ARLINGTON, Texas—Arlington found itself the center of the entertainment and sports worlds in 2023, hosting a much ballyhooed, three-night Taylor Swift concert and a raucous, history-making, world championship campaign by the Texas Rangers.
In between those major events, ordinary Arlington citizens found opportunities to dream and express themselves, to honor ancestors and to raise community awareness. And while Arlington residents packed a lot into 2023, they’ll have no reason to slow down in 2024 as the city plans to host the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game as the Rangers seek to repeat as World Series champions.
But before the calendar turns, here’s a look back at some of the ways Arlington residents spent their time and money in 2023.
Swifties celebrate The Eras Tour
Taylor Swift came to Arlington for a record-breaking three-night stay at AT&T Stadium from March 31 through April 2.
Seventy thousand fans surrounded the stadium doors each night, slammed shoulder-to-shoulder as stadium employees held signs above their heads to make sure everyone was complying with the stadium’s bag regulations. When the doors finally opened, everyone prepared to run.
Running through the plaza was necessary to make it to the merchandise stations inside. Each station contained dozens of boxes containing Swift’s coveted tour merch, but not everything was available. As the endless lines moved, so did what was available from her merch line to Swift’s fans.
Within 10 minutes, the hoodies sold out of all larger sizes from large to double large. Fans conjured plans for what they could get in groups.
“I heard if you only order one size of everything, then they let you have more, so just ask for one item each in the size you want,” one Swiftie said.
Fans fortunate enough to fill one of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour clear bags with merch found themselves bombarded with questions about how they managed to snag their items.
Whether merchandise-lucky or not, Swifties from across Texas and around the nation greeted each other with Swift-themed friendship bracelets. The idea behind the bracelets was that fans could trade them with fellow Swifties and make new friends, even if it was only for an evening. Toward the beginning of Swift’s set, fans started to pass out any leftover bracelets to make sure those who could not bring any still got something to have from the concert.
In addition to bracelets, fans chatted with each other about their outfits. Zoe Jackson, for example, is a fan who lives in Denver and came to the concert in a handmade one piece decorated with colored jewels mirroring Swift’s Bejeweled music video.
“I’m sure the more I move around, they will start falling off, but it looks great for now,” Jackson said.
These handmade outfits took time, but no one seemed to mind. Many fans said they wanted to have something special to wear to a one-of-a-kind concert.
Everyone began to flock to their seats around 7 p.m. to await Swift’s arrival on the stage, which included a large screen in the middle of the stadium and a catwalk that extended far into the floor to give her full access to each area of the stadium. The coverage helped fans see the full show no matter where they sat. Once the lights dimmed and the sound of Swift’s voice echoed throughout the stadium, everyone knew it was time.
With an electric three-hour long show that included 44 songs, two of which changed every show, Swift gave fans a powerful and unique performance. Each era of her career got its own moment for the show, and Swift surprised fans with new outfits and dance routines.
Swift was active the whole show and took time to address her fans during transitions into new songs.
“I couldn’t wait to see and hear you all,” Swift said as she played a soft melody on her moss-covered piano for her Evermore set. “I need you guys for my well-being.”
Around 11:30 p.m., Swift wrapped up the show. She finished with her song Karma while cannons blasted rainbow-colored confetti into the stadium seats. No one got up until they were certain Swift had left the stage and they were able to get one final look at her—at least until the next time she tours, that is.
–Michaela Hightower
Devyi Coreas Jr. Foundation promotes gun safety awareness
The Devyi Coreas Jr. Foundation hosted its third annual car show Nov. 4 at the Levitt Pavilion with the goal of raising gun safety awareness in the community.
Event organizer Ruth Medrano shared why the foundation opts for hosting car shows to achieve its mission.
“I wanted to grab the attention of the youth and also send a message to them,” she said.
Medrano lost her son, in whose name the foundation is named, to a firearm accident on Nov. 14, 2020. She formed the foundation in 2021. She said the idea was to attract both young and mature audiences with the car show while simultaneously hosting booths that she believed would aid the foundation’s mission.
The car show was host to several booths including the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the Arlington Police Department and severe injury lawyers. One booth was dedicated to handing out free gun locks.
The event included several musical acts from up-and-coming artists such as Style Jalisco, Kristal Skies and more. Medrano said she picked the acts with an eye toward attracting people to the event.
