Check out our cheat sheet for the local elections Saturday. BY EMMY SMITH
EATS & DRINKS
Belly up to Texas Taco Week! BY LAURIE JAMES
STUFF
Troy Fakeman and Bo Jacksboro take us inside the Cowboys’ draft war room. BY
PATRICK HIGGINS
MUSIC
Singer-songwriter Robert Ellis dumped social media and feels great. BY STEVE
STEWARD
As the Kimbell’s new exhibit underlines, the fight goes on.
BY ANTHONY MARIANI
By Steve Steward
Anthony Mariani, Editor
Lee Newquist, Publisher
Bob Niehoff, General Manager
Michael Newquist, Regional Director
Ryan Burger, Art Director
Jennifer Bovee, Marketing Director
Clint “Ironman” Newquist, Brand Ambassador
Emmy Smith, Proofreader
Julie Strehl, Account Executive
Sarah Niehoff, Account Executive
Stacey Hammons, Senior Account Executive
Tony Diaz, District Manager
Wyatt Newquist, Account Executive
CONTRIBUTORS
Christina Berger, E.R. Bills, Jason Brimmer, Buck D. Elliott, Juan R. Govea, Patrick Higgins, Laurie James, Kristian Lin, Cody Neathery, Wyatt Newquist, Steve Steward, Teri Webster, Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue, Elaine Wilder, Cole Williams
EDITORIAL BOARD
Laurie James, Anthony Mariani, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward
COPYRIGHT
By Anthony Mariani
By Elaine Wilder
THOUGHTFUL MAKERS
METROPOLIS
May 3 Election Guide
Let us help you navigate the ostensibly nonpartisan races on this weekend’s ballot.
BY EMMY SMITH
Protests, like the one that took place April 19 downtown which garnered national attention (“Protest Draws Hundreds,” April 23), are well and good, but the biggest way to fight rising authoritarianism is to participate in free and fair elections (while we still have them). If you planned to sit this one out, you’ve forgotten that in your daily lives, you will feel the effects of what your local and state officials do more than you will feel what the federal government does, especially now that President Musk and his orange puppet have begun systematically dismantling every federal government
program that might have protected you from out-of-control local officials.
The local election on Saturday, May 3, for which early voting has already ended, is made up of races for ostensibly nonpartisan seats, but we all know that is meaningless in current times. You need only look at candidates’ own words online to know which way they lean. To maintain this paper’s hard-earned reputation as a liberal rag not worth lining your bird’s cage, the following rundown will attempt to steer you in the direction of candidates who aren’t actively supporting the fascist takeover of our city, state, and country as a whole. Go for the boldface type.
Mayor
For the mayoral race, Mayor Mattie Parker is facing seven challengers in her bid for reelection for a third term, for which she is almost certainly destined.
The mayoral candidates, in the order they appear on the ballot, are: Mattie Parker (incumbent), Josh Lucas, Alyson Kennedy, Lawrence E. Walker II, Millenium Anton C. Woods Jr., Chris Wood, Jeremy F. Labelle, and Donnell Ballard. You can find their answers to policy questions on Vote411.org.
Parker has made improving Fort Worth ISD schools the cornerstone of her most recent term, which has helped boost her popularity among many voters, but in going after the scapegoat superintendent (“Reset,” Oct 9, 2024) while offering no opinion on the recently passed “school voucher” legislation that will further cripple public school funding, she showed that she prefers catering to the special interests of deep-pocketed donors to caring about students’ education.
Running on a shoestring budget and facing a Sisyphean effort to unseat Parker, challenger Josh Lucas has been visible at recent protests and other demonstrations against the Trump Administration. Lucas said on his campaign website that he is running for mayor because “as right-wing extremism rises at the local and national level and new laws target the most vulnerable, I’m ready to lead with compassion and protect what makes Fort Worth strong — our people. It’s time to build a city where ‘y’all’ truly means ‘all.’ ”
City Council
Every single Fort Worth city council seat is up for grabs, which means this election applies to every single voter. No matter what happens, the council is guaranteed to welcome at least two new councilmembers because incumbent councilmembers Gyna Bivens of District 5 and Jared Williams of District 6 aren’t seeking reelection. Of the other nine sitting councilmembers, all but District 10’s Alan Blaylock and District 7’s Macy Hill
are facing at least one opponent. There are 35 candidates running in total. Find which district you live in at FortWorthTexas.gov/ government/districts, then do your research with tools like Vote411.org, where you can create a sample ballot, review candidate responses to policy questions, and make selections, which you can then print and take with you to the ballot box. (Electronics are not allowed.) For what it’s worth, the local Sierra Club recently endorsed the following candidates: Jason Ballman (challenger, District 3), Deborah Peoples (challenger, District 5), Daryl Davis (open seat, District 6), Chris Nettles (incumbent, District 8), and Elizabeth Beck (incumbent, District 9).
Tarrant Regional Water District Board of Directors
Although you can select three out of four candidates for this special election, supporters of the environment and water conservation recommend voting for only Andrew Brinker, which will increase his chances of earning a seat. The other three candidates — Skylar O’Neal, Johnathan Killebrew, and Leah King — have joined forces and are advertising together as Coalition for the Fort, and campaign finance reports available continued on page 5
Popular City Councilwoman Elizabeth Beck is running for reelection in District 9, which includes parts of Fairmount, the TCU area, and Wedgwood.
Courtesy Elizabeth Beck/Instagram
Hoping to unseat Mattie Parker, Mayoral candidate Josh Lucas is “ready to lead with compassion and protect what makes Fort Worth strong — our people.”
Courtesy Josh Lucas/Instagram
on TRWD’s website show that one of their largest contributors is the Fort Worth Police Officer’s Association. If the FWPOA’s goals and opinions don’t align with yours, you probably shouldn’t vote for candidates they support.
Brinker, though, has been running a grassroots campaign focusing on using his Master of Science in biology from TCU to bring a scientific perspective to the board while prioritizing transparency and open communication between TWRD and the community.
Brinker has already worked with TRWD since 2017 on research and educational projects, engaging students in handson fieldwork along the Trinity River. In one of his Vote411.org Q&A responses, he said, “My daily presence at the river allows me to monitor its conditions, collect data, and connect with the community. I am committed to using science-driven, sustainable solutions to guide TRWD’s decisions.” Find out more at TRWD.com/boardelection
Fort Worth School Board
School board elections have never felt more consequential. Thankfully, Fort Worth does not use the at-large voting system employed by other North Texas school districts like Keller’s, which allows right-wing extremist groups to apply their influence to help elect board members who then move to
ban curricula and educational materials that teach children about diversity and history. Here in Fort Worth, each seat is a single-member district, meaning members represent a specific geographic area that votes for them.
Five seats on the nine-member Fort Worth school board are slated for the ballot, and all of the incumbents are running for reelection. The board finally seems to have some
District 1: Camille Rodriguez, first elected in 2022 to represent parts of North Fort Worth, is running for reelection against former Fort Worth ISD teacher of the year Amanda Inay. Notably, Rodriguez was the only trustee to vote against accepting Ramsey’s resignation, citing the need for consistency and stability in the district. She’s running on a similar platform now, while Inay is focused on literacy and teacher support.
District 4: Wallace Bridges is the current trustee representing southeast Fort Worth. Running against him is 27-year-old charter-school teacher Enoc Baeza.
