These are the 14 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Weekend Event Planner

Photo courtesy of Beyoncé

This weekend marks the beginning of fall, even if the temperatures don't yet reflect the seasonal change. With it this year in and around Fort Worth comes a music superstar, fall holiday events, dance productions, a cabaret show, NASCAR races, multiple other concerts, 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, September 21

Fort Worth Oktoberfest
Fort Worth Oktoberfest is a three-day celebration of German culture with the best in Bavarian entertainment. Guests can drink das bier, eat das sausage, and polka till they drop. This year’s lineup includes Alex Meixner Band, Das Ist Lustig, Alpenmusikanten, Walburg Boys and the Happy Hour Oktoberfestband. There will also be a midway with carnival rides and games. The festival takes place through Saturday at Trinity Park.

Haunted houses/Halloween events
Halloween is over a month a way, but you can get in the spirit now by going to one of a couple of haunted houses/Halloween events now open near Fort Worth. They include Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms in Arlington, featuring over 5,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins; and Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, featuring seven different haunted houses, a variety of scare zones with zombies, witches, and more, and chilling rides in the dark. Both are open through at least October 30, with more haunts opening next week.

Authentic Flamenco presents Amador Rojas
Teatro Real - The Royal Opera of Madrid and Fever have teamed up to present Authentic Flamenco, a traditional flamenco dance show. The live presentation features award-winning Spanish artists Amador Rojas and Ángeles Gabaldón as dancers, Paco Iglesias on guitar, Diego Amador and Tomasa Peña as singers, and Luis Amador on percussion. There will be two performances on Thursday at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis.

Fort Worth Dance Festival
The mission of Fort Worth Dance Festival is to preserve and promote dance in the city of Fort Worth. The festival will gather various area dance institutions, ranging from dance professionals, artists, choreographers, students, teachers, studio owners, artistic directors, dance clothing stores, and others to share ideas, experiences, technique, and artistic voices. The festival takes place through Saturday at I.M. Terrell Academy.

The Cliburn presents Anna Geniushene
Anna Geniushene’s fresh, layered, and powerful interpretations defined her participation at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - and won her the coveted silver medal and the adoration of fans around the globe. Her inaugural season as a Cliburn winner included recital appearances in the United States, Japan, China, and Lithuania. She'll perform on both Thursday and Friday at Kimbell Art Museum.

Casa Mañana presents Vintage Pop!: From The 1920s to the 1980s with Carole J. Bufford
Vintage Pop travels by decade, from the 1920s to the 1980s, exploring how the style and sound of pop music developed over the years. The show will highlight Carole J. Bufford's inimitable style, stories behind the music, and songs by Judy Garland, Sophie Tucker, Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sting, Tina Turner, Prince, and more. The show will play in the Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Mañana through September 30.

Beyoncé in concert
It's taken a long time, but R&B/pop superstar Beyoncé has finally arrived in Arlington in one of the last stops on her Renaissance World Tour. The tour, which is in support of her 2022 album, Renaissance, has been met with rapturous reviews at every stop, featuring a variety of big special guests and the production value that only Queen Bey can deliver. If you're lucky enough to have a ticket, you can see her perform at AT&T Stadium.

Friday, September 22

Southall in concert
Southall - formerly The Read Southall Band - formed out of the local songwriting scene in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2015 following the success of Read Southall's debut solo album, Six String Sorrow. The country band has released three albums in their short career, most recently 2021's For the Birds. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, September 23

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents "Very Eric Carle: A Very Hungry, Quiet, Lonely, Clumsy, Busy Exhibit"
The new exhibition "Very Eric Carle" highlights a journey into the imaginative world of the renowned author and illustrator. Inspired by his quintet of "very" books, including the beloved classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the play-and-learn exhibition is all about friendship, creativity, and the power of imagination. Visitors can step into a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and shapes, where the boundaries between art and nature blur. The exhibition will be on display at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History through January 7, 2024.

