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Here's to an early spring!

By Kelley Chambers, kchambers@starlocalnews.com, @KelleyChambers7 on Twitter

Published: Friday, March 1, 2013 11:00 AM CST

Spring is on the way and I couldn't be happier.

Having moved here from Florida a couple of years ago, I am still not accustomed to this thing you people call "winter" and the fact that it lasts for what seems like an eternity.

I feel like a vampire on a sunny day and can't wait until the pools open and the spring gardening can commence (if I did any gardening, that is).

Kelley Chambers

And with Punxsutawney Phil giving the go-ahead, why shouldn't we have spring fever in February?

For me, however, the real sign that warmer temps are just around the corner is when I start hearing about the summer concert lineup. Every year since I was about 18, I've looked forward to my early birthday present - announcement of the Dave Matthews Band summer tour dates.

It's like my sign to get my butt out of hibernation and get to planning out my summer; it feels like an electric charge wakening my senses as I daydream about last year's shows and all the other outdoor concert opportunities that lay before me. (For anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing DMB live, you fully understand my excitement. And with them kicking off the tour in May here in Texas like they did last year, you know it's going to a high-energy show!)

The Dallas Metroplex has many great outdoor venues for music enthusiasts of all types. The Dallas Arboretum is a great way to kick back on the grass for a relaxing evening with your honey. If you're looking for something free, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra provides the joy of music through its Community Concerts Series starting this spring and their locations are selected on a rotating basis. These are only a couple of examples of how you can reunite with shorts and sandals season...

So far I have a pretty good lineup to look forward to this year - aside from my annual homage to Dave at Gexa Energy Pavillion, I've marked my calendar for Summer Cut 2013 at the same venue a month later in June.

Of course, if I want to start celebrating earlier than in May, there's also Edgefest on April 27 at FC Dallas Stadium. With big names like Phoenix, Deftones and Paramore, I can't think of a better way to send Old Man Winter packing.

In general, there's something about concert-going that really makes me feel like my summer has officially arrived. It's a testament that says, "Hey, I'm not letting this summer pass me by and I'm NOT going to be that person who spends their time complaining about how hot it is over the next four months either. Bring on the heat!"

Kelley Chambers is staff writer and the arts and entertainment editor for Star Community Newspapers. She may be reached at kchambers@starlocalnews.com.

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