Summertime 2026 // Fort Worth Weekly // May 20-26, 2026

DRINKING LOCAL

Sippin’ Through the Summer

Maple Branch is serving up the finest brews and bites throughout the summer!

By Living Local

While Texas chugs along with the second-highest overall beer sales in the United States, it’s trailing behind at 48th in breweries per capita. Enter Stuart and Allyssa Maples, who decided that North Texas needed to #BranchOut.

Maple Branch Craft Brewery & Kitchen was honored as Texas Craft Brewery of the Year in 2024. Their Russian Imperial Stout stole the show with gold at the 2025 Texas Craft Brewers Cup, while also scoring double silver at the 2025 Great American Beer Festival with their English Brown Ale. Additionally, their raspberry blonde ale made with real raspberries called “Raspberry Fields” currently boasts five medals to its name. Over the past six years, the brewery has garnered more than 25 awards, with many of its beers receiving multiple accolades.

Focusing on the highest standard of craft quality, Maple Branch features 24 handcrafted beers on tap for the most comprehensive and traditional tasting experience. The scratch kitchen offers a diverse menu that includes wood-fired pizzas, smashburgers, giant Bavarian pretzels, and chicken wings fried in

beef tallow, all made with premium ingredients complemented by daily lunch specials. Monthly flight pairings, such as the famous gourmet hot dog flight and glass-and-plate dinner specials, are thoughtfully curated to dually enhance the craft beer and culinary experience. Private reservations are available year-round, complete with an extensive catering menu. Keep an eye on their events calendar…something fun is always brewing!

The Maples continued to #BranchOut by extending their passion for craft products to another beloved beverage: coffee! Unveiling a coffee shop connected to the brewery in 2025, Branch & Bean Coffee + Roastery imports raw coffee beans from around the planet and roasts

on-site to ensure optimal flavor and quality. Using state-of-the-art machines, the coffee brewing process yields exceptional results, with scratch-baked pastries harmonizing both spheres of craft artistry. Other breakfast options available include hot breakfast tacos, tasty sandwiches, and savory burritos paired with vibrantly roasted salsa. Connected to the Maple Branch taproom, it features a spacious outdoor beer garden set against a stunning natural backdrop and picturesque fountain.

Nestled behind Montgomery Plaza in the Foundry District, the brewery welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Sunday at 11 AM, while the coffee shop opens its doors daily at 7 AM.

Courtesy Maple Branch

Read more on Page 31.

METROPOLIS

5 Welcome to Summertime 2026

Introduction by Anthony Mariani

7 Feature

Texas’ newest state park in Palo Pinto is just a short drive away, and it’s more than worth it.

By

Mark Henricks

STUFF

10 Spor ts Rush

With the FIFA World Cup in North Texas in a few weeks, soccer is top of mind for youth camps this summer.

By Rush Olson

13 Getaways

Overseas adventures await your family.

ARTS & CALENDAR

Ar ts

Local Exhibits & Stage Productions

By Anthony Mariani Big Ticket Summer Solstice

By Amber Chadwick Crosstown Sounds National Holiday Gigs

By Jennifer Bovee

EATS & DRINKS

Drinking Local Lemon, Lime & Lager at Maple Branch

Ate Days of J&J’s

Saying goodbye to J&J’s Oyster Bar is a love letter to its employees.

By Elaine Wilder

Last Call

Cruise Ship Cocktails

SCREEN

Film

Summer blockbusters fill the multiplexes this season.

By

Kristian Lin

MUSIC

37 Big Time

Catching the big touring shows here and locals on tour there.

By Anthony Mariani and Patrick Higgins

39 Bir thday Benefit

The “Voice of the Rangers” recently introduced new (and old) music to baseball fans.

By Rush Olson

CLASSIFIEDS

40 Living Local: Avoiding Lawn Problems

42 Classifieds: Bulletin Board

STAFF

Editor-in-Chief: Anthony Mariani

Art Director: Ryan Burger

Special Projects Manager: Jennifer Bovee

Calendar Editor: Elaine Wilder

Film Editor: Kristian Lin

Music Editors: Patrick Higgins, Steve Steward

Proofreader: Emmy Smith

Editorial Board: Anthony Mariani, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward, Elaine Wilder

Contributors: E.R. Bills, Jennifer Bovee, Jason Brimmer, Amber Chadwick, Jess Delarosa, Buck D. Elliott, Danny Gallagher, Ozzie Garza, Juan R. Govea, Mark Henricks, Patrick Higgins, Laurie James, Kristian Lin, Cody Neatherly, Rush Olson, Jeff Prince, Emmy Smith, Kena Sosa, Steve Steward, Jennifer Zooki Sturges, Teri Webster, Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue, Elaine Wilder, Cole Williams

Owner / Publisher: Lee Newquist

Director of Operations: Bob Niehoff

Director of Sales: Michael Newquist

Director of Marketing: Jennifer Bovee

Account Manager: Julie Strehl

Sr. Account Executive: Stacey Hammons

Account Executives: Tony Diaz, Wendy Maier, Sarah Niehoff, Wyatt Newquist

Brand Ambassador: Clint Newquist

COPYRIGHT

The entire contents of Fort Worth Weekly are Copyright 2025 by Ft. Worth Weekly, LP. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the publisher. Please call the Fort Worth Weekly office for back-issue information.

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Summer, Summer, Summertime

Things may look a little bleak, but summer fun reminds us what’s worth fighting for. Every year for a while now, we’ve put out a summer issue, a.k.a. Summer Edition, and it’s been through all kinds of political winds. Still, there’s enough going on and enough people, places, and products to support that we think there’s no reason to stop now. You could even say Summertime 2026 is … hot. (Sorry.)

Between these pages, you’ll find a plethora of good words and things to do that don’t always involve spending a ton of money. On pg. 7, we

take an initial gander at Texas’ newest state park, this one just a short drive away in Palo Pinto. Some really useful tips on everything from complimentary angling (no license required!) to making sure you bring your own potable water to the primitive campsites are included.

The rest of the book is equally entertaining and arguably as helpful. On pg. 10, we’ve got all your needs for summer soccer camps covered, while on pg. 37, we run down our favorite big touring shows coming to the region and local artists who’ll be playing here and elsewhere

this summer, with more local touring news on pg. 21. On pg. 25, we hear from the great Jim Schusler, who’s closing down his beloved J&J’s Oyster Bar to make room for new development — between the Oyster Bar, J&J’s Blues Bar, and, to me, the coolest dive bar Fort Worth’s ever known, the ski lodge-esque J&J’s Hideaway, I could have put 10 kids through college. We’ll miss ya, Jim. All this and more await inside, so roll down the top, cue up that summer playlist, and step inside. — Anthony Mariani

Cover Art by Julie Strehl with photo by Wyatt Newquist.

FEATURE

Story of a State Park

Palo Pinto, our newest nearby state recreation site,

has a tale worth your time.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARK HENRICKS

Like many good things, Texas’ newest state park began with a crime. In this case, it was a 2008 fatal shooting in the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus, a town of about 200 some 70 miles west of Fort Worth. In addition to a funeral for a local ne-er-do-well, the event resulted in prison time for a member of a prominent ranching family. Another important outcome was the transfer of about 1,000 acres of land to settle a wrongful death suit brought by the dead man’s survivors.

A few years later, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department bought that acreage to be the nucleus of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, a 4,871-acre facility that opened in March. If being the first new state park in 25 years is not enough, Palo Pinto also has arguably the best origin story in the 92-park system. We’re talking class conflict, gunplay, homicide, and a bar named the Mule Lip.

The story’s even true, up to a point. The events in the Mule Lip actually occurred, as did the subsequent land transfer, but the beginnings of this state park really go back all the way to 1927. That was when laborers for the Works Progress Administration, a Depression-era federal employment initiative, built a dam for a 90-acre lake to provide water to the nearby town of Strawn. Today, the state leases Tucker Lake as the centerpiece for the freshly minted park. The other 3,000-plus acres were acquired piece by piece over almost a decade. Construction started in 2021 and has been slow — it was originally slated to open in 2023.

Besides its origins, the most striking thing about this park is how close it is to Fort Worth, just 75 miles west and a few miles north of Interstate 20. That’s no accident, and it also involves a tale. This one is about how the state parks department decided a 400-acre plot on Eagle Mountain Lake it had earmarked for a future park was just too small. So, it sold the land to the Tarrant Regional Water District, which turned it into Eagle Mountain Park.

In addition to $9 million, TRWD also took away a promise to build its next park close to Fort Worth. That’s only fair, since the city had, after all, lost an opportunity to have a state park even more conveniently located within its boundaries.

The resulting Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is perhaps mislabeled. The two Spanish words translate as “painted stick,” which is fine. It’s supposed to refer to the way juniper tree trunks and branches show different colors after losing the stringy bark.

And although miles of small, rugged canyons supply a mountainous feel, the summits go up only to 1,400 feet above sea level — molehills compared to Guadalupe Peak, in West Texas, the state’s highest point at 8,751 feet. The specific type of hill common here is a “cuesta.” These have a long gradual slope on one side and drop steeply on the other. Cuestas appear all over the world, including the Cross Timbers region around Fort Worth.

Two creeks, Russell and Palo Pinto, did the hard work to make Palo Pinto’s varied terrain. After cutting through the tough capstone of the plateau, their waters eroded the softer rock underneath. The action formed rocky canyons that, fortunately for park-lovers, are not as useful for ranching and farming as the flatter land atop the plateaus.

Tucker Lake provides the park’s visual centerpiece. It’s ringed by trails and features a lavish fishing pier with LED lights, deluxe fish-cleaning stations, and ample parking by a boat ramp. Anglers can expect bites from bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie, and — bonus! — no fishing license required. They’ll even loan you a rod, reel, and tackle, and you can keep five fish maximum, of any species.

To maintain the lake’s serenity, gasoline-powered boats are banned, so it’s paddlecraft such as kayaks and electric trolling motors only. While there’s no rule against swimming in the lake, there is also no beach or other inviting place to splash. One of the rangers described the mucky bottom as uninviting. If you ask me, a sandy beach should be on the short list of future improvements.

I’m not much of a fisherman, so the crappie and others were safe from me when I visited for two nights in April. Instead, I lit out hiking.

Starting from my campsite in the Painted Stick Campground, I first did the five-mile Tucker Lake Trail that circles the lake. It was a mostly shady and entirely enjoyable hike on foot. With a maximum elevation change of 150 feet, this would be a good mountain-biking outing for any rider above newbie level. It’s mostly twotrack and reasonably smooth, if not always level, with a couple of wet-weather water crossings.

Most of the 16-mile trail network is open to hikers, bikers, and equestrians. More than a mile of these are disabled-accessible, and the park has all-terrain wheelchairs available for loan. I thought Ben’s Trail, which climbs a mile or so from the fishing pier to Painted Stick Campground, would be an interesting ride for intermediate-level mountain bikers, with lots of narrow, twisting single track and a few tree gates and rock ledges, even if a ranger I spoke with said they felt it was too difficult for bikers.

Perhaps because the park is so new, wildlife is plentiful and not particularly skittish. A cottontail and a road runner sauntered through my campsite at different times, both seeming more curious than cautious. I heard but did not see my favorite Texas bird, the gorgeous painted bunting, while traversing Tucker Lake Trail. And a family of hikers on the same path reported seeing a mother fox and kits sheltering in a rock crevice just off the trail. Otherwise, you may see deer, bobcat, and any number of lizards and buzzards. Evenings, the quavering calls of a coyote pack play a sunset soundtrack.

