For the third time in four weeks, many people will enjoy a long weekend thanks to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday. Since Americans are encouraged to make that day "off" a day of service, take time to enjoy events over the regular weekend. There's the opening of an epic new waterpark, screenings of an Oscar-worthy movie, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, January 11
The Cliburn presents Igor Levit
The Russian-born German pianist Igor Levit won Gramophone’s Recording of the Year 2016 award and has earned other accolades around the world. Levit is one of those forceful performers who makes an instant strong impression on audiences, with original, bracing takes on beloved repertoire. He will demonstrate that ability with this concert at the Kimbell Art Museum's Piano Pavilion.
Friday, January 12
2018 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
The annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is a three-week long event that attracts fans of the Wild West both near and far. The main events are the daily rodeos at Will Rogers Coliseum, but there are also shows with pigeons, chickens, goats, and more; livestock auctions; an all-Western parade through downtown Fort Worth on January 13; a midway with carnival games and fair food; and multiple concerts. The event will go on through February 3.
Magnolia at the Modern presents Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name is set in 1983, when the son of an American professor (Timothée Chalamet) is enamored of the graduate student (Armie Hammer) who comes to study and live with his family in their northern Italian home. Together, they share an unforgettable summer full of music, food, and romance that will forever change them. The soon-to-be Oscar-nominated film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Epic Waters Grand Opening
Friday is the first day the general public will be able to get into Epic Waters in Grand Prairie, billed as a “cruise ship on land.” It features three “first-in- the-industry” water slides, a climate controlled-interior, 600-foot lazy river, children’s area, 10,000-square-foot outdoor wave pool, surfing simulator, 45-game arcade, and more. The water park will open at 5 pm on Friday.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Nights in the Gardens of Spain
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya leads the orchestra in a program celebrating the music of Spain. Beginning with Falla’s "Nights in the Gardens of Spain" with pianist Joaquin Achucarro, the concert will also include Albeniz’s "Rhapsodia Española" as arranged by Halfter, Granados’s "Intermezzo from Goyescas," and Debussy’s "Ibéria from Images." There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Theatre Arlington presents Sylvia
Theatre Arlington is kicking off 2018 with a little love, laughter, and a dog named Sylvia. A.R. Gurney’s hit show takes a creative spin on the all-too familiar romantic triangle. Greg brings home a dog he found in the park, but while Sylvia offers Greg an escape from the frustrations of his stagnate financial trading career, this cute and irresistible little pup becomes a rival for his affection where his wife, Kate, is concerned. The play will run through February 4.
Saturday, January 13
National Theatre Live presents Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Luke Treadaway, and Imogen Poots star in this critically acclaimed production of Edward Albee’s landmark play, originally staged in London. The play is about a young professor and his wife who are drawn into an older couple's toxic games until the evening reaches its climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling. The screening will take place at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Charles Esten in concert
Prior to his current stint on Nashville, Charles Esten was best known for his appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway? and a string of other relatively short television roles. But playing Deacon on Nashville, with 109 episodes and counting, has become the role of his career, and has allowed him to showcase his great singing voice. He'll sing some of his original songs and more at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, January 14
Final day for museum exhibits
Both the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Amon Carter Museum of American Art will bring exhibits to a close on Sunday. "FOCUS: Katherine Bradford" at the Modern features paintings featuring ships, swimmers, and other water-based activities, while Dornith Doherty's "Archiving Eden" at Amon Carter uses photography to intertwine science and art, showcasing the planet’s botanical diversity through 15 images from seed banks across the world.
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, taking place at Will Rogers Memorial Center, starts on January 12 and will run through February 3.
