Cinco de Madre

May 12 – August 25, 2024

Moving

Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall (122 E Exchange St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 817-900-9300) welcomes the indie-rocking Waxahatchee. Presented by KXT, the show takes place about a month before Tannahill’s big Silversun Pickups concert (Wed, Jun 12), so if you’re a KXT

fan who thinks the Stockyards is just a kitschy tourist trap, this Waxahatchee gig may be a nice introduction to not only the recent addition of locals-attracting Mule Alley down East Exchange but also to the great-sounding, roomy Tannahill’s. — Anthony Mariani

Arts Fort Worth just announced that Grammy Award-winner Lyle Lovett & His Large Band will return to Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-212-4280) on Tue, Oct 22, as part of the 2024-2025 Irwin Steel Popular Entertainment Series. Tickets go on sale today at 10am. Tickets start at $66 at BassHall.com/LyleLovett.

Fairmount Neighborhood Association is hosting its 41st annual Fairmount Tour of Historic Homes noon-5pm today and Sunday, with the proceeds benefiting the neighborhood’s arts programs and improvements to the infrastructure, including parks and schools. This year’s tour will feature five houses and two businesses and begins with an outdoor fair at Fairmount Park (1501 5th Av, Fort Worth, @HistoricFairmount) with local artists and food trucks. Presale tickets are $20 at HistoricFairmount.com/Home-Tour or $25 on Sat-Sun at HistoricFairmount. com/Home-Tour/.

Happy Mother’s Day! For dining ideas, check out this week’s ATE DAY8 a Week column on pg. 14 and last week’s at FWWeekly.com. Beyond not having to cook, your mother might also want to have a little fun.

And Grapevine Vintage Railroad (705 S Main St, Grapevine, 817-410-3185) has some fun all lined up. The Mother’s Day Train along the Cotton Belt Route will cruise through Grapevine and the Historic Stockyards at 12:30pm Sun (check in at 11:30am) and come back at 7:15pm. As with all GVR adventures, wine is available for sale. Riders will have time to explore the Stockyards and support the local economy before re-boarding to return to Grapevine. Tickets start at $18 at GVRR.com.

Silver Star Spirits (1734 E El Paso St, Ste 130, Fort Worth, 817-841-2837) has big plans for your mom ’n’ ’em this weekend. On Sat-Sun, dive into some unique cocktails, like the Ranch-Style Coffee Whiskey White Espresso Martini or the Silver Star

continued on page 17

Tickets go on sale Friday for Lyle Lovett in October.

Photo by Michael Wilson

See five historic homes at the Fairmount Tour of Historic Homes Sat-Sun.

Waxahatchee brings their sublime indie-rock to Tannahill’s on Thursday.

If you think you’ve waited too late to make Mother’s Day dining plans, we have news for you. Below are eight great food-focused ideas for this weekend.

1.) Celebrate Mom with a Texas-infused Mother’s Day Brunch at 97 West Kitchen & Bar inside Hotel Drover in the Stockyards (200 Mule Alley, Fort Worth, 682-255-6497) 8am-2pm Sun. Guests will enjoy a four-course brunch menu, starting with breakfast pastries and honey-whipped butter. Appetizer choices include avocado toast; Caprese Salad; deviled eggs; a giant, cast-iron cinnamon roll; jalapeno-crawfish fritters; or creamy tomato basil soup. Entrees: a red velvet pancake stack, Smoked Salmon Florentine Benedict, chicken and waffles, Guajillo Mahi Tacos with breakfast potatoes, and more. Desserts like black forest cake, Hummingbird Cake, and seasonal fruit tartlets will be served family-style. Reserve your table on OpenTable. com as soon as possible.

2.) As part of its Moms Love Movies series, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (3220 Town Center Tr, Denton, 940-441-4233) is hosting a special Mother’s Day Feast during a screening of Mamma Mia! 6:15pm Sat. It’s a three-course prix fixe menu with herb-cheese toast, a chicken shawarma couscous bowl, and a jarred pineapple-toffee cake. Each attendee will receive a complimentary milk glass Alamo Blossom Mug from the new merch line. Tickets are $56.99 per person at Drafthouse.com.

3.) Fort Worth Community Market happens every second Sunday of the month, and this one falls on Mother’s Day! Take Mom to the South Main MicroPark (105 S Main St, Fort Worth, @HoneySuckleRoseEvents) for some retail therapy 11am-4pm. Along with 50 booths of handmade/home-grown items, this family-/pet-friendly event features a popup bar serving MOMosas, plus food trucks, face painting, outdoor yoga (10am), and live music by Katie Grace (1:45pm-4:15pm) and Texas Mockingbird (11am-1:30pm). There is no cost to attend. Free street parking and paid parking in several lots are available. Carpooling is always recommended.