District 7: Representing much of southwest Fort Worth and parts of Benbrook, retired educator Michael Ryan, the incumbent, currently serves as one of the board’s vice presidents. Running against him is longtime teacher Terry Roach.
positive momentum following the ousting of former superintendent Dr. Angélica Ramsey, with all board members showing support for new superintendent Karen Molinar. As Fort Worth ISD gears up for intense community discussions on proposed school closures and perpetual funding shortfalls, it might be best to maintain continuity. Below is a quick rundown of the seats for which incumbents are facing an opponent.
District 9: Incumbent Roxanne Martinez currently serves as the school board president and represents an area stretching from North Side through downtown to parts of the Near Southside. Her opponent, Robyne Kelly, is a substitute teacher and former flight attendant. l
This column reflects the opinions of the editorial board and not the Fort Worth Weekly To submit a column, please email Editor Anthony Mariani at Anthony@FWWeekly. com. He will gently edit it for clarity and concision.
TRWD board candidate Andrew Brinker: “I am committed to using science-driven, sustainable solutions to guide TRWD’s decisions.”
Art and Nazis
As the Kimbell’s new exhibit underlines, the fight goes on.
BY ANTHONY MARIANI
With American democracy barely hanging on, I guess I expected artists to go on the attack. Here, there, everywhere. I’m disappointed they haven’t in big enough numbers but am not necessarily surprised. Art is and forever will be, and the opposite of political art, self-mythology or self-exploration, often comes across as us-mythology. An artist merely existing and practicing in this societal context says enough. No need to
visual art in Deutschland between the world wars right across the street from where our county judge recently tried to confiscate allegedly “obscene” paintings (“Nanny State on Patrol,” Jan 22) that a grand jury ultimately returned (“Grand Jury Returns Art to the Modern,” Mar 29).
Up now through June 22 at the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910-1945 collects more than 70 paintings and sculptures from the Neue Nationalgalerie, the modern art museum of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. These four decades of way-back German art and politics relate to today in a lot of ways: high times followed by a fascist regime oppressing open-mindedness and free speech. At least those old Nazis lost. Can’t say the same about today’s.
a clear message: War is hell.
beat us over the head with sloganeering and caricature, I suppose.
In Nazi Germany, art’s permanence wasn’t guaranteed. I’m not quite sure it’s guaranteed here now, but I feel a tiny bit better speaking about it as if it were than I would have just a couple of weeks ago, before millions took to the streets in unified resistance. And I’m bringing up Nazi Germany because there’s an exhibit about
The work at the Kimbell mostly encompasses Expressionism and New Objectivity with various other styles popping up throughout like Surrealism and the Nazis’ preferred neoclassicism. Expressionism took hold in the early 1900s, when German artists rejected the status quo by offering crudely rendered, vibrantly colorful canvases. The approach was often overtly political and ended up covering the coveted walls of assorted German museums after World War I. Two exemplary pieces include Ernst Ludwig Kirchner’s “Self-Portrait with a Girl,” a closeup of two green-tinted, angular grotesques wrapped up together, and Emil Nolde’s “Pentecost,” in which several trolllike faces gather around a person with their hands folded in prayer. Years later, the Nazis
banned a lot of Expressionist works, classifying them as “degenerate art.” One banned painting, “Sinner,” was not returned to the Nationalgalerie until 1999, 62 years after the Nazis showcased it in a campaign against modern art.
In the same way the Expressionists challenged the way things had seemingly always been, by the 1920s, the New Objectivists rejected Expressionism and other idealistic styles. Depicting reality objectively, and often cynically or satirically, had become the predominant tack of Otto Dix, Max Beckmann, and many other leading New Objectivists. Inspired by German Renaissance art and the new postwar social order in the liberal Weimer Republic, their continued on page 7
Wilhelm Lehmbruck’s massive “Fallen Man,” one of the most celebrated examples of early modern sculpture, bears
Germany’s leading figurative sculptor, Georg Kolbe, offered “Descending Man,” an idealized version of beauty in keeping with the Nazis’ emphasis on neoclassicism.
work pivoted on precise draftsmanship. One of the most iconic pieces is “Sonja” (1928). Christian Schad’s portrait of a young woman seated in a swanky nightclub neatly encapsulates the modern, emancipated zeitgeist. She’s shown among a bottle of Champagne, a tube of lipstick, a compact, and an open packet of Camel cigarettes. Like modern art, women flourished in the Weimer Republic.
The Kimbell exhibit also closely charts the trajectory from Germany’s defeat in 1918 to the rise of Nazism in the 1930s and to a second military defeat, this time in World War II. Three prominent works tell the tale. The first is Wilhelm Lehmbruck’s massive “Fallen Man.” One of the most celebrated examples of early modern sculpture is an obsidian bronze of a thin, nude, featureless man on all fours with his head down. The message is clear: War is hell.
Twenty years later, Lehmbruck’s successor as Germany’s leading figurative sculptor, Georg Kolbe, offered “Descending Man.” A towering bronze nude of a young man taking one step down, it’s an idealized version of beauty in keeping with the Nazis’ emphasis on neoclassicism. The Reich Minister of Economics purchased the piece at the 1941 Great German Art Exhibition, an annual propagandistic celebration. Only five years after “Descending Man” came “Night over Germany.” Horst Strempel’s
“Self-Portrait
himself trapped in the occupied Netherlands.
denunciation of the Nazi atrocities told in a Renaissance polyptych brings the viewer directly into a concentration camp. The elongated, shadowy figures reaching out for help or simply huddling together conjure the hopelessness of the fetid death barracks.
The Kimbell exhibit closes with the ambiguous situation of the visual arts in Germany after two world wars, and reading through the scholarship, it’s impossible
not to imagine American artists in similar straits the longer the current occupant of the White House carries on unchecked.
“Self-Portrait in a Bar” could be any of us creatives. Beckmann’s painting conveys the ultimate resigned melancholy of a German native who escaped Nazi persecution as a “degenerate” artist only to find himself trapped in the occupied Netherlands, where he completed the piece in 1942. Wearing a reddish-brown suit and seated with his head in one hand and a pipe of sorts in the other, this Beckmann has the look of a worn soul. The artist finally procured a visa to enter the United States in 1947.
Salvador Dali’s journey was much less miserable, and his lone contribution to the show celebrates the power of resistance. After fleeing Paris before the Nazis arrived in 1940, he emigrated to New York City, where he became a celebrity and earned a comfortable living painting slightly Surreal portraits of society figures, including Isabella Tas. Another émigré, she was the Jewish daughter of a jewelry dealer from Amsterdam who had been driven to Beverly Hills by Hitler’s regime. To capture her resilience, Dali juxtaposes her profile with a Renaissance-inspired … outcropping of rock.
There’s a place for both an artist asserting themselves amid a sea of haters and for caricaturing powermongers. The difference is in the breadth and depth of the retaliation from on high. Direct criticism these days can land you in an El Salvadoran for-profit prison. With no outward-facing target, assertions of self do not attract nearly that
much dreadful attention. I’m not saying one approach is more important than the other. I also don’t believe that artists aren’t a tactful bunch. They do what they feel. Some struggle with notions of the self — who they are, what they are, how they are — while others battle The Machine every day. Both are equally valid. Neither is unwanted. Never have been. l
Come break the rules and say “yes!” to new art experiences at the Carter’s Second Thursdays! Every Second Thursday is different than the last — mingle with fellow art lovers, make art, and meet visiting artists, sometimes with live music and always with themed cocktails. You’ll never think of museums in the same way again.
