Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st from 9am - 3pm each day

Geared towards ages 8 - 11

Instructor: Tressie Kinney

Location: Clay Cavern (basement) at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Pack your imaginary bags! In this 5-day-long camp, young artists (ages 8 - 11) will explore key art styles from 6 different countries: Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Norway, and Egypt. Each day, we will “travel” to a new country to learn about its unique art history and create several hands-on art pieces, gaining experience with a variety of art mediums, including painting, drawing, paper, textiles, and polymer clay. Students will build fine motor skills and experiment with the core Elements of Art, such as line, shape, and color, while discovering how different cultures express their stories through creativity. While following step-by-step instructions from an instructor, students are encouraged to use their own colors, style, and patterns to make each piece unique.

Inquire with Jenna at education@austinareaarts.org about scholarship opportunities.

Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st from 9am - 3pm each day

Geared towards ages 8 - 11

Instructor: Tressie Kinney

Location: Clay Cavern (basement) at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Pack your imaginary bags! In this 5-day-long camp, young artists (ages 8 - 11) will explore key art styles from 6 different countries: Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Norway, and Egypt. Each day, we will “travel” to a new country to learn about its unique art history and create several hands-on art pieces, gaining experience with a variety of art mediums, including painting, drawing, paper, textiles, and polymer clay. Students will build fine motor skills and experiment with the core Elements of Art, such as line, shape, and color, while discovering how different cultures express their stories through creativity. While following step-by-step instructions from an instructor, students are encouraged to use their own colors, style, and patterns to make each piece unique.

Inquire with Jenna at education@austinareaarts.org about scholarship opportunities.

Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st from 9am - 3pm each day

Geared towards ages 8 - 11

Instructor: Tressie Kinney

Location: Clay Cavern (basement) at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Pack your imaginary bags! In this 5-day-long camp, young artists (ages 8 - 11) will explore key art styles from 6 different countries: Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Norway, and Egypt. Each day, we will “travel” to a new country to learn about its unique art history and create several hands-on art pieces, gaining experience with a variety of art mediums, including painting, drawing, paper, textiles, and polymer clay. Students will build fine motor skills and experiment with the core Elements of Art, such as line, shape, and color, while discovering how different cultures express their stories through creativity. While following step-by-step instructions from an instructor, students are encouraged to use their own colors, style, and patterns to make each piece unique.

Inquire with Jenna at education@austinareaarts.org about scholarship opportunities.

The Clay Cavern is located in the basement of the Austin ArtWorks Center and is shared studio and class space.

How does it work?

• Drop in during our Wednesday Open Clay Studio to get a tour and a guide to getting started in ceramics.

• Previous experience, or a recent class in wheel throwing is required to throw on the wheel. No previous experience necessary for handbuilding.

• The first visit is free and includes a 1lb ball of clay, so you can try it out and feel if the space is right for you.

• From there, you can purchase your own bag of clay from us- we currently use a Midfire White from Minnesota Clay and a 25lb bag costs $60 (starting January 1st, 2025) which includes unlimited firings and access to all of our glazes.

• Members have unlimited access to the space at no extra charge. If you are not a member, each visit will cost $5 (after your first free visit).

Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st from 9am - 3pm each day

Geared towards ages 8 - 11

Instructor: Tressie Kinney

Location: Clay Cavern (basement) at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Pack your imaginary bags! In this 5-day-long camp, young artists (ages 8 - 11) will explore key art styles from 6 different countries: Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Norway, and Egypt. Each day, we will “travel” to a new country to learn about its unique art history and create several hands-on art pieces, gaining experience with a variety of art mediums, including painting, drawing, paper, textiles, and polymer clay. Students will build fine motor skills and experiment with the core Elements of Art, such as line, shape, and color, while discovering how different cultures express their stories through creativity. While following step-by-step instructions from an instructor, students are encouraged to use their own colors, style, and patterns to make each piece unique.

Inquire with Jenna at education@austinareaarts.org about scholarship opportunities.

