This Week's Hot Headlines

One university makes the grade in this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines.

1. One Dallas-Fort Worth university makes the grade as a top U.S. college for the value. By one measure, the University of Texas at Dallas offers one of the best values among public colleges in the Lone Star State. In a ranking released April 20, The Princeton Review declares UT Dallas the 40th best value among public colleges in the U.S. It was the only Dallas-Fort Worth university to make either list of top 50 public or private schools.

2. Popular road-trip routes through Dallas-Fort Worth deemed among most dangerous in U.S. Travelers on Interstate 45 from North Texas to Galveston face one of the deadliest drives in the nation, a new study reveals. For its survey, fleet tracking company Teletrac Navman examined data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 2016 through 2019. The report revealed staggering numbers for fatalities and incidents.

3. Broadway at the Bass lifts curtain with jubilant 2021-22 season. Shortly after Dallas Summer Musicals announced its grand return to the indoor stage in August (yes, as in three months from now), Performing Arts Fort Worth revealed its own 2021-22 Broadway at the Bass season. The six-show series features many of the titles that were previously scheduled prior to COVID-19, as well as a newly added hit show direct from Broadway.

4. Long-lost north Fort Worth restaurant gets new shot as craft coffee house. Fort Worth’s North Side will finally get caffeinated later this year when a craft coffee house takes over a space once occupied by a beloved restaurant. Casa Azul Coffee is set to open by early fall in the former Sammy’s restaurant at 300 W. Central Ave.

5. Fort Worth's elegant Cafe Modern is back – with new menu and celeb chef. One of Fort Worth's most elegant dining treasures is making a comeback with a little celebrity ka-pow: Café Modern, the acclaimed restaurant at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, will reopen on May 18 under new management, with a new menu and a famous new chef.

Joseph and Anette Landeros are pouring love into Casa Azul Coffee.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Joseph and Anette Landeros are pouring love into Casa Azul Coffee.

Weekend Event Planner

BBQ fest tops the 16 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Photo courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants

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The beginning of May in and around Fort Worth brings with it a beloved annual festival, but that's far from the only great thing to do this weekend. Other choices include eight concerts in a variety of genres, a music/barbecue festival, NASCAR races, two great comedy events, a ballet production, a theater festival, and screenings of a new documentary.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, May 1

Trinity Collaborative presents Mayfest
Mayfest is an annual four-day family festival that features live music, festival food, carnival rides, performing arts, pet adoptions, more than 60 art and gift market vendors, children's activities, special attractions, and more. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will put on a performance on Thursday. The festival takes place through Sunday at Trinity Park.

MercyMe in concert
Christian band MercyMe has been one of the biggest acts in the genre over the past 30 years, claiming nine No. 1 albums on the Billboard Christian charts and 19 No. 1 songs. One of their biggest songs, "I Can Only Imagine," was the inspiration for the 2018 film of the same name. They have released 13 albums in their career, most recently Always Only Jesus in 2022. They will play at Dickies Arena, joined by Zach Williams and Sam Wesley.

Dylan Wheeler in concert
A native of the East Texas town of Edgewood, Dylan Wheeler has made a name for himself on the Texas country music scene. The success of his debut EP, Tell Me I'm Wrong, in 2018 convinced him to quit his job in the oil & gas industry and pursue music full-time. He released his debut album, Times Are Changing, in 2022, and now he returns again to play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Friday, May 2

Lone Star Smokeout
The Lone Star Smokeout is a three-day country music and BBQ festival featuring more than 15 of country music’s top artists, including headliners Jon Pardi, Cody Jinks, and Midland. Attendees can try barbecue from some of the top restaurants in Texas, as well as visitors from Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. The festival takes place through Sunday at AT&T Stadium.

Würth 400 Race Weekend
NASCAR returns to Texas Motor Speedway for a weekend full of racing. The SpeedyCash.com 250, part of the the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, takes place on Friday. It will be followed by the Andy's Frozen Custard 300, part of the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Saturday. The weekend culminates with the Würth 400, part of the NASCAR Cup Series, on Sunday. Fans can show up early each day to visit the FanZone, check out qualifying races, and more.

Improv Arlington presents Zainab Johnson
Zainab Johnson is a Last Comic Standing semi-finalist who has also appeared on Comic View, The Arsenio Hall Show, and Gotham Live. She is a graduate of the world famous UCB, the Groundlings, and IO West. She is a regular headliner at the top comedy clubs throughout the country, from LA to NYC, including The Improv, Laugh Factory, Standup NY, and Caroline’s on Broadway. She'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.

Texas Ballet Theater presents Giselle
Closing Texas Ballet Theater's season is the world premiere of Giselle, where Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe intricately builds upon the foundational choreography of Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot, and Marius Petipa to present his own interpretation of the iconic masterpiece. Set to the hauntingly beautiful composition of Adolphe Adam, the production tells the tragic tale of love, betrayal, and redemption. There will be four performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Chris Cagle in concert
Country singer Chris Cagle had a lot of success in the first 12 years of the 21st century, putting out five albums, two of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts. But just when he was at the top of his game, he walked away, retiring to spend more time with his family. He's been back at it since late 2021, so it's clear he's got the bug again. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, May 3

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Storybook: Little Red Riding Hood"
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will present a family friendly concert that brings to life the tale of Little Red Riding Hood. This concert will feature music, dance, and a projected storybook as Little Red takes us on a journey to grandma’s house. What dangers and adventure lie ahead, and how will the story end? The concert, led by conductor Michelle Di Russo, takes place at Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU.

Stage West presents Festival of the Kid
Stage West will present the 18th Annual Festival of the Kid, featuring 29 never-produced pieces, written and performed by local students aged 7 to 18. The festival features the Youth Show, with works written by and starring students ages 7-13; the Teen Show, which unfolds in two acts and includes all pieces written by and starring students 13-18 years of age. The plays, scenes, and monologues are all winning selections from Stage West's Neighborhood Play Contest, which runs each fall. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday.

Magnolia at the Modern: One to One: John & Yoko
Set in New York, One to One: John & Yoko is a documentary that offers an expansive and revelatory inside look at John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s life in Greenwich Village in the early 1970s. The film delivers an immersive cinematic experience that brings to life never-before-seen material and newly restored footage of John and Yoko’s only full-length, post-Beatles concert. The film will screen four times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

The Cliburn presents Countdown to the Cliburn
With the Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition taking place later in the month, The Cliburn will set the mood with a series of concerts that that offer a preview of the artistry and talent of the competitors. Taking place on Saturday will be one at Levitt Pavilion in Arlington featuring 2022 Cliburn finalist Clayton Stephenson, followed by another on Sunday at South Main MicroPark in Fort Worth featuring 2013 Cliburn finalist Fei-Fei.

Four Day Weekend Pop-Up Show
The comedy improv troupe Four Day Weekend is still searching for another permanent home, but they'll return to the Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Mañana for the month of May. The troupe, which performs a nearly two-hour show created from audience suggestions and participation, will perform twice every Saturday through May 24.

Kody West in concert
Country singer Kody West is one of the latest in a long line of musicians to come out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Hailing originally from Denton, he gained a loyal following with his 2017 debut album, Green, which led to him serving as the supporting act for artists like Charlie Robison, Whiskey Myers, and Koe Wetzel. He has released three albums in his career, most recently Circles in 2022, with his most recent release being the 2023 EP, Acoustic Sessions, Vol. 2. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Sunday, May 4

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Chamber Series: "Mendelssohn, Barber, and music for two pianists"
This special Chamber Series concert featuring FWSO Music Director Robert Spano and Pedja Mužijevic will feature selections by Mendelssohn, American composer Samuel Barber, and music for two pianists by Ligeti, Debussy, and Amy Beach. The concert takes place at Kimbell Art Museum.

Photo courtesy of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants

Lone Star Smokeout takes place at AT&T Stadium, May 2-4.

festivals music concerts barbecue sports races comedy dance symphony movies theater event-planner