Articulations
Naughty Austin makes a new home for itself on the Eastside, and Katie Pearl and Lisa D'Amour return to the Grove on Lamar.
By Robert Faires, Fri., April 4, 2003
Naughty New Theatre in the Wings
Get set to welcome a naughty new performance space to the Austin arts scene -- naughty because it's being created by the man behind the Naughty Austin theatre company, Blake Yelavich. To be called Arts on Real, the venue at 2826 Real St. on the Eastside (behind Hospice Austin on MLK) will feature seating for approximately 120 in a flexible arrangement that can be set in proscenium, thrust, and in-the-round configurations with either stadium seating or a bistro table/lounge format. It will also include offices, small- and medium-sized classrooms and dressing areas, a rehearsal room, and a workshop with loading doors. The space will be the permanent home and Naughty Austin, which formed a new 501(c)(3) parent company, Arts Entertainment Group, to develop and manage the space, and for two other arts groups, including one film organization. AEG moved in on April 1 and will spend the coming weeks renovating the facility for a June 1 grand opening of the space for classes and offices, to be followed by the June 12 premiere of Arts on Real's inaugural production, Tricks, a new gay thriller by Yelavich. For info, call 773-3366 or e-mail blake@naughtyaustin.com.
Back to the Grove
If you happen to be traveling along Lamar Boulevard this Sunday, April 6, and see a number of people in white blindfolds sitting, standing, and walking in the grove of trees on the east side of the street, just south of San Gabriel, don't be alarmed: It's art. The creative team of Lisa D'Amour and Katie Pearl, who began their fruitful artistic collaboration with a performance event in this space several years ago are returning to the Grove with another event that will again draw attention to this largely unused place but will also provide a creative response to the war in Iraq. Their idea is not to make a statement based on their personal beliefs but to construct a template of action that is visually compelling and open enough in its symbolism to be interpreted freely by anyone who sees it. The entire piece will be spread out over five hours, beginning at noon. Pearl and D'Amour are also seeking participants for the event. Anyone is welcome, and is free to participate for as long or as short a time as they like -- five minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, more. All you have to do is meet Pearl and D'Amour where San Gabriel ends at Lamar between noon and 4pm on Sunday. For more information, e-mail kpearl47@hotmail.com.