As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of her favorite boy band phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers. When one of them, Floyd, is kidnapped by villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to rescue him. PG

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of her favorite boy band phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers. When one of them, Floyd, is kidnapped by villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a journey to rescue him. PG

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

Monday, July 27th - Friday, July 31st from 9am - 3pm each day

Geared towards ages 8 - 11

Instructor: Tressie Kinney

Location: Clay Cavern (basement) at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Pack your imaginary bags! In this 5-day-long camp, young artists (ages 8 - 11) will explore key art styles from 6 different countries: Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Norway, and Egypt. Each day, we will “travel” to a new country to learn about its unique art history and create several hands-on art pieces, gaining experience with a variety of art mediums, including painting, drawing, paper, textiles, and polymer clay. Students will build fine motor skills and experiment with the core Elements of Art, such as line, shape, and color, while discovering how different cultures express their stories through creativity. While following step-by-step instructions from an instructor, students are encouraged to use their own colors, style, and patterns to make each piece unique.

Inquire with Jenna at education@austinareaarts.org about scholarship opportunities.

Tuesday, August 4th from 1pm- 3pm

Geared towards ages 16+

Instructor: Deb D’Souza

Location: Clay Cavern at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Come spend an afternoon experimenting with fused glass. We supply everything you will need for cutting, shaping and assembling 4”x4” fused glass works. Space is limited, registering ahead of time is recommended.

Class time will be spent cutting and assembling your fused glass piece. Pieces will stay at the ArtWorks Center to be fired and will be ready for pick up approximately two weeks after the class. Students will be notified via email when pieces are ready to be picked up.

Wednesday, August 5th from 10:30am - noon

Geared towards ages 5 - 10

Instructor: Kim Potter & Matchbox Children’s Theatre troupe

Location: Clay Cavern (basement) at the Austin ArtWorks Center

Sign up for one session or for all four!

Welcome to Creative Reuse This class invites young artists to explore art and theatre in an innovative and environmentally mindful way. Through hands-on classes, students will create and design using a wide variety of repurposed materials, patterns, and manipulatives. Using everyday items such as cardboard, fabric scraps, recycled objects, and textured materials, students will:

• Design costumes, props, and sets

• Develop original characters and stories

• Experiment with patterns, shapes, and creative construction

• Use manipulatives and objects to enhance storytelling

• Learn the value of sustainability and creative reuse

Each class encourages imagination, collaboration, and problem-solving, helping students build confidence both on and off the stage. Participants will work together in a supportive, inclusive environment where every idea is valued.

The Clay Cavern is located in the basement of the Austin ArtWorks Center and is shared studio and class space.

How does it work?

• Drop in during our Wednesday Open Clay Studio to get a tour and a guide to getting started in ceramics.

• Previous experience, or a recent class in wheel throwing is required to throw on the wheel. No previous experience necessary for handbuilding.

• The first visit is free and includes a 1lb ball of clay, so you can try it out and feel if the space is right for you.

• From there, you can purchase your own bag of clay from us- we currently use a Midfire White from Minnesota Clay and a 25lb bag costs $60 (starting January 1st, 2025) which includes unlimited firings and access to all of our glazes.

• Members have unlimited access to the space at no extra charge. If you are not a member, each visit will cost $5 (after your first free visit).

78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to South America in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway. PG

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to South America in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway. PG

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

The Clay Cavern is located in the basement of the Austin ArtWorks Center and is shared studio and class space.

How does it work?

• Drop in during our Wednesday Open Clay Studio to get a tour and a guide to getting started in ceramics.

• Previous experience, or a recent class in wheel throwing is required to throw on the wheel. No previous experience necessary for handbuilding.

• The first visit is free and includes a 1lb ball of clay, so you can try it out and feel if the space is right for you.

• From there, you can purchase your own bag of clay from us- we currently use a Midfire White from Minnesota Clay and a 25lb bag costs $60 (starting January 1st, 2025) which includes unlimited firings and access to all of our glazes.