The car show drew entrants from throughout the Metroplex who wanted to show off their cars. The Lokos Jeep Club was one of the car clubs in attendance, and club member David Lopez said Lokos wanted to support the cause of raising gun safety awareness.
“We just want to have a good time,” he said. “And if we can do that while serving a good cause, we’re all for that.”
Medrano said the foundation looks forward to hosting the car show again next year and is always looking to improve the event. She said the foundation is also always open to promoting gun safety awareness at other community events. She said the foundation also hopes to start a scholarship program in honor of her son. For now, Medrano said she’ll continues to keep the conversation going to prevent as many firearm deaths as possible.
–Jose Ortiz Jr.
Late Night Thursdays at Creative Hands ceramic workshop help residents unwind
Creative Hands, 2225G W Park Row, hosts Late Night Thursdays, offering guests a fun night to unwind after a long week.
Every Thursday night, Creative Hands offers extended hours for Ladies’ Night and Date Night sessions intended to create a relaxing environment for visitors to relax and unwind before the chaos of the upcoming weekend.
Late Night Thursdays has been an event at Creative Hands since the location first opened in 2003. From 2003 to 2015, Creative Hands offered the extended Thursday hours only on the first Thursday of every month. Late Night Thursdays became a weekly event in 2015.
Late Night Thursdays are the only day of the week when Creative Hands offers extended hours, opening the store for an extra four hours at night. On a typical Thursday night, Creative Hands is packed with friends and couples looking to have a creative and relaxing night full of friendship and art.
“Today it’s quite calm, but usually we’re running around the area grabbing paints and all types of things,” a Creative Hands employee said.
Many people leave Creative Hands having made new friends during their painting session or becoming regular participants of Late Night Thursdays.
“I love ladies’ night,” an employee said. “I think it’s fun for a bunch of gals to get together and hang out for a little bit without the pressures of things like work and life.”
Late Night Thursdays also provide a safe option for people to visit the event on their own.
“I’ve been wanting to come, but everyone that I’ve asked says ‘yes,’ but then when I actually say let’s go, they don’t come,” a woman who gave her name as Judith said. “So, I decided I would come alone.”
Creative Hands offers many variations of ceramic and plaster pieces that customers can choose to paint, including dishware, decorative pieces, keychains and ornaments. Guests can pick their ceramic or plaster pieces and pay only the price of the piece. The paints and experience come included.
Late-night Thursdays are not the only events that Creative Hands hosts. The ceramics studio is often used for birthday parties, daycare field trips, school field trips, scout groups, church groups, sorority parties, bridal showers and baby showers. Many students of the University of Texas at Arlington visit Creative Hands for a break from studying and academic pressure.
UTA is often intertwined with Creative Hands. The school’s art department helped decorate the location with a mural painted on the right wall of the store, adding character to Creative Hands. The mural took a month and a half to fabricate. Many sororities at UTA choose to visit the location as well.
Birthday parties at Creative Hands allow kids to have fun painting while they eat pizza. The studio also provides an educational experience for children by introducing them to the world of art.
–Meliza Aguilera
Catalyst Creative Arts hosts annual arts market to grow Arlington’s creative community
Catalyst Creative Arts hosted its annual arts market Nov. 4 to showcase local artists and encourage the growth of the creative community in Arlington.
Although the store usually focuses its attention on classes, workshops and private pottery lessons, once a year near retail season it reaches out to artists to include in an arts market. This year’s market was the 5th annual and featured six local artists looking to sell their pieces.
Arlington resident Jaime Marum is one of the partners of Catalyst Creative Arts. Marum said that there are many great artists in the area but not many places for them to showcase their work. One of the goals of his store is to help build art culture in the city.
“I think people overlook it,” Marum said. “You know, they don’t really think about it as an option. What they think about is the ballpark or the Levitt. They don’t really think about things they can do within the arts.”
The market had a span of interesting and creative artists that embrace the culture and ideas of Catalyst Creative Arts. When inviting creatives to markets, Marum prefers to gather a mix of different art styles and media.
Ryan Davis, full time artist and muralist, expresses his creativity through acrylic-based, street-art style projects. Born and raised in Arlington, Davis said he has been wanting to get more involved with the Arlington art scene. He said his favorite part of events like the market is networking with other artists.
