In a rare coup for Fort Worth, the city will be the center of the events universe this weekend in North Texas. It will host an annual film festival, three big events at the hottest new venue, a legendary country musician, a concert-style theater production, an orchestra performing great pop music, 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, November 14
Lone Star Film Festival
The 2019 Lone Star Film Festival, taking place through Sunday at AMC Palace 9, will feature 136 films representing 19 countries. Among the notable films being screened are Terrence Malick's A Hidden Life; Just Mercy with Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, and Jamie Foxx; Now or Never: The Tony Romo Story; and Grand Isle starring Nicolas Cage and Kelsey Grammar. Tim Blake Nelson will receive the Bill Paxton Achievement in Film Award at the festival's annual gala. The festival takes place through Sunday.
Sundance Square presents Party in the Plaza: Ricki Derek & His Big Band
Sundance Square’s monthly live music series, Party in the Plaza, will come to an end for the year with a performance by Ricki Derek & His Big Band. The band will play for 90 minutes from the plaza stage in the heart of Sundance Square. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome during the concert. Beverages will be available for purchase during the performances, and restaurants will be open throughout the evening.
The Black Keys in concert with Modest Mouse and Shannon & the Clams
Last weekend saw the first official event at Dickies Arena, and this weekend things will kick into high gear. The first of three events will be this concert by The Black Keys, the rock duo that has been putting out albums since 2002 but has only been big since 2010. Their last four albums, including their latest, Let's Rock, have all made the top 5 on the Billboard 200. This concert will also feature Modest Mouse and Shannon & the Clams.
The Simon & Garfunkel Story
The Simon & Garfunkel Story is an immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s to their dramatic split in 1970, culminating with the famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981. The performance will be at Bass Performance Hall.
Friday, November 15
Gaylord Texan presents Lone Star Christmas
During Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, guests can enjoy a 125-acre winter wonderland including millions of twinkling lights, lavish large-scale décor, 2 million pounds of hand-carved ice, and more. Highlights include holiday lights decorating the resort’s indoor atriums, hand-carved sculptures for ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” a two-story tall, eight-lane snow tubing hill, an outdoor ice-skating rink, miniature train sets throughout the property, and more. The event runs through January 5.
Magnolia at the Modern: Britt-Marie Was Here
Based on the bestselling novel by Fredrik Backman, this warmhearted comedy/drama finds Britt-Marie, age 63, suddenly re-considering her purpose and habits after leaving her husband of 40 years. Accepting a supremely unglamorous job at a ramshackle rec center, she finds herself taking an interest in the daily routines of the town's oddball denizens, who all seem perfectly content to be stuck in their ways. The film, which is in Swedish with English subtitles, will play seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Unforgettable: Nat and Natalie
Father and daughter Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole were legendary performers who put their individual stamp on the jazz and pop music of their day and won multiple Grammys along the way. Unforgettable, presented by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and featuring vocalist Dee Daniels, honors the father/daughter duo whose flexible musical style and undeniable talent continue to influence the best musicians of today. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live features monster trucks like Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, V8 Bomber, Demo Derby, Hot Wheels Racing 1, and the original King of Monster Trucks, Bigfoot. The stars of the show perform jumps and stunts with epic crashing and smashing in several competition segments, as well as the fan-favorite Megasaurus, a fire-breathing, car-eating, transforming robot. There will be three shows through Saturday at Dickies Arena.
Willie Nelson & Family in concert
At 86 years old, Willie Nelson maintains a schedule of someone half his age. Not only does he continue to play all over the country, but he's also released three albums, including 2019's Ride Me Back Home, in just the past year and a half. While he's never hard to find, it's always best to appreciate a legend like Willie while we've still got him. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, November 16
Fort Worth Opera presents Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World
Fort Worth Opera will present the world premiere of composer Joe Illick and librettist Mark Campbell’s one-act children’s opera, Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World. This new work follows the real-life story of Marianna Morillo Safa and her friendship with famed painter Frida Kahlo. The family-friendly tale teaches children about art, bravery, and the power of friendship. The performance will take place at Rose Marine Theater.
Don McLean in concert
There's no doubt that legendary singer Don McLean is best known for his No. 1 hit song "American Pie." But he also went to No. 1 with "Vincent" (aka "Starry Starry Night") off the same album, and his songwriting abilities had artists like Elvis Presley, Perry Como, and Glen Campbell recording his songs. McLean will be at Arlington Music Hall, playing a mix of his classic hits with an array of new works.
Sunday, November 17
Imagine Nation Tour featuring MercyMe
The big weekend at Dickies Arena will come to a close with this concert featuring the Christian band MercyMe, which is headlining the Imagine Nation Tour alongside fellow Grammy nominee Crowder and GMA Dove nominee Micah Tyler. MercyMe is touring in support of their 2017 album, Lifer, Crowder is touring in support of his 2018 album, I Know a Ghost, and Tyler is touring in support of his 2017 album, Different.
Gaylord Texan presents Lone Star Christmas, starting on November 15.
Fort Worth Police Sgt. Billy Randolph, RIP.
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