4.) Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (5733 Crowley Rd, Fort Worth, 817-551-3713), a third-generation mom-and-pop restaurant with more than 39 years in business, invites you to bring Mom for Mother’s Day 11am9:30pm. Complimentary roses will be given

to all mothers dining in. Check out the menu at GiovannisFW.com.

5.) Paris Coffee Shop (704 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-945-1702) serves up its traditional breakfast and lunch favorites daily with a contemporary flair. As a special treat for Mother’s Day weekend, bring your mom along for a free scoop of ice cream 8am2:30pm Sun or 7am-2:30pm Mon-Sat.

6.) This Sunday, up to three kids will get in free with each paid adult ticket at Scarborough Renaissance Festival (2511 FM 66, Waxahachie, 972-938-3247) to celebrate Mother’s Day. Nothing says “Mom” like gnawing on a giant turkey leg a la Lagertha Lothbrok. (Seriously, our editor is a big fan of not only Vikings (R.I.P.) but Scarborough’s gyros, and every time he’s visited, there hasn’t been too big a line for them for some too-weird-to-think-about reason.) It’s also Chivalry Weekend, so couples are invited to renew their wedding vows/commitments for free at noon Sat-Sun at the Royal Pavilion in Holly Field inside the grounds. The ren fest is open 10am-7pm Sat-Sun thru Memorial Day (Mon, May 27), with a different theme each weekend. Tickets are $38 at the gate. For discounted advance tickets ($32) and a grounds map, visit SRFestival.com.

7.) Teddy Wong’s Dumplings & Wine (812 W Rosedale St, Fort Worth, 817-349-8965), the hot new purveyor of Asian cuisine on the Near Southside, is offering complimentary dumplings with a Champagne toast for moms Sat-Sun. We’re hearing that reservations are getting snapped up fast. As of press time, there are still times available on Resy.com. Start at TeddyWongs.com/ Reservations, but you’d best hurry.

8.) It’s time for the annual Mother’s Day Luau at Beacon’s Cafe 287 (12733 N Saginaw Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-809-8606). This Hawaiian-themed brunch is meant to give Mom a “vacation from the chores of motherhood,” including not cooking for the likes of you. Along with eggs and omelets cooked to order and complimentary mimosas, enjoy pineapple upside-down pancakes, pina colada French Toast, luau pulled pork, bechamel potato casserole, coconut cream tres leches cake, and infused island water drinks, plus traditional selections for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. The prices are $16.99 for adults, $8.99 for children ages 4 to 10, and free for those ages 3 and younger.

Take Mom on a luau this Sunday at Beacon’s Cafe 287.

Courtesy Beacon’s Cafe 287

LIVING LOCAL

Artisan Circle for Mother’s Day

Promotional Feature

Formerly known as Crockett Row, the Artisan Circle area has a lot to offer you this Mother’s Day Weekend, including free parking — 1500 Spaces in 5 Garages!

— with validation from Artisan Circle tenants. From dining to entertainment to relaxation, here are some things to check out.

Mother’s Day Event

Exclusively at Artisan Circle (University Dr and West 7th St, Fort Worth, 817784-7000, ArtisanCircleFW.com), on Sunday, May 12 from 11am to 5pm, visit the Vivienne & Vine Flower Cart

(@VivienneAndVine) and the Penelope Rose Permanent Jewelry (@Penelope. Rose.Permanent.Jewels) pop-ups, plus hear some live music. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate Mother’s Day in a special way.

Dining Ideas for Sunday

This Sunday, Mash’D (2948 Crockett St, Fort Worth, 817-882-6723) offers $3 Mimosas and $13 Mimosa crafts at brunch; The Social House (840 Currie St, Fort Worth, 817-820-1510) offers delicious meals all day; and the area’s newest restaurant, Si Tapas (2949 Crockett St, Fort Worth, 817-615-9977), serves authentic Spanish tapas and sangrias on the patio for lunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a decadent dinner.

Other places to explore for new culinary experiences include Insomnia Cookies (825 Currie St, Fort Worth, 817-2004746), Kintaro Ramen (2801 West 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-887-9013), Lucky Duck Bagels (817 Currie St, Fort Worth, 817791-8393), and Snap Kitchen (2941 West 7th St, Fort Worth, 682-231-8562).

Experience the Crossroads

With the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-1933), the Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-8451), and the Modern Art Museum (3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth, 817-738-9215) all within walking distance, Artisan Circle is truly the “Crossroads of Art, Cuisine & Entertainment.

Before or after visiting the restaurants above this weekend or anytime, take in a drink and a show at Movie Tavern West 7th (2872 Crockett St, Fort Worth, 682503-8101) or have some fun at Sandbox VR (2956 Crockett St, Fort Worth, 817476-9717).

