The beginning of June marks the unofficial beginning of summer, as virtually every school and university in the area has finished classes. That means it's time to let loose, whether that's at a family-friendly festival in downtown, at an annual outdoor concert series, with a Tony-nominated musical, or at a festival that celebrates music and beer in equal measures.
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, June 1
Orchard Theatre of Texas presents Spirit of the Trail
The newly formed Orchard Theatre of Texas presents the world premiere of Spirit of the Trail, a musical celebration of the heart and soul of the legendary Chisholm Trail, whose 150th anniversary is being celebrated this year. The production combines songs from stage and screen, classic hits from the country charts, and new music written by up-and-coming local talent. It runs through June 4 at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Museum before moving to the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, June 8-July 9.
Friday, June 2
Sundance Square presents Plaza Palooza
Sundance Square presents Plaza Palooza, a free two-day festival taking place Friday and Saturday and featuring music, visual artists, and other entertainment. Professional chalk artists from across the country are creating 3D and non-3D street art, with the artwork remaining under the umbrellas throughout the weekend. Performers include Grady Spencer & the Work, Josh Weathers, and more.
Magnolia at the Modern presents A Quiet Passion
In A Quiet Passion, Cynthia Nixon plays Emily Dickinson, personifying the wit, intellectual independence, and pathos of the poet whose genius only came to be recognized after her death. Director Terence Davies evokes Dickinson's deep attachment to her close-knit family along with the manners, mores, and spiritual convictions of her time. The film screens six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Concerts in the Garden: Preservation Hall Jazz Band
The Big Easy comes to Cowtown once again as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns to Fort Worth to kick off the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's annual Concerts in the Garden series at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Established in 1961, this renowned ensemble continues to promote and perform traditional New Orleans jazz all over the world.
Saturday, June 3
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "The Polaroid Project: At the Intersection of Art and Technology"
"The Polaroid Project: At the Intersection of Art and Technology" is a sweeping overview of the Polaroid phenomenon featuring the work of more than 100 artist-photographers, along with examples of the tools and artifacts that helped make Polaroid a household name. The exhibition, which makes its U.S. debut at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, features photos by a wide variety of artists, including Chuck Close, David Hockney, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol.
Casa Mañana presents Rock of Ages
In Rock of Ages, it’s 1987 on L.A.’s infamous Sunset Strip, where Drew, a boy from South Detroit, and Sherrie, a small-town girl, chase their dreams of making it big and falling in love. Complete with 28 rock anthems like "We Built this City," "The Final Countdown," and "Nothin’ But a Good Time," Rock of Ages, playing at Casa Mañana Theatre through June 11, takes you back to the times of big hair and big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos.
Index Fest
Formerly known as Untapped Festival, Index Fest brings stellar celebrations of beer, music, food, and arts across the state of Texas. The same focus on craft beer and music remains, but the long-term vision for Index Fest includes elevating the new components of high-quality food and arts to similar levels. There are 80-plus breweries pouring more than 300 beers, and performances by Dawes, Johnnyswim, Shinyribs, Oil Boom, and DJ Sober.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents JT Hodges
Most of the Concerts in the Garden series feature the music of time gone by, so it's great that with the second outing, they're celebrating a homegrown current artist. Fort Worth's own JT Hodges released his self-titled debut album in 2012, an EP, After Midnight, in 2015, and toured with Toby Keith. He brings his unique sound to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Dawes headlines Index Fest, taking place at Panther Island Pavilion on June 3.