A trail of a different sort has an effect discernible throughout the park. That’s the railroad line hugging the property’s northern

edge. The same Texas and Pacific Railway company that built the huge buildings that dominate the south side of downtown Fort Worth operated there for more than century, hauling cattle, oil, and other goods to market before the Missouri Pacific took it over in 1976.

Today the trains, usually carrying stacked containers, fill the canyons and woodlands with their rumbles and squeaks numerous times a day. The sound is fairly muted through most of the park and not unpleasant once you realize what it is. Luckily, because there are no crossings, the train whistles never blow. From time to time, you may also hear the roar of military jets from the direction of Abilene, home to Dyess Air Force Base.

Camping opportunities here are appealing but limited. There are just 33 campsites with water and electric connections, including 23 in the Warbler Ridge Campground and 10 in the Russell Equestrian Campground that include two steel horse paddocks per site.

These RV-suitable sites go for $30 a night and have spacious concrete aprons for parking several vehicles as well as shaded picnic tables and steel fire rings. Both campground areas also have spanking-new and well-equipped bath and shower facilities. Like most Texas state parks, this one has no full hookup sites with sewer connections.

Campers at the dozen walk-in sites at Painted Stick experience a more spartan vibe. For $15 a night, you’ll need to tote your gear up to 50 yards on a path connecting the parking area. Some of these trails are a bit rugged, while others are disabled-accessible. If this could be an issue, call before reserving.

Each walk-in site also has picnic table, lantern hook and — nice touch — a steel bear box to protect food from wildlife. (An actual bear sighting is a remote possibility as the animals are increasingly wandering in from Oklahoma, and meanwhile I wouldn’t doubt the occasional mountain lion travels through already.) If you bring a padlock, you could also use the box to secure non-food items from potential two-legged marauders.

Water spigots are located near walk-in sites, but bathroom facilities for walk-ins consist of a vault toilet. Having said that, these are the nicest, newest, best-smelling outhouses you’re likely to see. And the view off the back of my campsite, No. 40, was the best in the park if you ask me. It overlooked Tucker Lake from the top of a 150-foot bluff and featured eye-catching rock formations.

My fellow campers proved a congenial bunch. They included a couple who left early because of the unseasonable 90-degree heat, a solo woman who was spending several nights in a tent, and my next-door-neighbor, Osye Pritchett, a retired executive of a marketing firm from Frisco. Like me, Pritchett rode a motorcycle to the park. We also shared an appreciation for reading a book while perched on the edge of the bluff behind our sites.

Pritchett likely spoke for a good many more visitors when he explained the reason for his trip.

“I wanted to see it just because it is new,” Pritchett said. “And it was a good excuse to get on my motorcyle and go for a ride.”

Views of Russell Creek and Tucker Lake from the walk-in campsites are some of the best in the park.

The fishing pier on Tucker Lake has everything an angler’s heart could desire.

Folks who prefer walking to their destinations can backpack two miles down the Texas and Pacific Trail to one of the 13 primitive sites. These have no water, and, although they’re near Palo Pinto Creek and it was running while I was there, the waterway is dry much of the year. Call ahead if you’re primitive camping to see if there is enough water in the creek to filter or otherwise purify. If not, you’ll have to carry all your water.

The 5.7-mile Texas and Pacific Trail that leads to the primitive sites is a basic ranch road, but it traverses some beautiful meadows frequently filled with blooms of prickly pear, barrel cactus, Indian paints, verbena, and many more.

For picnickers and day-use visitors, there are the Canyon View Day Use area up on a ridge and, down by the lake, Crappie Cove Day Use. The Crappie Cove area has scores of parking spaces and the aforementioned fishing accoutrements.

Canyon View is distinguished by several picnic tables, a playscape incorporating native materials, and a well-equipped pavilion for rent at $150 a day. That pavilion is the park’s best spot for sunset watching.

Both nights I was there, the western sky turned pink while an orange orb sank behind a screen of far-off wind turbines and a silver-roofed train wound through the scrub-covered hills between. Another viewer’s story about seeing a rattlesnake on the trails that day did little to dampen the peaceful mood.

The park holds a variety of regular and special events, including night hikes, birding expeditions, edible plant explorations, and more. One is the occasional Texas Outdoor Family camp-out. For $75, the park provides camping gear for up to six, as well as guided kayaking, night hikes, and fire-building. If you’re a teacher and arrange a group field trip in advance, the whole class gets in free. Otherwise, it’s $7 per person for a day pass. It’s also a good idea to consider getting one online at the park website before you visit. That will ensure you aren’t stopped at the gate in case the park reaches capacity. Kids under 12, Texas State Parks annual passholders, veterans, active-duty military, Gold Star family members, and anybody born before Sep. 1, 1930, also get in free. Over-65 and disabled get half off.

Palo Pinto is proving a strong draw for local outdoors-seekers. The first 30 days the park was open, exactly 17,172 visitors passed through the gates, according to TRWD. That includes 3,106 campers and 14,666 day users. Currently, they are limiting parking to 250 vehicles daily for day use. Weekends average 700 to 900 people, per the department.

The nearest town, Strawn, is just four miles away, but the problem is that, to paraphrase Gertrude Stein on Oakland, California, there’s not a lot of there there. One exception is Mary’s Café, home for 40 years to one of the state’s best chicken-fried steaks, literally so tender you could cut it with a fork and properly breaded with a light touch. If you hit Mary’s for

lunch or dinner — they don’t do breakfast — you’ll find there are three sizes of chicken-fried steak. Do not order the large. Or even the medium. The small will be plenty, trust me on this. By the time you’ve consumed your steak, plus zeppelin-sized baked potato, Texas toast, and green salad, you may have trouble getting energized and pine for a nap.

The energy level of crews working on Palo Pinto is still high. You’ll likely see various dirt-moving and construction projects underway during your visit, but everything is fully functional. One small hiccup: the “Sunset Watch” viewing point shown on the main park road on the map is likely to be removed

in later editions, since there’s no place to pull over or walking trail leading to it. Just go to the Canyon View pavilion where there’s plenty of parking and a concrete path.

This is your last chance for years to check out a new state park, and none of those in the works are anywhere near Fort Worth. The next new one is Post Oak Ridge, scheduled to open down near Lampasas by the existing Colorado Bend State Park. So, get out there and see it while it’s fresh. Don’t over-order at Mary’s or forget your hiking shoes, and, if you see a bar called the Mule Lip, keep driving unless you want to risk winding up as part of the story of a new state park. l

STUFF

Pro Insight

With the World Cup coming to town, here are some summer soccer camp options — and words of wisdom.

BY RUSH OLSON

Your children stand a greater-than-normal chance of taking an interest in the sport of soccer this summer, thanks to the buzz around a U.S.-hosted FIFA Men’s World Cup. So, it might make sense to enroll them in a soccer camp in anticipation of their getting inspired by the professionals they see excelling on the pitches. To help you get an idea of what to expect, we spoke to two players who have seen both sides. They’ve looked up to the advanced competitors they admired when

they were young, and, as professional athletes, they’ve inspired younger generations. The two women, Sam Estrada and Cyera Hintzen, play for Dallas Trinity FC in the Gainbridge Super League. Besides their pro pedigrees, they both served as instructors in the youth camp their team held last summer.

Estrada, who grew up in El Paso before playing at SMU, remembered attending a University of Texas at-El Paso camp at age 10. Her experience was shaped by the attitude of the staff.

“The coaches were really into it and wanted us to be there,” she said. “They seemed really interactive with us, and I loved it.”

Hintzen also observed the impact coaches can have when they exhibit enthusiasm. “A big one is the coaches being involved. I know sometimes coaches at camps will just be like, ‘OK, everyone go over here,’ jumping through the cones. Actually being active and doing it with them, it just brings a different energy out of them.”

Making the kids feel at ease in the camp environment is a crucial part of an instructor’s job.

“It’s early in the morning, and you kind of have to get it out of them and connect with them in that way,” Estrada said. “When you’re like, ‘Hey, come on. Let’s go kick the ball, OK? Let’s juggle,’ and then they’ll finally get into it.”

“It is scary — they’re leaving their parents,” Hintzen added, “so it’s just making them feel comfortable and, like, ‘Hey, you’re going to come here, and it’s going to be fun.’”

Both players agreed that making a camp feel enjoyable while also developing skills is a crucial combination.

“This is the age where they’re supposed to enjoy the sport,” Estrada said, “and I know we’re here to get better, but they also need to come to have fun. I want to make sure that you are having fun, and you’re not just sitting on the bench.”

For Estrada, her own UTEP camp experience reinforced the need to ensure young players have a good time. “The drills that they ran, it was meant to be fun, and at the end of

the camp, we had a water day where they just sprayed us with water and went crazy. And I loved that part. It was a good end to a long week of camp.”

When she coaches, Hintzen tries to stay alert for children who may need a little extra prompting to join in the fun. “Make sure everyone’s included as well. You see the ones that are quiet and aren’t maybe making friends, or

continued on page 11

The expertise that pros like Estrada and Hintzen can convey to their charges will help the developing players improve their skills.

Rush Olson

they’re here by themselves. It’s taking them under your wing and, like, ‘Hey, how can we get them involved in the group?’ ”

Estrada also watches out for chances to encourage young people who show an aptitude for her position: goalkeeper. “You look at kids, and when they want to hop in goal, you’re, like, ‘OK, this kid is brave. This kid is courageous.’ You go and you help: ‘Try diving this way or shooting your hand out in this direction, you know what I mean?’ And just little coaching mechanisms here and there.”

The expertise that pros like Estrada and Hintzen can convey to their charges will help the developing players improve their skills. Giving them someone to look up to can have value as well, as Estrada experienced through the presence of the Division I UTEP players with whom she interacted at the Miners’ camps. “It was inspiring, actually. You look at these girls, and you’re like, ‘Hey, I kind of want to be like them one day.’ ”

Kids they’ve met at camp have later sought out Estrada and Hintzen for autographs and photos when attending a DTFC game. Such interactions could perhaps be an indicator of the effect a good instructor, especially one who plays professional soccer, can have in helping children develop some motivation to continue to pursue their sport.

“A lot of younger kids, we’re the first face that they’re seeing who either have played in college or are professional athletes,” said Hintzen, who earned all-conference honors during her collegiate career with the Texas Longhorns. “So, just to try to bring good energy and inspire them that this is possible, like, you’re seeing someone that looks like you and that you can achieve this. So, just bringing that good energy, really trying to motivate them and encourage them.”

A Partial List of North Texas Summer Soccer Camps

All Saints’ Co-Ed Soccer

Info: summeryou.org/2026-camps

Location: All Saints’ Episcopal School, Fort Worth

Grades K-6, providing instruction on both the fundamentals and advanced techniques of play. 9am-noon June 22-26

All Saints’ Soccer and Cultures Collide

Info: summeryou.org/2026-camps

Location: All Saints’ Episcopal School, Fort Worth

Grades 4-6, weaves in lessons about World Cup cultures and traditions alongside soccer instruction.

12:30pm-3:30pm June 8-12

Eric Bell Soccer Academy

Info: ericbellsocceracademy.com

Location: TCU Soccer Stadium, Fort Worth

Instruction from TCU Head Coach Eric Bell plus current and former players and coaches. June 1- 4, July 20-23; day camp (ages 7-13) and half-day camp (ages 4-6)

Dallas Trinity FC Summer Soccer Day Camp Info: dallastrinityfc.com

Location: The Hockaday School in Dallas

Players of all skill levels and ages.