Day or night at this 5-block urban village, every visit is a blank canvas waiting for you to show your true colors. For more about Artisan Circle, visit ArtisanCircleFW.com.

Honey Whiskey Lemonade. Saturday, the distillery is open noon-9pm. Activities include making trucker hats 1pm-5pm, getting permanent jewelry 2pm-6pm, and listening to live music by Cotton Blue 4pm7pm. Throughout the day, you can assemble your flower and booze package at the Bottles & Bouquets booth and take one of three available tours. Then come back on Sunday 1pm-7pm for cocktails and music on the patio.

Let’s say your mom does love to cook and even collects cookbooks. The folks at Finn MacCool’s Pub (1700 8th Av, Fort Worth, 817-923-2121) have compiled family recipes from regulars into the Mothers of Finn MacCool’s Cookbook. The books will be available for purchase noon-2am Sun (while supplies last), with 100% of the proceeds going to the local nonprofit REACH. As of press time, the price is still unknown. For updates, keep an eye on Facebook.com/ FinnMacCoolsFortWorth.

Don’t forget that tonight is Van Damme Monday at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @the_cicada_ftw). Every week, the bar/music venue screens a different Jean Claude Van Damme flick and serves domestic beers and well drinks for $3 from 2pm to 2am.

This year’s Stars in Recovery Luncheon benefiting the Recovery Resource Council — a nonprofit helping people get better from alcohol/substance use, trauma, and mental health issues — features two very prominent female speakers at River Ranch Stockyards (500 NE 23rd St, Fort Worth, 817-624-1111) at 11am. The keynote speaker is Susan Ford Bales. The daughter of President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford worked side-by-side with her mother at the Betty Ford Center. Honorary chairperson Mayor Mattie Parker will also speak. Tickets are $250 per person at RecoveryCouncil.org.

By Jennifer Bovee

continued from page 11

Buy your mom some wine — because wine not? — on a vintage train ride in Grapevine on Sunday.

Finn MacCool’s will have a cookbook

Hot Deals At Cool Prices

For its 52nd anniversary, Mayfest (Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr, 817-3321055) welcomes everyone to attend 3:30pm-9pm today for free, then 3:30pm-10pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, and 11am-7pm Sun with $7-12 tickets at Mayfest.org. Entertainment includes an art and gift market, a beer and wine garden, a children’s area, food and beverage booths, an expanded carnival midway, live music on seven community stages, and the annual fun run. For artist and performer info and other updates, follow Facebook.com/Mayfest or visit Mayfest.org.

How would you like to attend Mayfest for free on Fri-Sun? In partnership with Trinity Collaborative Inc., the Fort Worth Public Library offers library cardholders free tickets (one per cardholder). Visit any location to pick up your ticket. No library card? No problem. Apply for one on the spot at any library location. To find the branch nearest you, visit FortWorthTexas.gov/ departments/library/branches.

While named for the first Monday of the month, trust me when I tell you that absolutely nothing is happening at First Monday Trade Days (800 First Monday Ln, Canton, 903-567-6556) come Monday. The May event is Thu-Sun. As my mother lives not too far from there, attending this event is what she has chosen to celebrate her belated April birthday and an early Mother’s Day. By this time next month, it will be too dang hot for this shit. Surely, some of the 200-plus vendors on the 450-acre property are indoors, covered, or open at the crack of dawn while Texas is still preheating. I intend to investigate further, find out the best ways to tackle this outdoor hellscape during the summer months, and

tell you all about it in our 2024 Summer Issue (May 22). Cool? Cool.

It’s not just Star Wars Day. It’s also time for the Kentucky Derby. Start it off right with a $6 Mint Julep Seltzer at the Kentucky Derby Watch Party at Fort Brewery & Pizza (2737 Tillar St, Fort Worth, 817-923-8000). While watching the races on the giant 12-foot screen, you can hear live music, participate in the most

fashionable hat competition, or ride stick horses for prizes. There is no cost to attend.

On this, the dorkiest of dork days, May the Fourth be with us, because from 11am to 5pm, Holocron Toy Store (3613 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 105, Fort Worth, 817-489-5600) is raffling off gift cards and event tickets every 30 minutes while hosting some doggies for adoption. Raffle tickets are $5 each, with the proceeds going to the animal nonprofit Trinity Gap Rescue.

In other Saturday news, did we jinx Morgan Mercantile (121 S Main St, Ste 1, Fort Worth, 817-720-6160) with our cover image last week? Let’s hope not. Either way, the indie clothing retailer/design studio’s fifth anniversary party that was canceled last weekend due to inclement weather will now take place 4pm-8pm today at the SoMa MicroPark (105 S Main St, Fort Worth). Are they still Fort Worth It? You betcha! Enjoy a tattoo booth and some free booze while checking out Morgan’s new seasonal line.

