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Surrounded by the natural environment, the trees and fields of the Wildflower Center's indigenous plants, the acclaimed Blue Lapis Light dancers defy gravity on columns and ropes, weaving choreography into the very air, enhancing the wonder of our interaction with the gardens. Yes, it's part of the center's annual Luminations.

Kathy Dunn Hamrick Dance Company – you remember this recent show, yes? – presents the premiere of a large-scale, full-length, impressionistic work featuring virtuosic dancing, humor, gesture, and references to cinema. The audience will be seated up close and in-the-round to fully experience the sights, sounds, and kinetic energy of Hamrick’s award-winning choreography, performed to original, live music.

Street Corner Arts is, in fact, damned proud to present this show – the full title of which is We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as Southwest Africa, from the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915 – and proud they should be, as Jackie Sibblies Drury's "stunning, self-referential theatrical collage" engages with abominable history to tackle the subject of racism and the theatre community’s own (sometime self-serving) attempts at engaging with this subject. That (award-winning) Liz Fisher directs a fine cast, but – is this show as powerful good as it sounds? Our reviewer Elizabeth Cobbe sure thinks so.

The Austin Chamber Music Center presents the beloved Vince Guaraldi tunes from this holiday classic, featuring pianist Michelle Schumann, bassist Utah Hamrick, drummer David Sierra, and special guests.

Randal Ford's compelling and intimate photographic portraits of nonhuman species depict an undeniable sense of power, humor, beauty, and an unspoken kinship to our animal relatives. You've seen them on the covers of Time, Texas Monthly, and even Communication Arts; now see them bigger, better, brighter on the walls of this excellent gallery – for just four days!

In which the local arts-forward literary magazine celebrates its five-year anniversary and 10th issue release with a party that features, among the potent Tito's potables and mindful mafficking, a group art exhibition and performances by show curator Andie Flores and artist Rosalind Hussell.

Celebrate the holidays early, among the most gorgeous collection of oversized prints in town – right here where they're produced. And hear Flatbed's plans for the coming year – the Year of Drastic Change, y'might call it.

This bastion of the aesthetically brilliant possibilities of generative technology presents two new videos, a video slideshow, and five related prints by Alba Corral of Barcelona, Spain. Listen: "The notion that digital imagery is easy to make or merely a gimmick driven by software is wrong. The truth is generative artists, like those working in other media, must invent everything you see. The difference is their marks move through time, which adds to the complexity of their process." Corral’s style elegantly demonstrates her creativity in action. And Brenner tells you more about this new gallery right here.

That Vince Torres and his astonishing cohort of creatives have garnered more graphic goodness for those Guzu walls, with 26 artists paying tribute to shows from the small screen, with stylish renditions of characters and settings from television’s past and present. Featuring homages by Chet Phillips, Tessa Morrison, Killian Glenn, Half-Human, Nina Sanchez, and more. Where's your fandom at, baby? It's probably right here, right now.

The creator, producer, and host of This American Life will mix stories live on stage, giving us an intimate glimpse into the creative process.

This 16th annual production from the Puerto Rican Cultural Center is a tribute to the elders whose wisdom and experience helped their communities survive the weeks and months without electricity, water, food, or communications following the impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Of course this show of work from artists associated with that doggo-lovin' Terrier Cvlt cabal is displayed in a tattoo parlor: There's gonna be a group of professional ink-needlers from around the globe tattooing Terrier Cvlt flash to help raise money for the good people of Emancipet.

You know we already love that Texas Early Music Project no matter the season. But, boy howdy, does this time of year give Danny Johnson's excellent period-instrument ensemble even more chances to shine! Enjoy a transtemporal feast of Christmas music, with sweet medieval lullabies and joyous English and French carols, magnificent motets from Germany, dulcet Celtic cradle songs and exuberant folk tunes, and more – – with arrangements for solo voices, small chorus, harps, violin, flute, mandolin, viols, and lute.

This is the ninth annual Incident, featuring local and national puppet artists performing all-new, short, original puppet works for adult audiences. Repeat – definitely for adult audiences. Funny, sweet, deep, enchanting: It's all here. Featuring Marsian De Lellis from Los Angeles with an unconventional love story that explores the synesthetic relationship between objects and personalities. Brought to you by the object-manipulative savants of Glass Half Full and Trouble Puppet, with support from the Puppet Slam Network.

Does it return? Of course it returns – this show is more evergreen than a forest of Christmas trees. David Sedaris' outlandish tale of a (oh, shall we say disgruntled) Macy’s elf jingles to life again in this latest incarnation, with that costumed Crumpet waxing snarktastic on the talent it takes to juggle tinsel, tearful tots, and not-so-sober Santas during what's hailed as the most wonderful time of the year. J. Robert Moore – the bright star of Zach's one-man show Buyer and Cellar a couple years ago – plays Crumpet, and Nat Miller directs, so we reckon this year's holiday-skewering is doubleplusgood to go. But does our reviewer think so, too?