Half-day camp (Grades 1st-4th) 9am-noon

June 8-12; full-day camp (Grades 3rd-10th)

9am-3:30pm June 8-12

FC Dallas Young Player Development Soccer Camps

Info: fcdallascamps.com

Location: FC Dallas Indoor Performance

Center in Frisco

Ages 6-10, with a number of other options for advanced and older players.

10am-1pm June 8-11, June 22-25, July 13-16, Aug 3-6

Fort Worth Country Day School Soccer Camps Info: falconsportscamps.org

Location: Fort Worth Country Day School, Fort Worth

Soccer skills camp, boys and girls Grades 1st-5th

9am-noon June 8-12; advanced soccer camp

9am-3pm June 15-18 (boys and girls Grades 5th-12th)

Fort Worth Vaqueros Youth Summer Camps Info: fortworthvaqueros.com

Location: Sycamore Park in Fort Worth Boys and girls ages 7-14

9am-11am May 25–27, June 22–24, July 20–22

Fort Worth Youth Soccer Association Day Camps

Info: fwyouthsoccer.org

Location: FWYSA Benbrook Complex in Benbrook

Full- and half-day for ages 9-18

June 1-5, June 8–12, July 20–24

GameOn Indoor Soccer Camps and Clinics

Info: gameonfw.com/camp-soccer

Location: GameOn Arena Sports, Fort Worth

GameOn hosts multiple indoor soccer camps and one-day clinics for a wide variety of ages.

Nike Soccer Camp Info: ussportscamps.com

Location: Upper 90 Soccer Center in Arlington Ages 5-16, grouped by age

Half-day camp 9am-noon June 22-25, June 27-30; full-day camp 9am-3pm June 22-25, June 27-30

Location: Christ’s Haven, Keller Boys and girls ages 6-16

9am-noon June 15-18, July 20-23

Paris Saint-Germain Academy Camps Info: psgacademydfw.com/camps

Age-appropriate training sessions focusing on the core fundamentals of the PSG methodology.

Location: Nova Sports Arena in Alvarado 9am-3pm June 1-5, June 22-26

Location: Lake Worth 9am-noon June 8-12

Location: Gateway Park in Fort Worth 9am-3pm July 6-10 l

Goodwill North Central Texas offers three programs geared toward preparing for and earning your GED. Explore your options and get started today!

GED prep and paid work experience for Tarrant County youth ages 16-24

Intensive English language instruction program provided by ESL-certified teachers for ages 18+

GED prep and optional paid work experience for Tarrant county residents ages 25+

GETAWAYS

Top 5 Places to Travel With Kids

Amazing overseas adventures await your family in Italy, Japan, Portugal, Singapore, and Tanzania.

BY PAMELA BOSWELL

Traveling with children isn’t always easy. One moment you’re admiring the sunset on the beach, the next you’re desperately searching for water, a snack, and a restroom (sometimes all in the span of 3 minutes). Still, it’s these trips that are remembered most vividly, filled with laughter, unexpected stories, and that special feeling of going somewhere new together.

The good news is that family travel doesn’t have to be exhausting. With the right destination (and a few basics sorted in advance, like making sure your child’s passport is ready to go), traveling as a family can be easy, fun, and infinitely rewarding.

In this promotional piece, we’ve rounded up five destinations that are especially well-suited for traveling with children this year. While they’re all very different, they have one thing in common: both adults and kids will have fun!

Italy

If you’re looking to experience Europe at its most quintessential, Italy easily delivers. For kids, Italy is basically a dream. Pizza, pasta, gelato on repeat… it doesn’t take much convincing. What makes it really fun is everything happening around you, and there’s always plenty to look at, wander into, or get curious about.

Rome is one such place where history stops feeling like abstract things in a textbook and becomes something you can actually experience. The Colosseum is a must-see, and kids will have no trouble imagining gladiators squaring off while emperors give the thumbs up (or down) from the royal box. As the cliche goes, this is where history comes alive.

Meanwhile, Florence and Venice are great introductions to art and architecture, with the former’s Uffizi Gallery and the latter’s elaborate palaces lining the canals.

All in all, Italy shines because of its variety. You can spend one day exploring ancient landmarks, and the next drifting along a canal in a gondola or stretching out on the grass for

a picnic in Tuscany. Even the smallest towns have their own charm, with colorful houses, cozy alleyways, and that comforting sense that good food is never far away.

Japan

Japan is a country where even the most ordinary things are transformed into something extraordinary. Case in point: the futuristic high-speed Shinkansen trains, themed cafes and restaurants, and even the vending machines.

Tokyo is a great starting point for families. There are plenty of interactive museums, amusement parks, and entire neighborhoods that spark curiosity and awe. It’s also incredibly efficient and easy to navigate, which makes a huge difference when traveling with kids.

One must-visit place is Tokyo Disneyland, which often surprises people because it’s cheaper than the classic Disneyland parks in the United States. On the official Tokyo Disney Resort website, an adult 1-Day ticket costs 10,900 JPY (about $68 USD), while in the United States, the price for the same type of ticket starts at $150 USD.

On the flip side, if your kids (or, let’s be honest, yourself) are into anime, Tokyo is a dream come true. The Ghibli Museum feels like stepping straight into one of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, while the Toei Animation Museum has exhibits on Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and One Piece. That’s before we even get started on all of the cool stores and themed restaurants around Akihabara.

Portugal

Portugal is a place where the sun is almost always shining — seriously, Portugal enjoys 300+ days of sunshine a year — and the pace is relaxed and pleasantly unhurried. The Algarve is a natural choice for family trips thanks to its long stretches of golden sand, calm Atlantic waves, and plenty of open space. Kids can spend hours building sandcastles and running along the shore while adults enjoy the sea breeze and a break from everyday life.

Looking for something a little more active? The capital, Lisbon, is a city full of character, with its hills, trams, and observation decks offering amazing views of red rooftops and the Tagus River.

The food won’t disappoint either: fresh seafood, seasonal fruit, soft bread, and sweets will suit a wide range of tastes. Be sure to stop by one of the many small pastry shops for a pastel de nata, which will surely become a daily ritual that the whole family looks forward to... Use the QR code to read more at FWWeekly.com.

ART

Summer Arts Preview

From the boards to the walls, we’ve got your theater and art experiences covered.

BY ANTHONY MARIANI

It’s been cyclical. Back in the day — here, there, everywhere — the fine arts would essentially shut down during the summer months only to return in the fall, winter, and spring with wall-to-wall productions and exhibits. Not too long ago, Fort Worth’s fine arts purveyors had something going on throughout the year.

With the economy the way it is now, many fine-arts spaces have cut back, but with what remains, we still have a lot to see and hear because the arts humanize us, and a lot of us need humanizing now more than ever. Thank you, fine arts Fort Worth, for soldiering on through the heat in all its myriad forms.

Three musicals will occupy Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817212-4280) this summer — Hadestown, The Notebook, and Hamilton — and they’re all marque productions. Hamilton, I’m sure you already know about, and for good reason. It’s an amazing show with catchy hip-hop/R&B songs and a sneaky history lesson. “Immigrants — we get the job done.” Kudos to Bass Hall

for bringing this multiple Tony winner to the Fort again at this point in time. Same goes for Hadestown. Another Tony winner, this Depression Era-set retelling of the Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, plus King Hades and his wife Persephone, experienced some controversy on Broadway in that the director and producers did not want their show to be seen as just another “white savior” story in which the magical white guy saves all the (mostly nonwhite) poors. There was a lawsuit and stuff, but that’s not important here. What matters is that Hadestown is a splendid sung-through folk/jazz opera full of heart and melancholy melodies. The production runs just one weekend (from Fri, Jun 5, thru Sun, Jun 7), with tickets starting at $50, while Hamiton goes from Wed, Jul 15, thru Sun, Jul 26, with tickets starting at $69.

The game is afoot at Stage West (821/823 W Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-784-9378) this summer. From Wed, Jun 3, thru Sun, Jun 28, the regional premiere of Sherlock Holmes & The Adventure of the Ghost Machine will find the great English detective back in action after retiring with love Irene Adler to help retrieve devastating weapons stolen from both Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. “And at the center of it all? Professor Moriarty’s formidable daughter.” Tickets start at $59.

Running Fri, May 29 thru Sun, Jun 28, at Jubilee Theatre (506 Main St, Fort Worth, 817-338-4411), Sassy Mamas follows three successful women who approach their later years by diving back into the dating world — with an eye toward “tenders,” or young men.

mature women what they can and can’t do for love?

The award-winning play is a great conversation starter about what women of a certain age are allowed (or not allowed) to do by a society that’s held them down seemingly forever. Tickets start at $28.

Out at Hip Pocket (1950 Silver Creek Rd, Fort Worth, 817-246-9775), it’s the outdoor troupe’s 50th anniversary, and to celebrate, they’re producing nonstop stage action to

continued on page 15

It’s back. Hamilton runs at Bass Hall this summer.

Bass Performance Hall

At Jubilee Theatre, Sassy Mamas asks the question: Who’s gonna tell successful

Jubilee Theatre

infinity and beyond. One show that’s sure to be a hoot is A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle Running from Fri, Jul 10, thru Sun, Jul 26, at 9pm, Basil Twist’s UFO-tastic tale gathers joyful live music by local legend Joe Rogers with spectacular puppetry.

Up now thru Jul 5 at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-1933), Black Photojournalism features more than 250 photographs from the groundbreaking oeuvres of more than 60 photographers across the country during the turbulent years of 1945 through the mid-1980s. Unlike most mainstream-press shutterbugs, the Black photographers working for primarily Black publications like Afro American News, Atlanta Daily World, Chicago Defender, Ebony, and Pittsburgh Courier documented not just the wider culture’s influence on the community but the community itself in all its simple, complex, gritty, refined glory. Admission is always free.

From 6 to 7pm on Thu, Jun 11, Carter Curator Charles Wylie will talk about the exhibit with Kwame Samori Brathwaite, whose father, Kwame Brathwaite, originated the “Black Is Beautiful” movement. RSVP now. Seating is first come/first served for the first 160 people.

Up now at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth,

pilgrimage site in Jerusalem. The objects were given by European monarchs and rulers over the centuries. Tickets are $14-18.

817-738-9215) thru Sep 27, A Poem for Deep Thinkers is Rashid Johnson’s largest exhibit to date and his first major survey in over a decade. Through painting, sculpture, film, and installation, Johnson tackles everything from art history to philosophy and Black pop culture. The nearly 90 pieces on display include black-soap paintings, spray-painted text works, and monumental sculptures, plus film and video. There’s also a site-specific installation, an

outdoor sculpture, and two live-performance activations. Tickets are free-$16.

The Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-8451) is one of only two North American stops for The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum. Gathering more than 60 pieces in silver, gold, enamel, and precious jewels, the exhibit comes from the Christian

Instagram filters got nothing on the photos in this exhibit. Up now through Jun 6 at Artspace111 (111 Hampton St. Fort Worth, 817-692-3228), Shared Ground: Contemporary Photography of Place and Identity offers the handiwork of Texans Jon Flaming, Jill Johnson, Bob Lukeman, Dontrius Williams, and Martha Peters. Through landscapes, narratives, and more, the photogs interrogate place, identity, and community and how a sense of place comes from both the built environment and nature. l

Opulent.

The Amon Carter’s Black Photojournalism exhibit follows the groundbreaking work of Black American photogs during the turbulent years of 1945 through the mid-1980s.

CALENDAR

Big Ticket: Here Comes the Sun

As the intense Texas sun lingers overhead and the year reaches its brightest point, lovely light illuminates the evening sky during the Summer Solstice.

BY AMBER CHADWICK

In recent years, interest in Paganism has quietly grown across the region, as metaphysical shops and spiritual communities throughout North Texas prepare to welcome the Summer Solstice in their own unique traditions. In short, here comes the sun.

