ALO Lands Conductor

No, that isn't a typo. We don't mean ASO -- Austin Symphony Orchestra -- which is in the thick of a well-publicized search for a successor to conductor Sung Kwak. We mean ALO -- Austin Lyric Opera -- which has been holding a similar hunt, sotto voce. For two years, the Lyric Opera has been in the market for a principal conductor, someone skilled at handling opera's musical and theatrical demands. Now, it's found its someone: Cal Stewart Kellogg, a conductor based in Washington, D.C. He comes aboard next year to conduct the gala commemorating ALO's 10th season and the last shows in the 1996-97 season, The Ballad of Baby Doe and La Boheme. Call 472-5927 for info.

Rehearsin' Fools

No one can accuse the performers in the Zilker Hillside Summer Musical of not putting in the hours. These troupers not only work on the production for months before it opens, sometimes they put in 12-hour days rehearsing it. That's what they'll be doing Saturday, though this marathon rehearsal isn't strictly for polishing the show. It's also a fundraiser for the annual production, which, despite the high cost of staging a spectacular musical these days, is still presented free to the public. The Rehearse-a-thon lets folks make a donation to the show and get a peek at what's coming in July. Drop by any time from 9am-9pm, June 15 and stay as long as you like. The place is McCallum High School, 5600 Sunshine Dr. Call 479-9491 for info.

Calling All Panelists

You can make a difference in the quality of publicly supported art; get on a panel. Both the City of Austin and Texas Commission on the Arts are currently soliciting candidates for arts advisory panels. The City needs someone with architectural expertise for the Arts in Public Places Panel; the TCA needs nominees for five panels: Community Arts; Education; Performing Arts; Presenting Organizations & Touring Arts; and Visual/Media Arts. Now, the work isn't glamorous and it means lots of meetings and lots of flak, but it's vital. It provides a true service. For more info on AIPP, call Martha Peters, 397-1455. For info on the TCA, call 463-5535.

This RAT's for Real

Up to now, it's probably seemed like just a gleam in a rodent's eye, but the RAT Rave, an event that will bring regional alternative theatre artists from all across the U.S. to Austin Aug. 9-11, is for real. Jason Neulander, one of the local artists organizing the event, reports that more than a dozen companies have committed to coming for the three days of workshops and performances. Volunteers are still needed to provide housing and transportation and to assist in coordinating the event. The next planning session is set for Monday, June 17, 5pm, at Hyde Park Theatre, 511 W. 43rd. For more info, contact Neulander at salvage@eden.com or 912-0331.

Send literary, performing, and visual arts news to: "Articulations," PO Box 49066, Austin, TX 78765 or onstage@auschron.com