SECOND THURSDAYS ARE ALWAYS FREE! No talking. No food and drinks. No dancing.
THURSDAY MAY 8 | 5–8 P.M.
Enjoy an evening enhanced with art making and themed cocktails while listening to local musicians perform on our Porch.
Max Beckmann’s
at a Bar” conveys the ultimate resigned melancholy of a German native who escaped Nazi persecution as a “degenerate” artist only to find
After fleeing Paris before the Nazis arrived in 1940, Salvador Dali emigrated to New York City, where he became a celebrity and earned a comfortable living painting slightly Surreal portraits of society figures, including Isabella Tas.
Modern Art and Politics in Germany 1910-1945: Masterworks from the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin Thru Jun 22 at the Piano Pavilion, Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth. $14-18. 817-332-8451.
March 30–June 22
This exhibition has been organized by the Neue Nationalgalerie, Berlin, in cooperation with the Kimbell Art Museum.
This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Additional support provided by Arts Fort Worth and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Promotional support provided by
I was accidentally added to a Cowboys draftweekend Signal chat.
BY PATRICK HIGGINS
This past weekend, the annual NFL player selection process took place in Green Bay. The Dallas Cowboys added nine players to their free agency-depleted roster, and their work over the three days is seen as either disciplined and deliberate, achieving high-value and future Pro Bowlers, or woefully boring and inadequate, inevitably leading to picking even higher in the order at next year’s draft, all depending upon the eye beholding.
In a bizarre (if increasingly common) mishap, beginning Thursday night, I, your intrepid Cowboys beat reporter, was inadvertently added to a chat thread on the encrypted communication app Signal that involved real-time draft day conversations among Cowboys insiders, including one participant who was present in the war room throughout the duration of the event.
Owed to its infinitely higher news value, in lieu of my usual annual Cowboys post-draft assessment, containing the typical pick-by-pick analysis and a mostly arbitrary summary grade — which the internets contain more of than deepfake celebrity videos of the adult variety — I have decided to publish these conversations in full and unredacted. I believe the contents provide more insight than any analysis I could offer.
The participants in the following chat thread are Troy Fakeman, a current player scout for the Cowboys in charge of Southeastern Waxahachie (present in the war room at The Star), and Bo Jacksboro, a 32-year veteran former scout who retired from the organization in 2022 (presumably from his couch at home).
Night 1
Troy Fakeman: Hey, Bo! It’s Draft Day, and I’m thinking of you. Still call bullshit that they forced you into retirement for ratting out Rich Dalrymple. That dude was a major creep and had to go. Speaking of creeps, Jerry already has three fingers of JW Blue hidden under one of the helmets on the desk in front of him. Also, I can’t see the Big Board because there’s too many damn Jones grandkids in here. Titans on the clock! Here we go!
Bo Jacksboro: Honestly, this is the best I’ve felt in years. I no longer have to steadily medicate myself with rot-gut bourbon just to resist driving my F-250 into the glass showcase training room at The Star. I’m down to one pack of Camel Wides per day. I’ve even stopped having the recurring nightmare where my wife leaves me at the altar for Taco Charlton. Still, I feel for you down there. Tell McClay I’m sorry I couldn’t get that bottle of Valium in time. I’ve lost my connection since Jerry stopped using me to mule hush money to his third baby-mama down at The Lodge.
Troy: Browns taking tackle Mason Graham at 5 has The Boss salivating over Shedeur Sanders. It’s Johnny Football all over again. And that goober with the pageboy cut, Mark Davis in Vegas, taking the runner Ashton Jeanty is just unfair. Jeanty should have been the next overworked running back we pay top of market for two years early.
Bo: I wouldn’t like taking a running back that high, anyway, especially with that lackluster offensive line, wide receiver group, quarterback, tight-end group, defense, special teams, and discount-rack coach. Jeanty doesn’t even perform a gimmicky gesture after trudging two yards. Dude isn’t ready for the unrelenting carnival of JerryWorld.
Troy: Damn! Looks like the pick we all wanted in Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan is going to Carolina here at 8. Stephen on the phone with Houston trying to bail out of 12. The Boss still trying to sell everybody on Shedeur. He unbuttoned his shirt like Superman to reveal a “$-squared” T-shirt underneath. Charlotte is crying. Houston holding us up. Offer is their pick all the way down at 25, a late fourth, and a stack of BOGOs for entry to NASA. I’ve still never been. Hope they take it.
Bo: Is Jerry the last billionaire who hasn’t been to space? Maybe he can shoot Dak up there and strand him for the next four years. If so, would the league let the Jones family out of that contract? I’m going to send Jerry Jr. plans for a DIY submarine.
If the team can’t find a dance partner, someone better change Deion’s name in Jerry’s phone to “Secret Daughter.”
Troy: It’s our turn to pick now. Stephen able to talk Daddy down from Shedeur. Said something about a threat to tell Gene about another “gate agent” situation?!
Could go with Golden here. Lord knows CeeDee is the only wideout on the team with hands that aren’t made of Sakrete. But looks like Alabama guard Tyler Booker is gonna be the pick. I actually scouted him this year — my territory for Dallas is “O-linemen named Tyler.” He’s a mean SOB. Violent run blocker and solid in pass pro. Footwork is wonky at times, and he’s about as athletic as Chris Christie, but he makes up for it with elite football IQ and strength. Get your Aunt Jemima ready. Pancakes are coming! *pancake emoji*
Bo: I love the player, hate the pick. Matthew Golden reminds me of Golden Tate — and not just because they both have “Golden” in their names. Booker is going to be solid, but so is Wyatt Milum, who will probably still be
there in Round 3. That’s another big spend on an interior lineman. Jerry is going to open the wallet for fellow guard Tyler Smith, and Stephen is going to have to figure out a way to keep deferring his payment until 2035. Smith will be the next Bobby Bonilla.
Troy: OK, Bo. I’m going to bed. Looooong night. Really hope Cleveland takes Sanders at 33 tomorrow. We started taking a drink every time Jerry mentioned Shedeur, and I’ve already puked twice. Can’t be playing that game again tomorrow.
Bo: Get some sleep. You’re going to need all your energy to stop Jerry from drunk-dialing Mike McCarthy every time ESPN shows the war room.
Night 2
Troy: OK. Cleveland officially on the clock to kick off Round 2. If you ask me, we entered the draft needing four — count ’em, four — starters. WR, RB, CB, and DT. Booker is great, but he doesn’t help tick any of those boxes. We’ve got just two picks today to fill four spots. Pray for me.
Bo: They have to go wide-out or running back, right? Jerry isn’t going to *gulp* pick the best player available, is he? That would be uncharacteristically responsible of him. Get that man another drink before he starts acting like a real-life GM.
Troy: We’re up next at 44. Stephen still trying to trade back. Jerry still talking about Deion’s kid. Schotty turning pale every time he does. Character is important to Marty’s kid. He’s like Garrett that way.
With the two Ohio State backs, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, and the Missouri receiver Luther Burden all off the board now, the Cowboys’ hopes of legit offensive playmakers are disappearing faster than my kids’ college fund. (Lost a big
prop bet earlier this year on whether or not the Mavs would ever trade Luka.)
Going with Boston College edge Donovan Ezeiruaku. “EZ,” they call him. Great player and great value here. I had a first-round grade on him. He’s as bendy as Gumby and slippery as a Texas state attorney general. He should feast on QBs if Micah gets doubled on the other side. Fits Schotty’s character-guy mold, too. Still doesn’t address our lack of playmakers. Think he can play TE?
Bo: I’m shocked. For one, I can’t believe Jerry isn’t leaping toward the podium to take Michigan cornerback Will Johnson with this pick. He’d be a Top-5 player if not for injuries. If there’s one thing Jerry loves, it’s JW Blue. If there’s two things Jerry loves, it’s JW Blue and making love children in the bathroom of a strip club. If there’s a third thing he loves, it’s picking talented players with devastating injury histories in the second round.
Ezeiruaku is going to be great, but this marks the third time the team has drafted a D end in the second round in the past four years. Have we already given up on Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland? That’s to say nothing of recent signees Payton Tuner and Dante Fowler. That D-end room is filling up faster than Jerry’s yacht when he and Michael Irvin sail to international waters with a bail of blow. I do miss that.
Troy: Third Round now. Jerry just can’t seem to help himself but to take a risk on Day 2. Whether injury or character bugs — Jaylon Smith, Sean Lee, Randy Gregory, Sam Williams … the list goes on. At least they waited ’til the third round this time instead of the second.
If he didn’t tear his ACL last September, Shavon Revel Jr. from Eastern Carolina was my third-ranked corner. I expected him to be gone 50 picks ago. The Boss got up and continued on page 10
A fly on the wall. The Weekly gets a first-person look at the Cowboys’ player selection from leaked draft-day deliberations.
continued from page 9
danced when we put the card in. Which, combined with all the Johnny Walker, made me puke (again) and made Charlotte cry (again). Revel has all the length and speed and ballhawking ability we love, but with Diggs still recovering from surgery and Jourdon Lewis gone in FA, you might have to come back from retirement to play in the secondary to start the season.
Bo: Did Bill Parcells drug the real Jerry and wear a rubber Jones suit for this draft? All of these picks *checks notes* make sense. It’s not the way I would have gone with Iowa running back Kaleb Jones still on the board, but I’m not complaining. If Revel’s knee doesn’t explode, this could be the steal of the draft. Tell the Tuna he still owes me $5 over that Bobby Carpenter pick.
Day 3
Troy: Just got here! A massive hangover and the fact that I knew we wouldn’t be on the clock for 46 freakin’ picks allowed me sleep in a little. No one has seemed to notice my absence.
That fourth we gave up for Johnathan Mingo really bit us today. All the legit threedown running backs are long gone. At 149 in the fifth, we’ve had to resort to Jaydon Blue. He’s got potential. He’s a speedy back and a threat to take it to the house anytime he touches the ball, but he’s also a threat to put it on the ground just as likely (eight fumbles at Texas). He has a harder time holding onto the ball than Joe Biden has with holding onto a coherent thought. And he does little to improve an RB room stuffed with secondand third-tier options in the backfield.
Bo: Blue represents good value at this spot in the draft, but I doubt he’ll ever be a threedown workhorse. He reminds me of Felix Jones a few years back: all speed, not much else. Still, it’s nice to have a homerun threat not named Turpin on the roster.
Troy: Whoa! We’re on the clock again! Stephen just had to get a trade done at some point. He really likes cosplaying as GM. Arizona gave us 5/152 for our 5/174 and 6/211. We’re grabbing linebacker Shemar James from Florida. Schotty needs special teams. Might also be able to be a stopgap until Demarvion “Agent Zero” Overshown is back from his most recent horrific knee injury.
Bo: Are they drafting only team captains this year? Maybe Jerry is trying to start a Boy Scout troop. It’s a good thing Jerry’s buddy Jeff Epstein isn’t around anymore. James is a strange player to scout. He was borderline amazing against the pass two years ago, and he sucked against the run. Last year, he couldn’t cover a duvet, but he was solid against the ground game. I trust defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to sort him out, though. Good pick.
Troy: Man, I always forget how long Day 3 takes! It’s 3 p.m., and there’s still the better part of two rounds to go! At 204, we’ve taken Oregon offensive tackle Ajani Cornelius. I
couldn’t tell you much about him other than that his name sounds like it’s backwards. He’s not in my scouting territory as his name is not Tyler. O-line depth is always good to have though.
Bo: He’s a small-school transfer who was a key part of Oregon’s elite O-line. He gave up only three sacks last year, and he was nominated for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award. My money is on him to take the job away from the ghost of Terence Steele at right tackle before the season is over.
Troy: Sorry! Fell asleep! Head is pounding. We finally took a big ’ol boy to open the final round at 217. UCLA D-tackle Jay Toia is the classic “trash can fulla dirt” (6’2” 342!). Hopefully he’ll be able to hold up in run D better than 2023 first-round bust Mazi Smith. We also grabbed the running back version of Toia at 7/239 in Clemson’s Phil Mofah (6’1” 234). That’s some serious beef for a runner. But again, why are we loading up on so many backup-to-backup-level RBs? It’s not like we can combine two or three of them into some sort of serviceable undead Frankenstein starter.
Bo: Tell me about it. By this time of the draft last year, I was so high on molly, I called McClay 17 times to pound the table for Purdue cornerback Caelen Carson, who has all the mobility of a Rascal Scooter. I love the big fella, Mofah. They need someone like him. He’s got more girth and attitude than Nate Newton during a three-day bender at the White House. I miss that, too.
Troy: Finally, it’s over! With pick 247, we get another D-tackle in Tommy Akingbesote from Maryland. Similar to the RB situation. Arbitrarily throwing numbers at a position doesn’t necessarily fix it. Best part of the pick is that it’s our last one.
All told, I guess I’d give us a solid B- for our work this year. Great players taken and a ton of value in the early rounds, but I can see only Booker being ready to start Week 1. “EZ” will likely be a rotational player, and Revel is probably starting camp on PUP. Blue could one day be a star, but he’s a third-down/change-of-pace back at most. We’ll see how many of the others even make it onto the 53.
Still have a glaring hole at WR2. I give my liver, however, an A+ for keeping pace. Time to go sign some UDFAs. A gentleman’s work is never done. Hope to see you at Media Day in Oxnard!
Bo: Don’t count on it. I’ve got shipment of ayahuasca coming in soon. I’ll be speaking to dead kings by then. I give the team a solid B. The Booker pick was too soon, but then again, only about 50% of first rounders earn a second contract. I’ll bet he’s one of them. Day 2 alone was an A for me, unless of course Revel’s leg turns into an exploding cigar. I admire the Jones family’s discipline in not reaching for need. However, with a 31-year-old QB who is injured a lot, this youth may not be ready on Dak’s timeline. At least the team didn’t draft the Sanders kid. We don’t need Dak looking over his shoulder. That’s an injury risk at his age. l
NIGHT & DAY
May the Fourth Be With You This Weekend
Mayfest (Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr, 817-3321055) is back for its 53rd anniversary 3:30pm-9pm Thu, 3:30pm-10pm Fri, 10am-10pm Sat, and 11am-7pm Sun. 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. Tickets are $7-12 at Mayfest. org. For artist and performer info and other updates, follow Facebook.com/Mayfest or visit Mayfest.org.
