Best Public Space
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
A city cannot truly thrive without a commitment to public space — just try to imagine New York City without Central Park. But in the sprawl of Texas, it can be easy to see only highways and development and not feel the real beauty of the state. But the Dallas Arboretum is probably the most soothing, greenest oasis in all of Dallas. On the border of White Rock Lake, it boasts acres and acres of flowers (including the annual Dallas Blooms Festival, going on through April 9), shrubbery, trees, plants and even horticultural exhibitions year-round. It’s a haven reminding us that just because things are bigger in Texas, doesn’t mean you should overlook its small wonders.
— Arnold Wayne Jones
Photo by Arnold Wayne Jones
BEST PUBLIC SPACE
Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Road.
214-515-6500.
DallasArboretum.com.
BEST ARCHITECTURE
OR LANDMARK
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge
BEST PERFORMANCE
VENUE
Winspear Opera House
2403 Flora St.
ATTPAC.org.
BEST
LOCAL MUSEUM
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 Harwood St.
Open daily (except Mondays) at 10 a.m.
(noon Sundays).
DMA.org.
BEST ART GALLERY
Gallery 3
1319 W. Davis St.
214-556-3514.
BEST LOCAL ARTIST
Robbie Conover
Work on display at Gallery 3
1319 W. Davis St.
214-556-3514.
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Best Straight Ally
Mark Cuban
For many, Mark Cuban has always been a love-him-or-hate-him proposition. The most flamboyant Texas billionaire in a state known for its well-heeled flamboyance, it’s his emotional honesty that usually resonates with people, whether it’s an argument with refs during Mavericks games or speaking truth to hopefuls on his hit show Shark Tank. But what probably led many Dallas Voice readers to single him out as their favorite ally has been his unabashed support for LGBT people and progressive causes, from his activism in last year’s election to his support for more openness in professional sports. We always know where we stand with Cuban, and usually, that’s shoulder-to-shoulder.
— Arnold Wayne Jones
BEST LOCAL STRAIGHT ALLY
Mark Cuban
Entrepreneur, owner of the Dallas Mavericks and Shark Tank judge
BEST LOCAL LGBT
COMMUNITY ROLE MODEL
Sean Baugh
Artistic director, Turtle Creek Chorale
TurtleCreekChorale.com.
BEST LOCAL NONPROFIT
Resource Center
5750 Cedar Springs Road.
Open weekdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
214-521-5124.
MyResourceCenter.org.
BEST PARTY FOR A CAUSE
Black Tie Dinner
BlackTie.org.
BEST LOCAL LGBT SPORTS ORGANIZATION
Lost Souls Rugby Football Club
LostSoulsRFC.org.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition MARCH 17, 2017.