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The Largest Boating Event in North Texas in Back and Better than Ever 

Summer after summer, people in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex have shared their love and appreciation for the recreational lifestyle that has been the heart of the Dallas Boat Show since 1955. Now, after a three-year hiatus, event organizers are announcing that they will be bringing the boats back to Dallas Market Hall from July 20th through 23rd, energized with more boating experts, fun immersive experiences, contests and offers, endless water accessories, and of course….BOATS!

“We are ready to run full-throttle this year, especially with the number of new boaters in the U.S. versus the last pre-pandemic show we had at Market Hall.  In 2020 and 2021, we saw more than 800,000 first-time boat buyers come aboard nationwide. These people are getting deeper and deeper into the lifestyle they love, and we are here to give them what they want, all in one place,” says Bron Beal, Executive Director of The Dallas Boat Show.

The Summer Boat Show is the ultimate "Party off the Lake" for boating enthusiasts, boat owners, soon-to-be boat owners, and those who live the recreational boating lifestyle. Returning this year is the vast collection of the latest models of marine accessories and boats, from runabouts and family cruisers to fishing boats, ski boats, pontoons, and sailboats all in one place.  The Dallas Boat Show gives the unique opportunity to shop and compare different brands as well as score deals on cool items from vendors who make it easy to find everything that families need to make time on the water even better.   With free, convenient parking, Dallas Boat Show is a nautical dream event for avid boaters and fun-seekers alike. 

 “People have a new and enhanced appreciation for outdoor recreation, whether is out and about enjoying cruising one of the area lakes with family and friends or enjoying the peacefulness of being on the water with just a fishing pole and your thoughts,” says Beal. “While the past three years have been impacted due to the pandemic and nationwide inventory issues, it hasn’t dampened our spirit this year knowing that ‘Life is better on the water’ and we expect tens of thousands of people to find out how to enhance their nautical experiences at this year’s Dallas Boat Show!”

 

About The Dallas Boat Show:

Produced by B12 Productions, The Dallas Boat Show attracts thousands of attendees and hosts hundreds of exhibitors, dealers and manufacturers at the large-scale event that features personal watercraft, fishing boats, ski boats, pontoons, and sailboats plus an extensive selection of marine equipment, services, and accessories for boaters. The Dallas Boat Show also plays host to community organizations, media partners, and local vendors throughout the four-day event.

For more information about the Dallas Boat Show which runs from July 20-23, 2023 at Dallas Market Hall, go to www.dallasboatexpo.com

 

 

DALLAS BOAT SHOW DETAILS

 

When: Thursday- Sunday, July 20-23, 2023

Where: Dallas Market Hall, 2200 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75207

Show Schedule:

Thursday, July 20, 2023, 3-8 pm

Friday, July 21, 2023, 3-8 pm

Saturday, July 22, 2023, 10 am- 8 pm

Sunday, July 23, 2023, 10 am -5 pm

 

Cost & Ticket Information:

Adults:                                 $12

Children (ages 5-13):       $6

Children under 5:             Free

Parking is free of charge

 

Boating Dealers include:

Plano Marine, Whittle Boats, Carey and Sons Marine, NXTLVL Eagle Marine, Buxton Marine, Tommy's Lewisville, MarineMax Dallas, North Texas Marine, Eisenhower Yacht Club, Ridenow Powersports, Action Watersports, Loe Marine, Lighthouse Resort and Marine Mariner Sails

 

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FAN EXPO Dallas rolls out the red carpet all weekend long from June 9th through June 11th

 

During the three-day pop culture extravaganza that is FAN EXPO Dallas, the fun doesn't end when the show floor closes, or even before it opens. FAN EXPO Dallas is upping their game to deliver some of the coolest after-parties and special experiences to ensure every fan's schedule is stacked all weekend long.  

“Tickets are selling fast,” says Andrew Moyes, Vice President of FAN EXPO HQ. “This year, we have so many new and exciting ways to engage all fandoms around the clock!” Some of the featured events include:

Jay and Silent Bob Get Old

Friday, June 9, 2023, at 9:00 pm, Tickets start at $29

Come join your fave stars from Clerks as Kevin Smith (Silent Bob) and Jason Mewes (Jay) sign autographs, take pictures (as themselves and in character), answer fan questions, and maybe make a quick stop at Quick Stop.

An Evening With Hayden Christensen

Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 7:30 pm

Join Anakin Skywalker himself for our Special FAN EXPO Dallas Event, An Evening with Hayden Christensen.