NASCAR Weekend at Texas Motor Speedway
With the NASCAR season in its final stretch, Texas Motor Speedway will play host to two major races with playoff implications. On Saturday will be the Andy's Frozen Custard 300, which kicks off the Xfinity Series Playoffs. That will be followed on Sunday by the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, in which the top 12 drivers left in the Cup Series compete on the 1.5 mile speedway, including point leaders William Byron and Martin Truex Jr.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents FLY Dance Company: Breakin’ Classical
FLY is what happens when street dance and classical music meet, but that’s not all. Based in Houston, FLY is pure fun - youthful energy, risk-taking movement, and clever choreography set to a mix of surprising musical selections. FLY has been spreading their infectious “theatrical hip hop” around the world since 1992. They'll perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra at Will Rogers Auditorium.

Daughtry in concert
For a fourth-place finisher on American Idol, Chris Daughtry sure has made the most of his opportunity. He's one of only a handful of contestants to become an unqualified success after the show, as he and his band have racked up multiple No. 1 songs and albums. With six albums in their career, most recently 2021's Dearly Beloved, they'll play at Arlington Music Hall.

Sunday, September 24

BoDeans in concert
Rock band BoDeans is entering its fifth decade, having formed in Wisconsin in 1983. Although they've released 14 albums throughout the career, most recently 2022's 4 The Last Time, they're best known for their 1993 song, "Closer to Free," which served as the theme song to the TV family drama series, Party of Five. They'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.

Christian Nodal in concert
It's still early in Mexican singer Christian Nodal's career, but he's already set an enviable pace. Each of his three albums, most recently 2020's Ayayay!, have gone to No. 1 on Billboard's Regional Mexican Albums charts, as well as the top 10 Billboard Latin charts. And pretty much every single he puts out, including two off his new EP, Forajido 2, make the top 10 on the Mexican charts. He'll play at Dickies Arena.

$Beyonc\u00e9 Renaissance album cover$

Photo courtesy of Beyoncé

Beyoncé will perform at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on September 21.

Photo by Danny Clinch

These are the 17 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Weekend Event Planner

It's an absolutely stacked weekend in and around Fort Worth, to the point that there's almost too much to do. A huge concert, a touring Broadway production, and a music festival lead the way, but there is so much more. Other choices include an annual wine festival, visits from a couple of well-known comedians, home tours, more concerts, art exhibitions, 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, September 14

37th Annual GrapeFest
The 37th Annual GrapeFest features a variety of events over four days, including the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic, live music from headliners David Lee Murphy and Carnie and Wendy Wilson of Wilson Phillips fame, vendors, artisans, a Kid Zone, Carnival Midway, pickleball, and more. The festival takes place Thursday-Sunday at Historic Downtown Grapevine.

Friday, September 15

Pearl Jam in concert
Legendary rock band Pearl Jam doesn't often go on tour these days, and their 2023 tour only includes five cities, with Fort Worth being one of them. One of the original grunge bands to come out of Seattle in the early 1990s, Pearl Jam had a great 20-year run before slowing down in the early 2010s. They did release their 11th album, Gigaton, in 2020, but another promised new album has yet to materialize. They'll play the second of two shows (the first was on September 13) at Dickies Arena.

Broadway at the Bass presents Jagged Little Pill
If you were in your teens or twenties in 1995, Alanis Morissette's album Jagged Little Pill likely spoke to you in a big way. The rawness of the songs and Morissette's distinctive voice made it one of the classic albums of the '90s. That album inspired this Broadway musical, "an electrifying production about a perfectly imperfect American family" based on Morissette’s world-changing music. There will be five performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Hip Pocket Theatre presents Old and In the Way
Old and In the Way is a nostalgic look back to the early days of the youthful dream of Hip Pocket Theatre, brought to life by the elders of the little tribe wrangled together by Doug Balentine, Diane Simons, and Molemo!. Molemo! is now one of the last living members of the original group and this presentation is meant to be a tender remembrance of the past and a tragi-comedic look at the last days of an old elderly hippy. There will be three performances through Sunday at Hip Pocket Theatre.

Hyena's presents Tim Meadows
A notable weekend of comedy at Hyena's in downtown Fort Worth starts with actor, comedian, and writer Tim Meadows, who will perform twice on Friday. Meadows was one of the longest-running cast members on Saturday Night Live, where he appeared for 10 seasons from 1991 to 2000. He's gone on to be a reliable character actor in both movies and TV.

Saturday, September 16

Tarrant Regional Water District presents Trash Bash
At Tarrant Regional Water District's Trash Bash, thousands of volunteers remove litter throughout the community and its local waterways. Volunteers can help cleanup from 8-10 am, and then celebrate their hard work at the after-party from 10 am to 1 pm at one of four locations: Trinity River, Cobb Park, Eagle Mountain Lake, and Cedar Creek.

