Our Chihuly Night

The Dallas Arboretum is the latest public garden to be graced by the dramatic blown glass sculptures of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly.  And night time is the right time to view them at their most alluring, lit as specified by Chihuly himself.  Combine that with a concert under the stars, and you have all the makings of a magical evening.  The twice-weekly concerts which run from May through July and again in September and October offer a variety of music, from a popular Beatles cover band through Motown and soul to Celtic rock.  Why we had never gone to one before I really don't know, but seeing the Chihuly exhibit at night proved the needed incentive. It was Big Band for us, Mr. C being partial to that musical era.  However, the performance seemed not so much the focus as simply the reason for all the folks to come out and and picnic on the velvety lawn while soft breezes wafted in from White Rock Lake just beyond.  A few kayakers took in the concert near to shore, and a sailboat drifted back and forth.  Really, it was nearly idyllic, especially with mild weather still prevailing..

After the concert we strolled around the grounds marveling at the sculptures.  My little camera doesn't seem up to the job of after-dark photography, or perhaps I just need to use a tripod, but even though this one is blurry, I did want to show this vista which was breathtaking.

Then a bit after 10 p.m., we cycled the five miles home on the Santa Fe Trail.  Oh yes, we rode our bicycles at Mr. C's insistence, and it was rather exhilarating to be whizzing through the cool night with the trail almost all to ourselves.