For many practitioners, the Summer Solstice is more than an astronomical event. It is a sacred turning point rooted in seasonal traditions celebrated through ritual, gathering, merriment, and connection with the natural world. It is both a celebration of abundance and a gentle reminder that the wheel of the year continues to turn. Candles, herbs, flowers, fruit, sun imagery, and the smell of incense

“The number one role is providing a safe place for relaxation and rejuvenation,” Evans said, regarding the Aura Clinic as a place of

fill sacred spaces and altars as practitioners celebrate the arrival of this ancient holiday.

Also known as Litha and Midsummer, the Summer Solstice is the longest day and the shortest night of the year, occurring when the Earth’s axis tilts most directly toward the sun.

In the Northern Hemisphere, it is typically observed around June 20-22, with a slight vari ation depending on the astronomical timing and the Gregorian calendar.

Derived from the Latin word solstitium (“sol” meaning sun and “sistere” meaning to stand still), the Summer Solstice has been celebrated for millennia, marking the apex of the growing season and the height of the sun’s annual journey. It is a key focal point in the seasonal cycle, and for early agricultural societies, this time of year held practical and significant importance, guiding farming cycles and seasonal labor to ensure a successful culmination of harvest and abundance. In many cultures, this season was accompanied by countless festivals and rituals, honoring the sun at its zenith and serving as a meaningful seasonal turning point.

Ancient agrarian civilizations heavily relied on this time of year to rhythmically track planting and harvest cycles, developing festivals and rituals centered on fertility, growth, and abundance. Many of these festivals emphasized fire and light as symbols of the sun and vitality, and in some European traditions, bonfires were leapt over for protection and good fortune.

Across various mythologies, deities associated with the sun, fertility, and harvest, such as Apollo and Demeter in the Greek tradition, were venerated during this time of year. Megalithic monuments such as Stonehenge were also aligned with the solstice sunrise. Over time, aspects of these observances have evolved into modern European folk traditions, including the Maypole and Midsummer celebrations. Many of these seasonal themes continue to appear in modern Pagan practices, reflecting the longstanding importance of the sun in human ritual and observance.

As Paganism continues to evolve, much of its expression can be seen within local metaphysical shops across North Texas. As a Pagan myself, I was intrigued to see how other practitioners celebrated this upcoming Sabbat, so I had discussions with two shop owners about the Summer Solstice and what it represents in their practices and within their spaces.

At the Aura Clinic (1601 Clover Ln, Fort Worth, 817-200-7662, open noon-8pm MonSat), this time is viewed as a period of reflection,

Here comes the sun — and the Summer Solstice.

illumination, and energetic transition. Shop owner Ryan Evans described the seasonal shift from spring into summer as a movement from the excitement of new beginnings toward deeper introspection and long-term focus.

“There’s definitely an energy shift,” he said. “It becomes a time of reflection. … Our perspectives start to shift toward long-term goals.”

He explained that many solstice practices center on manifestation, healing, protection, and foundational growth, with rituals often focused on abundance and intention-setting for the months ahead.

“With any big astrological event, you may want to do rituals for manifestation, protection, healing, or securing foundational growth,” he said. “A lot of it is about bringing in more abundance and success for the coming year,” adding that this energy shift extends into practical expression, “not just rituals but even just decorating and making things.”

Beyond seasonal observances, Evans described metaphysical spaces as places of reflection, education, and emotional renewal within the community, emphasizing that many visitors are seeking a sense of peace, curiosity, or spiritual connection in an increasingly fast-paced world.

“The number one role is providing a safe place for relaxation and rejuvenation,” he said. “It’s something that feeds the spirit, entices the mind, and allows people to explore themselves more deeply.”

At the Enchanted Forest Metaphysical Shoppe ( 4001 W Green Oaks Blvd, Ste 175, Arlington, 817-446-8385, open 10am-7pm Tue-Sat, noon-5pm Sun), owner James Walker, who recently moved his store from a long-standing location in Handley, describes the holiday as a celebration of the sun, the Earth, and the seasonal cycle at its peak.

“The summer solstice is a time of celebrating the sun, naturally, because it’s the longest day of the year,” he said. “It’s a time of being outside with the Earth and enjoying it.”

Walker, who practices as a solitary practitioner, said his observance of the solstice is rooted in direct interaction with nature, often involving gardening, fire, and symbolic ritual

work in his backyard. “I usually have a fire pit or a cauldron. … I will at least have a cauldron where I’m honoring the mother, but I’m also honoring the sun.”

He described the solstice as part of a broader seasonal cycle that emphasizes growth, fertility, and balance between solar and lunar energies. “It’s the rotation of the wheel and that each season represents something new.”

Walker emphasized the role that metaphysical shops play in preserving and sharing these traditions, describing them as spaces that provide tools, guidance, and education for those exploring earth-based spirituality, along with supplies and knowledge tied to nature, healing, and the seasonal cycle reflected in the Summer Solstice. “It’s all about coming in and realizing we’re all one family.”

As the wheel of the year continues to turn, the Summer Solstice serves as a lasting reminder of humanity’s enduring relationship with our natural world. Though modern life often moves at a relentless pace, many practitioners find solace in these ancient observations, offering an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with both nature and our community.

Whether through rituals, gathering, gardening, or simply watching the sun linger a little longer in the evening sky, the solstice continues to carry symbolic meaning across generations. In honoring traditions that have endured for thousands of years, many modern practitioners are not merely looking toward the past but rediscovering a sense of grounding, balance, and connection that feels increasingly valuable in the modern world.

For those interested in exploring this season further, each shop has a large inventory of supplies and hosts ongoing events. Aura Clinic, established in 1997, provides chakra cleanses, psychic and tarot readings, live aura readings, and photography. Enchanted Forest was founded in 1991, making them the oldest metaphysical shop in Fort Worth. Along with cleanses and readings, massage therapy is also available.

As for happenings tied to a specific date on the solar-based Gregorian calendar, keep Sat, Jun 20, in mind. That’s when The Landing at Epic Central (2961 State Hwy 161, Grand Prairie, 800-288-8386) hosts its

Summer Solstice Festival 7pm-11pm with live music by Evan Boyer, Guthrie Kennard, Sadie Lee, Dakota Ragsdill, Paul Renna, and The Woodsmen with host Jason Pardo from Texas Select Radio. There is no cost to attend. l

The Enchanted Forest has provided tools, guidance, and education for those exploring earth-based spirituality since 1991.

Amber Chadwick

Sadie Lee and other local singersongwriters will perform at the Summer Solstice Festival in June.

Courtesy Sandra Lee Music

CALENDAR

Crosstown Sounds: Sizzling Suggestions

Award-winning

local bands are taking it

to the streets in our town and up the road a piece over the summer.

BY JENNIFER BOVEE

For a critical eye on the music scene, head over to the Music section for a look at big shows by locals and touring acts in our backyard and beyond. This is not that.

Over here in the Calendar department, we reach out to our ever-growing list of Music Awards alumni and ask them where they will be playing “next month,” then, if all goes well, we publish a Crosstown Sounds listings ad in the last issue of the month. Look for the next installment of that in our Wed, May 29, issue.

Meanwhile, with this being our Summertime 2026 issue, we also asked the gang what they were up to for the summer holidays, including next weekend. Their submissions, plus a little digging by yours truly, yielded the itinerary below.

Memorial Day

The options for the kick-off weekend of the summer include some extra opportunities to party, seeing as you can sleep off your Sunday adventures on Monday. Sunshine Emery and some of her friends are playing at Dirty Water Saloon (9716 Palo Pinto Rd, Fort Worth, 682-703-2044) at 8pm on Fri, May 22.

Then on Sat, May 23, catch Bronson Louis at Los Vaqueros (2513 Rodeo Plz, Fort Worth, 817-624-1511), The Troumatics with Mandy Hand at Magnolia Motor Lounge (3803 Southwest Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-3344), and Two Guys Walk Into a Bar at Truck Yard (5624 Sears St, Dallas, 877-447-2967).

Sunday brings two unique offerings to the holiday weekend. First, head to the Rose Chapel at Southside Preservation Hall (1519

Lipscomb St, Fort Worth, 817-926-2800) on Sun, May 24, and become part of the show at the Southside Sing-Along Karaoke Choir event. From 6:30pm to 9pm, sing your heart out to “’80s anthems you forgot you loved, ’90s sing-alongs that hit your soul, and 2000s bangers that bring the house down,” guided by song leader Mike West. Tickets are $10 on Prekindle.com.

For those off work on Monday, it might be time to check out Open Decks with DJ Con the Baptist at Curfew Bar (350 W 5th St, Fort Worth, 817-886-0242). This EDM night happens every other Sunday, including Memorial Day weekend, from 10pm to 2am, featuring 30-minute sets of new music, and is free to attend.

Juneteenth

Ahead of Juneteenth, enjoy a Celebration of Choirs featuring Kirk Franklin at 4pm Sun, Jun 14, at The Potter’s House of Fort Worth (1270 Woodhaven Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-446-1999). There is no cost to attend, but reservations are required, and all spots are currently taken. To join the waitlist, go to Eventnoire.com.

The Temptations & Four Tops will be in town on Thu, Jun 18, at 7:30pm at Bass Performance Hall as the ’70s night of Freedom Vibes Fest. Tickets to this co-headlining show start at $39 at BassHall.com.

Then, on Fri, Jun 19, at 7pm, the Real SOS Band is hosting an ’80s R&B night as part of the Freedom Vibes festival at the Fort Worth Convention Center (1201 Houston St, Fort Worth) with a stacked bill of Midnight Star and other R&B artists like Freddie Jackson, Glenn Jones, and Angela Winbush. Saturday at 7pm at the convention center is ’90s night, with Blackstreet, Stokley of Mint Condition, Carl Thomas, NEXT, and Case as the featured artists, followed by an After Party with Larenx Tate at 10pm. Tickets start at $50 at FreedomVibes.com.

On the local front, activist Zooki Sturgess has organized a benefit show called Songs 4 Seeds on Fri, Jun 19, at The Cidada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth) to raise funds for Opal’s Farm, the five-acre urban farm founded by Juneteenth pioneer Dr. Opal Lee. For a $15 cash only cover charge, you will hear a night of music by bands with inclusive lineups. More details will be available closer to the event date.

Independence Day

Local punks LABELS are doing a summer tour this year, which kicks off on Fri, Jul 3, at The Post (2736 W 6th St, Fort Worth, 817-945-8890) with Flower Bed, Love Cuts, and Heavy Petal, after which LABELS will head to several Texas cities, plus Tulsa and Baton Rouge, through mid-July. This would be a fun tour to follow!

Two Guys Walk Into a Bar also has a show on Fri, Jul 3, at Second Rodeo in the Stockyards (122 E Exchange Av, Ste 340, Fort Worth, 877-517-7548).

Then on Sat, Jul 4, Historic Downtown Killeen (200 E Avenue D, 254-501-7600) hosts its annual Red, White & Blue Music Festival. The festivities start at 7pm, and the Bronson Louis Band is the headliner. For

THROUGH JULY 5

Black Photojournalism is organized by Carnegie Museum of Art. The Carter’s presentation of this exhibition is supported in part by The David H. Gibson Foundation, the Leo Potishman Foundation, and the Alice L. Walton Foundation Temporary Exhibitions Endowment. In-kind support provided by the Fort Worth Report. Image: Kwame Brathwaite (1938–2023), Changing Times, ca. 1973, inkjet print, The Kwame Brathwaite Archive, © Kwame Brathwaite

Crosstown Sounds

more details, visit KilleenTexas.gov/downtownevents as the event date approaches. Now, about them Toadies.

