First Friday at the Modern

The first Friday of each month, the Modern and Café Modern team up to bring you live music from the First Friday House Band as well as drink specials and tasty light bites for purchase in the museum's Grand Lobby from 5–8 pm. Invite friends and enjoy a unique opportunity to experience the Modern in the evening.

Café Modern and Executive Chef Jett Mora will be serving a light dining menu in the lobby. Specialty drinks along with beer and wine will be available at the cash bar, with happy hour selections.

Gallery admission is free for everyone on Fridays! A complimentary docent-led, 25-minute tour is available at 6:30 pm.

The ongoing film series, Magnolia at the Modern, offers critically acclaimed films every Friday night. 

Plan to stay for dinner at Café Modern!

Executive Chef Jett Mora and General Manager Jamie Holderby with Wolfgang Puck Catering welcome you for Friday dinner! Café Modern provides warm hospitality, creative cuisine, and seasonal menus rooted in Texas ingredients. The menus feature comfort food with global influences and a beverage program showcasing local spirits. Café Modern offers seating indoors and on the expansive outdoor patio.

With stunning architecture as a backdrop, Café Modern is a favorite date night or gathering place for locals and out-of-town visitors. Dinner choices are always delicious, the setting is dramatic.

Seating for dinner every Friday evening from 5 to 8 pm. For dinner reservations and information, call 817.840.2157 or visit OpenTable online.

September 4 First Friday Celebrating Tadao Ando's Birthday and Cultural Influence 
and kNOwBOX Dance Film Festival Preview

Spend an evening celebrating Japanese culture through food, art, and architecture in a building designed by renowned Japanese architect Tadao Ando, who turns 85 on September 13.

Schedule

• 5–8 pm:
  • Special Menu by Café Modern: Onigiri
    Enjoy this beloved Japanese rice ball, specially prepared by Café Modern's Executive Chef Jett Mora.
  • Architecture books by and about Tadao Ando and featured cookbook in the Modern Shop
    Discover architecture books and Onigiri by Ai Watanabe, along with a curated selection of Japanese goods, available in the museum store.
  • Collaborative Origami Workshop by the Modern's Education Team
    Fold a simple origami star and add it to a community-built hanging mobile that grows throughout the evening.
• 6 pm: Public Tour
• 6:30 pm: First Friday Spotlight Tour on the Artistry of Tadao Ando
  Explore the museum through the lens of Tadao Ando's design philosophy and learn about the architecture that makes The Modern unique.

kNOwBOX Dance Film Festival Preview

Throughout the evening in partnership with kNOwBOX dance, the Modern is excited to present a kNOwBOX dance Film Festival (NBFF) 2026 USA Preview during First Friday at the Modern. Now in its eighth season, NBFF is an international dance film festival celebrating dance on screen, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cinematic experimentation. Learn more about the NBFF films and performances here.

Dance Festival Schedule
5 pm: Reception & Gallery experience (Grand Lobby)
5:30 pm: Group Action: Quartet Rolling (Gallery 10)
6 pm: Film screening, Anchor Points (Auditorium)
6:30 pm: Encore, Group Action: Quartet Rolling (Gallery 10)
7 pm: Film screening, Anchor Points (Auditorium)
8 pm: Closing conversation and Q&A (Auditorium/Grand Lobby)