Wedgwood Historical Association Parade of Homes
Wedgwood Historical Association will present their 3rd Annual Parade of Homes, Wedgwood’s own historic home tour. The event will feature four midcentury homes, of various styles. Guests will check in at a separate location, then tour the homes in any order they wish. Docents will be stationed outside and throughout the interiors of the homes to provide information.

AIA Fort Worth Homes Tour
Even more homes will be on display in the AIA Fort Worth Homes Tour, an annual showcase of outstanding residential architecture designed by local, licensed architects. It is the only city-wide, self-guided tour of elite homes in and around Fort Worth. The one-day tour showcases a variety of home styles, types, and sizes, and features a mix of projects, including new homes, renovations, and additions.

Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "Trespassers: James Prosek and the Texas Prairie"
Less than one percent of native prairies exist across the state of Texas. This conservation concern is the catalyst for more than 20 new works created by artist and naturalist James Prosek. "Trespassers: James Prosek and the Texas Prairie" features a new large-scale silhouette painting, one of Prosek’s signature working styles; watercolor portraits of plants collected during his travels; and trompe l’oeil clay and bronze sculptures of wildflowers. The exhibition will be on display through January 28, 2024 at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

Shaq’s Bass All Stars Festival
DJ Diesel (aka Shaq) is taking his touring live event series, Shaq’s Bass All Stars, to the next level with his first large-scale bass music festival. With a lineup personally curated by the NBA Hall of Famer, the festival will feature more than 15 of Shaq’s All-Stars, including Alison Wonderland, Sullivan King, Kai Wachi, Crankdat, and more across two stages at Panther Island Pavilion. Besides the music, the festival will also host Shaq’s favorite Texas food trucks, as well as interactive brand activations and photo moments.

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Modern by Moonlight: Otsukimi Festival
In recognition of the rich heritage of Tadao Ando, the architect of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth building, the museum will celebrate Otsukimi, the annual Japanese festival that honors the autumn moon and the season ahead. Guests can cast a lantern into the reflecting pond to create an ethereal glow and stunning event backdrop. In addition to the Modern’s special exhibitions, the event features live entertainment by Dondoko Taiko, Nik Parr and The Selfless Lovers, and The Dirty Shirts. Japanese-inspired food and beverages crafted by Café Modern will be available throughout the evening.

Hyena's presents Bobcat Goldthwait
Hyena's big weekend continues with Bobcat Goldthwait, whose career dates back to the 1980s, when he had one of the most recognizable voices in comedy. He's ditched that unusual way of speaking, but his stand-up still features hilarious riffs on politics, divorce, going broke, and his career as a writer and director of film. He'll perform twice on Saturday.

Chicago in concert
If it seems like Chicago is constantly on tour, that's because they are. The band has toured every year since their debut in 1969, never missing a year. Three of the original band members - keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, trumpeter/vocalist Lee Loughnane, and trombonist James Pankow - are still going strong today, and they're still releasing new music, putting out Born for this Moment in 2022, making them the first American rock band to chart Top 40 albums in six consecutive decades. They'll play at Will Rogers Auditorium.

Bruce Wood Dance presents Homecoming 2
Homecoming 2 features a trio of dance performances, starting with Bruce Wood's The Only Way Through Is Through, a timeless embodiment of relentless determination. It also includes Wood's energetic and groovy tribute to the 1970s, Polyester Dreams, set to the music of Gladys Knight, The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, and more. Joy Bollinger's Blue rounds out the evening. The production will be at W. E. Scott Theatre at Arts Fort Worth.

Arctic Monkeys in concert
For a long time, English rock band Arctic Monkeys was consistently bigger in their native UK than on this side of the pond. Their albums would sell well in the U.S., but wouldn't come close to the No. 1 status they enjoyed back home. That changed with their 2013 album, AM, which - on the strength of the hit "Do I Wanna Know?" - is their biggest-selling album to date. They'll play at Dickies Arena in support of their 2022 album, The Car.

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 comes back to town in support of his 2022 album, Built Different. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Sunday, September 17

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Robert Motherwell: "Pure Painting" closing day
Sunday will be the last day to view Robert Motherwell: "Pure Painting," 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 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth features 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.