If you didn’t attend the Toadies’ recent album release show at Longhorn Ballroom’s new outdoor amphitheater, you really missed a great time. The setlist was a calculated blend of new material and old favorites that seemed to make everyone happy. Hardcore fans such as myself have already been hearing the title track, “The Charmer,” and a couple of other new songs at their live shows the last couple of years, so the album release show was really just an excuse for us to see them sooner than #homecoming (i.e. New Year’s Eve Eve at Billy Bob’s). Now, they are headed out on a nationwide tour.

If you’re experiencing some #FOMO, all hope is not lost. Extend your Independence Day revelry by joining them in Sherman at Hot Summer Nights 7pm-9pm Thu, Jul 9, at Lucy Kidd-Key Park (373 W Pecan St, 903892-7230) with local opener Matt Hillyer playing at 7pm. As this is part of the city’s annual outdoor concert series, there is no cost to attend. Score!

While I’m a big fan of following bands on the road and doing some sightseeing along the way, with gas prices as they are, I’m glad to see Toadies are also closing out the tour with some Texas dates. Along with the Independence Day show mentioned above, you can also see them in Waco on July 10 at the Backyard Bar (511 S 8th St, 254-235-1151) or at the Cider Mill in Round Mountain (222 Lee Ln, 512-222-7949) on Jul 11.

For tickets or a must-have Toadies inflatable pool raft for your road trip (only $5), go to TheToadies.com. In the meantime, you can read our recent profile of the band at FWWeekly.com (“ Turn on ‘The Charmer,’ ” Apr 29, 2026).

Labor Day

Labor Day Weekend is when throngs of Texas metalheads descend upon Pryor, OK, for Rocklahoma, a three-day outdoor festival with on-site camping Fri-Sun, Sep 5-7. Of the three headliners — Slayer, Godsmack, and Papa Roach — two will be in North Texas soon. If you’d like to save on gas, you can see Godsmack this Mon, May 27, at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (300 W Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, 214-978-4888) with another Rocklahoma band, Stone Temple Pilots. As for Slayer, you could also catch them at Sick New World Fest at Texas Motor Speedway (3545 Lone Star Cir, Fort Worth, 817-215-8500) in October. Read more about that festival at FWWeekly.com (“In Sickess & Health,” Jan 21, 2026).

Bookend your summer with an excursion to the new Truck Yard in Richardson, coming soon to 740 S Central Expy, to see Two Guys Walk Into A Bar on Sun, Sep 7. Their set is from 8pm to 11pm. Late for a school night? Perhaps. But, don’t forget, you’re off work tomorrow! l

EATS & drinks

Ate Days of J&J’s

As crawfish season comes to an end, so does one of the area’s favorite seafood spots.

BY ELAINE WILDER

After being in business for nearly 50 years (around 48 to be exact), the time has come for J&J’s Oyster Bar (612 University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-367-9792) to close. We’re sad to see it go, but we will always have warm memories of cold beer, hot chili, and long chats with the husband-and-wife ownership team of Jim and Cathy Schusler.

One Sunday not long ago, word began to spread among local foodies that “JJ’s,” as it’s lovingly known, was planning to close. Confirmation came, as it commonly does

these days, with a social post from the establishment’s Facebook page. To date, 463 people have liked the post, 200 have commented, and 143 have shared it. The place is no doubt loved by the community.

“J&J’s will be closing at the end of May. We appreciate the support we have received from our customers. Please come visit us!”

And visit them we did. Well, to be honest, with its proximity to the Weekly offices, a few of us staffers consider it our favorite third place.

It’s right across the street from a Starbucks, so close that it’s their internet we pirate. Alas, Seattle’s finest has no beer. (If you don’t know what a “third place” is, read “Third Places,” Jun 26, 2024, at FWWeekly.com.) Long story short, we’re frequent flyers.

On our very next visit, the place was packed, more so than usual. So many people are asking about taking home momentos that the manager, Kristi, is taking bids in a de facto on-phone auction. I had my eye on the Coors

Confirmation that J&J’s would be closing came, as it commonly does these days, via a social post from the establishment’s social media.

“chill” neon sign with the crawfish on it, but last I checked, the current rate is over $200, so it is not in the cards for me. Sigh. Perhaps a painted rock, since there are many around the property. As for the iconic bull sculpture out front, look for it at a Fred’s near you. We’ll post about it on our social media once it officially lands.

My latest visit turned into an impromptu lunch with Jim. While I nibbled at my po’ boy, he talked about the Steelers and making some wooden car toys for an area nonprofit, and as he gazed out at the patio and the workmen trimming the palm trees, he told me he was donating them back to the tree folks he had purchased them from. They will live long elsewhere after the property is razed. Because that is what is happening: The new owners are tearing down the old brick building, the former Taco Bell space, and building something new there.

continued on page 27

This summer won’t be the same without the Oyster Bar.

Courtesy J&Js

Eats & Drinks

With every other media outlet already covering the closure, we decided the thing to do was write about our favorite foods there, encourage people to dine there one last time, and let Jim tell the community whatever the hell he wants.

“You should write a love letter to Fort Worth!” I said.

“Yes, a letter to the city!” he replied.

After clarifying that I didn’t mean he should complain about the potholes to the mayor’s office, which would be right up Jim’s alley, but rather a goodbye letter to the community, he still thought it was a good idea.

Letter from Jim Schusler

In the end, what Jim sent us was a glowing thank-you to his staff.

“Being in this business for nearly 50 years is no accident,” he wrote. “It comes from being blessed with good, honest, dedicated employees who show up and enjoy our customers. I have also been blessed with a manager who has been with me for more than 25 of those years. Our staff knows every customer by name and what they like to eat and drink. Our customers have shown our staff their appreciation with good tips and kind words. At the closing of both the Hideaway and the Blues Bar, every employee successfully moved on because they were good, honest, hard workers. Now, as I close the Oyster Bar,

I wish each of my trusted employees the best in their future opportunities.”

You and the staff will be missed, Jim.

This summer won’t be the same without J&J’s and one of my favorite summer dishes, their shrimp salad, and the obvious choice of oysters and all the yummy topping choices (#TheWorldIsYourOyster). Here are eight more items we’ll also miss.

These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things

1.) Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger

It may seem strange to order a cheeseburger at a seafood place, but our brand ambassador, Clint, will tell you that J&J’s cheeseburger with “everything but lettuce” is the best. That’s not surprising to me. Seafood is such a polarizing cuisine that many times, there’s someone at the party who doesn’t care for it. The best places always have other options available to keep the “plus one” folks happy.

2.) Crawfish Sausage & Gumbo

That amazing sausage you see on the po’ boy menu, the Jim’s Special that comes with not just fries but also a dipping portion of their famous gumbo, is a product of Jim’s imagination. He knew what he wanted and reached out to his meat distributor to make a special sausage just for J&J’s. Get it while you can, folks!

3.) Deep Fried Love

Whether it’s the fried mushrooms, simple

Jim Schusler: “Now, as I close the Oyster Bar, I wish each of my trusted employees the best in their future opportunities.”

French fries, or chicken strips, you can tell when a restaurant isn’t handling grease properly. These guys have always fried everything to just the right temperature and with consistent flavor, which means their cooks take pride in what they serve. The fried okra is the best there — or anywhere else, for that matter.

4.) Mango Madness

For grilled plates, I tend to stick to chicken and shrimp, which come with grilled squash and zucchini, plus a pilaf-style rice. Along with the other seasoning styles available for the oysters, you can add on to your grilled meats as well. Cajun chicken is a good combo, but the best topper is the spicy mango salsa.

5.) Me and My RC

Being from the Midwest originally — hey, I got here as quick as I could — I appreciate RC Cola

as a brand in its own right, not a step down from Coke or Pepsi. As a diabetic, I order soda only if there is a diet or zero option available. J&J’s always had DP, Diet DP, and RC, plus really clean heads and therefore refreshing soft drinks. The bar recently added Diet RC, and it’s the bomb. Sometimes, it’s the little things that count.

6.)

Oh, Balls!

Two of my favorite things from the appetizer menu are the boudin balls and the crabcakes, which you can also order as an entree. Typically, the balls are fried, and the cakes are grilled, but once when the grill was down, J&J’s fried the crabcakes for me. Boy, they were good! (Speaking of balls, calf fries are also available if you dare.)

7.) Seasonal Offerings

While I’m not a fan of eating crawfish — specifically, I don’t like ripping off their little faces — I do really love the other seasonal offering at J&J’s. Once the weather is warm, they bring back their mayo-based shrimp salad. When it’s cold outside, it’s time for housemade brisket chili topped with cheese and jalapenos. Even the desserts toggle between Key lime pie and pumpkin cheesecake. Yum!

8.) Shrimp Brochette

As is typical, big ol’ shrimp are stuffed with cheese and jalapeños, then wrapped in bacon and served on a skewer. It’s an entree item, so the grilled veggies and rice come with it. It’s my absolute favorite thing at J&J’s. l

LAST CALL

Summer Sips at Sea

The onboard adult beverage options are plentiful on cruise ships like Disney Magic sailing out from the Port of Galveston.

BY LAURA SHALLCROSS

By the time North Texas hits its third straight week of triple-digit temperatures, we’re all thinking the same thing: “We need to get out of here!” For #DisneyAdults, grown-ups who hold an intense, enduring passion for the Disney brand, the hard part is deciding which Disney trip is actually right for you: a Disney theme park, a cruise, or an all-inclusive

entertainment district, featuring a unique mix of adult-exclusive lounges, bars, and nightclubs. Watch sports at the Irish-inspired O’Gills Pub. Listen to timeless tunes at Keys, a retro-cool piano bar. And plunge into an ocean of fun, dancing, live entertainment, and spirited drinks at Fathoms nightclub.

Oasis on the High Seas

Escape to some relaxing “me-time” within the relaxing confines of the Quiet Cove Pool—the ideal spot to swim, socialize, sip drinks, and soak up the sun. This tranquil adult-exclusive area also includes 2 whirlpool spas, Signals pool bar, and Cove Café

summer escape? As you’ve probably already been visiting the theme parks since you were a kid, maybe it’s time for a cruise.

Disney Magic in Texas

With Disney Cruise Line sailing directly out of Galveston, a quick flight out of Love Field is an affordable way to come on board the Disney Magic. But you can also just do a road trip. Modern ships like this one feel like resorts, complete with everything from water slides and surf simulators to zip lines, Broadway-style shows, arcades, themed dining, and an array of adult beverage choices. As you’re on a floating hotel, after last call, you need not worry about how you’ll get back home. And the onboard eats-and-drinks options are plentiful.

After Hours Adult District

When the sun sets, enjoy a relaxing nightcap or some late-night partying at After Hours

Soul Cat Lounge

Sway the night away at Soul Cat Lounge, a spirited nightclub inspired by the sultry sights and sounds of a retro New York City jazz lounge. Delight in live jazz music, an intimate dance floor, and subtle nods to the Disney and Pixar movie Soul as you sip on a classic cocktail or innovative mocktail. Sometimes, the drinks are even decked out with a touch of Disney flair in the form of edible foam art.

Expert Help is on Deck

The demand for summer travel continues to climb, and the pressure to book early to snag the best deals has pushed more Fort Worth travelers toward professional vacation planning, rather than trying to handle everything themselves online. Dream Big Destinations (DreamBigDestinations.com, 214-578-0979) is one go-to resource for

many North Texas families because they take care of the details people usually dread, from airport transfers to dining reservations, cruise coordination, and everything in between. Their support can make all the difference, especially since summer trips can be a substantial financial investment.

