HAPPENINGS

Circle Theatre

230 W. 4th St., 817-877-3040, circletheatre.com

An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf Victor, the cafe’s owner and lone patron, wants to die of starvation. The staff thinks they can prevent this by preparing a special feast. The catch? Victor is served empty plates and is “fed” incredible descriptions of the food instead. Written by Michael Hollinger, directed by Tim Long. Through April 2

Stage West Theatre

821/823 W. Vickery Blvd., 817-784-9378, stagewest.org

Witch In this regional premiere, a charming young devil arrives in a small town ready to bargain for new souls. His biggest challenge turns out to be a woman accused of being a witch and forced to live on the outskirts of town. The moral of this comedy: Be careful what you wish for. Written by Jen Silverman, directed by Kara-Lynn Vaeni. Through April 10 

Jubilee Theatre

506 Main St., 817-338-4411, jubileetheatre.org

Over Forty This musical journey into the land of middle age involves four women who approach getting older with dread and bravado. Written by Celeste B. Walker, directed by D. Wambui Richardson. Through April 24

Dallas Zoo

650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, 469-554-7500, dallaszoo.com/dinosafari

Dino Safari Check out critters of a different sort as you join a “field team” via a guided shuttle bus as part of a research group to observe dinosaurs in their habitat. You’ll see more than 30 life-size animatronic dinosaurs and help search for a baby Amargasaurus. Tickets must be purchased along with zoo admission. Through Sept. 5.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas

3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., 817-463-4160, brit.org

David Rogers’ Big Bugs Giant critters lurking in the gardens help usher spring into Fort Worth. Rogers uses natural materials — dried branches, green saplings, carved logs — to sculpt massive ants, spiders, bees and more. The exhibit has appeared in botanical gardens throughout the country. This is its first appearance at FWBG. Through June 12

Fort Worth Zoo

1989 Colonial Parkway, 817-759-7555, fortworthzoo.org/zoo-run

Zoo Run Fear not! You won’t be chased by tigers, lions or bears unless someone’s in costume, which is welcome, at this family-friendly event. Everyone 3 and older is welcome to register for a 5K or a 1K morning fun run through the zoo and nearby neighborhoods. If the morning start is too early, there’s also a virtual event. Proceeds go toward the zoo’s education and conservation programs. April 2

Amon Carter Museum of American Art

3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817-738-1933, cartermuseum.org

Sensory Explorations Aimed at children of all ages who are on the autism spectrum, this program is designed to be fun for parents, caretakers and siblings, too. In April, the museum’s focus is on artwork that includes words. And in an effort to involve more families in the experience, hands-on creative activities are being scheduled. Learn more about this program and others on the website. April 9

Casa Mañana

3101 W. Lancaster Ave., 817-332-2272, casamanana.org

Shrek the Musical The memorable green ogre and his smart-mouthed friend Donkey are just two of the lovable characters in this fairytale adventure. Through April 3

Kimbell Art Museum

3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817-332-8451, kimbellart.org

The Language of Beauty in African Art This world premiere takes viewers to different parts of the African continent. More than 200 objects allow viewers a glimpse at how regional artisans embrace artful aesthetics from different perspectives. Included are intricately carved masks, figures, sculptures, textiles and objects used for decoration, domestic work and rituals. April 3-July 31

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

3200 Darnell St., 817-738-9215, themodern.org

Women Painting Women This show, curated by Andrea Karnes, covers works from the late ’60s to the present. More than 60 portraits represent intriguing portrayals of women from around the world. Themes include The Body, Nature Personified, Color as Portrait and Selfhood. Karnes says of the exhibition, “The pivotal narrative in ‘Women Painting Women’ is how these artists use the conventional portrait of a woman as a catalyst to tell another story outside of male interpretations of the female body. They conceive new ways to activate and elaborate on the portrayal of women. Replete with complexities, realness, abjection, beauty, complications, everydayness, pain and pleasure, the portraits in this exhibition connect to all kinds of women, and they make way for women artists to share the stage with their male counterparts in defining the female figure.” May 15-Sept. 25

National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

1720 Gendy St., 817-336-4475, cowgirl.net

Living Large: Bob Wade’s Cowgirls The late artist’s iconic cowgirls — his color-tinting of large-scale photographs gives them a painterly look — helped make Wade famous. This exhibit showcases 11 pieces including one of his most famous, 13 Cowgirls. Through July 31

Kinfolk House

1913 Wallace St., kinfolkhouse.org

Welcome A 1900s home built in Polytechnic Heights is now a collaborative art space thanks to artists Sedrick and Letitia Huckaby. Once owned by Sedrick’s grandmother, Hallie Beatrice Carpenter (“Big Momma”), the wood-frame house was bought in 2010 by the Fort Worth-based painter, known for his large-scale portraits, and his wife, also an artist. The Huckabys see Kinfolk House as a place for collaborations among creatives in the fields of dance, theater, sculpture, poetry and more. “Welcome,” the Huckabys’ inaugural exhibit, melds family, tradition and legacy with an homage to Big Momma, who died in 2008. (Her maiden name was Welcome.) Through April 24​​

MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival

mainstreetartsfest.org 

Downtown Fort Worth will be filled with the sights, sounds and aromas of the 35th edition of the juried art show. With an army of volunteers plus organizers who have years of experience, this event will no doubt run smoothly, even following a two-year hiatus. Artists from around the country join local talent to set up on the red bricks of downtown Cowtown. Four stages showcase multiple genres of musical entertainment, including a Grammy nominee and the multimedia troupe known as Squonk Opera, which entertains with original music and design, including a pair of giant purple puppet hands. Food and beverage service no longer requires coupons for purchases (credit cards only), and offerings range from burgers to craft beer to fruit smoothies. For kids’ enjoyment, there’s the TCC Makers Zone. April 7-10 

Mayfest

mayfest.org

Another event that has been on hiatus for the past two years returns and is celebrating its 50th anniversary. For four days, the banks of the Trinity River are filled with carnival rides and games, live music and entertainment, food and beverage vendors and families. The Children’s Area offers new interactive fun, plus a chalk house, a giant sand pit with hidden treasures and more. The Craft Beer Garden and Wine Vineyard return; there’s also a VIP Patio. May 5-8

ArtsGoggle

artsgoggle.org

The emphasis is on “local” at this lively street fair held on Magnolia Avenue and surrounding areas. Look for participating indoor venues, including restaurants and retailers, as well as booth setups by participating vendors. Of course, music is a big part of the festival, too. April 23