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Bat City Bombshells: It's Hot, Take It Off
As one of the largest burlesque troupes in Austin, these Bombshells are all about variety of acts and performers, with each show a bright spectacle of sexy, scintillating, humorous, and daring tributes to burlesque’s roots. So many girls, so much ecdysiast glory! Bonus: Your host fore the evening, Nico De Gallo.Sat., Aug. 6, 8pm. $15-250. -
Arts
Books
Cepeda Branch Library Reopening Party
This neighborhood library's been closed since January 2021, but now it's back and – with foundation repairs, new drywall, and flooring and acoustical ceilings and landscape improvements – better than ever. Celebrate with live music from the Bronze Band, crafts, a photo booth, and more activities for the whole family.Sat., Aug. 6, 10am-noon -
Arts
Theatre
Mean Girls
You've seen the movie, right? It's funny because it's true, it's true because it's vicious. Now Broadway in Austin invites you to witness the harrowing social hierarchies of young women in this hit musical version from an award-winning creative team – including scripter Tina Fey, composer Jeff Richmond, lyricist Nell Benjamin, and director Casey Nicholaw.Aug. 2-7. Tue.-Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 & 8pm; Sun., 1 & 7pm. $55-125. -
Arts
Dance
No Speaking Left In Me
ISHIDA Dance Company presents an evening of world premieres in contemporary dance that invite existential questions, featuring works choreographed by ISHIDA, John Wannehag from Staatstheater Mainz and Stephanie Troyak from Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch and the Texas premiere of DOMA by Jeremy Galdeano and Vera Kvarcakova.Fri.-Sat., Aug. 5-6, 8pm. $30. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Pop-up Art Show: Past & Future
Jolie Soiree and Arts Collective Austin invite you to join them in the beautiful world of local artist JFeelgood via this evening's immersive experience that aims to leave you mesmerized. There will be art, merchandise, music, light bites and cocktails, and some hidden, unexpected gems.Sat., Aug. 6, 5-9pm. $20-27. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Sage Studio: Body Work
Here's an exploration of all things anatomical and automotive, with two-dimensional art reflecting on human bodies and three-dimensional sculptures created around the theme of auto bodies. The show features pieces from 12 artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities – artists from Austin, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and California.Through Sept. 17 -
Arts
Comedy
Scott Aukerman's Comedy Bang Bang
This live series is "a comedy fixture, a forefather of the podcast boom, and a weekly institution since its inception over 13 years ago," featuring interviews with real people and improvisational comedians performing as fake characters.Sat., Aug. 6, 7pm. $39.75-109.75. -
Arts
Theatre
Summer Stock Austin: Alice's Wonderland
This is a regional premiere co-written and directed by J. Quinton Johnson (of Broadway’s Hamilton), revealing the story of a brilliant, passionate teen coder who dreams of changing the world with her new video game. Featuring an original score inspired by hip-hop, pop, gospel, and contemporary musical theater.Through Aug. 8. $15-35. -
Arts
Theatre
Sunflower: The Musical
Vocal powerhouse Guy Forsyth stars as Vincent Van Gogh in an inspiring musical telling the story of a girl who magically travels through a painting to meet the artist. Young viewers will learn about courage, kindness, and the power of art to lift others up.Through Aug. 14. Fri.-Sat., 7pm; Sun., 2pm. $15-25. -
Arts
Theatre
Vortex Summer Youth Theatre: Mr. Burns
Anne Washburn's phantasmagorical story first reveals a group of survivors of a global catastrophe recalling and retelling the "Cape Feare" episode of The Simpsons around a fire, then moves seven years into the future, and then 70 years further – where cultural mythology has evolved into cult-like engagement and a grand, tribal musical. Performed by ensemble of youth and adult guest artists, directed by Jennifer Jennings for the Vortex.Through Aug. 6. Fri.-Sat., 8pm. $15-37.
