Sonny Burgess

Sonny Burgess will headline the fifth annual Steaks and Stetsons dinner dance, sponsored by Special Olympics Texas/Greater Fort Worth (www.sotx.org). The fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. to midnight Aug. 20 at the Hyatt Regency DFW Airport.

The western-styled evening also will feature a steak dinner, auctions and dancing. Serving as co-chairs are State Rep. Barbara Nash and State Rep. Diane Patrick.

Proceeds will support some 4,200 Special Olympics athletes in the Tarrant County area.

Tickets for the party cost $100 per person, and reserved tables of 10 will sell for $1,500. Sponsorships are still available by calling Special Olympics’ Fort Worth office at 817-332-3433.

Glenn Rainey, Garth Kravits and Todd Horman open the show.

Musical theater fans will find ”Guys and Dolls,” currently playing at The Music Hall at Fair Park, a good bet for a pleasant evening filled with a fantastic dancing, a classic score and some terrific performances.

The national tour opened Tuesday for a two-week stop featuring a revival of the 1940s tale of gamblers, gansters and showgirls. On Broadway, both the original 1951 musical and the 1992 revival won Tony Awards, so the show’s music and comedy are long-time favorites. Many of the Frank Loesser tunes, from “Luck Be a Lady” to “Bushel and a Peck,” are well known charmers.

For this production, Ben Crawford smoothly commands the stage as Sky Masterson, and actress Megan Sikor’s take on Miss Adelaide is very cute. One of the show’s best performances comes from Glenn Rainey whose Nicely Nicely Johnson literally stopped the show opening night with “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” 

Just like the floating crap game Nathan Detroit works so hard to organize, sometimes the dice come up snake eyes, even on stage. Steve Rosen takes a while to warm up in his role of Nathan Detroit, and Erin Davie’s beautiful voice was nice for the character of Sarah but her stiff performance was tough to watch.

The audience did hit the jackpot with the strong musical performances and Patti Columbo’s terrific choreography. The trio that opened the show set the pace with its great voices and happy harmonies, and the dancing in the big production numbers was a big win. Only odds were that just at a critical time, the theater’s sound system would give way since microphone problems  plagued the opening night show.

“Guys and Dolls,” presented by Dallas Summer Musicals (www.dallassummermusicals.org), will continue through July 31. If you’re looking for a summertime diversion, go ahead and take the bet. Odds are it’ll be worth the gamble.

Miss Texas 2011, Kendall Morris

She may have represented Frisco, but the new Miss Texas is really a baton-twirling Horned Frog from Ennis.

Kendall Morris was crowned Miss Texas 2011 Friday before a sold-out audience at Texas Hall on the University of Texas at Arlington. The 20-year-old junior is a featured-twirler at Texas Christian University, but used her musical talents as a pianist to become the second TCU student in a row to win the title.

Morris, wearing a white evening gown, was crowned by Miss Texas 2010, Ashley Melnick, also a TCU student. The new Miss Texas is a broadcasting major and a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.

Also honored at the pageant was Reilly Johannsen, who was named Miss Texas Outstanding Teen. She represented Colleyville and performed a lyrical dance for her talent.

First runner-up to Miss Texas was Adrianna Nelson, Miss Harris County. Others named in the top five were DaNae Couch, Miss Lake O’ the Pines, second runner-up; Jordan Johannsen, Miss Colleyville, third runner-up; Candice Bennatt, Miss Dallas, fourth runner-up.

Preliminary fitness winners. Photo courtesy Collage Int'l.

Preliminary talent winners. Photos courtesy of Collage Int'l.

A new Miss Texas will be crowned Friday evening at Texas Hall at the University of North Texas.

Friday’s crowning will be the culmination of three evenings of preliminaries for the Miss Texas Scholarship Pageant (www.MissTexas.org). Beginning Tuesday, preliminary winners were named in swimsuit and talent categories.

The three preliminary winners in the “physical fitness in swimsuit” competition were inners were Miss Colleyville, Jordan Johannsen; Miss Plano, Erin Hunt; and Miss Dallas, Candice Bennatt. Talent preliminary honorees were Miss Sugarland, Jackie Foss; Miss Austin, Monique Evans; and Miss Harris County, Adrianna Nelson, for talent.

