Quantcast

Fort Worth Symphony Opening Night Celebration ushers in new season with grace and gusto

Opening night ovation

Photo by Karen Almond

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.

First a performance by the FWSO and 19-year-old pianist Yunchan Lim, under the direction of Robert Spano, lit up the audience inside Bass Hall. It was Lim’s highly anticipated return to the stage where he became the youngest-ever winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022 (and has since become a piano rock star).

After their performance of Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Spano bear-hugged Lim, the audience rose for several curtain calls, a patron in the front row presented Lim flowers, and he returned the adoration with a solo encore.

Spano and the orchestra book-ended Lim’s performance with two beloved works by Brahms, his Academic Festival Overture and Symphony No. 1 in C minor. It was an electrifying start to the 2023-24 season, which marks Spano’s second as FWSO music director.

Following the concert, FWSO's most devoted supporters braved gusty winds of a coming storm to walk to City Club for a dinner party. Hosted by chairman Mercedes T. Bass and the FWSO board of directors, the Opening Night Celebration honored Alann B. Sampson for decades of service to the orchestra, the Cliburn, and the greater Fort Worth arts and cultural community.

While a pianist serenaded, patrons filed in and grabbed glasses of wine and champagne or visited the bar for a mixed drink or shaken martini. A towering violin-shaped ice sculpture provided both the focal point of the elegant room and a popular photo opp.

The opening-night party is as much a celebration of the FWSO musicians as it is of those who support the music-making. Relaxed and fresh from the stage, musicians including concertmaster Michael Shih, principal bassoon Joshua Elmore, assistant principal trumpet Cody McClarty, violinist Camilla Wojciechowska, violinist Albert Yamamoto (and many more) mingled with CEO Keith Cerny and wife Jennifer and other symphony leaders.

Guests dined on a buffet supper of sliced beef tenderloin, lamb chops, cold salmon, an assortment of finger sandwiches, salad, and charcuterie; a mashed potato bar; and a tower of mini desserts.

FWSO principal pianist Shields-Collins “Buddy" Bray introduced Sampson as recipient of the prestigious FWSO Medal of Excellence. Sampson joined the FWSO Board of Directors in 1991 and has been involved with the Cliburn since its inception.

“Alann has been a proselytizer for music, an evangelist for music in the city of Fort Worth, and this has been her story her whole life,” he said, describing how she passed out programs at the first Cliburn competition in 1962.

In her heartfelt remarks, Sampson called it a “privilege of a lifetime” to share the celebratory evening with Lim and the FWSO leadership and musicians. “Please know it is I who celebrates you,” she said.

She acknowledged family members in attendance - daughter Anne and husband Brett Leonard and granddaughter Madeleine Leonard, son Edward Sampson and wife Jennifer - and friends with whom she has shared many decades of service and support.

“To the musicians," she added poetically, “I’m just the backstage girl, and my instrument is my heart … Indeed the musicians, with Maestro, you are the strings to the stars, you are the winds for the celestial orbs, and with unceasing beat, you give awareness to the presence of the eternal. You bring harmony to the marking of time in this world through times of sorrow, praise, and joy, we can’t live without music.”

She ended, appropriately, with "a wink to Van Cliburn," her dear departed friend, who no doubt was celebrating in the presence of the eternal.

Among those offering Sampson warm applause were friends and fellow FWSO patrons Carla Thompson, Marcia French, Frasher Pergande, John Broude, Connie Beck, Priscilla Martin, Charles White, Richard Moncrief, Marsland Moncrief, Gail Rawl, Capera Ryan, Ken Blasingame, J. Brooks, Lee Hallman, Yann Coatanlem, and Tommy Smith.

FWSO Opening Night Celebration 2023

Photo by Karen Almond

Brett Leonard, Madeleine Leonard, Anne Leonard, Alann Sampson, Yunchan Lim, Jennifer Sampson, Edward Sampson III

Getty Images

U.S. Gymnastics Championships land atop this week's 5 hottest Fort Worth headlines

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. U.S. Gymnastics Championships come to Fort Worth ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics. For the country's top gymnasts, the road to the Paris Olympics will run through Fort Worth next year: The 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will take place at Dickies Arena, May 30-June 2, 2024. The four-day men's and women's competition will crown national champions and determine the members of the U.S. National Team who will then compete at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Minneapolis, June 27-30, 2024.

2. Fort Worth neighbor booms as 6th fastest-growing U.S. college town, report says. Fort Worth might be one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., but there's one North Texas city that's outdoing it in a different category of population growth. A new study by university scholarship website BrokeScholar has deemed Denton the No. 6 fastest-growing college town in the country.

3. RSVP to the 13 must-attend galas and fêtes in Fort Worth this fall. To borrow the oldest pun in the checkbook, philanthropic events are putting the "fun" in "fundraising" around Fort Worth this fall. With themes like "Disco Cowboy" (Cowtown Ball), "Rewind to the '90s" (Behind the Mask), and "Out of this World," (Monster Mash), who wouldn't want to RSVP to every gala and soiree this season?

4. Fort Worth chef Hao Tran plots new gourmet grocery for Magnolia Ave. A new grocery store and take-out food market is coming to the Near Southside, courtesy of one of Fort Worth’s most well-known chefs. Called Hao's Cho Bep, it’s a new concept from Hao Tran, who earned acclaim in Fort Worth foodie circles for her dumplings, and will open in early 2024.

5. Wondrous wine shop in Fort Worth's Sundance Square salutes the ladies. A new wine spot has opened in Fort Worth’s Sundance Square – one with the ladies in mind. Called Wines From A Broad, it's from popular Fort Worth chef-restaurateur Dena Shaskan, and features wines made entirely by women winemakers.

Photo by Canon Elizabeth Photography

RSVP to the 13 must-attend galas and fêtes in Fort Worth this fall

Party planner

To borrow the oldest pun in the checkbook, philanthropic events are putting the "fun" in "fundraising" around Fort Worth this fall.

With themes like "Disco Cowboy" (Cowtown Ball), "Rewind to the '90s" (Behind the Mask), "Ignite the Magic" (Margarita Ball), "Up, Up and Away" (A Cool Night for the WARM Place), and "Out of this World," (Monster Mash), who wouldn't want to RSVP to every gala and soiree this season?

Beyond being fancy parties to attend, these events raise crucial funds for local nonprofit organizations, some of which are still regaining losses from pandemic-related setbacks.

Now, start shining your boots, shopping for your gowns (or costumes), enter these dates in your calendar, and click the links for tables and tickets.

A Cool Night for the WARM Place, September 16
The WARM Place's biggest fundraiser of the year goes "Up, Up and Away" at River Crest Country Club for 2023. Guests at the cocktail-chic gala can expect an evening of elegant cuisine, live entertainment, auctions, and more — all under the guidance of chair Lauren Muckleroy and her committee. The WARM Place provides peer-support groups for children and their families after the death of a loved one. This year, the signature event will celebrate the completion of a long-planned, 3,379-square-foot building expansion. For tables and other donation opportunities, visit the website.

Salvation Army Inspiring Hope Luncheon featuring DeMarcus Ware, September 27
Here's a rare chance to see AT&T Stadium from the Cowboys' perspective. The on-field luncheon is one of the Salvation Army of North Texas’ signature fundraising events, bringing in money for initiatives that help combat poverty, addiction, and homelessness in Tarrant County. DeMarcus Ware, former defensive end and outside linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys and a 2023 Hall of Fame inductee, will be the VIP guest and keynote speaker at this year’s event. Honorary chairs are Mary and Carl Ice, Representative David Cook, and Judy Rupay. Tickets ($150) are available here.

Mad Scientist Ball, September 30
Always one of the most creative (and on-brand) fundraisers of the year, the Mad Scientist Ball is a "Night at the Museum"-style event that takes over the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, after hours. Guests don their best "lab-coat chic" (white lab coats are provided) and enjoy cuisine from top Fort Worth restaurants, creative cocktails, auctions, dancing, museum exhibits, and more. Nissa and Ryan Harrington chair this year's event, which will feature "Mad Scientist" experiments throughout the evening. Tables and tickets (from $500) are available here.

Christmas in Cowtown Preview Party, October 11
The holiday shopping season in Fort Worth officially kicks off with Junior League's four-day Christmas in Cowtown market. But those who want to beat the crowds know to go to the Preview Party the night before the masses are let into Will Rogers Memorial Center. Preview Party attendees sip cocktails and nibble on bites from local restaurants, enjoy live music, complimentary valet and porter service, and shopping galore - at nice and relaxed pace, 6-9 pm. Preview Party tickets are $125, available here. And if you're more of a morning person, there's one more exclusive private shopping experience from 9 am-12 pm October 12, complete with breakfast bites and mimosas (Tickets: $75). All proceeds benefit JLFW's civic initiatives; Amanda Patyk and Kendall Riddell are this year's co-chairs.

Communities in Schools Behind the Mask, October 13
Communities in Schools of Greater Tarrant County is throwing it back old-school for this year's Behind the Mask — a reference to going "behind the mask" of challenges faced by local at-risk students. Chaired by Christian Burton and themed "Rewind to the '90s," the rad evening promises "guests will flashback to the era of wind breakers, boy bands, and AOL." In addition to food and bevs, expect arcade games, a palm reader, raffles, and a silent auction. Naturally, '90s dress is encouraged, especially "Saved By the Bell prom fashion" (cocktail-fancy attire is not required, and neither are masquerade-style masks). It all takes place outside by the pool at River Crest Country Club, where DJ Dan Quinn will be mixing 90s songs throughout the evening. Tables and tickets (from $150) are available here.

Cowtown Ball, October 20
The 30th Anniversary Cowtown Ball wins the award for most creative theme: "Disco Cowboy." Sure to be a night of sequins, spurs, boots, and bling, the American Cancer Society’s Western-chic gala takes place at The Reserve at the Fort Worth Zoo. This year’s ball is co-chaired by Ashlee Brenner and Cortney Pelley with Kelly Hernandez as honorary chair. The night will include a sit-down dinner and open bar, live auctions, raffle items, paddle raise, and boot-scooting under the stars to Straight Tequila Night. Tables and tickets (from $350) are available here.

The Cliburn Homecoming Concert + Party, October 20
This new, one-night-only event promises to be a musical mega-party like only the Cliburn could throw. Held in honor of Cliburn president & CEO Jacques Marquis' 10th anniversary with the organization, the celebratory evening will include performances by 10+ Fort Worth-favorite artists, including 2013 gold medalist Vadym Kholodenko; 2017 bronze medalist Daniel Hsu, 2022 bronze medalist Dmytro Choni, Cliburn webcast hosts Anderson & RoePiano Duo, and many more. The evening will be capped with an afterparty featuring Texas bites and TX Whiskey drinks. It all takes places on the gorgeous grounds of Whiskey Ranch - BYO lawn chair or picnic blanket. Tickets ($99) and tables ($500) are available here.

Monster Mash, October 27
One of the most creative Halloween-time costume parties in town won't disappoint with this year's theme: "Out of This World." The Women's Center benefit promises to be "the biggest party in the universe." Expect cosmos, dinner, entertainment, and more. In fact, who on earth could resist a description like this? "You’ll have a blast moonwalking to the sounds of the Emerald City Band or defending the earth from Space Invaders and Asteroids! And, if the stars align just right you may see Buzz Lightyear, Yoda, ET, Captain Kirk or even Mork & Mindy! Space not your Jam, don’t know the difference between Star Wars and Star Trek? Don’t worry, you always have the option to come as Men In Black-tie!" The event takes place at Ridglea Country Club. For tickets (starting at $350), head here.

Lone Star Film Festival Gala, November 10
The star-studded Lone Star Film Festival has become a November tradition in Fort Worth, and so has its grand gala - complete with a Hollywood-style red carpet. This year's event returns to the Stockyards' Hotel Drover, and dress code is (appropriately) "Upscale Modern West." Presented by Visit Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Film Commission, the gala promises a night of food, libations, and celebrity appearances. Honorees include Marty Bowen (Visionary Award), Charlie Crockett (Stephen Bruton Award), and David Glasser (Pioneer Award), with more to be announced. The gala benefits education outreach programming of the Lone Star Film Society; tables and tickets ($750) are available here.

Folds of Honor Gala, November 11
Appropriately held on Veterans Day, the Folds of Honor gala will bring together military families, veterans, scholarship recipients, and members of the North Texas community on the field at Arlington's AT&T Stadium. The event's proceeds (which totaled nearly $2 million last year) go to educational scholarships for spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The black tie-optional evening will include seated dinner, auctions, live entertainment, and a few patriotic surprises. Honorary chairs are Holly and Jim Trester. For tables, tickets, and donations, go here.

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon and Ceremony, November 14
Cowgirl up! The 47th edition of this distinctively Fort Worth luncheon will welcome five new inductees into the Hall of Fame: Mary Fields, Meggan Hill-McQueeney, Annie Reynolds, Gladys Roldán-de-Moras, and Kendra Santos. The mega-luncheon includes a multicourse meal, shopping at a boutique, and award presentations — all on the floor of Dickies Arena. Individual tickets are not yet on sale; watch the museum's website and social media pages for information to come.

Cowtown Ball
Photo by Canon Elizabeth Photography

Lindsey Kennemer, Jenna Kincaid, Ashlee Brenner, and Janie Skillman at 2022 Cowtown Ball.

Fort Worth Margarita Ball, December 2
Benefiting Children's Charities of Fort Worth, this year's black-tie gala has an electrifying theme: "Ignite the Magic: 2023 Fort Worth Margarita Ball Unveiled!" The high-energy ball attracts a young professional crowd to the Worthington Renaissance Hotel downtown. They dress to impress in traditional or Western formal attire for a night of hors d'oeuvres and complimentary margaritas (while they last),a casino, dancing to Manhattan Band, silent auction, raffles, photo booths, and more. Tickets are $150 in advance, $175 day-of. In an extra-charitable twist, a ticket includes a toy donation for local children. Tickets and information here. As a run-up to the big gala, check out the celebrity fashion show taking place at 81 Club at Billy Bob's Texas on September 20; it's free to attend.

Caren Koslow Fashion Show & Luncheon, December 14
Named for late Fort Worth ballet patron Caren Koslow, this beloved daytime event at Bass Hall celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. It brings together fashion mavens and ballet lovers like no other fête. Guests are treated to lunch and a runway show featuring Texas Ballet Theater dancers modeling the hottest designer looks of the season. The event benefits the company’s many initiatives and is already sold out (these reservations are the hardest in town to get; tickets are not even advertised). To inquire, call the TBT box office at 877-828-9200.

Also save the date for:

undefined

WBAP's Hal Jay shares powerful story of life-saving transplant with Tarrant Heart Ball

The gift of time

What: 2023 Tarrant County Heart Ball

Where: The Worthington Renaissance Hotel

The 411: On January 10, 2023 popular WBAP morning radio host Hal Jay collapsed from an irregular heart rhythm. On February 3, he underwent a heart transplant. By April 4, he was back on the air, and on April 22, he was sharing his story in person as keynote speaker for the American Heart Association's Heart Ball.

In his brief but powerful remarks, Jay thanked his wife, Ann Harbuck, his family, and medical providers, and God for saving his life. In keeping with the gala's theme, "The Gift of Time" Jay said he had a new-found appreciation for "giving your heart and body time," emphasizing, "I will never NOT exercise again."

The 2023 gala - chaired by Stephanie and Michael Klein - brought together hundreds of Heart Association supporters, philanthropists, and medical personnel. They were seated alongside heart disease survivors and their families, who shared their harrowing stories to inspire fellow guests.

The evening's proceedings were led by mistress of ceremonies, CBS News anchor Nicole Baker, under the guidance of AHA executive director Corrie Harris.

After a cocktail reception and multicourse (heart-healthy) meal of mixed greens salad, pan-seared jerk chicken, and berry tart and chocolate mousse, guests had the opportunity to give through an "Open Your Heart" appeal.

Those holding out with bigger bucks bid fast and furiously in a live auction. Up for grabs were trips to Broken Bow and Big Sky; packages for the Charles Schwab Challenge and Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo; Duke basketball tickets; Ginger Walker Art; and a De Boulle necklace.

Those who wanted to continue the celebratory evening took to the dance floor while the Mitchell Ferguson Band entertained.

In all, the night raised $300,000 to further the American Heart Association's work in Tarrant County.

Who: Aimee Plummer, Robin Carson, Melinda Bronstad, Allison and Tug Rix, Becca and Johnny Cheng, Lori and Brad Bruce, Trey and Kristin Carmichael, Angela and Rick Bettinger, Arturo Ruiz, Mercedes Cruz, Ava Beach, Allen Beach, Elaine and Shawn Tubre, Emily Howard, Hatice Dalton, Marcia Jacobs, Eric and Shannon Benink, Anthony and Cynthia Villagran, Nancy Murphy, Sarah Harbuck, Emily Avila, Robert Luera, Shehla Shah, Syed Nayyar Shah, Thomas Williams, Suzy Pratt, Lou Martin, Jennifer and Kenneth Willingham, Tammy and Heath Middleton, Kassy and Jacob Flesher, Chrissy and Jordan Long, Matt and Katie Foust, Treanise Owens, Joel and Lisa Mohrman, Michael Tilley, Denise Castle, Georfe Terrazas, Boozaziel Chavez, Tim Dohse, and hundreds more AHA supporters.

Tarrant Heart Ball 2023, Hal Jay

Photo by Stacey Brooks

Sarah Harbuck, Emily Avila, Robert Luera, Ann Harbuck, Hal Jay, Shehla Shah, Syed Nayyar Shah

Getty Images

All the ways to watch and celebrate King Charles III's coronation around Dallas-Fort Worth

Celebrations fit for a king

Hip hip, hooray! Eight months after the death of Britain’s beloved Queen Elizabeth II, it’s finally time for the coronation of King Charles III and soon-to-be Queen Camilla, on Saturday May 6 at London's Westminster Abbey. Dallas-Fort Worth is ready to party with the rest of the world tuning in to watch all the pomp and pageantry that makes Britain great.

It’s all happening a wee bit early for DFW royal-watchers. The coronation service will start at 5 am CDT time (11 am in London), with a horse-and-carriage procession starting around 4 am. The two-hour service will be followed by more carriage processions and a royal family appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony.

Set your alarm, fluff your fascinator, and use this guide to the local coronation-watching parties, royal-themed events, specials, and more. (It will be updated as more are announced.) Prefer to watch in your jammies at home? Check out the viewer’s guide below.

British Emporium
Dallas-Fort Worth’s premier destination for all things British will host a Coronation Watching Party in the parking lot, 140 N. Main St., Grapevine. Guests are asked to bring their own chairs and to dress as if attending at Westminster Abbey; fascinators are encouraged.

Viewing of the procession will begin at 4 am. Attendees are asked to arrive by 5 am so as not to disrupt the Coronation when it begins at 5 am. At 7 am, the viewing will end and the store will open to shop commemorative items. British Emporium has an impressive selection of official coronation teacups and mugs, books, tea towels, shopping bags, Christmas ornaments, and more. (They also have party items like paper bowls, napkins, children’s activities books, and British groceries like pasties, meat pies, and sausage rolls for at-home celebrations.)

Special guests Amy Bishop from WRR Classical 101.1 FM and Bill Young from KERA will join the party.

