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for Thu., Dec. 7
  • A Christmas Carol

    Austin’s hottest holiday tradition returns with new music and surprises to ring in the season. ZACH’s adaptation of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a score that spans all genres.
    Nov. 17 - Dec. 31  
    ZACH Theatre
Recommended
  • Arts

    Theatre

    A Christmas Carol

    Zach Theatre’s adaptation of the Dickens classic is a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a score that spans all genres and eras. "Celebrate the season with the loving Cratchit family and three soulful ghosts as they take Ebenezer Scrooge on a joyride to rediscover his heart and love for human kindness."
    Through Dec. 31. $25 and up.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Adde Russell: End of Line Residency

    The Line Austin and Big Medium invite you to celebrate the culmination of Adde Russell's residency at this excellent Downtown hotel. Explore the artist's studio, meet the artist, and learn more about her creative process.
    Thu., Dec. 7, 6:30-9pm
  • Arts

    Books

    Andrey Kurkov

    Internationally acclaimed Ukrainian novelist and public intellectual Andrey Kurkov discusses his work.
    Thu., Dec. 7, 6:30pm. Free.
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    Classical Music

    Austin Unconducted x Daniel Fears

    "Austin Unconducted is a democratic orchestra formed in 2022 by a group of young professional musicians with a desire to present classical music in a way that is relatable, fresh, and fun. Rather than working with a conductor, our 18 string musicians collaborate and work with local artists to design and perform concerts that truly reflect the voice and energy of the city of Austin." Tonight's concert is an evening of sound and music curated by Austin-based singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Fears, exploring the boundaries between classical music and R&B, creating pairings inspired by dub and traditional West African percussion music.
    Thu., Dec. 7, 7pm. $10-75.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Butridge Gallery: Finding Wholeness

    This collection of paintings by Alexandra Abbott explores a secret, magic world existing within the ordinary. Observe the voluptuous curves of a flower, the movement of clouds across a desert landscape, insects steadily and silently working, rock walls stacked by hands hundreds of years ago, and things so quiet they are hardly noticed.
    Dec. 2-Jan. 27. Reception: Wed., Dec. 6, 7-9pm  
  • Arts

    Theatre

    Cards Against Humanity: The Christmas Carol

    "Imagine you're at an outdoor café, complete with a stage decked out with holiday cheer, while in-house waitstaff serve you festive festive food and drinks. And soon, you’ll be watching a free performance of The Christmas Carol. But this is no ordinary Christmas Carol: it’s one that gets derailed by a deck of Cards Against Humanity! And if you've ever played Cards Against Humanity, you know the zany possibilities are endless." Note: For a small donation, you may even have the chance to derail the show yourself by playing a card.
    Thu.-Sun., Dec. 7-17, 6:30pm. Donations accepted.  
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    Visual Arts

    GrayDUCK Gallery: The Dog Show

    U.S.-based Japanese artist Hiromi Stringer reveals the colorful drawings of of Umeyama – "a mediocre scholar who time-travels (from Japan 170 years ago) to various times and places, vividly documenting the quotidian objects and scenes he encounters." In this case, especially? Doggos, and plenty of those heckin' good boys.
    Through Jan. 7  
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    Theatre

    Jack & Aiden

    "When Aiden first meets Jack, it’s through the transactional world of gay male hookup apps – Aiden’s first exploration since transitioning. But as the two spend more time together, things get complicated - they must navigate their grief, recovery, and trauma, and find out if they can hold one another’s human messiness." This is the world premiere of a new musical, commissioned by Ground Floor Theatre, with book by Lane Michael Stanley, music and lyrics by Tova Katz, and starring Justin P. Lopez and Laura Leo Kelly. Directed by Trace Turner, with musical direction by Trey Shonkwiler. Age recommendation: 18 and older, due to brief nudity, depictions of sex, and the subjects of addiction and recovery.
    Through Dec. 16. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. $30.  
  • Arts

    Theatre

    Miss Lulu Bett

    In Zona Gale's classic play – the first play written by a woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama – Lulu Bett lives with her sister's family and does all the cooking in the house. Spinsterhood seems to be her destiny – until an enthusiastic visitor proposes. Directed by Norman Blumensaadt for Different Stages.
    Through Dec. 9. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 6pm. $15-37.  
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    Theatre

    Murder on the Links

    Murder's afoot – and it's wearing those funny golfers' socks! Yes, Austin Playhouse presents the regional premiere of Murder on the Links, from the Agatha Christie novel, written and directed by Steven Dietz. Bonus: An all-star cast! We mean, Ben Wolfe (as Hercule Poirot, no less), Lara Toner Haddock, Huck Huckaby, Tonie Knight, Chase Brewer, and Sarah Chong Dickey.
    Through Dec. 30. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. Sun., Dec. 24, 2pm; Dec. 10 & 17, 5pm. $21-42.  
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    Theatre