Working with a local travel specialist, like Dream Big, can eliminate the need to spend hours on your own research and vacation planning, letting you build your trip around what matters most to you. For more promotional information from DBD about summer vacation ideas, read “Too Hot to Stay” at FWWeekly.com.

The onboard eats-and-drinks options are plentiful on cruise ships.

Sometimes, the drinks at the Soul Cat Cafe are decked out with a touch of Disney flair in the form of edible foam art.

DRINKING LOCAL

Lemon, Lime & Lager Summer Vibes in the Foundry District

BY LIVING LOCAL

Nothing says summer like the beer hawker at the ball park shouting, “ICE COLD BEER!”

From ball parks to water parks, there’s a multitude of places to take the family for some warm-weather fun with a drink in hand. If you’re avoiding those pricey admission-ticket expenditures, there are family-friendly establishments in our stretch of North Texas where eats, drinks, and fun are already on the menu.

In Grapevine, check out the latest recreational craze at Chicken N Pickle (4600 Merlot Av, 817-766-6320). Along with the obvious chicken tenders and fried pickles, there are many from-scratch options, plus you can play pickleball and all sorts of yard games while sipping on a Coop Margarita made with Don Julio Blanco, Meletti Limoncello, fresh lime, and more.

One beloved spot in Grand Prairie is Traders Village (2602 Mayfield Rd, Grand Prairie, 972-647-2331). Here, you can do some flea market shopping, ride amusement rides, try a giant Machete taco, and imbibe from the wide selection of beers and massive margaritas, alongside specialized drinks like Loaded Micheladas. Visit them for the Memorial Weekend Celebration on Sun, May 24, and the World Cup Viewing Party every weekend from Jun 11-19. Here in Fort Worth, one can actually make a day of it right in the Foundry District at three neighboring businesses. Start at Perfect Touch (2525 Weisenberger St, 817-870-3610) for spa treatments (with or

without a complimentary glass of wine, then head to Doc’s Records (2628 Weisenberger St, 817-732-5455) for some vintage/thrift treasure hunting and new/old music finds. Afterward, settle in over at Maple Branch Brewing (2628 Whitmore St, 817-862-7007) for a day/ afternoon/evening of craft beers, scratch-made pizza, and games.

The patio at Maple Branch has plenty of shade and space for the kids to play, but you can also keep it indoors and enjoy the air-conditioning: “ICE COLD AC!” Drink-wise, there are craft beers on tap brewed on-site, plus NA selections, meads, and wines. Many of the beer selections give summer vibes. Here are a few.

CASA LIMONADA:

Lemon Gose (ABV 5.8%)

CASITA LIMÓN:

Agave Lime Blonde Ale (ABV 5.7%)

MY MAIN SQUEEZE:

Blood Orange Hazy IPA (ABV 6.4%)

RASPBERRY FIELDS:

Raspberry Blonde Ale (ABV 5.3%)

WATERMELON CIDER

Hard Cider by Trinity Cider (ABV 5%)

As for food selections, there are shareables, handhelds, chicken classics, soups and salads, smash burgers, and desserts, but the showstopper is the Wood-Fired Pizza. These 12” pies are Neapolitan style,, made with fresh, hand-tossed dough, house-made sauce, and quality ingredients. Crusts on all pizzas are available as gluten-free, cheese can be dairyfree, for a bit extra.

Having tried almost all of them, we can tell you with 99% certainty that all 10 are excellent. But, for your mind’s eye, here is one description:

THE GODFATHER ($24)

Hot Italian sausage, goat cheese, red onion, chili oil, Mozzarella cheese, basil-pecan pesto, pecorino, tomato sauce, and the signature Hot Maple Drizzle.

Maple Branch Brewing is open Tue-Thu 11am10pm, and Fri 11am-11pm. For promotional information on their specials and upcoming events, visit MapleBranchBrew.com or follow them on social media (@MapleBranchBrew).

SCREEN

Summer Movie Preview

No Marvel movies, no problem (or so movie theaters hope) this summer.

BY KRISTIAN LIN

The success of The Devil Wears Prada 2 kicks off a busy season for some of its stars. Anne Hathaway already starred in Mother Mary during the spring, and she’ll follow the fashion hit by portraying Penelope in The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem that features more A-listers and Oscar nominees than any Marvel superhero movie we’ve seen. If that’s not enough, she also headlines the science-fiction film The End of Oak Street, which comes out in August and appears to be about a suburban neighborhood that’s transported to a place with dinosaurs. It’s by David Robert Mitchell, who is known for It Follows.

Meanwhile, her co-star Emily Blunt isn’t exactly sitting at home. She’s headlining Steven Spielberg’s new alien-invasion movie

Disclosure Day, details about which are hard to come by just now. You’ll also be able to see DWP2 actors Simone Ashley in the amnesia thriller This Tempting Madness and Rachel Bloom in Stop! This! Train!, a parody of 1970s disaster movies that’s so gay that RuPaul portrays the president of the United States.

The blockbuster crowd will have plenty more to chew on, starting this week with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which I will review soon. Pixar’s Toy Story 5 features the toys finding a new enemy in the form of a tablet computer for kids that threatens to take away their kid’s attention. Disney is also putting out the live-action version of Moana, while Warner Bros. counters with Supergirl, which promises the most interesting take on the superheroine that we’ve seen. In Minions & Monsters, the lovable yellow beings soldier on without their supervillains and look for alien allies.

On a smaller scale, the Scary Movie franchise reboots itself with parodies of a new generation of horror films and the Jackass series comes out with what its makers have promised to be its last installment. It’s all enough to make you forget that there’s no Marvel movies until Christmas, unless you count Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Jon Bernthal, who are all in The Odyssey as well.

Need a palate cleanser? Nate Bargatze headlines his first major film with The Breadwinner, and we’ll see if this comedy about a man running his household while his wife goes off to found a new startup is anything more than a Mr. Mom update. Tuner also has a first-time headliner in Leo Woodall (from last fall’s Nuremberg) as a piano tuner whose extremely sensitive hearing gets him employed as a safecracker by house robbers.

If you’re looking for a non-animated musical, John Carney (who previously made Once and Begin Again) comes out with Power Ballad, with Paul Rudd as a struggling songwriter who watches Nick Jonas’ famous pop star steal his song. We’re also getting a concert film of the Tony-winning Broadway

continued on page 35

Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland are both in The Odyssey (and other things) this summer.

Gordon

musical Hadestown, whose use of ancient Greek mythology will make an interesting juxtaposition with The Odyssey. Backrooms represents a first: a 4chan thread becoming a movie. Kane Parsons took the 2010s creepypasta about a liminal space with endless numbers of rooms populated by hostile forces and turned it into his own web series and now a movie starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve. The Australian horror film with the loaded title Leviticus is about a gay teenage club haunted by a demon who can impersonate either of them, while pop singer Hayley Kiyoko (whose songs are a mainline into lesbian drama) makes her filmmaking debut with the romance Girls Like Girls. Scheduled for an August release is Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma, Jane Schoenbrun’s follow-up to I Saw the TV Glow that riffs on 1980s slasher films and features more openly nonbinary actors than I’ve ever seen in one movie. One can only hope that Masters of the Universe leans that far into the homoeroticism and camp of the 1980s animated TV show that it’s based on.

I’ll leave you with Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, a comedy that comes out in July and stars Zoey Deutch as a woman who makes a pact with her boyfriend that they both receive a free pass if they ever have the chance to have sex with their favorite famous person. When the boyfriend actually manages to cash in his pass, she resolves to do it with her celebrity crush, Jon Hamm (who portrays himself) regardless of the consequences. I’m looking forward to this mostly because of the movie’s trailer, which entirely consists of Hamm’s Mad Men co-star John Slattery (who also portrays himself) trying to enter Hamm’s house and having Hamm’s assistant slam the door on his foot at least 20 times. Sometimes you have to suffer for art. l

The hallways fill Chiwetel Ejiofor with Kubrickian dread in Backrooms

MUSIC

Big Shows

Summer’s here, and the time is right for … seeing touring and local bands here and beyond!

BY ANTHONY MARIANI AND PATRICK HIGGINS

For those of us raised on classic rock — or as my one Gen-X-yet-still-ageist pal puts it, “Baby Boomer bullshit” — two indisputably huge concerts are coming to the region this summer. Grab your walkers!

Arguably the biggest is Bob Dylan. The legendary troubadour will perform at 8pm on Thu, Jul 2, in Oklahoma at Lucas Oil Live at WinStar World Casino & Resort (777 Casino Av, Thackerville, 866-946-7787). Not to be morbid, but ol’ Bob’ll turn 85 on May 24. Catch him while you can. (Should be easy. He probably can’t move too fast.) Tickets start at $79.

The next biggest classic rawwwk! gigs (plural) are by Rush, all four concerts — Jun 24, 26, 28, and 30 — at Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-402-9000). As a fan of the Canadian power trio since “Tom Sawyer” first flipped my wig in sixth grade (circa 1981), I admit I will crap my ridiculous, some would say “overworn” cargo shorts if Geddy or Alex addresses the crowd as “Fort Worth” instead of “Dallas,” since the guys haven’t played the Fort in decades if at all (maybe the convention center back in the day?) but have done Big D dozens of times in the intervening years. And, y’know, since Fort Worth — now the country’s 10th largest city — gets lumped in with Dallas all the time, and I’m sorry for having some civic pride. Geddy, Alex, you’ll be in Fort Worth, not Dallas. Geddy, Alex, I don’t think any place in town serves poutine, but I know where to get some killer Mexican food. Text me!

The tour represents the Toronto dudes’ first foray back onto the stage in 11 years and after the 2020 death of easily the best progrock drummer of all time. (Sorry, Phil C. Sorry, Bill B. Sorry, Danny C. Sorry, Carl P.) Replacing Neil Peart (R.I.P.) is Anika Nilles, a certified fusion badass who should be given better material than what’s on the rumored setlists circulating online. Do we really need to hear “Fly By Night” or any of that other wonky, screechy stuff again? No. The answer is no. Give her something great, something innovative that Neil wrote that maybe she can put her own jazzy spin on. She — we — need some deep cuts. Then again, I’ve seen the band more than 20 times in nearly 10 different cities since 1982 and own every album. Forgive me if

the “greatest hits” don’t really pump my ’nads as much anymore.

A shame because some of Geddy, Neil, and Alex’s best work is their most overlooked.

Everything from Signals (1982) through their 19th and final studio album, 2012’s Clockwork Angels, is incredibly thoughtful and mature. And brilliant. And non-screechy. I think I’d even say that 2002’s Vapor Trails is my favorite Rush album of all time. (Best Rush song, though? Comes down to “La Villa,” “Natural Science,” “Camera Eye,” and, for purely personal/sadsack reasons, Vapor Trails’ “Secret Touch,” a rocking yet moody and melancholy track that Neil wrote after both his wife and young-adult daughter died tragically around the same time several years earlier. *hug emoji*) But don’t listen to me, a Rush geek since my Z. Cavaricci-clad pimple-poppin’ era who’s seen the trio probably more than you have and still listens to them … too much. (Geddy, Alex, Don Artemio in Monticello is the real deal.)

