Sundance Square’s live music series, Bands on the Bricks, continues this fall every Thursday night beginning September 7.  The free concerts will run through October 26 in Sundance Square Plaza.

Bands on the Bricks this fall will feature:

September 7 – Grady Spencer and the Work

September 14 – Ricki Derek & His Big Band

September 21 – Castro

September 28 – Griffin House

October 5 – Jared Deck

October 12 – The Rocketboys

October 19 – Latin Express

October 26 – Leigh Nash

The concerts will begin at 6 pm with each band playing for 90 minutes from the Plaza Stage in the heart of Sundance Square.  Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome during the performances.  Beverages will be available for purchase during the concerts and restaurants will be open throughout the evening. By visiting Sundance Square establishments, these events will continue to be offered to guests for free.

Grady Spencer and the Work meld together the grit of the old-time blues with the blood-red soil of classic country to forge a well-worn hammer of modern music. This Fort Worth band promises a high energy shows that keep people thirsty, rowdy, and always ready for more.

On any given evening with Ricki Derek you can expect to hear a heavy dose of Sinatra as well as other songs from the Great American Song Book. Derek loves to showcase his seven-piece band or fifteen-piece big band at each performance.The pop/folk trio Castro is a breath of fresh air. Self-aware but never self-conscious, fun but never trivial, Jason, Michael, and Jackie Castro’s free-range pop soars thanks to a funny little twist for a trio of siblings. 

The pop/folk trio Castro is a breath of fresh air. Self-aware but never self-conscious, fun but never trivial, Jason, Michael, and Jackie Castro’s free-range pop soars thanks to a funny little twist for a trio of siblings. 

Griffin House is a rare musician who writes lyrics so vulnerable and authentic that an audience is irrevocably captured by the powerful experience of sharing his journey in life.  Recording and performing for over a decade, House has toured with Ron Sexsmith, Patti Scialfa, Josh Ritter, John Mellencamp, Mat Kearney, and The Cranberries. 

Jared Deck sings with the power of someone who has seen life through peril and promise. Deck's songs illustrate life in the rural heartland and because this is the life he knows only too well, these songs ring true the honest voice of midland America.

Mainstays of the Austin, Texas music scene for nearly a decade, anthemic indie rock band The Rocketboys entertain with a feast of lush, layered sound and soaring harmonies. Their dynamic, expansive songs often have a similar sound like Coldplay.

Fort Worth’s best kept secret Latin Express bring Tejano, Salsa and Funk to the stage.  This seven-piece band will get everyone up dancing.

Closing out the Bands on the Bricks fall series will be Leigh Nash, an American singer and songwriter who is the former lead vocalist for the pop band Sixpence None the Richer.

For more information about Bands on the Bricks please visit sundancesquare.com.

SUNDANCE SQUARE

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year for dining, shopping, events, and performances. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare. Commercial and residential leasing information can be found at www.ssqmgmt.com.

TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation and Hawaiian Falls are teaming up for the sixth consecutive year to raise awareness and help fund research to find a cure for childhood cancers.  Splash Out Childhood Cancer is a summer long program that everyone can enjoy through Labor Day.

Splash Out Childhood Cancer tickets to Hawaiian Falls are only $20 plus tax (regular price is $28.99 plus tax). Children two years old and under are free.  Tickets are valid throughout the summer (May 27, 2017 – September 4, 2017) to any of the five Hawaiian Falls waterparks: Garland, The Colony, Mansfield, Roanoke, and Waco. Tickets must be purchased at SplashOutCancer.org to receive the discount and available for immediate download. The discount code is TEAMCONNORBK17.

TeamConnor was founded in 2008 while Connor Cruse of Frisco was in the midst of his four-year battle with neuroblastoma cancer.  Connor lost his battle on July 10, 2009, but TeamConnor remains committed to fight for children who are battling cancer.

“Connor loved going to Hawaiian Falls and just being kid,” said Joy Cruse, founder of TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation and mother of Connor. “We are so appreciative of Hawaiian Falls for partnering with us again so we can move the dial on research for childhood cancer. Kids should be enjoying their summer vacations, not stuck in a hospital receiving treatment. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of kids battling this horrific disease.”   

Hawaiian Falls - The Colony has designated July 10, 2017 from 10:30 am – 6 pm as the day to officially Splash Out Childhood Cancer. The special day will be filled with fun games, contests and activities. Several honored families will be at Hawaiian Falls representing kids who are currently fighting childhood cancer, survivors, and even families who lost their child to childhood cancer.