All Events
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Arts
Visual Arts
Art for the People: Abundance
This show is called "Abundance" because that's what it represents: an abundance of bright new works from a plethora of local artists.Through Aug. 26 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Artworks Gallery: In the Flesh
The depiction of the human body in its purest form is challenging to capture in most media, but that's what Austin artist Arye Shapiro has been driven to do for the past 20 years – most recently focusing on painting the human figure in oil.Through Aug. 13 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Atelier Dojo: Remote Studios
The local powerhouse of figurative painting, the art school that's the smart school for artists of all kinds, they've got a painting-along-at-home series going to help you keep your skills honed in these socially restrictive times, featuring live costumed models posing on camera and a thriving community of creatives rendering that lovely human biotecture from their separate studios. "Join us for a three-hour costumed-model drawing session. Use any supplies you wish, listen to music, share your work, chat with others. It’s a great way to stay connected with your art community!"Tuesdays, 1:30-4:30pm; Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm; Saturdays, 9:30-12:30pm. $5. -
Arts
Books
Banned Camp
Austin Public Library and BookPeople present a series of free events for citizens to "engage with books that have been banned or challenged, and be part of the conversation around the freedom to read."Through Aug. 28 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Be Brave: Ukrainian Art Show
Young, contemporary Ukrainian art: Bright and eloquent works from more than 30 artists who are creating right now in the epicenter of a terrible war.Through Aug. 14 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Carver Museum: Peace to the Queen
The photographer, humanitarian, and educator Jamel Shabazz presents a career retrospective spanning four decades of work, featuring candid portraits of women of color – as curated by Ja’nell Ajani. "At a moment when Black and Brown women are more visibly leading the charge around movements for racial and economic justice, this exhibition has materialized and aligned at a critical moment in American history and Shabazz’s career."Through Sept. 17 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Cloud Tree: Mi Voz Más Clara
René Alvarado's had 25 years as a full-time working artist, and by this point the figurative surrealism of the painter from San Angelo is breathtaking in its depth and emotion. Cloud Tree's been a full-time venue for six years now, and by this point we're getting used to checking out whatever's on the walls, maybe reeling a bit, and going "Wow … just wow, man."Through Aug. 6 -
Arts
Comedy
ColdTowne Theater
ColdTowne's new brick-and-mortar place is totally open, and who knows what they'll shake this city with next? But one truth remains: ColdTowne is a designated den of gold, baby, sweet comedy gold. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Davis Gallery: Trailheads and Transmutations
Artist couple Felice House and Dana Younger present painting and sculpture that studies, observes, processes, and transmutes the wild spaces and creatures of Texas, their work deeply resonant with that of painter Thomas Cole, father of the Hudson River School. Natural beauty, in other words, captured with consummate skill by two longtime locals.Through Sept. 3 -
Arts
Comedy
East Austin Comedy Club
Founded by comedians Raza Jafri and Andre Ricks, this club that operates out of Tiger Den on the Eastside is the city's only BIPOC-owned comedy venue. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Elisabet Ney Museum: Eve
This is a new exhibition by documentarian photographer Cindy Elizabeth, featuring an outdoor installation that is immersed within the museum’s native landscape. There are large-scale photographs inside the building, too, interwoven amongst Elisabet Ney's own neoclassical sculptures.Through Oct. 30. Free. -
Arts
Theatre
Entanglement
In this original musical about intimate (and quantum) relationships, written and directed by B. Iden Payne Award-winner Asaf Ronen, a young couple on their first date can’t help reflecting on their past troubled relationships and the effect that has on their ability to form new bonds. But then – oho! – they’re given the ability to jump back in time and reset the date every time it's going badly. What they don't know is that their date is doing the same thing – and they're inadvertently undoing the other person's corrections. Starring Amani Alexander, Casey Marie Quinlan, and Charissa Whillock – with music by Alex Smith, musical direction by Tosin Awofeso, and choreography by Kelly Hassandras.Through Aug. 13. Thu., 7:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 7:30 & 10pm. $25. -
Arts
Comedy
Fallout Comedy
This hotbed of local performance is carrying on even more than usual, with an eclectic mix of live, mind-rocking comedy from some of Austin's best, all week long. Hey! The place is our cover story, as reported by Valerie Lopez! And, srsly, who would ever disagree with the sentiment of Monday night's Fuck This Week show? Check the website for details. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Flatbed Press: Edition Variables 2022
Here's the first annual exhibition to showcase Austin’s new and upcoming printmakers, featuring work from students who are receiving their BFA, BA, BS, or MFA with a major or minor concentration in printmaking from an Austin area college or university.Through Aug. 27 -
Arts
Visual Arts
GrayDUCK Gallery: Animalia
Says the photographer Henry Horenstein: "As subjects, animals are close to perfect for a photographer, especially if they live in zoos and aquariums. Animals give no attitude, and they also require no model releases. Actually, strictly speaking, animals (even domestic pets) do need to be model released if you’re using their image commercially, because the law considers them property." Right? So: "I never shot in a jungle or underwater. Only where there was a food court, bathrooms, and WiFi."Through Aug. 14 -
Arts
Visual Arts
ICOSA: Spatial Harmony
Here's a group exhibition featuring current members of the ICOSA collective. As that includes the likes of Leon Alesi, Darcie Book, Shawn Camp, Veronica Ceci, B. Shawn Cox, Jonas Criscoe, Erin Cunningham, Mai Gutierrez, Sarah Hirneisen, Madeline Irvine, Amanda Linn McInerney, John Mulvany, Vy Ngo, and even more; and as those are the artists whose works are on display here, we're highly recommending a visit to this Canopy-based wonderground.Through Aug. 6. Free. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Ivester Contemporary: Dream Job
This is a group show displaying sketches, maquettes, and digital renderings of the projects and ideas that the participating artists would pursue if money, time, knowledge, and space weren't in the way: twelve-foot-tall bronze and stained-glass outdoor sculpture, a playground in the shape of giant animal bust, and skyscrapers wrapped in custom vinyl designs. See the creatively imagined in proposal form; see parts of this world as they could be. Bonus: Accompanying show "Review" features six video artworks by seven artists: Andie Flores, Michael Anthony García, Ariel René Jackson, Renee Lai, Katy McCarthy, Natalia Rocafuerte, and VLM.Through Aug. 27 -
Arts
Theatre
Judith
In Katie Bender's "delightfully off-kilter" new play, Judith, dressed as a man, moves to London to stand trial in her absent brother's place, and – when the trial goes badly – begins to write plays to please the Queen and restore her brother's good name. This solo show about ambition, artistry, love, and Shakespeare features Taylor Flanagan as Judith and is directed by Madge Darlington.Through Sept. 3. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. $12-26. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Laguna Gloria
This local treasure of a venue, run by those Contemporary Austin folks who also bring us the Jones Center shows Downtown, is all about the outdoors – which is perfect for these trickily navigated times of ours, n'est-ce pas? Recommended: Stop by and breathe in the air, enjoy the lawns and gardens and the many examples of world-class sculpture arrayed across the property, and (as Frankie used to say) r-e-l-a-x.Thu.-Fri., 9am-noon; Sat.-Sun., 9am-3pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
Landmarks: Self-Guided Walking Tour
Use your smartphone to access self-guided tours of the outdoor public art sited by UT's award-winning Landmarks program any time you feel like it. BONUS: There's also a free, docent-led tour starting at Marc Quinn's "Spiral of the Galaxy" (1501 Red River) on Sun., Jan. 8, 11am. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Link & Pin Gallery: Summer Strut
Link & Pin presents a summer show featuring some of their favorite Austin artists; each artist (the amazing Leslie Kell among them) will have a work on display in the gallery, with additional pieces available online.Through Aug. 28 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Lora Reynolds Gallery: Blow-Up
