as increase the McNay’s ability to show more of its collection, including beautiful outdoor sculpture gardens for the museum’s growing sculpture collection.
Labels: San Antonio
posted by Paris & John @ 3:56 PM
Ft. Worth's Ryan Place Plans for Christmas
Just south of downtown Fort Worth, Ryan Place, one of the city's first premier neighborhoods, is making holiday plans. A Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place holiday home tour is planned for December 1 - 3, offering a peek into some decorated local home, horse-drawn carriage rides, a crafts fair, and more.
The Activities: Four private homes will be decorated for the holiday season and opened for the tour. A bus runs between the homes to make the touring easier for the visitors and horse-drawn carriages rides are available for an additional cost. The neighborhood is decorated in white lights and strolling carolers; be sure to look for hot cider carts and a craft fair at St. John's Episcopal Church.
Tour TimesFriday, Dec. 1 6-10pm
Saturday, Dec. 2 2-10pm
Sunday, Dec. 3 1-6pm
Tickets: Advance tickets go on sale November 1 for $12 and will be available at all metroplex Tom Thumb Grocery Stores, The Butler's Antiques & Uniques, Old Neighborhood Grill and Old Home Supply. Tickets may be purchased during the weekend of the tour for $15 each. The Information Porch is located at the corner of 5th Avenue and Elizabeth Blvd (1216 Elizabeth Blvd.).
Location: Ryan Place is south of downtown Fort Worth and the hospital district; located between 8th Avenue on the west and Hemphill Street on the east; Elizabeth Boulevard is the main thoroughfare.
For more information:• visit
www.historicryanplace.org.
Labels: Fort Worth
posted by Paris & John @ 8:36 AM
Cirque du Soleil's Corteo Coming to Dallas
Last year at the Society of American Travel Writers conference in Las Vegas, we discovered Cirque du Soleil. We'd seen them on TV but the live shows were amazing and we wound up trading in tickets to other shows to have the chance to see three Cirque shows during the week.
We're excited to say that Cirque du Soleil is bringing a traveling show to Texas and they've added nine additional performances because of high demand. From February 27 - March 4, 2007, the traveling show Coreo will run in Dallas under the blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at Fair Park.
Tickets: Tickets available to the General Public starting Sunday, October 29 at 10 a.m.
Cirque Club members can purchase Corteo tickets in advance of the general public starting Wednesday, October 25 at 10 a.m. by connecting to cirquedusoleil.com. Membership is free and takes less than 60 seconds to sign-up! *Discover the benefits of becoming a Cirque Club member, such as advance access to the best seats under the Grand Chapiteau, ticket upgrades, partner promotions and insider information on the world of Cirque du Soleil. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Sunday, October 29 at 10 a.m. and may be purchased by calling Admission Network at 1 800 678-5440 or online at
cirquedusoleil.com.
Prices: Tickets for Corteo range from $40.00 to $75.00 for adults and $28.00 to $52.50 for children (ages 2-12). For students age 13 plus (with a valid student I.D) and senior ctizens (65+) prices are $36.00 to $67.50 on weekdays only (Tuesday to Thursday, and Friday at 4:00 p.m.) Cirque du Soleil also offers the TAPIS ROUGE˙ VIP Experience ($195.00 for adults and $136.50 for children ages 2-12) featuring exclusive benefits. American Express Offer: Preferred seating and other special advantages for
American Express® Cardmembers.
Schedule: Tuesdays to Thursdays at 8:00 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. No performances on Mondays.
Note: there will be no 4 p.m. performance on Saturday, February 10. The schedule is subject to change.
Labels: Dallas
posted by Paris & John @ 3:17 PM
Look for Record Number of Whooping Cranes This Winter
Here's some good news: the number of whooping cranes visiting the Texas coast may reach a new high this winter. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reporting that the population of whoopers is exceeding 500 for the first time in 100 years. Of those, about 230 whooping cranes, including 40 chicks, are expected at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge near Rockport. These numbers compare with 220 last winter.
posted by Paris & John @ 1:57 PM
Indian Lodge Celebrates $4.35 Million Facelift
Out in Fort Davis, the popular Indian Lodge historic inn is celebrating a five-year, $4.35 million renovation. The inn, which is owned and operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, has long been a favorite site in the parks system.