• Members have unlimited access to the space at no extra charge. If you are not a member, each visit will cost $5 (after your first free visit).

On the way to the biggest race of his life, a hotshot rookie race car gets stranded in a rundown town and learns that winning isn't everything in life. G

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

On the way to the biggest race of his life, a hotshot rookie race car gets stranded in a rundown town and learns that winning isn't everything in life. G

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

The Clay Cavern is located in the basement of the Austin ArtWorks Center and is shared studio and class space.

How does it work?

• Drop in during our Wednesday Open Clay Studio to get a tour and a guide to getting started in ceramics.

• Previous experience, or a recent class in wheel throwing is required to throw on the wheel. No previous experience necessary for handbuilding.

• The first visit is free and includes a 1lb ball of clay, so you can try it out and feel if the space is right for you.

• From there, you can purchase your own bag of clay from us- we currently use a Midfire White from Minnesota Clay and a 25lb bag costs $60 (starting January 1st, 2025) which includes unlimited firings and access to all of our glazes.

• Members have unlimited access to the space at no extra charge. If you are not a member, each visit will cost $5 (after your first free visit).

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance. PG

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance. PG

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Ivete Vaz de Castro Martinez

“The Gaucho”

Ivete Vaz de Castro Martinez, a visual artist and the executive director and founder of the Med City Art Festival in Rochester, MN, brings us “The Gaucho." This exhibit celebrates a rich cultural heritage shaped by the landscapes across five countries – Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, and southern Bolivia – and by two languages – Portuguese and Spanish. Born in Uruguay and raised in Brazil, Ivete Vaz has a profound connection to Gaucho culture, which is beautifully reflected in her artwork. 

Morgan Converse

“Queer Joy Project”

Converse Candids Photography LLC is owned by Morgan Converse (she/her), a body-positive LGBTQIA+ photographer based in Austin. While photography is my medium, self-love is my passion. My work is centered around helping people rediscover their spark - that raw, beautiful magic often buried beneath hurt, expectations, and self-doubt. Through empowerment and boudoir sessions, I create space for people to see themselves differently, sometimes for the first time in years. The Queer Joy Project was created as an extension of these empowerment sessions, to celebrate LGBTQIA+ humans exactly as they are: joyful, authentic, visible, and worthy of taking up space.  At a time when the world continues trying to erase queer people, this project stands as a reminder that we have always been here, we are everywhere, and we cannot be erased.

This project is deeply personal to me and connected to my work with Austin MN Pride. 

All funds raised through this gallery will be donated directly back to the organization in support of our local LGBTQIA+ community.

The Clay Cavern is located in the basement of the Austin ArtWorks Center and is shared studio and class space.

How does it work?

• Drop in during our Wednesday Open Clay Studio to get a tour and a guide to getting started in ceramics.

• Previous experience, or a recent class in wheel throwing is required to throw on the wheel. No previous experience necessary for handbuilding.

• The first visit is free and includes a 1lb ball of clay, so you can try it out and feel if the space is right for you.

• From there, you can purchase your own bag of clay from us- we currently use a Midfire White from Minnesota Clay and a 25lb bag costs $60 (starting January 1st, 2025) which includes unlimited firings and access to all of our glazes.

• Members have unlimited access to the space at no extra charge. If you are not a member, each visit will cost $5 (after your first free visit).

An industrialist invites some experts to visit his theme park of cloned dinosaurs. After a power failure, the creatures run loose, putting everyone's lives, including his grandchildren's, in danger. PG-13

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

An industrialist invites some experts to visit his theme park of cloned dinosaurs. After a power failure, the creatures run loose, putting everyone's lives, including his grandchildren's, in danger. PG-13

To avoid the $2 per ticket online convenience fee, visit our in-person box offices! Austin ArtWorks Center Tue-Fri 10am-5pm & Sat 10am-3pm | Day-of box office at the Paramount Theatre opens 1 hour prior to the movie.