    My Fair Lady

    Lerner & Loewe’s classic travels from Lincoln Center Theater, presented in all its musical, class-skewering splendor, as directed by Bartlett Sher.
    Dec. 5-10. Tue.-Thu., 7:30pm; Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 & 8pm; Sun., 1 & 6:30pm. $30 and up.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Narrated Memories: Artworks by ACC Alumni

    This show features the work of three exceptional ACC alumni – no less than Laurie Frick, Heather Parrish, and Michael Villarreal – who reference the collecting and rebuilding of memories in their work, taking fragments of information from data sets, historical sources, or personal memory and assembling the ideas into new artistic forms.
  • Arts

    Dance

    The Watchmaker's Song

    Ventana Ballet and Red Nightfall Dance Theatre present an immersive, culturally inclusive, and whimsical twist on the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, showcasing classical ballet, Spanish Flamenco, Egyptian bellydance, traditional Chinese dance, and drag performance.
    Dec. 7-16. Thu.-Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 6:30 & 8:30pm. $40-60.  
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    Visual Arts

    Wally Workman Gallery: Nocturnes and Promises

    Sylvia Benitez captures ethereal landscapes in oils on canvas, bringing fields of color to haunt the more urbanized sectors of your mind with a memory of the forests and meadows and riverine tableaux you've encountered in dreams.
    Through Dec. 30
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    Visual Arts

    WCC: RE/FRESH

    West Chelsea Contemporary brings together collections from more than a dozen contemporary artists in this new exhibition, featuring works by Hunt Slonem, Ash Almonte, Bob Schneider, Cody Hooper, Tyler Guinn, Juan Mejía, and more.
    Through Dec. 18
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Yard Dog: Suit Yourself

    Here's a new show by Austin's own Krissy Teegerstrom of Featherweight Studio. What's on display is nothing less than an expression of freedom and imagination as seen through wearable soft sculpture, featuring capes made from fine fabricssuch as velvets, brocades, satins, and tulle, fabulously enhanced by glimmering sequins, beads, and rhinestones.
All Events
  • 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

    Visual Arts

    Art for the People Gallery: Falling into Winter

    Ahhh, don't just fall, though – dive gloriously into the diverse paintings, mixed media, digital, and fiber artworks in this group exhibition of Austin artists, featuring creations by Bern Abplanalp, Hallie Rae Ward, Phillip Seymour (his Great Horned Owl is pictured right here), and more.
    Through Jan. 5
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    Visual Arts

    Artworks Gallery: The Mini Show!

    Here's a group show of smaller-sized local works that are priced for stocking-stuffer shopping, ready to bring the gift of local creative goodness to your most art-loving friends.
    Through Dec. 23
  • Arts

    Theatre

    Auditions: Always a Boy

    Ground Floor Theatre is holding auditions for the world premiere of this new play by Jo Iveste and Jeremy Ivester, to be directed by Lisa Scheps. This one centers on a boy named Joshua and his mother as they prepare for another big family wedding day, reminiscing about the last family wedding, when Joshua began his gender journey alongside his sister’s matrimony journey. Note: All positions are paid. See website for appointment; bring a résumé and headshot.
    Audition date: Sat., Dec. 9, noon-5pm
  • 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

    Theatre

    Beto, Beto el Abeto

    The Zilker Botanical Garden and Teatro de la Tierra present Beto, Beto el Abeto, a play – adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Fir Tree – that blends languages, cultures, genres, and biological kingdoms in an inventive, unorthodox approach to Christmas amidst a world that is changing rapidly.
    Dec. 7-17. Thu.-Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 2:30pm. Free.  
  • Arts

    Comedy

    Cap City Comedy Club

    That's right: Cap City Comedy Club, the longtime cornerstone of Austin's comedy scene for nearly four decades is at a new venue in the Domain. And here's Valerie Lopez with a closer look at what's in store for the scene via the venue. Click for details!
  • Arts

    Theatre

    Christmas Belles

    "Christmastime in the Lone Star State - but the Futrelle sisters of Fayro, Texas, are not exactly in a festive mood. Frankie is overdue with twins, Twink’s in jail, and Honey Raye is trying to keep the Tabernacle of the Lamb’s Christmas pageant from spiraling out of control." This Southern down-home comedy, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, is a special treat serving up plenty of laughs for the holiday season. Directed by Tracy Arnold for City Theatre.
    Through Dec. 17. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 3pm. $15-25.  
  • 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

    Comedy

    Esther's Follies

    Esther's Follies – Austin's not-so-secret weapon in the fight against ennui – the comedy gem that still dazzles this growing urban hub – returns to the weekly live and in-person stage of their club on Dirty Sixth, the whole troupe bringing back old favorites and debuting a new program of hilarity with topical, ripped-from-the-headlines sketches and musical numbers. And you do need a laugh or two, right about this time, don't you, citizen? (And how about a margarita to go with that?) We'd add that the mind-boggling illusions of magician Ray Anderson are a bonus in the night's clever spectacle … but, the way that arch maestro conjures mystery and delight, "bonus" would be an insult.
    Thu., 7pm; Fri.-Sat., 7 & 9pm. $30-40.  
  • 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

