Health, Music & More in May

“Health” is the word for May in McKinney. Locals and visitors will spend the month of May involved in a variety of spring activities, many of which focus on healthy living and recreation. Among the events and activities planned in McKinney this month are:

Don’t Worry – Be Healthy!

McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller is challenging the residents of McKinney to adopt healthier lifestyles in an effort to make McKinney the most fit community in the nation. To encourage steps toward this goal, the city is sponsoring a series of events that started with Relay for Life the last weekend in April and includes four events in May. Eligibility passports are available here and need to be stamped at four of the Healthy Challenge events to be eligible for the June 30 drawing for an iPad. The May events include:

• Get Fit McKinney (May 4, 6-8 p.m.) Join a free event hosted by the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department at the McKinney ISD’s Ron Poe Stadium.
• Historic McKinney Kiwanis Kids Triathlon (May 5, 8 a.m., 922-697-6922)
• Historic McKinney Kiwanis Triathlon and Wellness Run Races 3.6 mile run and a 2K fun run (May 6, 7:30 a.m. at McKinney High School).
• Bike the Bricks (May 25, 4:30-11 p.m.) This high speed closed crit race features an expected 500 cyclists racing through the downtown square as they chase a purse worth more than $20,000.

Also this month, those interested in fitness may register for these other May races:

• 2^nd Annual LifeRace 5K (May 12, 8:30 a.m., cross-country run and dog walk in Myers Park)
• TOP 5K, 10K & 1-mile Fun Run Walk/Roll (May 19, 9 a.m., in Craig Ranch).
• Stonebridge Memorial Day 1K, 5K and 10K (May 28, various start times, in Stonebridge Ranch).

Another important event focusing on health and wellness is the Strikes Against Cancer Select Youth Baseball Tournament which brings 248 teams of young ball players and their families to McKinney for the weekend (May 4-6). Not only will the boys be active playing ball all weekend, the event itself is the brainchild of 12-year-old pitcher Geordon Cox as his way to help raise money to fight his mom’s uterine cancer. The website, accessible by click the organization name above, allows site visitors to make donations and buy special Strikes Against Cancer merchandise.

Cinco de Mayo

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in McKinney with a free concert and dance at Old Settler’s Recreation Center, 1201 E. Louisiana St. with music provided by Mariachi Michoacan, a theatrical presentation by Teatro Dallas called PIZCAS and other festive activities. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s defeat of French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. 972-542-5014.

Arts On Stage & In the Gallery

John Fitzgerald McGill takes the Sanctuary Stage at Zin Zen Wine Bar, 6841 Virginia Parkway. (May 1, 7:30 p.m.)

The popular “Music Under the Stars” concert series continues at Wales Manor Vineyard & Winery (May 12, 7:30 p.m., but gates open at 6:15 p.m. for best seating) with country darling IMAJ (pictured right) taking the stage. Also at this event, you’ll see the Rendola Paso fino horses from Aubrey, where IMAJ has been taking riding lessons.

The McKinney Youth Theatre brings the popular musical “Hairspray” to the Heard-Craig Performance Hall, 306 N. Church St. 972-422-2575. (May 4-13, times vary). Tickets are $8-18

Over at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson will announce the winner of his annual high school Congressional Art Competition & Exhibit (May 3, 7 p.m.). The Arts and Music Guild hosts a Juried Art Show in the MPAC gallery (May 11, 7 p.m.). reception with winners announced at 8 p.m., 972-547-2650). The artwork will be on exhibit for public viewing from May 14-22.

Join the North Texas Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) for their Armed Forces Salute (May 19, 7 p.m.). Patriotic and popular music will be provided by ATOS Theater Organist of the Year Dave Wickerman, musician/composer/arranger Danny Wesley Ray, the Frisco Jazz Band, and other artists.

The McKinney Repertory Theatre presents White Liars & Black Comedy (May 25-26, 8 p.m., continuing in June), two one-act comedies by Peter Shaffer.

