• Maybe you can’t fight City Hall, but you can sure enjoy a lot of artwork there. As of Thursday, Feb. 24, Austin’s new seat of municipal government will feature the exhibition of artwork by more than 70 local artists – and I mean among the finest this city has to offer. Come and see for yourself at the exhibit’s grand opening from 5:30-7:30pm at 201 W. Second.
• If you want the Lege to respect the arts in our schools, then join the Texas Coalition for Quality Arts Education at the Capitol on Monday, Feb. 28, for Arts Education Day. Culture advocates will storm the statehouse to stress the importance of the arts to legislators, and student jazz bands, choirs, orchestras, mariachis, dancers, and actors from throughout the state will perform in the Capitol rotunda and on the South Steps. For more information, call 713/237-0147 or visit www.txarts.net/tcqae.
• The Volunteer Services Council of Austin State Hospital is hosting an art show and sale featuring patient and professional works of art on Thursday, Feb. 24, 6-8:30pm, 816 Congress. Proceeds help enhance the quality of life for patients at Austin State Hospital. For more information, call 419-2333 or visit www.ashinsights.org.
• Lift a Glass for the Arts with the Austin Circle of Theaters this Friday, Feb. 25, 6-10pm, at the Zilker Clubhouse. Sample wine and beer from Austin’s finest brewers and vintners, while – shades of Sideways! – Mitch Lindsay of Texas Grape & Green Tours demonstrates how to taste wine. Music by Bellevue Jubilee. Tickets only $10. For more information, call 247-2531.
• Do a gallery crawl with the Austin Fine Arts Alliance this Saturday, Feb. 26, 6:30-10pm. Their Night in the Galleries tours six leading visual art venues, where you can sneak a peek at work showing in this April’s Austin Fine Arts Festival. Luxury transportation and fine food to accompany the fine art. Tickets: $50. For more information, call 458-6073 x6.
This article appears in February 25 • 2005.