If it weren't for the presence of a certain pop superstar, this weekend around Fort Worth-Arlington would be defined by theater, with two national tours and two local productions taking place. Other choices include two art events, three other concerts, a celebration of indigenous culture, and more.
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, March 30
Taylor Swift will play at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, March 31-April 2.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "Avedon’s West"
Originally scheduled to open on April 1, "Avedon's West" got an early opening last week at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. This spring marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Richard Avedon, a renowned fashion and portrait photographer. The Carter is showcasing 13 works of art from the acclaimed series "In the American West," which the museum commissioned in 1979 and premiered in 1985. The exhibition will remain on display through October 1.
Broadway at the Bass: Annie
Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theater goers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time comes to Fort Worth with a new production, running through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall. The celebration of family, optimism, and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.
Spamilton: An American Parody
Gerard Alessandrini, the comic mastermind behind the long-running hit Forbidden Broadway, has done it again with a side-splitting new musical parody of Broadway's biggest historical hit ever. Spamilton: An American Parody is the story of a very famous writer/director/star trying to save Broadway from mediocrity and oblivion. Along the way this sharp and lovable genius not only takes aim at Broadway's mega-hit, but manages to make hysterical mince meat out of all current and classic Broadway, plus a good deal of pop culture, too. The production runs in the Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Mañana through April 14.
Circle Theatre presents The Mountaintop
The Mountaintop is a gripping re-imagination of events the night before the assassination of the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 3, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people. The production runs through April 15 at Circle Theatre.
Friday, March 31
Magnolia at the Modern: Return to Seoul
On an impulse to reconnect with her origins, Freddie, 25, returns to South Korea for the first time, where she was born before being adopted and raised in France. The headstrong young woman starts looking for her biological parents in a country she knows so little about, taking her life in new and unexpected directions. Cambodia's entry for Best International Feature at the 2023 Oscars, the film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Indigenous Institute of the Americas presents IIAmericas Celebration
The 16th annual IIAmericas Celebration will honor indigenous cultures, dance, and arts. The IIAC gathering reflects the complex and diverse history, contemporary lives, and resilient adaptations of American Indian and Indigenous cultures today. The event will highlight American Indian and Indigenous artists, crafters, and traditional product makers from Indigenous Nations across the Americas. The festival takes place through Sunday at the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum in Cleburne.
Theatre Arlington presents Noises Off
Called “the funniest farce ever written,” Noises Off presents a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing’s On. Doors slamming, on- and off-stage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play. The production runs through April 16 at Theatre Arlington.
Taylor Swift in concert
Pop superstar Taylor Swift always attracts attention, though not always for the right reasons. Tickets for The Eras Tour were notoriously hard to get thanks to huge snafus by Ticketmaster. If you were able to snag tickets, you'll be witness to a reportedly three-hour, 40+ song extravaganza featuring songs from throughout her career, including her latest album, Midnights. She'll perform three shows through Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Neal McCoy in concert
Country singer Neal McCoy was part of the country boom in the early-to-mid 1990s, scoring with hits like "No Doubt About It" and "Wink." McCoy has tried to reinvent himself in a couple of ways in recent years, including with his 2017 anti-protest song, "Take a Knee ... My Ass!!" and an American standards album, You Don't Know Me. He'll play at at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, April 1
Fort Worth Public Art presents Public Art Dedication: One With The Bee by Dixie Friend Gay
Fort Worth Public Art will dedicate the new sculpture One With The Bee by Dixie Friend Gay in conjunction with the ribbon cutting for the improvements to the northeast area of North Z Boaz Park. The artwork takes the form of a 20 feet tall “flower” fabricated in mild steel. The scale invites the visitor to experience the work much as an insect would an actual flower. The artwork references the importance of a healthy bee habitat and the bee’s critical role in pollination.
Joe Nichols in concert
Country star Joe Nichols has been crafting hits since his breakout in 2002 with his sophomore album, Man with a Memory. Thanks to songs like "Brokenheartsville," "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," and "Gimmie That Girl," he's remained at the top of the genre for the past 20 years. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his new album, Good Day for Living. This concert will also serve as a 42nd anniversary celebration for Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, April 2
Legacy Tour featuring New Edition
New Edition is one of the defining groups of the 1980s, both because of the music they produced and their internal strife. Although they had hits together, members like Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe (aka Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe) are arguably better known for their work outside the group. This concert at Dickies Arena will bring the six original members back together again, joined by Keith Sweat and the original lineup of Guy.
Sopes plate at El Garambullo.
El Garambullo