Photo by Danny Clinch

Pearl Jam will play at Dickies Arena on September 15.

Photo courtesy of Lainey Wilson

These are the 12 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Weekend Event Planner

The biggest event of the weekend across Fort Worth will happen right up front, when a big pop star comes to town. Other choices will include a comic residency, a short-form theater festival, the start of a new symphony season starring a piano superstar, a trio of other concerts, a local production of a Tony Award-winning musical, and more.

Photo courtesy of Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson plays at Billy Bob's Texas on September 8.

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, September 7

Sam Smith in concert with Jessie Reyez
Singer Sam Smith has experienced quite the musical and personal journey over the past decade. Their 2014 debut album, In the Lonely Hour, seemed to announce them as the next great soul singer. But after coming out first as gay and then as genderqueer, their music has gone in a much different direction, with their last two albums - including 2023's Gloria - having more of a dance pop vibe. They will perform at Dickies Arena, joined by Jessie Reyez.

Amphibian Stage presents Gabe Mollica: Deductible
Comedian Gabe Mollica has tried for something unique in his recent work, developing a stand-up set that straddles the line between theatre and comedy. His new project, Deductible, takes aim at the U.S. healthcare system. He'll perform three times through Saturday at Amphibian Stage.

Friday, September 8

Fort Worth Fringe Festival
The Fort Worth Fringe Festival features a variety of different acts, ranging from rarely-produced theatre, dance, storytelling, puppetry, poetry, and more from performers from all over Texas and beyond. Headlining the festival is A Man of No Importance by the London-based Scrambled Egg Theatre Company, and other companies presenting productions include The Maverick Theatre Company, Next Stage, Scene Shop, imPULSE Dance Project, and more. The festival takes place through Sunday at Arts Fort Worth.

Magnolia at the Modern: Between Two Worlds
Famed author Marianne Winckler (Juliette Binoche) goes undercover to investigate the exploitation of working class people in northern France. She eventually lands a job as a cleaner and develops close connections with the other cleaning women. As she learns more about the plight of these workers, Marianne struggles with her deception and tries to rationalize that it’s for the greater good. The film, which is in French with English subtitles, will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents Celebramos: A Celebration of Latin American Culture & Heritage
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will present their third annual Celebramos: A Celebration of Latin American Culture & Heritage. The monthlong extravaganza will include 18 separate events, including dance and musical performances, art exhibitions, food, fashion, shopping opportunities, and special after-hour events. The festival takes place on weekends through October 15.

EarthX Film presents "A Party for the Planet"
EarthX Film presents “A Party for the Planet,” an evening featuring three short films focused on the environment, a discussion of the films, and music from Fort Worth native Abraham Alexander. Alexander will put on both a short, acoustic performance to begin the event, and a full set with his band to close out the evening. The event takes place at Downtown Cowtown at the Isis.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Cliburn Competition’s Gold Medalist: Schumann and Brahms"
Once every four years, the Van Cliburn competition pits pianists from around the world against one another in one of classical music’s most prestigious competitions. To open the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s new season, 2022 gold medalist Yunchan Lim - who has shot to superstardom in the year since his win - returns to deliver Schumann’s Piano Concerto. FWSO Music Director Robert Spano also conducts Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 as well as the composer’s Academic Festival Overture. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Lainey Wilson in concert
Unlike some other country singers, Lainey Wilson has faced a somewhat difficult road toward stardom. Coming out of a small town in Louisiana, she moved to Nashville when she was just 19 and put out a couple of lightly-regarded albums. It wasn't until almost a decade later when she finally broke out with the 2020 single, "Things a Man Oughta Know." Her follow-up album, 2022's Bell Bottom Country, made the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts, and thanks in part to her role in the hit show Yellowstone, she looks poised for success for years to come. She'll make her Billy Bob's Texas debut.

Saturday, September 9

Fort Worth Art Dealers Association presents Fall Gallery Night
Twice a year, the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association invites visitors to take in the visual arts and the community’s unique cultural richness during Gallery Night. Most participants are open from 12-9 pm. Guests can take a stroll through participating galleries, museums, retail businesses, and area restaurants, and enjoy the many artists featured during this community event.

