Articulations

We're now less than a month away from the annual explosion of theatre that's called FronteraFest. Come January 22, Hyde Park Theatre will be bursting at the seams with theatre, dance, solo efforts, group pieces, all manner of performance -- 50 short works over five weeks. Playwrights, directors, actors, and dancers all over the area will be showcasing their work, as well as featured guests from here (Amparo Garcia, Daniel Alexander Jones & Jason Phelps) and beyond (Laurie Carlos of New York and Mauricio Cordero of Boston). Plus, there will be the Late-Night Jams on Saturday, and, on February 1, a host of site-specific pieces staged in local homes! Anyway, as we start the countdown to this performance jamboree from the good folks of Frontera@Hyde Park Theatre, it seems an apt time to take a look at the rest of their 1997 season. As soon as FronteraFest winds up February 21, another festival gets underway: Personal Dances 2 by Margery Segal/NERVE Dance Company and F@HPT, a follow-up to the experimental solo dance fest from earlier this year (February 25-March 8). The season continues with Why We Have a Body, by Claire Chafee (March 13-April 5); Deviant Craft, by David Hancock (May 29-June 21); Clay Angels, by Daniel Alexander and Todd Christopher Jones (July 10-August 2); a new operatic movement piece by Jason Phelps (dates to be announced); David's Redhaired Death, by Sherry Kramer (August 28-September 20); and a show to be announced (October 30-November 22). For more info, call 419-7408.

Off the Desk

Now is the time to get in on the ground floor with what is likely to become one of the city's most popular and treasured arts institutions. Austin Musical Theatre is making its big debut in January with a production of the musical Peter Pan starring a blend of top New York performers -- Broadway veteran Kristi Lynes and Tony nominee Jonathan Freeman -- and homegrown talent -- Scott Schroeder (Cabaret), Sharron Bower (The Beggar's Opera), Mikki Jordan, and more. You can do the debut of this crew up right with premium orchestra seats for the show, plus a party after with the cast; it's just $100 per person. (And you're dropping more than that on New Year's Eve, aren't ya?) I know AMT's driving forces Scott Thompson and Richard Byron would love to have you on board for the launch of their theatrical rocket. You can fly, as Peter says. Just call 292-9696.

The Austin Visual Arts Association is having its last general meeting of the year this coming Monday, December 30, and they want you to stop by. It's a great chance to hook up with this resource for artists if you're not, and if you are, to welcome the still-new Executive Director Sue Fawver or compliment Jacqueline Mgebroff and Laura Latimer on the spiffy new look of the AVAA newsletter, AVANTI. Meeting time is 6-8pm at Aussie's. Call 454-3077 for info.

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