Five stories that have North Texas talking: Where and how to celebrate the Fourth from Art&Seek; a majority of Texas voters would support building a wall; answers to “Did you feel that earthquake?”; and more.
It may be June for a few more hours, but Independence Day celebrations are kicking off tonight, and they aren’t stopping until July 5.
Art&Seek, KERA’s arts and culture outlet, released its annual megalist of Fourth of July parades, firework displays, pie-eating contests and more red, white and blue celebrations happening throughout North Texas.
There are dozens of places to watch fireworks to that same-old (wonderful) soundtrack — cue nostalgia. But if you’re wanting a new tradition, try competing in the annual dachshund dash at Frisco’s Freedom Fest or surviving the “Hotter ‘n Firecrackers” 5K, a nighttime race with hundreds of runners adorned with glow sticks.
And, if you want to forgo the Fourth altogether (the next day is a work day, mind you), here are some early-bird festivities: Liberty By The Lake In The Colony, Sachse’s Red, White & Blue Blast, Addison Kaboom Town!, Light Up Arlington and Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration. [Art&Seek]
- A poll found most Texas voters side with Donald Trump on several immigration issues. University of Texas/Texas Politics Project conducted a poll among 1,200 registered voters in Texas from June 10-20. The results: Most Texas voters support banning Muslims from the state, deporting undocumented immigrants and building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Trump has made building a wall and banning Muslims staple policies in his presidential campaign, and he’s currently beating presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by 8 points in the state, according to the poll. Here’s the poll by the numbers. [The Texas Tribune]
- Since North Texas is prone to earthquakes now more than ever, Google’s new search function might come in handy. A recent study found that North Texas earthquakes over the past century are linked to human activity, particularly petroleum production, so assessing earthquakes big and small is a more pressing matter these days. Google searches for “earthquake”, “earthquakes near me” and similar will provide an “at-a-glance summary” about the quake, according to a press release. Information will include the size and intensity of the quake, a map of the affected areas and ways to navigate the aftermath. [Google, The Dallas Morning News]
- Stream a live performance from Austin duo The Wind + The Wave at 1:45 p.m.Dwight A. Baker and Patricia Lynn Drew are stopping by KERA’s sister station KXT before their KXT Sun Setsshow with Dallas singer-songwriter Jacob Metcalf tonight. The pair released their first album, “From The Wreckage” in 2014 and just released their sophomore album, “Grand Canyon” last month. You can stream the intimate, in-studio concert on VuHaus. Here’s a preview of The Wind + The Wave’s sound from KXT Live Session in March 2015. [KXT, VuHaus]
- Go back in time through “Frame of Mind” tonight at 10 on KERA TV. Art&Seek and Video Association of Dallas’ original series is re-airing the 2015 season all summer. Tonight’s episode features the 1975 doc, “Jackelope” from independent filmmaker Ken Harrison. The documentary follows young Texas artists James Surls, George Green and Bob Wade as they “ they practice their craft, discuss their individual artistic processes and take on the question once asked by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy – ‘What is art?’”Get to know the artists. [Art&Seek, KERA TV]