Official FAN EXPO Dallas Saturday After Party

Boot up, jack in, and prepare to enter The Grid…The Matrix…The Upside Down…The Galaxy Far, Far Away at the Official FAN EXPO Dallas Saturday After Party! Featuring an immersive themed role-playing quest with live characters throughout the arcade, +140 arcade games & pinball on “Free Play,” '80s / ‘90s Dance Party, a themed stage performance, and a cosplay contest, you’re sure to have an amazing evening.

WHERE: Free Play Arcade - Dallas | 3015 Gulden Ln, Dallas, TX 75212

WHEN: 8 PM - 2 AM

Tickets are only $20

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Screening

Friday, June 9, 2023, at 9 pm

Feeling the Force within after meeting Ashley Eckstein, Matt Lanter, and James Arnold Taylor? Keep your Jedi training going by joining us for a special screening of Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008). The screening will take place Friday, June 9 at 9 pm, right after the Star Wars: The Clone Wars cast panel at 8 pm and is included with your ticket.

Official Friday After-Hours Meet-up

The fun doesn't stop when the show closes! Connect with fellow fans, enjoy delicious cocktails, and keep the party going at the Official FAN EXPO Dallas Friday Meetup presented by Disco, TX & Jams Wallace.

WHERE: Double D's Bar | 1404 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207

WHEN: Friday, June 9 at 9:30 PM

Admission is FREE

In addition to these after-hours events, FAN EXPO Dallas is hosting unique curated events throughout the weekend including:

Maid Café

Konnichiwa! Maid Café Mikkusu welcomes FAN EXPO Dallas attendees to experience an actual Akihabara-style maid café presentation similar to the ones in Japan. Your ticket for this all-ages event includes your choice of coffee or tea, a Maid Café Mikkusu decal, a kawaii meet and greet with the maids, a short stage performance, games, and other immersive elements. You can also purchase a DELUXE ticket (limited availability) which includes early entry (5 minutes) into the café before general seating, a seat at the table closest to the stage, a small pastry/cupcake, and A VIP gift bag containing Maid Café Mikkusu merchandise!

It is a Special Screening

We may not be able to make every day Pretzel Day, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate everyone's favorite Scranton-based paper supplier! That's right, we're hosting a special screening of the best episodes from The Office; watch along with fellow fans, test your knowledge of The Office Trivia, bring your best Jim and Pam cosplay, and see if you have what it takes to win a dundie! Check the schedule closer to the show for the specific day/time; this screening is included with your ticket to FAN EXPO Dallas.

I CHOOSE YOU! POKÉMON: The First Movie Screening

We're celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pokémon with a special Sunday Morning Cartoon screening of Pokémon: The First Movie. Come for a FREE fun-filled screening with trivia, a Pokémon cosplay exhibition, games, prizes, and special photo ops with everyone's favorite electrified furry friend - Pikachu.

Broadway Dallas

Join us as we celebrate live theatre all weekend with Broadway Dallas. You can see Broadway memorabilia, share memories, take a peek behind the scenes of the world of theatre, and so much more!

FAN EXPO Dallas Floor Scavenger Hunt

Blue needs your help solving a puzzle, and she’s left paw prints all over the show floor at some of her favorite booths! So, grab your handy dandy notebook, look for Blue's paw prints, and put together the clues to solve the puzzle and help Blue.

Fan-Fashion Catwalk

Looking to update your wardrobe with amazing nerdtastic shirts, accessories, and more? Then don't miss our new FAN-Fashion Catwalk. We're showing off some of the items you can find right on the FAN EXPO Dallas show floor with a one-of-a-kind fashion show. Be sure to attend and get your raffle ticket for giveaways; check the schedule closer to the show for days and times.

SPECIAL AFTERNOON SCREENING - CAPTAIN INVINCIBLE

Captain Invincible is the legend in leotards, the man of magnet, forced to emerge from his self-exile in a bottle of booze to face his greatest nemesis the notorious Mister Midnight!

It's Rocky Horror meets Marvel Universe. A campy, cult classic take on the superhero genre starring Alan Arkin and the legendary Christopher Lee! Join host Joe Wos for a special viewing of this neglected 1983 Australian cinematic disasterpiece. A movie so bad it's good. Check the schedule closer to the show for the specific day/time; this screening is included with your FAN EXPO Dallas ticket.

 

FAN READING LOUNGE

Book lovers, assemble! Pull up a chair, grab a good book, and relax in the FAN EXPO Dallas Fan Reading Lounge. Our FAN-tastic exhibiting authors will be providing samples of their works for you to read and enjoy, all from the comfort of the show floor. Looking to fill up your TBR list? Make sure you join our author panels to hear about their latest works and find your next great read.

