It’s November Already?

This will be the scene in downtown McKinney in the next week or so, as the city prepares for the holiday season.

Doesn’t it feel like it was just September? Then we blinked and it was November. We did enjoy many wonderful activities in McKinney in October; it just seemed to go by in a whirl.

Now that we’re into November already (it’s Election Day, as we post this – we hope you all voted!), there is again so much to keep everyone busy as we close in on the holidays – music, art, drama, races, and of course, Dickens of a Christmas.

McKinney Art Studio Tour (MAST)

Three galleries and 22 artists’ studios will welcome guests for tours  (self-guided after buying a ticket booklet – get tickets HERE) during the McKinney Art Studio Tour (MAST). This is the fourth year of the tour which offers T-shirts for purchase, and those who complete at least 15 stops on the tour (validated by signatures from the artists) can enter a prize drawing. The self-paced, leisurely tour allows visitors to watch the artists where they work and live, and talk to them about their creative processes.

32nd Annual Dickens of a Christmas

McKinney Main Street kicks off the holiday on Thanksgiving weekend (Nov. 23-25) by hosting Dickens of a Christmas – Home for the Holidays. Historic Downtown McKinney will offer holiday shopping, entertainment, activities and food. This free event offer visitors to Historic Downtown McKinney a chance to enjoy strolling carolers, live entertainment, carriage rides, children’s activities, holiday shopping and dining at the more than 100 shops and restaurants downtown. The ever-popular show hill is coming back this year, and of course, Dickens wouldn’t be complete without Santa!

Believe Run (1 Mile/5K/10K)

This fun and healthy family event starts and ends at McKinney’s Mitchell Park early the Saturday morning after Thanksgiving (Nov. 24). The McKinney Rotary Club hosts this race that benefits Holy Family School and other charitable organizations. Before the race, kids get chase Santa (alias McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller) in the Great Santa Chase. Teams and families often dress in costume; strollers and dogs are welcome! Then hang around town after the race to enjoy Dickens.

ShopAnthropy Shopping Tournament

How fun is this? Teams of four each ($200 per team to enter) will spend the day (Nov. 10) on the downtown square, saving money (participating stores offer discounts to these teams), stopping for great food, and having 100% of the proceeds help kids in our area who have aged out of the foster care system and were never adopted. You can check out the charities here: www.embracetexas.org andwww.simplestofgifts.com.

On Stage

Everything from young performers to seasoned ones are performing this month.

Legally Blonde, the Musical (Nov. 10-11, 15-17): Fine arts students at McKinney Boyd High School bring this adaptation of the popular Broadway musical to their auditorium at 600 N. Lake Forest.  An opening night gala on Saturday (10th) features reserved seating, dinner, dessert at intermission, a silent auction and a meet-and-greet with the cast following the show, all for $25. Regular show tickets are $15 for adults. Get tickets HERE.

Young Actors Guild One-Act Plays (Nov. 16-18): McKinney Repertory Theatre’s Young Actors Guild presents two one-act plays, the mystery comedy “Who Murdered Who?” and an old-fashioned melodrama, “She Was Only a Farmer’s Daughter.” For showtimes at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC)  and to get tickets, click HERE.

Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (Nov. 23-25, 30-Dec. 2): The McKinney Repertory Theater once again presents this holiday class to MPAC in what has become a long-standing tradition for kicking off the

Steel Magnolia (Nov. 29): This country duo won Can You Duet? on CMT in 2009 and now they’re hitting the Courtroom Theater stage at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Winners of the McKinney Mash-Up (finalists were crowned earlier in the month) will open for the duo. Get tickets HERE.

Nightlife

Many talented musicians and singers call McKinney and our area home. You can see them almost any day of the week at many eateries and the wineries downtown and elsewhere throughout the city. Below are establishments that regularly offer live entertainment.

• Cadillac Pizza Pub
• Delaney’s Irish Pub
• Hank’s Texas Grill
• Grand/Rick’s
• Grotto
• Jack’s Pub
• Landon Winery
• Lone Star Wine Cellars
• Spoons Cafe

Second Saturday Art Exhibits & Activities (Nov. 10)

McKinney’s galleries and other businesses feature new art exhibits, starting each Second Saturday on the Square, or hold special events. During this special evening, the galleries and many stores stay open later than usual, and provide snacks as well as the opportunity to meet the artists and talk to them about their work. The artists being featured at various locales downtown this month include:

• Design Ten1 Studio: Ashley Bossung Bruegel; 110 S. Tennessee. 972-542-5514.
• Garret Gallery:  Garret artists Clara Stovall, Ginny Bitting, Babs Light, Gail Delger, and Marian Hirsch; 111 E. Virginia; 972-548-9361.
• Imaging on the Square: Jewelry artist Joy Jones. 109 S. Tennessee, 972-548-7575.
• Laura Moore Fine Art: Peggy Epner (GODSPEED); 107 S Tennessee. 214-914-3630.
• Orisons Art & Framing: Santa artist Brenda Brannon;. 110 E. Louisiana, 972-529-1441.
• McKinney Wine Merchant: Nick Saia (sample pictured at right) and wine tastings from Mt. Eden Vineyards; 120 W. Virginia, 972-542-4636.
• Main Street Magic & Fun Company presents two cabaret style magic shows in their Magic Attic Theater on Saturday – 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. $10 each. Seating is limited so call 214-274-7802.