Tickets to Rush’s Dickies shows start at *gulp* $339 (plus fees). On that note …

Part of this column also includes possibilities for mini-vacations or road trips, so if you can’t wait to see undisputed pop star Madison Beer at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, 214-978-4888) on Tue, Jun 9, then check her out the night before in Austin at the Moody Center (2001 Robert Dedman Dr, Austin, 512-651-7600). Though she doesn’t get the same props as some of her peers, the 26-year-old who was signed at 13 and dropped at 16 is supremely talented and puts on a wild show. I’d say that within the next year or so, she’ll be up there with the next generation of queens we all know by name: Olivia Rodrigo, Lisa, Sabrina Carpenter, and the next-gen’s queen of queens, Dua Lipa, whose publicist — and I hate to brag — keeps sending me (and 9 zillion other people) press releases. I mean, stop already. I’m happily married, Dua. Anyway, maybe Madison Beer just needs to host SNL lol. (She may have already. I dunno. Don’t watch

much TV except for sports and PBS.) Tickets to her Irving show start at $35 and to her Austin gig begin at $53.

I’m not a huge hater of listicles, but I’m so glad Rolling Stone has stopped putting out new ones seemingly every other week. Their most recent “best guitarist” list still gives me the sads. Yeah, I get it, writing a killer, memorable riff or three is awesome and definitely inspires more youngsters to pick up instruments and start messing around with them than fiery soloing or hot lixxx, but where’s the rock-guitarist list that just talks about technical skill and linear phrasing and all the other criteria that determine our evaluations of classical and jazz guitarists? That style of rock guitar can also be inspirational I don’t have any personal list or anything, but I know that near the top of mine would be David Gilmour, Alex Lifeson, Michael Schenker, Joe Satriani, and Buckethead. Why my man covers his noggin with a KFC bucket, I’m not sure, but he is equal if not superior to Vai and Satch in terms of pure songwriting and shredding mixed with melodic playing. He’ll be in Dallas at the Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-841-4900) on Fri, Jun 12, then the next night in Austin at Emo’s (2015 E Riverside Dr, Austin, 512-777-0873).

Tickets to the Dallas show start at $51.92 and to the Austin one begin at $37.65. Guitar geeks (me) and fast-food fried-chicken fiends (me again), unite! (If I were a monumental guitar talent, I’d put one of those KFC Bowls on my head, because I could eat about 10 of those things in one sitting.)

On Fri, May 29, Dickies will be the site of another cool traveling show. Now, I mostly tuned out mainstream-radio rock and pop to focus on Fort Worth music a few years back. Being the parent of a young teen now, I’ve been exposed to some mainstream playlists that let me know pretty clearly that radio rock and pop are not dead. At all. A month or two ago, the boy and I caught Scottish soulman Calum Scott at House of Blues. What a show. My kid was not only one of only a handful of Black people in the crowd, but he was pretty much the only (straight) teen boy, who sang along to every word. No fucks given, which is saying something for a pretty self-conscious eighth grader. (And he wears his $45 — ! — Calum Scott tour T-shirt to school once a week.) (Yes, I put it on Klarna.) The Dickies show I’m getting around to is by another one of my 14-year-old’s favorite contemporary singer-songwriters. Alex Warren is a Hype House bro who has some actual talent, penning really heartfelt, really emotive, not gonna say “sappy” pop that you can sing along to and to which my kid undoubtedly will. *heart emoji* Tickets start at $75.

Wrapping up summer from a big-artist/ big-show perspective is my new favorite rapper and for reasons other than rapping. Afroman, who fought the law and won (“ Talkin’ ’bout Pound Cake,” Mar 26, 2026), is playing Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall (122 E Exchange Av, Ste 200, Fort Worth, 817-9009300) on Fri, Aug 7 (tickets start at $41), then the next night in Dallas at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall (1323 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, 214-438-2042), with tickets starting at $22. Experiencing him performing “Will You Help Me Repair My Door?” is worth twice as much in either city. — A.M.

Rush is about to start a massive tour with a new drummer, and they’re playing four dates in the Fort at Dickies this June.

Richard Sibbald

Madison Beer’s got next.

Morgan Maher

Get in, Loser, We’re

Going on Tour

Whether sliding just across the Metroplex or hopping into dingy vans and traversing hundreds of miles, road shows allow area musicians a chance to play for some faces different from those they regularly see at the city’s handful of remaining venues. Not only can going out on the road give a boost to an artist’s career, it’s also an opportunity to elevate Fort Worth as a bona fide music city in the eyes of the rest of the state and country. Depending upon where they’re headed, it’s also a chance to escape some of the season’s vicious 100-degree days. It’s hard to think of a better way to kick off the face-melting season than with some music that will do the same. On Sat, May 23, the thundering Werewolf Victim Revival cruise up I-35 to Denton’s iconic Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios (411 E Sycamore St, Denton, 940-514-0675) to support Dallas heavy rockers The Infamists, who are celebrating the new single “Feral Noises and Amphetamines.” North Texas’ blistering Van Damme, which features members of beloved wall-of-guitar heroes DUELL, are on the bill as well.

If that doesn’t give one their fill of cranked-up Marshalls, on Sat, May 30, downstroke rockers The Dangits are at Three Links in Deep Ellum (704 Elm St, Dallas, 214-484-6011) with Houston’s badge-and-

hosts continue to cultivate an even more obsessive post-Ticket podcast listenership, and QCNH will cap an evening of fun, beer, tunes, special guests, and yuks.

One of the larger bands from the area, high-energy cowpunks the Vandoliers are currently on tour through the Northeast. They’re playing Boston, New York, and Philly before swinging through the Midwest in support of their latest album, Life Behind Bars, the confessional record about frontperson Jenny Rose’s recent coming out as one of alt-country’s only trans women artists. The tour ends with a trip to Norway (!) mid-June.

Neo-soul duo Igimèjí are taking their jazzy R&B through the West with dates in New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

To close out the month, back up at RGRS on Sun, May 31, Tarrant County death-metal pioneers Gammacide hit the 40-year milestone as they rip it up with Silvertonguedevil and Chemicaust.

This week, folk singer-songwriter Jacob Furr heads up north with a show in Edmond, OK, on Wed, May 20, before stretching out to Missouri, Chicago, Kansas, New Jersey, and Arkansas through the beginning of August.

Fellow Fort Worth singer-songwriter Clint Niosi is following a similar path on his own tour, bringing his jazz-tinged melancholia on a swing up through Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, and Minnesota in July and August.

On Sat, Jun 6, at Dallas’ Four Corners Brewing (1311 S Ervay St, Dallas, 214-7482739), the dust-up Southern rock of Fort Worth’s Quaker City Night Hawks headlines

The captivating elementary school teacher-turned-country music star Summer Dean heads through the Hill Country the first week of June with stops in Austin and Fredericksburg before heading north to the seemingly popular tour destination of Wichita, Kansas. She then heads northwest with dates in Montana, Washington, and Oregon

Also heading toward the mountains, albeit on the southern side, cosmic country troubadour Broke String Burnett has a three-date swing through Big Bend’s Chisos Mountains, starting with a Thu, Jun 18, stop in the famed ghost town of Terlingua before heading through the small mountain towns of Alpine and Marathon. Broke String previews his tour set on Fri, May 29, at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Ft Worth, 817-405-9318) with Walker & The Texas Dangers.

The same night, homegrown Texas rock darlings Cutthroat Finches play the first

Pavillion (100 W Abram St, Arlington, 817543-4308) before heading down I-30 to Dallas’ Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-841-4900) on Sat, Jul 25, then coming back home to Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-367-9798) on Sat, Aug 8.

Neo-soul husband-and-wife duo Igimèjí are taking their jazzy R&B to Big Sky Country in August, beginning with a stop in El Paso before moving on to three shows in California, then heading back home with stops in Tucson and Albuquerque

Even when summer ends, the touring doesn’t. Raw Fort Worth punk revivalists Love Cuts are heading out in September just about the same time raspy-voiced soul songstress Katie Robertson joins the equally soulful Paul Schalda on the road supporting indie-rock icons Built to Spill over September

The Vandoliers are bringing their genrebusting brand of “cowpunk” to the Northeast and Europe this summer.

MUSIC

Music as a Team Sport

The voice of the Texas Rangers introduced local baseball fans to some new (and old) tunes at his recent benefit birthday party.

BY RUSH OLSON

Music has a place in the fabric of baseball. Ballpark personnel play walk-up songs before the #BoysOfSummer step into the box to bat. Other songs are played at traditional stages of a game, like pregame national anthems; “Sweet Caroline” before the bottom of the eighth inning in Boston; or “God Bless America,” “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” and, for the Rangers’ seventh-inning stretch, “Cotton-Eyed Joe.” Musical entertainers sometimes throw out ceremonial first pitches. The Rangers often host mariachi bands amid the concourses at Globe Life Field.

We saw the two disciplines come together Thursday night thanks to a man who dearly loves both: longtime Rangers announcer Eric Nadel. In recent years, he’s taken to holding his birthday party as a charity concert event. This week marked the 14th such gathering and the radio icon’s 75th birthday. He had held it at the Kessler Theater until it outgrew that venue and now puts it on at the Longhorn Ballroom (216 Corinth St, Dallas, 214-272-8346).

In his opening remarks, Nadel talked about turning his friends on to bands they might not have known about before. You’ve quite possibly relied on Nadel to enlighten you about newly promoted Rangers prospects or elevated pitch counts but perhaps didn’t know he could also enlighten you regarding exceptional singers and guitarists.

I had a rudimentary awareness of Chuck Prophet but didn’t know he played live under Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes. And Sammy Rae & The Friends, an American jazzpop band from New York, burst onto my radar as the headliner. Apropos of this particular special issue you’re holding in your hands, she is out on tour promoting her new album, SUN.

Speaking of pitch counts, both of those words fit into both musical and baseball lexicons, and they’re not alone. We might call a fastball up and in “chin music.” Knuckleballs are said to “dance.” Position players and instrument players both seek “hits.” From banjo hitters to bandboxes to a 1-2-3 double play (which some have called a “Lawrence Welk” after the late band leader), baseball and music share terminology. Former Major Leaguers George “Piano Legs” Gore, “Fiddler Bill” McGee, and Steve Sax make the association even more plain. Hardball and hard bop seem to be pretty complementary.

We sometimes say baseball has a rhythm to it.

One of the favorite commercials I ever created during my time working for the Rangers featured a music video in which we handed instruments to players from Central and South America for a “Latin Rhythm” theme designed to show Hispanic fans how deeply their cultures were embedded in the club’s fabric. The players didn’t have to actually be able to play the trumpets, congas, or guitars, by the way — the magic of TV.

Sometimes we say a hitter or pitcher looks to throw off their opponent’s rhythm. That concept speaks to the mental side of the game and might serve as a metaphor for another element of last Thursday’s Eric Nadel Birthday Benefit: Its proceeds go toward a mental health nonprofit. As Toadies recently made us aware,

it is National Mental Health Month (“Turn on ‘The Charmer,’ ” Apr 29, 2026).

The Grant Halliburton Foundation (GrantHalliburton.org, 972-744-9790) seeks to promote better mental health, including by providing resources for young people. They also work to prevent suicides, a tragedy that took the life of the organization’s namesake. Baseball, too, has lost current and former players to suicide, including former Rangers Doug Ault, John Rheinecker, and Hideki Irabu.

As a Hall of Fame baseball play-by-play man, Eric Nadel is a master communicator about the sport. He has also been open about needing to pay attention to his own mental health challenges and uses his birthday event to communicate about that issue masterfully as well. And, of course, he loves to spread the word about bands he loves through this gathering. He certainly gave me plenty to think about. I came home and looked up both the bands in question and the charity.

For those of us who love the national pastime and also truly appreciate great base pl-, excuse me, bass players, like those in last Thursday’s lineup, music and baseball in combination are pretty great, at the ballpark and beyond. l

You’ve quite possibly relied on Nadel to enlighten you about baseball but perhaps didn’t know he could also enlighten you regarding music.

