Fort Worth Entertainment

Hundreds of years ago, settlers who came to Fort Worth were greeted by rolling prairies for as far as the eye could see. Today, those welcoming fields have been replaced by growing cities and towns, but Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) remembers this heritage and culture with the annual celebration of Prairie Day.

BRIT's Prairie Day offers family-friendly education about the beauty and importance of the North Texas landscape through hands-on events and activities that kids will love. Kids will be encouraged to get a little dirty as they help to make seed balls, a Prairie Day tradition. Using a Native American technique, visitors will combine seeds, humus, and red clay into tiny packets of life that will be tossed into the fields surrounding  BRIT to populate the area with native plants. Imagine the fun of returning to the BRIT next spring to see the plants you helped to grow!

Other activities throughout the day will combine fun family games with opportunities to learn about nature, including face painting, balloon twisting, and a variety of games provided by the Log Cabin Village.  In addition, live music and cowboy poets will be on hand to entertain the crowd. 

Don't miss these other great activities:

• Beekeeping demonstrations
• Soap and candle making
• Children’s coloring contest
• Basket Weaving
• Solar Cooking Demonstrations
• Meet two special guest prairie dogs

The 3^rd annual Prairie Day event will be held on Saturday, May 18^th from 10 am to 2 pm at BRIT Headquarters 1700 University Drive.

Hometown: Originally from the Austin TX area, I moved to Fort Worth about 6 years ago.

Occupation: Area Director of Sales for the Hampton Inn and Residence Inn Fort Worth Alliance Airport

Ideal Day in Fort Worth: I have two small boys who love the outdoors just as much as I do.  A typical day in Fort Worth would be to grab lunch at Central Market at Fort Worth's West Side. The boys love the slide so we would then head over to Trinity Park to play on the playground and enjoy a ride on the Train!  We may catch dinner at Jakes Burgers and then walk it off with a nice stroll in Sundance Square.

How would you describe Fort Worth to a visitor? Fort Worth is a rapidly growing city with a smalltime feel. This city has reserved the culture of "Where the West Begins" offering live bull riding, cattle drives, the best shops for western wear and the best country dancing ever!  Fort Worth also offers Scat Jazz Lounge, the best spot for Jazz, The Bass Concert Hall to catch an opera, an array selection of museums and a diverse selection of restaurants- City of Cowboys and Culture!

What do you like most about working in the tourism/hospitality industry? Every day is an adventure in this industry. One day, I could be in the dining room to assist with cleaning tables and picking up dishes. In the next few minutes, I'm back on the phones or in my car to find new business opportunities. I meet new people on a daily basis and each day offers a new batch of challenges. At the end of the day, "another satisfied customer!" and that's the most rewarding part of my career!

What is the biggest surprise visitors have about Fort Worth? There's so much to do in Fort Worth and it has something for everyone!

What makes Fort Worth different than any other destination? Fort Worth is an extremely diverse city offering a small-town feel with so much to do  including adult nightlife, entertainment for the family, bull riding to catching an play at the concert hall.

If you are looking for a fun-and free-way to spend your weekend, bring your family out to Stockyard Exchange for the annual Frontier Forts Days, May 10-11, 2013. During the two-day event, the Stockyard National Historic District will take you back in time to the wild and wooly days of the Texas frontier. During the festival, cowboys, Native Americans, and military personnel come together to reenact a time when these vastly different cultures mingled and clashed, as they forged the future for the city of Fort Worth. 

Exchange Avenue will be transformed to the 19^th century and lined with encampments from the Texas Forts Trail. Wander through the camps to learn about the tools and daily life of the soldiers, as well as get a unique glimpse of the relationship between Texas and US Military. Parades, demonstrations, and other cultural encounters are ongoing throughout the day to give you a glimpse of the journeys and people who shaped the land.

With so many action-packed activities on the agenda, the kids will be so entertained that they won’t even realize they are learning about an important period in Texas history.

You won’t want to miss:

• Artillery demonstrations
• Infantry and Cavalry demonstrations
• Native American performances
• Live music
• 10 Fort encampments
• Military parades and presentations

Frontier Forts Days will begin on Friday, May 10 at 10:00 am and run through Saturday May 11 at 5:00 pm. 

Photo: Brian Hutson

Celebrate the beauty of spring, one of the best times of the year to visit the City of Cowboys and Culture. Spring in Fort Worth is evident through the incredible 75-degree and sunny weather, blooming bluebonnets and the influx of people enjoying the Trinity Trails. Each year, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden celebrates the season with a Japanese-themed Spring Festival in the enchanting Japanese Garden. On Saturday, April 20th (10am-5pm) and Sunday, April 21st (11am-5pm), discover the beautifully-lanscaped Japanese Garden, where stone, earth, leaf and water become one amongst 7-acres of wonder.

This family-friendly festival offers entertainment for all ages including Sakura Dancers, demonstration of martial arts and the deft use of Japanese swords. Attendees can wander the wavering paths of the garden, listening to koto music and taiko drumming, participate in the tea ceremony, explore the bonsai and ikebana exhibits, indulge in reiki relaxation techniques, and shop among numerous vendors selling jewlery, artwork and gifts. Enjoy an afternoon culinary delight in the food court and shop in the gift store that features Japanese tea sets, sake sets, toys and books. Bring the kids for special children's activities including kimono dress up; Japanese storytelling; origami, calligraphy, Japanese crafts and games; temporary tattoos; Japanese fish painting; and feeding the koi fish. For more information, click here.

Admission: $6.00 for adults $3.00 for children 4-12; under 4 admitted free. 

My sister and her husband were here from Iowa recently. We had dinner at Simply Fondue Restaurant in downtown Fort Worth on their last night in town. When our waiter asked if we were celebrating anything my sister answered "Sisterhood." My husband and I had been to Simply Fondue a few times before, but my sister said it was thirty years since she had been to one. The food and wine were so good. We had all had the three courses and I don't even know which we liked the best...I love the cheese with veggies and bread to dip. Each of us had a choice of three types of meat and that was great. The teriyaki chicken was wonderful! The hard part of the dessert fondue is having to decide on which one! My husband is a peanut butter fan and I love the dark chocolate. We had such a nice time. What a fun place when the food is the entertainment. The service was wonderful, as was the food. This is such a fun restaurant! We will not be waiting for relatives to be in town to go back!

Hometown: Westport, ct 

Need your belly washed? 

 

In cowboy parlance, belly wash is coffee, a saddle blanket is a pancake and Pecos strawberries are beans.

 

Welcome to Fort Worth, Texas, which prides itself on being known as the City of Cowboys. (You can see cowboys herding longhorn cattle on the streets twice each day in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, though today it’s strictly for the tourists.)

 

But Fort Worth also prides itself on being a city of culture. After all, there are five world-class museums here, from the Modern Art Museum, the second-largest museum gallery space for modern art in the country after MoMA New York to the Kimbell Art Museum, which has in its collection Michelangelo’s first painting and is undergoing a $125 million expansion to the Cattle Raisers Museum, that is literally a museum within a museum at the fantastic Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, which also includes the Fort Worth Children’s Museum.

 

It was at the Cattle Raisers Museum that I learned the lingo for chuck wagon eats. By the end of the Civil War, I also learned, millions of heads of cattle were in Texas and the teams that herded them North along the Chisholm Trail stopped here for supplies at what originally was settled as an army fort to protect settlers from Indian attacks on the frontier. The kids will love the interactive computer games that challenge them to drive the cattle to the ranch. Did you know that some ranchers use helicopters today to keep track of their herds?

 

Fort Worth certainly would be a good option for a Family Spring Break

 

Got a little cowgirl in the bunch? A few steps from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame that celebrates the resilience and athleticism of the women who helped settle the frontier and entertained at rodeos and Wild West shows. 

 

I love that Fort Worth offers the opportunity to juxtapose Western history in museums and outside on the streets. Did I mention the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the Sid Richardson Museum, both feature works by Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, two of the country’s greatest Western artists.

 

Eat some Texas barbecue  or Tex-Mex(we went to Riscky’s) for traditional Mexican fare at the sprawling Joe T. Garcia’s in a Mexican-style hacienda that has been a fixture here since 1935. (Enchiladas or fajitas?) Stop for breakfast (biscuits and gravy or cheese grits maybe?) or a piece of freshly-made pie (coconut or chocolate) at the Paris Coffee Shop that has been in the same family for more than 70 years. In case you are wondering, owner Mike Smith, who makes the pies, says coconut and chocolate cream are the most popular.

 

By now you’ve got to work off all the good eats, so grab your cowboy hat and go horseback riding along the Trinity River trails or take a hike at the huge (3,600-acre Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, where there’s also the chance to see a variety of animals native to this area — cottontail rabbits, prairie dogs, beavers and bison among them.

 

I’m busy breaking in my new Fort Worth cowboy boots.

 

© 2012 EILEEN OGINTZ

 

For more Fort Worth information and things to do this Spring Break, Click Here. 

 

Fort Worth Cattle Raiser's Museum (within the Museum of Science and History)

In just a few days, on January 19, 2012, there is a show at the intimate Casa Manana Theatre that is sure to have you dancing, rocking and singing along.  Fort Worth’s own Josh Weather’s Band, the best thing you might not yet know about, and the legendary Eddie Money are teaming up to put on the show you’ll be talking about for the rest of the year.

The Casa Manana Theatre is a terrific place for a show and delivers on all of the important details you would want. It is a small, intimate venue without a bad seat in the house. You want to make sure you get there early to see the opening act, Josh Weather’s Band. They are known for their big soul-infused rock sound with even bigger energy that will have you humming for days and ready to download their music on iTunes as soon as you get home.   

After Weather’s concludes rocking it, Eddie Money, one of the best entertainers and musicians you’ll ever experience, will perform live. He will be thrilling the crowd with some of his classic rock hits like “Two Tickets to Paradise,” “Think I’m in Love,” “Take Me Home Tonight,” etc., while also showcasing his unbelievable talent playing the saxophone.

So, let Josh Weathers welcome you and have Eddie Money make you “Wanna Go Back” in this can’t miss show to really kick start your 2013. Get your tickets today!

The smash hit Broadway revival of West Side Story will open at Bass Performance Hall in Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth on January 15 and will run through January 20. More than 50 years ago, this musical changed theater forever and is back mesmerizing audiences once again. From the first note to the final breath, West Side Story soars as the greatest love story of all time and remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever.  Make an evening in Sundance Square with many dining choices before the performance. I’ll be there on opening night. See you there! Get your tickets now! 

For more Fort Worth entertainment and events, visit www.FortWorth.com

 Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is a 23-day extravaganza, offering a unique atmosphere rich in tradition and history. Also known as Tarrant County's largest annual event, the Show attracts more than one million visitors each year. This year's event will last from January 18th - February 9th, 2013.

The 117-year old event is the nation's oldest livestock show, featuring over 22,000 head of world-class livestock on exhibit. The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is home of the World's Original Indoor Rodeo®.

In addition to the various livestock shows and professional rodeo thrills, Stock Show patrons can also enjoy interactive educational exhibits, nearly 200,000 square feet of unique shopping, live music, an exciting carnival, great food and much more! Experience this legendary event full of western heritage, family entertainment and lasting education each January through February at the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Rodeo tickets range from $19 to $25 and will be available for:

• "Best of the West" Ranch Rodeo @ 7:30 p.m. January 18-19th
• Best of Mexico Celebracion @ 7:30 p.m. on January 20th
• Cowboys of Color Rodeo @ 2 p.m. on January 21st
• "Bulls' Night Out" @ 7:30 p.m. January 22-23rd
• World's Original Indoor Rodeo January 24th-February 9th.

Check www.fwssr.com for a complete list of times and events for the 2013 Stock Show and Rodeo. Check back on our Facebook page for a FWSSR photo contest January 2-January 14! 

The ticket office at 3401 W. Lancaster Ave. will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fans also can purchase tickets by calling 817-877-2420 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. 

The holidays are upon us and with them, come so many traditions to take part in! Deck the halls, bake your favorite seasonal treats, sing classic Christmas carols, to name a few. One of our favorite holiday traditions that always puts us in that special Christmas spirit is catching a show at Bass Performance Hall or McDavid Studio in downtown Sundance Square.