"Supporting TeamConnor is part of our mission to give back to the community while bringing families closer together,” said Clint Hill, president of Hawaiian Falls. “We host a fun day at The Colony for Splash Out Childhood Cancer but we also are proud to partner with TeamConnor throughout the entire season to raise funds for more critical research on childhood cancer.”

In addition to Splash Out Childhood Cancer, TeamConnor hosts several other events throughout the year to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, including, 6^thAnnual National Childhood Cancer Awareness Concert at Watters Creek; September 16^th. Color Me Green 5K/10K; October 7^th, and 7^th Annual Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot; November 2^nd. TeamConnor’s Coins for Kids with Cancer® program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research. Details on events and Coins for Kids with Cancer can be found at teamconnor.org.

Every year, more than 12,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.

Sundance Square Movie Nights returns this summer with five fun movies on the schedule. Returning for the 10^th year, Sundance Square will kick off this series beginning June 15^th and will run through July 13^th on Thursday evenings.

Movies scheduled to be shown include:

June 15: Princess Bride

June 22: Back to the Future 

June 29: Ghostbusters (1984)

July 6: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

July 13: Grease

Showtime is at dusk (approximately 8:45 p.m.) on the Sundance Square Plaza stage in downtown Fort Worth. Moviegoers are invited to bring blankets or chairs for seating in the plaza. Parking is always free weekdays after 5 p.m. in Sundance Square’s parking garages. For locations, visit sundancesquare.com/parking.

“Sundance Square has been hosting free movie nights for the last 10 years,” said Tracy Gilmour, marketing director for Sundance Square.  “This has always been a great event for families to come and enjoy a free night at the movies while making lifelong memories.” 

Beverages will be available for purchase in the plaza during the movies and restaurants will be open throughout the evening. By visiting Sundance Square establishments, these events will continue to be offered to guests for free.   Coolers are not permitted and Sundance Square Plaza is smoke free.

Visitors are asked to leave all pets in the comfort and safety of their home due to the large crowds, heat, as well as abrupt and loud movie noises.

Sundance Square is hosting a live music series, Bands on the Bricks, every Thursday night in May.  This free event will run through May 25 in Sundance Square Plaza. The concerts begin at 6:00 pm in Sundance Square.

Plaza Palooza, a free two-day festival produced by Sundance Square, will take center stage June 2 and June 3 with a line-up of music, visual artists and other interesting entertainment adults of all ages will enjoy.  For more information about Bands on the Bricks, Plaza Palooza and movie nights, please visit sundancesquare.com.

Sundance Square

Sundance Square is a vibrant, award-winning entertainment district spanning 35 blocks in downtown Fort Worth. The multi-use development attracts more than 10 million visitors each year.  The one-acre outdoor plaza features restaurants, shops, fountains, a stage, four 32-foot umbrellas, and covered seating. For more information about Sundance Square, visit sundancesquare.com or follow the business and entertainment development on Facebook.com/sundancesquare or Twitter@sundancesquare. Commercial and residential leasing information can be found at www.ssqmgmt.com.

TECHROVA Enrichment Club empower elementary and middle school students to raise money for non-profit organizations through math, science, geography and language arts contests.

Joy Cruse, founder of the Dallas-based TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, recently spoke to TECHROVA members about the work that TeamConnor does to support childhood cancer research. 

“Connor loved math and science,” said Joy Cruse. “Connor was especially interested in the space program. He once said, ‘Mom, if we can put a man on the moon, then surely we can find a cure for cancer, right?’ We promised Connor we would fight for a cure so other children wouldn’t have to endure what he did.”

Joy was pregnant with her fourth child in 2005 when she took four-year-old Connor to a Dallas emergency room with what she thought was appendicitis. When the doctors diagnosed stage four neuroblastoma, she was stunned.

After finding the cancer had spread to his bones and tumors were wrapped around his spine and growing in his abdomen and around his heart, the prognosis was very grim. Connor fought hard and actually beat neuroblastoma, but a secondary cancer caused by the radiation used to treat his tumors proved fatal. In July 2009, Connor died at the age of eight.

TeamConnor is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research projects to find a cure for all childhood cancers. The organization has raised more than $2 million for childhood cancer research. 

