Hip hop artist, podcaster and Bloomington native Brandon Beck — known to fans as DaZ Exotic — is in the Twin Cities for the weekend. And he has arranged a homecoming bringing local artists and special guests together Saturday at Nightshop.

The one-night-only event heavily trends toward hip hop, rap and R&B, but this something-for-everyone evening features sets by DaZ, Ryan Byfield and Sane 2x, to name a few. Painters and podcasts will be on hand creating content in real time. Plus, DaZ placed intentional focus on female representation with Jersey Meg and Glo the Female Voice on the bill, among others.

Now based in Atlanta, a big motivator for DaZ in returning to Bloomington was giving back and bolstering the local scene.

“There’s not a lot of musical leadership out here in this town,” he said. “So to come back and book local acts, and to support and be supported by my home town — right when the sun’s coming back up — that’s how it needs to be.”

Titled “Spring Awakening” (no relation to the 1891 German play or 2006 Broadway musical), the show celebrates longer days and, as his first big gig here since the pandemic, being together.

Atlanta has taught DaZ “how to hustle” and market himself as an artist.

“You learn how to generate business,” he said. “You learn how to be yourself a little bit more.”

The move also created chances to be in company with major stars in the hip hop industry.

“I’m five minutes away from Little Five Points. You can see André 3000 walking down the street. I was with T-Pain out there shooting a music video. Accidentally pulling up on Tyler Perry’s studios—it’s so big.”

Perhaps the most significant shift is in DaZ’s confidence.

“There’s a lot of doubt out here and it really stinks,” he said.

“When he went to Georgia, he didn’t stay there,” said Ray “Milk” Gilmur, a local podcaster scheduled to co-host the evening at Nightshop. “You cannot put this man inside a box. He’s not just hip hop, he’s not just rock and roll. He’s everything in between.”

“I try to influence art in general,” DaZ said. “I’m excited to be back here because I consider WGLT to be part of my community. We’re all trying to do the same thing, which is make our world and the world a better place.”

LKhari Pridgen, A.K.A. Dolomane, will act as hype man for the show, a new role for the local music producer that stems from a longtime musical partnership with DaZ.

“He’s made a lot of my Bloomington music with me,” DaZ said. “To really give back, I like to do a little bit of everything.”

“I go to all Daz’s shows and we’re cool; we’re homies,” said Dolomane. “He said he liked my energy when I’m in the crowd. When I hear good music, I turn up—I enjoy myself.”

With hype man Dolomane in tow, DaZ intends to bring his full “bag of tricks” to the table on Saturday, but crowds will definitely hear songs from his latest record, “When Was the Last Time?,” released in 2022.

The short-and-sweet album mixes sharp commentary on celebrity with intensely personal samples of voicemail messages from DaZ’s family and friends—nearly every-other-one.

“You always want to grow what you’re doing, but you never want to forget where you came from,” DaZ said.

Beats like “Set Me Free (The Selfie Song),” Tom Macdonald (referencing the controversial right-wing Canadian rapper and former professional wrestler), and “Keep My Wife’s Name Out Your Mouth!” (a play on Will Smith’s slap heard ‘round the world) point to ridiculous extremes in fame and fortune.

“There’s a lot of mocking or challenging the celebrity culture,” he said. “It’s kind of to tear down the false idol and build a real boy.”

“Spring Awakening” takes place Saturday at Nightshop, 517 N. Main St. in Bloomington. Doors open at 8 p.m., with an all-ages set at 9 p.m. (adults 21+ after 10 p.m.) Tickets are $10-$15 at nightshop517.com.

Dallas Arts Month is toasting its 10-year anniversary! The month-long April celebration shines a spotlight on the city’s vibrant arts and culture scene. There are hundreds of events to enjoy including festivals, exhibitions and performances.

To make the most of the whole month of April here’s a sampling of a 13 events you won’t want to miss. Take in a jazz stroll, an exhibition or two, or even a Broadway-style dance class.

FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

AT&T Discovery District Arts Festival
Where: AT&T Discovery District – 208 S. Akard St.
When: Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Cost: Free

The AT&T Discovery District Arts Festival is the perfect way to experience and celebrate the best of Dallas Arts Month. The family-friendly event features everything from art workshops to a vendor market. Meet 40 local artists, check out exhibitions and hear live music from local musicians.

Dallas Art Fair
Where: Fashion Institute Gallery (F.I.G.) – 1807 Ross Ave.
When: April 20-23
Cost: $20-$250

Peruse a wide variety of artwork at the 2023 Dallas Art Fair. The annual event features works from just emerging artists to those who are well-known in the art world. This 15^th edition of the Fair includes 88 exhibitors representing 20 countries and 46 cities from around the globe.

