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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. 31ZACH Theatre
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Arts
Classical Music
Graham Reynolds Ruins the Holidays
For the sixth year in the Rollins Studio Theatre, composer and bandleader Graham Reynolds will burn down the house with his raucous, minor-key versions of your holiday favorites – abetted by his talented friends (Andre Hayward on trombone, trumpet player Rachel Spencer, John Mills on saxophone, and more) and a ferocious spirit of celebration.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 8-9, 7:30pm. $44. -
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
Theatre
Austin Puppet Incident
Here's Austin's premiere event of puppetry for adult audiences, brought to life by Glass Half Full and Trouble Puppet Theatre, and now in its 14th year! Local artists collaborate to create short pieces for this annual showcase, using a variety of puppetry techniques including shadow, hand and rod, tabletop, object, and physical theatre. It's two nights of naughty, heartbreaking, harrowing, hilarious, and always original stories, presented through the medium of animated objects.Fri.-Sat., Dec. 8-9, 8pm. $15-45. -
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. -
Arts
Classical Music
Ensemble VIII: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
First offered at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, in 1918, this concert has become a mainstay of the Advent and Christmas season. Ensemble VIII artistic director Donald Meineke, organist Chris Oelkers, and the 16-voice ensemble join forces to offer this celebrated tradition to Austin.Fri., Dec. 8, 7:30pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
Guzu Gallery: Catch 'Em All!
Here's an art show tribute to everyone’s favorite pocket monsters, featuring all-new artwork from more than 20 local artists. If you’re a fan of the card game, the video games, the animated series, the films, the manga, or all of the above, this free, all-ages event is for you! With art by Vinnie Martinez, George Brenner, Tessa Morrison, Chet Phillips, Half-Human, Mia Burwitz, and more.Opening reception: Fri., Dec. 8, 7-10pm. Free. -
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. -
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
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
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
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
Visual Arts
Cage Match Project: Attitudes of Humility
In each of her installations, Maggie Jensen becomes involved in different systems or aesthetics of authority, whether the art institution, a natural history archive, or extractive resource infrastructures. She makes requests of a cultural archive or government agency to access data about particular objects, and the process informs artworks that reveal the paths and limits of the internal logics of these institutions.Through Feb. 4. 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
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
Día De Los Muertos: Honoring Our Artists Who Have Already Departed
This memorial exhibition features work by Rene Anguiano, Sam Coronado, Ray Gaytan, Marsha Gomez, Nivia Gonzalez, Lupe Lopez, Adolfo Mexiac, Arturo Rivera, Farah Rivera, Susana Santos, Pablo Taboada, and José Francisco Treviño, with an altar by Carmen Alvarez.Free. -
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
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 -
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
Visual Arts
If The Sky Were Orange: Art In the Time of Climate Change
This two-part exhibition explores the history and contemporary urgency of climate-related issues. Curated by journalist Jeff Goodell, who has written extensively on the topic, it's the first exhibition at the Blanton to explore one topic across several of the museum’s temporary gallery spaces. See our review of the show right here.Through Feb. 11. $8-15. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Illumaverse: Immersive Holiday Experience
Earth’s cherished holiday traditions are remixed, reimagined, and reinterpreted in installations built by local artists, all designed to transport you through a portal to another world where this planet's holiday season has been given a cosmic makeover.Fri., Dec. 8. $12-25.2008 Alexander -
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
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
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
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 -
Arts
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
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 -
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. -
Arts
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. 17, 5pm. $21-42. -
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
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
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 -
Arts
Theatre
POP!
This pop-up sing-along party at Zach Scott Theatre is a wild mix of holiday classics and the hottest hits of Taylor Swift, *NSYNC, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Wham!, The Beatles, and more.Dec. 8-Jan. 1. Times vary; see website for details. $25. -
Arts
Visual Arts
SAGE Gallery: Go to Your Room
Journey into a pipe-cleaner wonderland via Montrel Beverly's immersive teenage bedroom straight out of the early Nineties, chock-full of everything from Lunchables to Ninetendos to Air Pressure Jordans, all made out of pipe cleaners.Through Dec. 9 -
Arts
Comedy
Snail Haven's Comedy Pregame
This is a weekly stand-up comedy showcase to help you pregame your Friday night on the town. (Snail Haven also features music shows, film screenings, and general hangs. Best bet: Follow @SnailHavenShows on Instagram and DM them for event details.)Fridays, 8pm. 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
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. -
Arts
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
Dance
The Nutcracker
From the twinkling lights, whirling snowflakes, and sparkling beauty of the exquisite sets and costumes comes this classic, heartwarming story. Bringing the magic of the holiday season, the 61st annual production of The Nutcracker remains Austin’s longest-running live production, presented here by Ballet Austin, with concept and choreography by Stephen Mills, music by Tchaikovsky, and live accompaniment by the Austin Symphony Orchestra. See our feature on the show right here.Through Dec. 23. $15-125. -
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 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Unchained.Art: Holiday Show
In this curated collection, Unchained's family of 14 emerging and established artists – including photographers, sculptors, and painters specializing in a range of styles from abstract to figurative to ink on rice paper - have each selected their one favorite piece from their own portfolio.Through Jan. 7 -
Arts
Comedy
Velveeta Room
The legend of Ronnie Velveeta lives on at this storied 'stablishment of a stand-up stage, where some of the country's hottest comics come to make the floorboards quake with laughter every weekend on Dirty Sixth. Brandie Posey: Sat., May 20, 8 & 10pm. Jake Flores: Sat., May 27, 8 & 10pm.$10. -
Arts
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 -
Arts
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
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
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. -
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.
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