Trinity River Distillery (1734 E El Paso St, Ste 130, Fort Worth, 817-841-2837) will celebrate Cinco de Mayo noon-9pm Sat and 1pm-7pm today. Lacey Ingram will perform on the patio 4pm-7pm Sat, and today, there will be live mariachi music all day. Choose from three tour/tasting times on both days and sample a Whiskey Rita Cocktail. There is no cost to attend. Read Crosstown Sounds in this week’s Music section for more Cinco de Mayo info.

Futbol fans, it’s time for the Fort Worth Vaqueros’ 2024 jersey launch. Stop by Hyatt Place Hotel (132 E Exchange Av, Fort Worth) 6:30-8:30pm to pick up this season’s jersey, meet the players and staff, enjoy drinks and snacks, and win some exclusive raffle items. Attendance is free, but please RSVP at Facebook.com/FortWorthVaqueros. Follow @FortWorthVaquerosFC for more.

Now thru Sat, Jun 1, Jon Flaming’s BigBoldTexas at Artspace111 (111 Hampton St, Fort Worth, 817-6923228) can be viewed 11am-5pm Tue-Fri or 11am-2pm Sat. His large-scale canvases showcase larger-than-life Western characters, including farmers and ranch hands, in a folk/ primitive style. There is no cost to attend.

Fresh off the success of 2019’s genre-crossing hit “This Land,” four-time Grammy Award winner Gary Clark Jr. is on tour in support of his new album JPEG Raw and will perform at Will Rogers Memorial Center (3401 W Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-392-7469) 8pm tonight or at Majestic Theatre (1925 Elm St, Dallas, 214-670-3687) 8pm Thu with Fort Worth/regional/national favorite Abraham Alexander opening both concerts. Tickets start at $69.95 at Ticketmaster.com.

By Jennifer Bovee

With futbol season starting up, it’s time for the Fort Worth Vaqueros’ big annual jersey reveal.

It’s finally time to cheer mothers and others.

BY LAURIE JAMES

This is my 23rd Mother’s Day. While I love –– nay, demand –– to not have to cook and clean this one day of the year, I don’t want my kid spending money at a fancy, crowded restaurant or on overpriced flowers. The moms in your world probably don’t want that, either. Take a minute before the insanity of capitalism overwhelms you and think, “What is it they do want?” Here are a few outside-the-Hallmark-box options — some “Ate”-related, most not — to celebrate Mom or the other mothers in your life.

1.) Help Mom find some tranquili-tea. Both The Rose Garden Tea Room (7200 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-731-7673) and Maiden Fine Plants and Spirits (1215 6th Av, Fort Worth, 817-953-8327) run proper multi-course tea services, while Leaves Book & Tea Shop (1251 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-233-4832) offers tea, books, and snacks. Also, ask Mom about her favorite nail salon, stylist, spa, or esthetician and buy her a gift card. And if Mom is a fan of the fiber arts, JuJu Knits (522 Lipscomb

St, Fort Worth, 817-854-9276) is a sweet, beautiful oasis of fiber fellowship for every skill level.

2.) For the mom who doesn’t need anything material, how about “adopting” an animal at the Fort Worth Zoo? The zoo’s Mother’s Day donation package (FortWorthZoo.org/ mothers-day) includes a plushy mandrill celebrating Scarlett the mandrill, who just became a mom. If your mother or other isn’t a primate person, the zoo has a regular adoption package in which you can choose any animal on the premises (FortWorthZoo. org/general-adoptions). Funds from the adoption programs go back into the animal habitats.

3.) For the dog or cat mom in your life, animal rescue entities and the people who love them are having an absolutely terrible time right now, and we’ve barely begun “puppy season.” Donate to the vetting, care, rehab, and socialization that the animals need to help them become adoptable. Local city shelters take the brunt of the stray and abandoned animals, so consider the Fort Worth Animal Shelter (FortWorthTexas. gov/departments/code-compliance/animals/ donate), the Arlington Animal Services Shelter (ArlingtonWebstore.com/animalservices.aspx), or your favorite private rescue.

4.) If mom likes a little hike or a bike, the 100-plus miles of Trinity Trails (best mapped at TrinityTrailsFW.com) will take you around different parts of town where Mom can jog, walk, bike, or paddle. Sansom Park (2501 Roberts Cutoff Rd, Fort Worth) has a couple of trails for different abilities, and Airfield Falls Trailhead (200 Pumphrey Dr, Westworth Village) is an easy, if gravelly, walk.

5.) If Mom is sporty but not outdoors-sporty, the Dallas Wings open their basketball season the week after Mother’s Day (Wings. WNBA.com), and while the Rangers (MLB. com/rangers) are actually traveling most of the first two weeks of this month, you can buy tickets for a home game against the Cleveland Guardians just after Mother’s Day.

