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Esther's Follies: Memorial for Steve Saugey
When classical music gets too stiff and stuffy for its own good, someone has to knock the powdered wig brigade off its pedestal, and for more than 35 years, Steve Saugey proudly took on that duty in Austin. He was a founding member of Esther's Follies from 1977 to 1996, mocking the masters with a satirical scalpel as sophisticated and cutting as Tom Lehrer's or Peter Schickele's, slicing his way through the classical canon, weaving sitcom tunes, pop hits, and commercial jingles through their majestic passages. Saugey played accompanist to the fractured operatics of William Dente's Dame Della Diva, made Beethoven roll over with his "Ode to Joy (Detergent)", and crammed every pop song ripped off from a Bach melody into his "Brackenridge Concerto." With his frequent partner in musical mischief, Lyova Rosanoff – also a Follies alum and an Austin Arts Hall of Fame inductee in 2003 – Saugey worked his parodic genius in independent projects such as the Austin Flops Orchestra, Beethoven's Birthday, and Forbidden Classics. Rosanoff and Saugey masterfully and riotously transmuted the lyrics for Strauss' Die Fledermaus into a current-day Austin-centric version, The Bat, for Austin Lyric Opera. He was capable of being serious – as evidenced by his work as musical director for Arts on Real and Penfield Theater Company, and as rehearsal accompanist for Austin Musical Theater and Ballet Austin. But Steve Saugey was always best at his worst - mockingly making fun. Note: This memorial event is free and open to all fans of Saugey's and Esther's.Sun., Jan. 9, 2-5pm. Free. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Northern-Southern: Festo Fest
Northern-Southern begins 2022 with a festival of manifestos – a 'festo fest, yes – from a plethora of local artists whose written declarations (of intent, of observation, of instruction) will deck the venue's Downtown walls. Open for two days only (and culminating in a live, off-site reading of the 'festos at JJ Seabrook Park off Pershing & MLK, east of Airport, on Sun., Jan. 9. 3pm), this is a brief but richly creative charge for jumpstarting your new year with.Fri.-Sat., Jan. 7-8, 2-6pm -
Arts
Dance
Shen Yun
This show features classical Chinese dance, along with dynamic animated backdrops and all-original orchestral works, "opening a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom." You've at least seen video clips, right? You know what a complex, engaging spectacle this is. Is this the year in which you finally get tickets and experience the show live and in-person?Jan. 7-9. Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 2 & 7pm; Sun., 1pm. $80-180.
All Events
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Arts
Comedy
ColdTowne Theater
Yes, they're open, ColdTowne's new brick-and-mortar place is totally open! Improv, sketch, stand-up – 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. Especially: Saturday's stand-up showcase hosted by Angelina Martin. See website for show times. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Daniel Johnston: I Live My Broken Dreams
The Contemporary Austin presents the first-ever museum survey of works by Daniel Johnston. "Step into the surreal universe of this visionary musician and artist, filled with love, loss, ghosts, aliens, superheroes, and the eternal battle between good and evil."Through March 20 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Elisabet Ney Museum: Ongoings
Marie Elena Ely’s show at the Ney Museum is a collection of photo/collage/paintings and prints.Through Jan. 9 -
Arts
Visual Arts
grayDUCK Gallery: Rooms
In which Katy Horan, that unnerving wrangler of graphic mythology, shifts her focus away from female archetypes and folklore to explore some of the harder things we go through in life: Violence, loss, mental illness, fear, and trauma. "I turned mostly to film, music, and my own life experience for inspiration," says the artist, "and almost three years later, this show is the result."Through Jan. 9 -
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
Mexic-Arte Museum: MX 21 – Resistance, Reaffirmation, and Resilience
Throughout 2021, Mexico is commemorating major events in history: the falling of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlán, the invasion by Spain, and the Independence of Mexico. Mexic-Arte Museum presents this vibrant group exhibition and programs in conjunction with Mexico’s 2021 events, reaffirming their common cultural history. Also: "Los Pueblos Originarios," featuring photos of continuing traditions by Mary J. Andrade; and Las Flores – La Vida, a new show displaying flower-themed art from more than 200 local and regional artists.Through Feb. 27. $7. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Prizer Arts & Letters: Vecino
Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon's new exhibition of (absolutely stunning) photographs “looks to explore the unique and distinctive sense of spirit that defines the Holly Street neighborhood, the place where I have lived for the past twenty-five years. For me, this spirit has always been fostered by my neighbors. The stories of these kindred spirits, old-timers, families and folks have shaped my sense of home. Together, they are my 'Genius Loci,' the keepers of the spirit of the neighborhood."Closing reception: Sat., Jan. 29, 4-8pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
Umlauf Sculpture Garden
The Umlauf's famed Garden features expertly wrought sculptures, the bronze or stone cynosures from Charles Umlauf and others anchoring sight among the bright foliage and tree-towered paths.Tue.-Fri., 10am-4pm; Sat.-Sun., 11am-4pm