Bing Wright's new pictures are enlargements of uncommonly tight crops from images of children at play on a seashore — an outstretched hand splashing water or carrying a beach bucket, liberal smears of sunscreen, fluorescent plastic hair clips, a foot dragging through burbling waves.Through Sept. 10 -
Arts
Visual Arts
MACC: Sendas de Mi Vida
This new exhibit includes paintings from the past two years, vibrant artworks by Blas E. Lopez only now revealed to the public.Through Aug. 27 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Martha's Contemporary: Hokey Pokey + What You See Is What You Get
Here's a two-person exhibition that features painting, installation, videography, and sculpture by Moll Brau and Wes Thompson. It's a deep dive into a pool of loneliness, triumph, and rebirth. It's a forest of mazes where fireflies provide the light. It's a show of creations from a pair of terrific, hardworking local artists and you don't want to miss it. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Martha's Contemporary: Hot Concrete
Recent paintings by Texas artist Calhan Hale. How can oil paint on linen embody everyday images that look so real, so arresting? How does this Hale know exactly when to add a frame, a spike, a touch of spray paint to seal her pictures of quotidian life into brilliance? Suggestion: See for yourself.Through Aug. 13 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
"This special collection of the artist’s renowned ceiling frescoes from the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel is reproduced in a format that allows viewers to get face-to-face with the [copies of the] masterpieces." Note: See how the promotional image is of a person taking a photo of the reproduction of the famous artwork? Baudrillard, we reckon, wept. YMMV.Through Aug. 8. Tue.-Sun., 10am-6pm. $20.20 ($14.14 for kids). -
Arts
Visual Arts
Neill-Cochran House: The Hope Suite
Mark Smith’s The Hope Suite is a series of forty-four collages inspired by the theme of global unity. Each 24-by-18-inch work on paper consists of a background monoprint or a digital photoprint, overlaid with collage, calligraphy, and mixed media. Note: The originals are part of the permanent collection of the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago; the works on display here are limited-edition prints of those originals.Through Dec. 16. Free. -
Arts
Theatre
Pet Dick: The Found Tapes
Wait, is this even theatre? Should it be listed somewhere else? The facts are: It's a professional audio performance accessed through the internet; it's dramatically funny (or funnily dramatic); it's from theatre powerhouse Jarrott Productions. Especially because of that last thing, here is where we're pimping this Carlo Lorenzo Garcia-scripted work about how "in 1969, in rural Illinois, private investigator Labinowicz documented on micro-cassette tapes his investigations into a series of unexplained pet deaths over the course of 20 years."Available through Aug. 31. $15-18. -
Arts
Theatre
Previews of Departing Attractions
Austin Playhouse opens its new season – in a new space! – with this collection of witty, poignant short plays tied together by a theme of loss. Sound depressing? Fear not, because the man who wrote and is directing all of them is that arch raconteur Lowell Bartholomee, some of whose scripts will (intentionally) make you laugh even while they amplify your sense of late-stage weltschmerz. The knockout cast includes Kareem Badr, Zac Carr, Marina DeYoe-Pedraza, David Dubose, Sarah Chong Harmer, Robert Fisher, and Juleeane Villareal – ably abetted by (and sometimes embedded within) a wealth of video production.Through Aug. 20. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. $30 ($15, students).Austin Playhouse, 405 W. 22nd -
Arts
Visual Arts
Prizer Arts & Letters: These Walls
This is a collection of paintings, photograms, videos, books, and installation works from artists Mark Menjivar and Rickey Cummings. The two men have been working collaboratively for the past six years as Cummings fights for his freedom from Texas' death row.Through Aug. 20 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Really Small Museum: Melissa Chapman
Through her work as a metalsmith, Chapman explores the conflictual duality of American life: On one hand, continued senseless gun violence; on the other, the desire we all share for our children (young and adult) to grow up safely and carefree.Through Aug. 31. Free.3509 Banton -
Arts
Books
Story Circle Network
Nonprofit organization for women, offering monthly reading and writing circles and more, in North, Central, and South Austin. -
