GO OUTSIDE
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., 817-463-4160, brit.org
Programming continues to expand and evolve at the FWBG as spending time outdoors grows in popularity. Along with gardening classes on topics such as soil building, pruning, and raised beds, there are book club get-togethers and art-centric workshops, plus a few new events.
Forest Bathing In Japan, it’s known as shinrin-yoku, the practice of immersing yourself in nature using all your senses to reconnect with yourself and nature. Led by a BG volunteer who’s an avid practitioner, you’ll learn how to enjoy the solitude of the outdoors before spending some alone time in the Japanese Garden. Jan. 29; register by Jan. 26
Dog Days For anyone who has longed to take their pup to the ultimate Fort Worth park, here’s your chance. There are rules of etiquette, of course. Check the website for more information. Feb. 18-19
Butterflies in the Garden This six-week exhibit offers a look at the largest collection of live, exotic butterflies in North Texas. All tickets, available online or at the door, are timed entries. Feb. 25-April 10
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Road, 214-515-6615, dallasarboretum.org
Dallas Blooms This year’s theme is Birds in Paradise as the arboretum shakes off winter with massings of color from 500,000 spring-blooming plants, including 100 varieties of bulbs, thousands of azaleas and hundreds of Japanese cherry trees. The six-week event showcases its theme with a quartet of oversize peacock topiaries trailing “tail feathers” made up of bright flowers. Programs include bird flight shows, bird talks, Easter events, book signings and speakers, live music, tasting and cooking classes, plus much more. Feb. 19-April 10
CONCERTS
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Bass Performance Hall, 330 E. 4th St., 817-665, 6000, fwsymphony.org
The Pops Series
Back to the Future Celebrate the 1980s blockbuster as the orchestra performs the familiar musical score live and in sync with the film, which will be shown on the big screen at Bass Hall. Ron Spigelman conducts. Feb. 11-13
The Music of John Williams It’s a greatest-hits lineup from the famed composer with music from Star Wars, Jurassic Park and other hit movies brought to life by the FWSO. Richard Kaufman conducts. March 4-6
Kenny G Postponed due to COVID last year, the saxophonist returns with all his hits for a three-performance run. Stuart Chafetz conducts. March 18-20
MUSICALS
Casa Mañana
3101 W. Lancaster Ave., 817-332-2272, casamanana.org
Matilda the Musical Celebrate the power of imagination thanks to Matilda’s smarts, courage and special powers. Feb. 4-13
Shrek the Musical The memorable green ogre and his smart-mouthed friend Donkey are just two of the lovable characters in this fairytale adventure. March 18-April 3
The Choir of Man This nine-man ensemble sings, dances and holds court in this pub “lock-in” with an actual working bar onstage. March 1-6
EXHIBITS
Arts Fort Worth
1300 Gendy St., 817-738-938, artsfortworth.org
The Fort Worth Community Arts Center and Arts Council of Fort Worth have merged into a single nonprofit with a new name. Signage already is up at the iconic building in the Cultural District. AFW’s mission is to promote, nurture and support arts, and to create opportunities for all creatives. Applications and proposals are being accepted now for 2023 exhibitions (see the website for information and applications). Current exhibits include:
A Quest Into the West
Burl Washington works in watercolors to depict subjects from the African-American historical perspective. Through Feb. 26; artist talk, Jan. 28, burlwashington.com
The Inexorable & Enigmatic Western Horizon
Swedish artist Gordon Skalleberg (he’s now a resident of Santa Fe) looks to the horizons for inspiration, especially those lapped by water or hemming the desert. Through Feb. 26, gordonskalleberg.com
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth, 817-738-1933 cartermuseum.org
The Carter’s 2022 lineup includes a broad range of exhibitions spotlighting the history of printmaking and social activism by Chicanx artists, a major survey of contemporary Indigenous photography and site-specific installations. An experimental outdoor sculpture program that begins in May will take advantage of the Carter’s inviting outdoor spaces. Look for pieces, existing and new, by North Texas-based artists Justin Ginsberg and Darryl Lauster, and New York–based artist Jean Shin.