While we try to be as complete as possible in our monthly event blog, new things do come up, and then there are the monthly standards like flea market and vintage shopping at Third Monday Trade Days, Old Red Lumberyard, and the Flour Mill District; classes, garden shows and workshops, nature days and Dinosaurs Live! (at right) at the Heard Museum and more!

As always, check VisitMcKinney.com and the Destination McKinney Texas Facebook page for more event information.

And if you don’t have our Smartphone app yet (for iPhone, iPad or Android) by all means, go HERE now and get it! You’ll be glad you did.

October 2012 Second Saturday in McKinney

We want to thank McKinney Main Street for providing the following information about all the activities going on during October 2012′s Second Saturday in downtown McKinney, including art gallery exhibits, a magic show, live music and shops staying open late.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, guests can explore local art galleries, listen to great local and regional talent and taste delicious offerings at some of the area’s best eateries.  Many places in downtown McKinney will keep their doors open from 7 – 10 p.m. for this monthly event.

ART Events featured this Saturday

Alternative Furnishings – will feature local artist Jeni Weems Tomlin, stop by and see her wonderful works that she will have on hand throughout the evening.

 Design Ten1 Interiors –will feature home-grown Texas artist Denise Kendrick.  Denise is a graduate of the Art School at the University of North Texas.  Her interpretive style in her most recent collection of acrylics and oil on canvas art reflects her Texas roots in a warm, rich pallet.  Denise is married to her high school sweetheart, Bruce, and mother of 8 children by birth and adoption.

Ken Toki’s Texas Koi Fish

Garret Art Gallery – will be featuring artist Ken Toki . Ken was featured in 2010 at the gallery and will be displaying his new work titled, “Texas Water Scenes With Koi Fish.

Ken Toki is excited to return to the Garret Art Gallery at McKinney, Texas with his new 2012 acrylic paintings of Texas waterside scenes with koi or carp fish. While a fantasy of composition, Toki has studied both the jewel-like fish and Texas rivers and creeks for many years. While a youth in southern Japan he often swam with koi and learned of their almost human-like characteristics. Compared to samurai for their courage, koi are said to not flinch when on the chopping block. Toki often tours and sketches Texas riverside scenes which he loves. Ken is a member of Dallas Koi Kichi.

Toki was an All-Japan Gold Medalist in 2005, and the same year exhibited 64 works in conjunction with Japan’s Kyushu National Museum at Dazaifu. His paintings have been shown in Japan’s major museums including Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museums of Art of Nagoya, Yokohama and Osaka, Japan. Also, the Musee de la Marine, Paris and the National Museum of Hamar, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

 Imaging on the Square – is featuring various local artists, showcasing their many different mixes and mediums throughout the evening.

The art of William Renzulli at Laura Moore Fine Art Studios

Laura Moore Fine Art Studios – will feature Williams Renzulli, who’s drawing upon places both real and imagined, sets a mood and strikes a feeling with each of his bold canvases. In Renzulli’s most recent series “Nature Imagined”, he often summons internal landscapes from the memory of experienced places. Alternating between a moody, monochromatic palette and an electric vibrant one, each painting evokes a different response, but each consistently tugs at the edges of memory and recognition. The medium to large-scaled paintings in the exhibition are more about the feelings derived from a place than the place itself. Renzulli feels drawn to “create beauty, both elegant and mundane” with his thought provoking works.

William Renzulli of Paducah, Kentucky, left a 9-year practice of internal medicine and now devotes all of his time to art making. “Nature Imagined” features 15 of his bold and lyrical acrylic on canvas paintings.  Meet Renzulli during opening night for the exhibition “William Renzulli: Nature Imagined” on Saturday, October 13th 7-10pm.  Through November 7th at Laura Moore Fine Art Studios, 107 S Tennessee in McKinney, Texas.

Art selections from CityArtCal at Orisons Art & Framing.

Orisons Fine Art & Framing Gallery – will be featuring ten exceptional artists from CityArtCal in a group show.  Bold compositions and innovative use of media characterize the works chosen.  Linda Bourgault, Kris Byars, and K.D. Hafley are represented by Orisons.  Susan Bishop, Pauline Caffrey, Rachel Davis, Cindy Gray, Trent Mann, Mary Morgan, and Patricia Rodriguez are first time exhibitors in the gallery.  These artists will be published in CityArtCal’s annual calendar, Fine Art in Dallas. Please join us for a reception and meet the artists, October 13, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Other Fun Events at Second Saturday

Main Street Magic & Fun Company – Join us for a little “Spooky Magic Show” at 7:00 p.m.  This show will be a family-friendly; however it does contain some bizarre and scary magic and stories, so parents please use discretion in regards to whether you child/children would enjoy this type show.  Tickets are $10 each.  Reservations can be made by calling 214-274-7802.