Tattoo artist Jaime Luna was set up at the 5th annual art market selling woodcuts and pins that his wife helps create. He began selling at art events 10 years ago in Dallas and began selling in the Arlington area about a year ago.
“More people [in Arlington] are asking how to get started,” Luna said. “There is more engagement between artists.”
Luna said that markets like the one Catalyst Creative Arts hosts create a better connection between artists and customers, saying that if he sees someone face to face, he is more likely to see them again.
–Monica Meza
Automotive enthusiasts gather for the SouthWest Swap Meet
Car and truck fans gathered for the 54th SouthWest Swap Meet Nov. 3-4 in Arlington, with aficionados hoping to buy or sell sweet rides and car accessories.
Among the hopeful sellers was Waco, Texas, resident Eric Durmon.
Durmon said that driving past a dream truck consistently for 20 plus years is a difficult thing to do for an automotive enthusiast. Harder still is when that truck was once an auto glass shop truck that retained its unique, one-of-a-kind hand-painted text shining through a light coat of patina. Those 20 years did little to keep away the idea of purchase, no matter how unreasonable it may have seemed. For Durmon, that 1966 Ford Econoline Pickup was too enticing. Twenty years after locking eyes with that shop truck, Durmon realized his dream of owning it.
At Ranger Stadium Lot F, where the 54th annual SouthWest Swap Meet gathered, Durmon was surrounded by an assortment of retro and classic scooters and motorbikes (including a wonderfully preserved ‘80s Honda Passport scooter), a cream colored 1968 Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette van and his cherished Ford Econoline. Each of his vehicles were accompanied by a “For Sale” sign.
“It hurts to sell my cars,” Durmon said, adding he was looking to make some money during the swap meet to cover some undisclosed financial troubles. “I don’t want to see them leave.”
Wandering attendees stopped to admire the Econoline and looked in bewilderment at the Citroën, and Durmon happily explained the stories and histories of both. The story of his over 20-year wait to purchase the Econoline after the auto glass shop that owned it eventually went out of business was a favorite.
Durmon started and revved both vehicles to demonstrate their well-preserved condition to potential buyers. Despite their spectacle and relatively affordable price of $5,000, they went unsold while Durman watched far more expensive vehicles being sold.
“I’ve seen cars that looked like they were shoveled up onto the trucks that were leaving, that’s how rusty they were. Sold for $20,000,” Durmon said.
He didn’t seem too upset, though. He said he believed that his vehicles going unsold was “unfortunate but fortunate,” at least for the time being, as he wouldn’t have to say goodbye to two meaningful entries in his collection—especially that hand-painted, well-patinaed and perfectly running 1966 Ford Econoline.
–Armond White
Arlington City Council approves purchase of Arlington Police Department drones
The City Council approved the purchase of five first responder unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, for the Arlington Police Department during its Nov. 28 evening council meeting.
These five UAS will be used to provide situational awareness to emergencies and criminal investigations, according to a city staff report. They will also be used on the scene before responding officers arrive and will provide live footage of the incident, the report stated.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, UAS are aircraft without a human pilot onboard controlled by an operator remotely or programmed to fly autonomously.
It is the APD’s intention for these UAS to reduce response time and increase responder safety through situational awareness, according to the city staff report.
The projected financial impact for the contract term of this one-time purchase is estimated to be $310,936, according to the staff report.
These UAS will be purchased from Unmanned Vehicle Technologies, LLC from Fayetteville, Arkansas, according to the staff report. Funds will be produced through the Sourcewell Purchasing Cooperative, a cooperative authorized by the city in 2017.
All of the program’s development, hardware, repairs, and maintenance will be included in this purchase, the staff report stated. This purchase will be split into two phases. The first phase will include consulting, hardware, and training. Phase two will consist of deployment, consulting, and automation.
Arlington Police Sgt. Ross Stinson said the drones would be used solely for surveillance purposes, though some models could be used to provide life-saving equipment to citizens in need.
The Dallas Police Department began implementing UAS in Jan. 2022.
During a news conference announcing the UAS, Dallas police emphasized that the drones would not be used for surveillance, but only whenever they have a “warrant, life or death situation, or felony in progress,” Sgt. Ross Stinson said.
