DALLAS, Texas – The sixth annual CityArts Celebration presented by TXU Energy is a free festival in the downtown Dallas Arts District, and this year’s edition, on June 12-14, features many first-time
attractions.

More than 100 visual artists from Texas and, for the first time, across the nation, are competing in the juried Art MarketPlace, with many talented new musical and dance performers joining the festivities.
Additional “Discovery Area” activities for kids, a Shrek movie-viewing in the Nasher Sculpture Center garden, a free Dallas Symphony Orchestra concert, and new culinary and cocktail demonstrations have also been added.

“We are excited to provide even more outstanding artists, performances, children’s activities and special programming at the CityArts Celebration,” said Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Last year, CityArts boasted a record attendance of 115,000. I’m confident we’ll see more Dallas residents and visitors this year as we continue to build the regional and national reputation of the festival.”

The CityArts Celebration presents headline musical performers like “Grand Ole Opry” star Allen Hurt and the Mountain Showmen, Vinyl Echoes and the Gerald Iragorri Quartet.

As a special addition to CityArts, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra hosts the free 2009 Latino Festival concert, featuring internationally acclaimed Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra and a performance by the Brasil Guitar Duo, with Joao Luiz and Douglas Lora, in the Meyerson Symphony Center.

The Big Thought Showcase at the Bank of America Children’s Stage and Discovery Area hosts a variety of literary, dance and musical performers. The Spoken Word Showcase highlights talented poets
age 21 and under.

For adults, the Culinary Showcase features a variety of foods prepared by celebrated Dallas-area chefs from local restaurants La Victoria, Capital Grille, Kirby’s, Canary Café and more. “wine[tail]”
drinks made with [yellow tail] wine debut this year along with other wine and tequila tastings.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) 25th Anniversary Shell-ebration Tour appears at the festival June 13 and 14. The TMNT party bus entertains with games, photos, memorabilia and demonstrations by the American Taekwondo Association.

The TXU Energy Showcase displays exciting new products designed to help use less electricity and save more money – like the TXU Energy iThermostat™, which lets customers monitor and manage
home temperatures from any Internet device. Visitors to the TXU Energy Showcase learn about the allnew TXU Energy Online Energy Store, offering innovative products to help lower electricity bills now.

"We are proud to be the presenting sponsor at this year’s CityArts Celebration,” said Jim Burke, CEO, TXU Energy. “I think it is safe to say that CityArts is becoming Dallas’ very own signature art
event, and it is a very proud feeling for our employees and me to know that TXU Energy has been part of such a successful event.”

Visitors can enter the TXU Energy Power Saver Challenge 2, in which energy-efficient home improvements could win someone $25,000. For the kids, there will be fun activities just for them.

DART light rail provides hassle-free delivery to St. Paul station, one block away from the festivities. The Fairmont Dallas, CityArts Celebration’s host hotel, is offering special hotel packages.
For more information, festival schedules and hotel packages visit DallasCityArts.com, or call 972-943-4624.

About CityArts Celebration, presented by TXU Energy

CityArts Celebration, presented by TXU Energy, June 12 – 14 features the performing, cultural and culinary arts of Dallas in a public festival that includes free admission to spectacular exhibits and special programming in the Dallas Museum of Art, The Nasher Sculpture Center and the Crow Collection of Asian Art. Outdoor stages offer children’s performances and activities, cultural, theater and choral presentations and contemporary music, including jazz, country, swing, R&B, classical and more by Texas musicians. In addition, the event features a culinary tent with delicious free samplings, wine tastings and cooking demonstrations by acclaimed Dallas chefs. The 2008 CityArts Celebration reported a record attendance of 115,000. This signature Dallas event is produced by Dallas CityArts, Inc., and is a collaborative effort of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Arts District community.