 

SUPERHERO YOGA

Start your morning off right with Black Swan Yoga and their super-themed yoga sessions! Stretch, breathe, and enjoy a moment of stillness and mindfulness to help you get ready for a day full of pop culture fun! Check the schedule closer to the show for days and times; this event is included with your FAN EXPO Dallas ticket.

 

THEMED LUNCHES

A super pop culture convention wouldn't be complete without SUPER food. Don't miss out on our specialty menus available throughout FAN EXPO Dallas with items and meals that even the most discerning nerdy palate will find FANtastic!

 

Moyes says, “We have the most dedicated and passionate fans in the world, and we will continue to bring the best of pop culture to them. We will soon be announcing a full programming schedule and additional details on the great experiences available at FAN EXPO Dallas 2023. “

To see the growing guest list, schedule, and order tickets to the largest comic, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Texas go to www.fanexpodallas.com.

 

 

WHEN: FAN EXPO Dallas runs Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11, 2023

Friday, June 9 from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P. M.

Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Sunday, June 11 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

WHERE:

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is located at 650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, TX 75202

 

COST:

Adult tickets are priced from $28-$105. Advance pricing is available until May 25, 2023 at 11:59 pm CST. Hours and information are available at fanexpodallas.com

 

ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ:

With over a million fans and counting, FAN EXPO HQ attracts pop culture enthusiasts, locally and internationally, to come together to celebrate all things fandom. Collectively it hosts nearly one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Dallas™, FAN EXPO Canada™, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston™, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and EDMONTON EXPO. The latest schedule of events is available on the Website, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong. 

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The Warren Center, a nonprofit agency providing professional evaluations, therapy services and support to children with developmental delays and disabilities is honored to spotlight how a 7-year-old who has been attending The Warren Center since he was a small child is continuing to impress his family and his therapists with his ongoing development. Recently, Conner started walking across the room as his therapist held onto his shoulders, which brought tears to his mom’s eyes.

Conner was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck, not making any sounds. The nurses worked to get him breathing and then rushed him to the newborn intensive care unit (NICU).  It was more than 30 hours later when Conner’s mom Angela was able to hold him for the first time. He spent those first 16 days of his life in the NICU where he struggled with feeding and growing, and as a result, he received his first feeding tube. Despite being born full-term, the hospital staff said that Conner was, “acting like a preemie baby.” Even after he was discharged from the NICU, the hospital stays did not end there.

Conner was admitted to the Children’s Medical Center only a few days after he came home from the NICU due to weight loss and not waking up for feedings. After more than a week of doing tests and evaluations that came back clear, he was released from the hospital with the idea that he needed to keep food in, get stronger and outgrow the challenges he faced with feeding. However, Conner continued to struggle with feeding and went through several feeding tubes over the next year with short breaks in between to see if he could eat enough on his own. Angela felt that Conner was not meeting his developmental milestones and consulted with specialists including a developmental pediatrician and a geneticist to try to find answers. The specialists did additional tests and evaluations on Conner that either came back clear or provided little help in finding a diagnosis.

When he was one, Conner became ill and spent two weeks at Children’s Medical Center. The medical staff was shocked to see that he was not progressing and ordered more tests that came back normal or abnormal but inconclusive. With still no answers, Angela researched top children’s hospitals and contacted Boston Children’s Hospital after she found, on their website, that they had a support group for children and their families who were facing complicated issues.  Conner then spent a week at Boston Children’s Hospital, seeing seven different specialists and enduring further testing and procedures. While the specialists there did rule out some possible diagnoses, they were not able to find answers for Conner and his family.

It was not long before Conner began to receive in-home therapy services through the Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) program. In the beginning, he had no motor skills. He was not able to sit, hold his head up or grasp items. With the help of therapists at The Warren Center and the education and coaching that Conner’s family received, when he was two, he was able to sit. He was fitted for glasses that allowed him to see more of his surroundings and touch items after his therapists recommended a vision evaluation.

Both Conner and his family developed a close relationship with his therapists. He transitioned to Clinic Therapy Services after he graduated from the ECI program at 3 years old.

“Early Childhood Intervention was amazing just because the therapists were there. They were with us. So then that made the transition to Clinic Therapy Services so much easier and is one of the big components of why we came here rather than going somewhere else,” Angela said.