Sammy Rae & The Friends, an American jazz-pop band from New York, headlined Eric Nadel’s birthday benefit show. Courtesy SammyRae.com

The author had a rudimentary awareness of Chuck Prophet but didn’t know he played live under Chuck Prophet & His Cumbia Shoes.

CLASSIFIEDS

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works Department and the City of Lake Work, in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program regulation 65.7(b)(1), hereby gives notice of the City’s intent to revise the flood hazard information, generally located west of the intersection of Highway 820 and Lake Worth Blvd. Specifically, the flood hazard information shall be revised along Comanche Creek from a point approximately 555 feet downstream of Comanche Trail to a point approximately 3,870 feet upstream of Comanche Trail.

As a result of the revision, the 1-percent-annual-chance water-surface elevations shall increase, decrease, and be established, and the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain will widen and narrow within the area of revision.

Maps and detailed analysis of the revision can be reviewed at the City of Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works Department at 100 Fort Worth Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76102 or the City of Lake Worth at 3805 Adam Grubb, Lake Worth, TX, 76135. Interested persons may call Lisa Biggs, Floodplain Administrator, at 817-392-2446 or send an email to lisa.biggs@fortworthtexas.gov or call Stacy Almond, City Manager, at 817-237-1211 for additional information from 8AM to 5PM (Monday – Friday) for a period of 30 days from this publication date.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Notice of Draft Federal Operating Permit

Draft Permit No.: O4204

Application and Draft Permit. Global Companies LLC, 800 South St Ste 500, Waltham, MA 02453-1439, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for a renewal of Federal Operating Permit (herein referred to as Permit) No. O4204, Application No. 39022, to authorize operation of the Fort Worth Terminal, a Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals facility. The area addressed by the application is located at 3200 N Sylvania Ave in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas 76111-3113. This link to an electronic map of the site or facility’s general location is provided as a public courtesy and not part of the application or notice. For exact location, refer to the application. You can find an electronic map of the facility at: https://gisweb.tceq.texas. gov/LocationMapper/?marker=-97.306388,32.800555&level=13. This application was received by TCEQ on September 16, 2025.

The purpose of a federal operating permit is to improve overall compliance with the rules governing air pollution control by clearly listing all applicable requirements, as defined in Title 30 Texas Administrative Code § 122.10 (30 TAC § 122.10). The draft permit, if approved, will codify the conditions under which the area must operate. The permit will not authorize new construction. The executive director has completed the technical review of the application and has made a preliminary decision to prepare a draft permit for public comment and review. The executive director recommends issuance of this draft permit. The permit application, statement of basis, and draft permit will be available for viewing and copying at the Riverside Library, 2913 Yucca Ave, Fort Worth, Texas 761114351, beginning the first day of publication of this notice. The draft permit and statement of basis are available at the TCEQ Website: www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/tvnotice. The application, including any updates, is available electronically at the following webpage: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/air/airpermit-applications-notices This information may also be accessed electronically at TCEQ Central Office, Office of Chief Clerk, Building F, First Floor, Austin Texas and TCEQ Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Office. Relevant supporting materials for the draft permit, including the New Source Review permits which have been incorporated by reference, may also be accessed electronically at these locations.

Public Comment/Notice and Comment Hearing. Any person may submit written comments on the draft permit. Comments relating to the accuracy, completeness, and appropriateness of the permit conditions may result in changes to the draft permit.

A person who may be affected by the emission of air pollutants from the permitted area may request a notice and comment hearing. The purpose of the notice and comment hearing is to provide an additional opportunity to submit comments on the draft permit. The permit may be changed based on comments pertaining to whether the permit provides for compliance with 30 TAC Chapter 122 (examples may include that the permit does not contain all applicable requirements or the public notice procedures were not satisfied). TCEQ may grant a notice and comment hearing on the application if a written hearing request is received within 30 days after publication of the newspaper notice. The hearing request must include the basis for the request, including a description of how the person may be affected by the emission of air pollutants from the application area. The request should also specify the conditions of the draft permit that are inappropriate or specify how the preliminary decision to issue or deny the permit is inappropriate. All reasonably ascertainable issues must be raised, and all reasonably available arguments must be submitted by the end of the public comment period. If a notice and comment hearing is granted, all individuals that submitted written comments or a hearing request will receive written notice of the hearing. This notice will identify the date, time, and location for the hearing.

Written public comments and/or requests for a notice and comment hearing should be submitted to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of the Chief Clerk, MC-105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087, or electronically at www14.tceq.texas.gov/epic/eComment/ and be received within 30 days after the date of newspaper publication of this notice. Please be aware that any contact information you provide, including your name, phone number, email address and physical address will become part of the agency’s public record.

A notice of proposed final action that includes a response to comments and identification of any changes to the draft permit will be mailed to everyone who submitted public comments, a hearing request, or requested to be on the mailing list for this application. This mailing will also provide instructions for public petitions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request that the EPA object to the issuance of the proposed permit. After receiving a petition, the EPA may only object to the issuance of a permit which is not in compliance with the applicable requirements or the requirements of 30 TAC Chapter 122.

Mailing List. In addition to submitting public comments, a person may ask to be placed on a mailing list for this application by sending a request to the Office of the Chief Clerk at the address above. Those on the mailing list will receive copies of future public notices (if any) mailed by the Chief Clerk for this application.

Information. For more information about the permitting process, please call the TCEQ Public Education Program, Toll Free, at 1-800-687-4040 or visit their website at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/pep. Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 1-800-687-4040. You can also view our website for public participation opportunities at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/participation.

Further information may also be obtained for Global Companies LLC by calling Mr. Alan Ware at (781) 296-3301.

May 13, 2026

CLASSIFIEDS

Avoiding a Summer Soak

Plumbing Mistakes

North Texas Homeowners

Make Every Summer (And How to Avoid Them)

BY LAURA SHALLCROSS

Summer in North Texas piles extra pressure on your plumbing system, and chances are, you won’t notice a problem until it’s glaringly obvious. But nobody wants a surprise plumbing bill, which leads to a question. How can you sidestep expensive repairs when summer really gets going? Here are a few mistakes to avoid:

Dripping Outdoor Faucets & Sprinkler Leaks

As soon as summer arrives, your sprinkler system sets in for a long shift. It’s easy to simply avoid dealing with small leaks, especially since you might not even notice them. But a cracked sprinkler head or a damaged underground pipe can waste hundreds of gallons every week, so it’s worth paying attention to your sprinklers while they’re running. Check your yard for patches of soggy ground and look out for water pooling up by the sidewalk. And a dripping outdoor faucet or a slow drain might not seem like a big deal at the time, but in North Texas heat, small problems rarely stay small. Also, try to avoid running your sprinklers at the hottest part of the day; instead, water in the early morning.

Pouring Grease Down The Kitchen Sink

Texans love a barbecue, and all those family gatherings mean more cooking at home. And, let’s be real, that usually also means more grease and oil going down the kitchen sink. The easy option is to just rinse the grease away,

but this is a bad idea. Once that grease cools inside your pipes, it sticks to the walls and builds up into a blockage. It’s better to let that grease cool down in a container, then throw it in the trash where it belongs. While it takes more effort, it’s worth it for the money you’ll save in the long run.

Working Your Garbage Disposal Too Hard

Your garbage disposal is another kitchen appliance that gets worked harder in the summer. Yes, it can handle some scraps, but it’s still not a trash can. It’s smart to run cold water while you’re using the disposal, and try not to stuff

too much food into it at once. And if your disposal starts making weird noises or stops draining properly, turn it off straight away. Running it on could damage the motor.

Forgetting About Your Water Heater

You might think you can just forget about your water heater during the summer — after all, you’re not using as much hot water. But sediment builds up in the tank year-round, especially if you live in an area like North Texas with hard water. It’s so important to pay attention to the little warning signs, like low water pressure, damp spots, strange smells, or an unexplained jump in your water bill. These usually mean that there’s a bigger problem lurking in the background. Plus, without annual maintenance from trusted local experts, your heater is at risk of efficiency loss, and a significant buildup can even shorten its lifespan. Flushing your water heater once a year will help remove sediment and keep it running properly.

Fixing a small plumbing problem early on is always far cheaper than dealing with water damage or emergency repairs later in the summer. Military Plumbing (MilitaryPlumbing. com, 972-635-7676), a 24/7 company, can help you avoid these common plumbing mistakes. Their licensed plumbers work across DFW and Northeast Texas, offering installation services, emergency plumbing, drain unblocking, plumbing repair, and water heater servicing. Call them. Your system will thank you year-round!

This summer, try to avoid running your sprinklers at the hottest part of the day.

When the backyard barbecue ends, and it’s clean-up time, don’t rinse grease down the sink.

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EMPLOYMENT

Reinhausen Manufacturing, Inc., Fort Worth, TX. Applications Engineer, OEM. Order processing & tech. review: interpret OEM specs, clarify reqs, prepare offers, process/monitor orders, delivery/ invoicing, after-sales supp. Work from home if needed. Bach Comp. Sc, Electr, Electromech Eng., Mechatronics or rltd applied eng. 3 yrs exp. energy tech, manufact or eng. 3 yrs’ w/ order processing, customer project mngmnt, tech. specs. Strong tech & analytical ability review & interpret electr specs. Manage mult projects & priorities in fastpaced environ. Business acumen focus problem solving, negotiation, value creation. Know power/ transformer ind. 20% domestic travel client sites. Resume to HR@us.reinhausen.com include position title in subject line.

HISTORIC RIDGLEA THEATER

THE RIDGLEA is three great venues within one historic Fort Worth landmark. RIDGLEA THEATER has been restored to its authentic allure, recovering unique Spanish-Mediterranean elements. It is ideal for large audiences and special events. RIDGLEA ROOM and RIDGLEA LOUNGE have been making some of their own history, as connected adjuncts to RIDGLEA THEATER, or hosting their own smaller shows and gatherings. More at theRidglea.com.

JACUZZI BATH REMODEL

We can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/27/26.) Call 1-877-593-0683. (MB)

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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 at 844-317-3246 or visit Life55plus.info/ftworth. (MB)

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OMAHA STEAKS

Wait until you taste it! 100% guaranteed and delivered to your door! Our Butcher’s Savory Collection is only $129.99 and comes with 8 FREE Omaha Steaks Classic Burgers. Call 1-888-703-0342 and mention code 81305BKM or visit OmahaSteaks. com/Savory3110. (MB)

PREPARED for OUTAGES?

Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-614-2556 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator, it’s a power mov. (MB)

SAFE STEP:

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Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Financing available. Call Safe Step at 1-877-578-6218 today! (MB)

SUMMER CLEANING SPECIAL

All Exterior Windows Cleaned

Single Story $99 or Two Story $149 Call 817-902-3303 to Schedule WorthItWindows.com

VETERAN CAR DONATIONS:

Increase Your Tax Deductions!

Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction. Call 1-844-450-1590 today!

YOU NEED A VACATION!

With over 50 guided tours available, YMT Vacations has affordable, social, and stress-free travel designed for mature travelers. Tours include accommodations, transportation, baggage handling, sightseeing, entrance fees, a professional Tour Director and select meals. For a limited time, SAVE $250 on all tours. Call 1-833-984-4155 today! (MB)

AROUND TOWN

Got an errand to run? Trinity Metro’s got a ride for you – no matter the distance! Grab a Trinity Metro Bike for a quick trip in your neighborhood or hop on a bus to check o those bigger to-dos. Choose the wheels that fit your day at RIDE TRINITYMETRO .org/ ANYRIDE .

AROUND THE BLOCK