Local Yocal Farm to Market – is excited to present Matt’s art of Oktoberfest!  Did you get rained out for Oktoberfest, not to worry we are serving Brats and German sausage all day.  Everyone is invited to enjoy a good food, live music on the patio during Second Saturday, BYOB.

Patina Green Home & Market – will be featuring Market Dinners each second Saturday on our front patio.  The 5 course dinners are by reservation only, and the store will be CLOSED to accommodate the intimate dining.  For more information please call 972-548-9141.

LIVE MUSIC on Saturday

• Cadillac Pizza Pub – Buzz Andrews Band
• Café Malaga  - Six of the Matter  
• Grotto – Maylee Thomas
• La Misha Bistro – Tom and Kate
• Landon Winery– Tu-Tones
• Lone Star Wine Cellars – Steve Rose
• Rick’s Chophouse – Jon C. Davis
• Spoon’s Café – Duane Bates

Shops open during Second Saturday (extended hours)

Antique Company Mall
Apex Counseling Etc.	Artisanal…A Food Lover’s Market
Barrons Estate Jewelers	The Bear Market
Bella Byou	Bloom
Cadence Cyclery of McKinney	The Canine Cookie Company
Cadillac Pizza Pub	Café Malaga
Churchill’s British Restaurant & Pub	Coffee Squared
Cynthia Elliot Boutique	Dawgs N Hawgs
Design Ten 1 Interiors	Dobscha Studio
GiggleBrush Designs
Goodies Texas	Gray Living
Gregory’s Bistro	Grotto
Heirlooms
Home and Garden Trading Company	Homepieces
Kiss and Make Up Boutique & Salon
Kiss and Make Up Design & Consign	Kitchenwares on the Square
La Misha European Bistro	Landon Winery
Loco Cowpoke Salsa Shop
Lone Star Wine Cellars	Louisiana St. Grill
Made of Sugar & Spice	Main Street Magic & Fun Company
McKinney Wine Merchant	Nan Lee Jewelry	Order 66 Toys
Paciugo Gelato
Patina Green Home & Market	Primp Boutique & Garden
Primp Salon and Spa	The Pub
Rick’s Chophouse	Ruggeri’s Italian Ristorante
Sauce on the Square	Shelby-Marilee and Company Salon & Boutique
Snug on the Square	Spa Esoteric
Special Things	Spoon’s Cafe
Spoons Garage	Square Burger
Uptown

August in McKinney is Alive with Arts & Music

MPAC stands in the center of McKinney’s downtown square, overlooking a bustling arts scene.

McKinney always offers a wide variety of arts and musical experiences, but August seems to be more chockful than ever! From community theater to a world-renowned rocker (hint: think Fleetwood Mac!), there is no shortage of arts and music from which to partake in McKinney this month.

On the Stage

The McKinney Repertory Theatre is keeping the stage at the McKinney Performing Arts Center busy this month with a couple shows. The first two weeks of the month feature a melodrama, “Return to Calamity Gulch” which encourages audience participation in the way of popcorn being thrown at the performers and much cheering and booing. Then later in the month (Aug. 17-19), the MRT’s Young Actors Guild takes over, bringing “Fox Tales” to the MPAC stage.

Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac) to rock the MPAC stage in a sold-out concert Aug. 22.

Rocking the MPAC stage on August 22 is Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Sorry, though, folks – if you don’t already have a ticket, you’re out of luck on this one. This show sold out last month. But those lucky fans who do have tickets are in for a treat! ENJOY!

Another future show sure to sell-out is another nationally-known act: 2011 winners of NBC’s “The Sing Off,” Pentatonix, coming to the MPAC stage October 18. (Click the group’s name to order your tickets now so you won’t miss that show. And if you aren’t familiar with them, check out videos of them HERE.)

Second Saturday Packed Full of Artists

As always, McKinney’s downtown square comes alive for Second Saturday (August 11) when guests are invited to enjoy a fun filled evening of art, shopping, music, food and spirits. The local art galleries and even a few of the other businesses feature local and regional talents of artists and musicians.  Of course, a trip downtown isn’t complete without eating in at least one of McKinney’s fine eateries. (Why not see how many you can visit by enjoying pre-dinner drinks and appetizers in one location, dinner in another, then stop for dessert somewhere else! All the while, there’ll be great music to set the mood for your evening.  Also, quite a few shops in downtown McKinney will also keep their doors open for this monthly event.