They are among 38 competing for the title of Miss Texas. Scores from the three nights of preliminary competitons will be compiled for the final night. A panel of judges will select the new Miss Texas, who will go on to compete in the legendary Miss American Pageant to be held in January in Las Vegas.

Tickets are available for Friday’s pageant through Central Ticket Office. This final competition for Miss Texas and the crowning of Miss Texas’ Outstanding Teen will be viewable by webcast. The webcast will go live at 7:55 p.m. and may be viewed at www.misstexas.org/webcast.

The current Miss Texas is Ashley Melnick.

While I’ve never had the experience myself, I recently witnessed a woman going down the rabbit hole, at least theatrically.

Alice Wonder, the current offering at Fort Worth’s Jubilee Theatre (www.jubileetheatre.org), takes you with Alice down her 2011 rabbit hole, and what a fun trip it is.  This revival, an updated, urban version of Alice in Wonderland, is part of the theater’s 30th anniversary celebration. The original musical written by Joe Rogers and the late Rudy Eastman has proven to be a favorite because it’s funny and fun.

Taking the lead is Sheran Goodspeed Keyton, whose certainly got the pipes for this vocally demanding role. But she is not the only star in this very strong cast. Robert Rouse as Cat Daddy couldn’t be more charming Melinda Allen as Sister Kukes brings down the house with her rendition of “He Gave to Me.”

The role of the Queen of Hearts was shared by Major Attaway and Keron Jackson, and both of them brought their own diva-like flair to the part. The remaining cast is strong, and their performances are enhanced by live music, unexpected in such a small, intimate venue.

The show is a terrific romp, thanks not only to the writing and music, but also the direction of theater veteran Joe Brown. Alice Wonder runs through Sunday.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Company will be the site for the Cowtown Cowboys Showdown June 23.

FORT WORTH _ Both cowboys and cowgirls are invited to Cowtown Cowboys Showdown, an event leading toward November’s Cowtown Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society. The party is set for 6 to 9 p.m. June 23 at Rahr & Sons Brewing Company, 701 Galveston Ave.

Beer, food and music are planned for the evening. Cowboy cuisine, Sweet Sammies desserts and all-you-can-drink beer in a keepsake glass will be offered for $20 per person. Josh Michael and the Hawkes will provide musical entertainment.

Cowtown Cowboys Showdown will serve as a warm-up for Tarrant County’s Cowtown Ball, the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser scheduled this year for Nov. 12 at River Ranch. Grammy winner Steve Wariner will headline the entertainment, which also will include dinner, dancing, midway games, auctions and a casino.

Cowtown Cowboys Showdown will serve as a membership drive for Cowtown Cowboys. Those who sign up at the $100 Gold Member level will be recognized in the Cowtown Ball program and receive a lapel pin. Those who join at the $150 Platinum Member level will receive, in addition, a spot in the Cowtown Ball Golf Tournament Sept. 17 at The Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake.

Leading this year’s Cowtown Ball are Jennifer Williams and Sarah Uselding, with Sally and Jeff King serving as honorary chairs. Proceeds will support the American Cancer Society’s services as the 24-hour information line, educational programs and patient services.

More information is available by calling the Cowtown Ball hotline at 817-570-0633, emailing cowtownball@gmail.com or visiting the website www.cowtownball.org.

Be they scarlet, crimson or ruby, red shoes are in order for the Ruby Slippers Soiree, a fundraiser hosted by the Mid-Cities Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Thursday at Campania’s Restaurant in Southlake.

Open to the public, the event is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. All proceeds will benefit CASA of Tarrant County.

A shoe fashion show, with shoes provided by Stanley Eisenman and modeled by collegiate members of Kappa Alpha Theta, will highlight the inaugural event. The $25 ticket price includes a beverage and gourmet pizza.

Chairing the event is Lisa Cumbie. Tickets may be ordered online at www.speakupforachild.org or purchased at the door.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County is an organization of volunteer advocates who stand up on behalf of abused and neglected children. The CASA concept was brought to Tarrant County in 1983 by the late Judge Scott Moore, then presiding judge of the 323rd Judicial District, along with community volunteers Rhoda Bernstein and Monna Loftis, and Wayne Hairgrove, director of child protective services.

June 1 is the deadline for nominations for the Legacy of Women Awards, an annual event sponsored by SafeHaven of Tarrant County (www.safehaventc.org).