The Renovation: Original ceilings of pine beams, or vigas, and smaller latillas and most of the 200 pieces of original rustic wood furniture have been resorted. Also, the lodge’s heating and air-conditioning and plumbing systems have been upgraded in the first large-scale modernization to occur in almost 40 years.
The project restored much of the character and original features that had been de-emphasized or covered up in the “modernizing” of Indian Lodge in 1967 and replace outdated mechanical systems. Also, the patio was restored to its original layout with stone-lined concrete terrace, reactivated pool and fountain, and improved drainage and landscaping.
About the Lodge: Indian Lodge is considered the “crown jewel” of the CCC structures in Texas and is the only example of Southwestern Pueblo-style architecture in Texas, according to TPWD historians. The inn has 39 rooms: 15 original rooms built in the 1930s (the 100s wing) and 24 rooms (200 and 300 wings) added during the 1967 expansion, which also included the addition of a restaurant, swimming pool and meeting room.
Location: Indian Lodge’s location in the Davis Mountains overlooking scenic Keesey Creek at 5,200 feet elevation, where air is typically drier and cooler, draws a steady stream of visitors, especially during Texas’ warm-weather months.
Rates: Rooms rate range from $80 to $115 a night.
For Reservations:
• call (432) 426-3254 well ahead of time to make reservations.
Labels: State Parks
posted by Paris & John @ 1:50 PM
San Antonio River Walk to be Extended
The San Antonio City Council has given its OK to the funding for a plan to extend the popular River Walk. It's a big plan--one that will eventually create a 13-mile park from Loop 410 South to Hildebrand Avenue, according to the
San Antonio Express-News.
The first phase will be the addition of what's called the Museum Reach which will extend the River Walk from Lexington Avenue up through Brackenridge Park. Look for work to begin in December on the first stretch of that project from Lexington to Josephine Street.
Labels: San Antonio
posted by Paris & John @ 12:05 PM
Austin Planning Holiday Events
It may seem a little bit early to start thinking about the holidays but plans are already in high gear in the Capital City. From historic sights to lighting displays, Austin has a full list of activities planned for the coming months:
November 4-12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Christmas at the Caswell House
1404 West Avenue
In addition to daily tours of the beautifully decorated historic landmark, the Caswell House offers three-course luncheons in the classic tea room. A gift and gourmet bake shop featuring holiday décor, clothing and jewelry encompasses the first floor and basement of the house. The Daniel H. Caswell House is located at 1404 West Avenue. Admission is $5 per person for the house tour; tea luncheons are priced separately.
November 15-19 31st Annual Junior League of Austin’s A Christmas Affair
Palmer Events Center
More than 200 national merchants sell original art, jewelry and crafts during the four-day holiday market.
November 25-26Austin Museum of Art’s Holiday Arts Festival
Guests mingle among the elaborately decorated gardens of Laguna Gloria to view sculpture and art while enjoying holiday cuisine.
November 25-December 1Austin Children’s Museum’s Gingerbread House workshops
Real gingerbread, icing, gumdrops and candy canes provide the building blocks for this fun family event.
DecemberThe 37th Street Lights
One of Austin's most unique lighting displays, residents rally together and string up lights to create a funky holiday display along 37th Street from Guadalupe Street to Home Lane. The street is open to through traffic, but for the full effect, it's best to park and walk.
December 2German Christmas Market
German Free School, 507 E. 10th Street
The German-Texan Heritage Society offers handmade and imported wooden and blown glass German ornaments and other gifts.
DecemberWhole Foods Market Ice Rink
Friends and families ice skate throughout the month of December from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Whole Foods also offers holiday cooking classes and chef demonstrations in the newly opened Culinary Center.
December 2State Capitol Tree Lighting and KUT Holiday Stroll
John Aielli, host of NPR affiliate KUT’s “Eklektikos,” leads the audience gathered around the tree at 11th Street and Congress Avenue in traditional carols. The festivities continue along Congress Avenue with entertainment, and merchants remain open late.
