Live & Local 6A Home Delivery: 972-424-9504 A different kind of golf After experiencing 20 years of Chicago winters, I know better than to stay inside on glorious 70 degree North Texas January days. So when my dad’s annual visit for my birthday landed on a weekend of exceptional weather, there was no question – we’d make the most of it. As a former standout travel softball player, I love the competitive nature of sports. But with my glory days behind me, my dad and I have found a new love: disc golf. We’ve played countless courses in Illinois, Iowa and Arizona, but some of our favorites are right here in North Texas. Since moving to BRITTANY Collin FEAGANS County two MARATHON years ago, MANIAC I’ve played quite a few disc golf courses. When I lived in Frisco, I leaned toward McKinney’s Towne Lake Disc Golf Course, which was just a straight shot down U.S. 380 from my apartment. Towne Lake is a scenic course, with steep banks along a meandering creek to avoid at all costs. After witnessing a few wayward discs get swallowed by the murky creek water, it’s easy to wonder how many discs lay buried in the creek bed. This visit, my dad wanted to try out a few courses that were new to us. The first course we played was Shawnee Park, located near Barron Elementary School between K Avenue and Parker Road in Plano. As can be expected on such a beautiful winter day, we weren’t the only ones on the course. This turned out to be a good thing, as the course layout is rather confusing to a first-timer. It appears Shawnee was originally a nine-hole course, so the back nine seemed to overlay the front nine. Nevertheless, the course has a great variety of short holes and long holes, with varying difficulty and obstacles. We enjoyed the course so much that we returned the next day. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that it’s a few blocks from my residence. The second “new” course we played was Bethany Lakes in Allen. If you’ve never been to Bethany Lakes, here’s two words to describe it: water hazards. Everywhere. The course itself is interesting, but for novice disc golfers like my dad and I, it’s a bit intimidating, especially on a windy day. Not wanting to lose any discs to the watery abyss, we played it safe by adding a “stroke” to each par. We didn’t lose any discs, although I did hit a truck and almost took out a girl on a tricycle. Hey, I never said I was good. Had we more time (or daylight), we probably would have headed up to Dash’s Track in Frisco, which is a fairly new course. The first nine holes are fairly short par three’s, with the back nine a bit more challenging. All in all, our Tour de Disc Golf in Collin County was a success, and I’m excited to have two courses within five miles of my apartment. Now if we could just stop with these ice storms, I could get some much needed practice in, so I don’t hit anymore vehicles … or children. Fore! Plano Star Courier Sunday, February 16, 2014 Events calendar Feb. 16 starlocalmedia.com 1 P.M. Jeff Hopson With Aubrey Lynn England, Chuck Ligon.Tavern on Main Street, 115 E. Main St., Richardson. Smokey Robinson comes to Dallas R & B LEGEND HEADLINES FUNDRAISER AT MEYERSON TIM GLAZE [email protected] Want to go? What: Smokey Robinson When: 8 p.m. March 31 Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas Cost: $750-$2,500 Info: launchability.org For one night in March, the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas will be filled with the familiar lyrics of “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me” and “Ain’t It, Baby” as rhythm and blues legend Smokey Robinson performs before a packed house. Robinson is the headliner for the 13th Annual “A Special Evening,” hosted by Alliance Data and benefiting the LaunchAbility program, which works to provide services for children and adults with disabilities. Officials have reported that the previous 12 events have raised more than $2 million. The event begins at 8 p.m. March 31 at the Meyerson, 2301 Flora St., with a live auction and Robinson’s performance. “If you like Motown music, you’re going to love this concert,” said Kathryn Parsons, CEO of LaunchAbility. “Even if you’re not familiar with Smokey’s music, once you attend the show and listen to his songs, it’s going to take you back to that era. The great thing about this event is that it’s always a good show – the venue is intimate, the music is always great and it helps build independence for these children and adults [with disabilities].” Robinson is not the first high-profile entertainer in the history of LaunchAbility’s event – past events have included names such as Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, The Doobie Brothers, The Pointer Sisters and Willie Nelson. Also during evening, event co-chairs Piper and Mike Wyatt will be presenting Sharon Herrin and Roy Pendergrass with the Milton P. Levy Jr. Outstanding Volunteer Award. “Piper and I have been involved with ‘A Special Evening’ from the beginning, and are honored to have the opportunity to serve as co-chairs this year,” Mike Wyatt stated in a release. “We have been so impressed with the work of LaunchAbility, which helps children PHOTO COURTESY OF VGS MARKETING GROUP and adults with developmental disabilities gain the inAmerican R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record dependence and confidence they need to lead fulfilling executive William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. will hit the stage at the lives.” Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center March 31. The performance, Tickets for the event are available at hosted by Alliance Data, will benefit the LaunchAbility program, which works to provide services for children and adults with disabilities. launchability.org or by calling 1-800-595-4-TIX. 2 P.M. ‘Coriolanus’ Also 7 p.m.Tuesday. Angelika Film Center –The Shops at Legacy, 7205 Bishop Road, Plano. $20 ‘Night and Day’ Jackson’s Dance and Theatre Co., 6205 N. Coit Road, Plano. $17 ‘Little Women’ Plaza Theatre, 521 W. State St., Garland. $10 2:15 P.M. ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat’ Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, 306 N. Church St., McKinney. $8-$18 2:30 P.M. ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Drive, Richardson. $12-$22 6:30 P.M. Michael Jerome Also Tuesday.The Pub in Frisco, 3231 Legacy Drive. Feb. 17 6:30 P.M. Emerald City Live Karaoke The Pub in Frisco. 7:30 P.M. Demi Lovato Verizon Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie. 8 P.M. Preston Hall Sundown at Granada, 3520 Greenville Ave., Dallas. Feb. 18 7:30 P.M. Austin Cunningham Cadillac Pizza Pub, 112 S. Kentucky St., McKinney. 8 P.M. ‘Godspell’ Through March 2.Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St., Dallas. $30-$120 Feb. 19 7 P.M. Leland Williams Adair’s Saloon, 2624 Commerce St., Dallas. 8 P.M. History of the Eagles: Live in Concert American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas. Brad Good Taverna Rossa, 4005 Preston Road, Plano. PHOTO COURTESY OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL The acrobats and performers of Cirque du Soleil’s “Varekai” promise a circus of Olympic-sized proportions next week at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. There and back again CIRQUE GOES FOR GOLD WITH GREEK-INSPIRED PERFORMANCE THIS MONTH pline of the circus arts rarely seen in today’s contemporary circus culture, known for its With the world’s eye fixed highly choreographed presenon a posh Russian seaside tation of strength, balance town and countries rallying and agility. behind their best athletes for “We recruit our talent gold at the XXII Winter – VANESSA NAPOLI, SENIOR PUBLICIST, CIRQUE DU SOLEIL from all over the world. On Olympics in Sochi, the mas‘Varekai’ alone, we have 50 terminds behind Cirque du performers from 18 different Varekai, a magical realm lowhere you don’t understand Soleil aren’t missing out on nationalities,” Napoli said. cated deep within a forest the language but can sense the action, either. where fantastical creatures the emotion and create your “We have an amazing casting Next week, the Canadian department that scouts out reign, and anything is possiown story from it,” she said. entertainment company talent from everywhere … ble. Parachuted into the “You lose yourself amongst known for its artistically gymnastics competitions, varshadows of the forest from the beauty that is displayed eclectic circus-like performthe summit of a volcano, a before your eyes. You realize ious sporting events, circus, ances will bring the mysterreferrals – the list goes on young man takes flight in an at the end that you weren’t ies of the eastern federation and on.” watching a show but rather and the spirit of the Olympics adventure both absurd and In the spirit of Russian extraordinary at the edge of living an experience where even closer to North Texas. culture, the Georgian Dance the impossible suddenly beA critically acclaimed pro- time. reflects the long tradition of Written and directed by comes possible.” duction that has wowed more resistance in the Republic of Dominic Champagne, The impossible becomes than 8 million people worldwide since it first premiered “Varekai” pays tribute to a no- possible in stunning displays Georgia, where inhabitants took to battle with numerous madic soul, the spirit and art of skill and acrobatics set in Montreal in 2002, invaders throughout cenof the circus tradition, and to against music and other“Varekai” has been perturies. The dancers’ moveformed in more than 72 cities those who quest with infinite worldly sets. These players ments recall the Georgians’ passion along the path that include, but are not limited in 20 different countries struggles against powers that leads to Varekai, said Vanessa to, aerial hoops and straps around the world. The word Napoli, senior publicist for professionals, hand balancing sought to dominate their “Varekai” [pronounced land. To add to the drama, Cirque du Soleil. on canes, clowns and jugver·ay·’kie] means “wherthe dancers dart and inter“It’s like entering a dream gling. ever” in the Romany lanand being transported to anThe Icarian Games is one twine on a specially designed guage of the gypsies, the sliding surface, creating an ilother realm where you meet such spectacle that offers a universal wanderers. all these intricate characters, glimpse into an ancient disciThe story takes place in See GOLD, Page 7A KELLEY CHAMBERS [email protected] “We are all extremely passionate about what we do, whether it be a performer, a technician, one of our chefs, our physios … there is no grey area at Cirque.” Chris Thile Kessler Theater, 1230 W. David St., Dallas. Feb. 20 7 P.M. Marc Broussard With Mingo Fishtrap. Kessler Theater. Royal Ballet: ‘Swan Lake’ Cinemark Frisco Square, 5655 Frisco Square Blvd. 7:30 P.M. Aubrey Lynn England With Big Gus & Swampadelic, Abbi Walker, more. Love and War in Texas – Plano, 601 E. Plano Parkway. $5 FYI Hummingbird training The John Bunker Sands Wetland Center in Seagoville will host a training workshop for hummingbird enthusiasts from 9 a.m. to noon March 1 at the center, 655 Martin Lane. Participants will learn how to identify hummingbirds and how to plant a garden for hummingbirds. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 972-474-9100 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot.