May 2008 event listings for Fort Worth

Arts & entertainment listings from our editors.

Music/Dance

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL May 1: Chuck Mangione and Dianne Reeves—these two jazz veterans are at the top of their game. At 8. May 3: Liza Minelli—this star took “multitalented” to a whole new level, cramming Tonys, an Academy Award, an Emmy, and a Grammy under her belt. At 8. May 4: Kirk Franklin—this singer/songwriter blends Christian themes with contemporary gospel grooves, making music that’s kind to the ear, regardless of your beliefs. At 2. May 9: Bugs Henderson—the guitar hero, an auteur of some fourteen albums, performs here with his longtime bandmates. At 9. (McDavid Studio, 301 E 5th.) May 15: Kris Kristofferson—known by his country music peers and performers, as well as his loyal fans, as one of the finest songwriters in the business. At 8. May 30: Laura Ainsworth & Michael Gott in Cole Porter: Elegance & Decadence—singer/comedienne Laura Ainsworth and singer/pianist Michael Gott present their critically acclaimed Manhattan-style revue featuring beautiful ballads and comic rarities. At 7 & 9:30. (McDavid Studio, 301 E 5th.) Call for prices. basshall.com 4th & Calhoun (817-212-4280 or 877-212-4280). [map] +

BILLY BOB’S TEXAS May 2: Mark McKinney; $10. May 3: Sammy Kershaw; $10 (res $14). May 9: Los Tres Amigos Ride Again! Little Joe y La Familia, Ruben Ramos, Roberto Pulido y los Classicos; $10 (res $20). May 10: The Lost Trailers; $12 (res $15). May 16: Brandon Rhyder; $10 (res $14). May 17: Diamond Rio; $12 (res $22). May 23: Chris Knight; $10 (res $14). May 24: Tanya Tucker; $12 (res $26). May 30: Brandon Jenkins; $10. May 31: Cross Canadian Ragweed; $12 (res $19). At 10:30. billybobstexas.com The Stockyards, 2520 Rodeo Plaza (817-624-7117). [map] +

CONCERTS IN THE GARDEN Enjoying its 18th season, this popular Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra series brings pops and classical music to the great outdoors for the summer. Don’t miss the fireworks display every night after the music. May 30: The Crawfish. At 6:30. May 31: Jail House Rock (Elvis tribute). At 8. Lawn: gen adm $18 ($15 adv), children 10 & under free. Table: gen adm $25–$45 ($22–$42 adv), children 10 & under $10–$45 ($10–$42 adv). fwsymphony.org Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd (817-656-6000). [map] +

FORT WORTH OPERA FESTIVAL Condensing its season into one month-long run, the FWO has planned four alternating productions. On the bill: classics—Puccini’s Turandot, Donizetti’s Kucia Di Lammermoor—and contemporary masterpieces—Of Mice and Men and a new stage production of Angels in America (Scott Theatre, 3505 W. Lancaster Ave). May 16–Jun 8. Call for schedule & prices. fwopera.org Bass Performance Hall, 4th & Calhoun (817-212-4280 or 877-212-4280). [map] +

FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Mendelssohn & Shostakovich. Mendelssohn: Concerto for Violin in E Minor. Shostakovich: Symphony No 5 in D Minor. Leila Josefowicz, Violin. Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor. May 9–11. Fri at 7:30, Sat at 8, Sun at 2. $15–$76. fwsymphony.org Bass Performance Hall, 4th & Calhoun (817-665-6000). [map] +

Theater

CASA MAÑANA Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—Roald Dahl’s classic, chocolate-dipped family favorite. May 2–18. Fri at 7, Sat at 2 & 7, Sun at 2. $11–$16. casamanana.org 3101 W. Lancaster (817-332-2272). [map] +

CIRCLE THEATRE Chesapeake—dog lover or not, you are bound to be entertained by this unique tale about a struggling performance artist, a conservative Southern politician, and a Chesapeake Bay retriever. May 29–Jun 28. Thur at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 3 & 8. $20–$30. circletheatre.com 230 W. 4th (817-877-3040). [map] +

Museums/Galleries

AMON CARTER MUSEUM Thru May 11: Intimate Modernism: Fort Worth Circle Artists in the 1940s—this is the first in-depth look at the artists who introduced progressive art to the area. More than 100 paintings, watercolors, and prints by the members of this revolutionary circle will be on display. Thru Jun 15: Fort Worth Landmarks in the 1950s: Watercolors by Bror Utter—transport back to fifties Fort Worth with the help of these 17 brilliant watercolors. Thru Jul 27: 100 Years of Autochrome—if you love your Polaroid, remember your first Brownie, and don’t leave home without your camera phone, thank the Lumière brothers for taking the first steps one hundred years ago to democratize photography. Their invention, autochrome, an early color film that used glass plates, was the first commercially viable photography process, and enabled the creation of the photographs on view here. Open Sun noon–5, Tue & Wed 10–5, Thur 10–8, Fri & Sat 10–5. Free. cartermuseum.org 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd (817-738-1933). [map] +

FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY The museum is currently closed to make way for a new facility, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009; until then you can find many of your favorite Museum of Science and History exhibits on the lower level of the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame (1720 Gendy). fortworthmuseum.org 1501 Montgomery (817-255-9300 or 888-255-9300). [map] +

MODERN ART MUSEUM Thru May 18: Martin Puryear—this is a major exhibition of the Minimalist master, with approximately 45 of his sculptures from the last thirty years assembled here. If you enjoy Puryear’s Ladder for Booker T. Washington, a ladder ascending into the air that is already a visitor favorite in the museum’s permanent collection, you’ll appreciate his other deceptively simple creations. Thru May 25: Focus: Kehinde Wiley—mixing historical Western European painting styles, this artist creates larger-than-life-size portraits, which evoke classic pieces from the past. Wiley then injects his own form of social commentary into the works by replacing those works’ elite white subjects with African-American men. Open Tue–Sat 10–5, Sun 11–5. Gen adm $10, senior citizens & students with ID $4, children 12 & under and members free (Wed & first Sun of every month everybody free). themodern.org 3200 Darnell (817-738-9215). [map] +

Sports

TEXAS RANGERS Major League Baseball. Thru May 1: Kansas City Royals. May 9–11: Oakland Athletics. May 16–18: Houston Astros. May 30–Jun 1: Oakland Athletics. For times call or go to rangers.mlb.com. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, 1000 Ballpark Way (817-273-5100). [map] +

Other Events

HIDDEN GARDENS OF FORT WORTH TOUR Six private gardens in the charming Crestwood neighborhood will be open to the public for the first time. Timed to take advantage of spring’s blooms, the self-guided tour leads you to lush landscapes, manicured terraces, and homes. May 31 & Jun 1. Sat 9–3, Sun noon–4. $20 ($15 adv). historicfortworth.org Garden locations revealed with ticket purchase (817-336-2344, ext 100).

MAYFEST Celebrating its 36th year, Mayfest will not disappoint with its riverbank activities, including a high-dive act, sports zone, nightly laser show, and art and market area, just to name a few attractions. Musicians and other entertainers will perform on seven stages and ten local bands will compete in the Mayfest Battle of the Bands. May 1–4. Thur & Fri 3:30–10, Sat 10–10, Sun 11–7. Gen adm $7, children 6–12 $4, 5 & under free. mayfest.org Trinity Park, I-30 & University Dr (817-332-1055). [map] +

Points of Interest

FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN The grounds feature rose, perennial, and fragrance gardens, as well as a Japanese garden designed after the Ryoanji Temple Garden in Kyoto. Grounds open daily from dawn to sundown; free. Conservatory open Mon–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–6; gen adm $1, senior citizens & children 4–12 50 cents, 3 & under free. Japanese Garden open daily 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; gen adm $3 (Mon–Fri), $3.50 (Sat & Sun); senior citizens $2.50 & $3; children 4–12 $ 2; 3 & under free. fwbg.org 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd (817-871-7686). [map] +

FORT WORTH NATURE CENTER & REFUGE This 3,600-acre preserve—with bison, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and numerous species of birds—includes picnic facilities, 25 miles of hiking trails, and a 900-foot boardwalk along Lotus Marsh. For a list of events call or go to fwnaturecenter.org. Open daily 8–5. Hardwicke Interpretive Center open Tue–Sat 9–4:30, Sun noon–4:30. Gen adm $4, senior citizens $3, youths 3–17 $2, 2 & under free. 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd; take TX Hwy 199 northwest, exit Confederate Park, about 2 miles past Lake Worth Bridge (817-237-1111). [map] +

TEXAS COWBOY HALL OF FAME More than seventy of the top cowboys and cowgirls in Texas are honored in this converted barn in the Stockyards. Exhibits feature Hall of Famers Ty Murray, Tuff Hedeman, and Charmayne James; the site is also home to the Sterquell Wagon Collection and the John Justin Trail of Fame. Before you leave, check out the Western Gift Shop and the Olde Tyme Photo Parlor. Open Mon– 10–6, Fri & Sat 10–7, Sun 11–6. Gen adm $5, senior citizens & students with ID $4, children 3–12 $3, 2 & under free. texascowboyhalloffame.com 128 E. Exchange (817-626-7131). [map] +