Memorial Day in McKinney

Pecan Grove Cemetery hosts their 28^th Annual Memorial Day Celebration (May 28, 9 a.m.) featuring state, county and local officials, veterans, Boy Scouts, and local musicians. Attendees can enjoy a free barbeque lunch at the conclusion of the event.

The annual Smiles Charity Concert and Family Festival this year brings Grammy-nominated county singer David Nail on the stage at Adriatica in Stonebridge Ranch (May 27, starting at 5 p.m.). This event also features music by Lantic and local favorites the Maylee Thomas Band.

Garden, Dogs and Horses

Myers Park & Event Center offers a month of wide variety of animal-related as well as garden tours and a race. Myers Park is located at 7117 CR 166.

• May 2: Collin County Master Gardeners will have a tour of the gardens, 972-548-4219.
• May 5-6: Alamo Area Whippets Club dog show, 214-616-0918
• May 5-6: The Red River Welsh Pony Association Silver Show, 469-223-2783.
• May 12: 5K Life Race, 214-673-2860.
• May 17: The Spring Horse Herd Health Clinic, 972-548-4233.
• May 19: Lone Star 4H Horse Club, 972-658-5201.

McKinney Favorites (Weekly and Monthly Events)

The Heard-Craig Center for the Arts hosts the monthly free Art History Brown Bag lunch-time discussion (12:30-1:30 p.m., May 2) featuring local artist, instructor and historian Anne Royer. This month, the focus is on Monet and Pissaro in 19th Century France.

McKinney’s Farmers Market at Chestnut Square Historic Village continues its regular weekly season on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon, and at Adriatica on Thursdays (check their website for times). Monthly at Chestnut Square, enjoy Ghostly Haunting Tours held the third Saturday; tours of the grounds and homes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m.; and trolley tours of the historic district which leave Chestnut Square every second and fourth Saturday at 11 a.m.

Monthly flea market and vintage shopping is on tap at Third Monday Trade Days (May 18-20), Old Red Lumberyard Junk Market (May 18-19), and Treasure Spotters (May 5-6 & 19). And don’t forget the annual Spring McKinney Ladies Association yard sale at Stonebridge Methodist Church (May 5).

Find your inner drummer Saturdays during the 10 a.m. African drumming circle, courtesy of Drums Not Guns,  at Old Settlers Recreation Center or during the Fourth Friday Drum Circle in Mitchell Park.

Second Saturday on the downtown square (May 12, 7-10 p.m.) features new art exhibit openings and meet-the-artist receptions. This month’s offerings and participating galleries include:

• Laura Moore Fine Art Studios welcomes Waleed Arshad’s exhibit, “Of What is Past, Passing or to Come.” 107 S. Tennessee, 214-914-3630.
• The Artist’s Loft, 110 E. Louisiana, 972-345-6311.
• Orisons Fine Art and Framing Gallery, 110 E. Louisiana St., 972-529-1441.
• Imaging on the Square - 109 S. Tennessee St. – 972-548-7575
• Dobscha Studio - 111 E. Virginia St., #200 – 972-658-5196
• The Main Street Magic & Fun Company hosts the 2nd Saturday Magic Show at 7 and 9 p.m. in the Magic Attic Theater upstairs in the shop. Tickets are $10 and include a complimentary glass of wine for those 21 and older. Children are admitted to the 7 p.m. show. Seating is very limited. 211 N Tennessee, 214-274-7802.

Also this month: National Travel & Tourism Week, starting this weekend, May 5. More to come on this event!

From the MCVB: If you learn of something else going on in McKinney this month, please let us know. As always, you can learn more about McKinney’s events by visiting VisitMcKinney.com and by downloading our free Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. (For links to the Apple Store and Android Market, click here.)

Dining On the Square…..at Home

By Tom Motley
Guest Blogger

Historic downtown McKinney offers a variety of great food to eat there, or to prepare a home-cooked meal!

The other day we shared a pleasantly late lunch with old friends Sandy and Henry at La Misha, McKinney’s European bistro, downtown on the Square. The girls loved the lush barley soup, made by owner Sonia Sosani. Henry and I wolfed down tasty Turkish-styled gyros, the flavors reminding me of exotic doner-kebabs my Derbyshire students introduced me to years ago in the UK. College students in England enjoy a cornucopia of ethnic cafes serving near any campus, unlike my own Dallas campus-home of decades, which has apparently signed a life-sentence contract with one fast-food sandwich company.