Where to see art on Second Saturday:

Garret Art Gallery is featuring watercolor artist Sarah Buie (from Aug. 11 through Sept. 6). At a young age, Sarah Buie enjoyed both drawing and painting. Sarah studied art history at the University of Dallas but painting remained her passion. Her style falls somewhere between Impressionism and Realism with an endeavor to express the good and the truth through everyday objects and nature. Her primary desire is to glorify God through her art by helping people see that despite the storm there can be peace, despite the sorrow there can be joy, and despite the struggle there is hope.

Sarah works as art teacher and in-home caregiver in Grapevine. She continues to enjoy traveling and giving of her time and talents to people close to home and abroad. Stop by The Garret Art Gallery from 7-10 p.m. during Second Saturday to meet Sarah and see her art, while enjoying refreshments.

Imaging on the Square  is featuring various local artists, showcasing their many different mixes and mediums throughout the evening.  They’ll also feature up-and-coming singer Stacey Whitson during the Second Saturday event.

A sample of art in Laura Moore’s Hideout “open call to artists” juried art exhibit this month.

It’s time for Laura Moore Fine Art Studios’ annual open “call to artists” juried art exhibition, this year themed “Hideout.”  Guests can see more than 80 works of art from 45 artists in two locations through September 5 at two locations: the gallery itself at 107 S Tennessee, and hiding out in a second location at the Heard-Craig Carriage House at 205½ W. Hunt Street. There is always an eclectic mix of artists and mediums in this show, so do make a point of seeing it. You’ll be glad you did!

Orisons Fine Art & Framing Gallery  features the work of several professional photographers from the north Texas area who have been invited to show their work in a Group Photo Show.  The public is invited to the gallery to view and vote for their favorite photograph leading up to the event.  Voting patrons will be entered in a prize drawing for free print to canvas services.  Photographers winning the People’s Choice Awards will be announced during the Second Saturday reception.

And something even more special at Orisons: The gallery has acquired three extremely rare Bert Stern photos of Marilyn Monroe.   Taken six weeks prior to her death, these are from Monroe’s final photo shoot commissioned in June 1962 by Vogue Magazine.  All three were originally published in Stern’s 1982 book and are signed and numbered (each is 199/250) with certificates.  The plates used to print these were donated to a museum and will never be printed from again.  During the photo exhibit, these will be on display and for purchase.  Vote for your favorite of these as well through August 10 to be entered in a drawing for a free 16 x 20 canvas wrap.

Main Street Magic & Fun Company’s Chris Gracy performing magic at this year’s Ice Cream Crank Off.

Other businesses featuring local art include:

La Misha European Bistro where you can see the work of artists Catherine Brown and Miles while enjoying a glass of wine or a bite of light Mediterranean fare. 113 N. Kentucky, 972-540-6050; and
McKinney Wine Merchant features the art of Nick Saia. 120 W. Virginia, 972-542-4636.

Main Street Magic & Fun Company hosts their monthly Cabaret Style Magic Show at 7 p.m.  (for adults & children) and again at 9 p.m. (for adults only) in their Magic Attic Theater. Tickets are only $10 and include a complimentary glass of wine for those 21 and older.  Seating is very limited so call 214-274-7802 to reserve your tickets.

The following is the live music you can enjoy during Second Saturday.

• Cadillac Pizza Pub – Buzz Andrews Band
• Café Malaga – The Bodarks
• Grotto – Maylee Thomas Band
• Landon Winery– Tu-Tones
• Lone Star Wine Cellars – Steve Rose
• Rick’s Chophouse – Melissa Medlock
• Spoon’s Café – Duane Bates

The McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau also lists all live music for the month on their Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. Click HERE to access a link to download the app for your iPhone, iPad or Android.

Support Local High School Musicians!

The McKinney Boyd Band drumline kicks off their Drum-a-thon on the downtown square.

The McKinney Boyd Bronco Band’s annual fundraiser and teambuilding event, Drum-a-Thon, features high school musicians playing marimbas, tenors, bass drums, snares, cymbals, and more as percussion playing for 18 straight hours at McKinney Boyd High School (600 N. Lake Forest Drive). The event runs takes place on Saturday, August 11 from 6 a.m. to midnight. No admission is required, but the drumline will happily take donations! In fact, any patron who donates $100 or more will be listed on this year’s drumline shirt, which not only will be worn by our percussionists, but also by friends of the band and MBHS students.  You can get a sneak-peek of the event during their kick-off on Friday, August 10, from 5:30- 6:30 p.m. on McKinney’s downtown square. Last year, the group moved around the square, playing for awhile on one corner before moving elsewhere. Just listen for the drums and enjoy! Please contact Derek Stoughton for more information regarding this event at: dstoughton@mckinneyisd.net

Visit McKinney Texas: Where to find us!

Remember “everything McKinney” is always at your fingertips with our Smartphone app. Links for downloading it to iPhone, iPad and Android can be found HERE. And if you need to check out McKinney on your computer, you can find us at our website or on Facebook and Twitter. We’re even working on growing a Pinterest page!

BOOM! It’s July in McKinney…

McKinney puts on the red, white and blue for the annual July 4th hometown parade.

