Music and comedy will trade off the title of best thing to do in and around Fort Worth this weekend, with three comedians performing over four days, and four concerts taking place, including a co-headlining event featuring two classic bands. Other choices include screenings of a new film with interesting co-stars, a symphony concert centered around a popular video game, and the closing of two art exhibitions.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, August 22
Improv Arlington presents Kym Whitley
Comedian Kym Whitley knew she was blessed with the gift to make people laugh after a chance encounter with Redd Foxx, who told her “she had the comedic goods.” Over the years, she's had roles on TV in ABC’s My Wife and Kids, CBS’s Two Broke Girls, and HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, and in films like We Bought A Zoo, The Nutty Professor, Next Friday, and Fist Fight. She'll perform five times through Saturday at Improv Arlington.
Friday, August 23
Magnolia at the Modern: Between the Temples
In the new film Between the Temples, a cantor (Jason Schwartzman) in a crisis of faith finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher (Carol Kane) re-enters his life as his new adult bat mitzvah student. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
1964 The Tribute in concert
The Beatles is the one band that seems destined to last for generations to come, and part of the reason for that is the proliferation of tribute bands dedicated to keeping their music alive. 1964 The Tribute recreates an early ‘60s live Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter. They'll play at Arlington Music Hall.
Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago in concert
Both Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago have been highly prolific over their 50+ year careers, with Earth, Wind & Fire releasing 22 albums and Chicago on the brink of 40. They will team up for this concert at Dickies Arena as part the co-headlining Heart & Soul Tour, singing all of their well-known hits.
Hyena's presents Ahmed Ahmed
Comedian Ahmed Ahmed is an Egyptian/American/Muslim who, after several years of being typecast as terrorists and cabdrivers, decided to shift into stand-up comedy to have a voice. He’s the co-founder of the groundbreaking Axis Of Evil Comedy Tour, which originally included Maz Jobrani and Aron Kader. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.
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. After a long layoff, they just put out their first new album in 10 years, Resurrection. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas. (UPDATE 8-22-24: This show has been canceled.)
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Orchestra World Tour
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will present Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Orchestra World Tour to kick off their 24/25 season. Based entirely on the game from Square Enix, the concert features all-new symphonic arrangements of the music of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, all performed by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Fort Worth Chorale. There will be performances on both Friday and Saturday at Bass Performance Hall.
Sunday, August 25
Art exhibition closings
Sunday will be the final day to view exhibitions at two Fort Worth art institutions. Ending at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is Rebecca Manson: "Barbecue," a site-responsive installation comprised of thousands of individually crafted ceramic leaves, flowers, a barbecue grill, and assorted detritus that swell into piles. Also closing is "Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood"at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, a multimedia examination of photographer and cinematographer Struss’ storied career, focusing on his transition from fine art photography to the world of moving pictures.
Earth, Wind & Fire will co-headline a concert with Chicago at Dickies Arena on August 23.
Hyena's presents Brandon T. Jackson
Brandon T. Jackson is a multifaceted young actor carving his own path in Hollywood. He started out in stand-up comedy and has evolved into a young film and television star who is perhaps best known for his role in Tropic Thunder. He has also starred in Thunderstruck, the third incarnation of Fox’s Big Momma’s House franchise, and Warner Bros.’ Lottery Ticket. He'll perform for one night only at Hyena's.