After a mission only data with legitimate training objectives or evidence value would be saved and all other data would be destroyed within 90 days, Dallas police said.
On a broader scale, the US Department of Defense currently operates more than 11,000 UAS, according to CISA.
The Federal Aviation Administration projects the commercial UAS fleet is projected to grow by an average of 24.7 percent annually, or from 277,000 in 2018 to 835,000 in 2023.
–Leonardo Rosas
Jiujitsu master inspires students and instructors alike
Nabil Ahangarzadeh, 36, is inspiring the next generation of martial artists at the TX Black Belt Academy at the intersection of Fielder and Randol Mill roads.
Alexis Jackson, a fellow teacher, said she tries to emulate Ahangarzadeh’s style, which she said is marked by passion and humor.
“He’s stern but patient,” Jackson said.
Ahangarzadeh said he believes that people should learn jiujitsu because it’s a good and safe outlet for aggression, it builds skill and confidence, and it also helps to build comradery. He walks through every exercise at a pace that everyone can keep up, and if anyone needs him to redo it, he will with a smile on his face.
“I’m selfish,” Ahangarzadeh said. “I want to be great, so I have to train others to be great so I can be great.”
Shawn Moore, a coach at TX Black Belt Academy, said that Ahangarzadeh carries himself with humility even though he is knowledgeable about the world of karate and the real world. Moore described Ahangarzadeh as a down-to-Earth man who is willing to give advice and life lessons to the people in his life—including his students.
“That’s my brother, and I love him for everything that he has done,” Moore said.
Ashton Williams, the academy receptionist, said Ahangarzadeh brings friendliness into the academy, greeting everyone with a large smile.
Ahangarzadeh wasn’t always this knowledgeable or confident in jiujitsu or kick boxing. At first, he didn’t think jiujitsu was for him. In fact, it took a friend and a jiujitsu master to give him the courage to pursue this path. Ahangarzadeh went with his friend to the academy, and he decided to try jiujitsu on a whim. He wasn’t going to continue training because he believed it wasn’t for him, but his friend convinced him otherwise.
“This is for you, it’s for everyone, and you should continue to train at it,” Master Orlando Waugh told a young Ahangarzadeh.
Ever since then, Ahangarzadeh has developed his skills while focusing on helping others build theirs. He would rather train people to be better and help them build their confidence than just about anything else. He doesn’t compete much, but he participates in an open tournament called Winner Circle, where he won first place several times.
–Corbin Calico
Downtown Arlington and UTA team up for Day of the Dead celebration
Downtown Arlington collaborated with the University of Texas at Arlington’s EXCEL Campus Activities to bring Day of the Dead celebrations to the city’s Gene Allen Park Nov. 2.
The event provided an opportunity to also celebrate Mexican art and food vendors.
The celebration included an outdoor screening of Disney’s “Coco.”
Los Molcas Tacos offered guests an extensive food menu to fill their stomachs during the show while Brrberry provided snow cones for a sweet treat, and Las Pinches Aguas offered samples of its Mexican aguas frescas.
Las Pinches Aguas is a local, family-owned business that uses all-natural, traditional Mexican flavors in its fruit beverages, including hibiscus, horchata and lime.
Artists included local musician Alejandro Terra, who performed many song covers and original music. In addition, Mexican artisan jeweler Daniel Carranza set up his booth with unique stone jewelry and designs.
Carranza said he has celebrated the Day of the Dead since he was just a little boy and added that his booth was heavily inspired by the holiday.
“Yes, I have celebrated it since I was little,” Carranza said. “If you notice, my [art] is very related to that. There are many skulls.”
The Day of the Dead plays a special part in Carranza’s designs, and he keeps the designs for the entire year, not limiting the holiday to the month of November.
“Yes, it is all year round, not just seasonal,” Carranza said.
Carranza’s many jewelry pieces are made with carefully hand-carved minerals, crystals, animal bones and natural stones. His collection of jewelry materials comes from a variety of places, including Mexico, Central America and the United States.
Carranza makes a variety of jewelry, including bracelets, charms and necklaces either on a silver chain or a leather cord. When picking out a stone for his piece, Carranza says he takes into account the color, size and pattern of the stone to make his jewelry as unique as possible.
–Meliza Aguilera
