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Sponsored Listing
Affordable Art Fair Austin
Affordable Art Fair Austin will launch in May 2024, showcasing original contemporary artworks ranging between $100 to $10,000. Welcoming a whole host of local, national and international exhibitors, their spectacular first edition is set to be unmissable!May 16-19Palmer Events Center -
Sponsored Listing
Kadampa Meditation Center Austin
This evening talk offers a special visit with renowned Buddhist teacher and NKT-IKBU Deputy Spiritual Director Gen-la Kelsang Jampa. Gen-la will share Buddhist advice on developing our love as a way to protect our self from suffering and learn to become truly happy. Our life then becomes immensely meaningful in benefiting others with our mind of unconditional love.Fri. May 3, 7pm-8:30pmVuka North
Recommended
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Arts
Theatre
Holiday Spectacular! Spectacular!
The merry madcaps of Austin's La Fenice are honoring – or, perhaps, skewering – or, okay, maybe both – all those Christmas TV specials from the Seventies and Eighties with this wild show that features cameos from stars of the local theatre and improv scenes: Indigo Rael! Shannon McCormick! Kareem Badr! Marc Majcher!: Jessica Von Schramm! Rudy Ramirez! American Berserk Theatre! And many, many more. Bonus: Live music by Armadillo Road.Through Dec. 21. Fridays, 9pm. $10. -
Arts
Dance
Of Mice & Music: A Jazz Tap Nutcracker
Here comes Tapestry Dance Company’s unique and highly popular take on the holiday classic, with live jazz music and a swinging sound, featuring an original score performed by Austin musicians. And, of course, some of the world’s best tap dancers.Through Dec. 23. Thu.-Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 2 & 7:30pm; Sun., 2pm. $39 and up. -
Community
Sports
Texas Stars
Vs. San Antonio Rampage: Fri., Dec. 21, 7pm; Thu., Dec. 27, 7pm. Vs. Ontario Reign: Sat., Dec. 29, 7pm. $22-58. -
Music
A Merry-Achi Christmas w/ Mariachi Sol de México de Jose Hérnandez
Fusing mariachi with American holiday carols, Sol de México’s Jose Hérnandez cultivates a Christmas celebration with Southwest flavor. Since 1981, the 13-piece, three-time Grammy nominees have worked with Anglo favorites like the Beach Boys and released cross-cultural material like New York, New York, all the while traversing the traditional but vibrant sounds of mariachi.Fri., Dec. 21, 8pm -
Community
Events
Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Nothing says holidays in Austin like scouring aisles and aisles of local art, crafts, and self-care products. But there's live music. And beer. And this year, the bazaar is hosting 12 Days of Giving, which means your dollars go to helping local nonprofits like HAAM, the Austin Art Alliance, Sun Radio, and (nine) more.Dec. 13-24. Daily, 11am-10pm. $8; children 12 and under, free. -
Community
Events
Blue Genie Art Bazaar
Need something Austin-y (art, jewelry, prints, clothing, etc., whatnot, and then some) for a loved one this year? Thousands of original works from more than 200 artists and artisans will help you with your gifting conundrums.Nov. 23-Dec. 24. Daily, 10am-10pm. Free.Blue Genie Art Bazaar, 6100 Airport -
Music
Chief Perch, The Cold Tony's, Daphne Tunes, Howard & the Nosebleeds
Secret Soup Records’ “Acid Test” musically manifests LSD’s warping influence. Austin indie-poppers Daphne Tunes float woozy introspections before paranoia sets in with Houston freak rock experimentalists Howard & the Nosebleeds. The coastal beachgaze of San Marcos youngsters the Cold Tony’s pull back to Earth, before Chief Perch doses a mind-scattering blend of ensemble funk, cosmic jazz, and polyrhythmic R&B.Fri., Dec. 21, 10pm -
Music
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Food
Food Events
Eden East Solstice Festival & Pig Roast
Celebrate the winter solstice with live music, a bonfire, and many more surprises at this Eastside wonderground as Sonya Coté and her coterie of chefs serve up a seasonal, farm-fresh family-style buffet – with complimentary cocktails and beer from Deep Eddy Vodka, Desert Door Texas Sotol, and American Born Whiskey. Bonus: a crafts market featuring local artisans.Fri., Dec. 21, 7pm. $85. -
Qmmunity
Nightlife & Parties
Fifth Annual Pursuit of Happiness
Alexander the Great's annual variety-show-meets-silent-auction where 100% of the proceeds goes to the Trevor Project. Tipping is highly encouraged.Fri., Dec. 21, 9pm. $10. -
Arts
Visual Arts
Gallery Lucid: Mindscapes
Elliot Rogers' first solo show offers "hypnotic spaces and surreal mindscapes which reflect his inner meditative visions and explore the connection between the self and the alien other." It's all trippy AF, in other words – and the closing party will be awash with live music and fancy libations.Closing reception: Sat., Jan. 5, 6pm -