If you don’t already have a Fort Worth Public Library card, now would be a great time to get one. Now thru Saturday, go to your local public library, present your card, and receive one free ticket to Mayfest while supplies last. To find the location nearest you, go to FWPL.info/location.
May Day typically celebrates workers and the labor movement internationally. This year, those voices need to be heard more than ever. Mobilize. us has announced several day-of-action-type events. At 3pm will be a Car Caravan at Old City Hall (200 Texas St, Fort Worth) for the purpose of uniting to defend labor rights and immigrant justice. Organizers feel the time for solidarity is now. “In just a few months, [Donald] Trump’s attacks on unions, federal workers, immigrants, and trans and genderqueer people have rolled back decades of hard-fought progress. These assaults demand a united response. The labor movement and the immigrant rights movement must stand together to resist these attacks and demand dignity for all.” May Day organizers ask that you bring your signs, your people, and your power. For more information or dates of other likeminded North Texas events, visit Mobilize.us/mayday.
Artspace 111 (111 Hampton St, Fort Worth, 817-692-3228) is hosting an opening reception from 5:30pm to 8pm for two new exhibits. A Humble Gift showcases the works of Ariel Davis, while The Soft Parts features art by Stella Alesi. Both solo shows run now thru Sat, Jun 7. The gallery is open 11am-5pm, Tue-Sat every week.
Scarborough Renaissance Festival (2511 FM 66, Waxahachie, @SRFestival) is now open for the 2025 season 10am-7pm every Sat-Sun, plus Memorial Monday. Along with an artisan market, turkey legs, jousting shows, and fun for the kids, every weekend features a different theme. This Sat-Sun is Fantasy Weekend, where cosplay is encouraged, and May Day and the beginning of spring are celebrated with flower adornment. Tickets are $38 for adults, $28 for children 5-12, and free for kids ages 4 and under at SRFestival.com.
The good folks at Holocron Toy Store (3613 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 105, Fort Worth, 817-489-5600) — and Star Wars fans in general — love a good pun, especially “May the Fourth be with you.”
Along with next-door neighbor Muy Frio Margaritas, the Holocrons are spending their very niche holiday to help a nonprofit up the block. The parking lot party, 11am5pm Sat, will include activities, food trucks, and raffle prizes benefiting The Wellman Project, which provides schools with art
a
resources for the classroom and beyond. There is no cost to attend, but school supply donations are encouraged.
Fort Worth Camera is hosting one of its Funkytown Focus events (previously known as Fort Worth Foto Fest) in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Grab your camera and join them at Joe T. Garcia’s (2201 N Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-626-4356) to experience the colors and excitement of an authentic Mexican fiesta, complete with a mariachi band and ballet dancers from Ballet Folklorico. Tickets are $50 on Eventbrite and include dinner in the reserved Los Portales area of the restaurant, as well as premier shooting access to the evening’s entertainment. Fort Worth Camera recommends bringing a moderate-to-telephoto lens and leaving your tripod at home. (For more Cinco de Mayo events, see this week’s Ate Days a Week column.)
By Jennifer Bovee
EATS & drinks
Let Them Eat Tacos
Texas Taco Week pairs local fundraising with our favorite eats and drinks.
BY LAURIE JAMES
Texas Taco Week (running through Cinco de Mayo, natch) seems to offer the perfect solution for local foodies who want their carne asada and birria tacos with a side of philanthropy. The week-long celebration matches restaurants and bars with nonprofits to let Fort Worth residents eat, drink, and do good all at the same time. A percentage of the signature item of the restaurant’s choice benefits the restaurant’s designated local charity. This week, Quince (1701 Riverside, Ste 181, 682-385-9073) is donating a generous 20% of all taco sales to Academy 4, a
statewide nonprofit that aims to put mentors into fourth-grade classes in two dozen school districts, including Arlington, Azle, Birdville, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, and Fort Worth.
Los Guapos Tacos (2708 W 7th, 817877-0008) will donate a dollar from every taco sold to the Boys and Girls Clubs, which provide safe after-school care and summer camp opportunities.
Texas Taco week is a project of the National Leadership Foundation, the Texas nonprofit behind the Greatest Gift Catalog Ever, a holiday compendium that supports more than two dozen charitable Tarrant County organizations each year. Last year, the event was called Fort Worth Taco Week, but organizers hope that more independent restaurants will partner with worthy charity partners across the state.
The NLF is dedicated to connecting people with nonprofits focused on working with veterans, people who are food- or housing-insecure, youth mentorship, hospice work, animal welfare, and the environment. The idea behind the Greatest Gift Catalog Ever is that donors support one of these 26 charities instead of buying their loved one a holiday gift. If you have the means and you’re buying for someone who has more than they need, it’s a total win-win.
Christine Jones, the executive director of the catalog, said that while we’re used to seeing a big ramp up in publicity in the early fall as people begin to consider holiday shopping, the organization saw a need for some year-round friend-raising as well as fundraising.
Jones said restaurateurs agree to offer a special dish or drink and donate a portion of the proceeds to the charity of their choice. Donations and relationships with the nonprofits are managed directly by participating merchants. The NLF kicks in a little PR, including advertising and signage for the signature item. Participating restaurants aren’t out any extra money for advertising, and they’re not beholden to a specific menu, despite the name. Participating eateries just serve what’s normally on the menu and donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity that the owners have selected.
Fifteen restaurants are participating this year, Jones said. “Fort Worth is so generous. Restaurants are showing that they are proud to support a local charity.”
And it’s not just tacos during Taco Week. Heim BBQ (two locations in Fort
continued on page 17
The NLF will gift the coveted Texas Taco Week buckle to the restaurant raising the most for their charity during Texas Taco Week.
Worth) will donate $1 for every turkey sandwich purchased to Project 4031, a local version of Make-a-Wish Foundation for critically ill kids –– Project 4031 also wraps around families, providing basic food and shelter needs along with making dreams come true.
Given the state of the current economy, any donation is a significant ask for our local restaurateurs. To spice things up a bit, the NLF is offering a bit of incentive: The restaurant that donates the most money to charity this year wins a custom belt buckle. Jones said last year, the then-Fort Worth Taco Week raised $13,000 for local charities, along with a substantial amount of awareness about the people in town working to make the world a little better.
The best part about this –– besides the food –– is that diners can specifically select a restaurant based on the charity or just go out like they normally would. If you’d prefer your donation to be in the form of a beverage, Paris Coffee Shop (740 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-945-1702) will donate a dollar from every mimosa you buy to the Alzheimer’s Association, dedicated to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s. And The Local (2800 Bledsoe St, Fort Worth) offers a donation with every Don Julio margarita, shot, Ranch Water, or jalapeno-and-cucumber margarita to Wings of Hope Equine Therapy, which provides equine-assisted
therapy to and services for children and adults with physical, mental, or emotional challenges.
Other supporters include The Bearded Lady (300 S Main St, Fort Worth, 817-349-9832), with proceeds benefiting Trinity Collaborative Inc., a consortium of folks who want to clean up the Trinity River and associated parks. Bodega South Main (203 S Main St, Fort Worth, 682224-5148), Fort Redemption (5724 Locke Av, Fort Worth, 817-349-8516), and Wild Salsa (300 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth,
682-316-3230) are also collecting for Trinity Collaborative.
At press time, some of the restaurants’ menu selections were still TBD. Texas Taco
Week runs through Mon, May 5. Details and a full list of participating food and drink partners and the charities they are benefiting can be found at TexasTacoWeek.com. l
It’s not just tacos during Texas Taco Week — Heim BBQ will donate a portion of proceeds from every turkey sandwich sold this week to charity.
At Quince, your taco purchase goes to a good cause this week.
Ate Days of Cinco de Mayo 2025
While many of us think of Cinco de Mayo as an extra day of tequila, it means much more. What began as a commemoration of Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 has become a celebration of Mexican-American culture. Thanks to beer and liquor advertising campaigns in the 1980s, it’s now a big deal in the U.S. Along with bars and restaurants, many municipalities in North Texas are also joining in this year. Here are eight happenings for your consideration.
Here in The Fort Shogun Taqueria (formerly Paco’s Mexican Cuisine) (1500 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-759-9110) and neighboring Gustos Burgers + Bar are hosting Cinco de Mercado on Sunday from noon to 8pm, with food and drink specials, face painting, a jump house, and vendors, plus music by DJ Richie. There is no cost to attend.
Rex’s Bar & Grill (1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397), open daily 11 am-midnight, is celebrating with food and drink specials Sat-Sun. Follow their event page at Facebook.com/RexsBarandGrill for updates.
Then, on Monday, head to Los Vaqueros Stockyards (2513 Rodeo Plz, Fort Worth, 817-759-9110) for the Cinco
de Mayo Fiesta from 4pm to 9pm, with swag and tastings from Gran Malo and live music by Latin Express. There is no cost to attend, but reservations are recommended at LosVaqueros.com.
Arlington
The parking lot of 20 After 4 Vape Shop (3701 S Cooper St, Arlington, 682-252-4116) is the location of the free Cinco de Mayo Car Meet & Market from 1pm to 6pm Sat. There will be a car and bike show, eats and drinks from food trucks, face painting and other family activities, and a vendor market with handmade and vintage finds, plus onsite dog adoptions.
Burleson
The City of Burleson has a free, family-friendly Cinco de Mayo celebration 6pm-8pm Sat at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza (141 W Renfro St, Burleson, 817-426-9600). Entertainment provided by Texian Internet Radio will include live music by the Daniel Lopez y Aventura Band and Ballet de Folklorico de Fort Worth.
Grand Prairie
The Grand Prairie Hispanic Association for Culture and Education and the City of Grand Prairie will hold a Cinco de Mayo Parade and Celebration on Saturday. The parade begins at 10am at the intersection of Main Street and Belt Line Road and ends at City Hall (300 W Main St). This all-day celebration includes food, vendor booths, and live entertainment in downtown Grand Prairie.
Up Yonder
This Monday, Cantina Laredo is making it easy to celebrate in style with festive cocktails and shareable menu offerings available for dine-in or to-go at the locations in Addison (4546 Belt Line Rd, 972-458-0962) and Frisco (1125 Legacy Dr, 214-618-9860). Seasonal cocktail options include: Red Pepper ’Rita (Espolòn Blanco Tequila, Dos Hombres Mezcal, Reàl Pepper Puree, fresh
lemon, and lime juices); Dos Hombres Michelada (Dos Hombres Mezcal, Modelo Especial Draft, Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix, fresh lime juice, and Worcestershire sauce); Cabo Flip ’Rita (Cabo Wabo Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice, topped with a lime boat filled with Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila); and Sotol Sunrise (Nocheluna Sotol, Finest Call Grenadine, and orange juice). For info on appetizer packs, family fajita packs, and other food options, visit CantinaLaredo.com.
Cinco de Mayo at Grandscape (5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony) from 6pm to 9pm Mon will feature live music by the Dreaming of You Selena Experience and Mariachi Águilas de UNT. While no outside alcohol or coolers are permitted, you are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the vast lawn seating area. For more information, go to Grandscape.com/visit/.
By Elaine Wilder
Gran Malo will be handing out swag and samples on Monday at Los Vaqueros Stockyards.
Courtesy Gran Malo
Mariachi Águilas, the UNT mariachi band, will perform at Grandscape on Monday.
UNT
Headed north on Monday? Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Addison and Frisco.
WEEKLY LISTINGS
The List
Top resources for everything. Okay, almost everything.
By Fort Worth Weekly Classifieds
Below are some resources for your consideration, including astrology, faith-based listings, services, and more. Welcome to Fort Worth Weekly Classifieds.
FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19)
To create microgardens, you plant vegetables and herbs in small containers placed on your porch, balcony, window sills, and kitchen counter. Lettuce, peas, spinach, and basil might be among your small bounties. I encourage you to use this practice as a main metaphor in the coming weeks. In other words, gravitate away from huge, expansive visions, and instead work creatively within existing constraints. For now, at least, “less is more” should be your operative motto. Meditate on how apparent limitations might lead to inviting innovations. Seek out abundance in unlikely places.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20)
Taurus author Nellie Bly (1864–1922) was a daring trailblazer. It was almost impossible for a woman to be a journalist in the 19th century, but she did it anyway. One of her sensational groundbreaking stories came when she did an undercover assignment in New York’s Women’s Lunatic Asylum. Her reporting on the neglect and brutality there prompted major reforms. I nominate Bly as your role model for the foreseeable future. You are, I believe, poised for epic, even heroic adventures, in service to a greater good. (PS: Bly also made a solo trip around the world and wrote 15 books.)
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20)
Gemini painter Henri Rousseau (1844–1910) never saw a jungle in person. In fact, he never left his native country of France. But he painted some of modern art’s most vivid jungle scenes. How did that happen? Well, he visited zoos and botanical gardens, perused images of tropical forests in books, and heard stories from soldiers who had visited jungles abroad. But mostly, he had a flourishing imagination that he treated with reverent respect. I urge you to follow his lead, Gemini. Through the joyful, extravagant power of your imagination, get the inspiration and education you need. The next three weeks will be prime time to do so.
CANCERIAN (Jun 21-Jul 22)
No, ruby-throated hummingbirds don’t hitch rides on airplanes or the backs of geese. They make their epic migrations completely under their own power. To get to their wintering grounds, many fly alone from the southern United States to the Yucatan Peninsula, crossing the 500-mile expanse of the Gulf of Mexico in 20 hours. I don’t recommend you attempt heroic feats like theirs in the coming weeks, Cancerian. More than usual, you need and deserve to call on support and help. Don’t be shy about getting the exact boosts you require. It’s time to harvest the favors you are owed and to be specific in articulating your wishes.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22)
The golden pheasant is dazzling. Among the bright colors that appear in its plumage are gold, red, orange, yellow, blue, black, green, cinnamon, and chestnut. In accordance with astrological omens, I name this charismatic bird to be your spirit creature for the coming weeks. Feel free to embrace your inner golden pheasant and express it vividly wherever you go. This is a perfect time to boldly showcase your beauty and magnificence, even as you fully display your talents and assets. I brazenly predict that your enthusiastic expression of selflove will be a good influence on almost everyone you encounter.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22)
Virgo poet and visual artist Dorothea Tanning (1910–2012) had a few mottoes that endlessly nurtured her abundant creative output. Here’s one: “Keep your eye on your inner world and keep away from ads, idiots, and movie stars.” As excellent as that advice is, it’s a challenge to follow it all the time. If we want to function effectively, we can’t always be focused on our inner worlds. However, I do believe you are now in a phase when you’re wise to heed her counsel more than usual. Your soul’s depths have a lot to teach you. Your deep intuition is full of useful revelations. Don’t get distracted from them by listening too much to ads, idiots, and celebrities.
listings continued on page 23
SAT 5/31 ROB SCHNEIDER YOU CAN DO IT, TEXAS! TOUR SUN 6/15 “JALIL” – A MODERN HIP-HOP TAKE ON THE STORY OF JOB!