July started with a BANG in McKinney… or rather with a “BOOM” as in Red White and BOOM! Thousands turned out on the downtown square for the July 4th hometown parade, the street fair and the car show, all taking place under the bright, hot sun and insanely gorgeous blue sky. Even more thousands filled the soccer complex at Craig Ranch that night for a concert by McKinney’s own Jon Christopher Davis and his band Lone Star Attitude followed by the city’s annual fireworks display.

Now as we enter the first full weekend of the month, get ready for some great music by local talent, some great art created by local artists, and even a couple stage productions of popular musicals. Then of course, there is always nature to enjoy in McKinney!

Music, Stage and Galleries in July

• McKinney Summer Musicals‘ production of “My Fair Lady” kicks of this weekend on Saturday night (July 7) and Sunday afternoon (July 8) – and finishes with four shows next weekend. (Click the show title above for tickets.) The show is at Boyd High School.
• 

  The McKinney Community Band performs a free concert at MPAC on July 14.

  The McKinney Community Band has a concert on Saturday, July 14, called “Home on the Arrangement” with music honoring McKinney and the state of Texas. Admission is free, but they need you to reserve free tickets on their website to help them track attendance. The concert is at the McKinney Performing Arts Centerin the middle of the historic downtown square. (Hint: This concert falls during the monthly Second Saturday downtown!)

• During Second Saturday, yes, some of the shops downtown are open late, but regular visitors to this monthly event know it’s really all about the arts – new art gallery exhibit openings with meet-the-artist receptions in the downtown art galleries, and live music rocking-out so many of the restaurants/wineries downtown. Click HERE for a list of participating businesses on the square.
• In addition to Second Saturday, Orisons Art & Framing will host one of its popular “Art in the Making” events on July 21, featuring the art of local artists Annie Royer, KD Hafley, and David Hobson who will be on hand creating their art as guests to downtown McKinney can watch and ask the artists about their work.
• Another performance downtown this month is by the talented youth of McKinney! The McKinney Repertory Theatre’s Broadway Bound campers bring their acting and singing gifts to the MPAC stage for four shows of “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” on July 19-21.
• At the Heard-Craig Carriage House on Friday, July 20, enjoy a free concert “Bluegrass to Jazz” presented by the McKinney Arts & Music Guild. The concert is from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

A boy meets a butterfly at the Heard Museum butterfly house.

Nature in July:

It may be hot out, but that doesn’t stop the butterflies, birds and other nature from being available to commune with people! The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary opened its Butterfly Gardens and House last month, an attraction that will be open until September 30. And this month, the Heard offers a Free Resident Day on July 15 (McKinney residents, bring your water bill with you for free admission)  and throughout summer, the Heard offers its summer camp programs for kids. Also, don’t forget the Animal Superheroes exhibit running throughout the summer.

DID YOU KNOW? There are motion-activated cameras posted on the grounds of the museum that catch the action of wildlife not generally seen by humans as they go about their business day and night. Click HERE to see some of these images. (Those wildlife sanctuary residents are busy as beavers – in fact, some ARE indeed beavers.)

Wet Family Fun!

The City of McKinney Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department hosts its annual Hawaiian Night on July 21 at Juanita Maxfield Aquatic Center. The event features family activities, games, food, music and plenty of cool, splashing fun from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (For a list of all the pool facilities and splash pad parts in the city, click HERE.)

Fresh juice quenches hungry shoppers at Third Monday Trade Days.

Shopping, McKinney Style!

Every month in McKinney offers unique shopping opportunities. Below are links to the usual monthly markets as well as our weekly Farmers Markets:

• Old Red Lumberyard Vintage Sale, July 13-14, 600 E. Louisiana.
• Third Monday Trade Days, July 13-15, 4550 W. University Drive.
• TreasureSpotters, July 14, 401 E. Virginia.
• Farmers Market, Saturdays 8-noon at Chestnut Square and Thursdays in Adriatica

NEW! Just opened on the square this week (July 4) is Snug on the Square, a place for shopping and eating. Check out their Facebook page HERE!

Visit McKinney Texas: Our App and Social Media!

Remember “everything McKinney” is always at your fingertips with our Smartphone app. Links for downloading it to iPhone, iPad and Android can be found HERE. And if you need to check out McKinney on your computer, you can find us at our website or on Facebook and Twitter. We’re even working on growing a Pinterest page!

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.)

Christmastime Is Here!

Mayor Brian Loughmiller presents the community tree!

Christmastime is indeed here and in full-swing in McKinney, Texas. The halls (street lights and windows, too) have been decked with boughs of holly, strings of lights, and all sorts of sparkly silver and gold finery, and now we get on with the action of celebrating this joyous time of year. And if you haven’t yet seen the community tree in Mitchell Park at the entrance to downtown McKinney, we suggest you go see it at night – it’s gorgeous!

