NatNews

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of individuals will line the sides of Greenville Avenue for the 42nd Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade & Festival. As part of the annual tradition of kick-starting this block party, runners from throughout the metroplex will take part in the St. Paddy’s Day Dash Down Greenville 5K.

For Dallas-area resident and Brooks ambassador Carolyn Macduff, participating in this event is about much more than an opportunity to run another race.

“I love how many people come out,” she said. “Yes, there’s money for the winners, but this is the main race where I get to see most of my running friends. Running groups come together, and it’s one big reunion.”

Dallas-area resident and Brooks ambassador Kyle Burnett enjoys running the 5K and then spending time with individuals he doesn’t always see on a regular basis. To him, it’s an event that has become an integral part of Dallas traditions.

“I liken it to the Turkey Trot in November,” he said. “It’s a great way to kick off St. Paddy’s festivities. It’s fast, and it’s the perfect prelude to the parade.

Anyone attending the race and/or the parade and ensuing activities should expect limited nearby parking, closed streets, and plenty of people all around. For Dallas-area resident Josh Odegard, who has been attending the race and parade every year they have been held since 2012, none of that is really an issue.

“A lot of people don’t like how crowded the event gets, but that’s what I love most about it,” he said. “My Plano run group (TNSR) always posts up near Lovers and Greenville, and that’s the party to be at. We start setting up around 5:30 a.m. to make sure that we get a few spots together. The whole day is a big tradition for our run group, mostly just because we’ve been doing it for more than a decade now.”

The Dallas Mavericks organization has served as the top sponsor of the parade since 2016, four years after team owner Mark Cuban donated a significant contribution to cover the $40,000 shortfall and save the parade from being canceled. Now, the entire day continues to be one that draws in individuals of all different ages, backgrounds, and walks of life.

“Dallas celebrates big for holidays,” Macduff said. “This parade and 5K are a great way to bring everyone together, no matter if you’re a runner or non-runner, extrovert or introvert.”

Yawning is believed to be contagious because of mirror neurons in the brain causing organisms to imitate the actions of others.

Over the years, tribute bands—performers who mimic the styles and sing the songs of certain famous artists—have grown in popularity. Some have even become sought-after attractions with increasing fan bases.

It’s not uncommon to have plenty of opportunities to go see tribute bands throughout the Dallas area, especially at places such as House of Blues and Legacy Hall. Dallas resident Dan Sullivan, who said he is a big fan of tribute bands, appreciates when he can attend a show that includes music he might have on one of his playlists.

“I enjoy live music, and I think we can all agree that concerts are more fun when we know the songs,” he said. “When I lived in D.C, there was a 90s cover band called White Ford Bronco that had an amazing setlist that kept the crowd engaged the entire show. I saw the Molly Ringwalds (80s tribute) here in Dallas, and they were lots of fun and ‘cheesed’ it up without being corny.”

Concert tickets for larger sellout shows can become rather pricey, and while seeing a tribute band is not the exact same experience one would have seeing the actual artist, it still offers an opportunity to enjoy the songs an individual has come to love. Dallas resident Cirila Villa, who views going to a tribute show as the chance to see a band play classics she may have never experienced live before, believes that there is still plenty of potential to have a memorable time, regardless of the level of an artist’s fame.

“I believe tribute bands have become popular because it is an affordable way to hear music’s greatest hits, usually with a smaller crowd,” she said. “Live music is full of energy—a singer with a great band is great fun.”

A Selena tribute band out of Austin even allows Villa to enjoy music from a beloved artist whose loss is still felt by many people in her large fan base.

“The best tribute band for me is Bidi Bidi Banda,” she said. “I’m a major Selena fan. As a Tejana, growing up, she was an idol. Hearing her music today live on stage brings me wonderful memories of listening to her songs and being with my family—and anyone who knows me knows that family is everything.”

For Sullivan, tribute bands allow him to enjoy time with others while singing along with lyrics he knows by heart.

“The purists are eye-rolling, I’m sure, but I may actually prefer a tribute band over an original artist I’m not all that familiar with,” he said. “Let’s be honest, if you’re going to see a tribute band, there’s a high probability that you’re going to know most of the songs—and that’s a win for everyone.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

NatNews staff members and faithful readers recently enjoyed seeing a P!nk tribute band perform live

Wednesday, March 8: International Women's Day; Carrie Underwood at the American Airlines Center
Thursday, March 9: DRC Running Smart Series — "Safe Running" (members-only event)
Friday, March 10: SZA + Omar Apollo at the American Airlines Center
Saturday, March 11: St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville; WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint