TLA Conference Entertainment and Special Events
Fun Worth Sharing

Between TLA special-events functions and the cultural and nightlife in Cowtown, weary conferees will be able to find plenty of opportunities for relaxation and entertainment.

Welcome Party at the Kimbell Art Museum. You will meet friends and colleagues and renew old acquaintances in one of the finest art museums in the United States. The art museum (shown at right), which rarely allows such events by outside groups, has thrown open its doors to TLA while the magnificent "Georges de la Tour and His World' exhibit is showing, the largest show of this 17th-century painter's work ever to displayed in this country. (April 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m.)

President's Party: Wild West Casino. Library buckaroos can take a chance at the roulette wheel, blackjack, craps, or the slots in a re-creation of an Old West saloon, complete with a western band and dancing. Prizes will include airline tickets, complimentary 1998 conference registrations, and more. (April 9, Radisson Plaza Hotel, 815 Main Street, 8-11 p.m.)

Doo-Wop Sock Hop. Dancers and nondancers alike are guaranteed a good time at this first annual event sponsored by TLA's Doo-Wop Interest Group. This is a ticketed event with proceeds going to the Elizabeth Crabb Fund to support TLA legislative activities. (April 10, Flying Saucer, 111 E. 4th Street, 9 p.m.-midnight).

Guided Walking Tour: The Keys to Cowtown. Dallas Public Library's Carol Roark, author of Fort Worth's Legendary Landmarks, will lead a tour of historic sites in downtown Fort Worth. (April 11, tour starts at the Radisson Hotel, 7:30-8:30 a.m.).

Museums. In addition to the Kimbell, site of the Welcome Party, Fort Worth boasts several other world-class museums. The Amon Carter Museum, a premier collection of American art, offers more than 400,000 works, including masterpieces by Georgia O'Keefe, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and Thomas Cole. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is the largest museum of its kind in the Southwest and includes the Omni Theater, Noble Planetarium, and several permanent collections. The Sid Richardson Collection, located in historic Sundance Square (below), is home to a permanent collection of works by Western artists, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth displays works by 20th-century American and European artists.

Restaurants. When you're hungry, Fort Worth offers a number of fine restaurants not far from the conference action. If you want upscale Continen tal cuisine, try the country French fare at Saint-Emilion, 3617 W. 7th (737-2781). Lovers of Italian food will want to check out Ruffino's at 2455 Forest Park Blvd. (923-0522), La Piazza at 1600 S. University (334-0000), or Isabella's Italian Bistro at 4255 Camp Bowie (732-9595). For excellent Lebanese food, try Hedary's at 3308 Fairfield (731-6961). Carnivores will want to try the steaks at the Reata on the 35th floor at 500 Throckmorton (336-1009), or the barbecue at the Railhead Smokehouse, 2900 Montgomery (738-9808). Finally, for Mexican food, don't forget an old Fort Worth favorite, Joe T. Garcia's at 2201 N. Commerce (626-4356).