Discounted ticket packages available! Choose from full season passes to 6-ticket flex passes. More information at: austinareaarts.org/movie-packages

The Austin ArtWorks Festival is a free two-day event in Austin, Minnesota held annually each August — a celebration of visual, performing, and literary artists, many with ties to Austin and the area.

In 2026, the 15th Annual Austin ArtWorks Festival is Saturday and Sunday, August 29th and 30th in the heart of downtown Austin.

The Austin ArtWorks Festival is a free two-day event in Austin, Minnesota held annually each August — a celebration of visual, performing, and literary artists, many with ties to Austin and the area.

In 2026, the 15th Annual Austin ArtWorks Festival is Saturday and Sunday, August 29th and 30th in the heart of downtown Austin.

We will be closed to allow our staff to rest after the 2026 ArtWorks Festival Weekend. We’ll be back Wednesday, September 2!

Nate Stromberg’s work explores how everyday objects and images become carriers of memory, identity, and cultural meaning. Whether drawn from archival photographs or contemporary life, his subjects reflect the visual language through which we understand ourselves and our shared history. Familiar forms—cars, household objects, fashion, and architecture—become touchstones that connect personal experience with broader cultural narratives. “I am interested in how ordinary things gain significance over time. Today's commonplace objects become tomorrow's artifacts, revealing the values, aspirations, and contradictions of the culture that created them. By reconfiguring photographic and paper scrap source material into realistic collage, I slow the act of looking and invite viewers to reconsider images that might otherwise be overlooked. My work asks how objects and images shape our understanding of the past, our experience of the present, and the stories we leave behind. In giving familiar imagery a new context, I explore the evolving nature of American identity and the ways visual culture continues to define who we are.”

Minnesota hip-hop sensation Nur-D delivers an electrifying blend of rap, funk, pop, and ‘80s glam-rock energy. Known for his high-energy performances, sharp lyricism, and uplifting message, Nur-D has shared stages with artists like Ludacris, Tyler The Creator, and the Minnesota Orchestra. With infectious charisma and music that celebrates individuality, Nur-D is quickly becoming one of the Midwest’s most exciting rising stars.

Sponsored by Austin, MN PRIDE & Converse Candids Photography LLC

This event runs for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes including intermission.

Cross the Bridge from Audience to Performer!

Join us for a unique music event that builds a bridge for talented music lovers to step on stage and become performing musicians. The Austin ArtWorks Center gallery hosts a house band and wine/beer bar. Come enjoy the music or plan to sing your own song. Free and open to the public.

Performers will each be allowed to present ONE song (opportunity for additional songs if time allows). Sign up in advance or take advantage of a limited number of ‘walk up’ spots each month.

Appealing to the inner-teenager in each of us, the story, and more importantly the dialogue, makes “Napoleon Dynamite” one of the most quoted movies of our time. Napoleon Dynamite makes us laugh—and laugh hard—over and over again.

This unique evening includes a full screening of "Napoleon Dynamite" followed by a lively, freewheeling, interactive experience, with fan-favorite cast members: Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro).The live show—perfect for the whole family—is a wild and hysterical blend of Q&A, comedy improv, game show, and party, with plenty of audience participation. Come join the fun and help celebrate this wonderful movie classic.

Sponsored by Aurora Web Solutions

Add-on: Limited VIP Meet & Greet tickets available to purchase as an add on to your night! Meet & Greet takes place at 5:30pm the evening of the event.

This event has an exclusive (limited quantities, reserved ticket) VIP Meet & Greet at 5:30pm, a screening of Napoleon Dynamite (2004) at 7:00pm, and a Q&A with Jon Heder, Jon Gries, and Efren Ramirez at 8:30pm.

Experience the King like never before. Anthony Shore's Elvis Tribute Show recreates the electric energy of the 1970's Las Vegas era with a massive 11 piece band, complete with soul-stirring strings and a powerhouse horn section. From chart-topping hits to rare fan favorites, this isn't just a tribute- it's a high-octane journey into the height of Rock 'n' Roll royalty.

