VALENTINE’S DAY 2023

The History of Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is named after Saint Valentine, a Catholic priest who lived in Rome in the 3rd Century. 

At the time of Valentine’s life, many Romans were converting to Christianity, but the Emperor Claudius II was a pagan and created strict laws about what Christians were allowed to do. Claudius believed that Roman soldiers should be completely devoted to Rome and therefore passed a law preventing them from marrying.  St Valentine began to marry these soldiers in secret Christian ceremonies and this was the beginning of his reputation for believing in the importance of love.  200 years later, February 14th was proclaimed St Valentine’s Day

This year we officially celebrate our Loves on a Tuesday.  Don’t wait till Tuesday!  Here is a list of great date night experiences to celebrate Love in Fort Worth, either before or after February 14th.  Happy Valentine’s Day!  We LOVE Fort Worth!

FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS

Billy Bob’s Texas

Before Valentine’s Day, February 10th & 11th 

Ashley McBride & Wade Bowen

After Valentine’s Day, February 17th & 18th

Clay Walker & Michael Salgado with Jay Perez

You can’t go wrong when you treat your Valentine to a night of live music and dancing at Billy Bob’s Texas.

https://billybobstexas.com/events 

Tannehill’s Tavern & Music Hall

Before Valentine’s Day, February 10th & 11th 

Los Lonely Boys & The Mavericks

After Valentine’s Day, February 17th & 18th

Rumours Fleetwood Mac Tribute & Muscadine Bloodline

Valentine’s is a great time to check out Fort Worth’s newest live concert venue.

https://www.tannahills.com/shows 

Sundance Square

Bass on Broadway presents Pretty Woman, The Musical

February 7th – 12th

Bass Performance Hall

The weekend before Valentine’s Day you can celebrate at Bass Hall with the musical Pretty Woman. If you are ready to fall in love all over again, Pretty Woman will lift your spirits and light up your heart. 

https://www.basshall.com/tickets–events/2022-2023-pafw-season/22-23-broadway-at-the-bass/pretty-woman/ 

FWSO presents An Evening of Brahm

Van Cliburn Hall at TCU

February 11th

This one-night-only special concert will be conducted by newly-appointed Principal Guest Conductor Kevin John Edusei in the Van Cliburn Concert Hall at Texas Christian University.

https://fwsymphony.org/22-23-subscriptions-and-series/specials/an-evening-of-brahms 

Scat Jazz Lounge Concert on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day Soiree with Shelley Carrol 

Tuesday, February 14th:

THE coolest and most romantic way to spend Valentines Day is in the oh-so-cozy Scat Jazz Lounge. Take in the the talents of Shelley Carrol while sipping on a classic cocktail. A rose for the lady is included to make the night just right. It’s a Valentines Day Soiree!

https://calendar.time.ly/8y8ii8v6/event/75645318/20230214200000?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatsupfortworth.com%2Flive-music%2F%23event%3D75645318%3Binstance%3D20230214200000%26popup%3D1

CULTURAL DISTRICT

Stolen Shakespeare League

February 10th – March 5th

Sanders Theatre at Arts Fort Worth

Stolen Shakespeare Guild, Fort Worth’s classical theater company, presents the Stolen Shakespeare Festival 2023 featuring A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM by William Shakespeare and THE WINTER’S TALE by William Shakespeare. The festival is directed by Lauren and Jason Morgan with Jule Nelson-Duac. 

https://calendar.time.ly/8y8ii8v6/event/75563835/20230210193000?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatsupfortworth.com%2Flive-theater-and-performing-arts%2F%23event%3D75563835%3Binstance%3D20230210193000%26popup%3D1

Reid Cabaret at Casa Manana presents The Music of Ray Charles

February 7th – 18th 

Join us for Unchain My Heart: The Music of Ray Charles. Often called the “Genius,” Ray Charles pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s, combining blues, gospel, R&B, rock, country music and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as “Unchain My Heart,” “I’ve Got a Woman” and “What I’d Say.”

https://calendar.time.ly/8y8ii8v6/event/75053525/20230214193000?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatsupfortworth.com%2Flive-theater-and-performing-arts%2F%23event%3D75053525%3Binstance%3D20230214193000%26popup%3D1

RACE STRET

Cliburn Concert Series with J’Nai Bridges

Friday, February 11th 

The Post at River East

A flashy Cliburn Concerts debut, without a doubt: J’Nai Bridges comes to Fort Worth fresh off a 2022 Grammy win for her recording of Philip Glass’ Akhnaten with the Metropolitan Opera. She’s known for her “plush-voiced mezzo-soprano” (The New York Times) and has been heralded as “a rising star” (Los Angeles Times); she’s graced the world’s top stages in repertoire ranging from traditional favorites to world premieres to spirituals and standards. The American mezzo-soprano sold out her Carnegie Hall solo recital debut. She’s performed at the BBC Proms, Elbphilharmonie, and Tanglewood Festival; with the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Dutch National Operas; and with the National, BBC, New York Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, the last with Yo-Yo Ma. And now a handful of lucky Fort Worth patrons will get to hear her excellence in two intimate concerts, one at the Kimbell, one at The Post.

