Stephanie Allmon Merry

Fort Worth

Journalist at Freelance

Managing Editor at CultureMap Dallas

Managing Editor, CultureMap Dallas & Fort Worth

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Articles

Hoda Kotb delights and surprises Dallas at 2025 Chick Lit Luncheon

1 week ago | dallas.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Former Today show host Koda Kotb may have left her TV audience behind months ago, but she can still command a crowd. Just ask the 1,100 attendees of the 2025 Chick Lit Luncheon benefiting Community Partners of Dallas. Presented by Dr. Robert and Lara Tafel on Friday, March 28 at the Hilton Anatole, the beloved spring luncheon featured a conversation with NBC5’s Laura Harris and Kotb, an award-winning anchor and journalist, New York Times best-selling author, podcast host and adoptive mother.
Where to see beautiful bluebonnets near Fort Worth in spring 2025

1 week ago | fortworth.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Sorry, Texans, there's no way to sugarcoat this: 2025 is not a great year for bluebonnets. Despite recent rains that have greened up landscapes, drought conditions last fall resulted in fewer spring blooms, and blooms coming up later and smaller across the state. Spring flowers need fall showers. "Most of the spring annual wildflowers germinate in the fall.
Where to find the best bluebonnets in Dallas-Fort Worth in spring 2025

2 weeks ago | dallas.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Sorry, Texans, there's no way to sugarcoat this: 2025 is not a great year for bluebonnets. Despite recent rains that have greened up landscapes, drought conditions last fall resulted in fewer spring blooms, and blooms coming up later and smaller across the state. Spring flowers need fall showers. "Most of the spring annual wildflowers germinate in the fall.
Cliburn reveals 30 pianists for 2025 competition in Fort Worth

2 weeks ago | fortworth.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

April's lineup of theater productions brings back a few crowd-pleasing favorites including one inspired by Tupperware and another featuring the music of ABBA. There's also a one-woman tour de force and an intriguing rendition of Alice in Wonderland.
Authentic Argentinian empanada shop tops week's hottest Dallas stories

3 weeks ago | dallas.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Editor's note: This week's headlines were dominated by the opening of restaurants specializing in diverse cuisines: empanadas, fajitas, Indian-Tex Mex fusion, and more. Read up on the top five most popular stories of the week, then check out our weekend event planner for ideas on how to spend your free time before Monday.
Charitable chefs orchestrate fundraising feast for Dallas nonprofit KidLinks

1 month ago | dallas.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Dallas music therapy nonprofit KidLinks annually composes a foodie-fundraiser unlike any other: Symphony of Chefs sees an impressive ensemble of Dallas chefs prepare a multicourse meal, tableside, for guests. The 15th annual edition took place at the new Astoria Event Venue on Monday, February 24 (smartly, as Monday is the least busy day of the week for restaurants).
Ultimate guide to family fun in Fort Worth for spring break 2025

1 month ago | fortworth.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Who needs a spring break vacation to Disneyworld when we have an epic new Peppa Pig Theme Park right here at home? Ski trip, schmi trip, we've got giant dinosaurs roaming Grand Prairie and butterflies fluttering around in Fort Worth. If your family is staying home and avoiding travel hassles over spring break, this big guide to fun events and activities in the Fort Worth area will help you plan the perfect staycation over the next week or so.
Dallas Mavericks Foundation nets record $2.1 million at 2025 Mavs Ball

1 month ago | dallas.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

In a Dallas Mavericks season that's been a wild ride for fans, the 2025 Mavs Ballwould be a bright spot on the calendar. Nothing, it seemed, could rain the parade of the Dallas Mavericks Foundation's annual black-tie gala that raises millions for good causes in the community. And then it actually down-poured. The event took place at the new Silo music venue in the Design District on Sunday, March 2 - the night of a brief but torrential late-winter thunderstorm.
Ultimate guide to spring break 2025 family fun in Dallas-Fort Worth

1 month ago | dallas.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Spring break fun gets super-sized to two full weeks in Dallas-Fort Worth this year. That's because the area's largest districts are taking back-to-back weeks off: Dallas ISD's spring break falls March 10-14, while Fort Worth and most surrounding school districts are off March 17-24. If your family is planning to stay home and avoid travel hassles, this big guide to fun events and activities will help you plan the perfect staycation over the next two weeks.
Fort Worth Jewel Charity Ball lassos limitless fun with Texas finesse

1 month ago | fortworth.culturemap.com | Stephanie Allmon Merry

Texas was a state of mind at the 2025 Jewel Charity Ball, which welcomed 1,300 guests to the Will Rogers Memorial Center’s Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall on March 1. Jewel Charity president Peggy Sims chose the theme "The Sky’s the Limit," inspired by the beauty of a Texas sunset, for Fort Worth’s grand-dame gala - the largest fundraiser for pediatric patients of Cook Children’s. “I truly believe the sky’s the limit when we come together to support the patients at Cook Children’s,” she said.