HOLIDAYS
Texas Ballet Theater’s David Schrenk and Paige Nyman bring the classic holiday tale to life this season. Photos by Steven Visneau
Texas Ballet Theater returns to the stage
The curtain rises once again for TBT, which opens its season with The Nutcracker. The first performance is Nov. 26 at Winspear Opera House in Dallas, with shows running through Dec. 5. The troupe moves to Bass Performance Hall for a Dec. 10-26 run. Looking for laughs? Check out the always popular Nutty Nutcracker on Dec. 17 in Fort Worth. Tickets texasballettheater.org/season
Light, Bright
We love a spectacle during the holidays, but we also appreciate simplicity. The tree on the campus of the University of North Texas Health Science Center is made up of simple strands of green lights. And it’s beautiful. The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth flipped the switch Nov. 1 on their annual display, earlier than in previous years. The trees surrounding the beautiful Tadao Ando building will stay on through Feb. 6 to coincide with the end of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.
Photo by Ralph Lauer
Turkey trot: Eat, run, eat
Runners of all talent levels can get a pre-feast workout on Thanksgiving as the YMCA Turkey Trot returns Nov. 25. The Fort Worth event turns 40 this year and is also kid- and dog-friendly. The costumes are always amusing, and everyone has a good time burning calories, working up a sweat and raising money for worthy causes. Information fwtrot.org
We Love a Parade of Lights
Downtown lights up Nov. 21 as the Parade of Lights kicks off the holiday season for many and was sorely missed last year as it went virtual. Get there early for the best sights. Information fortworthparadeoflights.org
EXHIBITS
Devils on display
Photographer Constance Jaeggi captures the power and beauty of horses and remarkable life-on-the-farm images at The Devil’s Horsemen, just outside of London. The family-owned business is one of the leading suppliers of horses to the film industry. Jaeggi, a TCU graduate and competitive cutting horse rider who lives in Weatherford, spent weeks there during the pandemic, using her self-isolation time to observe the training and get to know the people who care for the animals on a day-to-day basis, with duties ranging from mucking stalls to feeding. We’ve long been a fan of her studio portraits of horses, but her photojournalism is equally stunning thanks to its intimacy and the quality of light. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame exhibit features 42 black-and-white photographs; a companion hardbound book also is available. “The Devils” runs through Feb. 6. Information cowgirl.net
Photo by Ralph Lauer
EVENTS
The Escaramuza are the female rodeo queens of Mexico. Check them out Jan. 30 at an all-day competition. Photo courtesy FWSSR
Back in the saddle with the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo
This “legendary” event, Jan. 14-Feb. 5, returns with a full lineup of livestock shows, rodeos, concerts and, of course, the auction finale. Events actually kick off Jan. 10 with the Chisholm Challenge Horse Show, where physically and mentally challenged equestrians from local therapeutic programs get to show off their equestrian skills and win prizes. It’s inspiring for participants and the audience. The All Western Parade (Jan. 15) always draws a crowd to downtown. There are numerous special events, too, such as fiddle showdowns, Sip & Shop wine tastings, a presentation of Zorro by Fort Worth Opera and much more. Wander through the barns and check out the livestock, everything from horses to rabbits. Rodeo events are held nightly. Schedule and tickets fwssr.com