Casa Mañana presents Jersey Boys
Jersey Boys is a jukebox musical that takes audiences behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome works their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom. The production, which features hits like “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Dawn,” and “My Eyes Adored You,” runs through September 17 at Casa Mañana.

Magic City Hippies in concert
Embracing everything from AM radio rock and poolside pop to nimble raps and salsa, Magic City Hippies lock into an era-less vibe with no shortage of funk or hooks. The three-piece band delivers the kind of bangers you can play on the way to the party, during the party, and to smooth over the comedown as the sun comes up. They'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall in support of their 2022 album, Water Your Garden.

Mike Ryan in concert
Earlier this year, singer Mike Ryan made his return to Billy Bob's Texas after a seven-year absence, and barely six months later he's back again. The San Antonio native is a favorite all around Texas, playing at multiple festivals and concert venues. For the first time in five years, he has new music to showcase, as he released his fourth album, Longcut, in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Brix

Top Fort Worth pitmasters to join lineup at 2023 Texas Monthly BBQ Fest

WHERE THERE'S SMOKE

For Texas barbecue fans, chasing down the best can be daunting. There are gas costs, waiting in line, and lodging. Rural towns may produce exceptional brisket, but few are well-known for luxurious hotels.

A better way to sample the BBQ scene is the second annual Texas Monthly BBQ Fest, the meatopia hosted by Texas Monthly magazine, slated to blaze into Lockhart, Texas, on November 4-5.

The 2023 lineup includes some of the most celebrated pitmasters in the state, and that includes nine of the top barbecue spots in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Drawing from barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn's "Top 50 BBQ Joints in Texas" list as well as the recent "New and Improved" update, the invitees reflect Texas' deep culinary traditions and growing diversity.

The shindig kicks off on November 4 with the BBQ World's Fair, a free street fair featuring live music, artisan vendors, cooking demos, and an array of vendors from Texas Monthly's barbecue lists and Taco Trail. Those wanting a more VIP experience can purchase an "Around the World" punch card entitling guests to exclusive bites from featured barbecue joints.

The honor roll includes the following, with more to be announced soon:

Barbs-B-Q (Lockhart)
Brix Barbecue (Fort Worth)
CM Smokehouse (Austin)
GW's BBQ (San Juan)
KG BBQ (Austin)
Khói Barbecue (Houston)
The Original Black's BBQ (Lockhart)
Sunbird Barbecue (Longview)

The weekend continues on November 5 with the giant Top 50 Picnic, a celebration of the finest craft makers in the state. The stellar lineup adds:

1701 Barbecue (Beaumont)
2M Smokehouse (San Antonio)
Baker Boys BBQ (Gonzales)
Blood Bros. BBQ (Bellaire)
Brett's BBQ Shop (Katy)
Brett's Family BBQ (Rockdale)
Brotherton's Black Iron Barbecue (Pflugerville)
Burnt Bean Co. (Seguin)
Cattleack Barbeque (Farmers Branch)
Convenience West (Marfa)
Dayne's Craft Barbecue (Fort Worth)
Desert Oak Barbecue (El Paso)
Eaker Barbecue (Fredericksburg)
Evie Mae's Pit Barbecue (Wolfforth)
Feges BBQ (Houston)
Goldee's Bar-B-Q (Fort Worth)
Guess Family Barbecue (Waco)
Hays Co. Bar-B-Que (San Marcos)
Helberg Barbecue (Woodway)
Hurtado Barbecue (Arlington)
Hutchins BBQ (Frisco)
Interstellar BBQ (Austin)
Killen's Barbecue (Pearland)
LaVaca BBQ (Port Lavaca)
LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue (Austin)
LJ's BBQ (Brenham)
Micklethwait Craft Meats (Austin)
Miller's Smokehouse (Belton)
Mimsy's Craft Barbecue (Crockett)
Panther City BBQ (Fort Worth)
Rejino Barbeque (Olton)
Slow Bone (Dallas)
Smokey Joe's BBQ (New Braunfels)
Snow's BBQ (Lexington)
Teddy's Barbecue (Weslaco)
Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue (Tomball)
Terry Black's Barbecue (Lockhart)
Truth Barbecue (Houston)
Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ (Buda)
Zavala's Barbecue (Grand Prairie)

Although VIP tickets and weekend bundles have already been gobbled up, a few general admission tickets and punch cards remain for the weekend events. Snag them at texasmonthly.com.