At 7.5 years old, Conner has gone from not wanting to stand at all to standing by himself for five to 10 seconds. He also can stand with support for up to an hour. A year ago, Conner was not willing to even take one step with support, but now, he has started walking with moderate support from his therapist. In December, his physical therapist captured a video of him walking across the room while she held onto his shoulders. The therapist shows the video to Conner’s mom, Angela, which caused Angela to cry tears of joy. Conner will be receiving a gait trainer this summer so he can start walking more on his own.

“It’s exciting as a therapist to see our kids work hard and make progress,” his physical therapist, Allison Johnson, said. “Conner has earned every bit of his independence and I am so proud of him.”

Today, Conner can sit and hold his head up, plus stand and walk with assistance. He can also stand on his own without support and feed himself independently. The Warren Center is asking the community to help more children like Conner grow strong this spring by making a tax-deductible donation. A $250 donation provides the tools needed to help a child learn to eat without a feeding tube, a $500 donation provides the equipment needed to help a child walk for the first time and a $2,000 provides services for a year to change the trajectory of a child’s life and gives parents the support they need. To find out how to support more children like Conner and to make a donation, please visit, https://thewarrencenter.org/.

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Each May, Better Hearing & Speech Month (BHSM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of early intervention services in offering life-changing treatment. The Warren Center, a nonprofit organization that provides professional evaluations, therapy services and support to children with developmental delays and disabilities is proud to report that after beginning to receive services from an early intervention specialist, Tayo an energetic toddler diagnosed with a mixed receptive-expressive language disorder is continuing to grow an impressive vocabulary of more than 100 words.

Tayo’s family brought him to The Warren Center when he was 26 months old due to concerns with his communication. In his initial evaluation, Tayo’s dad reported the child was not using any words at the time and would occasionally imitate some words. He also did not have great play skills or an extended attention span, as he would briefly move from toy to toy and mostly bang toys and trucks on the ground. In between the initial evaluation and initiation of an individualized family service plan, Tayo already began making progress. His mom reported he would say a few words, but still less than 10. 

Since therapy started at The Warren Center, Tayo’s mom would report weekly of ways Tayo was progressing and learning new words. His mom was a key player in Tayo making progress, as she would implement the strategies Tayo’s early intervention specialist showed her, such as labeling object names in play, modeling environmental sounds, such as animal and transportation noises, and modeling functional language.

As Tayo progressed, his mom began keeping a running list of the total words Tayo would say and when he reached 50 total words, his mom celebrated with a special muffin treat. Tayo has been receiving specialized skills training therapy since October 2022 and has made tons of progress. He now says around 130 words, which is a list that continues to grow each week. Working with Tayo’s mom and Tayo is a reminder of the importance of early intervention. Between weekly therapy sessions and mom’s willingness to implement strategies into their daily routines, Tayo has made immense progress. 

Additionally, it used to be difficult for Tayo’s mom to take him to his older brother’s basketball games because he wouldn’t listen to her, he would climb all over the bleachers, and try to run on the court. After strategies and planning with his early intervention specialist, Tayo has a basketball game bag with things to play with specifically during games. He even talks to the parents and other children that are at the game and will play with the cheerleaders once the game is over. Something that used to be stressful for mom is now something fun that her and Tayo can do together while supporting his older brother. One of the moms at the basketball game even told Tayo’s mom, “If you hadn’t told me he had a communication delay, I would have never known!”

To help keep toddlers occupied and focused during special events or even diaper changes parents can create their own “busy bag” with items like pop its, fidget spinners, stretchy strings, mesh and marble toys, squeeze foam balls, coloring books and crayons, play doh, etc. The purpose of a busy bag is to let the child have access to it when they are needing to be kept busy. If the child has access to these items all the time, they will grow bored of the items in the bag, and it will not keep them busy at all or for as long as it originally did. Tayo’s mom understood to only give Tayo the bag for basketball games. To keep the bag interesting, it’s important to swap a few of the toys in the busy bag every so often. When there are a few new toys, the bag feels brand new and exciting. A busy bag does not have to be fancy or expensive either! Most of these things can be found at the dollar store or on Amazon.

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The Magdalen House a nonprofit organization helping women achieve sobriety and sustain recovery from alcoholism at no cost and based on 12-Step spiritual principles held its third annual Game, Set, Match tennis event at Lakewood Country Club on April 29. This year’s event was co-chaired by Amanda Dickstein, Sloan Looney Dix and Kate Looney Walters. Guests enjoyed a great day of tennis and live entertainment. More than $40,000 was raised which will cover the cost of life-saving recovery services for 20 women who enroll in the First Step program. 