American Indian Art Festival
Where: Latino Cultural Center – 2600 Live Oak St.
When: April 28-29
Cost: Free

The Intertribal Community Council of Texas presents a 2-day cultural celebration of Native American visual and performing arts. The free event showcases works by Native American artists, stage performances in drumming, dance and music, cultural demonstrations and traditional and contemporary tribal food.

MUSIC

Decades: Back to the ‘80s
Where: Meyerson Symphony Center – 2301 Flora St.
When: April 14-15, 8:30 p.m., April 16, 3 p.m.
Cost: $37-$175

Join the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on a trip back to the ’80s. Hear music from Madonna, Debbie Gibson, Huey Lewis & The News, Phil Collins, Queen, Joe Cocker, and others. The show contains all new arrangements by Grammy Award-winner Jeff Tyzik and performances from three soloists.

Music in the Park
Where: Samuell-Grand Amphitheater – 1500 Tenison Blvd.
When: April 14 -16, 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $25

Shakespeare Dallas brings back its popular Music in the Park series for three nights at Samuell Grand Amphitheater. The lineup includes Cosmic Cowboy Country Review, soul singer Maya Piata and Salvage Enterprise Listening Experience with Tim DeLaughter of The Polyphonic Spree. Bring a picnic or enjoy food from one of the many vendors.

D’JAM Jazz Stroll
Where: Dallas Arts District – 2403 Flora St.
When: Saturday, April 29, 1 – 7 p.m.
Cost: Free

Dallas Jazz Appreciation Month, also known as D’JAM, shines a spotlight on all things jazz during the month of April. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, D’JAM is presenting its first annual Jazz Stroll in the Dallas Arts District. The “Day of Jazz” will transform Flora Street into a Jazz Alley with participating venues.

DANCE

Arts Month Dance Classes
Where: AT&TPAC, Sammons Park – 2403 Flora St.
When: Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.
Cost: Free

The AT&T Performing Arts Center hosts free community dance classes every Saturday morning in April in Sammons Park. Different styles led by guest instructors are offered every week. This Saturday join Dallas Theater Center’s Gena Loe for a Broadway-style “Singin’ In the Rain” class.

Dallas Black Dance Theater: Encore!  Rising Excellence
Where: Moody Performance Hall – 2520 Flora St.
When: Friday, April 21, Saturday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25-$45

Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s performance of “Encore! Rising Excellence” draws on themes of heritage and memories. Choreographer Takehiro Ueyama creates “Heroes” to honor the dedication and preservation of citizens who played a crucial role in Japan’s recovery after World War II. Katarzyna Skarpetowska choreographed “Snow Playground,” as an abstract work inspired by the image of swirling snow across a children’s playground.

THEATER

A Light in Dark Places: Plays for Hope
Where: Bath House Cultural Center – 300 East Lawther Dr.
When: April 7 – 15
Cost: $20–$30

A Light in Dark Places is a series of five short plays that breaks down the stigma surrounding the topic of suicide. The shows use a mix of comedy and drama to encourage healthy discussion, create community, and offer hope to those affected. After each performance, there will be a Q&A session featuring a mental health professional and members of the ALIDP team, followed by a reception with complimentary drinks and the opportunity to connect.

The Butterfly’s Evil Spell
Where: Theatre Three – 2800 Routh St. Suite 168, Dallas
When: April 6 – 30
Cost: $37–$40

Theatre Three’s latest production is an “insect comedy” set on the side of the road in South Texas. It’s about the unrequited love between a beetle and a butterfly set on the side of the road in South Texas.

MUSEUM & GALLERY EVENTS

Pop of Art: Estamos Bien
Where: Dallas Museum of Art – 1717 North Harwood St.
When: Friday, April 7, 5-9 p.m.
Cost: $0-$15

The Dallas Museum of Art dedicates an evening to Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. Create an album cover, dance to the rhythm of Latin Trap, or take a Spanglish tour that draws connections between Bad Bunny song titles and works in the DMA collection.

Dreamland
Where: Sweet Tooth Hotel – 1511 Elm Street, #100
When: Thru December 31
Cost: $20-$45

“Dreamland” is Sweet Tooth Hotel’s largest exhibition to date. Make your way through 6,000 square feet of adventures that includes reboots of its original fiber art installations and new works by latch hook artist Bobcat & Birdie, multi-media artist Shamsy Roomiani and others.