At 11 am, His Grace Bishop Keith L. Ackerman, bishop for the Diocese of Quincy in the Episcopal Church, and the bishop vicar of the Diocese of Quincy of the Anglican Church in North America and Assisting Bishop of Fort Worth, will be at the store to say a blessing for the new king.

The Londoner
All three DFW locations - Colleyville, Addison, and Mockingbird Station Dallas - will host Coronation Celebrations from 5-10 am May 6. Coffee and tea, scones & crumpets, and bacon/egg/toast will be served during the live coronation broadcast. The Dallas and Addison locations encourage patrons to arrive early; reservations for the Colleyville location are required here.

Regular brunch with tea and scones will be served at all locations from 11 am-3 pm. A signature cocktail called "His Majesty" along with English Rosie & Pimms Cup cocktails will be offered at a discount all day.

A special afternoon tea will be available by reservation only in Colleyville from 10 am-2 pm.

From Across the Pond
The British gastropub in Colleyville will offer coronation-day specials: Baked Chicken Entree, Mushroom on Toast Appetizer, and Victoria Trifle for dessert.

Central Market

Central Market cooking schools in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano will host coronation-themed classes this week:

Afternoon Tea: A Coronation Tea Partywill take place 3-4:30 pm Thursday, May 4 at Central Market-Lovers Lane and 3-4:30 pm Sunday, May 7 at Central Market Plano. Guests will learn about and enjoy traditional tea, coronation pastries, and more. Menu includes Scottish Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches, Beef Wellington Bites, White Cheddar & Chive Shortbread Coins, Buckingham Palace's Fruit Scones, Strawberry & White Chocolate Mini-Cakes, Chocolate Biscuits, Lemon Bar Bites, and Pots of Hot Tea. Reservations are $50, and the class is 16+.

Central Market Lovers Lane, Plano, and Fort Worth cooking schools will host A Coronation Dinner at 6 pm May 6. Menu for the hands-on class includes Coronation Roast Rack of Lamb with Asian-style Marinade with Roasted Potatoes, Coronation Aubergine (Grilled Eggplant with Fried Onions, Raisins & Coriander), Strawberry & Ginger Trifle. The 2 ½-hour class is $75, for 18+ up (those 21 and older will get a complimentary glass of wine.)

British-themed events continue Sunday, May 7 with a Great British Baking Intensive at Central Market-Lovers Lane (details here) and an Alice in Wonderland-inspired tea party for parents and kids at Central Market Fort Worth (details here.)

The Proper Baking Co.
The East Dallas bakery, which handcrafts authentic British baked goods, is offering a celebratory King’s Coronation Menu. Choices include Coronation lemonade cupcakes, Coronation Chicken pasties and party-size savory pies, chocolate biscuit cakes, sausage rolls, scones, crumpets, beef Wellington, and more. Orders must be placed 24hours in advance. DFW Delivery is available Wednesday and Friday, and curbside pickup is available from their kitchen at 2201 Tucker St. #110, Dallas. (UPDATE: As of Tuesday, May 2, they closed pre-orders but announced they would be at the Dallas Farmers Market on Saturday, May 6 for last-minute coronation needs.)

Ida Claire
In honor of the coronation, the Addison restaurant has crafted a cocktail called The King’s Gambit, described as a modern take on the classic Royal Balmoral Punch. The mixologist behind the drink told Forbes the elegant cocktail is a blend of apricot-infused Aberfeldy 12-year-old Scotch and apricot brandy, organic English breakfast demerara syrup, fresh-pressed apple juice, and lemon juice. It's finished with black walnut bitters and apple bitters and garnished with three lemon roses on a crown cocktail pick and served with an edible flower ice sphere. It was inspired by King Charles's love for scotch and draws inspiration from the royal family’s summer home, Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

The Adolphus
The Adolphus hotel is celebrating Coronation Day through the month of May with a glamorous package fit for a king or queen. And for good reason: Buckingham Palace selected The Adolphus for the official state visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to Dallas in 1991. At their request, the hotel says, the Queen and the Duke were introduced to every staff member who personally served them during their stay, and the Queen, as a thank-you, gifted an official portrait to be hung in the hotel lobby.