“We are beyond grateful for our supporters who have empowered us to change the lives of thousands of alcoholic women in recovery,” says Amanda Dickstein, Game, Set, Match co-chair. “This event brings together great people for a fun day of tennis to help bring awareness and support to The Magdalen House, an organization near and dear to my heart and my own recovery journey.”

Today, there are over 281,000 alcoholic women in D/FW alone. Less than 1 in 15 alcoholic women (only 6.9%) will seek formal help. Because women face more stigmatization, shame, family responsibilities, and socioeconomic barriers than men, they frequently have co-occurring disorders and are less likely to seek treatment. If you’re an alcoholic who can’t stop drinking or a concerned loved one of an alcoholic, the first step in recovery is education and access to resources. In North Texas, The Magdalen House provides residential recovery, social detox, group meetings, structured programs, family support groups, and tools designed to help grow and sustain recovery. To receive treatment or to learn more about The Magdalen House, visit, https://magdalenhouse.org/get-help/ or call 214.324.9261. 

The Magdalen House is a nonprofit organization helping women achieve sobriety and sustain recovery from alcoholism at no cost and based on 12-Step spiritual principles. Founded in Dallas in 1987, The Magdalen House remains the only agency in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to offer comprehensive recovery services – without insurance or state funding – 100% free of charge. The Magdalen House is committed to helping alcoholic women achieve long-term, sustainable recovery through spiritually based, comprehensive programming. For more information visit www.magdalenhouse.org.

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In-store and online sweepstakes offer one year of ¡Yo Quiero! for a lucky winner

No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without the stable of premium dips offered by ¡Yo Quiero! including their signature guacamoles and salsas, avocado-forward cream cheese dips, and the newest in their line of  ‘better for you’ snacking options: ¡Yo Quiero!’s NEW Original Bean Dip and ¡Yo Quiero!’s NEW Spicy Bean Dip.  As the Cinco de Mayo holiday falls on a Friday this year, ¡Yo Quiero! is getting revelers ready to celebrate all weekend long, and even all year long as part of their Cinco de Mayo Sweepstakes where one lucky winner will be awarded one year of dips.

“We know that the variety of dips we have, in addition to our signature guacamole, means that there is something for everyone, making it easier than ever to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with friends, family, or both,” says Tara Murray, VP of Marketing for ¡Yo Quiero!, the family-owned Texas-based company known for their commitment to helping people ‘eat good to feel good’. “With a consciousness of family and quality ingredients at the forefront, we search out the top-quality ingredients for each and every line of dips we offer, so there is favor galore, fewer additives, and the convenience of a variety of sizes, suitable for any celebration!”

For the past few years, ¡Yo Quiero! has become a much more familiar sight on grocery store shelves as the demand for fresh, convenient, healthier-for-you choices in the fridge and pantry steadily increases.  ¡Yo Quiero!, the ultimate Dip Destination for Cinco de Mayo, currently offers:

Crave-inducing guacamole made from Hass avocados, the gold standard of avocados. Hand-scooped fruit accented by the freshest ingredients makes for the best tasting, store-bought guacamole on the planet— all the flavor of homemade with zero hassle or guesswork.

Queso that rises above the ordinary by combining authentic Mexican flavors with down-home Texas tradition to create south-of-the-border flavors of creamy goodness begging for crispy chips and an ice-cold margarita.

The best store-bought salsa dips! Made with top-quality tomatoes, veggies, and the perfect amount of spices. Whether you are topping your tacos or dipping your chips, our fresh-tasting salsa is a family favorite.

This first-of-its-kind line of avocado cream cheese dips combines the mouthwatering decadence of real cream cheese with the wholesome goodness of avocado. All the dips have Hass avocado as the #1 ingredient, have no artificial colors or flavors, and are Gluten Free and Keto Friendly!

Premium refrigerated bean dips that are packed with the protein and nutrients found in humble beans are full of flavorful spices, and packaged in sizes created for convenience and any dip occasion

For more information or to enter the sweepstakes go to https://yoquierobrands.com/cinco-de-mayo-sweepstakes/, where entries will be open until May 9, 2023.

To learn more about ¡Yo Quiero! visit www.yoquierobrands.com and www.freshinnovationsllc.com.

About ¡Yo Quiero!

