New for 2008 - Off MAIN!
29 Mar 2008
by: Diane Wolfe
Arts festival reaches off Main and into hallowed halls to celebrate the arts indoors and out
Fort Worth, Texas--MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival (MAIN ST.), downtown’s main event presented by Coors Light and produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc., stretches this year in OFF MAIN!, a collection of films, lectures, seminars and performances in halls on and off the festival’s main drag.
Music, comedy, a gospel jubilee, short films from around the world, regional theater, glass studio tours, public art symposiums and MAIN ST.’s traveling exhibit, Art on Tour presented by Chesapeake Energy, will draw festival guests to locales across downtown during MAIN ST. April 17-20.
The Fort Worth Central Library, UTA/Fort Worth Center, Four Day Weekend, McDavid Studio, Bass Hall, Jubilee Theater and Circle Theater star in this initiative to connect MAIN ST. visitors with Fort Worth’s downtown cultural community.
A few steps off the bricks will take MAIN ST. patrons to the following.
FILM
Fearless Film Festival 2 (3F2)
Fort Worth Central Library, David L. Tandy Lecture Hall, 3rd and Throckmorton streets
Catch this celebration of short films submitted by filmmakers from around the world. Films will be screened from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20. Admission is free. The complete schedule of films will be announced March 29.
EXHIBITS
Art on Tour presented by Chesapeake Energy Corporation
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 7-21
Circle Theater Lobby, 4th Street between Houston and Throckmorton streets
This one-of-a-kind collection was assembled from the work of artists exhibiting at MAIN ST. and will grow year by year, overseen by high school artists in training. See Art on Tour at Circle Theater, and discover how high school students research, purchase and construct an exhibit to tour across Fort Worth. Admission is free.
The Art of Henrietta Milan
Milan Gallery. 505 Houston Street, between 4th Street and 5th Street
See the work of American Impressionist Henrietta Milan at her home gallery.
BALLET
DRACULA presented by the Texas Ballet Theater
8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, April 18-20.
Bass Hall, 4th Street and Commerce Street
The Texas Ballet Theater performs Ben Stevenson’s “Dracula”, a ballet to die for set to the haunting music of Franz Liszt. Recommended for mature teens and adults. Tickets are required.
MUSIC
Geoff Muldaur and Stephen Bruton
7 p.m. Friday, April 18
McDavid Studios, 5th Street between Calhoun and Jones streets
Geoff Muldaur and Fort Worth native Stephen Bruton have been friends for decades but only now bring together their unique blends of blues, jazz and rock in a rare combination of two highly respected, talented musicians. Tickets are required.
Gospel Jam
1-8 p.m. Sunday, April 20
First Christian Church, 612 Throckmorton between 5th and 6th streets
Gospel Jam, hosted by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the city’s first congregation, features the music of Fort Worth church choirs, ensembles and individual members. Admission is free.
COMEDY
Four Day Weekend Improvisational Comedy
7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 18-19
Four Day Weekend Theater, Houston Street between 2nd and 3rd streets
4 Day Weekend is a must-see for anyone wanting a dose of insanity and fun downtown. Tickets are required.
Just Another Day
8 p.m. Thursday, April 17 and midnight Friday, April 18
Four Day Weekend Theater, Houston Street between 2nd and 3rd streets
Join the cast for Four Day Weekend's latest show, Just Another Day. Thursday night tickets are $5 and the Friday midnight performance is free with a regular Four Day Weekend ticket.
THEATER
CROWNS by Regina Taylor
8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 17-18; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20; 3 p.m. Sunday, April 21
Jubilee Theater, Main Street between 4th and 5th streets
Hats become the springboard for an exploration of black history and identity in this gospel musical adapted from the book by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry. Music and dance underscore the narratives in an uplifting production by Dallas native Regina Taylor. Tickets are required.
SYMPOSIUMS, LECTURES, AND TOURS
URBAN IMPACT: Public Art in Downtown Fort Worth
1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 20
Circle Theater, 4th Street between Houston Street and Throckmorton Street
Meet two renowned artists whose work will soon change the urban landscape of downtown Fort Worth. Cliff Garten of Cliff Garten Studios and Christopher Janney of PhenomenArts, Inc. present a symposium co-sponsored by Fort Worth Public Art, a City of Fort Worth program managed by the Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County (www.fwpublicart.org). The Avenue of Light by Garten will complete the transformation of Lancaster Avenue into a revitalized, pedestrian-oriented boulevard. Drawing inspiration from the Art Deco details of the Texas & Pacific Terminal lobby, Garten has designed a series of six soaring stainless steel sculptures that will bring a contemporary twist to this historic street. Janney, an artist and jazz musician, collaborated with project architect Jacobs Facilities, Inc. to bring life to the Fort Worth Convention Center Parking Garage now under construction. His interactive sound environment, custom lighting and colorful glass “Fin Sculpture” will engage the senses in and around this 11-story building.
Heritage Trails Self Guided Walking Tour
At your leisure
Throughout Downtown
Stroll through Fort Worth’s rich history along Heritage Trails, identified by a series of decorative sidewalk markers. Go to the kiosk at the Renaissance Worthington for a map of the trail and information on walking tour maps, available at locations throughout downtown.
Book Discussion - Music in Ancient China: An Archaeological and Art Historical Study of Strings, Winds, and Drums during the Eastern Zhou and Han Periods (770 BCE-220 CE).
Ingrid Furniss, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Art and Art History, UTA
1-2 p.m. Thursday, April 17
The University of Texas at Arlington/Fort Worth Center, Santa Fe Station, 1401 Jones Street
Join author Dr. Ingrid Furniss in a lively discussion on her first book.
Glass Art Studio Sale and Tour
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16
UTA Glass Studio, 810 S. Davis St., Arlington.
Shuttle service available from UTA/Fort Worth Center Downtown, Santa Fe Station, 1401 Jones Street
This incredible glass art sale is held only one day a year at the UTA Glass Studio. Work by David Keens, renowned glass artist and Texas State Artist, and other distinguished glass artists will be featured in the auction and sale as well as students’ handmade collectable glass art pieces at a fraction of gallery prices.
MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival is produced by Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. (DFWII) and presented by Coors Light. It is listed as one of the top 10 art festivals in the country by the Art Fair SourceBook and the Harris List. Official Sponsors for 2008 are American Airlines, Chase, Ford, Sundance Square, Target, WaMu and XTO Energy. Media Sponsors include CBS 11/TXA 21, Clear Channel Radio, Star-Telegram and D Magazine. Supporting Sponsors include Chesapeake Energy, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of North Texas, Dallas/Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association, Fort Worth Transportation Authority and Green Mountain Energy.
Downtown Fort Worth Initiatives, Inc. (DFWII) is a 501 (c) 3 organization formed in 1988 to complement the work of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and the Public Improvement District. DFWII provides a funding pathway for charitable, educational and public purpose activities such as community festivals, residential development and park management focused on downtown, and produces the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival, the Chesapeake Energy Parade of Lights and the Fort Worth Christmas Tree in Sundance Square. With an annual economic impact exceeding $20 million, these events attract more than 500,000 visitors to Downtown.