6.) Design a mother-/other-and-you tattoo at two women-owned spots, Lilac Tattoo Studio (4550 Basswood Blvd, Ste 170, Fort Worth, 817-393-3355) and Spider Lily continued on page 15

JuJu Knits offers a little something for every mother who’s a fan of the fiber arts.

ATE DAY8 a week

Studio (SpiderLilyStudioFW.com). And in Arlington, artists Hannah Capon and Monica Smith at Heart in Hand Tattoo (1730 W Bardin Rd, Arlington, 682-2700355) also do beautiful work.

7.) Play with your food. Create a curated menu of their favorite things. Sure, Central Market (4651 W Fwy, Fort Worth, 817989-4700) offers a plethora of fancy, tasty ingredients, but Aldi (multiple locations) has a great selection of cheese and fruit for charcuterie at competitive prices. And at Town Talk Foods (three local locations, TownTalkFoods.com), you literally never

know what you’re going to find on your treasure hunt for name brands at deep discounts.

8.) If you feel you must take the matriarch in your life out for a meal, plan well. Enchiladas Ole (multiple locations) will leave Mom full and happy –– and the three-restaurant chain is owned by a mom. Blue Mesa Southwest Grill (612 Carroll St, Fort Worth, 817-3326372) offers one of the best deals in brunch either Mother’s Day Sunday or Saturday, and the $40 per person buffet includes mimosas, soft drinks, and as much of their legendary sweet corn cakes as your mother/

other wants. Consider the future gift of a multi-course dining experience from a local restaurateur instead of elbowing through traffic and parking. Magdalena’s Supper Club (MagdalenasTX.com/supperclub) and Lil Boy Blue BBQ’s Cool Kids Supper Club (@LilBoyBlueBrunchnBBQ) offer curated four- or five-course taste extravaganzas that sell out almost every month.

Magdalena’s Supper Club has been dazzling diners via boutique multi-course meals for nine years.

Trails

mom’s

Tranquili-tea? Find it at Maiden Fine Dining’s four-course celebrations.

EATS & drinks

Houston Street Shuffle

Strong drinks and clashing vibes made for a dizzying night out bar-hopping downtown.

The Archibald, 902 Houston St, FW. 817-386-4762. 4pm-2am Mon-Fri, 12pm-2am Sat-Sun.

Basic Bar, 904 Houston St, FW. 817-864-8818. 3pm-2am Sun-Fri, 11am-2am Sat.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY

CHRISTINA BERGER

Last Friday night, I found myself in a place I’ve happily avoided for nearly a decade (oof)

— pushing my way through a body-to-body crowd of drunk college kids at a bar.

As my two companions and I forcibly propelled ourselves through the circle jerk of frat boys (that’s the technical term, no?), nary a baby-faced bro in khakis and polo would budge. Elbows up, my comrade on the front line took up arms like a machete-wielding guide on a rainforest expedition as she braved the hordes and yanked us forward.

I bitterly brooded over what these 40 or so mini Brett Kavanaughs-in-training were even doing at The Archibald, besides destroying the vibe of an otherwise chill rooftop spot, but the guy who brought our pizza order to our patio perch assured us that the descent of the dipshits (my words, not his) isn’t a common occurrence there. Whew!

Bevy of barely adults aside, The Archibald boasts an excellent rooftop patio. It’s flanked with taller buildings, so not only are movies projected onto the brick wall, but being on the roof makes you almost forget you’re in Fort Worth. There’s something breezily romantic about a rooftop retreat from the hustle and bustle of the streets below.

Situated among a row of several bars on Houston Street, The Archibald recently took up residence where Houston Street Bar operated for an impressive 17 years until last fall. The Archibald describes itself as an “elevated lounge and rooftop bar,” and my pun-addled brain can’t determine if that’s redundant.

Downstairs was completely empty when I arrived. That was only the second thing I noticed. The first was the logo on the building’s exterior, with an intersecting “T” and “A” to strategically resemble a corkscrew — or did I just fail some sort of Rorschach test?

Chronically late, I joined the squad upstairs as they were indulging in their first drinks, enjoying the final breath of bearable springtime weather. Before the invasion, people lazily reclined on a series of coral-cushioned bench seats or at high-top tables near the railing overlooking the street.

One friend was nursing a particularly decadent espresso martini, and I decided then

and there what my first cocktail would be. We stuck almost exclusively to the specialty drinks, each one a whoppin’ $16. Look, I ain’t cheap, but I also ain’t made o’ money.

The espresso martini was well worth the stratospheric price tag. Where the robust coffee hit, the whipped foam softened the blow, and the artistically placed coffee beans continued on page 19

There’s something breezily romantic about a rooftop retreat from the hustle and bustle of streets below.

