It's a pretty big weekend across Fort Worth, headlined by a national tour of a Broadway musical and the end of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Other choices include four new local theater productions, a quintet of concerts, screenings of an Oscar-nominated film, an opera production, a big-name comedian, and a long-running light show coming to an end.
Below are more best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, February 1
Broadway at the Bass: Disney's Aladdin
Discover a whole new world at Disney's Aladdin, a production filled with beauty, magic, comedy, and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. Featuring songs from the original film and more, the production runs through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Circle Theatre presents Artemisia
Artemisia is a visceral, sexy, full-force true story of a radical feminist artist who shook up Italian Baroque painting. Artemisia Gentileschi was the most celebrated female painter of the 17th century, yet her name was all but lost for centuries. Attacked at just 17, publicly shamed, and tortured to prove her truth, Gentileschi continues to fight for her art and the freedom to make it on her own terms. She painted women from history, myth, and religion as the protagonists of their stories. The production, making its regional premiere, runs through February 24 at Circle Theatre.
Pam Tillis in concert with Little Texas
Country mainstays Pam Tillis and Little Texas come to Fort Worth as part of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo's Auditorium Entertainment Series. Tillis has released 14 studio albums in her career, most recently Looking for a Feeling in 2020. Little Texas has released six albums in their career, most recently Young for a Long Time in 2015. They'll play at Will Rogers Auditorium.
The Cliburn presents Maria & Stanislav Ioudenitch
Father and daughter Stanislav and Maria Ioudenitch will unite with an all-French program of Ravel, Boulanger, Chaminade, and Franck. Stanislav Ioudenitch took home gold in the 2001 Cliburn Competition. Maria has followed in his footsteps, recently winning several international violin competitions and releasing the 2023 album, Songbird, a collaboration with Kenny Broberg, the 2017 Cliburn silver medalist and longtime student of Stanislav. They'll play at the Kimbell Art Museum.
Friday, February 2
Magnolia at the Modern: The Teacher's Lounge
A dedicated sports and math teacher (Leonie Benesch) starts her first job at a high school and stands out among the new staff because of her idealism. When a series of thefts occur at the school and one of her students is suspected, she decides to get to the bottom of the matter on her own. The Oscar-nominated film, which is in German with English subtitles, will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Opera Arlington presents Rusalka
Dvořák's fairytale masterpiece, Rusalka, is based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid, a magical tale that transports the audience into a fantasy forest, where a water nymph yearns for the love of a human prince and an evil witch plots her downfall. But is it the witch's curse that will bring her demise, or the fickleness of the human heart? The opera, performed in Czech with English supertitles, will have performances on Friday and Saturday at Tate Springs Baptist Church in Arlington.
Big Laugh Comedy Club presents Chris Kattan
Chris Kattan is best known as one of the longest serving cast members on NBC’s Saturday Night Live, creating characters like Mango, Mr Peepers, and one of the Butabi Brothers opposite Will Ferrell that was adapted into the 1998 cult classic, A Night at the Roxbury. Kattan went on to star in Corky Romano and Undercover Brother, as well as a series regular in the ABC hit series, The Middle. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Big Laugh Comedy Club.
Amphibian Stage presents Instructions for a Séance
At Instructions for a Séance, audiences will take a seat at Katie Bender’s “DIY séance party” as she attempts night after night to escape her own life by summoning the spirit of master escapologist Harry Houdini. The theatrical experiment transforms Bender’s mesmerizing personal journey into a collective experience that asks the audience: what are you trying to escape? The production runs February 11 at Amphibian Stage.
Jubilee Theatre presents Bread N' Gravy: The Songs and Life of Ethel Waters
Bread N' Gravy: The Songs and Life of Ethel Waters is a biographical production that explores the captivating journey of Waters, the legendary singer and actress. It delves into her humble beginnings, navigates alongside her entry into show business, and witnesses her extraordinary ascent to stardom. The compelling narrative unfolds the life of Waters, a trailblazing figure who became one of the first African American women to achieve unparalleled success both on Broadway and in Hollywood. The production runs through March 3 at Jubilee Theatre.
Dylan Scott in concert
Country singer Dylan Scott has been offering country fans something a little different since his debut in 2013. Incorporating elements of pop and even rap, he's made a name for himself with hit songs like "My Girl," "Hooked," "Nobody," and "New Truck." Scott has released two albums in his career, most recently Livin' My Best Life in 2022, although he just released a new song, "This Town's Been Too Good to Us." He will play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, February 3
Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo final day
The biggest event of the year on the Fort Worth calendar will come to a close on Saturday, and even though there was a stretch where enjoying the outdoor aspect of the event was impossible, its final few days will see much warmer weather. You can take in the rodeos, play games on the midway, and more in and around Dickies Arena.
Casa Mañana presents Seussical Jr.
Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in Seussical Jr., a fantastical musical extravaganza from Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. With catchy music and heartwarming tales, the production is sure to be a family favorite. The show, which is suitable for all audiences, runs through February 18 at Casa Mañana.
Jamey Johnson in concert
Country singer Jamey Johnson should be a bigger star than he is at this point in his career. After releasing his first album with a big label, The Dollar, in 2006, he went on to release three top 10 records, including the No. 1 The Guitar Song in 2010. But he has faded into the background in the decade-plus since, not having released any new music since 2012. He'll play at Will Rogers Auditorium as part of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Auditorium Entertainment Series.
Casey Donahew in concert
Country singer (and Burleson native) Casey Donahew had a nice run of success on the national country music scene, charting four straight albums in the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts in the 2010s, including the No. 3 All Night Party. He's gone on to release 10 albums in his career, most recently Built Different in 2022. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, February 4
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Modern Lights closing day
It's been an extended stay for Modern Lights, the annual holiday light display at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. This will the final weekend for 10 months to take in the museum's multiple trees wrapped in bright white lights. Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened (and will happen again).
Circle Theatre presents Artemisia through February 24.
Christmas cocktails at Curfew.
Curfew Bar/Facebook