Dallas is gearing up to celebrate 214 Day this weekend with a free city-hosted event Friday and concerts, parties and cultural celebrations continuing through Saturday across the city.
The City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture will host its annual "214 Day: Show Love for Dallas" celebration from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, in the Dallas City Hall lobby at 1500 Marilla Street. The free event features live performances, food from local vendors Smokey Joe's BBQ and Egg Stand, and the unveiling of a community quilt celebrating Dallas unity.
Friday's lineup includes master of ceremonies Dezi 5 with his band, Bruce Wood Dance, Dallas Poet Laureate Mag Gabbert, the Urban Arts Collective and the Mavs ManiACCs. Voodoo Doughnut will provide special 214 Day treats to the first 100 attendees.
"214 Day is about coming together to celebrate what makes Dallas special — the people, the culture, and the artists that bring our city to life," said Martine Elyse Philippe, director of the Office of Arts and Culture, in a statement. "It's a chance for all of us to share our pride and show love for the place we call home."
The celebration continues Saturday, Feb. 14 — the actual 214 Day, which coincides with Valentine's Day this year. The date is a play on Dallas' 214 area code and has become an annual tradition for residents to show city pride.
Do214 and JAMBALOO will present a 214 Day concert featuring house music legend Kenny Dope and Debbie Does Disco at Deep Ellum Art Company Saturday night, with doors opening at 8 p.m. Additional Valentine's Day and 214 Day-themed events are scheduled at venues across Dallas, including concerts, dance parties and community gatherings.
The community quilt being unveiled Friday represents contributions from Dallas residents who personalized quilt squares at participating cultural centers throughout January. The centers included Bath House Cultural Center, Latino Cultural Center, Oak Cliff Cultural Center and South Dallas Cultural Center.
While 214 Day has been celebrated informally by Dallas residents for years — with early events at venues like Spinster Records in Oak Cliff featuring Dallas-themed tattoo flash — the City of Dallas officially embraced the celebration in recent years as a way to highlight local arts and culture.
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