This weekend's events in and around Fort Worth highlight the full breadth of what the city has to offer. They include a concert on the river, a new art exhibit, a theater production from an under-appreciated company, and an event that is emblematic of the essence of Cowtown.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, July 21
Rockin' the River: Parker McCollum with Chance Anderson
There are only a few more opportunities this summer to take in a concert on the river at Panther Island Pavilion. This week, Parker McCollum plays on the Coors Waterfront Stage, then, on the Southshore Stage, Chance Anderson keeps playing right up to the nightly fireworks show. Grab your tube or blanket and prepare for an evening of great music.
Drake in concert with Future
Drake's latest album, Views, has once again set the pop culture world on fire, thanks to songs like "Hotline Bling" and Drake's innate meme-ability. He's joined at this concert at American Airlines Center by fellow rapper Future, who can't seem to get enough of Dallas, having also been the headliner at the JMBLYA Festival in May.
Friday, July 22
National Cowgirl Museum presents No Turning Back: The Art of Veryl Goodnight
The National Cowgirl Museum presents No Turning Back: The Art of Veryl Goodnight, which features 17 sculptures and 11 paintings that focus on Western women, horses, and wildlife. This is a different kind of exhibit for Goodnight, as it will include both sculpture and paintings together, and it shows a broad array of her work. The exhibit is on display through October 30.
Magnolia at the Modern presents Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words
The music of Frank Zappa, the out-there artist who died in 1993, may or may not be your cup of tea, but his life is one of the more fascinating ones in music history. In Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words, rare archival footage reveals a provocative 20th-century musical genius whose worldview reverberates into the present day and beyond. There are six screenings at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth through Sunday.
Artes de la Rosa presents Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Artes de la Rosa presents Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, a delirious, deranged comedy about women who love men, love revenge, and love shoes. It shows them on the verge of losing their voice, will, and mind as they sing and dance through the streets of 1980s Madrid. Based on the 1988 Pedro Almodóvar film, the production is performed entirely in English and features fantastic singing and Latin ballroom dancing. It runs through August 7.
Improv Arlington presents Shawn Wayans
You can't stop the Wayans brothers, you can only hope to contain them. Keenen, Damon, Marlon, and Shawn Wayans have been at the forefront of the comedy scene since the late 1980s, when they starred on In Living Color together. Shawn has gone on to star in The Wayans Bros. and many of the Wayans' spoof movies, but it'll be his stand-up comedy on display at Improv Arlington, with five performances through Sunday.
Travis Tritt in concert
During the country music boom of the 1990s, Travis Tritt stood tall among his fellow singers. His first five albums all reached the top 10 on the Billboard country charts, and he scored No. 1 hits with "Help Me Hold On," "Anymore," "Can I Trust You with My Heart," and "Foolish Pride." His career has been up and down since then, but he still knows how to bring it. He's performing at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, July 23
Slide the City
Hulen Street is being transformed into the biggest block party of the summer when Slide the City arrives in Fort Worth. Participants can take a break from the heat by speeding through three city blocks on inner tubes, which will be on sale if you don't already have one. The community event also includes food, music, local vendors, and street entertainers.
National Day of the American Cowboy
Saddle up for the Fort Worth Stockyards' National Day of the American Cowboy, a day dedicated to the cowboy and lots of fun. There's a parade at 11:30 am, immediately following the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive. There's also a variety of contests open to visitors, including cow-chip throwing, watermelon eating, and a rib-eating contest at Riscky's Barbeque.
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The annual rib-eating contest at Riscky's Barbeque is part of the National Day of the American Cowboy on July 24.
The Fort Worth section nods to Texas Motor Speedway and the Fort Worth Herd.Photo courtesy of ABC
The Glen Rose section has dinosaurs.Photo courtesy of ABC
The Mach family with Great Christmas Light Fight host Carter Oosterhouse.Photo courtesy of Patrick Mach