This is a third-party hosted rental event held at the Historic Paramount Theatre.

Cross the Bridge from Audience to Performer!

Join us for a unique music event that builds a bridge for talented music lovers to step on stage and become performing musicians. The Austin ArtWorks Center gallery hosts a house band and wine/beer bar. Come enjoy the music or plan to sing your own song. Free and open to the public.

Performers will each be allowed to present ONE song (opportunity for additional songs if time allows). Sign up in advance or take advantage of a limited number of ‘walk up’ spots each month.

Experience the internationally acclaimed Ragamala Dance Company, whose breathtaking choreography preserves and invigorates the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam. Through precise, geometric movements, expressive facial expressions, rhythmic footwork, and kinetic storytelling, Ragamala’s work - created by Artistic Directors Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy - is both a cultural inheritance and a contemporary force that reveals the timelessness and transcendence of the human experience. 

“soulful, imaginative, and rhythmically contagious” — The New York Times

Ragamala’s 2025-26 Minnesota tours are supported in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Nate Stromberg’s work explores how everyday objects and images become carriers of memory, identity, and cultural meaning. Whether drawn from archival photographs or contemporary life, his subjects reflect the visual language through which we understand ourselves and our shared history. Familiar forms—cars, household objects, fashion, and architecture—become touchstones that connect personal experience with broader cultural narratives. “I am interested in how ordinary things gain significance over time. Today's commonplace objects become tomorrow's artifacts, revealing the values, aspirations, and contradictions of the culture that created them. By reconfiguring photographic and paper scrap source material into realistic collage, I slow the act of looking and invite viewers to reconsider images that might otherwise be overlooked. My work asks how objects and images shape our understanding of the past, our experience of the present, and the stories we leave behind. In giving familiar imagery a new context, I explore the evolving nature of American identity and the ways visual culture continues to define who we are.”

The 22nd Row is a 7-piece band of seasoned musicians, impeccably recreating the timeless classics of Elton John, The shoe is hit-filled, authentic sounding celebration of Elton’s greatest songs that will have you clapping your hands and singing along, in not dancing in the aisles! Not just a show, but an EXPERIENCE.

This show will also feature a local opening band Scott Jasmin and the Gracenotes. The Gracenotes' lineup includes Scott Jasmin on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Scott Anderson on bass guitar, Albert Svenddal on pedal steel guitar and guiro, and Brady Kacon on drums and percussion. Honest, soulful Americana.

Sponsored by Brianne & Nick Erickson

Kick off this holiday season with a celebration of creativity and community!

We invite you to explore our vibrant downtown, where local shops are hosting local artists. Grab a map at any participating store and embark on a journey through art and commerce.

Whether you're a devoted art enthusiast or simply in search of unique holiday gifts, this event promises an evening filled with inspiration and delight.

Support our community, and enjoy a night of festive fun for everyone!

End the night with the Vienna Boys Choir at the Historic Paramount Theatre!

Founded in 1498, the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir is a group of child musicians that has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and diverse repertoire which includes everything from medieval to contemporary to experimental music. These gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty are part of four touring choirs that hail from dozens of nations and together give over 300 concerts a year around the world. The Fort Worth Star Telegram raves “There’s no more gratifying sound than that of children singing. And there’s no more polished ensemble of children’s voices than the Vienna Boys Choir.”

Sponsored by Belita Schindler & Sandy Bremer

This event runs for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes including intermission.

Photo credit: Lukas Beck

This concert is open to the public and free to attend – audience participation encouraged! Wear festive clothing and warm up your singing voices. Patrons must reserve a $0 ticket for entry into the event with the option to donate online or in person to help support the event.

If you play the tuba, sousaphone, euphonium or bass tuba – get ready to start the holidays off with this fun concert! All ages and all levels of experience invited. Registration begins at 8:30am ($15 per player to the Tuba Foundation), with rehearsal to follow.