SAT 6/21 ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
RIDGLEA ROOM
SAT 5/10 ADAM HAWLEY
TUES 5/13 THRASHVILLE TERROR TOUR
SAT 5/24 SLURP THE WORLD
RIDGLEA LOUNGE RIDGLEA THEATER
FRI 5/2 JUNK CAR GIRLS HEETER, GOITER BELT & MORE!
Singer-songwriter Robert Ellis is managing his career the old-fashioned (read: non-social) way.
BY STEVE STEWARD
You might call this easy listening, but the piece of audio I’ve been really enthralled with lately is Mark Hoppus’ new book, Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir. The Blink-182 bassist and co-frontman’s autobiographical account (read by himself) of his band’s meteoric rise from scrappy SoCal skate-brat trio to their current state of affairs as a multiplatinum-selling pop-punk legacy act really fired up my nostalgia for the era of the band’s early ’90s origin and mid-’90s getin-the-van-and-play-anywhere ascension. When I think back to that time, everything in my memory has that mid-’90s hyper-saturation, as does this line from Hoppus: “On these tours, my belt never dries.” Hearing that, I felt a lump well up in my throat, thinking about seeing them at Warped Tour ’97, when he would have most certainly had to live with a permanently wet belt.
For me, this was the time just after high school and just prior to the launch of MySpace, the end of an epoch when bands booked shows by calling clubs on the phone, and when he describes how the only way a touring band could be reached was by leaving a message at a venue for them, that time really felt like ancient history.
Today, even booking via email almost feels antiquated. Nearly every band contact
I’ve made over the past decade has been via a social media app’s messenger, and even exchanging text messages for interviews and booking feels like an archaic imposition. As for the importance of vans and sweaty belts to a band’s career, the most-watched musicians on Instagram and TikTok — at least in my feeds — tend to be seated, dead-behindthe-eyes virtuosos capable of perfectly replicating every lick ever recorded yet who seem to have never played a note with another human musician. In 2025, is it even possible to promote your music without social media engagement? Does playing live matter?
Robert Ellis, who started his music career in the mid-2000s shortly after dropping out of high school at the age of 17, stepped away entirely from social media at the end of January, clearing his Instagram of posts save for a single set of notes explaining why he was peacing out on the platforms and to please go to his website for show dates and news moving forward. I called him up and asked him how it was going sans social media and if he thought it was possible to make a career in music according to a pre-social media paradigm.
“I mean, it remains to be seen in the grand scheme of things how it is, like, financially,” he said. “I’m in a fortunate situation because I have been doing this since, you know, before [social media] was really a thing, and I was lucky enough to able to build up a base back then. … I know I’m in a lucky place that I feel like I can check out and not take too much of a hit in terms of the amount of people who come to my shows. … I still get emails from almost every promoter that are like, ‘We’d really appreciate it if you’d post about this,’ and now I can just be like, ‘Where do you want me to post?’ ”
Ellis said that he had gotten to the point where Instagram was about as useful to him as it was enjoyable, and neither amounted to much. “There’s, like, the career side. … I don’t necessarily believe that social media does the things that it claims to do. … I don’t necessarily believe that it’s a great tool for even advertising the things I like, mainly just because of the aesthetic, that ‘overwhelming’ quality of the app.”
The app’s avalanche of content — even the stuff that interests him — “is just rotting my fucking brain. … I don’t think it gets information to people in the easy and free democratized way that people think it does.”
Though his manager wasn’t wild about
“Man, I don’t know how it is for kids getting bands together these days,” he chuckled. “I mean, honestly, if I were 21 today and getting started, I’d probably be on TikTok.” He laughed again. “I also think some of this is like a [tech] fluency issue that we, as older gentlemen of a certain age, we just never actually get good at it and will always appear disingenuous, and I just think I lack fluency in that [online] language.”
the idea at first, Ellis maintained his hard line. “I feel like I just needed a hard out that would make it look really silly for me to come back,” Ellis said.
Absent his social media accounts, Ellis communicates with his listeners the old-fashioned way: via a monthly newsletter sent to his email subscribers. “I’d rather email them once about the stuff I have going on for the next, like, three months. If you wanna come to a show, mark your calendar and come. I don’t wanna be in the business of trying to remind people every 30 seconds that there’s going to be an announcement tomorrow or whatever.”
At present, he is booked on a tour with St. Vincent for much of the year, with dates scheduled in South America and Europe for the spring and summer. His path to world tours began when he lucked into the right person hearing his self-produced debut (2009’s The Great Re Arranger) at an indie record store (Houston’s Cactus Music), and not long after that, he was releasing his second album, Photographs, on vaunted indie label New West (home to albums by Dwight Yoakam, Patty Griffin, Jason Isbell, and many others). Soon after that, he was touring the world.
But what if he was just starting out today?
His fluent language, obviously, is writing and performing songs for people. And to him, it’s the in-person, communal experience-part of music that matters most. “In my small hometown south of Houston, we were throwing shows at Jasmine Hall, which was like the community center, or Dunbar Park, where we’d rent out the park for a few hundred bucks and then charge tickets, and, I mean, it’s so funny. Some of those bands that were all just, like, other indie bands from the version of my town on the other side of Houston, they played at our community center, and we played theirs. It’s just like this weird little circuit of local people making shows, and I mean … like, that shit still has to be happening all over.”
In Ellis’ estimation, live music, as opposed to scrollable, forgettable video snippets of songs watched on a smartphone, can be transcendent. “Not to be too woo-woo about it, but people who aren’t necessarily interested in meditation can be completely in the moment somewhere for, like, an hour and a half at a show. They’re really special in that way. They just make everyone just lose time.”
But getting back to Instagram and its dead-eyed virtuosos — I keep thinking about this bass player in my feed who has Cedric Bixler-Zavala bangs and plays Primus songs with the anti-panache of a DMV employee rejecting her millionth driver license application — Ellis feels like he’s also escaping the apps’ algorithmic reckoning.
“The algorithm reinforces sameness,” he said. “Say you get all your fans because of one thing. It doesn’t tend to reward delineation. Thinking of those dead-eyed Instagram guitarists, I’m suspicious that Instagram is not only causing people to look and present the same, but I think it’s causing, like, musical quirks in playing that I hear out in the world, and in my mind, I’m like, ‘Oh, that sounds like Instagram guitar.’ ” l
Robert Ellis (shown here at Niles City Sound in Fort Worth): “The algorithm reinforces sameness.”