The Adolphus’ exclusive Royal Stay package costs a pearl-clutching $15,000 and includes:

  • one-night accommodation in a luxury suite with a limited edition coronation tea set by ceramicist Nicole Acquillano.
  • full use of the Butler’s Pantry with refrigerator, dining table set for six, ample living space with sofa and seating, and a billiards table.
  • two bottles of Bollinger with exclusive Charles III Coronation Cut Crystal Highland Champagne Flutes.
  • a private tour in a Rolls Royce Ghost sedan to explore Dallas for the day.
  • two tickets to the “Royal Tea Service” in The French Room during the month of May.
  • a Fortnum and Mason Globetrotter Picnic Hamper filled with teas, chocolates, biscuits and more by Fortnum and Mason.

Local viewing guide

No matter how you watch the coronation, you can prepare and follow along using this handy Coronation Liturgy guide.

Major networksand news channels including ABC, NBC/MSNBC, CBS, PBS, CNN, Fox News, and BBC America will cover the coronation live, with most beginning coverage at 4 am. (Some will begin coverage earlier or will air coronation-related specials before the broadcast; check local listings.) Find out more details about anchors, special guests, and commentators here.

Those without cable TV providers will be able to live stream it on DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV and Sling TV.

You can also watch several live streams on the Sky News and BBC website, app, and YouTube channels.

For the most authentically British coverage, download the BritBox streaming app or stream at BritBox.com or on its Youtube channel. (You can sign up for a free seven-day trial, then it’s $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.)

On Sunday, May 7, a Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle featuring performances by Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, Tom Cruise, Andrea Bocelli, and more superstars will be covered live on ABC’s Good Morning America beginning at 2 am. (Other networks are expected to cover it, too.) BBC, producer of the concert, will stream it live on their platforms.

Photo by Ben Ludeman

Matthew McConaughey & Kenny Chesney lead Texas Rangers' charity gala to $2 million win

Just keep livin' in fast forward

Talk about a surprise leadoff. In an unannounced addition to the lineup at the Texas Rangers' 2023 TEX Gala, Matthew McConaughey took the stage to champion the baseball club's charitable foundation and introduce headliner Kenny Chesney.

The Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation' third annual gala took place Thursday, April 20 at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Safely under the closed roof on a slightly rainy night, patrons enjoyed a VIP cocktail reception, dinner, auctions, and presentations before settling in for a show by the eight-time Entertainer of the Year.

Then, a curveball. The evening’s emcee and Rangers radio broadcaster Matt Hicks tapped in Rangers first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to help introduce a surprise guest - McConaughey.

“Alright, alright, alright," McConaughey started. And the crowd went wild.

The Academy Award-winning actor and Texas native's Just Keep Livin Foundation has partnered with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation since 2011.

"I wanna thank the Texas Rangers Foundation,” McConaughey told the crowd of 1,300. “They’ve been a great partner with me and my wife’s foundation, the Just Keep Livin Foundation, for years. They were actually the first partners that we took on, the first people to partner with us over 10 year ago. We’ve had a partnership for that long and we’re gonna keep on going, so I want to say thank you to them.”

Then he introduced Chesney, whom he called a friend.

"So this next guy I'm going to introduce is many things. He's a poet, some of y'all know that. He's also a pirate, yes we know that. He's a hell of a performer, we know that. He sold out tons of records, he's played in plenty of stadiums. But the reason I'm up here to introduce him tonight is because he's also someone I call a friend. Someone that my family can call a friend," he said.

"He's also supported our foundation for years," McConaughey added. "There's been many times where I was in a pinch and gave him a call and he was like, 'What do you need from me? I'll be there,' and he came."