LL Cool J Facebook

These are the 10 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Weekend Event Planner

This weekend across Fort Worth features four big concerts, headlined by a huge Hip Hop collaboration. Other choices include two new theater productions, screenings of a new film and a London theater production, a one-night-only symphony concert, and a flurry of movement at an art museum.

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, August 24

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band in concert
A singer, composer, and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 15 albums over three decades. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of Americana, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers. He'll perform at Bass Performance Hall in support of his 2022 album, 12th of June.

Circle Theatre presents The Other Josh Cohen
Josh Cohen just can’t get a break. He’s single, broke, and to top it all off, his apartment’s been robbed of everything but a Neil Diamond CD. Soon though, his luck takes a turn when a mysterious envelope arrives that changes his life forever. Thus begins the hilarious and quirky romantic comedy about a good guy caught in a lifelong battle with bad luck. The play, making its regional premiere at Circle Theatre, runs through September 16.

LL Cool J: The F.O.R.C.E. Live with The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and more
Just two weeks after the official 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, some of the biggest stars in the world come to town for a unique collaborative concert. LL Cool J will be the headliner, but he'll be joined by The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip, as well as Rakim, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Juvenile, Goodie Mob, and MC Lyte. Unlike the traditional “opening act – headliner” format, the show will be a nonstop musical mash up with artist performances interwoven within one continuous musical set backed by The Roots.

Friday, August 25

Magnolia at the Modern: Shortcomings
A struggling filmmaker who works for a local Asian American film festival spends his time obsessing over unavailable blonde women, watching Criterion Collection DVDs, and eating in diners with his best friend, a queer grad student with a serial dating habit. When his girlfriend moves to New York for an internship, he is left to his own devices, and begins to explore what he thinks he might want. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Theatre Arlington presents Avenue Q
Avenue Q is a puppet-filled comedy (for adults) that follows a group of twenty-somethings seeking their purpose in big-city life. The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it’s clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. The production runs through September 10 at Theatre Arlington.

Granger Smith featuring Earl Dibbles Jr. Farewell Tour
For years, country singer Granger Smith has used his alter ego, Earl Dibbles Jr., to explore a more brash and humorous side to his music. Now, however, Smith has decided to retire both the alter ego and his regular personality to devote more time to his other passion, the ministry. He'll play two special shows at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his 2022 album, Moonrise.

Saturday, August 26

National Theatre Live: Best of Enemies
David Harewood and Zachary Quinto play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s new drama, Best of Enemies. In 1968 America, as two men fight to become the next president, all eyes are on the battle between two others: the cunningly conservative William F. Buckley Jr., and the unruly liberal Gore Vidal. During a new nightly television format, they debate the moral landscape of a shattered nation. This screening of a previously recorded event will be at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Stars of the Symphony"
"Stars of the Symphony" is an evening celebrating the talent of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra musicians collaborating together in virtuosic roles. In this performance at Bass Performance Hall, members of the orchestra take the spotlight, from clarinetist Stas Chernyshev and bassoonist Josh Elmore in Strauss’ Duett-Concertino and percussionist Nick Sakakeeny in Toshio Mashima’s Marimba Concerto to Shields-Collins “Buddy” Bray with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Sunday, August 27

Amon Carter Museum of American Art openings and closings
Sunday is moving day at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, with two exhibitions opening and one coming to a close. Opening is "Come to Colorado," which showcases 19th-century photographs, including work from W. J. Carpenter, Joseph M. Collier, and William Henry Jackson; and "The World Outside: Louise Nevelson at Midcentury," one of the first exhibitions examining Louise Nevelson’s midcentury sculptures and works on paper through the lens of the artistic and cultural landscape that shaped her vision. Both will run through January 7, 2024. Closing is Arthur Dove: "Miniature Laboratories," which examines a selection of work from the last years of Dove’s life, hundreds of works on paper, most measuring three-by-four-inches, that experimented with various mediums and techniques.

Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake in concert
Christian worship leaders Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake will play at Dickies Arena as part of the Summer Worship Nights tour, joined by KB. Wickham’s eighth album, Hymn of Heaven, was released in 2021 with a special guest appearance by Lake. Lake is touring in support of his 2022 album, Help!