Not only are the decorations in Bass Hall absolutely stunning this time of year, but the lineup is pretty stellar, too! Favorites like Michael Martin Murphey, Dave Koz and Robert Earl Keen are bringing holiday cheer to Fort Worth and tickets are on sale now! Choose one of the many entertaining shows and make a night of it in downtown Fort Worth! Warm up with some hot coco at Oliver's, indulge your sweet tooth at The Cupcakery, enjoy a brew at the Flying Saucer and visit Sundance Square's Winter Wonderland on Main Street. Visit the full list of upcoming events at Bass Hall and McDavid Studio.

Miss Molly's Hotel is located in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District and is filled with history and haunts as it started as a borthel circa 1910. During this time, Fort Worth was a favorite stop during the cattle drives, and so many cowboys took solace knowing Miss Molly's Hotel would be waiting for them with a hot bath and ladies of the evening for entertainment. Later converted to a boarding house, and then Fort Worth's first bed and breakfast in 1989, Miss Molly's Hotel offers eight themed guest rooms-each named appropriately to reflect the history of that particular room. The premier room, "Miss Josie" was the madam's quarters during the bordello days and still serves as the most requested room. Sightings of the last madam, Ms. Josie King, have been reported; it is said she stands at the foot of the bed, watching over whoever is sleeping in her bed. Reports of hearing footsteps in the room and in the private bath area in addition to hearing a woman's voice during the night, only validate previous and similiar claims. The decor of the private bath takes you back in time to an era of days gone by with the original pull chain toilet, pedastal sink, rose petal wall-paper, draped ceiling, polished hardwood floors, and the claw-foot bathtub and shower apparatus from the Victorian era.

Of course, claims of paranormal activity from guests and innkeepers through the years only add to the mystique of Miss Molly's.

Fort Worth is a city that loves music, whether it’s a renowned symphony orchestra or the jingle of western spurs and bellowing cattle, music strikes a special chord in the City of Cowboys and Culture. With the live music scene on the rise, it's no surprise that Fort Worth hosts the Annual Fort Worth Music Festival, (formerly Jazz by the Boulevard) a two-day music, art and culinary event in the Fort Worth Cultural District off Camp Bowie Blvd. 

The festival which takes place on the shady lawn of Will Rogers Memorial Center this weekend, (Sept. 28-29, 2012) is open to all ages. Experience incredible talent from national, regional and the local music scene. 20 acts on 2 stages, cooking classes led by area chefs and local artwork for sale include the fest's entertainment lineup. Headliners include Dr. Dog, Hayes Carll, Kevin Eubanks and more. Expect tons of food options from local food truck scene as well. 

In addition to the rockin' time you'll have at the fest, don't miss the After Hours shows and parties all around town. From Lola's to the Live Oak, there's nonstop live music happening throughout weekend, even after the fest. Visit the full after show lineup. For more info on live music in Fort Worth, click here. >>> Photo credit: Brian Hutson

TGIF! What better way to kick start your Friday evening than a little wild West fun at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo? Every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm, watch live bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing all inside Cowtown Coliseum, home of the world's original indoor rodeo. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo is a truly Texas experience where locals and visitors alike come for authentic Western entertainment. If you've got younger ones (7 and under), they will surely enjoy the mutton scramble where kids come down into the rodeo ring and chase around young sheep or calf. 

Also at Cowtown Coliseum, don't miss any of the action from Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show every Saturday and Sunday 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. For a full day of fun, head on out to the Wild West show, catch the Fort Worth Herd Cattle Drive, enjoy dinner at one of the many spectacular Stockyards restaurants, head to the Rodeo followed by a night of live music and fun at Billy Bob's Texas, the world's largest honkey tonk. Whew! Now that's a fun weekend!

I am currently on a world trip for a fishing scholarship awarded to me by Nuffield Australia. This scholarship has allowed me to travel through Europe and the Americas to look into different fishing methods. It is through this that I made my way to Fort Worth as it was a stop I needed to make on the One World Alliance round the world ticket.  As an Australian, when I think of Texas, I think of cowboys, and that was the stimulus to stop for more than just a connecting flight into Dallas-Fort Worth, and I am glad that I made this stop as we thoroughly enjoyed our time in this place.

-Rhys Arangio