While the annual Dickens of a Christmas festival officially got the season started over Thanksgiving weekend, the month of December is filled to the brim with activities for young and old alike:

38th Annual Holiday Tour of Homes: This event kicks off the month on Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 3-4, presented by Chestnut Square Historic Village and the Heritage Guild of Collin County. Proceeds from the admission and raffle ticket sales are earmarked for maintenance costs on the historic buildings and grounds in the village.

Raffle prizes include:

• An “Experience Downtown McKinney” package valued at $500 that includes a stay at the Grand Hotel, breakfast at Spoons Cafe, lunch at The Pantry, dinner at Rick’s Chophouse, a wine tasting at Landon Winery, a spa package at Spa Esoteric, tickets to the McKinney Performing Arts Center and more;
• A Santa Limited Edition Print signed by artist Brenda Brandon, valued at $400 (pictured);
• An antique Victorian table, valued at $400.

Christmas Parade of Lights: (SCHEDULE CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER!) On the evening of Saturday, Dec. 10  (6:30 p.m.), McKinney will be filled with thousands (dare we say millions?) of lights as the “Star Spangled Christmas” themed parade  rolls through the historic downtown square. Rotary Club of McKinney presents this annual event when individuals and groups ride in cars, pull floats, push strollers and pull wagons, all adorned in lights and wearing costumes. Bring the blankets, hot chocolate and your holiday spirit for a down-home great time for the whole family.

Take a carriage ride with Happy Trails Carriage Services.

Holiday Carriage Rides: All month long (Dec. 3-31), you and your family can enjoy a carriage ride through the decorated historic district with Shannon and her team of horses from Happy Trails Carriage Service. They even provide the blankets and music! Reservations are required at happycarriage@peoplepc.com or by calling 214-662-6705.

A Christmas Carol: The McKinney Repertory Theatre presents three more shows of their annual Christmas performance at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 214-544-4630 or by clicking on the link above.

Annie the Musical: The “sun will come out tomorrow” over at the Heard-Craig Performance Hall (306 N. Church) when the McKinney Youth Theatre performs one of the world’s best loved musicals  on Dec. 2-4 and again on Dec. 9-11.

“My Country, My Christmas” – Gary Morris in Concert: The McKinney Performing Arts Center presents country recording artist and Broadway star (Valjean in “Les Miserables”) Gary Morris on Dec. 9. Tickets are $35 and you can buy them at the link above. 111 N. Tennessee.

Also on Dec. 9:

Christmas Donation Drive Party: Lone Star Wine Cellars hosts a free event to wrap-up their supply drive for McKinney’s Community Lifeline Center. Entertainment by Crystal Yates and John Griffith.  103 E. Virginia,  972-547-WINE.

Inaugural Christmas Concert featuring the Texas Boys Choir at Adriatica’s Bella Donna Chapel, 401 Adriatic Parkway. Doors open at Friday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m.; performance starts at 8 p.m. Seating is limited, so call to RSVP (817-924-1482) or buy tickets ahead of time at www.TexasBoysChoir.org for $25 each.

A Night of Christmas Jazz featuring jazz combo trumpeter Thaddeus James Ford, violinist Richmond Punch, and tenor Daman Clark, at Mgroup Studio in the historic Cotton Mill. Friday (Dec. 9) at 7:30 p.m., $12; 972-547-4416.

Breakfast With Santa – All Aboard the Polar Express!: This annual Parks, Recreation & Open Space event (Dec. 10) is by reservation only at the McKinney Community Center and fills up very quickly. Call 972-547-2690. THIS EVENT IS FULL; no more reservations being accepted.

Holiday Trail of Lights at the Heard Museum: Bundle up your family, get out of the house, and experience the most unique holiday lighting display in North Texas (Dec. 17-19)! Tickets are available by clicking on the link above or by calling 972-562-5566. From 6:30-9 p.m. all three evenings.

Santa Photos: Entertainment Photos offers photos with Santa. For schedule and reservations, the link. Through Dec. 23, and by appointment only.

For unique holiday shopping in McKinney, check out these options:

• Candlelight Shopping in historic downtown McKinney shops displaying a candle in their window, Saturday nights in McKinney until Christmas. Participating businesses will extend their hours to 8 p.m. (and in some cases, later) to accommodate shoppers.
• Just Between Friends Holiday Toy Sale, at the McKinney Performing Arts Center, 111 N. Tennessee (Dec. 3-4)
• McKinney High School Holiday Bazaar benefitting the MHS softball program, 1400 Wilson Creek Parkway (Dec. 3)
• Scholastic Book Fair at the McKinney Community Center, 2001 S. Central Expressway (Dec. 7-8). All books are 50% off the usual ticket price.
• Old Red Lumberyard Antique & Vintage Sale, 600 E. Louisiana (Dec. 16-17). Call 972-542-8774 or check out their Facebook page at the link above.
• Chestnut Square Farmers Market & Holiday Bazaar, 315 S. Chestnut (Bazaar is at the Bevel House on Dec. 3-4 during the Holiday Tour of Homes; Farmers Market is on Dec. 17)
• Third Monday Trade Days, 7550 W. University/Hwy. 380, 2 miles west of Central Expwy. (Dec. 16-18)
• The Artist’s Loft, 110 E. Louisiana, is hosting a Holiday Gift Spree of local artisans’ work. (Dec. 16-18, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)
• Garret Art Gallery is hosting their annual Miniature & Small Works show featuring all sorts of smaller artwork that is perfect for gift giving! (through Dec. 31)

