🌱 Best Speakeasies In Town + Black Dance Theatre Alum Debuts "Smile"

Hey, everybody. I'm here with your Thursday edition of the Dallas Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

A thunderstorm around. High: 82 Low: 71.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Dallas? Partner with the Dallas Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories in Dallas today:

1. If you're looking to spice up your nightlife experience and try something new, Dallas holds some of the best-hidden speakeasies you can find. The CW33 highlighted eight speakeasy experiences you can check out whether you are going on a first date, a date night with your significant other, or if you are just looking for a new experience to try with friends. All of these bring their own individual flair that will remain on your mind for months to come. Find which one of these spots fits your style and make your reservation. (CW33 Dallas)
2. Nearby in Irving, TX, two students were arrested in relation to threats placed on Irving Nimitz High School and one of its teachers. Irving police identified a threatening social media post that was edited on two separate occasions, with one edit tagging the school and one tagging a teacher. The police department was able to identify and arrest both juveniles responsible for the threats, and it has been deemed there are currently no threats to any campus in Irving. Several districts across the state are dealing with increases in threats against schools, and Plano ISD had threats to four different schools on Monday. (FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth)
3. This year at the Dallas Black Dance Theatre's Spring Celebration, one of the theatre's alumni will be debuting "Smile," which will be her first mainstage production for the company. McKinley Willis, a Dallas native started her time with the theatre back in 2015 and has since grown as a dancer, producer, and overall talent in the arts. She will be the third alumni to ever return a choreograph a production for the company. She developed the idea for "Smile" years ago when she began to gravitate toward songs about smiling and the different emotions captured by clowns, which ultimately contributed to her vision. This 30-minute performance hopes to remind viewers to take life easier and smile at all the things happening in life during the annual celebration that will take place at Wyly Theatre from May 19-20. (Dallasweekly)

From our sponsor:

Today’s Dallas Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Dallas Patch newsletter possible.

Today in and around Dallas:

• Jobseeker Support Session At Mesquite Main Library, Mesquite (All Day)
• Build Your Fort Worth: Workforce 2023 At Tarrant County College, Fort Worth (8:00 AM)
• 2nd Annual Fun-Raiser: Ladies Night Comedy Variety Show At Four Day Weekend Dallas (8:00 PM)
• The National Parks At The Kessler (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Registration is now open for summer swim lessons at Dallas Aquatics for all levels. In the link provided is a list of different locations the program is available for the convenience of your swimmers, click here to register today. (Dallas Park and Recreation Department via Facebook)
• The 24th Annual Preservation Achievement Awards ceremony will be held next Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are still on sale for the ceremony. Jason Wheeler from the WFAA will be emceeing the event at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, for tickets you can follow the link here. (Preservation Dallas via Facebook)
• According to recent data, the state of Texas had the tenth-highest rate of U.S. teen driver fatalities in 2022. Bumper.com reports that “young drivers are statistically more likely than other age groups to be involved in fatal accidents.” (Bumper.com)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Plano — (Visit website)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.