It's not officially festival season, but you wouldn't know that by all the different festivals taking place in and around Fort Worth this weekend. They'll celebrate movies and food; films of a semi-native son; performing arts of all stripes; and blues music with a side of barbecue.
Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Monday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, August 31
Sid Richardson Museum presents Frederic Remington: "Altered States" opening day
Frederic Remington was a popular artist and illustrator in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when his images could be seen in widely distributed books and periodicals. This exhibition at Sid Richardson Museum features artworks with alterations, made either by the artist or by others, and explores the ways in which scholarship and scientific conservation methods have contributed to their discovery. It will be on display through September 9, 2018.
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Film Feast
The Modern will take a break from its regular Magnolia at the Modern series to celebrate two of its favorite things, film and food. Guest curators Louis Black and Caroline Frick have cooked up a cinematic feast that will feature silent film classics, rare archival Texas vignettes, cult favorites, and first-run summer blockbusters. There will be multiple screenings and food events every day through Sunday.
UT Arlington presents Lou Diamond Phillips Film Festival
In advance of Lou Diamond Phillips appearing at UT Arlington on September 7 as part of its Maverick Speakers Series, the university will host screenings of some of Phillips' best known movies. 2012's Filly Brown will screen on Thursday, followed by La Bamba on September 5, and a double feature of Courage Under Fire and The 33 on September 6. All films are free and will take place at Mavericks Activities Center.
Friday, September 1
2nd Annual Fort Worth Fringe Fest
The 2nd Annual Fort Worth Fringe Fest will feature 16 separate events highlighting theater, dance, music, poetry, improv comedy, magic, and short films. Among the performers at the two-day festival, happening at Fort Worth Community Arts Center, will be Joey Folsom, The JIM Experiment, American Classical Ballet Academy, Ritz Community Theatre, and Aloha O Hawaii Polynesian Dance Group.
2017 Bedford Blues & BBQ Festival
Fort Worth’s own Delbert McClinton and six-time Grammy winner Buddy Guy will headline the 2017 Bedford Blues & BBQ Festival, taking place through Sunday at the Bedford City Hall Complex. On the barbecue side of things, pit masters from around the world will be cooking in a Kansas City Barbecue Society competition, with samples available on Saturday and Sunday.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Cirque de la Symphonie
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Pops season with a concert to dazzle both the eyes and the ears. Cirque de la Symphonie features aerialists, acrobats, dancers, and jugglers performing amazing feats set to classical masterpieces. Stuart Chafetz will conduct three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Saturday, September 2
Red Bull Cliff Diving
The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will return to Texas for the fourth stop of the world series, taking place on Saturday and Sunday. Hell’s Gate at Possum Kingdom Lake will once again host the world’s most elite cliff divers going into the second half of the current season. There is no public land for viewing and you must have a watercraft (boat, paddle board, kayak, etc.) to view the event.
Advocare Classic: Michigan vs. Florida
All the three local Division I college football teams — SMU, TCU, and UNT — open their seasons with home games on Saturday, but those who aren't fans of the Ponies, Frogs, or Mean Green should head to this game at AT&T Stadium. The Michigan Wolverines and Florida Gators will meet for the first time in the regular season. Ticket-holders can enjoy a pregame Fan Fest with performances by Reckless Kelly and Judah & The Lion.
Sunday, September 3
Panther Island Pavilion presents Sunday Funday
The final Sunday Funday at Panther Island Pavilion will feature zen-worthy yoga, tasty food truck grub from Crazy Burger and Alchemy Pops, music, games, and ice-cold local craft beer. Sunday Funday offers a chill vibe and fun the whole family can enjoy, with rentals of kayaks, tubes, and pedal boats, and other activities.
Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty
Depending on the outcome of games earlier in the week, this matchup at College Park Center on the UT Arlington campus could decide whether the Dallas Wings make the WNBA playoffs, or merely serve as a warmup for its first-round game. The New York Liberty is one of the top four teams in the league, so the game should prove entertaining either way.
Panther Island Pavilion presents Sunday Funday one last time for the summer on September 3.