https://cliburn.org/?performance=jnai-bridges-mezzo-soprano-2

WEST Fort Worth

Buddy Whittington & the Second Bananas at Magnolia Motor Lounge

FREE Concert

Tuesday, February 14th 

https://www.outhousetickets.com/Event/20845-FREE_SHOW_-_Buddy_Whittington__the_Second_Bananas/ 

FORT WORTH

Ballet Frontier presents Carmen & More

IM Terrell Performing Arts Center Auditorium

February 18th & 19th  

Join Ballet Frontier this Valentine’s Day for the fiery romance of Carmen! Our production of Carmen is in collaboration with the University of Utah and performed in honor of Margo Dean.

In addition to Carmen, Ballet Frontier will present a brand new contemporary work by Lee Wei Chao, Variations on a Rococo Theme by Artistic Director Chung Lin Tseng, and the spicy ballet Paquita!

https://www.balletfrontier.org/directors-choice

CAMP BOWIE DISTRICT

Saxophonist Vandell Andrew LIVE!

Ridglea Theatre

Saturday, February 11th

Join Saxophonist Vandell Andrew live in concert with his AMAZING full band! This will be a SPECIAL night that you don’t want to miss!

Doors will open at 7pm. Show starts at 8pm

https://theridglea.com/ 

MANSFIELD

Fat Daddy’s

Pre-Valentine Weekend Concerts at Fat Daddy’s Mansfield

Friday, February 10th: Velcro Pygmies

Saturday, February 11th: Dallas Boston Experience with Breaking Bad Co.

Post-Valentine Weekend Concerts at Fat Daddy’s Mansfield

Friday, February 17th: Even it Up with Burning Sky Band

Saturday, February 18th: Back in Black with Poisoness

https://fatdaddyslive.com/live-events/ 

ARLINGTON

Arlington Music Hall

An Evening with JD Souther

Saturday, February 17th 

Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee JD Souther is “one of the most celebrated songwriters of his generation,” writes Interview Magazine. “Raised on a steady diet of big band and jazz during his childhood, Souther has routinely returned to that music— as well as the genius songwriters of the early 20th century (Gershwin, Cole Porter)—for inspiration. On his latest studio album, Tenderness, Souther combines these musical threads, striking a perfect balance between understated jazz and the ineffable pop narratives that have been the backbone of much of his greatest work.”

https://calendar.time.ly/8y8ii8v6/event/75247549/20230217200000?r=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatsupfortworth.com%2Flive-theater-and-performing-arts%2F%23event%3D75247549%3Binstance%3D20230217200000%26popup%3D1

Timeless Concerts presents Valentines Special!

Two concert dates available! 

Saturday February 11, 8:00pm &

Saturday, February 18, 8:00pm

FEBRUARY 11 (HOLT HICKMAN CENTER): Our February concert includes: Violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth, violist Tim Angel, cellist Oliver Schlaffer, pianist Heejung Kang, soprano Sabrina Romero-Wilson, tenor Sergio Cepeda, and newcomer soprano Youna Hartgraves. We will have a concert hour of variety from instrumental tangos and Latin songs to the classics of Europe, great Italian songs to favorites from musicals, plus previews of upcoming concerts! Complimentary wine, soft soft drinks and snacks provided. BYOB accepted! Pianist Erik Barnes will be there to make the post-concert party special, taking your musical requests! 

FEBRUARY 18 (GRACIE LANE): Our February concert includes: Violinist LeeAnne Chenoweth, cellist Oliver Schlaffer, pianist Heejung Kang, soprano Sabrina Romero-Wilson, tenor Sergio Cepeda, and newcomer soprano Youna Hartgraves. We will have a concert hour of variety from instrumental tangos and Latin songs to the classics of Europe, great Italian songs to favorites from musicals, plus previews of upcoming concerts! Complimentary wine, soft drinks and snacks provided. 

Need More LIVE MUSIC Options for the Valentine Weekend or any other time?

https://www.whatsupfortworth.com/live-music/

Valentine Dining Options in Fort Worth

Fort Worth Stockyards https://fortworthstockyards.com/restaurants/ 

Sundance Square https://sundancesquare.com/dining-and-cocktails/

Clearfork https://www.simon.com/mall/the-shops-at-clearfork/dining

Downtown Arlington  https://downtownarlington.org/visit-downtown/bars-restaurants/

Camp Bowie District  https://www.campbowiedistrict.com/dining 

Near Southside https://www.nearsouthsidefw.org/members