HAPPENINGS

Amon Carter Museum
of American Art 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817-738-1933, cartermuseum.org
A trio of nature-centric exhibits, Tracing the Past: Scott and Stuart Gentling’s Birds of Texas, Eliot Porter’s Birds and The Perilous Texas Adventures of Mark Dion are what we need to ease us into spring. Dion, an artist, explorer and historian, collected natural materials — bones, seashells and some unexpected flotsam — as he retraced the footsteps of 19th-century explorers (including John James Audubon) in Texas.

• Gentling exhibit Through March 8

• Porter exhibit Through May 10

• Dion exhibit Feb. 8-May 17

Fort Worth Community Arts Center
1300 Gendy St., 817-738-1938, fwcac.com Cultura del Vaquero This free show, running concurrently with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, captures the wide-ranging spirit of the West with nine galleries devoted to various themes and styles of art, including Western Heritage by Lynn Bostick, paintings based on Edward S. Curtis’ photographs of Native Americans. Waxahachie’s Webb Gallery offers an eclectic show highlighting the work of three artists, including gallery founder Bruce Lee. Through Feb. 23

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave.;
Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St.; fwssr.com While rodeo events at Dickies Arena are the hot ticket, the Will Rogers complex remains a big draw. The auditorium hosts new events including concerts and the Mariachi Competition, Jan. 25, featuring the top high school teams from around the state. The Bud Light Roadhouse returns with a full schedule of musicians, bands and cowboy poetry. Of course, there’s the full lineup of livestock shows to enjoy; one of our favorite things to do is to wander through the barns and check out everything from sheep to rabbits. The final round of the Extreme Mustang Makeover, Jan. 25, is a wonderful way to see the bond between rider and horse. Some of our other favorite events that make the stock show special are the Fiddle Showdown, Jan. 27, for kids ages 14-18, who compete for scholarship money, and the Sheep Dog Trials, Feb. 8, which showcase amazing working pups doing their thing with style and grace.

Wine and Dine
Reata offers its trio of dining options: the Backstage Club is open to the public for imbibing and dining. Grab some tacos for lunch at La Espuela Mexican Cantina in the Centennial Room of the Charlie and Kit Moncrief Building, and enjoy dinner at Reata at the Rodeo inside the Amon G. Carter Jr. Exhibits Hall (find days, hours and menus at reata.net/fwssr).

For an early morning breakfast, order biscuits and gravy at the Stockman’s 24 Hour Cafe in Cattle Barn No. 1, and cap off the night with funnel cakes from the midway. Wine and craft beer are gaining a foothold at the FWSSR, with multiple sip-and-shop events. Check out The Corkyard, a tented venue on the plaza adjacent to Dickies Arena, and enjoy wines by the glass, food pairings and entertainment. This location also offers one of the best views of the stunning winter sunsets. The detailed website, fwssr.com, offers everything you need to know, from parking to vendor location. Through Feb. 8

Cowtown Marathon
Seven races — everything from a kids 5K, which draws more than 8,000 runners, to an ultra marathon — fill this three-day event, with all starts and finishes at Will Rogers Memorial Center. New this year is the four-person marathon relay. (We hear Mayor Betsy Price and three other mayors are participating.) The annual event is one of the biggest happenings in the Cultural District, as not only runners but thousands of volunteers, supporters and spectators are on hand. If you want to run or volunteer, there’s still time to sign up. Looking for a cheering spot? Check out the course maps on the race website. And remember that all those runners are helping support The Cowtown C.A.L.F. (Children’s Activities for Life & Fitness) Program, which provides training to help kids develop a love of fitness. Get more information at cowtownmarathon.org. Feb. 28-March 1

Modern Art Museum
of Fort Worth Magnolia at the Modern, 3200 Darnell St., 817-738-9215, themodern.org Oscar-Nominated
Short Films 2020 The annual screenings of short live-action and animated films nominated for this year’s Academy Awards. The two packages alternate, with the live-action batch screening only 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday; and the animated group 4 and 8:15 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon and 4:15 p.m. Sunday. Jan. 31-Feb. 2

The Grand Berry Theater
The Foundry District, 2712 Weisenberger St., grandberrytheater.com Clemency Acclaimed actor Alfre Woodard plays Bernadine Williams, a prison warden who has carried out years of death row executions. After a botched execution, she finds herself struggling emotionally and psychologically. And she connects with a man she is scheduled to put to death by lethal injection. Purchase tickets on the website. Jan. 24-30

Fort Worth Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., 817-392-5510, fwbg.org
Butterflies in the Garden The garden’s restored conservatory hosts the six-week exhibit, which is open daily. Butterflies from around the world will be flitting about the conservatory, which is filled with exotic flowers and lush foliage. If you’re lucky, one might even land on you, be it the Blue Morpho or, pictured, the Glasswing and the Pink-Spotted Cattleheart. All tickets are on a timed entry; buy on the website or at the door.
Feb. 29-April 12

Broadway at the Bass
Bass Performance Hall, 4th and Calhoun streets, 817-212-4280, basshall.com Nickelodeon’s The SpongeBob Musical If he’s square-shaped and as sunnily positive as he is yellow, he’s definitely SpongeBob SquarePants, star of the Nickelodeon television show. SpongeBob and his crew of sea dwellers perform a score that features works by pop artists including Cyndi Lauper and Aerosmith. Feb. 20-23