Player Registration 8:30am
Rehearsal 9am
Free Community Concert begins at 11am

Enjoy student dancers of all ages performing this classic holiday tale. Patrons are required to reserve a $0 ticket for this event but have the option to donate online or in person to help cover the costs of putting on the event.

Cross the Bridge from Audience to Performer!

Join us for a unique music event that builds a bridge for talented music lovers to step on stage and become performing musicians. The Austin ArtWorks Center gallery hosts a house band and wine/beer bar. Come enjoy the music or plan to sing your own song. Free and open to the public.

Performers will each be allowed to present ONE song (opportunity for additional songs if time allows). Sign up in advance or take advantage of a limited number of ‘walk up’ spots each month.

Dazzling and delighting audiences across the world, The Moanin' Frogs feature six saxophones from sopranino to bass in an amphibious blend of jazz, classical, pop, a cappella singing, and comedy. From the blazing virtuosity of their classical training to the madcap stage antics of their vaudeville roots, listeners will experience a new and exciting take on chamber music. Expect to hear many of your favorite holiday classics and more!

This event runs for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes including intermission.

With a total running time of 55 minutes, “TRUTH” is an immersive, scripted live production that creatively merges live narration, captivating live musical performances (by JazzReach’s acclaimed resident ensemble, Metta Quintet) and stunning video projections. Audiences of all ages will experience the vitality and dynamism of the live jazz experience with opportunities to learn about Coltrane’s legacy and prominent place in both American and world culture.

The program will be presented in four chapters:

1945-1955: Early Years: Youth, North Carolina and Philadelphia
1957-1962: In Pursuit of a Sound: Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis / The Prestige and Atlantic Records’ Years
1962-1965: Manifestation: The Quartet / Impulse Records Years
1966-1967: Searching for the Next: Meditations and Explorations in the Avant Garde

Bursting from the US Midwest, BIG GRAVITY captures earthy tones of long ago Japan, exploding with a planetary new world coming to life.

Training eleven hours a day for seven years in the Japanese Alps, founder Megan Chao Smith earned the reputation and nickname "GREAT POWER” in Japan. Their new Minnesota-based troupe, BIG GRAVITY, brings the soul of the Japanese mountain to the stage, transporting audiences to sacred other worlds. Fellow Minnesotan taiko stars, including rising star Emily Harada of Tokyo beginnings, ignite the stage with new masterful stick work, ushering audiences away with soulful harmonies of shinobue bamboo flutes.

Taiko is the Japanese word for drum and refers to the modern style of playing these drums. Wadaiko (in Japan) and kumi daiko (in North America) is movement infused, heart-pounding, dynamic group drumming. Think of it as a high energy performance art that combines music, dance, martial arts, athletics, and culture.

Come celebrate the Lunar New Year as we kick off the year of the goat!

This event runs for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes including intermission.

The Austin Symphony presents a Chamber Concert featuring the music of the great masters of the orchestral repertoire. A wine and cheese tasting will also be offered as a thank you to those who have donated to the orchestra.

Tired Souls opens in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955 – the day Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a city bus to a white man. Her determination was the catalyst that inspired Montgomery’s black citizens to abandon all travel on city buses until they were no longer forced to sit in the back or stand when a white person boarded. But there were others who came before Mrs. Parks and laid the groundwork for this pivotal moment. Tired Souls introduces audiences to Jo Ann Robinson, Claudette Colvin and others so instrumental in lighting a fire under the Civil Rights movement and changing the course of U.S. history forever.

Clay Fulton & the Lost 40 are a dynamic roots rock band hailing from Rochester, MN. With a blend of gritty Americana, folk-infused melodies, and raw, heartfelt lyrics, they capture the ups and downs of life, love and loss through genuine storytelling with hope for things to come. Their sound is a fusion of influences spanning generations, echoing the timeless spirit of classic rock, and the clever wit and vulnerability in Fulton's lyrics and songwriting reminiscent of the Old Town school of folk music. From foot-stomping anthems to introspective ballads, The Lost 40 deliver an authentic music experience that resonates with audiences of all ages, and keep you coming back for more.

