Mark your calendar this week with these exciting Austin events.
Thursday, Sept. 16
Contracommon features two local artists to exhibit their unique crafts. “Ethereal and unfamiliar – landscapes become liminal in exhibitions by Taylor Bailey and Marcus Delmar Clarke,” Contracommon posted on Facebook. Bailey, who studied studio art and art history at Southwestern University is presenting her “found/forgotten” works that examine the relationship between landscape and identity. Clarke’s “Sans Land” uses dirt, rocks, cinder blocks and construction materials, to express his creations as a transmedia artist. The gallery is open to the public every Friday to Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., and by appointment only for Monday through Thursday. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25 from 7 to 10 p.m., and is free to the public. The exhibit will run until Oct. 15.
The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center is hosting its 14th yearly Viva México celebration. The virtual function happens this Thursday, Sept. 16 and the in-person event would be on Saturday, Sept 18 — both from 5 to 9 p.m. It will showcase Mexico’s history through visual art, dance, and musical performances.
Watch Boomtown, a 70-minute musical comedy that follows the true story of promoter Ace Borger’s “overnight city” in the Texas Panhandle. The show will have a live band featuring Heath Allyn, Dan Dalbout, Kelsey Kimble, Josh Meindertsma, Megan Moore Ortiz, Wil Pintauro-Taberes, Phil Rodriguez, and Mia Washington. The musical will be shown on Sept. 16, 17, 18 and 23, 24 and 25 at the Dougherty Arts Center. Tickets are at $27 (premium), $20 (general) and $12 (seniors and kids).
Friday, Sept. 17
The Austin Symphony Orchestra is bringing back live music when it returns to Long Center for the Performing Arts: Michael and Susan Dell Hall this weekend (Friday and Saturday). The Anthony J. Corroa Concert: "!Espíritu Latino!" - Masterworks Series will have Francisco Fullana on violin and Peter Bay as the conductor. The program includes Édouard Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole and Maurice Ravel’s Boléro. Tickets are available here.
Watch the adorable alien under the stars at the Community Cinema & Amphitheater. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is one of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movies. Tickets are available at tiered rates: $5 for the front row, $10 for the middle row, and $40 socially distanced "pods" for 1-5 guests from the same household at the top row. Ticket sales will directly support formerly homeless neighbors “earning a dignified income to work the event,” according to Community First Village.
Saturday, Sept. 18
Austin FC takes on the San Jose Earthquakes at Q2 Stadium on Saturday starting at 8 p.m. CST. Single-match ticketing information for all regular-season home matches at Q2 Stadium is available now. The MLS regular season is also available to watch live on ESPN and DAZN. Support the city’s first Major League Soccer team.
Annie Lyle Harmon: On Her Own Path is a spotlight exhibition of Harmon’s 17 paintings. It will be on display at the Neill-Cochran House Museum until Dec. 19 but the opening reception happens on Sept. 18. Harmon was a professional painter in the San Francisco area from the late 19th to the 20th century who focused on landscape scenes.
Sunday, Sept. 19
The Neill-Cochran House Museum’s shaded front lawn will be the location for celebrating the Austin Museum Day with Civil War Reenactors and Victorian Ladies. It will also feature its popular Art on the Lawn. Crafts, ice cream and lemonades will also be available on the lawn. Games will also be prepared for families. Everyone is welcome to this free event happening from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.