Photo courtesy of LL Cool J

LL Cool J will headline The F.O.R.C.E. Live at Dickies Arena on August 24.

Rick Springfield Facebook

These are the 8 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Weekend Event Planner

This weekend across Fort Worth will be centered around music from beginning to end. Half of the events are concerts, with one major one offering up two separate shows. There will also be screenings of an acclaimed new film, a great comedian, the opening of a unique outdoor art exhibition, and the closing another exhibition about a classic TV holiday special.

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.

Friday, August 18

Magnolia at the Modern: Past Lives
Nora (Greta Lee) and Jung Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this modern romance. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Read a review here.

Metallica in concert
There has been no bigger heavy metal band over the past 40 years than Metallica, and their return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area will appropriately be bigger than ever. Just like every other stop on their world tour, they will play two separate shows, promising a "No Repeat Weekend," with two completely different setlists and support lineups at each concert. Joining them on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington will be the reunited Dallas band Pantera (touring for the first time in 22 years) and Mammoth WVH, followed by Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills on Sunday. The tour is in support of the band's new album, 72 Seasons, their first new release in six years.

Improv Arlington presents George Willborn
George Willborn is a Chicago native who got his big break as the house MC at All Jokes Aside, which was Chicago’s first primarily African American comedy club. He shared the stage with and befriended comedy greats like Jamie Foxx, Bernie Mac, and Steve Harvey, among others. He went on to appear on Def Comedy Jam, BET’s Comic View, Showtime at the Apollo, Comedy Central, and TV One. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.

Jon Wolfe in concert
There are a lot of big-time stars who grace the stage at Billy Bob's Texas, but just as often they showcase talented and hard-working musicians with smaller but loyal fanbases. Jon Wolfe has six albums to his credit, most recently 2021's Dos Corazones, and only one of them — 2015's Natural Man — made any kind of impact on the Billboard Country charts. But you can expect the venue to be packed once again for him, as he's a regular in Fort Worth.

Saturday, August 19

Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents "FLORIGAMIINTHEGARDEN"
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will present Texas premiere of "FLORIGAMIINTHEGARDEN," a six-month outdoor art exhibit featuring 18 museum-quality sculptures inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding. The event will feature pieces ranging from a few feet to more than 30 feet tall, which portray a variety of forms, including animals, flowers and various geometric shapes. The exhibition will remain on display through February 14, 2024.

Ted Nugent in concert
Ted Nugent has carved a permanent place in rock 'n' roll history as a guitar-shredding showman. From Amboy Dukes’ hit “Journey to the Center of the Mind,” to classics like “Stranglehold” and “Cat Scratch Fever,” Damn Yankees chartbuster “High Enough,” and cult classic “Fred Bear,” Nugent’s career has spanned five decades. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas as part of his Farewell Tour in support of his 2022 album, Detroit Muscle.

Sunday, August 20

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" closing day
Sunday is closing day for "Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!" at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The latest traveling exhibition from the Charles M. Schulz Museum examines the making of the animated classic and celebrates the anticipation, joy, and pitfalls of the holiday season.

Rick Springfield in concert
The '80s will come alive again when Rick Springfield headlines the I Want My '80s Tour at Dickies Arena. Also featuring special guests The Hooters, Tommy Tutone, and Paul Young, the concert will feature hits like "Jessie’s Girl," "Don’t Talk To Strangers," "And We Danced," "Everytime You Go Away," "Jenny/867-5309," and more. Springfield will also stick around on Monday to sell and sign bottles of his celebrity rum at Spec's on Hulen.

Photo courtesy of Rick Springfield

Rick Springfield and other '80s bands will play at Dickies Arena on August 20.

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'Yellowstone' stars to greet fans at Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Yellowstone news

Yellowstone fans, get your comfy shoes ready - there'll be a long line for this one. Cole Hauser a.k.a. "Rip Wheeler" on Yellowstone, and Taylor Sheridan, the show's co-creator, executive producer, and director of the series, will meet fans and sign autographs at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

The event will take place from 4:30-6:30 pm only on Friday, February 3. Location is the 6666 Ranch booth near the south end of Aisle 700 in the Amon G. Carter, Jr. Exhibits Hall.

According to a February 2 announcement from FWSSR, "fans will have the opportunity to snag an autograph as well as purchase some distinctive Yellowstone and 6666 Ranch merchandise while also enjoying all the features the Stock Show offers."