TECHROVA chose TeamConnor as one of their non-profit recipients and recently donated $2,000 to the organization.

TECHROVA organizes clubs in math, science, geography and language arts that are run by middle and high school student volunteers. Sai Abhijit Pabbisetty, Saket Muktapuram, Sahiti Pydimarri, Samhita Kamala Jalasutram, Rohit Anantha and Aneesh Madgula are volunteer teachers.  Each is an eighth grade student who was selected based on their academic performance in the specific subject areas they teach. The student teachers are all in their school’s Gifted and Talented program and are National Junior Honorary Society members. 

The current year program includes the Math Club for 3^rd to 5^th grades, Science Club for 3^rd to 5^th grades and Language Arts Club for 3^rd to 5^th grades. TECHROVA participates in the CML Math, CML Science, CML National Language Arts League and Math League national contests each year.  

Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children; yet the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its budget to pediatric cancer research.

TeamConnor hosts events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic and Auction Dinner, April 30 – May 1, 2017; Splash Out Childhood Cancer, July 10; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert, September 16; Color Me Green 5K/10K, October 7; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot, November 2.  In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country to help fund childhood cancer research.

The Dallas Cowboys are partnering with TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation, Be The Match and Children’s Health^SMfor the Be A Star, Save A Life marrow donor drive Saturday, February 18^th from 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. 

Thousands of people diagnosed every year with blood cancer and blood diseases need a marrow transplant to survive.  By joining the Be The Match Registry^® anyone can help save a life. 

The Be A Star, Save A Life registry drive will take place at The Star Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters, 1 Cowboys Way, Frisco, TX, 75034.  Joining the registry requires a sample of cells, collected by swabbing the inside of the cheek. Be The Match Registry keeps this sample to compare specific protein markers, called HLA markers, with markers of patients who need a bone marrow transplant. Doctors search Be The Match Registry to find donors with HLA markers that match those of their patients. By joining the registry, you are taking the first step to being the cure for patients with blood cancers like leukemia and other marrow diseases.

To be eligible for the Be A Star, Save A Life marrow drive, you must be between 18 - 44 years old and commit to donating to any patient in need. If you match a patient in need, there are two ways to donate. One way is called PBSC (peripheral blood stem cell) donation. It involves a non-surgical, outpatient procedure called apheresis. The donor receives a drug for 5 days prior to donation that increases the number of cells in the bloodstream. The cells are then collected during donation. Donors are typically back to their daily routine in 1 - 2 days.  A second way is via marrow donation. It is a surgical, outpatient procedure that takes place under anesthesia in a hospital operating room. While the donor is under, doctors collect marrow from the back of the pelvic bone. Donors are typically back to their daily routine within 2 - 7 days. The patient’s doctor will choose the donation method best for the patient.

For more information visit www.DallasCowboys.com/MarrowDrive.

About TeamConnor

TeamConnor hosts events throughout the year to raise funds for childhood cancer research, including the III Forks Golf Classic April 30 – May 1; Splash Out Childhood Cancer July 13; National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Concert and Prayer Vigil in September; Color Me Green 5K/10K and Caterpillar Dash at Frisco Square in October; and the Northwestern Mutual Clay Shoot in November.  In addition, TeamConnor’s national Coins for Kids with Cancer program raises funds in schools, churches, offices and organizations across the country. 

About Children’s Health?

Children’s Health? is the eighth-largest pediatric health care provider in the nation and the leading pediatric health care system in North Texas, providing a full spectrum of health care services — from daily wellness and primary care to specialty visits and critical care. Holding eight disease-specific care certifications from The Joint Commission, Children’s Health has been consistently named one of the nation’s top pediatric providers by U.S. News & World Report. The Children’s Health system includes Children’s Medical Center Dallas, as well as Children’s Medical Center Plano, Our Children’s House inpatient rehabilitation hospital, multiple specialty centers, Children’s Health Pediatric Group primary care practices, rehabilitation facilities, home health, physician services and the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern.

Every year, more than 12,500 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Childhood cancer is the number one disease killer of children, yet the budget of the National Cancer Institute allocates less than four percent of its funds to pediatric cancer research. TeamConnor Childhood Cancer Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding research and treatment programs to find a cure for all childhood cancers.  

For more information on how to impact the lives of those affected by childhood cancer, please visit teamconnor.org or find us at Facebook.com/TeamConnor.