Arts
Visual Arts
Generative Art Project: Thoughts In Action
This bastion of the aesthetically brilliant possibilities of generative technology presents two new videos, a video slideshow, and five related prints by Alba Corral of Barcelona, Spain. Listen: "The notion that digital imagery is easy to make or merely a gimmick driven by software is wrong. The truth is generative artists, like those working in other media, must invent everything you see. The difference is their marks move through time, which adds to the complexity of their process." Corral’s style elegantly demonstrates her creativity in action. And Brenner tells you more about this new gallery right here.Through Dec. 30 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Guzu Gallery: Binge
That Vince Torres and his astonishing cohort of creatives have garnered more graphic goodness for those Guzu walls, with 26 artists paying tribute to shows from the small screen, with stylish renditions of characters and settings from television’s past and present. Featuring homages by Chet Phillips, Tessa Morrison, Killian Glenn, Half-Human, Nina Sanchez, and more. Where's your fandom at, baby? It's probably right here, right now.Through Jan. 7 -
Community
Events
Holiday Mercado Y Pachanga
Frida Friday's monthly pop-up is expanding to two days for the holiday shopping season. There's a Friday night lotería with Grandma Steven, and a Saturday screening of The Tacos of Texas. There's DJs, food for sale, photo ops, local orgs tabling, and more.Dec. 21-22. Fri., 6-10pm; Sat., 11am-3pm. Free. -
Arts
Comedy
Immigrants, the Musical: No Place Like Home
This is a Hamilton-inspired show in which, each week, a new monologist tells of their experience in coming from Mexico, from Russia, from Vietnam, from El Salvador, and more. Then the cast, directed by Lahari Dunn and Asaf Ronen, expands these stories into "fully improvised musicals, giving life to the emotion, the journey, and the laughs and hardships along the way." Note: The Chronicle's Robert Faires recently took in a show, and here's his reaction. Featured this final week: Marcia Sanchez from Mexico.Through Dec. 21. Fridays, 8pm. $10-12. -
Film
Special Screenings
Mexicanos de Bronce (2018)
Jukebox Cinema: Screening + Director Q&A: This documentary tells the story of prison inmates in Mexico who record rap music as part of the Ministers of Street Poetry. The film's director will be in attendance.Fri., Dec. 21, 6:30pm. Free. -
Music
Michael Martin Murphey's A Cowboy Christmas 25th Anniversary
Austin’s countercultural country scene was still embryonic when Michael Martin Murphey moved back to Texas in 1971. In retrospect, the songwriter’s settlement – and the fellow artists it attracted – was a crucial catalyst for the ensuing progressive country movement.: “A lot of us were professional songwriters in other places, but we didn’t like the kind of music we were expected to turn in, so we went back there and began bouncing these new songs off each other that didn’t fit the mold of what was popular at the time – something representing the gritty side of America,” he reveals. “We were literally starving artists trying to develop an American voice that was strongly Texan.”: Murphey’s career has balanced tradition and originality, exploring everything from Old West cowboy tunes to bluegrass. It was this impulse toward history that created his Cowboy Christmas show, now celebrating its 25th anniversary.: “In 1991 I put out a Christmas album called Cowboy Christmas, and I had no idea that the original Cowboy Christmas Ball was being kept alive by a committee in Anson,” he says. “They called me up and invited me to play it. They made me aware of all these old-time dances and the music that went with it, and as I began to research it, it opened up a whole new world to me.”: The show, which features 19th century dances, tells the history of the Cowboy Christmas Ball in the tiny town near Abilene. It’s presented in a larger context of Texas music, which includes Murphey’s cosmic country originals.: “Really the show is about the progression of the music and preservation of the tradition,” he offers. “I’ve always loved history and now I am history.”Fri., Dec. 21, 8pm -
Community
Events
Mozart's Light Show
Check out the holiday lights and get you a home-baked Bavarian treat, while local musicians play tunes on the grand piano.Through Jan. 2. Free. -
Community
Events
Pound 4 Pound Pet Food Drive
