This weekend in and around Fort Worth can almost be broken down into three categories. Theater leads the way, with three new local productions and a festival. Music comes next, with outdoor concerts, classical music, rock, country, and more. Last but not least are art openings, including two music-related ones and one dedicated to a mid-century master.
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 1
Amphibian Stage presents SparkFest
Amphibian Stages' SparkFest features a variety of events, workshops, performances, staged readings, and parties over a two-week period. The first weekend kicks off on Thursday with Light Up the Runway, a fashion event, and will be followed by a book lecture, dance performance, storytelling event, and staged reading. Events will take place near daily through June 14 at Amphibian Stage and other locations.
Circle Theatre presents Tiny Beautiful Things
A celebration of the simple beauty of being human, Tiny Beautiful Things is a funny, deeply touching, and uplifting play that is an exploration of resilience, based on Cheryl Strayed’s journey as the beloved anonymous advice columnist for “Dear Sugar.” Over the years, thousands of people turned to “Sugar” for words of wisdom, compassion, and hope. Reluctant to claim that she has all the answers, Sugar looks to her own past and draws on her life experiences to bring light, laughter, and humanity to others. The production runs through June 17 at Circle Theatre.
Historic Downtown Isis Theatre presents Greater Tuna
Greater Tuna is a show about the fictional town of Tuna, the "third smallest" town in the state of Texas, where the Lion’s Club is too liberal, and Patsy Cline never dies. Written by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard, the play is an affectionate comment on small-town, Southern life, and attitudes, but also a withering satire of same. There will be six performances through June 10 at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Concerts In The Garden
The second weekend of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Concerts in the Garden series will feature four concerts at Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Thursday's concert will be Preservation Hall Jazz Band, performing their brand New Orleans music, followed by Radio Highway Performs the Music of the Eagles on Friday. Saturday is Chicago Nights, featuring Jason Scheff, the long-time lead vocalist for Chicago. The weekend comes to a close with Classical Mystery Tour on Sunday, which features more than two dozen Beatles tunes transcribed note-for-note and performed exactly as they were originally recorded. All concerts will be followed by a drone show.
Friday, June 2
Magnolia at the Modern: The Lost King
In this inspiring true story, amateur historian Philippa Langley believes she has made the archeological find of the century: the lost burial site of King Richard III. She takes on Britain's most eminent historians, forcing them to rethink the legacy of one of the most controversial rulers in English history. The film will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents An Evening of Kodály, Mozart, and Brahms
Principal Guest Conductor Kevin John Edusei will conduct this special one-night-only concert, the orchestra’s final performance in Bass Performance Hall for the 2022-2023 season, featuring bassoonist Joshua Elmore. Selections will include Kodály's Peacock Variations, Mozart's Bassoon Concerto, and Brahms' Symphony No. 4.
Improv Arlington presents D.L. Hughley
Known for being politically savvy in true comedian-style, D.L. Hughley dives head first into hot-button controversial topics with insightfully sharp observations and his signature rapid-fire jokes. He is known for his sitcom, The Hughleys, as host of his own late night talk show on CNN, D.L. Hughley Breaks the News, and as one of the Original Kings of Comedy. He'll perform seven times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Rhett Miller in concert
Singer Rhett Miller has a lot of love around Dallas-Fort Worth, both from being the lead singer of Old 97's and from his solo work. Since 2002, he's essentially alternated between the two, releasing eight solo albums - most recently 2022's The Misfit - while still putting out a variety of albums with the Old 97's. He'll play solo at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.
Kody West in concert
Country singer Kody West is one of the latest in a long line of musicians to come out of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Hailing originally from Denton, he gained a loyal following with his 2017 debut album, Green, which led to him serving as the supporting act for artists like Charlie Robison, Whiskey Myers, and Koe Wetzel. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his 2022 album, Circles.
Saturday, June 3
Arlington Museum of Art openings
Even though it's an art museum, music will be the centerpiece of two new exhibitions at the Arlington Museum of Art. Piggybacking on the recent visit by superstar Taylor Swift, they'll host Taylor Swift: "The Eras Tour Collection," curated by the museum from Swift’s own private collection and featuring original costumes, photographs, and concert videos drawn from her creative periods, or "eras." Also opening is "Girl in a Country Song: Women of Country Music," featuring intimate portraits of female country music legends like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, Tanya Tucker, LeAnn Rimes, and others. Both exhibitions will be on display through September 24.
Casa Mañana presents Miss Saigon
In the turmoil of the Vietnam War, Chris, an American soldier, and Kim, a Vietnamese girl, fall in love and marry but are distressingly separated when Saigon falls. As years pass, Chris, remarries and attempts to move on with his life. Kim, however, gives birth to Chris’ son and waits faithfully for Chris’ return. When circumstances bring Chris back to Vietnam, he learns the truth. Miss Saigon is an epic, daring musical that is universal in its emotional power. With legendary actor Lou Diamond Phillips starring as The Engineer, the production runs through June 11 at Casa Mañana Theatre.
Creed Fisher in concert
Country singer Creed Fisher fancies himself a bit of an antihero, with his latest album - 2022's Rebel of the South - featuring a dose of unapologetic poking at the hornet’s nest that he calls "the mainstream country music hypocrisy." The country rock record is Fisher's fifth of his career, one where he's finally saying all the things he wanted to say earlier in his career. He'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.
Shenandoah in concert
Fueled by Marty Raybon’s distinctive vocals and the band’s skilled musicianship, Shenandoah became well known for delivering such hits as “Two Dozen Roses,” “Church on Cumberland Road,” and “Next to You, Next to Me,” as well as such achingly beautiful classics as “I Want to be Loved Like That” and the Grammy-winning “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart” duet with Alison Krauss. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, June 4
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Robert Motherwell: "Pure Painting" opening day
Robert Motherwell: "Pure Painting" will be the first presentation in more than a quarter century to fully examine the mastery of Motherwell, a major figure who shaped postwar art. Organized by guest curator Susan Davidson, the exhibition will feature a selection of visually compelling works chosen from throughout the artist’s lengthy and influential career, highlighting the subsequent key series that defined his oeuvre, offering new insights into his evolution as an artist. The exhibition will be on display through September 17.
Photo courtesy of Casa Mañana