Some holiday classes are also scheduled this month where you can learn some new gift-making or culinary skills:

• The Artist’s Loft in downtown McKinney is holding a holiday gift box making class on Friday, Dec. 9, among several other classes that same week, all of which could lead to great handmade Christmas gifts! Email debra@debralinker.com or call 972-345-6311 for more information.
• Sweet Art Bakery in the historic Flour Mill is holding a holiday cake decorating class on Dec. 13. Learn to cover a cake in fondant and decorate it to look like a holiday package. To register, call 469-563-9471.

If you learn of something else going on in McKinney for the holidays, 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.)

Countdown to Thanksgiving Weekend!

Downtown McKinney is getting ready for Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving is, of course, a special time we spend with family and friends, reflecting on the many things in life for which we’re thankful. Many of you will begin your holiday decorating (those of you who don’t already have that finished, that is – you know who you are!), others will be watching football while eating until you’re stuffed, and then there are those who will be stretching, carb-loading and scouring sale ads for the Black Friday deals, ready to hit the stores when they open Friday morning. (We have heard of  some chains even starting Black Friday deals when they open at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving.)

The Season of Giving

While all these things are special traditions for the majority of us, there are also plenty of people in need this holiday season who will look to volunteers to help provide their meals, holiday gifts for their children, and meet their other needs. The McKinney Convention & Visitors Bureau consistently receives calls, specifically this time of year, asking where people can turn to devote some time, money, goods and services to those in need. In preparation for this, we’ve put together a list of links to help people with the desire to give back:

• The Samaritan Inn, Collin County’s only homeless shelter
• The Salvation Army of McKinney
• Volunteer McKinney Center
• Community Food Pantry of McKinney
• Community Lifeline Center
• 3E McKinney (source for church-based volunteer force and resources)
• McKinney’s service organizations (Rotary Club & Sunrise Rotary, McKinney Kiwanis & McKinney Lions Club & Morning Pride Lions)

The Season of Fun and Good Spirits

Of course, the most exciting aspect of this time of year is the anticipation of the holiday season. Whatever your religious affiliation and the holiday you celebrate during this season, McKinney activities run the gamut from shopping and ho-ho-happy fun to inspirational and traditionally-warm and inviting.

Now in its 31st year, Dickens of a Christmas serves as the kick-off of the holiday season in McKinney (Friday-Sunday after Thanksgiving, 11/25-27). Featuring down-home fun that harkens back to the days of McKinney’s earliest settlers and beyond, this year’s festival will feature the return of the snow hill and “magic snow” as well as some new surprises. Santa will again be available for photos and for lap sitting and wish-list telling, and various musicians will share their  Sounds of the Seasons talents all around the square..

During Dickens weekend, you can also enjoy the following activities:

• City of McKinney Tree Lighting Ceremony (Friday, 11/25, 6:15 p.m.) featuring singer-songwriter Crystal Yates.
• The McKinney Repertory Theatre’s annual presentation of A Christmas Carol at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (Friday-Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. during Dickens, then the following weekend at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 12/2-3, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, 12/4).
• 6th Annual Believe! Run (1 mile, 5 and 10K), benefiting Holy Family School and presented by the McKinney Rotary Club, taking place at downtown’s Mitchell Park, on Saturday, 11/26. Kids can also participate in the Great Santa Chase before the race starts.

Also that weekend:

• Check out the Handmade McKinney Artist & Crafters’ Fair at the Historic Flour Mill (407 E. Louisiana,  11/25-27, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) where you can shop for locally-made items and enjoy food prepared by  McKinney caterers and bakers.
• Find vintage pieces and antiques at the Old Red Lumberyard (Louisiana/Throckmorton by the Flour Mill) on Friday and Saturday (11/25-26, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.).
• Small Business Saturday is national day, now in its second year, dedicated to supporting small businesses in the U.S. during the busiest shopping weekend every year. McKinney is blessed to have a wide assortment of small businesses specializing in locally-made products and essential services that make for great gift-giving. For instance, who wouldn’t love to have receive oil changes for a year or a full-day of pampering or massage from a local spa? (Saturday, 11/26, all day)
• Lone Star Wine Cellars kicks off their Wine Scavenger Hunt as well as their Gift Drive (benefitting Community Lifeline Center) in downtown McKinney during Dickens  and continuing until Dec. 2. For $19.95, participants receive tastes of 12 wines, a painted holiday glass for tasting, and two chances to win prizes:  a case of wine – one each of The 12 Wines of Christmas (drawing on December 2) and the Grand Prize drawing, a gift basket full of merchandise from McKinney merchants (drawing on December 9). Players, or a designate, must be present for the drawings to win the prizes.

