Hello Friday.
April 26 2024
Or at least, they’re from the same town. Here are some famous Fort Worthians who call our corner of Texas home.
They say Ginger did everything Fred did, but backwards + in high heels | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Ginger Rogers
- Actress + dancer Ginger Rogers moved to Fort Worth when she was nine years old. She once won a Charleston contest in Dallas (think you could do that?). A major star, Ginger was often the dancing partner of Fred Astaire in films — here’s one of their iconic dance scenes in Swing Time. Take a peek at Ginger’s childhood home here.
Kelly Clarkson
- American Idol winner, recording artist, talk show host, and all-around-extraordinaire Kelly Clarkson was born in Fort Worth and grew up in Burleson. The year Kelly entered and won American Idol, she was a Red Bull promoter, handing out drinks at Joe Pool Lake. Kelly’s latest claim to fame — as a coach on this past season of The Voice — Team Kelly won with group Girl Named Tom.
- Bonus: Here’s Editor Sarah’s favorite Kelly Clarkson song (though there were too many to choose from).
Leon Bridges
- GRAMMY award-winning artist Leon Bridges is a Fort Worthian through and through — born and raised here, as a young adult he worked at Rosa’s Café for seven years and attended Tarrant County College. Leon just named his favorite spots around the city in an interview with Coveteur, so you can now dine + shop where the important people go. Plus, the magazine’s photoshoot was taken around Leon’s house in Fort Worth.
- Bonus: Here’s Editor Rebecca’s favorite Leon Bridges song.
Leighton Meester
- Also from Fort Worth is Blair Waldorf — we mean, Leighton Meester. While the actress + singer was born here, she spent her childhood in Marco Island, Florida. Leighton’s standout role was as a wealthy east coaster in Gossip Girl from 2007-2012, though if you doubt her country roots, performances like these from Country Strong with Tim McGraw + Gwyneth Paltrow prove otherwise.
Some other famous Fort Worthians we love — Desperate Housewives actress Harriet Sansom Harris, pianist Van Cliburn, activist Opal Lee, and country music star Pat Green (who is performing at Billy Bob’s Texas on Fri., Jan. 21).
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Today
- Tarrant County RV Show | Thurs., Jan. 6-Sun., Jan. 9 | Times vary | Fort Worth Convention Center | $12 | Browse one of the oldest RV shows in Texas for units of all shapes + sizes. 🚐
- First Fridays | Fri., Jan. 7 | 5 p.m. | Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth | Free | Enjoy complimentary gallery admission with options for light dinner + a cash bar amid works of art. 🖼️
Saturday
- Fort Worth: A Southern Exposure | Sat., Jan. 8 | 9 a.m. | Historic Texas & Pacific Railway Station | Free | Learn about Fort Worth’s Near Southside area, including a walking tour of famous businesses, the beautiful architecture + the impact of the railroad.
- Arctic Dip | Sat., Jan. 8 | 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. | Forest Park Pool | $30 | Ring in the year with a refreshing dip in the pool + food truck, warming stations, and a costume contest. ❄️
- Elvis Birthday Celebration | Sat., Jan. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Downtown Cowtown, 2401 N. Main St. | $33 | Join Elvis Tribute Artist Victor Trevino Jr. to feel like you’re watching the king himself on his 87th birthday. 🎤
Sunday
- The Holistic Fair | Sun., Jan. 9 | 12-6 p.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas Showroom | $5 | Find wellness practitioners, intuitive readers, jewelry, essential oils, and more from 60+ vendors. 🛍️
- Food 4 Kids Volunteer Opportunity | Sun., Jan. 9 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | First Street Methodist Mission, 801 W. 1st St. | Free | Assemble food bags for over 200 local elementary-aged children to relieve food insecurity. 🥪
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Weather
- 51º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
Eat
- Winter Restaurant Week 2022 kicks off this Mon., Jan. 10. Participating Fort Worth restaurants are offering special three-course, prix fixe dinners available for $29, $39, or $49 a person. Bonus — a portion of each purchase benefits GRACE Grapevine or the Tarrant Area Food Bank. 🍔 (360 West Magazine)
Development
- Construction has begun to turn the former Cullen Davis mansion on Stonegate Boulevard into 30 luxury townhomes. The mansion, which is being completely demolished, has known many lives: as an entertainment venue, a restaurant, and as the site of two unsolved murders nearly 50 years ago. (NBC DFW)
Outdoors
- Wishing for a free ride? Fort Worth Bike Sharing + Blue Zones Project are here to give you just that — this year, ride share bikes are free on the first Friday of every month. Called Free Friyays, the program offers these promo codes to use at any bike station or on the app. 🚲
Trending
- Cowboys fans, we’re not trying to get your hopes up — but there are rumors that AT&T Stadium is being considered for a backup Super Bowl LVI location. Though SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the current site for Sun., Feb. 13, possible state COVID restrictions mean back-ups are being sought. (WFAA)
Closed
- Art gallery Studio 101 Gallery & Gathering located at 101 Nursery Ln. has permanently closed. Owners Joy, Jimmy + Bradley sincerely thanked the community in this goodbye post, noting that their 101 family could stay tuned for future pop-ups and events by joining this email list.
Real Estate
- DFW was named a hidden gem housing market in 2021 by the National Association of Realtors, meaning that stronger price appreciation is expected in 2022. Of all hidden gem markets, DFW had the highest percentage of 25 to 44-year-olds — 29.1% of the population, compared to the national average of 26.7%. 📈
What does artificial intelligence think Fort Worth is like? Apparently, a dreamy, futuristic civilization where skyscrapers touch the clouds and the city is built on hills. That’s what Wombo Dream, a program that uses AI technology to generate pieces of art, created when a user plugged in “Fort Worth.”
We know art is subjective — but do you think the AI nailed it? Tell us how this art lands for you.
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Editor's Pick: Any fellow book lovers out there? You can join the Kimbell Art Museum's book club to discuss works that connect back to visual art. January's book is Circe by Madeline Miller. 📚
Missed yesterday's newsletter? Here's an overview of The 125th Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
FTWtoday Team
Editorial: Rebecca, Sarah, Dayten, Josh
Sales: Rachel
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