December Zilker Park Trail of Lights festival
This Austin tradition begins with lighting of the Zilker Christmas Tree on December 3. The pedestrian Trail of Lights, featuring live music and Santa visits, transforms a mile-long stretch of Zilker Park into a twinkling wonderland from Dec. 11-31. www.cityofaustin.org/parks
December 3O. Henry Home's Victorian Christmas409 East 5th St.
The home of short story writer O. Henry is decorated for a Victorian Christmas reception and an open house on December 3 from 1-3 p.m. that features refreshments and live music.
December 5The 7th Annual Noche de Fiesta Navideña
Held at the Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Avenue
Celebrate the Christmas traditions of Mexico.
December 8-10Luminations: A Winter Celebration
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Music lightly resounds as children enjoy storytellers, holiday crafts in the Little House and photos with Frosty the Snowman.
December 9-24Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Austin Music Hall
This holiday event keeps Austin weird with distinctive jewelry, fabrics, handmade goods, blown glass, paintings and prints from local and national artists. Austin
Labels: Austin
posted by Paris & John @ 3:16 PM
Our New Texas Store!
We've launched a new
Texas store on TexasTripper.com! You'll be able to shop online for Texas clothing and accessories, Texas jewelry, Texas-made foods, guidebooks, movies, and a lot more.
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris & John @ 4:59 PM
Spooky Weekends at San Antonio Theme Parks
San Antonio's two theme parks are running some special Halloween events this month. At SeaWorld San Antonio, you can take part in "Howl-o-scream," a special program at the 250-acre marine life adventure park. The event includes special shows, costumed characters and even a "haunted forest" near Shamu Stadium. For more information, visit
www.seaworld.com.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is home to Fright Fest 2006. Ghostley gouls will perform halloween themed shows. This even runs through October 29. For more information, visit
www.sixflags.com.
Labels: San Antonio
posted by Paris & John @ 1:12 PM
Texas Book Festival Planned for Late October
TexasTripper.com's Paris Permenter at book signing at previous Texas Book Festival in Austin.Mark your calendars for the Texas Book Festival, coming up on the State Capitol grounds October 27-29. This year's festival will feature author Gore Vidal, Senator Barack Obama, news anchor Maria Elena Salinas, author and candidate Kinky Friedman, and many national and state-known names. This year's festival will also feature a special program on children's books.
For More Information:• visit
http://www.texasbookfestival.org/
posted by Paris & John @ 3:44 PM
Our New Video Segments!
We've started a new section on the site: the TexasTripper Minute! Each week, we'll be featuring a one-minute video about Texas travel. This week, visit
Fredericksburg's Wildseed Farms.Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris & John @ 7:36 PM
Will You Attend a Halloween Festival?
Will you be attending a Halloween festival or special attraction this year? Be sure to vote in this week's poll about Halloween, located on the
home page of TexasTripper. So far, about 2/3rds of all readers are planning some Halloween fun!
Labels: TexasTripper News
posted by Paris & John @ 7:34 PM
Saint Arnold Brewing to Celebrate Oktoberfest
Now that it's officially October, Oktoberfest season gets into full swing. In two weeks, Houston's Saint Arnold Brewing will be celebrating its fifth annual Oktoberfest. Scheduled for October 13 and 14, the event will run from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. each night.
Headlining this year’s Oktoberfest will be two-time Grammy Award winner and highly danceable Brave Combo, which boasts a repertoire that includes polka, waltz, mambo, two-step, merengue, ska, stroll, foxtrot, Muzak, twist, ondo, tango, bossa nova, zydeco and rock.
Cost: The cost to attend Saint Arnold Oktoberfest is $45. Only 200 tickets will be available each night, so making reservations early is a must. Call 713-686-9494 and ask for Ann.
Where:The brewery is located at 2522 Fairway Park Drive in Houston. A free brewery tour and tasting is offered every Saturday at 1:00 P.M.
For more information:• visit
www.saintarnold.com
posted by Paris & John @ 2:56 PM
Fredericksburg