Since its inception in 2021, the Lost 40 have performed throughout the Midwest and abroad at major festivals like SXSW, Lumberjack Days, Caravan Du Nord, Mid West Music Fest, and shared bills with The Suburbs, Your Smith, Charlie Parr, The Big Wu, Nur-D, and more.

Hailing from Austin, Minnesota, Manic Culture is an alternative rock band creating gritty, atmospheric music rooted in honesty and emotional depth. Their sound blends driving guitars and moody textures with lyrics that confront the realities of addiction, mental illness, and the complicated question of what it means to be human.

Rather than turning away from life’s darker moments, Manic Culture leans into them—transforming struggle into connection. Their debut single, “Obey,” offers a first glimpse into a sound that is both raw and immersive, with more music on the way as the band works toward releasing their first EP.

At its core, Manic Culture exists to build connection. Through vulnerable storytelling and powerful sound, the band hopes to reach listeners on a human level and leave them with a sense of peace in the chaos.

Ticket prices shown are for advance sales. Price will increase by $5 on Saturday March 27th.

This show was rescheduled from an April 2026 postponement. If you previously purchased tickets to this event, they will be valid for the new date. Please reach out to amy@austinareaarts.org for questions regarding this.

Theatre 55 is proud to present La Cage Aux Folles! Set against the glittering backdrop of the French Riviera, this heartwarming farce explores themes of family, love, and the importance of staying true to yourself.

The score features iconic show tunes, including "The Best of Times" and the legendary anthem of self-acceptance, "I Am What I Am." You may remember the movie version, The Birdcage, starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane. The show follows a Saint-Tropez drag club manager and his star performer whose lives are upended when their son announces his engagement to the daughter of an ultra-conservative politician.

THEATRE 55—ENRICHING THE LIVES OF ELDERS AS ARTISTS, AUDIENCES, AND LIFELONG LEARNERS

This event runs for approximately 2 hours including intermission.

A fast-paced, high energy circus show for all ages, showcasing incredible feats of juggling, hula hoops, unicycle, aerial, circus stunts, contortion, magic and audience interaction all wrapped up in a blanket of comedy. Simply put: the most unique 2-person circus show you will ever see! Featured in Hugh Jackman’s hit movie, The Greatest Showman (2017), The Great DuBois have amassed an impressive list of credits, including the Tony Award winning “Pippin” on Broadway, “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Late Night with David Letterman”, Britney Spears World Circus Tour, and the movie “Burlesque” to highlight just a few. The award-winning combination of Michael DuBois and Viktoria Grimmy have five generations of circus performing between them, a spectacular theatrical set for proscenium stages, and have performed countless shows at theatres, universities, cruise ships, fairs and festivals all over the world.

This event runs for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes including intermission.

Pack your bags, we’re going to take you on a musical journey like no other with TAKE3. This unique trio of violin, cello, and piano brings together the power and energy of rock music with the sophistication and beauty of classical Bach. Experience a fusion of styles that will leave you breathless and wanting more. With their virtuosic performances and electrifying stage presence, TAKE3 is a must see that will thrill audiences of all ages.

Sponsored by Randy & Ann Bailey

This event runs for approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes including intermission.

Based in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, The 7 Wonders of Rock is a high-energy 120-minute live production featuring iconic hits from Foreigner, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Journey, Queen, Styx, and more. The show delivers a fully immersive theatrical rock experience, combining multimedia production with standout vocal power—featuring three lead vocalists and seven singers total. Rich harmonies, layered arrangements, and memorable a cappella moments create a signature “wall of sound” audiences consistently remember.

This show will also feature a local opening musician Amanda Grace. Amanda is a Minnesota native singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, releasing music drifting between folk, alt- pop/rock and Americana. With roots as a pianist her writing is thematically varied with an emphasis on melody; with ballads wrapped in warm vocals.