    Forces of Nature: Ancient Maya Art

    From ceramic vessels to greenstone jewelry, 200 works of classical Maya art (250-900BC) depict the relationship between the royal courts of ancient Maya and their supernatural entities.
    Through Jan. 7. $8-15.
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Golden Mean: Candy Land

    This is a whimsical collection of ceramic pieces by Tanya Zal, featuring works that have been baked, dressed up, decorated, frosted, and swirled into "an indulgent playful daydream."
    Through Jan. 7. Free.
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Harry Ransom Center: Art In Words

    Featuring collaborations between fine presses and artists, examples of typographic and concrete poetry, and experimentations in pop and surrealism, the exhibition puts prints by Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Ed Ruscha in conversation with works by Charles Henri Ford, Kristin Calhoun, David McGee, and others.
    Through Feb. 4. Free.
  • Arts

    Books

    Harry Ransom Center: The Long Lives of Very Old Books

    Explore the stories behind books published by Europeans between the mid-15th and late 17th centuries, tracing them from printing houses into the hands of generations of collectors and bookbinders and, ultimately, modern research libraries like the Ransom Center.
    Through Dec. 30. Free.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Ivester Contemporary: End Hits

    Ryan Thayer Davis' second solo exhibition with the gallery features two distinctive processes that the artist uses to generate his compositions, color, and form. Note: Ivester is also hosting Terra Goolsby's newest show, "The Shape of Dusk."
    Through Jan. 13
  • 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
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    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

    Lora Reynolds Gallery: Spatial Moto

    New and recent work by Erin Shirreff, her practice rooted in the studio and in process: material translations from two to three dimensions (or from three to two) or from analog to digital (and vice versa) are what form her diverse but interrelated bodies of work.
    Through Jan. 13
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    Visual Arts

    Lydia Street Gallery: Elemental Topography & The Color Of Words

    Erin Cunningham's works examine and portray intricacies within the female figure, delving into the subtleties of the body's external structure. Elsa Gebreyesus explores visual representation of poems and themes by poets or wordsmiths she's been inspired by.
    Through Dec. 17. Artist reception: Sat., Dec. 9, 6-9pm
  • 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: Algo Familiar

    This fine gallery's front space features the creations of textile artist Erick Medel from Los Angeles, paired with local archivist Alan Garcia. And the back space brings new works on paper by Austin-based artist Manik Raj Nakra.
    Through Jan. 6
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    McCallum High School: 5 x 7

    Each of the 5"×7" pieces available at this show are unique works created by students in the digital arts, drawing, ceramics, painting, and printmaking courses.
    Thu., Dec. 7, 5-7pm
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Mexic-Arte Museum: 40 years of Dia de los Muertos

    This exhibit presents an impressive collection of relevant artworks created by artists with an intimate connection to the Mexic-Arte Museum and the Austin community.
    Through Jan. 7
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    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.
    11010 Domain #100
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    Visual Arts

    Northern-Southern: Others

    Laura Lit’s sculptures are like utterances of deep quiet made solid and real. These newest ones have been built over two years, with skeletons of wood, muscles of foam, tissues of paper clay. The forms are painted with acrylic and oil, adorned with feather-feelers of plastic or scales of dyed resin. Some of these sculptures are the size of rabbits; others loom like growing trees. Gentle suggestion: FFS, don't miss this magnificent show.
    Through Dec. 17
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    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
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    Visual Arts

    Stephen L. Clark Gallery: Kate Breakey

    This exhibition of new work by Kate Breakey showcases hand-colored photography of the natural world, particularly of Texan and Australian landscapes, animals, and insects.
  • Arts

    Comedy

    The Comedy Mothership

    Joe Rogan's new venue is open and packing in the comedy-craving crowds at what used to be the Alamo Ritz, bringing in some of the biggest names (Rogan himself among them) and rising stars in the business, all presented with the kind of provocative pizzazz that makes Dirty Sixth (and especially this Mothership) a destination seven days a week.
  • 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.
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    Comedy

    The Hideout

    The diverse lineup of sometimes hilarious, always surprising improv shows continues, with Pgraph and Maestro and the Big Bash and more, for the most unexpected delights of in-person entertainment. For instance: Their annual New Year's Eve spectaculars will start your 2024 off right, baby! See the website for details.
    $10 and up.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Thomas Kinkade's Winter Wonderland

    Here's an exhibition featuring three rare original paintings by Thomas Kinkade – and a plethora of editioned artworks and memorabilia. Bonus: a Christmas tree room adorned with Kinkade Studios' commercial products, an electric train set with a mini village, and fake snow outside the gallery.
    Through Dec. 23
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    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
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    Visual Arts

    Yard Dog: New Baseball Paintings

    Austin artist Will Johnson explores the history of baseball in a series of portraits of players. An avid baseball fan since childhood, he began creating these paintings in 2007 or 2008, wanting to pay tribute to some of his favorite players and stories — especially unheralded players — through folk art paintings.

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