Don’t Want to Cook on Thanksgiving Day!

Every year, we also get questions about restaurants being open on Thanksgiving. We’ve found these few but would love readers to add comments on this blog entry if they know of more:

• Bill Smith’s Cafe, 1510 W. University: For the first time in their 50-plus years in McKinney, they’ll be open from 4 a.m.-3:30 p.m. to serve breakfast and Thanksgiving dinner.
• The Pub, 204 W. Virginia: Open from 7 p.m. to midnight. The kitchen closes at 11 p.m.
• Denny’s, 1615 N. Central Expressway – Open 24 hours, including Thanksgiving. Regular full menu.
• IHOP, 1960 N. Central Expressway – Open 24 hours a day, including Thanksgiving. Regular full menu.
• Waffle House, 1432 N. Central Expressway – Open 24 hours a day, including Thanksgiving. Regular full menu.

However you and your family and friends celebrate Thanksgiving and the kick-off of the holiday season, we at the McKinney CVB wish you and yours a happy, safe holiday full of warm memories, fun and plenty of turkey! Gobble-gobble!

McKinney’s Music Scene

Zane Williams recently performed at Wales Manor.

McKinney has become somewhat of a haven for singer-songwriters and a regular nightlife staple in the Dallas area for live music enthusiasts.A couple of McKinney residents (Zane Williams and Jon Christopher Davis) and venues (Cadillac Pizza Pub and Wales Manor Vineyard & Winery) are even among those being featured on this fall’s new nationally-syndicated TV show, “Troubadour, TX.” The show follows a handful of Texas singer-songwriters, showing their lives at home, in the studio and on-stage.

(Interesting tidbit: The show’s supervising producer also lives in McKinney and sometimes doubles as cameraman for the show.)

Jon Christopher Davis performs on the stage at Wales Manor.

Williams is the winner of a number of songwriting awards and has opened for a nice list of touring performers.

Davis, whose songs have been recorded by a number of Nashville recording artists, also had a composition of his selected as the national theme song for the American Heart Association’s “Relay for Life,” also penned the song, “Texas,” that was selected as the theme of the State of Texas Tourism Department. Both of these accomplished men have developed extensive followings and regularly perform here at home at both Cadillac and Wales Manor, among all the other venues and studios around the country where they perform.

Crystal and Will Yates

The next up-and-coming singer-songwriter to perform at Wales Manor (a venue that only brings singer-songwriters to its stages) will be Crystal Yates, a native Floridian who moved to McKinney with her husband-manager Will and their son a couple years ago. Yates just released her first CD as a McKinney-ite, holding the release party at another popular live music venue in McKinney, Café Malaga. The songs on the CD, “Love Wins,” are all original compositions written primarily by Yates and her mentor (a Dove Award winner) Jennie Riddle, another McKinney resident, one whose family is quite prolific in the music scene. (Her daughter Emily Riddle also just released a CD this month, and the Riddle and Yates families together started New Nation Music, a musical ministry, in 2009.) Yates will be performing in a free concert at Wales Manor on Friday, Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.

Williams’ next performance in McKinney will be part of the same two-day festival in which Yates is performing; he’ll take the stage adjacent to Chestnut Square on Friday at 7:50 p.m. This weekend’s Music in Motion, is an inaugural event presented by fledgling non-profit Arts & Music Guild of McKinney, and the brainchild of the guild’s founder, artist Anne Royer. For two nights, a wide variety of area musicians will perform on stages in and around Chestnut Square Historic Village as well as the usual live music venues in town. Another popular and long-time McKinney singer-songwriter, Maylee Thomas, will also take part in Music in Motion, performing in Adriatica Saturday from 5:30-7 p.m.

The music attendees will hear both nights of the festival include a variety of jazz, bluegrass, country, rock, funk, and even big band, compliments of McKinney Community Band’s Dance Band on Saturday at 7 p.m. (The community band’s flute choir is also on the festival schedule, appearing Friday at 6:45 p.m. on the patio at Chestnut Square.)

McKinney’s sizable community of visual artists will also be on-hand to display and create their art during the concerts at Chestnut Square and the adjacent “green” to the north of the square where the main stages will be located. The complete list of all the artists, both performing and visual, is  available from the festival website (www.musicinmotiontx.com). Admission is $10 on Friday night ($5 for students, veterans and seniors). Saturday night’s concerts have no cover charge. Beer and wine will be available for purchase, as will hot dogs and pizza.

Whatever your favorite type of music, you’ll find it in McKinney, Texas, just about any night of the week and certainly this weekend!

As always, you can learn more about McKinney’s entertainment and live music scene by visiting VisitMcKinney.com and by loading our free Visit McKinney Texas Smartphone app. (For links to the Apple Store and Android Market, click HERE.)