Fort Worth has an eclectic performing and visual arts scene, but few places in Cowtown can boast the crazy diversity of programming that the neighborhood venue Arts Fifth Avenue has showcased over its thirteen-year history. Celebrations of tap dance, old-school burlesque revues, and cabaret song happily coexist with hot jazz, bebop, and modern jazz recitals. Visual artists from around Texas exhibit their works in every possible medium and style, from formalist to primitive. North Texas theater troupes perform old masters like Beckett and Pinter alongside acclaimed recent voices like Tracy Letts and zombie-Shakespeare mashups. A5A is truly one-of-a-kind, but like most arts organizations in the city, it’s perpetually understaffed and underfunded.
You can help support this Southside gem by stopping by A5A’s Thirteenth Birthday Celebration 2-4pm tomorrow (Sat Sept 13) at 1628 Fifth Avenue. The event itself is free, with birthday cake, live music by Chris Curtis and Gigi Cervantes, custom cupcakes, artwork by Broadway legend Tommy Tune and the FWISD Young Artist Apprentice Program. At some point during the festivities, the hat will be passed for much-needed donations. The recommendation here isn’t so much “pay-what-you-can” as “pay-what-you-should” to keep A5A’s pan-artistic programming alive and healthy. Any amount would be appreciated, but iterations of the number 13 are suggested –– $13, $26, $39, etc. Happy b-day, A5A!