CLASSIFIEDS
Weekly Listings
continued from page 20
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22)
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is essential for the functioning of your body and every other animal’s. It carries instructions about how to build proteins, and your cells are full of it. We humans can’t edit this magic substance, but octopuses can. They do it on the fly, enabling them to adapt quickly to changing environmental conditions. Even though you Libras can’t match their amazing power with RNA, you do have a substantial capacity to rewrite your plans and adjust your mindset. And this talent of yours will be especially available to you in the coming weeks. Your flexibility and adaptability will not only help you navigate surprises but may also open up exciting new opportunities.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21)
Is there a sanctuary you can retreat to? A relaxing oasis where you can slip away from the world’s colorful madness? I would love for you to be bold enough to seek the precise healing you need. You have every right to escape the rotting status quo and give yourself full permission to hide from pressure, demands, and expectations. Is there music that brings you deep consolation? Are there books and teachers that activate your profound soul wisdom? Keep that good stuff nearby. It’s time for focused relief and regeneration.
SAGITTARIUS
(Nov 22-Dec 21)
The chemical element known as arsenic is notoriously toxic for humans, but has long been useful in small amounts. Ancient Chinese metallurgists discovered that blending it with copper and tin made the finest, strongest bronze. In modern times, arsenic fortifies the lead in car batteries. People in the 19th century sometimes ingested tiny doses as a stimulant. In this spirit, Sagittarius, I invite you to transform potentially challenging elements in your life into sources of strength. Can you find ways to incorporate iffy factors instead of eliminating them? I assure you that you have the power to recognize value in things others may neglect or reject.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19)
Renowned Capricorn author Henry Miller (1891–1980) had to wait far too long before getting readers in his home country, the United States. American censors regarded his explosive texts as too racy and sexy. They forbade the publication of his books until he was 69 years old! His spirit was forever resolute and uncrushable, though. In accordance with astrological omens, Capricorn, I recommend you adopt his counsel on the subject of wonders and marvels. Miller wrote, “The miracle is that the honey is always there, right under your nose, only you were too busy searching elsewhere to realize it.” Here’s another gem from Miller: He advised us “to make the miracle more and more miraculous, to swear allegiance to nothing, but live only miraculously, think only miraculously, die miraculously.”
AQUARIUS (Jan 20- Feb 18)
For now, everything depends on your foundation, your roots, and your support system. If I were you, I would devote myself to nurturing them. Please note that you’re not in any jeopardy. I don’t foresee strains or tremors. But your graduation to your next set of interesting challenges will require you to be snugly stable, secure, and steady. This is one time when being thoroughly ensconced in your comfort zone is a beautiful asset, not a detriment to be transcended.
PISCES
(Feb 19-Mar 20)
For now, everything depends on your foundation, your roots, and your support system. If I were you, I would devote myself to nurturing them. Please note that you’re not in any jeopardy. I don’t foresee strains or tremors. But your graduation to your next set of interesting challenges will require you to be snugly stable, secure, and steady. This is one time when being thoroughly ensconced in your comfort zone is a beautiful asset, not a detriment to be transcended.
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH
CELEBRATION
Located at 908 Pennsylvania Av (817-335-3222), Celebration Community Church has services on Sundays at 10am. Want to check out a nonjudgmental, inclusive church at home before attending in person? All services can also be viewed on YouTube (@CelebrationCommunityChurch130).
POTTER’S HOUSE
Join the Potter’s House of Fort Worth (1270 Woodhaven Blvd, 817-446-1999) for Sunday Service at 8am and Wednesday Bible Study at 7pm. For more info, visit us online at www.TPHFW.org.
EMPLOYMENT
Gas Station & Convenience Store Supervisor needed in Bedford, TX to oversee daily operations of gas station & convenience store, ensure high standards of customer service, compliance w/ safety regulations, & efficient mgmt of staff, resources, inventory, & finances. HS dipl. /GED & least 2 yrs of exp reqd in the job offered or related gas station/convenience store supervisory or mgmt occupation. Mail resume to: Quick Track, Attn: HR 18718, 1501 Pipeline Rd. E, Ste. B, Bedford, TX 76022.
EMPLOYMENT
Teague Nall and Perkins, Inc., seeks a Project Engineer in Fort Worth, TX. Must have BS in CE. Licensed to practice Pro. Engr. in TX. Need 2 yrs work exp, including 2yrs exp. in construction project mgmt. and using designing software. Proficiency with MicroStation, OpenRoads, and MS Office apps. Must earn a civil engineer degree from an ABET accredited inst. Little travel per year. Mail resume to 5237 N. Riverside Dr., Suite 100, Fort Worth, Texas, 76137.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
DENTAL INSURANCE
Physicians Mutual Insurance Co has coverage for 400+ procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-888-361-7095 www.dental50plus.com/fortworth #6258.
LIFE INSURANCE
Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses.Call Physicians Life Insurance Company- 844-782-2870 or visit www. Life55plus.info/ftworth.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
We’re not going anywhere. PPGreaterTX.org
NOTICES
SUBMISSIONS
Do you have thoughts and feelings, or questions, comments, or concerns about something you read in the Weekly? Please email Question@fwweekly.com. Do you have an upcoming event or something you need to get the word out about? For potential coverage in our listing sections, email the details to Marketing@ fwweekly.com.
TDLR Complaints
Any Texans who may be concerned that an unlicensed massage business may be in operation near them, or believe nail salon employees may be human trafficking victims, may now report those concerns directly to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) by emailing ReportHT@TDLR.Texas.gov.
EMPLOYMENT
Production Manager
Summit Casing Equipment proudly manufactures our own lines of solid body centralizers, bow spring centralizers, composite centralizers, float equipment, and stage tools. This capability allows us to supply a wide range of parts to meet your operational needs. We're in the casing equipment business - it's our only focus.
SUMMARY: The Production Manager will have direct oversight and accountability for building operations. Will be directly responsible for building production activities, maintaining positive employee relations and achieving performance related metrics - safety, quality, production, delivery, and machine uptime. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Manage production activities and resources per established policies. Communicate expectations and hold self and employees accountable for performance. Manage machine resources for productivity and minimal downtime. Maintain equipment maintenance records. Reduce expenses and increase productivity across all product lines. Ensure compliance with industry standards, health, and safety guidelines, and OSHA and EPA codes. Supervise production workflow, enhance efficiency, and adjust processes as needed for improvement. Plan equipment use to ensure on-time delivery of WIP and finished goods. Ensure effective communication between company departments and with suppliers. Achieve high employee efficiency and morale through leadership and sound management principles. Cross-train personnel in multiple functions. Maintain knowledge of current and new manufacturing processes. Implement production goals and discuss results with senior management. Manage inventory of products and raw materials and conduct weekly inventory counts. Interview, train, and coach employees on best practices. Implement corrective actions for employee performance and conduct. Schedule employee vacations, overtime, holidays, and job assignments. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or a related field; 2 years of progressive post baccalaureate experience in manufacturing engineering position, to include: 2 years working with lean manufacturing tools 5s, TPS, Six Sigma or Kaizen. Location: Summit Casing Equipment, 6575 Corporation Pkwy, Fort Worth, TX 76126 To apply, please email resume to: HR@summitcasing.com.
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