¡Yo Quiero! Brands is a Texas-based avocado, guacamole, and dip company with state-of-the-art facilities in Rhome, Texas and Guanajuato, Mexico. With a mission of selecting and growing the freshest and finest ingredients, ¡Yo Quiero! creates delicious, hand-crafted products that can be found in most local retailers. Bringing years of experience and dip expertise to the category, ¡Yo Quiero! leads and innovates with integrity and passion. The current lineup of premium handcrafted dips can be viewed on our website. For additional information, recipes, or product availability, please visit www.yoquierobrands.com

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Mark H. Brezinski and Mark Steurtz

Hot on the heels of the release of  Mark H. Brezinski’s FORKFIGHT!: Whisks, Risks, and Conflicts Behind the Restaurant Curtain, fans and colleagues were on hand at the book signing at Bizzy Burger Merchants in Far North Dallas.  Debuting at the #1 New Release on Amazon’s Restaurant and Business list, FORKFIGHT has got tongues wagging around the North Texas restaurant scene.

Heralded by Simon & Schuster as “the most compelling, insightful, and white-knuckled journey behind the restaurant curtain since Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential,” is available now.

About Mark H. Brezinski

Mark H. Brezinski is widely recognized in the restaurant industry as a co-founder and/or creator of restaurant concepts that have won “Hot Concept” and “Concepts of Tomorrow” awards and was recently named one of “Nation’s Restaurant News Most Influential Restaurant CEOs.” D Magazine recently celebrated Brezinski as “the father of Dallas’ fast casual food scene” and in 2020, he was named one of North Texas Top 500 CEOs by the D CEO Magazine.

Praise for FORKFIGHT!

“The key to Mark’s success was his ability to inspire and infect each new restaurant team with a culture that separated those restaurants from both chain and independent restaurants across the country.”

—Rick Federico, retired Chairman, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

 

“You would think Mark is thirty-five years old with his energy, enthusiasm, wide eyes, hands flailing, and chatter about all the irons he has in the fire. Mark has never slowed down and he transcends generations of restaurateurs and brands which have come and gone.”

—Chef Nevielle Panthaky, VP, Culinary, Chipotle

 

“The future of the restaurant business depends on the Mark Brezinskis of the world to tell us where we need to go.”

—Bob Sambol, Founder/Owner, Bob’s Steak & Chop House

 

“Most of us see the world for what it is and do our best to fit in, but there are those select few who start with an idea and never mind that it doesn't already exist. In the world of food and hospitality, Mark is one of those rare visionaries.”

—Micky Pant, Former CEO, YUM! Restaurants International

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Organizers of the three-day pop culture event keep building an extensive line-up of guests and events

 

Year after year, FAN EXPO Dallas brings fun and fandom to the Lone Star State and 2023 will be bigger and better than ever! With record ticket sales and more events that celebrate all things pop culture, the organizers of FAN EXPO Dallas have pulled out all the stops to create a weekend to remember for all who attend the three-day event at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, TX 75202) from Friday, June 9th through Sunday, June 11th, 2023.

 

FAN EXPO HQ Vice President, Andrew Moyes said, “FAN EXPO is known for bringing the hottest stars, coolest interactive partners, unique screenings and panels as well as events for the fan community members who all contribute to the excitement of the show. We believe that fans are an extremely powerful force, so by offering something for everyone, we can live up to our credo to Discover. Celebrate. Belong.”  

 

This year’s celebrity guests include:

 

  • Stranger Things stars Joseph Quinn and Grace Van Dien
  • Hayden Christensen, the megawatt star from Star Wars
  • A CLERKS Super-reunion of Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Brian O’Halloran, Trevor Fehrman, and Jeff Anderson
  • CLERKS and Akosha favorite Rosario Dawson
  • National Lampoon’s series stars Chevy Chase and Christie Brinkley
  • Icon from her role as Trinity in The Matrix series: Carrie-Anne Moss
  • Fan-favorite Zachary Levi from Shazam and Chuck
  • Jon Bernthal, star of The Punisher, The Walking Dead, and Daredevil
  • Paddy Considine, well-known from House of the Dragon
  • 90’s starlet Christina Ricci, the original Wednesday from The Addams Family
  • Vincent D'Onofrio and Charlie Cox from Daredevil
  • Friend-to-all and original host of Blue’s Clues Steve Burns
  • Danny Trejo, who has appeared in Machete, Desperado, Heat, and the From Dusk Till Dawn series
  • Harry Potter’s Bonnie Wright
  • The Office favorites Leslie David Baker, Creed Bratton, and Oscar Nuñez
  • Sonequa Martin-Green, best known for her television roles in Star Trek: Discovery and The Walking Dead
  • Lana Parrilla, the Evil Queen in the fantasy drama series, Once Upon a Time
  • Vivien Lyra Blair, Leia Organa from Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Peter Weller, who has appeared in more than 70 films and tv series including RoboCop and RoboCop 2
  • Gabriel Luna, from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and The Last of Us
  • Paul Walter Hauser, actor and comedian from Cobra Kai
  • Sean Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

 

Anime and Voice Actors at FAN EXPO Dallas 2023

FAN EXPO Dallas is proud to host an epic gathering of some of the most popular voice actors on the small screens.