In continental fashion, we McKinney friends talked leisurely at La Misha for hours, finally savoring espressos and cappuccinos.  After visiting Laura Moore at her handsome art gallery on Tennessee, we walked one block back to the Square, with a short detour around the corner from Churchill’s Tavern to pop into The Canine Cookie Factory to buy hand-baked “squirrels,” our puppy’s favorite snack.

Smelling the “canine cookies” baking in the store’s ovens reminded me of dinner needs for the human members of our family unit. We stopped up the street at Patina Green and bought local Texas artisanal cheeses, along with chef Robert Lyford’s delightful crispy toasts. We crossed Virginia Street, heading half a block north from the Square to buy steaks and produce from cheerful Sara Johnson at Local Yocal. Owners Matt and Heather Hamilton stock an amazing array of local organic products.

Summer produce at Chestnut Square Farmers Market

Our canvas shopping bag needed one final item to make dinner complete, a great bottle of wine from Andy Doyle, owner of McKinney Wine Merchant (at Virginia and Wood streets). While we browsed, neighbors arrived in the shop. After making our respective choices, we all walked next door to The Pub for pints of creamy Franconia Dunkel, brewed in McKinney not far from downtown. The stroll home through the historic district was pleasantly enhanced with sweet fragrances provided by antique roses, longtime favorites of McKinney’s east-side homeowners.

Living so close to downtown, we appreciate being able to buy staples like organic milk, butter and eggs from local merchants on the Square. On Saturdays mornings, we walk over to the hugely popular McKinney Farmers Market at historic Chestnut Square (voted no. 5, best farmers’ market in the nation).

Picking out steaks from Local Yocal

For dinner, we made a wilted salad of greens and Swiss chard, along with seared “McKinney Steaks,” all from Local Yocal. Matt Hamilton cuts these unique chuck steaks from Wagyu beef (the best of the Kobe variety in my opinion). The steaks are about 2”X2”X6”. Since long ago becoming a fan of Craig Claiborne’s practical recipes for New Yorkers with tiny apartment kitchens, I still enjoy a nice steak seared in a hot iron skillet on the stove-top. (I wasn’t in a New York flat when I discovered Claiborne, but I was a hungry college student, living in a tiny Denton, Texas studio, cooking on a hotplate). The “McKinney Steak” is ideal for the skillet. The creative shape allows for browning on all four sides, since they’re all the same width. Even my beef-challenged wife agrees that Local Yocal’s Wagyu is like eating butter.

Inside the McKinney Wine Merchant on W. Virginia

Wine guru, Andy, had correctly suggested a Marietta 2008 Petite Sirah to complement the meal. At a reasonable price, the deep-colored, aromatic red was richly layered, and complex enough to stay engaging throughout the wide range of earthy flavors served at dinner. Lastly, we relished apple and pear slices with the three artisan cheeses Robert selected for us at Patina Green: a rich goat cheese from the Bonham dairy, On Pure Ground,  and The Sharp Shooter, a lovely butter-colored Emanthaler-type from Veldhuizen Cheese in Dublin. My favorite was soft and unique, The Eden, wrapped in a flavorful fig leaf from Brazos Valley Cheese in Waco.

Dining on the Square, at home, is well worth the walk.

About our guest blogger: Tom Motley is a professor of Art & Art History at Richland College in Dallas, an artist, and an organic farmer who writes The Motley Farm Report for C&S Media and Tom Motley North Texas Gardens at eatgreendfw.com. Tom also lectures on organic gardening, no-till farming, lovacore dining and ag issues. He and his lovely and creative artist wife, Becca, happily call McKinney’s historic district home.

April Blooms in McKinney

Flowers bloom at Chestnut Square's Farmers Market

The old adage may be “April showers bring May flowers,” but in McKinney, we don’t have to wait until May to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. It’s safe to say that the heavy rains we had in March have already contributed to some beautiful colors and foliage around town. And in April, the sights can only get better!