The event is free to attend (with paid Stock Show admission) and open to the public.

It's the second year in a row for Hauser to appear at FWSSR; in 2022, he and fellow cast mates drew huge crowds.

Sheridan, a Paschal High School graduate, is no stranger to Fort Worth; he lives in a ranch near Weatherford and filmed 1883, the prequel to Yellowstone, in and around Fort Worth. Currently, another spinoff, 1883: The Bass Reeves Story, is filming in North Texas.

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is winding up its 2023 run on Saturday, February 4.

Tasty restaurant news tops this week's 5 most-read Fort Worth stories

This week's hot headlines

Editor's note: A lot happened this week, so here's your chance to get caught up. Read on for the week's most popular headlines. Looking for the best things to do this weekend? Find that listhere.

1. Fat tacos, crispy pepperoni pizza, and more Fort Worth restaurant news. We have lots of tasty restaurant dish in Fort Worth right now, including a new pizzeria, a new AYCE pizza buffet, and new limited-edition tacos. There's more than one fried chicken offering, and at least two pumpkin specials. Here's what's happening in Fort Worth restaurant news.

2. Restaurant bullish on burgers and bourbon cocktails comes to Grapevine. A better burger concept from South Carolina is taking a crack at Texas: Bohemian Bull, a small chain founded in Charleston in 2013, has opened its first Texas location in Grapevine, featuring burgers and a full bar with 24 craft beer taps.

3. Award-winning Mexican restaurant hits the jackpot at new Denton location. A DFW restaurant that's earned national acclaim has opened in Denton: El Rincón del Maiz, previously of Garland, is now located at 1431 E. McKinney St. in Denton where it's winning over locals with its Tex-Mex classics and vegan dishes.

4. Fort Worth Symphony Opening Night Celebration ushers in new season with grace and gusto. Thunder crashed and lightning crackled outside, but a freak Friday night thunderstorm couldn’t dampen spirits at the Fort Worth Symphony Opening Night Concert and Celebration on September 8.

5. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 9 best bars to watch college football. Three weeks into the season and college football is on fire. Here are nine of the best bars to visit for some college football-watching in Fort Worth right now - a mix of old favorites and a few new surprises.

Mr Gatti's Pizza returns to home turf Fort Worth with new location

Pizza News

A Fort Worth-based pizzeria concept has opened a location in Fort Worth: Mr Gatti's Pizza has opened a restaurant off Camp Bowie at 2812 Horne St. #100, a space previously occupied by Helen's Hot Chicken, where they're open with pizza, pizza rolls, and their signature ranch dressing.

The location is a franchise owned by Kirk Jefferies, who also owns and operates franchises of Jason’s Deli and Chicken Express. This is his first Mr Gatti’s, but he has more locations planned.

“When people talk about Mr Gatti's Pizza, you can see a spark in their eyes. We love being able to bring that 'excitement' and combine it with our passion for pizza,” Jefferies says in a release. “Mr Gatti's Pizza has been satisfying cravings for over 50 years. It truly is an honor to be a part of this legacy brand that people cherish."

Menu favorites from about a dozen pizza options include The Sampler, The Deluxe with sausage, pepperoni, & smoked provolone, and BBQ chicken. A basic 12-inch cheese pizza with one topping is $12.

There are lunch specials from 10:30 am-3 pm including pepperoni rolls and salad for $10; 8 wings and salad for $13; and a medium pizza with 2 salads for $15.

The chain was first founded in Stephenville, Texas as The Pizza Place, in September 1964. In 1969, founder James Eure moved to Austin and opened the first Mr Gatti’s Pizza, named for his wife's maiden name.

They have a major presence in South Texas but only two in the DFW area: Plano and Allen.

There was a location that opened in Fort Worth in 2016, at 3280 W. Seventh St. in Museum Place, which at the time, was the first to use the Mr. Gatti’s name; the chain had been going by "Gatti's." So many name changes! It closed in 2018. There was also a location in North Richland Hills which opened in 2016 and closed in early 2019; and a location in Richardson that closed in 2018.

Back in the day they had a big buffet as well as a big game room, two features for which many longtime fans are nostalgic. But this location is just about the pizza.

There are now more than 70 locations in states across the Southeast, including Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

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