Every holiday season, Tomlinson’s Feed hosts Austin’s largest pet food drive in support of local animal rescues and shelters. It's easy to give: Every bag of pet food you buy through Christmas Eve will be doubled by pet food makers, pound for pound. (Their goal this year is 150,000 pounds of pet food.) More of an Internet shopper? Just donate online.Through Christmas EveArea Tomlinson's Feed stores -
Music
Sunny Sweeney's Dysfunctional Family Christmas feat. Brennen Leigh & Tennessee Jet
Sunny Sweeney pulls no punches in her songwriting. The country siren’s 2017 fourth LP Trophy laid down raw truths of hard times with thick skin and a sly wink through the pain. Wrangling fellow locals Brennen Leigh and Tennessee Jet, Sweeney serenades the dysfunction and love of seasonal gatherings. Just like your own family, but more talented and fun.Fri., Dec. 21, 8:30pm -
Arts
Theatre
The Santaland Diaries
Does it return? Of course it returns – this show is more evergreen than a forest of Christmas trees. David Sedaris' outlandish tale of a (oh, shall we say disgruntled) Macy’s elf jingles to life again in this latest incarnation, with that costumed Crumpet waxing snarktastic on the talent it takes to juggle tinsel, tearful tots, and not-so-sober Santas during what's hailed as the most wonderful time of the year. J. Robert Moore – the bright star of Zach's one-man show Buyer and Cellar a couple years ago – plays Crumpet, and Nat Miller directs, so we reckon this year's holiday-skewering is doubleplusgood to go. But does our reviewer think so, too?Through Dec. 30. Wed.-Thu., 7:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 6:30 & 9pm. $40 and up. -
Music
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Community
Out of Town
Trail of Lights at EmilyAnn
Stroll through a walking path featuring more than 100 holiday light displays created by businesses, organizations, school groups, and families. Roast hot dogs and marshmallows at the Yule Log, drink hot chocolate, and enjoy live entertainment most evenings. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated.Nov. 24-Dec. 28. Sun.-Thu., 6-9pm; Fri. & Sat., 6-10pm. Free. -
Food
Food Events
Veracruz All Natural: La Posada Party
The good folks of that popular Veracruz All Natural food truck outside Radio Coffee are celebrating Las Posadas throughout December and want to share some of those cultural traditions with their Austin family – that's you, citizen – at tonight's Posada party. Enjoy traditional ponche and buñuelos among the festive camaraderie, surrounded by poinsettias and piñatas, accompanied by live music from Cienfuegos and La Moña Loca.Fri., Dec. 21, 4pm-12mid -
Community
Events
Winter Solstice Lantern Parade
Celebrate the longest night of the year at Minor Mishap’s annual parade. Attendees can enjoy a night of music, community, and creativity as hundreds of flameless lanterns come together under the night sky.Fri., Dec. 21, 5:30-7:30pm. Free. -
Community
Events
Winter Wonderland at The Circuit
The racetrack transforms into something resembling the North Pole with the largest outdoor skating rink in Texas, the Tunnel of Lights, and Santa's Workshop; plus live music, carnival rides, a petting zoo, and Chinese Lantern Festival.Through Dec. 30. $16,. -
Community
Events
37th Street Lights
This is how Austin does holiday lights. This yearslong tradition took a hiatus, but it's back this year and it's weirder than ever.Through Jan. 5. Free.505 W. 37th, across from Amy's Ice Creams on Guadalupe -
Music
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Arts
Theatre
A Christmas Carol
This ZACH Theatre adaptation of the Dickens classic, directed by Abe Reybold and starring the estimable Jaston Williams, is "a musical sleigh ride through rhythm and time, infusing the traditional Victorian story with a score that spans all genres and eras." It's riotously redolent of the ghosts of Motown past, but of course you know the basic Ebenezer of this thing: crotchety, cratchity, creepy, and (ultimately) heartwarming. And, what's that? You think there's an awful lot of Dickens going on in town lately? Our Robert Faires tells you why.Through Dec. 30. Wed.-Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 2:30 & 7:30pm; Sun., 2:30pm. $25 and up. -
Arts
Theatre
A Christmas Carol: Classic Radiocast
The players of the fictional KPNF radio station re-create Dickens' cherished masterpiece in this Nathan Jerkins adaptation, with all the characters brought to life by a small company of voice actors and live foley sound effects. Directed by Ryan Crowder for Penfold Theatre. And, what's that? You think there's an awful lot of Dickens going on lately? Our Robert Faires tells you why.Through Dec. 29. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. $15-25.Old Settlers Hall, 3300 E. Palm Valley, Round Rock
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