This ZACH Theatre adaptation of the Dickens classic, directed by Abe Reybold and starring the estimable Jaston Williams, is "a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a score that spans all genres and eras." It's riotously redolent of the ghosts of Motown past, but of course you know the basic Ebenezer of this thing: crotchety, cratchity, creepy, and (ultimately) heartwarming. And, what's that? You think there's an awful lot of Dickens going on in town lately? Our Robert Faires tells you why.

The players of the fictional KPNF radio station re-create Dickens' cherished masterpiece in this Nathan Jerkins adaptation, with all the characters brought to life by a small company of voice actors and live foley sound effects. Directed by Ryan Crowder for Penfold Theatre. And, what's that? You think there's an awful lot of Dickens going on lately? Our Robert Faires tells you why.

Featuring works by faculty and student choreographers.

Teodora Pogonat's provocative series of photography depicts women overcoming struggles, hardships, and setbacks through the use of a 30-pound pink military-grade parachute.

Three artists, three strong views of this complex life. And now our journo-about-town Brenner has reaped the visions that Erika Huddleston, Amy Scofield, and Tammy West have sown – and here's his report.

Here's a month of free performances by different sections and configurations of the ASO, doing their holiday-flavored classical thing right there in your busy malls and rec centers and more. See website for times and locations.

You've heard of this thing? The Nutcracker, right? And here Ballet Austin brings it big and fancy and exquisitely staged, with hundreds of dancers embodying the choreography of Stephen Mills, extraordinary sets and costumes, and Tchaikovsky’s score performed live by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Witness in wonder as a young heroine faces her fears, rescues her prince, and dreams big during the journey of a lifetime.

It really is a sort of annual report, visually, with this eight-person show featuring artists from Big Medium's wealth of programming in 2018 – including EAST, WEST, the Big Medium Gallery, and Canopy Studios. Witness here the marvels of R F Alvarez, David Amdur, Mimi Bardagjy, Jieun Beth, Santiago Escobedo, Bill Kolb, Ana Esteve Llorens, and Alyssa Taylor Wendt.

This definitely calls for a party, right? A party at Leona Gallery, with an art show and beer and vodka and prizes and a good DJ – tonight!

This new exhibition, organized by the Vitra Design Museum and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, presents the work of more than 120 artists and designers, displaying sculpture, prints, fashion, furniture, film, photography, apps, maps, digital comics, and more to show how African design generates innovative design approaches and solutions with worldwide relevance.

As local shopping experiences go, this is, in a word, delightful. There will be a display of affordable artworks by Melissa Knight and Ethan & Jesse Azarian … and they'll be serving hot tea. Come for the blue cows, stay for the affable company.

This exhibition is enhanced with artifacts providing historical context for the paintings, rich with the unbroken connection the Comanche people have with their roots. Also, Rodeo: The Exhibition. Boy howdy, it's the history of the Texas rodeo – vibrant, interactive, and fully documented in this fine new show.

Now here's the Tony-winning musical based on Alison Bechdel's bestselling graphic memoir, featuring music by Jeanine Tesori, with book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. Lisa Scheps directs for Ground Floor Theatre, with musical direction by Adam Roberts. And starring – FTW, we daresay – Sarah Marie Curry as Alison, Taylor Flanagan as Medium Alison, and Mariela Denson as Small Alison.

Here comes the final night for this show of Leah Dorrian's trippy, polychrome, divinely inspired and potentially mind-expanding paintings, the terminal party boasting a complementary array of brews and noms and live music.

The colorful paintings of Peggy Weiss' "Odyssey Remembered" pay homage to both the ties that bind and the everlasting influence of nature on our psyche. Bonus: New works by photographer Kevin Greenblat and painter Erika Huddleston, too.

Multidisciplinary artist Suchitra Mattai presents installations, mixed media drawings and paintings, collages, and video in leveraging land as a catalyst for the exploration of identity. There's so much going on in each piece, a person can't really sum it in a simple blurb. (Pro tip: See our review this issue.)

Different Stages presents this beloved Charles Dickens romp about the adventures of an orphaned blacksmith's apprentice who's fashioned to become a gentleman. You know – it's that Pip! Karen Jambon directs a colorful cast of characters. And, what's that? You think there's an awful lot of Dickens going on in town lately? Our Robert Faires tells you why. Oh, and reviews this very show.

