With just a week to go until Christmas, new holiday events are still popping up, including a fun dance production and a trio of concerts. But the majority of events are not holiday-related, at least not on the surface. They include five concerts, screenings of an acclaimed film, the opening of a new art exhibition, and a college basketball showcase.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Looking for the best Christmas lights to view around town? Find that list here.
Thursday, December 16
McBride and The Ride Reunion Concert
Terry McBride's group, McBride & The Ride, recorded five albums together, racking up a bunch of top five singles, including their best known hit, "Sacred Ground." a No. 1 single in 1992. This special reunion concert at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis includes valet parking, red carpet entry, pre-concert reception, hors d’oeuvres, and tours of the venue.
Hayes Carll in concert
Texas musician Hayes Carll has been plugging away on the country music circuit for almost 20 years. His debut album, Flowers & Liquor, came out in 2002, and he reached his heights with his 2011 album, KMAG YOYO, which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Country charts. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his latest album, 2019's What It Is.
Friday, December 17
Magnolia at the Modern: The Souvenir Part II
In the aftermath of her tumultuous relationship with a charismatic but manipulative older man, Julie (Honor Swinton Byrne) begins to untangle her fraught love for him by making her graduation film and sorting fact from his elaborately constructed fiction. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Katie Kadan & Rose Short in concert
Katie Kadan and Rose Short, who were both finalists on Season 17 of The Voice, will team up for this special gala concert. Along with Katie and Rose’s live performance, the night includes valet parking, red carpet entry, pre-concert reception, hors d’oeuvres, and tours of Downtown Cowtown at the Isis.
Texas Ballet Theater presents The Nutty Nutcracker
Texas Ballet Theater will take a break from its regular Nutcracker production (continuing through December 26) to present The Nutty Nutcracker, a nutty take on the holiday classic. From current events and pop culture, hilarious new characters join Clara to turn the traditional tale on its head. It'll be a magical evening of side-splitting laughs at Bass Performance Hall, as you never know who will make an appearance.
Amphibian Stage presents A Winter's Cabaret
Amphibian Stage will present A Winter's Cabaret, bringing Broadway's best to Fort Worth to celebrate the holidays with a festive selection of winter favorites. The production features Kevin Smith Kirkwood (Kinky Boots), Nicole Ferguson (My Fair Lady), and musical director Drew Wutke. There will be performances at Amphibian Stage on both Friday and Saturday.
Chris Cagle in concert
Country singer Chris Cagle had a lot of success in the first 12 years of the 21st century, putting out five albums, two of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts. But just when he was at the top of his game, he walked away, retiring to spend more time with his family. It's unclear if this concert at Billy Bob's Texas is a one-off appearance or signs of a comeback, but fans of Cagle will take it either way.
Saturday, December 18
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "Sandy Rodriguez in Isolation"
Illuminating the complexity of art-making amid a global pandemic, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art will present "Sandy Rodriguez in Isolation," a selection of new works on paper conceived by the Los Angeles-based painter during her Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency in Southern California at the height of COVID-19. The exhibition features more than 30 landscapes, protest scenes, maps, and botanical studies, created using Rodriguez’s hand-processed inks and watercolors, which she derived from plants and mineral pigments native to the region. The exhibition will remain on display through April 17, 2022.
Fort Worth Opera presents "Wintersong: A Musical Holiday Celebration"
Fort Worth Opera will present "Wintersong: A Musical Holiday Celebration," a free community concert. Curated and conducted by FWO Chorus Master and Music Director Alfrelynn Roberts, the festive event at First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth will feature Christmas songs, timeless carols, holiday favorites, opera classics, and more performed by Fort Worth Opera's Lesley Resident and Studio Artists.
Hoop Hype XL | College Basketball Showcase: Houston vs Oklahoma
The Hoop Hype XL | College Basketball Showcase will feature a matchup between the Houston Cougars, who are currently ranked No. 14 and coming off an NCAA Final Four run, and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The opening game of the double-header, taking place at Dickies Arena, will feature Tulsa against Colorado State.
Arts Fifth Avenue presents "Jazzy Christmas"
Arts Fifth Avenue, the venue on the near south side of Fort Worth, will present their 20th annual energetic holiday celebration, "Jazzy Christmas." The concert will feature their three kings of jazz: Joe Rogers, Eddie Dunlap, and Chris White, plus dancing by The Sugar Plums.
Flatland Cavalry in concert
Flatland Cavalry, a country/Americana band from Lubbock that has released an EP and three studio albums, has experienced a modicum of national success, with their first album, Humble Folks, peaking at No. 38 on the Billboard Country charts. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of their new album, Welcome to Countryland.
Texas Ballet Theater presents The Nutty Nutcracker on December 17 at Bass Performance Hall.