Arts
Theatre
Summer Stock Austin: In the Heights
Summer Stock Austin presents Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical about family, community, and life in a vibrant neighborhood in New York City's Washington Heights.Through Aug. 8. $20-50. -
Arts
Visual Arts
The Blanton: Fantastically French! Design and Architecture In 16th- to 18-Century Prints
Drawing primarily from the Blanton’s extensive holdings of French prints, this exhibition invites you to look closely at exquisite details, marvel at fantastic forms, and take delight in ornate embellishments that celebrate the creativity of imagination across three centuries.Through Aug. 14 -
Arts
Visual Arts
The Contemporary Austin: The Whisperers
Tarek Atoui is a Paris-based artist and composer whose work explores the medium of sound through a highly collaborative process that generates networks of community involvement. The dynamic installations on view in this exhibition are both sound environments and spaces for activation through occasional live performances.Through Aug. 14 -
Arts
Theatre
The Full Monty
This – the Americanized musical stage version of the 1997 British film, in which a group of unemployed steelworker dudes try to make some quick cash by working as strippers – is the newest production from TexArts, and we've reviewed it right here.Through Aug. 7. Thu.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. $45-60. -
Arts
Theatre
The Sound of Made Up Music
This is a completely improvised musical inspired by Rodgers & Hammerstein and other classic musical-making artists. You'll see characters like Maria and the Baron from The Sound of Music; or Billy and Julie from Carousel; or Laurey, Curly, and Jud from Oklahoma!; or who knows who else will come singing and a-dancing out of the woodwork? Watch as the Hideout's skilled improvisers (directed by Mallory Schlossberg, with music director Iara Paz Nabia) unleash the tropes and tones, the styles and starpower of legends.Through Aug. 27. Saturdays, 8pm. $12-18. -
Arts
Visual Arts
The Unbearable Lightness of Being Stuffed
Austin's own Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation presents a literary homage in which stuffed writers display original work and new takes on old classics. Savor flash fiction, essays, and poetry from some of "the most talented stuffed authors of this generation." For instance: Virginia Wolf. Yes, that's W-O-L-F.Through Aug. 282825 Hancock #111 -
Arts
Theatre
Venus in Fur
Here's the David Ives classic about a director and an actress trying to work through a script based on Sacher-Masoch's erotic Venus in Furs, blurring the line between play and reality, entering into an increasingly serious game of submission and domination that only one of them can win. The Way Off Broadway Players present this show out in Leander, with Jonathan Marmon and Randi Prudence West directed by Nick Wigg and Johnny Revicki.Through Aug. 7. Fri., 7pm; Sat., 3 & 7pm; Sun., 3pm. $35. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Wally Workman Gallery: Spacious
Julie Maren expands upon her use of negative space for this show, exploring boundaries and ideas of infinity, her paintings and installations heavily layered and simultaneously heavily redacted, with actual pieces of the canvas cut away. Gorgeous, yes, and unforgettable.Through Sept. 4 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Wild Basin: Encounters with Biodiversity
In this immersive art event that mixes color, conversation, and endangered species, artist Juliet Whitsett invites attendees to become a part of her newest body of work, through a series of activations and interactive experiences.Through Aug. 20. $5 and up. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Wyld Gallery
This is Ray Donley's gallery of art by Native Americans, located in that company of artistic glory called Canopy and resplendent with creations from the original people of our struggling country.Call for appointment -
Arts
Theatre
Zilker Summer Musical: Disney's Newsies
Based on the 1992 motion picture, Disney’s Newsies features a score Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Harvey Fierstein. Inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899, when newsboy Kid Blink led a band of orphan and runaway “newsies” on a two-week action against Pulitzer, Hearst, and other powerful newspaper publishers, this adaptation is high-energy and replete with eight new songs – in addition to many of the beloved songs from the film version. Directed by Joey Banks, with musical direction by Beth Everett.Through Aug. 13. Thu.-Sun., 8:15pm. Donations accepted.