Obviously, there’s the Lone Star International Film Festival, which my colleagues have been covering nicely thus far.

In addition, there’s going to be a big party Saturday evening at The Carillion Group’s latest historic building redevelopment, the Sawyer Grocery Buildings at 201 South Main (corner of South Main & East Daggett). The party’s a four-in-one affair: a grand opening for the Sawyer Grocery Buildings, an appreciation of Wachovia which financed the project, a going-away party for Daniel Carey of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Fort Worth office, and a tenant party for residents of all the properties restored by the Carillion Group (which would be the Markeen Apartments, the Leuda-May Apartments, the LaSalle Apartments, and now the Sawyer Grocery apartments).

Three musical acts will be performing – Tom Reynolds & the Jazz Explosion at 5:00 PM, Ginny Mac at 7:00 PM, and Banjo Bossa Nova & the Leuda May All-Stars at 9:00 PM. Rahr beer will be flowing and Brad Henserling of The Chat Room and (eventually) The Usual will be on hand mixing up the Prohibition-era cocktails he’ll be serving up when The Usual opens at last on Magnolia.

So, Saturday, November 15th, from 5:00 PM until “late,” stop by 201 South Main in the Near Southside for what’s sure to be a heck of a party.

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Paul Unger Quartet featuring Nina Katrina – Friday – 9:00 PM
Hildegunn Gjedrem – Saturday – 9:00 PM
Stolen Sweets – Sunday – 8:30 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Stomp – Friday – 8:00 PM
Stomp – Saturday – 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM
Stomp – Sunday – 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
None Scheduled.

The Flying Saucer | Map
The Flavours – Friday – 9:30 PM
Villain Vanguard – Saturday – 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson – Sunday

Click below for more great shows!
[Read more]

Big news this week is that today’s Modern ’til Midnight at, naturally, the Modern Art Museum. 6:00 PM to midnight. I’ll be there – and I recommend that you come as well. Modern ’til Midnight is always great.

Also, for the metalheads out there, local rockers No Scope (my friend Bobby being one of the guitarists) are having a release party for their new album, Hindsight 2012, at the Ridglea Theater on Friday.

Scat Jazz Lounge | Map
Paul Unger and Friends – Friday – 9:00 PM
Carla Norris-Hopkins Jazz Quartett – Saturday – 9:00 PM
Trio Cubano – Sunday – 9:00 PM

Bass Performance Hall | Map
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem – Friday – 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem – Saturday – 2:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem – Saturday – 8:00 PM
Texas Ballet Theater: Mozart’s Requiem – Sunday – 2:00 PM

McDavid Studio | Map
“Dreaming of Birdland” – The UNT One O’Clock Lab Band’s Tribute to Maynard Ferguson – Friday – 7:30 PM
“Dreaming of Birdland” – The UNT One O’Clock Lab Band’s Tribute to Maynard Ferguson – Friday – 10:00 PM

The Flying Saucer | Map
The Flavours – Friday – 9:30 PM
Villain Vanguard – Saturday – 9:30 PM
Mike Richardson – Sunday

Click below for more great shows!
[Read more]

Tonight is the night for the fall installment of Arts Goggle on the Near Southside. For the uninitiated, Arts Goggle is an event put on by Fort Worth South, Inc., the group that has led the urbanization of the Near Southside. Local businesses around the district open their doors tonight from 5:00 to 10:00 for an exhibition of local artists and music. This time around, it’s the biggest Arts Goggle yet, featuring fifty-four venues around the district – the big clusters being Magnolia Avenue, Park Place, South Main, and Vickery. Even better, this time around Fort Worth South will be providing a circulator bus and pedicabs, so everybody can enjoy Arts Goggle car-free! A complete program is available here.

I’ve participated in Goggles past – exhibiting my work (Fort Worth urban photography) at Fort Worth Urban Living, Texana Townhomes, and Panther City Bicycles. This time around, I’ve snagged another fantastic spot – I’ll be exhibiting at Spiral Diner, the frighteningly delicious vegan restaurant at Magnolia & 6th. If you attend, stop by and say hello.

(And for the curious – yes, Arts Goggle is free!)

Featured live music for tonight’s Goggle includes: [Read more]

One of my favorite urban Fort Worth events is coming up again soon – it’s almost Arts Goggle time! For the uninitiated, Arts Goggle is a night of art, music, food, and general good times on the Near Southside. It’s centered around Magnolia, though not limited to it as the Park Place restaurant row and others also get in on the fun. Local businesses and eateries open their doors on a Friday night from 5:00 to 10:00 PM for exhibition of local artists and musicians. It is always a grand time, and this year will be no exception. Fort Worth South is even going to provide a circulator bus this time around so you can park your car and then walk/take transit through the whole event.

As usual, I’ll be exhibiting my Fort Worth urban photography. Last time, I was in Panther City Bicycles, and prior to that, in the offices of Urban Realty Resources. This time around I’ll be in another extremely cool location – possibly my favorite of them all. That’s right, I’m lucky enough to be exhibiting at the outstanding Spiral Diner at Magnolia & 6th Avenue, the best vegan restaurant in the country.

This will be a great night of fun and art in one of the city’s coolest urban environments. I encourage all West and Clear readers to attend and show their support for this city’s indie spirit. More details forthcoming!

Last Friday’s Modern ‘Til Midnight went off well, as always. Steph and I worked our way over a little after 7:30, which meant we got there just in time to enjoy the musical stylings of The Theater Fire. Having never heard these guys before, I must say I enjoyed their set very much. Their music is more or less unclassifiable, blending a wide variety of elements and instruments (mariachi horns, accordion, mandolin, etc.). They pretty much rock. I grabbed both their albums off iTunes the next day. (The dancing cowboy hippies that accompanied their set were entertaining, as well.)

[Read more]

That’s right – it’s time for another Arts Goggle! For the uninitiated, Arts Goggle is a festival of art, live music, and food & drink that happens a couple of times a year in Fort Worth’s Near Southside. The happenings are centered around Magnolia Avenue, with goings-on also occuring on 8th Avenue and other streets around the district. It’s a lively pedestrian-oriented event that always guarantees a great time and plenty of awesome art, photography, sculpture, and music.

Yours truly will once again be exhibiting my urban Fort Worth photography. I’ll have photos for sale, if you’re so inclined, or just to look at. It’ll be fun, as always. I’m very excited, because I’m going to be in a higher profile location than in previous Arts Goggles. Here’s a hint…

Yep, that’s right – I’ll be exhibiting photos at Panther City Bicycles, right on Magnolia! Heck yeah! So, make sure to attend Arts Goggle this Friday, March 28. The event runs from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and there will be art, sculpture, and music aplenty. A great time for all ages. Make sure to stop by Panther City Bicycles and visit yours truly/buy some photography/talk about urban development. I always love chatting with fans of West and Clear and Fort Worthology.

For more info, check out Fort Worth South’s site.