Best known for its holiday market, Blue Genie Art Bazaar (BGAB) has a spring fling for crafty Austinites who don’t want to wait until December to support their favorite makers. Kicking off on Friday, April 26, and running through Memorial Day, May 27, May Market is an art and shopping experience showcasing nearly 200 regional artists and artisans. Similar to its sister event, the market will feature a wide variety of hand-made items including jewelry, home decor, clothing, pottery, and fine art. Located at 6100 Airport Blvd., the market will open every Friday through Sunday from 10 am to 8 p ..read more

Houston’s iconic Rothko Chapel will undergo a substantial expansion that’s designed to enhance its spiritual and temporal missions. Dubbed Opening Space, the $42 million project will add new buildings just north of the existing Chapel on the other side of Sul Ross St. Founded in 1971 by the artist Mark Rothko and philanthropists and art collectors John and Dominique de Menil, the Rothko Chapel receives more than 100,000 visitors from more than 100 countries each year. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the interior is known for its 14 Rothko panels that are designed to inspi ..read more

Austin's Mexic-Arte Museum is shining a light on an ongoing program that celebrates the work of over a hundred Latinx artists from Texas and beyond. An exhibit that opened April 12 collects works that originated in the museum's art vending cart residencies — from 2012 until now — for display together through August 25, drawing a more explicit line between the permanently held works. According to the Mexic-Arte website, “changarrito” refers to the vending carts scattered around the streets of Mexico selling antojitos (street food) and more. Artist Maximo Gonzalez conceptualized the changarrit ..read more

Besides endless margaritas and frequent trips to Barton Springs, there’s one summer tradition Austinites can look forward to every year when triple digits hit: Paramount Theatre’s (air conditioned) Summer Classic Film Series, returning this year for its 50th Anniversary. The beloved historic theater is celebrating the milestone with a better-than-ever lineup ranging from old favorites to themed events and special screenings. Festivities kick off on opening weekend with the film that launched the series in 1975: Casablanca. The 1942 staple featuring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman will scr ..read more

This April, the diverse art scene in Austin offers a reflection of the city's dynamic cultural landscape. These exhibits are a chance to slow down, have a good chat, and see things from a new angle. You've got a lot to choose from if you're hunting for art this month. West Chelsea Contemporary is all about the power of photography, with works from artists around the world. Wally Workman Gallery is showcasing Jen Garrido's emotional paintings and drawings. Alejandra Almuelle's exhibit at Women & Their Work uses clay to talk about life, memory, and how we all fit into the world. Here are e ..read more

It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it’s Staple! The "Independent Media Expo" is returning to Austin from April 13-14 at the Mabee Ballroom at St. Edward's University. This event celebrates independently created comics, zines, art, crafts, games, and more. There will be more than 100 artists showcasing their work, and seven hours of engaging panels and presentations. The fun kicks off Friday, April 12, at 8 pm with a pre-party meet-and-greet at Austin Books & Comics. Then the main expo runs Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from noon to 6 pm. Chris "Uncle Staple" Nicholas, Staple's foun ..read more

Artists have all heard some version of "I wish I could see inside your head," and these studio tours may be the closest some folks in San Marcos will get. The second annual San Marcos Studio tour returns from April 5-7, giving visitors some pre-eclipse inspiration over the weekend in artists' private workspaces. A kickoff event at MotherShip Studios will bring guests together with local artists, and sample some of the work they can seek out when the tour begins. This should also be a good opportunity for meeting other art lovers (or even the art-curious) in an informal setting, with chances ..read more

To describe radio icon John Aielli is to list quirks that made him a staple of "weird" old Austin. He was a lover of whalesong, cherries, thrift stores, and all types of music (from The Beatles to Tuvan throat singing). He was a polarizing figure; loved and disliked across the Austin community for his eccentricities, on-air mistakes, and his unapologetic lack of preparation throughout his 55-year-career on KUTX 98.9. Locals and SXSW attendees caught a glimpse of Aielli's legacy during the March 10 film premiere of Faders Up: The John Aielli Experience at The Paramount Theatre. Film distribut ..read more

From thought-provoking installations to vibrant celebrations of local culture, Austin's art galleries and museums are hosting an array of must-see exhibitions this spring. Mexic-Arte Museum's Mix 'n' Mash: Celebrating Austin showcases the city's unique personality through the works of over 200 local and regional artists, while the Blanton’s showcase Unbreakable draws from a renowned collection to highlight feminist artistic visions. Meanwhile, Lora Reynolds Gallery presents Jong Oh's minimalist sculptures and installations, and Link Pin Art features the unified focus on the human subject in ..read more

On Tuesday evening, March 5, Texas Performing Arts tried something new. The University of Texas group has held live season previews before, but perhaps organizers sensed that the theater kids and grown-up theater kids who frequent Broadway in Austin shows could cheer enough for a first-time standalone event. Texas Performing Arts (TPA) announced nine shows coming in the 2024-25 season to near-constant applause, gasps, and even screams of delight. The most dramatic audience reaction was to the announcement that Hamilton would be returning, but Les Misérables and Moulin Rouge! The Musical cert ..read more