The future of Fort Worth arts is in good hands, if the energy surrounding young professional groups is any indication. This fall is full of events tailored to up-and-coming young arts patrons whose passions range from '80s movie soundtracks to contemporary art.
Some are fundraisers, some are pure fun. Most do not require you to be a member to attend — but with buzzy bands, specialty cocktails, behind-the-scenes tours, and more, they'll no doubt recruit new members who want to have a great time while supporting one of the cornerstones of life in Fort Worth — arts and culture.
Save the date for these essential arts-focused YP parties this fall. And check back, as the list will be updated as more groups get their plans on the books.
Performing Arts Fort WorthParty on the Stage, August 15
Party on the (Bass Hall) Stage is the Performing Arts Fort Worth Young Patrons Club’s annual, one-night-only event with food, live music, and the company of young professionals who dig Broadway shows. This year's party, 5:30-7:30 pm, features sweet treats from Alchemy Pops, plus beer, wine, and signature cocktails, all served on the stage at Bass Performance Hall. Tickets are free for members and $15 for non-members. The club is open to anyone between the ages of 21 and 45, and 100 percent of membership fees help provide tickets for students to attend performances at Bass Hall. For details on YPC membership and events, click here.
Carter Society Happy Hour, September 5
The Carter Society is the young professionals group for the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Their next event is a happy hour, 6-8 pm, with artist Justin Favela. He will be installing his work Puente Nuevo, and attendees will get to view his installation progress, mingle with the artist, and socialize. Light bites and sips, including a nacho bar and fun cocktails in Topo Chico bottles, will be served. The Carter Society is a membership add-on benefit for patrons ages 21 to 45 who join the museum at any level. They meet several times a year, notably during the summer and rodeo seasons. The happy hour is a members-only event but open to anyone who'd like to join that night. For more information and to RSVP to the event, click here.
Kimbell Art Museum Art After Hours, September 7
The Kimbell's highly active Young Professional Friends group, called Curators' Council, has a full slate of fun events for members and prospective members this fall. It all starts September 7 with Art After Hours at the museum, where Tatiana "LadyMay" Mayfield will entertain with jazzy tunes, and light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Then hop on the Art Tooth Party Bus for a Fall Gallery Night tour of five galleries. (While anyone can buy party bus tickets, Curators' Council members receive 20 percent off.) Save the dates of September 20 and October 18 for Kimbell Social Club happy hours geared toward young professionals (which include special, less-crowded tours of the museum's blockbuster exhibitions). And be sure to bookmark December 6 for the Kimbell's annual Red Party. This year the young patrons' fundraising gala has the theme "Night at the Kasbah" and will feel like an evening in Morocco. For more information on membership and events, click here.
Modern Contemporaries Kickoff Party, September 12
Modern Contemporaries is the Modern Art Museum's energetic group for patrons ages 21 to 40. This kickoff to the 2019-2020 season has many parts. Beginning at 6 pm, members and guests will enjoy complimentary light bites, beer, wine, and two specialty cocktails — The Paloma and Marfa Ranch Water — while they listen to live music from popular Fort Worth band Cut Throat Finches. A special museum tour will take attendees on a freight elevator to behind-the-scenes areas with experts who will explain how artwork is stored and handled in the galleries. They'll get to watch live screen printing by Pan Ector Industries in the Education Studio and visit the Boardroom, with chances to win prizes along the way. When the main event wraps up, everyone will move to Blackland Distillery for an after party with DJ HAUTEMESS, from 8-10 pm. Admission to both events is free and open to members and anyone interested in membership in the Modern Contemporaries (find out more about the group here). Advance reservations are required and can be made by emailing membership@themodern.org or calling 817-840-2170.
Opera Shots, October 17
Although Fort Worth Opera doesn't have a group specifically for YPs, its Opera Shots gatherings at bars around town are the ones that younger patrons flock to. This fun “pop-up” style gathering, taking place at 6:30 pm at Shipping & Receiving bar, is part social event, part concert. Fort Worth Opera Lesley Resident Artists Darius Thomas and Abigail Rethwisch will be among the hot young singers stepping up to the mic to perform. Attendees can enjoy a few drinks, catch up with friends, meet fellow music lovers, and learn more about Fort Worth Opera while listening to opera singers do their thing. The event is free, but RSVPs will be taken here starting September 16.
Fort Worth Symphony Notables Night, October 26
Fort Worth Symphony’s young patrons group is getting slimed for the Ghostbusters concert at Bass Hall. Not really, but they will gather in the amusingly prescient Green Room for a reception before the concert the night of Saturday, October 26. Then they'll sit together for the performance, in which the orchestra will play the Grammy-nominated score live to the hit '80s flick. Notables members enjoy discounted tickets to concerts, artist meet-and-greets, special events, and more. A portion of the membership fee provides free concert tickets to underserved children through the FWSO's Beethoven's Buddies program. For more information, visit the site here.
Fort Worth Symphony Notables enjoy discounted tickets to concerts and other special events.
