As the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo heads into its home stretch, they'll present a trio of big events. Other choices in and around the city will be a world premiere opera, two new local theater productions, a concert from a well-known country singer, the closing of a major art exhibition, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend.
Thursday, January 27
Stage West Theatre presents Church & State
Three days before his bid for re-election — in the wake of another school shooting — a U.S. senator has a life-altering crisis of faith, triggering an off-the-cuff comment which sends the entire campaign into a tailspin. His wife and campaign manager try to contain the damage, but in a country where religion influences politics and politics have become a religion, how do you reach the people and stay true to yourself? The production, making its regional premiere with Stage West Theatre, will run through February 20.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo presents Auditorium Concert Series: Clint Black
There are few more noteworthy country musicians in the past 30 years than Clint Black. The first four singles of his career each went to No. 1 on the country charts, and only three of his first 32 songs failed to reach the top 10. Black, whose latest album was 2020's Out of Sane, will play at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium as part of the Auditorium Concert Series. Tickets for the concert include admission to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Friday, January 28
Magnolia at the Modern: Parallel Mothers
In Parallel Mothers, two women coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis (Penelope Cruz), middle-aged, doesn’t regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana (Milena Smit), an adolescent, is scared, repentant, and traumatized. The few words they exchange in those hours will create a very close link between the two, which by chance develops and becomes complicated, changing their lives in a decisive way. The film, which is in Spanish with English subtitles, will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. (Read our review here.)
Fort Worth Opera presents Zorro
Fort Worth Opera will premiere composer-librettist Héctor Armienta’s masked avenger opera, Zorro. Based upon the popular pulp fiction novels of prolific American pulp writer Johnston McCulley, a scholarly student named Diego trains to become a master swordsman and a skilled marksman. Donning a black mask to conceal his true identity, Zorro is born, and he wields his sharp sword to fight for the oppressed. The two remaining performances take place Friday and Sunday at Rose Marine Theater. (Read an interview with one of the stars here.)
Improv Arlington presents D.L. Hughley
One of the most popular and highly recognized stand-up comedians on the road today has also made quite an impression in the television and radio arena. D.L. Hughley is known for his sitcom, The Hughleys; as host of his own late night talk show on CNN, D.L. Hughley Breaks the News; and as one of the Original Kings of Comedy. Hughley will perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Jubilee Theatre presents Lil & Satchmo: A Play with Music
Lil & Satchmo: A Play with Music is a musical love story that showcases the works of both the well-known great Louis Armstrong and Lil Hardin Armstrong, Louis’s second wife who herself loomed as a highly renowned jazz musician and pianist. Lil Hardin Armstrong, at 73, plays a lively, boogie-woogie version of “St. Louis Blues” during a televised outdoor concert, expressing her still remaining strong love for Louis while performing one of his all-time favorite songs, an ethereal Louis suddenly appears — but only for her eyes to see. The production will run at Jubilee Theatre through February 27.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo presents Auditorium Concert Series: Jeff Foxworthy
Jeff Foxworthy, one of the world's most respected comedians, is the bestselling author of more than 26 books, has hosted or starred in five TV series, and was also a part of one of the most successful comedy tours of all time, The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He'll perform at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium as part of the Auditorium Concert Series. Tickets for the concert include admission to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Clay Walker in concert
Country singer Clay Walker came out of the gate red hot, scoring No. 1 hits with five out of his first six singles. With a start to his career like that, he didn't have much more to prove, but he still put out a string of top 10 albums. After a long quiet period, he's been busy as of late, releasing two albums in the past three years, including 2021's Texas to Tennessee. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, January 29
Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth presents "Introverts and Extroverts"
Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth presents "Introverts and Extroverts," which includes Mozart's Trio in B flat Major, KV. 502, Brahms' Trio in C Minor, Op. 101, and Ravel's Trio in A Minor. The concert, taking place at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, will feature the Busch Trio, comprised of pianist Omri Epstein, violinist Mathieu van Bellen, and cellist Ori Epstein.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo presents Auditorium Concert Series: The Music of Queen
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, joined by Brody Dolyniuk and a full rock band, will perform the music of Queen as part of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo's Auditorium Concert Series. The concert, taking place at Will Rogers Memorial Auditorium, will feature music from the albums Classic Queen, A Night at the Opera, Sheer Heart Attack, Jazz, News of the World, A Kind of Magic, The Works, and more. Tickets for the concert include admission to the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
Sunday, January 30
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents "Milton Avery" closing day
Milton Avery is considered one of North America’s greatest 20th-century colorists. His career fell between the movements of the American Impressionists and the Abstract Expressionists, leaving him to forge a staunchly independent path. This comprehensive exhibition, closing on Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, brings together a selection of approximately 70 paintings from the 1910s to the mid-1960s that are among his most celebrated.
Fort Worth Opera presents Zorro on January 28 and 30 at Rose Marine Theater.