Enjoy the first full month of spring with a wide variety of fun activities, with major emphasis on “all things art!”

Outdoor Fun!

Heard Butterfly Gardens

Celebrate Nature Family Festival (4/14; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) This one-day outdoor festival features live concerts, “green” and other vendors who want to support nature and The Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, interactive animal presentations, kids’ activities, guided trail tours, and canoe/kayak demonstrations. Guests will also enjoy our Live Animals of the World and Animal Superheroes exhibits, and the Native Texas Butterfly Garden.

McKinney’s Farmers Market at Chestnut Square Historic Village begins its regular weekly season (4/7, 14, 21, 28; 8 a.m. to noon.  Monthly at Chestnut Square , you can enjoy Ghostly Haunting Tours held the third Saturday;  tours of the grounds and homes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11 a.m.; and trolley tours of the historic district which leave Chestnut Square every second and fourth Saturday at 11 a.m.

Old Red Lumberyard

You can also enjoy outdoor shopping at the monthly Third Monday Trade Days (April 13-15) and Old Red Lumberyard Junk Market (April 13-14).

For those wanting to get some exercise for a great cause, McKinney’s Relay for Life event will take place at the main ballfield at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch (4/27-28).

Easter Photo Ops

The city-sponsored annual Easter Egg-stravaganza (4/7) features family fun at Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Complex located at 1986 Park View Ave. This free event starts at 11 a.m. Have the kids’ pictures taken with real, live bunnies (4/7) when you make an appointment for the Easter Bunny Photo Shoot,  available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Children can take a bunny home for the day on Sunday on availability.)

April is Arts-Crazy!

McKinney is busting at the seams with artist offerings in April.

Ladies Night Out

The Heard-Craig Center for the Arts hosts the monthly free Art History Brown Bag lunch-time discussion (12:30-1:30 p.m., 4/4). The gardens at the Heard-Craig House are once again the site of the annual April concert series, Music in the Garden, featuring free concerts on Thursdays (4/5, 12 & 19).  The Young Artist Competition of the McKinney Musical Arts Society takes place in the Heard-Craig Performance Hall (4/13-15) while the 48th Annual Collin County Art Show fills the hall and gallery (4/20-22). People who enjoy making crafts will enjoy the Pinterest Party (4/12) in the hall, with all attendees leaving with a completed project of their choice.  Then near the end of the month, women will fill the hall for Ladies Night Out (4/26), a fun evening of arts, shopping and food-tasting that serves as a popular annual fundraiser for the Heard-Craig Center for the Arts.

The Young Actors Guild of the McKinney Repertory Theatre offers a thought-provoking spring coming-of-age story dealing with Nazis and Jewish death camps, “And a Child Shall Lead” (4/6-8) on the Courtroom Theatre stage in the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Also at MPAC this month are pianist-singer Charlotte Martin (4/13) and Country Music Award-nominated singer-songwriter Collin Raye (4/20).

And of course, you can try your hand at African drumming every month, courtesy of Drums Not Guns on any Saturday morning at Old Settlers Recreation Center or during the Fourth Friday Drum Circle in Mitchell Park.

Chalk Walk at MPAC

The monthly Second Saturday arts events including the regular monthly gallery exhibit openings and live music will take place that evening as usual (7-10 p.m.), but during the day, visitors to the square will enjoy Arts in Bloom (4/14, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). The event’s activities include:

• Art Walk with artists displaying and demonstrating their art along the sidewalks and in some of the businesses on the downtown square;
• Chalk Walk when the sidewalks around the McKinney Performing Arts Center come to life with incredible chalk art;
• MISD Student Art Show in the MPAC gallery; and
• DD and the Studebakers perform jukebox favorites from the 1950s and 60s in the MPAC Courtroom Theatre (7:30 p.m.).

The Second Saturday (4/14, 7-10 p.m.) art offerings include the following:

Garret Art Gallery will be featuring McKinney resident Jenny Archbold, a graphic/commercial and fine artist who works in pencil, ink, pastel, watercolor and acrylic. 111 E. Virginia St., 972-548-9361.