This year’s line-up includes Shameik Moore (Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse), Dee Bradley Baker (The Bad Batch) Tara Strong (Teen Titans, My Little Pony, and Batman), Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid), and Kathleen Herles (Dora the Explorer). Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice stars Ashley Eckstein, Matt Lanter and James Arnold Taylor are also featured voice guests at this year’s three-day event.

 

Anime is always a favorite of fans. FAN EXPO Dallas will host My Hero Academia voice actor stars Clifford Chapin, Elizabeth Maxwell, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Ian Sinclair, and Jason Liebrecht. Mario mainstays including Charles Martinet (SUPER MARIO), Samantha Kelly, and Kenny James (MARIO UNIVERSE) will be on-site all weekend.

 

Comic Creators at FAN EXPO Dallas 2023

Comic legends Stanley Artgerm Lau, James Tynion IV, Marc Silvestri, Joshua Williamson, and Donny Cates headline a list of more than 60 artists, illustrators, and writers at the show, including a medley of up-and-coming creators from Dallas. With special experience packages, art commissions, signing sessions, and workshops there are more than enough creator and art-based activities to satisfy the needs of even the most hardcore comic fan.

 

Cosplay at Play

At FAN EXPO Dallas 2023, fans will have the chance to meet their favorite cosplayers from around the world.  From workshops in chainmaille and scalemaille to on-site professional cosplay photography, FAN EXPO DALLAS is giving cosplayers and their hard work the attention they deserve.

 

Moyes says, “We have the most dedicated and passionate fans in the convention world, and we will continue to bring the best of pop culture to them. Our universe includes comic creators, legendary artists, cosplayers, tattoo artists, and gaming innovators. Upcoming announcements will include a full programming schedule and other great experiences available at FAN EXPO Dallas 2023.“

To see the growing guest list, schedule, and order tickets to the largest comic, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Texas go to www.fanexpodallas.com.

 

WHEN: FAN EXPO Dallas runs Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11, 2023

Friday, June 9 from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P. M.

Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Sunday, June 11 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

WHERE:

The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is located at 650 S. Griffin St. Dallas, TX 75202

 

COST:

Adult tickets are priced from $28-$145. Hours and information are available at fanexpodallas.com

 

ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ:

With over a million fans and counting, FAN EXPO HQ attracts pop culture enthusiasts, locally and internationally, to come together to celebrate all things fandom. Collectively it hosts nearly one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Dallas™, FAN EXPO Canada™, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Boston™, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and EDMONTON EXPO. The latest schedule of events is available on the Website, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong. 

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Mark H. Brezinski, the forty-five-year veteran of the dynamic restaurant industry, has released a new book called FORKFIGHT!: Whisks, Risks, and Conflicts Behind the Restaurant Curtain. Heralded by Simon & Schuster as “the most compelling, insightful, and white-knuckled journey behind the restaurant curtain since Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential,” is available now.

A graduate of the famed School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, Brezinski has created or co-created multiple nationally acclaimed restaurant companies, which are chronicled throughout FORKFIGHT!. The 225-page hardcover book, published by Post Hill Press, looks back on experiences spanning the globe in search of culinary discoveries and inspirations with industry icons like the late Norman Brinker, Paul Fleming, Phil Romano, and chefs Michael Mina and Mark Miller.

“The restaurant business is a show unlike any other, “ says Brezinski. “In FORKFIGHT!, I open up about my successes and failures in the restaurant world, by chronicling the stories collected through traveling the globe to create great restaurants and working alongside some of the most dynamic personalities.  This is certainly a no-holds-barred look inside this consistently challenging industry that keeps me coming back for more. 

“As unknown as Anthony Bourdain before publishing Kitchen Confidential, Mark Brezinski’s FORKFIGHT! takes you behind the scenes of visioning, creating, financing, and opening the restaurants you eat in today. It’s a world most didn’t know existed. It’s a messy world. And in many cases it’s one that not many can go through financially and psychologically intact,” said Lane Cardwell, Former CEO of Boston Market, Former President of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Former CEO of Eatzi’s Market & Bakery.

“I have lived in this industry for decades and learned something new about it in every chapter of the book. Informative, entertaining, and filled with life lessons, FORKFIGHT!! should yield this humble individual the credit he so rightfully deserves for his contributions to the industry,” said Cardwell.