Ed Ruscha, anyone? We'll bet yes – we're big fans ourselves – and now here's a diverse selection of the celebrated American artist’s books, photographs, drawings, and pprints. With archival production materials, preliminary sketches, and studio notebooks; with more than 150 objects providing visitors an unprecedented look into Ruscha's creative process. And the Chronicle's Melany Jean tells more about this show right here.

It's an afternoon of pitch-perfect Christmas cheer, with A Cappella Unlimited and A Cappella Texas hosting this concert that also includes those heavenly harmonizers of the quartet Clutch.

This is a two-person exhibition featuring the work of Darcie Book and Sarah Hirneisen, in which the artists push the boundaries of traditional artmaking techniques. Book stretches the possibilities of painting by navigating between the two- and three-dimensional, while Hirneisen uses mold-making and casting to remake everyday objects into unexpected new forms. Note: You know that ICOSA is right down the Canopy hall from Atelier Dojo, right?

Here's a new show of the New York-based artist's sculpture and photography, a body of work that "reflects an increasingly complicated world that requires a nuanced understanding of the potential of hybridity and pluralism." And this is our reviewer's reaction to the show.

"Chapel Shrine" showcases the paintings of Austin artist John Patrick Cobb, whose works of Biblical imagery are inspired by the religious paintings he encountered in European chapels. "Nacimentos" features traditional Nativity scenes from Mexico.

The reigning Denver Comedy Champion leaves Colorado only to totally slay audiences at festivals across the nation or because, he's just had enough of living in a city where weed is legal. Because it makes too much sense, and everybody benefits, and life is so much better, and … he can only take that for so long, y'know? Catch Lund here at the Velv this weekend, with Sahana Srinivasan opening.

Women & Their Work presents this live performance by Deja Morgan, inspired by Tammie Rubin's currently displayed "Everything You Ever" exhibition.

Paintings – beautiful paintings, we daresay – by Eva Sim-Zabka and Timothy Woolsey. And the photography of Chris Cina.

Lovely exhibition of wildlife sculpture and more by the renowned artist in this new show.

Here's the much-anticipated re-opening of MASS Gallery, launching the new venue with the latest exhibition in their Staycation series, featuring 10 Austin artists whose work – in video, sound art, painting, photography, and drawing – explores the mystery and magic found in layering objects, surfaces, time, and experience. See our full review right here.

Here's a party in which more than 25 nationally recognized Texas poets read their work and celebrate the release of the 21st edition of this iconic document.

This? Is one of those ooooh-this'll-look-great-on-Instagram pop-ups that all the like-hungry kids are flocking to, cameras at the ready, surfaces polished for posing. The venue's packed with a colorful array of ice-cream-themed environments, obvs, and so they'll offer you free samples of frozen confections, too. Note: See David Brendan Hall's photo gallery of the place right here.

Your host Robert Segovia brings another all-star lineup to the kolache-scented stage, including Ralphie Hardesty, JT Kelly, Ariel Greenspoon, and many more.

If someone's going to be presenting other forms of life, how lucky for those forms and for the viewers of those forms, that it's the New York–based artist Huma Bhabha, here offering an unforgettable array of human, alien, god, plant, animal, and machinelike entities, rendered in her unique combination of representation and abstraction, in two dimensions and three, in whatever media works best. Celebrated in professional art circles, welcomed with a mixture of wonder and fear by ordinary citizens with eyes to see, Bhabha's creations provide an infusion of transgenre brilliance and savagery that Austin, in particular, needs right about now.

This Rupert Holmes musical adaptation of Dickens' final narrative comes, through infrastructural battles recently won, to Austin Playhouse there in the ACC Highland complex, with a star-studded cast under the direction of Don Toner. Wait, you say? Who is this … Dickens? And what did our reviewer think of the show?

C'mon, Rolling Stone – which is still at least as relevant as The Austin Chronicle, right? – named this Dillon "One of the Ten Comics You Need to Know." So get to know him this weekend, OK? (Like, from the audience. During his show.)

Gifts and artwork from unique Texas artists – including cards, jewelry, prints, clothing, books, clayworks, and more.

The artist Priscilla Robinson works with water and fiber (yucca, flax, abaca, kozo, and gampi) to create handmade paper – and fire and sand to make glass. These elements also inspire the shapes and compositions within her work, making the pieces not only about but also of the natural world.

In this new show by Tammie Rubin, "the wispy tendrils of ball moss serve as a signifier of gathering chaos, conclave connections, concentrated confusion, a labyrinth of values, and growing will. Sculptures are constructed of knots and tangles of twine and rope, embedded with steel wool and cotton, and armatures of wire."

In which the founding fathers of Austin punk get visual, as Jon Dee Graham, Jesse Sublett, and Larry Seaman present their unique visions of the world via canvas, paper, 3-D assemblages, and more.