Character Studies by Nathaniel Smyth

Over at Laura Moore Fine Art Studios, artists featured during Arts in Bloom are Elaine Adams, Amanda Beller, Linda Chidsey, Audrey DeFord, Shayna Duvarney, Pernie Fallon, Julia Forsyth, Sona Knox, Elizabeth Lane, Don Matschull, Laura Moore, Nathaniel Smyth, Joseph Taub, Amy Taylor. Then that night for Second Saturday, Laura welcomes artist Nathaniel Smyth for the opening of his exhibit, Character Studies. 107 S. Tennessee, 214-914-3630.

Debra Linker at The Artist’s Loft will host artist Lynne Hubner teaching a Whiteline Print Workshop from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with students creating 6″X 8″ multicolored prints through the use of this technique developed in 1915 New England using one woodblock, one carving tool, watercolors and a spoon. We will cover image transfer to the block, carving and inking techniques. Students should come to class with drawings and or photo reference. Call 972-345-6311 for details.

Orisons Fine Art and Framing Gallery welcomes well-known Taos Master Artist Charles Collins in his return to the Dallas area to open his only Dallas-area exhibit.  Collins will be bringing several original oil paintings rarely seen outside of his gallery, the oldest gallery in Taos, New Mexico.  110 E. Louisiana St., 972-529-1441.

2nd Saturday Magic Show: Each Second Saturday, the Main Street Magic & Fun Company hosts a Cabaret Style Magic Show at 7 or 9 p.m. in our Magic Attic Theater. Tickets are only $10 and include a complimentary glass of wine for those 21 and older. Children are admitted to the 7 p.m. show. Seating is very limited so call 214-274-7802 to reserve your tickets. 211 N Tennessee Street.

JCD at Wales Manor

Also on the second Saturday, the popular “Music Under the Stars” concert series opens its 2012 season at Wales Manor Vineyard & Winery as Jon Christopher Davis takes the stage with special guest Byron Dowd.

Performers from across McKinney will take the stage later in the month (4/20-21) for the annual McKinney Has Talent competition, our city’s version of American Idol, hosted by the McKinney Repertory Theatre on the MPAC stage. Then the last weekend of the month (4/28), American Passport: A Journey Through the World Music, hosted by the Cultural Concert of International Music, will provide attendees with a glimpse of the world through the eyes and music of children.

Garden, Animal & Farm Fun

Gardens at Myers Park

Myers Park & Event Center offers a month of wide variety as always with the Collin County Master Gardeners will have a garden tour (4/4, 972-548-4219); dog and livestock shows including Lone Star 4H Horse Club (4/7; 972-658-5201); Dallas Agility Working Group (4/14-15, 972-540-1413); Ducks Unlimited banquet (4/19; 972-658-1961); and Chisolm Trail Texas Longhorn Association cattle show (4/21; 254-630-0053); Basic Ag Field Day (4/27; 972-548-4233); and the Collin County Master Gardeners plant sale (4/28; 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; 972-548-4219).

Also, the Collin County Farm Museum located at Myers Park is offering another Model T class (4/14, 10 a.m.-noon) when attendees get a hands-on course in starting the museum’s 1911 Model T. (There are more steps to it than you’d think!)

The Farm Museum's 1911 Model T

(A second session to be held at a later date will cover the actual driving of the car and is open only to those completing the first class.) Myers Park is located at 7117 CR 166.

JUST ADDED

Here are a few events for which we’ve just received details:

• The 2nd Annual WAM Chef’s Challenge (4/19) at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club involves chefs from Bailey’s Prime Plus, Louisiana St. Grill, Holiday Inn and Suites, and Stonebridge Ranch Country Club competing for the win! WAM will be supporting a great cause this year, the Children and Community Health Center McKinney.

If you learn of something else going on in McKinney this month, please let us know. As always, you can learn more about McKinney’s events by visiting VisitMcKinney.com and by downloading our free Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. (For links to the Apple Store and Android Market, click here.)