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Recommended
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Film
Special Screenings
Adaptations Book Club: Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
What are the two greatest performances by flesh-and-bones actors in Muppet films? Why, Michael Caine as the grasping old miser Ebenezer Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Tim Curry as duplicitous pirate Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island. But the reasons for their excellence in the world of fur and googly eyes are completely opposing. Caine acted like a human and treated the Muppets as such. Curry was a Muppet. Few actors could ever pull that transformation off, but then they’re not Curry, who grins, cavorts, and laughs like he was to this madcap manner born as he sets sail into Robert Louis Stevenson’s great adventure. – Richard WhittakerWed., April 9 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Artist Panel: Portrait Mode
The Jones Center brings artists from all locales and walks of life to Austin – most recently Jiab Prachakul, a self-taught Thai-born, France-based painter currently showing solo exhibition “Sweet Solitude.” The show focuses on portraiture, often of Prachakul’s famous artist friends including filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives) and author Ocean Vuong (On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous). In keeping with this mode, the Jones Center is hosting a panel discussion between Prachakul and Texas-based portrait artists including Tsz Kam, Jieun Beth Kim, Dawn Okoro, and Alexandra Valenti. Multitudes can be contained in the portrait, meditations on age, class, fashion, emotion, identity, culture – as much as can be contained in a person. The conversation is free to those under 18, $5 for seniors, and $10 for adults. – Lina FisherWed., April 9 -
Arts
Books
Lise Olsen: The Scientist and the Serial Killer
True crime fans know that oftentimes a forensic scientist can be the unsung hero that brings justice to crime victims by answering decades-old questions. Forensic anthropologist Sharon Derrick is one such hero, discovering and acting on unprocessed 1973 evidence at the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office regarding the cases of Houston’s “Lost Boys.” In a gripping new book, journalist Lise Olsen (Code of Silence) tells the story of the scientist who gave names to over two dozen teen victims of a serial killer dubbed the “Candy Man.” Hear from Olsen in a fascinating conversation moderated by Texas Observer staff writer Michelle Pitcher, and be sure to pick up a copy to be signed and personalized. – Kat McNevinsWed., April 9 -
Arts
Dance
Swan Lake
Swan Lake? Oh, just your classic tale of a playboy prince who falls in love with a swan who turns out to be the cursed princess Odette, who he then confuses for another swan, Odile, whose dad is the dastardly sorcerer who caused all the trouble to begin with. If any of that sounds familiar, you’ve probably seen Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, or maybe heard Tchaikovsky’s enduring score. [Editor’s note: Or seen animated classic Barbie of Swan Lake.] The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, currently touring North America, brings this much-loved ballet to Bass Concert Hall for one night only. – Kimberley JonesWed., April 9
All Events
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Arts
Visual Arts
Art & Parks Tour
This sweet opportunity comes to us from the Downtown Austin Alliance, the Pease Park Conservancy, and Ride Bikes Austin – so we know it's a damned good thing indeed. Take the self-guided Art & Parks Tour to explore the best of what Downtown Austin art and parks have to offer through this selection of curated murals, artworks, and green spaces. You can sign up anytime, so click that URL and get ready to learn the most vibrantly visual parts of your city soon – live and in person. -
Arts
Dance
Ballet Austin: Classes
Learn your way to physical grace with a dance class at Ballet Austin. There are so many varieties to choose among – ballet, barre, contemporary dance, hip-hop, tap, cardio dance fitness, Pilates, and more – and all taught by professional instructors. See website for details.$3-7 per class. -
Arts
Comedy
Buzz Kill Comedy
Hosted by Carlton Wilcoxson and Angelina Martin, and featuring the best local and national comics every Wednesday.Wednesdays, 9pm. Free. -
Arts
Comedy
Buzzkill at the Buzz Mill
Hump day just became, uh, no-slump day? Ah, sorry. I have to workshop my tight five. In the meantime, how about you enjoy some actual good comedy by attending this free show hosted by the hilarious Carlton Wilcoxson and Angelina Martin. They pull in Austin’s most engaging local talents, both emerging and headlining, to make the logs on Buzz Mill’s wall shake from thunderous laughter. “For the past 10+ years,” their event copy states, “this consistently entertaining show has earned its spot as one of the most fun things to do in Austin and with good reason: it never misses.” – James ScottEvery Wednesday -
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
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
Comedy
Moontower Comedy Festival
When Moontower lights up Downtown from April 9-19, it’ll be with more than just marquee names and standing ovations. The 11-day comedy festival returns with a blend of national stars and local standouts – mixing the seasoned with the emerging, the personal with the absurd. – Lucciana ChoueiryApril 9-19Downtown Austin -
Arts
Visual Arts
Museum of Illusions
Enter the fascinating world of illusions in this new venue that boasts a stunning array of intriguing visual, sensory, and educational experiences among new, unexplored optical wonderments.$20-24.11010 Domain #100 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Old Bakery Gallery: Fantastical Flora
This multimedia exhibition is a comprehensive exploration of the beauty of botanical forms, expressed realistically and in the abstract, featuring the work of local artist Francine Funke.Opening reception: Sat., Jan. 20, 1-4pm. Free. -
Arts
Comedy
South Austin Comedy Club
South Austin’s first dedicated comedy venue is spearheaded by local comics Martin Henn, Andre Ricks, and Raza Jafri, and brings top-notch acts to South Austin every Wednesday through Saturday. Note: The upcoming comics – including nationally touring acts, local sweethearts, and everyone in between – will be listed on Instagram each night.Wed.-Sat., 7:30pm -
Arts
Comedy
The Creek and the Cave
This snazzy spot for local and national stand-up acts has shows almost every night of the week. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Words and Wonder: Rediscovering Children’s Literature
One of the pleasures of having a first-rate research center and archive in town is how the Harry Ransom Center will regularly comb through its own vast holdings and hand-pick gems to present in a new context. Hence the HRC’s latest exhibit, “Words and Wonder: Rediscovering Children’s Literature,” which pulls from its manuscript, art, photography, film, and performing arts holdings to spotlight early 20th-century authors and illustrators catering to a young readership. The exhibit includes magic lantern slides from Aesop’s Fables, John Tenniel’s illustrations of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Ernest H. Shepard’s indelible images from the Hundred Acre Wood, among other treats. Runs through August 17. – Kimberley JonesThrough August 17