Frugal & Fun Fort Worth Weekend Events (September 11-13 Edition) ~ It’s Going to Be Hard to Choose!

ABOUT FRUGAL FUN IN FORT WORTH WEEKEND EDITION ~
Each Friday, we post ideas for free (or almost free) weekend entertainment for you and your family. Here are this weekend’s tips…

Special Note:   Many of this weekend’s “Frugal & Fun” events branch off of Fort Worth’s annual “Fall Gallery Night.”  The next couple of days are PACKED with great selections (most free) at a wide range of favorite Fort Worth venues.

A few of this weekend’s highlights:

• Jazz by the Boulevard ~ Live Jazz all weekend. Blind Boys of Alabama, George Clinton, and Chris Botti headling.
• Premier of the Abraham Lincoln Collection & traveling exhibit ~ Opens to the tunes of an 18-member brass band playing era music on period musical instruments.
• Gallery Night ~ Almost 50 participating locations (galleries, museums, restaurants, etc.) this year! 
• ZestFest Food Fest~ Celebrating all things Chile Pepper including food tastings, chef demos and more hot stuff. Aayyy-eeee!
• Art in the Garden ~ Art + The FW Botanic Garden = Beautiful!
• Preservation is the Art of the City ~ A fun Gallery Night event supporting historic preservation in Fort Worth.
• Diez y Seis Celebration!  Live Conjunto music, folkórico dancing, food and more.

Choices, Choices…there is a fun weekend in store!  Read on for additional scoop on these events.

Free Weekend Entertainment Option #1

Fort Worth’s Fall Gallery Night

Ft. Worth’s Gallery Night is an “Open House” FREE event, across almost 50 venues, all celebrating the visual arts and the community’s cultural richness in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.  Participating art venues include all types, from the legendary Fort Worth galleries of the west side to the chic showrooms of the trendy, up and coming south side. 

Take a stroll through participating galleries, museums, retail businesses, and area restaurants, and mingle with the many artists featured during this community event.  Many locations are hosting live music and light h’ors d’oeuvres. Hosted by the Fort Worth Art Dealer’s Association (FWADA).

When: Saturday, September 12, 2009, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
What and Where:  Download the program and map here to get more info on all 49 participating locations.
More Info:  Most Events are FREE. Visit fwada.org.  

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Free Weekend Entertainment Option #2

Art in the Garden, Fort Worth Botanic Garden Art Show and Sale

Enjoy the beauty of the FW Botanic Gardens while taking in works from regional artists at Art in the Garden. This Annual Art Show and Sale is held in conjunction with Fall Gallery Night, 2009.  Art will be displayed in the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center close to the main entrance to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens.

When: September 11- 13, 2009

      Friday, September 11, 2009 : 8 a.m. – 10.pm.
      Saturday, September 12, 2009 : 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
      Sunday, September 13, 2009 : 1:00pm — 7:00pm
      
Where:  Floral Clock entrance on University Drive, just north of I-30.
For directions to the gardens and other details, click here.

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 Free Weekend Entertainment Option #3

 Jazz By The Boulevard

With two stages of continuous jazz music serving up national headliners such as Chris Botti, The Blind Boys of Alabama and George Clinton,  this year’s lineup is sure to please even the most discriminating jazz fan. Also featuring a Cooking Carnivalè pavilion with chef-taught seminars and samplings by top area chefs. A juried art show and activities for kids complete the event!

What:  For performance schedule, visit fortworthjazz.com.
When: September 11- 13, 2009

      Friday, September 11, 2009 : 5:00pm — 11:00pm
      Saturday, September 12, 2009 : 12:00pm — 11:00pm
      Sunday, September 13, 2009 : 2:00pm — 8:00pm

Where:  Nestled on the tree-lined lawn of the Will Rogers Memorial Center at 3401 West Lancaster
Cost: $5 per person, per day for general festival admission & lawn seating — FREE for children 12 & under!

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 Free Weekend Entertainment Option #4

ZestFest 2009 by Chile Pepper Magazine

Combine this extravaganza with the Jazz festival (both at Will Rogers this weekend) and take in more of Fort Worth!  ZestFest 2009 is the ultimate event for bold and flavorful food enthusiasts. Hosted by Chile Pepper Magazine, ZestFest will be packed with cooking demos by celebrity chefs, live music, interactive contests and thousands of bold food samples.  Bring on the heat!

What:  For the full schedule, check out zestfest2009.com
When: September 11- 13, 2009

      Friday, September 11, 2009 : 3:00pm — 7:00pm
      Saturday, September 12, 2009 : 10:00am — 6:00pm
      Sunday, September 13, 2009 : 10:00am — 4:00pm

Where:  Will Rogers Memorial Center 3401 W Lancaster.  Directions are here.

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 Free Weekend Entertainment Option #5

Preservation is the Art of the City 

“Preservation is the Art of the City” is a FREE Public Art Show and Sale featuring 49 jury-selected artists. This non-profit gallery promotes and supports local studio artists as well as historic preservation in Fort Worth.  To get acquainted with the artists highlighted or the Historic Fort Worth, Inc. organization, click here.

What:  For the full schedule, go to www.historicfortworth.org
When:   Open for Gallery Night festivities, September 12, 5:00- 9:00 p.m.

Ongoing Show and Display Hours through September 26, 2009:

      Monday-Friday, 9:00am — 5:00pm
      Saturdays: 10:00am — 5:00pm
      Sundays: Closed

Where:  Fort Worth Community Arts Center, 1300 Gendy 

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 Free Weekend Entertainment Option #6

Gallery Night at the Downtown Library
& Grand Opening Abraham Lincoln Travelling Exhibit

The FW Public Library Foundation brings a new perspective to Gallery Night by making it the grand opening of “Abraham Lincoln: A Man of His Time, a Man for All Times,” a national traveling exhibit that examines Abraham Lincoln’s life, accomplishments, and legacy. The Downtown, Central Library is the ONLY STOP in Texas for the exciting collection. 

Guests during Gallery Night will be the first to view the Abraham Lincoln Collection from the Dow Foundation as well as The Pate Lincoln Collection. Gallery night will also feature the Frontier Brigade Band, an 18-member band that celebrates the Mid-Nineteenth Century American Brass Band Movement by utilizing period musical instruments and sporting authentic period dress.  Refreshments will be served throughout the evening.

What:  For more details, go to fortworthlibrary.org
When:     Gallery Night Event, Saturday September 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
      Ongoing Exhibit, September 12 to October 4 during normal library hours
Where:  500 West 3rd Street, Fort Worth, TX
Cost:  FREE and open to the public (FREE downtown parking, too).  

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 Free Weekend Entertainment Option #7

Diez y Seis Celebration!
Honor Mexico’s Independence Day with live Conjunto/Norteño music, folkórico dancing, face painting & local artisans selling their work along with local Northside restaurants. Fun for the entire family!

What:  For more details, go to rosemarinetheater.com
When:   September 12, 2009, 7:30PM
Where:  Rose Marine Theater 1440 N. Main St.
Cost: FREE