Situated among a row of several bars on Houston Street, The Archibald recently took up residence where Houston Street Bar operated for an impressive 17 years until last fall.

atop the frosty coupe added that extra flair. So creamy was the ’tini that it reminded me of an affogato, an Italian dessert of gelato drowned in espresso.

The other in our trio who had planned on sticking to mocktails gave in to the Raspberry Cheesecake concoction — and wowza! If you like drinking your cheesecake ice cold, I highly recommend this milkshake-esque delight made with vodka, raspberry liqueur, and cream.

My next selection, The Don Pom, emerged in a plastic cup. Listen, if I pay more than 10 bucks for a cocktail, I sort of expect it to be presented to me on a silver platter — next to a sprig of grapes that a shirtless Fabio-type feeds me as I lounge on a chaise. Is that so much to ask?

Despite its humble receptacle, the well-balanced combination of Don Julio blanco tequila, agave nectar, and juices of pomegranate and lime was refreshing. The tequila took top billing, lightly accented with sweet and sour kicks.

Aside from its spirits, The Archibald makes a mean ’za. The Save-a-Pig, with spinach, mushrooms, black olives, red onions, bell peppers, and oregano — our group added pepperoni ’cause we’re classy — hit the spot. The pie was thin and tasty, but the crust, y’all! There’s a certain satisfaction one gets from crunching through a crispy, almost

When we’d clocked a collusion of fratties stumbling toward Pete’s Piano Bar, our intended destination, we rerouted with a “why not?” to Basic Bar next door.

burnt pizza crust only to find a steamy, fluffy middle. Though we did not, in fact, save a pig, and the pizza wasn’t the tastiest I’ve ever had, that crust left a lasting impression.

“Is this Nickelback?”

I feigned shock as my twentysomething friend mistook Creed’s “Higher” playing at our next stop. Our party had made it out of The Archibald alive, our exit accelerated once a DJ began mixing throwbacks like “Laffy Taffy” and “Booty Wurk” at an insane volume. (Can you tell I’m over 30?)

With a notably different playlist of altrock from the aughts, Basic Bar possessed little discerning personality — aside from a few touches like the iconic Rocky Horror Picture Show lips painted in gold by the restrooms and a “but first take a selfie” neon sign at the front. The phrases “It is what it is …” and “... unless it isn’t” on two refrigerated cases behind the bartop really captured the lackluster attitude of the place.

When I requested a menu, the bartender shrugged, so I ordered one of my go-tos: an Old Fashioned. The spirits blended with Buffalo Trace — I only know this because

he asked if that was OK, and I, likewise, shrugged — were fairly strong, but for $12? Again, where’s my silver platter and wind machine-blown Fabio?

As we pushed back our barstools to leave, “Rockstar” queued up. I leaned to my friend with a teasing wink and said, “This is Nickelback.” The night, a strange whiplash of wildly opposing atmospheres, could not have ended on a more appropriately ridiculous note — but the company made it all worthwhile. l

The Raspberry Cheesecake and espresso martini were strong and refreshing, and the touch of cream in each made all the difference.

The “elevated lounge” rooftop bar is true to its name with comfy seating, twinkly string lights, and city views.

A basic sign befitting a basic bar. Basic bitches not included.

CrossTown Sounds

May has five weekends and three holidays (four, if you count Star Wars Day): (in chronological order) Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day, so that’s a lot of musical opportunities, rain or shine. Here are some cool-to-us shows we’ve noticed after a little digging, plus some schedules from local artists.

This Weekend

Doom metalists Stone Machine Electric are playing Friday at Division Brewing’s Growl Records (509 E Abram St, Arlington, 682252-7639) with Chemical Spell and, from Tennessee, Wyndrider. Doors open at 7pm, and the music starts at 8pm. Cover is $10.

Legendary jam band Leftover Salmon has a tour stop 8pm Sat at Ferris Wheelers Backyard & BBQ (1950 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, 214-741-4141) with Simon Flory opening. Tickets are $35 at SeeTickets.us.

The City of Rockwall kicks off its Summer Concerts by the Lake series at 6pm Thu with the Rockwall Philharmonic playing the music of Star Wars on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. Bring blankets and/ or lawn chairs and your own food and drink to the Amphitheater Stage at The Harbor (2059 Summer Lee Dr, Rockwall, 469-4287998), home to several restaurants.

Cinco de Mayo

On Sunday, Haltom Theater (5601 Belknap St, Haltom City, 682-250-5678) hosts Cinco de Mayo Metal Fest, featuring Doyle (of The Misfits), Otep, and Red Devil Vortex, with Dreadland, Eva Kora, Gnarwail, iH8, Iron Jaw, Love Sick Drug, and Swarm. The festival starts at 12:30pm, and the headliners play at 6pm. Advance tickets are $20 at TicketStorm.com.