Each year SafeHaven honors outstanding women in the areas of arts, business, education, human services and volunteerism. The public is invited to nominate Tarrant County women to be considered for the awards.

 The winners are honored at a fundraising luncheon benefiting SafeHaven, and the 2011 luncheon is scheduled for Oct. 14 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. Diane Stow will chair the luncheon for the second year.

SafeHaven of Tarrant County, a non-profit organization, combats domestic violence through educational programs, protective housing, a 24-hour hotline and other services. Mary Lee Hafley serves as CEO.

For more information, call 817-535-6462.

This garden statue will be one of the highlights of the Hidden Gardens of Fort Worth Tour.

FORT WORTH _ Historic Fort Worth (www.historicfortworth.org)  will open the gates to six private gardens May 15th for the eighth Hidden Gardens of Fort Worth Tour, allowing the public access to a variety of gardening styles and sizes. 

From noon until 6 p.m., garden attendees can wander through garden creations, gaining insight, inspiration and education  in time for spring plantings.

Garden locations are revealed only upon ticket purchase. The tour will highlight gardens that include xeriscape landscaping, English gardens, koi ponds, numerous water features, antique roses, unique courtyards, meditation areas, and much more.  The tour also will highlight numerous ways outdoor spaces can affect and interact with a home’s architecture and neighborhood.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Thistle Hill, McFarland House, and HFW’s other community projects and programs. 

Tickets may be purchased through May 13 online at www.historicfortworth.org, or between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at McFarland House, 1110 Penn Street. Tickets also may be purchased at the following ticket outlets: Archie’s Gardenland, 6700 Camp Bowie Blvd; Into the Garden, 4600 Dexter Avenue, Fort Worth or 4527 McKinney Avenue, Dallas; Calloway’s Nursery, 2651 Hulen Street.

 Tickets cost $20 per person in advance, $25 per person the day of the tour.

Historic homes will be open to the public during the Fairmount Tour of Homes May 7 through 8.

FORT WORTH _  The  Fairmount Tour of Homes, set for May 7 through 8, will highlight the history of one of the Southwest’s largest historic districts.

Festivities for this Mother’s Day weekend event will include the Fairmount neighborhood tour, which will take palce from noon to 6 p.m. both days, and a neighborhood parade will kick-off the activities at 10 a.m. May 7. The event will feature an expanded artist fair with local artists and craftspeople showcasing their goods at the Welcome Pavilion, located at Zio Carlo – Magnolia Brew Pub.

Located in the heart of Fort Worth and covering nearly a square mile, the Fairmount Southside Historic District contains s collection of turn-of-the-century houses. Fairmount, comprised of 20 subdivisions platted between 1883 and 1907, was a fashionable and thriving neighborhood in the 1920s. Today, through the efforts of many residents, the area is being revitalized and restored. Fairmount was recently featured in the January 2010 issue of Southern Living as one of “The South’s Best Comeback Neighborhoods.” For more information, visit www.historicfairmount.com.

This year’s tour will showcase multiple restored homes, plus a renovated commercial property and new construction built in a historic style. Also featured will be a “work in progress” home to give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at home restoration.

“We’re featuring a wide variety of properties this year,” said Chelsie Thornton, co-director of the event. “It’s such a treat to see inside these places and learn about their architectural history.” 

Fairmount Bike Taxi will provide complimentary pedi-cab service between tour stops. Those hoping to grab a quick bite during the event can either visit one of Magnolia Avenue’s many restaurants or the food truck rally that will take up temporary residence in the parking lot of SiNiCa Glass Studios. 

“Our goal is for visitors to leave with a sense of what makes Fairmount such a great place to live,” said Ashley Paz, event co-director. “Part of its appeal is that it’s become such a walkable, urban neighborhood while maintaining its historical roots.”

Proceeds of the tour benefit the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, a 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to preserve, restore and maintain the Fairmount neighborhood and surrounding historic district.

Tickets are available in advance for $12 at Old Neighborhood Grill, Old Home Supply House, Montgomery Street Antique Mall, Butler’s Antiques and online at www.historicfairmount.com. Tickets may be purchased for $18 on event days at the Welcome Pavilion located at Zio Carlo – Magnolia Brew Pub on Magnolia Avenue.