He ended with a little mischievous tease. "He's also someone that I've had damn good time chasing some sunrises with until the early morning hours," McConaughey said. "And if you get a chance, ask him what happens when a bee stings the backside of the bull. Ladies and gentlemen, Kenny Chesney..."

Chesney brought the house down with a set of his biggest hits, adding to the "beach at the ballpark" vibe of the event.

Earlier that evening, guests enjoyed casino games and drinks in a cocktail hour, a three-course meal, rousing game of "Heads of Tails," and silent and live auctions. Up for grabs were home run-worthy packages including a collection of autographed sports memorabilia from athletes like Patrick Mahomes, Luka Dončić, and Aaron Judge; an assortment of signed Hollywood and music memorabilia; trips to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and to NYC to watch the Rangers play the Mets; a Hurtado BBQ masterclass; and a surprise last-minute item - a signed Kenny Chesney guitar.

Another surprise thrill for fans: Texas Rangers players and coaches joined guests on-field for the first time this year. Notable attendees included players, personnel, and their dates: Travis & Lindsay Jankowski, Jonah & Kenzie Heim, Jon & Jacklyn Gray, Josh Jung & Kyla Navarette, Tori & Cole Ragans, Brad & Rossi Miller, Marcus & Tarah Semien, Amanda Sedley & Robbie Grossman, Mitch & Sarah Garver, Josh & Alexis Sborz, Dane & Rachel Dunning, Brett & Haley Martin, Andrew & Jordan Heaney, Corey & Mady Seager, Nathaniel Lowe & Brenna Karwich, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, Neil Liebman, Martin Perez, Jonathan Hernandez, and Jose Leclerc.

After a full night, attendees didn't go home hungry or empty handed; as they exited Globe Life Field, they were handed Whataburger hamburgers.

In total, the 2023 TEX Gala raised a record $2 million for the Rangers Foundation's mission to improve the lives of children, military, first responders, and their families around North Texas and beyond.

TEXGala 2023

Photo by Ben Ludeman

Matthew McConaughey made a surprise appearance.

Ad Placement 300x100
Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Property Showcase

'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.

Restaurant bullish on burgers and bourbon cocktails comes to Grapevine

Burger News

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.

The restaurant is located at 1112 W. Northwest Hwy., just west of historic downtown Grapevine in the former BoBo China space, where they're doing burgers made with house-ground brisket and chuck, and cocktails featuring small-batch bourbon.

Husband-and-wife Dennis Johnson and Sonja Singer left corporate jobs in government and HR to bring the concept to Texas.

“We are not just another burger place,” Singer says. “We serve freshly prepared meals with ingredients prepared by our staff in-house including a vast selection of toppings, sides, and combinations that leave lots of room for customization."

Six burger options include a bacon cheeseburger, a blackened burger with blue cheese, a veggie with black bean, and a build-your-own with sauces such as beer cheese, Mexican crema, and sausage gravy.

Beyond the burgers, the menu runs deep with Southern influences, an ode to its Charleston roots. Think fried green tomatoes, bacon jam, pimento cheese deviled eggs, and fried okra.

There are wings and chicken tenders, salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Entrees range from fish & chips to steak frites with tenderloin and garlic herb fries.

Desserts include strawberry shortcake, a brownie sundae, and doughnut holes with vanilla ice cream.

Bohemian Bull is big on bourbon with half a dozen small-batch bourbon cocktails including a single barrel mint julep and "Mom's Juice," a bourbon twist on a mule with Makers Mark, ginger beer, mint syrup, and lime, also available in a frozen option. Other notable specialty cocktails include strawberry frosé and a Key lime margarita tinted with butterfly pea powder and featuring a graham cracker crumb rim.

On Wednesdays, burgers are half price, and tacos are a special feature on Tuesdays. Among the many updates that have been made to the space: a rainbow-colored bull mural, a longhorn skull at the entrance, and a 1,600 square-foot crushed granite-covered patio with festive string lights and umbrella-topped picnic tables; dogs are welcome.

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

Weekend Event Planner

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.

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.

Saturday, September 23

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.

View All Listings