Paco’s Mexican Cuisine (1508 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-759-8110) is hosting Cinco de Mayo Mercado noon6pm Sun. Along with the delicious food and drinks always available at Paco’s, enjoy live mariachi music, a DJ, a bounce house for kids (sorry, no drinky-drinky and bouncy-bouncy for you 21-and-uppers), and more than 20 vendors. There is no cost to attend.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, one of the area’s first cat cafes, The Cozy Catfe (710 SW Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, 682-3234837), presents Gat-O-Palooza 11am Sat. This free community event includes live music by Alanna, Beyond Destiny, The Kuban, Sushia, and Texas Brew, plus craft vendors, food trucks, and discounted admission to visit the kitty rooms.

Second Weekend

There are two huge shows this second weekend of May, and they’re both on the same night, Sat, May 11. Since age comes before beauty, one of them marks a big moment for Black Tie Dynasty, the former rulers of North Texas indie-rock (circa the midaughts) who are recording again. They’ll bring their moody, powerful synth-pop to Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-367-9798) at 7pm with openers Lorelei K and CURL. Tickets are $15-75.

For beauty, it’s comparative newcomers the Royal Sons, whose serious psychedelic blues-rock will barrel through The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_ FTW) at 8pm with openers The Grae and Arenda Light. And like Black Tie, the Sons have also been recording new material. Expect to hear some of it at the show.

A couple of days earlier, on Thu, May 9, Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall (122 E Exchange St, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 817-900-9300) welcomes the indie-rocking Waxahatchee. Presented by KXT, the show takes place about a month before Tannahill’s big Silversun Pickups concert (Wed, Jun 12), so if you’re a KXT fan who thinks the Stockyards is just a kitschy tourist trap, this Waxahatchee gig may be a nice introduction to not only the recent addition of locals-attracting Mule Alley down East Exchange but also to the great-sounding, roomy Tannahill’s. Fort Worth purveyor of “midnight music” Depression Nap will celebrate the release of their new EP, Squeeze, and perform their first-ever show 8pm Fri, May 10, at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_ Cicada_FTW). Frontperson/mastermind Luke Berglin, a.k.a. Urban Castro, will be backed by a bunch of heavy hitters, including Daniel Markham on lead guitar, Cool Jacket’s Kevin England on rhythm, Crooked Bones’ Jackdaw on bass, and Oatmeal Pizza’s Joey Johnson on drums. Opening the concert will be Daniel Rush Folmer and Spring Palace, Weekly writer and muso Patrick Higgins’ favorite local indie-rock outfit. Cover is $15. The night of Wed, May 15, at Magnolia Motor Lounge (3803 Southwest Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-3344) sounds like a lot of fun, especially if you’re a fan of the Fab Four, and you are because you’re not a knuckle-dragging, hair-on-your-nose monster. Human jukebox Michael Richardson and Chris Holt dare you to stump them with Beatles requests as part of Big Mike’s third-Wednesday residency. The bros are even open to the solo stuff. (Does Yoko count?) And though there’s no word on your reward for baffling them, I’m sure a beer and a shot on Big Mike’s tab will suffice. (This is not legally binding. Stump them at your own financial, personal peril.)

In Denton on the same night the greasers continued on page 21

Meet Poppy and hear some live music at Gato-Palooza this weekend.

Art by Ryan Burger

Crosstown Sounds

continued from page 20

will flock to the Royal Sons show and the soashes will line up for Black Tie on the Near Southside, The Troumatics are releasing a new single, “All These Forces,” and playing Harvest House (331 E Hickory St, 940218-6148) at 8pm with Good Latimer and Learning Names. Cover is $2. Two smackers!

And in Arlington the night before (Fri, May 10), One-Eyed Monsters will play Binion’s Ice House (205 N West St, Arlington, 817-617-2088) at 8:30pm. The band will do two sets of Sabbath (!) and one set of their own stuff. — Anthony Mariani

Third Weekend

Cut Throat Finches are playing Fort Worth and Richardson. Their album/video release party at Silver Wheels Skate Center (7628 Corina Dr, White Settlement, 817-246-9094) is 8pm Thu, May 16. DJ Son of Stan will be “spinning vinyl hits for roller-kicks” and playing songs from Cut Throat’s upcoming album Unraveled, plus you’ll get a first look at the video for “Bad Habit,” shot by Chris Botvidson of Fuel & Spark Media FW. The $20 cover includes your skate rental. The event is BYOB.

Then, on Sat, May 18, Cut Throat plays at noon at the annual Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival at Galatyn Park (2351 Performance Dr, Richardson, 972-744-4580). Featuring dozens of artists and headlined by Nile Rodgers & Chic, Randy Rogers Band, AWOLNATION, Grouplove, KC & The Sunshine Band, and Sister Sledge, this three-day extravaganza is offering daily tickets for $30 or weekend passes for $65 at WildflowerFestival.com.