Spanning almost five decades, Mark’s intimate tenure with the restaurant industry has featured an international buffet of foods that include Indian, Italian, French, and Vietnamese. His travels have taken him from Tokyo to Tuscany, from San Francisco to Shanghai, and from Mumbai to Maui.  “I hope that this book takes readers to all of these places and more while telling behind-the-scenes stories—sometimes funny, often heartbreaking, and never without lessons learned. I believe that the journey is a remarkable tag-along to the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur and the self-discovery that comes with each stop,” says Breziniski. Mark resides in Dallas and, never one to leave a stone unturned, is currently the founder of his latest concept, Bizzy Burger Merchants, which features his vision of better fast food. There will be a book signing of ForkFight on Saturday, April 22nd from 1 pm-3 pm at Bizzy Burger Merchants located at 13251 Montfort Drive, Dallas, TX 75240.

About Mark H. Brezinski

Mark H. Brezinski is widely recognized in the restaurant industry as a co-founder and/or creator of restaurant concepts that have won “Hot Concept” and “Concepts of Tomorrow” awards and was recently named one of “Nation’s Restaurant News Most Influential Restaurant CEOs.” D Magazine recently celebrated Brezinski as “the father of Dallas’ fast casual food scene” and in 2020, he was named one of North Texas Top 500 CEOs by the D CEO Magazine.

 

Praise for FORKFIGHT!

“The key to Mark’s success was his ability to inspire and infect each new restaurant team with a culture that separated those restaurants from both chain and independent restaurants across the country.”

—Rick Federico, retired Chairman, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

“You would think Mark is thirty-five years old with his energy, enthusiasm, wide eyes, hands flailing, and chatter about all the irons he has in the fire. Mark has never slowed down and he transcends generations of restaurateurs and brands which have come and gone.”

—Chef Nevielle Panthaky, VP, Culinary, Chipotle

“The future of the restaurant business depends on the Mark Brezinskis of the world to tell us where we need to go.”

—Bob Sambol, Founder/Owner, Bob’s Steak & Chop House

“Many creative guys are working on renovation, they take something that exists, polish it, and make it look new. Not Mark. He has the capability to create a new blue ocean.”

—Christophe Poirier, Chief Brand Officer, New Business Development, Pizza Hut Global

“Most of us see the world for what it is and do our best to fit in, but there are those select few who start with an idea and never mind that it doesn't already exist. In the world of food and hospitality, Mark is one of those rare visionaries.”

—Micky Pant, Former CEO, YUM! Restaurants International

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Iconic North Texas locations including The Star, Pioneer Plaza, and RoughRiders Ballpark featured in new dance video.

Less than one month from hitting the stage in Frisco, the cast of MAGIC MIKE LIVE hit the town to explore their new stomping grounds – by dance! While exploring, the guys showed off their moves at several locations in Dallas and Frisco, including Frisco’s iconic Old Water Tower, Ford Center at The Star, the RoughRiders Ballpark, Pioneer Plaza, and Reunion Tower. Click here to watch the just-released dance video.

Next week, on April 19, the multi-million-dollar production will begin unloading its 26 semi-truckloads of equipment to build out the custom 600-seat venue, backstage, and front of house spaces outside the vibrant Stonebriar Centre in Frisco. A limited number of tickets starting at $68, including tax and fees, are still available for the five-week engagement of MAGIC MIKE LIVE: The Tour in North Texas. For tickets, VIP upgrades, group celebrations and more, visit MMLTour.com.

About MAGIC MIKE LIVE

Hailed as “A romance novel come to life...made for a woman’s gaze” by USA Today and celebrated as “The show that has everything you could ever want” and “The coolest, funniest, sexiest show I’ve ever seen” by Glamour UK, MAGIC MIKE LIVE is a first-class entertainment experience based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL and that inspired the recently released Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Serving as “the cure to the common male revue” (Las Vegas Sun), the steamy production features the hottest and most talented men in the country performing in front of, behind, above, and all around the audience. Created by Channing Tatum and co-directed by Tatum and film franchise choreographer Alison Faulk with choreography by Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick, the show features sexy and daring themed dance and strip routines punctuated by one-of-a-kind acts from a diverse cast of performers. MAGIC MIKE LIVE is a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular that leaves its guests feeling inspired and ready to ignite their inner Magic.

MAGIC MIKE LIVE is now performing on the Las Vegas Strip at SAHARA Las Vegas, in London at The Hippodrome Casino, and on tour throughout North America. For more information, visit MMLTour.com and keep up with the show on social media - @MMLTour.