Beethoven Walks
Where: Nasher Sculpture Center – 2001 Flora St.
When: Thru May 21
Cost: 0-$10

Experience the music of Beethoven in a whole new way at the terraced gardens inside the Nasher Sculpture Center. The installation called “Beethoven Walks” is a visual and auditory experience of the composer’s music, his creative process and the inspiration he drew from nature.

Be sure to check out The Dallas Arts Month website for a complete list of events going on around town.

Got a tip? Email Therese Powell at tpowell@kera.org. 

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In 2015, Starbucks launched its Community Store Program to help strengthen the communities where we live, work and grow. These stores offer unique opportunities for Starbucks partners (employees) to connect with, engage and represent the communities they serve. One way this can be seen is through custom artwork found within these stores. Throughout the world, Starbucks works with local creators of all backgrounds to develop unique art pieces for its Community Stores, celebrating local community customs, traditions and heritage.  

While Starbucks Community Stores serve different groups and different cultures around the world, each of the unique art pieces within these stores depict the power of connection and belonging, core to the company’s mission.  

Farming & Cultivation – San Antonio, TX    

Dedicated to the San Antonio community, this store’s mural depicts local culture, traditions and history.  

Artist Alex Rubio is a San Antonio native, identifying with Chicano culture. In this mural, Rubio demonstrates his signature curvilinear line design, Zarape, which can be seen dancing around the artwork’s central image. In the mural’s center, two hands are depicted holding newly picked coffee cherries, preparing for their freshly brewed order.  

Rubio has a long history of mentorship in the San Antonio community. This commissioned piece was put together with support from the youth program Rubio is mentoring called San Antonio Street Art Initiative (SASAI). Members of the program collaborated with Rubio on the initial sketch and concept phase of the mural, which Rubio finalized for the store.

Unity & Vibrance – Fort Lauderdale, FL  

Dedicated to the people of Fort Lauderdale, this mural represents unity and coffee. 

Nate Dee, a local artist from South Florida, channels his Haitian roots in his artwork and is inspired by the quality of the Art Nouveau movement, Greek art from the Hellenistic and pop surrealists. Dee pulled from these influences to craft a mural depicting animals from regions where Starbucks sources its coffee beans, paired with symbols of unity. 

Texture & Movement – Xiulin Township, Hualian

This store draws on the rich indigenous culture in Hualian, including featured artwork created by indigenous artists Miru Hayung and Eleng Luluan.  

Miru Hayung is a self-taught Atayal artist who was born and raised in the LaLa Mountain region of Taiwan. Of his art, Hayung shares that the abstract approach to his art has given a new identity towards his culture. To create this piece (left), Hayung used vibrant images to illustrate how coffee connects people and the environment. 

Eleng Luluan has lived in Dulan, Taitung for the last 20 years, where she specializes in sculpture with composite media and environmental installation. In this piece (right), Luluan used local textiles and embroidery cloth to create an artistic landscape of plants and coffee trees.

Generational Ties & Flourishing Colors – Brooklyn (Bed-Stuy), NY  

Dedicated to the Bedford–Stuyvesant (aka Bed-Stuy) community, this mural is bright, colorful and community-minded.  

Artist Olalekan Jeyifous is a Brooklyn based artist whose work re-imagines social spaces that examine the relationships between architecture, community, and the environment. This vibrant mural depicts individuals of all ages coming together, holding up plant-life and watering a city that emulates the beauty and life in the city of Brooklyn.

Inclusion & Togetherness – Seoul

The Seoul Community Store, located in the Seoul National University Dental Hospital (SNUDH), was designed with a specific focus on inclusive design.  

The store’s central art piece, created by Starbucks partners (employees), demonstrates the positive impact that Starbucks partners with disabilities have had on the company. It also depicts partners’ hopes to create a place where all people can come together over a cup of coffee. To create this piece, partners across South Korea contributed individual clay pieces, arranged to create the word “Together” in English, mounted on a background of upcycled Starbucks coffee grounds. 

Black History & Culture – Columbia, SC 

Dedicated to the Columbia, South Carolina community, this custom mural is titled “A Great Cloud of Witnesses” and depicts three Columbia locals – a nurse and two artists – overlaid with photographs honoring local Black history and culture​. 

The one of a kind piece came to life from the collaboration of two artists, Lauren Andreu and Jared Owens. Andreu is a muralist based in Columbia who uses color that draws the eye to show the different parts of the story she is looking to tell. Owens is South Carolina native who began his art practice while incarcerated, where he studied art magazines, books, encyclopedias, and critics reviews in newspapers to inform his artistic style and craft.