4 Ya Soul has a show in the lounge at HearSay (1711 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, 817-591-1700) at 7:30 pm Fri, May 17. Some seating allows for only cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to be ordered, while others serve the full menu. There is no cost to attend, but call ahead to reserve the type of table you prefer.

Itchy Richie & The Burnin’ Sensations are playing Adair’s Saloon (2624 Commerce St, Dallas, 214-939-9900) 6pm Fri, May 17, with the Bom-Bom-Boms, Danny Conrad, Dead Mountain Talk, and Mystery Light Switch. Cover is $15.

Fourth & Fifth Weekends

One of the buzziest bands in town, punchstuff-punk rockers LABELS will tear into the Boiled Owl Tavern (909 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616) on Wed, May 29, with STADIUM, a new “noisy, jazz-punk live-duo thing,” says Son of Stan himself, Jordan Richardson, who’ll be accompanied by fellow STADIUMer Robert Ellis and, on loops and other zounds, Dallas’ Jay Jernigan.

At 8pm Fri, May 31, at the Rose Chapel at Southside Preservation Hall (1519 Lipscomb St, Fort Worth, 817-926-2800), literary folk singer-songwriter Keegan McInroe and his band will celebrate the release of his new album, Dusty Passport and Empty Beds, with opener Garrett Owen. Cover is $15 cover. And like every third Wednesday, homies Generational Wealth play The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @ The_Cicada_FTW) at 8pm Wed, May 22. No cover. — Anthony Mariani

Local Artists

Indie-poppers Big Heaven have two dates in May, both near the end of the month. The first is Sat, May 25, at Division Brewing’s Growl Records (509 E Abram St, Arlington, 682-252-7639) with King Booty Disco and Stereo Friends. No cover. The second is Fri, May 31, with Oatmeal Pizza and Uh Oh Jiminy at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW). Cover is $10.

Denver Williams is a busy guy. He has a free solo show at Gustos Burger Bar + More (1229 7th Av, Fort Worth, @___gustos) noon3pm Sat, May 11, before heading to Division Brewing’s Growl Records (509 E Abram St, Arlington, 682-252-7639) for the rescheduled Henry the Archer LP release party at 8pm along with Mean Motor Scooter

Then Williams has more free solo shows, at Pouring Glory (1001 Bryan Av, Fort Worth, 682-707-5441) 1pm-4pm Sat, May 18, and at Rahr & Sons Brewing (701 Galveston Av, Fort Worth, 817-810-9266)

6pm-9pm Wed, May 22. Williams will soon announce late-May shows celebrating the first single release from the upcoming album from Denver Williams & The Gas Money. For updates, visit DenverWilliams.com.

Folk-pop singer-songwriter Simone Nicole’s new project, Runaway Sky, just released their first single, “Arizona,” and have a ton of upcoming dates. Her free gigs are at Woodshed Smokehouse (3201 Riverfront Dr, Fort Worth, 817-877-4545) 6:30pm this Saturday and Sun, May 12; at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW) with Carvajal 8:30pm Wed, May 15; and at Burnett Park (501 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817-870-1692)

noon-1pm Wed, May 22. Nicole will also join Billy King & The Bad Bad Bad and Captain Moon & The Silver Spoons 8pm Sun, May 26, at The Cicada. Cover is $10.

Broke String Burnett is putting the “crosstown” in Crosstown Sounds with May shows in Fort Worth, Garland, and Dallas. He’ll play a free concert at Intrinsic Smokehouse Brewery + BBQ (509 W State St, Garland, 972-272-2400) with Slow Moving Snakes 6pm Sat, May 11, and he’ll be at Double Wide (3510 Commerce St, Dallas, 469-872-0191) with Seth Anderson, Animals Together, and Better Now 9pm Sat, May 25. Cover is $15. Between those two dates is Broke String Burnett & The Big Iron’s Single Release Party for a mystery track from their upcoming album Bloodvein at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW, $10 cover) with the Half Guided Hearts, Poppy Xander, and the Rock Bottom String Band 9pm Fri, May 17.

The Matthew Show has three local gigs this month, all in various forms. The trio version will be at Bankhead Brewing (611 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-439-9223) 7pm Sat, May 18 (no cover), and the duo iteration will play Birdie’s Social Club (2736 W 6th St, Fort Worth, 817-888-8914) 7pm Sat, May 18 (free via Prekindle RSVP). Matthew’s third May concert will be a free solo one at Aloft Hotel (334 W 3rd St, Fort Worth, 817-885-7999) 9pm Fri, May 31.

By Jennifer Bovee