While many events in and around Fort Worth have either been postponed or canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, some organizations have pivoted to virtual or socially-distanced events to continue offering the masses some entertainment while we need it the most.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this long Thanksgiving weekend. While they're not all outside of the house, they all promise to provide a nice distraction from the everyday life.
Wednesday, November 25
Jason Boland & the Stragglers in concert
Members of the Red Dirt/Texas Country genre, Jason Boland & The Stragglers are actually a product of Oklahoma, having gotten their start when Boland and drummer Brad Rice met at Oklahoma State University. But they've proved their Texas bona fides since then, with one of their albums named Live and Lit at Billy Bob's Texas. They'll return to Billy Bob's for this special concert.
Thursday, November 26
Venardos Circus
The Venardos Circus, a touring Broadway-style animal-free production, will present a brand-new livestream production on Thanksgiving Day. It will feature performers like Guinness World Record holder Brad Weston (golf juggling and sword walking), Derileisy Ramos (aerialist), Manuel and Ilenay Acosta (duo rola bola and duo straps), Chase Culp (comedy) and Rachel Bell (foot juggling and Roman rings). There will be two performances, one at 11 am and one at 6 pm.
Texas Motor Speedway presents Gift of Lights
Texas Motor Speedway will open its gates to the public for the annual Gift of Lights drive-thru holiday lighting spectacular. The event will include over two miles of light displays, with almost 3 million lights, while visitors get to stay in their warm cars, listening to Christmas music on KLTY. Due to the pandemic, this year's event will not have the Santa’s Village. It will take place through January 3.
Friday, November 27
Texas Christkindl Market
The Texas Christkindl Market, normally one of the largest open air holiday markets in the Southwest, will continue the 10-year tradition by moving to an all-online format for 2020. Visitors will discover holiday cheer, decorations, recipes, and one-of-a-kind finds and gifts from favorite vendors through the vendor listings. Online experiences will include video demonstrations, live performances, and more. The market takes place through December 23.
Magnolia at the Modern: Radium Girls
In Radium Girls, a group of female factory workers in the 1920s advocate for safer work conditions after some of their colleagues become ill from radium exposure. The film, starring Joey King, Abby Quinn, and Susan Heyward, the film will screen five times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Stage West Theatre presents The Naughty List
Stage West presents The Naughty List, a limited engagement, outdoor live performance from Moonrise Initiative that is a reimagined coming-of-age story featuring favorite holiday icons. It’s shortly before Christmas many years ago, and the annual Nice list is being prepared by a young, jolly Kris Kringle, while the Naughty list is assembled by his odd, shy little counterpart, Krampus. As they celebrate the arrival of the holiday season, a certain name mysteriously appears on a certain list which puts all of Christmas at stake. The production will take place on the lawn of the Texas Wesleyan University Mall through December 22. Starting December 4, it will also be available as a streaming production.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays"
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will highlight favorite seasonal tunes and Christmas carols in "Home for the Holidays." This perennial favorite, taking place at Will Rogers Memorial Center through Sunday, has become a staple of the Fort Worth holiday season, featuring a visit from Santa and a magical snowfall. The concert, conducted by Bob Bernhardt, will feature soprano Mela Sarajane Dailey.
Saturday, November 28
For King & Country in concert
On the Christian music scene, there are few groups bigger than pop duo For King & Country. Each of their three studio albums has gone higher on the Billboard Christian charts than the one before, with their 2018 album Burn the Ships coming in at No. 1. They recently released their first Christmas album, A Drummer Boy Christmas, which will be highlighted in two concerts at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Aaron Watson in concert
Country singer Aaron Watson has been a professional musician for over 20 years, but it wasn't until the last five or so that he truly started to break out. His past four albums — which mark Nos. 10-13 of his career — have all reached the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, including a No. 1 album with 2015's aptly titled The Underdog. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his 2019 album, Red Bandana.
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Home for the Holidays at Will Rogers Memorial Center, November 27-29.
Leave the car at home and ride the TEXRail.
Courtesy photo