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The 2011 Downtown Tyler Art Walk

May 28th, 2011

Downtown Tyler Art Walk

On June 2nd, Tyler will be holding its much praised Downtown Art Walk. The concept is basically this: ten downtown businesses open their doors for more than thirty local artists to display their original wares. Patrons can browse the shops for free and catch a glimpse of the kind of art their fellow East Texans are producing. There is also a public mural, where visitors to the event, can leave their own artistic mark. The mural will be on display on a temporary basis on the Tyler Square.

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This event offers an opportunity for everyone. Art lovers from all over East Texas will come spend money here. The city of Tyler has the chance to continue its rejuvenation of the downtown square. Business owners there, get some great advertising (particularly those participating in the Art Walk). And of course the artists themselves receive some much deserved recognition. The businesses opening their doors to the artists include: Downtown Coffee Lounge, Subway,Balance Studio, Gallery Main Street, Cue:creative, Mango Express, Edward Jones Investments, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Jakes, Salon Verve, and of course, T.B. Butler Plaza. I won’t list the artists, (there are too many) but suffice to say there should be something for everyone. There are also a number of sponsors of the event, including: The City of Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Austin Bank. The Art Walk’s hours run from 4pm until 8pm on June 2nd. Hopefully the turnout will continue to be large.

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Art in the Park at the Goodman / LeGrand Museum

April 14th, 2011

This Saturday, April the sixteenth a new event called the Art in the Park, will be held on the grounds of the Goodman / LeGrand Museum. The event will feature local artists demonstrating a variety of forms, styles and techniques. Every form from watercolor to pottery and sculpture will be on display. There will also be lectures delivered by local professors from UT Tyler. Tours of the Museum and musical performances will be taking place throughout the day.

The Goodman / LeGrand Home, was first built in 1859, and is really a time capsule. Its original owner was killed in the War Between the States. Prior to his death, it was purchased by and army surgeon, who eventually passed it on to his daughter, who in-turn left it to the City of Tyler in 1939. It is now a museum containing original furniture, and other artifacts from the families, lives and careers of those who occupied it. Saturday’s event will run from ten am until four pm. Admission is free, so it’s a great opportunity to support the local arts, and take in some interesting local history. For more information, please call (903) 531-1286, or visit the following websites: http://www.kltv.com/story/12576440/art-in-the-park-at-the-goodman-legrand?redirected=true ; http://www.cityoftyler.org/Default.aspx?tabid=203 and http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/calendar.php?&crd=tylertexas&cid[]=75947&cid[]=76434&cid[]=75948&

HOLLYWOOD TYLER ROSE MOVIE THEATER

April 15th, 2010

1250 Loop 323 South SW
Tyler
75701
903 592 7000

The Tyler Rose is the only movie theater serving the North (East) of Tyler – the rest are on South Broadway. (There is a drive-in, Sky-Vue, on Hwy 69 N)

The Hollywood has 10 screens and shows all the latest releases. It is easily accessible from the loop and easy to find and has plenty of parking in the front. There is a Chicken Express and Rudys BBQ very close by for those wanting to eat before or after watching a film.

The place itself is slightly seedy. The location is a favorite place to meet for local teens who hang around the front of the theater. I have heard some people complain that they don’t feel safe walking to their car at night there. It is sad but true that they have police presence working in the theater at the weekends to avoid trouble. At least the police are friendly, the other personnel will not give you a smile as they serve you. Sometimes the lines to get a ticket are very long but you can speed up the process by buying your ticket on line in advance (fandango.com)

Another negative point to mention is that the movie theater does not seem clean. The seats are grubby, there is sometimes trash on the floors and the floors have a slightly sticky feel as you walk through the complex. However, the seats are platform style (and yet solid – set in concrete) and you can have a great view of the movie wherever you chose to sit in the auditorium.

There is a concessions stand with limited food and drinks. No fancy flavored popcorn here but plenty of candies, sodas and hot dogs. If you are a big snack consumer it is good to know that there are free refills on the large sodas and large popcorn.

One final complaint – they often turn the lights on before the credits have finished rolling on the film which gives you the feeling that you are being turned out early!

On a more positive note, Hollywood Theaters do sometimes have special events like live music from local artists Bongo and the Point and they have giveaways at new releases on most weekends and holidays.

Seeing a movie at the Hollywood is also less expensive than most other movie theaters Prices – adult $7.75, children and seniors – $5.75. There is also a student discount and at performances between 3-6pm (Twilight showings) it is only $4.50. Tuesdays are the special night, where adults pay the children’s price and hot dogs are just $1.50.

Not sure I would go so far as to recommend the Tyler Rose but if you are happy with a ‘no frills’ experience and prefer feeling a little uneasy walking to your car than driving to Broadway to watch a film then it’s OK.

Caffe Tazza in Tyler Texas

March 23rd, 2010

Caffe Tazza Coffee Shop

Caffé Tazza

4815 Old Bullard Road
Tyler, TX 75703-1214
(903) 581-6601

Tyler’s small Italian style café, Caffe Tazza, has caught the eye of many artists and musicians. The small café is a great place to grab a decent priced coffee beverage or a great pastry, or even a light meal.

Besides having the usually light sandwiches and coffee house drinks, Caffe Tazza allows local musicians and artists to show off their talents. The café holds shows for all different artist, painters, and photographers and all types of artists. It is great for Tyler to have place that local artists can be noticed for their talents. These shows are held Thursday nights from 5pm until 9pm.

The small coffee shop is a nice quiet atmosphere and as you walk into the café you feel relaxed. It is a great place to do work or homework, because you can focus and concentrate on your work. It is nice to have a place like this available for anyone.

Really the off putting thing about the café is the fact that the sandwiches that are served to you just sit behind glass. I don’t know how long they have been sitting there, but it is unappetizing to see the tuna salad sandwich sitting there and the bread getting soggy from the juices of the meat. The whole idea makes me turned off to the food.

Caffe Tazza in Tyler may be a great place to hang out, drink a hot cup of coffee, and to get in touch with the local art community, but I would not go there expecting a great meal, just a great time.
Caffe Tazza
Caffe Tazza in Tyler TX