It's moving day this weekend for several big events in Fort Worth, as the biggest event of the calendar year, a major Broadway musical, and a significant art exhibition will all be ending. On the other side will be the start of two new local theater productions, several concerts, and a couple of equine-related screenings.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. As of press time, all are on. But with below-freezing temperatures and icy conditions expected on Thursday and possibly longer, check with event organizers about potential postponements/cancellations.
Thursday, February 3
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
After three-plus weeks, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo will come to a (cold) end. If you're brave enough to go outside, you can enjoy the outdoor midway and other events. Of course, you can stay cozy inside and enjoy the livestock shows and the rodeos at Dickies Arena, although there's still the tricky part of getting to and from your car. The show will go on through Saturday.
Stage West Theatre presents On the Exhale
When a senseless act of violence changes her life forever, a college professor finds herself inexplicably drawn to the very weapon used to perpetrate the crime — and to the irresistible feeling of power that comes from holding life and death in her hands. Peering down the barrel of a uniquely American crisis, this perspective-bending, one-woman tour de force intimately examines our collective grief over a national epidemic that we all want to end. The production, making its regional premiere at Stage West Theatre, will run through February 20. (UPDATE: All performances through February 6 have been canceled due to weather and a power failure. Performances will now start on February 10, with three performances added on February 26 and 27.)
Broadway at the Bass: Hamilton
There are a precious few performances left of Hamilton at Bass Performance Hall before the Angelica cast packs up and moves on to Little Rock, Arkansas. The faces may be different from the ones you see on Disney+, but the strength of the story, music, and performances remains the same, making the experience of seeing Hamilton live a joy no matter what. It will have six final performances through Sunday.
Friday, February 4
Casa Mañana presents Matilda: The Musical
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly lovable Miss Honey. The school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and could be the school pupils’ saving grace. The production will run through February 13 at Casa Mañana Theatre.
Tracy Byrd in concert
Country singer Tracy Byrd was part of the early 1990s country boom alongside acts like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and more. He became a success thanks to hits like "Holdin' Heaven," "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous," "Watermelon Crawl," "The Keeper of the Stars," and more. He's released 10 albums in his career, with the most recent being 2016's All American Texan. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, February 5
National Theatre Live presents War Horse
Based on Michael Morpurgo's novel and adapted for the stage by Nick Stafford, War Horse takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. Filled with stirring music and songs, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-size puppets, which bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage. The screening of a previously-recorded live performance will be at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Magnolia at the Modern: Jockey
Journeyman actor Clifton Collins, Jr. gets the rare opportunity to take center stage in Jockey. Collins plays Jackson Silva, an aging jockey contemplating his legacy and aiming for a final championship when a rookie rider arrives, claiming to be his son. The film will screen four times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (two previously scheduled Friday performances have been canceled).
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo presents Auditorium Concert Series: Ryan Bingham
As the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo comes to a close, so too does its Auditorium Concert Series. The final show will feature singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham. The Americana/roots rock musician has released seven albums in his career, including 2019's American Love Song. He also won an Oscar for his song "The Weary Kind" from the 2009 film Crazy Heart. Tickets for the concert, taking place at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium, include admission to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Casey Donahew in concert
Country singer Casey Donahew had a nice run of success on the national country music scene, charting four straight albums in the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts in the 2010s, including the No. 3 All Night Party. He didn't let the pandemic slow him down, releasing an all-acoustic album, Lost My Brother's Goat, in 2020. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, February 6
Kimbell Art Museum presents "Turner’s Modern World" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view "Turner’s Modern World" at Kimbell Art Museum. The exhibition, which showcases the astonishing paintings of one of Britain’s greatest artists, J. M. W. Turner (1775-1851), explores Turner’s lifelong interest in the inventions, events, politics, society, culture and science of his time, which resulted in many of his most original works and transformed his way of painting.
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo will close up for the year on February 5.
Blair Burton poses with the owner of Royers, a great place to replenish between browsing.Photo courtesy of Blair Burton