There is an interesting mix of events on the docket across Fort Worth this weekend, including several big concerts, screenings of an acclaimed international film, an actor screening one of his classic films, three comedy events, a new local theater production, and a unique festival designed to delight the senses.
Below are the 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, June 22
Big Time Rush in concert
Musicians who come out of TV shows have a spotty record, but the boy band Big Time Rush did pretty well for themselves. Buoyed by the Nickelodeon show of the same name, in which they played four hockey players from Minnesota who dreamed of being singers, each of their three albums during the show's four-season run charted high on the Billboard 200. Now they're back with their first new album in 10 years, Another Life, and perhaps a reboot of the show. They'll perform at Dickies Arena.
Ballet Concerto presents 41st Annual Summer Dance Concert
Ballet Concerto's 41st annual Summer Dance Concert will include four evenings of live performances, featuring three vibrant ballets per night. The concert will feature the works of Spanish dance master, Luis Montero, who will return to restage his Andalusian Suite; Irish Suite with choreography by Dennis Spaight; and Dream On with choreography by Elise Lavallee. There will be four performances through Sunday at the The Shops at Clearfork.
Friday, June 23
Magnolia at the Modern: Persian Lessons
Set in occupied France in 1942, Persian Lessons follows a Belgian Jew, Giules, who narrowly avoids sudden execution by swearing to the guards that he's Persian, not Jewish. While the lie temporarily saves him, he is then assigned the extraordinary task of teaching Farsi, a language he doesn't know, to the officer in charge of the camp's kitchen who dreams of opening a restaurant in Iran once the war is over. The film, which is in German with English subtitles, will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
An Evening with John Cusack
John Cusack is one of those actors fortunate enough to have starred in a number of iconic movies throughout his long career. To celebrate that fact, he's hosting screenings of some of his most popular movies in multiple events around Texas. For this event at the Will Rogers Auditorium, he'll screen the 1984 film Sixteen Candles, followed by a live conversation about his career and the making of the film, as well as a Q&A.
Improv Arlington presents Alex Thomas
Comedian Alex Thomas got his start in show business as a dance choreographer for the infamous Fly Girls on In Living Color. It was there that he met Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans, who encouraged him to pursue a career as a stand-up comedian. He went on to become a writer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for three seasons, and opened up for stars like Sinbad, Jamie Foxx, Mark Curry, Damon Wayans, and Bill Cosby. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Hip Pocket Theatre presents The Butterfly’s Evil Spell (El Maleficio De La Mariposa)
The Butterfly’s Evil Spell (El Maleficio De La Mariposa), written by Federico Garcia Lorca, is a poetic world of beetles, fireflies, and other magical creatures that is disrupted when a hypnotic, wounded butterfly enters their dewdrop paradise. Boy beetle is cast under the spell of love, and Scorpy is sure to shake things up in this timeless tale of longing and beauty. The production, which was last produced at Hip Pocket in 2011, will run through July 16 at Hip Pocket Theatre.
Los Lonely Boys in concert
Hailing from San Angelo, Los Lonely Boys play a style of music that they've dubbed "Texican Rock 'n' Roll," which blends elements of rock, blues, soul, country, and Tejano. After self-releasing a couple of albums in the 1990s, they scored two top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 in the 2000s. Although they haven't released an album since 2014's Revelation, they'll entertain fans with all their hits at this concert at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, June 24
Water Lantern Festival
The Water Lantern Festival is a floating lantern event that is all about connections. The event, taking place at Panther Island Pavilion, includes food, games, activities, vendors, music, and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope, and dreams reflected upon the water.
Hyena's presents The Magic of Eric Eaton
Comedy magician Eric Eaton has been seen on the TV show Masters of Illusion and live on stages all around the country. His adults-only features his unique blend of quick-wit comedy and astonishing magic. He'll put on an early evening show at Hyena's in downtown Fort Worth.
"An Evening with John Cusack" will be at Will Rogers Auditorium on June 23.
Kid Rock in concert
Back when he got his big break in the late '90s/early 2000s, Kid Rock had fans from all walks of life thanks to rock hits like "Bawitdaba" and "Cowboy," and then a country hit, "Picture," with Sheryl Crow. Now, however, his conservative politics have left him appealing to only a certain segment of fans, as witnessed by him naming this event the "No Snowflakes Summer Concert." He'll play at Dickies Arena in support of his 2022 album, Bad Reputation.
Hyena's presents Sam Tallent
Sam Tallent is aptly named, as in addition to his stand-up comedy, he's had success as a writer, with pieces appearing in Birdy Magazine and on VICE.com, and his debut novel, Running the Light, which focuses on stand-up comedy, is slated to become a major motion picture. He also has a comedy special, Waiting For Death to Claim Us, available on Amazon Prime. He'll perform for a one-night-only late night show at Hyena's.
