Like the timeless works of Shakespeare, Dallas̓ Medallion Center, the shopping center located on the southwest corner of Northwest Highway and Abrams, has also been a long-lasting part of the North Texas community. The Medallion Center will celebrate its 50th anniversary on June 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a Sidewalk Sale-A-Bration, featuring, among other things, free performances from scenes of Shakespeare in the Park’s “Twelfth Night” by Shakespeare Dallas, a Sale-A-Bration sponsor. These 20 minute performances take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. near the Centennial.

“Shakespeare Dallas and the Medallion Center have a steadfast relationship and mutual respect for one another, and we’re honored to be included as a sponsor of their half-century celebration,” said Raphael Parry, executive and artistic director of Shakespeare Dallas. “̔Twelfth Night̓ is a lively comedy about love and we will be presenting two short scenes and some songs from this festive, fun show. The scenes will feature some of the comic characters as they romp, sing and dance in the costumes that we will be using on stage – a delightful preview for our summer productions and appropriate for all ages.”

In addition to the free performances, the Sale-A-Bration will include a children’s train, balloons, popcorn and face painting. Stores will be promoting special anniversary sales, with many of the sale racks on the sidewalk rather than inside the stores. Free tickets to Shakespeare in the Park and the Dallas Children’s Theatre will also be available.

Inspired by the egalitarian nature of the New York Shakespeare Festival, Robert “Bob” Glenn started The Shakespeare Festival of Dallas in 1971 as a free summer Shakespeare Festival. The company serves the community as one of North Texas’ most treasured cultural institutions and the area’s only producer of an education program focused on teaching Shakespeare. In 2005, the company revamped its operations and branded the organization “Shakespeare Dallas” to illustrate the company’s new direction of year-round, affordable and accessible programming. For more information, visit shakespearedallas.org.