Weekend Event Guide

Here are the top 5 things to do in Austin this weekend

Greet the first weekend of the new year at free and family-friendly events happening across Austin. Shop unique and timeless treasures at the iconic City-Wide Vintage Sale (formerly City-Wide Garage Sale) or celebrate a Latin American tradition with the Austin Bold FC team at Circuit of The Americas. For a full listing of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, January 2

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
A wild variety show takes the stage at Unity Church of the Hills for an evening of acrobatics, animals, and family-friendly fun. Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre features clowns and their pets, a roster of parrots, ponies, geese, dogs, pigeons, and more, all adopted from animal rescues. The Las Vegas-based show also features juggling, physical comedy, and more stunts that will leaving you howling with laughter. Select tickets are still available.

Friday, January 3

ISHIDA Dance Company presents Beginning / αρχή
The first public performance fundraiser for the Austin-based ISHIDA Dance Company makes its debut at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The evening begins with complimentary small bites from Austin’s leading restaurants, followed by performance pieces. Participating eateries include La Condesa, Otoko, Intero, Oseyo, and more. Top dancers from Houston Ballet, Hubbard Street, LA Dance Project, Ballet Austin, and many others perform innovative contemporary dance pieces that explore the ISHIDA Dance Company's creative vision. Performances through January 4.

Saturday, January 4

City-Wide Vintage Sale
The City-Wide Garage Sale returns for another year (but with a new name) at the Palmer Events Center. Since 1977, the sale has been a trusted destination for locals and visitors looking to find hidden gems for the home, wardrobe, and everywhere in between. Featured items include art, vintage clothing, pottery, furniture, cowboy boots, toys, antiques, fine estate jewelry, and much more. Special early shopper tickets are available for those who want first pick at the covetable goods. Visit the sale website for more information.

Russell Collection Fine Art presents "The Art of Chad Smith"
Chad Smith, drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, premieres his North American fine art tour at Austin's Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery. Each of Smith’s pieces are inspired by rhythm, using drumsticks and more traditional painting mediums to craft unique pieces. Get a chance to discuss the collection with the legendary drummer during two meet-the-artist appearances at the gallery on Saturday, January 11, from 6-9 pm and Sunday, January 12, from 12-3 pm. Admission is free.

Circuit of the Americas presents La Fiesta de Reyes
Austin Bold FC and Circuit of The Americas team up to host a day of Latin American treats, family activities, and live music. La Fiesta de Reyes guests can enjoy meet-and-greets with players from Austin Bold FC while feasting on tamales and hot chocolate. Special musical guests include Bidi Bidi Banda, Proyecto Teatro, and Tejano Music star Mia Garcia. Families in attendance will also get to take home a rosca packed with prizes and a free Bold piñata while supplies last. Admission is free.

New dance company ISHIDA presents its first public performance fundraiser at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

$Ishida Dance Company: Beginning / \u03b1\u03c1\u03c7\u03ae$

Photo courtesy of ISHIDA Dance Company

New dance company ISHIDA presents its first public performance fundraiser at the Long Center for the Performing Arts.

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Sonic Boost

Musical gala spotlights 20 Austin acts including Nemegata, Quentin Arispe

Photo courtesy of Spaceflight Records

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On January 18, charitable organization Sonic Guild will award $150,000 in grants to 20 deserving local bands and solo artists at the Sonic Guild Ball. For the first time ever, tickets are available to the public for this ceremony and show.

This is the 11th year this organization has supported the Austin music scene, though readers might know the organization by its previous name, Black Fret. This public charity is headquartered here in Austin and is on a mission to support artists here (as well as in Seattle and parts of Colorado, now) with a publicly available annual membership.

In return for annual dues, members get to see a bunch of shows and attend private events; and their memberships support local music with grants. Over these years, the group has awarded grants and payments to local musicians, venues, and music businesses totaling over $6 million.

This year's grant recipients are:

Rob Baird
West 22nd
Cactus Lee
The Point
DAIISTAR
Parker Woodland
Nemegata
Deer Fellow
Elijah Delgado
Grocery Bag
Quentin Arispe
Shelley King
Geto Gala
Next of Kin
promqueen
Lew Apollo
S. L. Houser
Harvest Thieves
TV's Daniel
Stella and the Very Messed

These artists were selected through a year-long process where Sonic Guild members, advisors, and prior grant recipients nominated, lobbied for, and finally voted on their favorite artists.

These 20 winners will receive not only grants at the upcoming Sonic Guild Ball, but also mentoring, and will be paid for any performance they do for Sonic Guild audiences in the future. In fact, half of the awarded bands will be performing at the ball itself.

In between performances there will be videos and live testimonials telling the stories of how past grant winners have used their funds to boost their music careers with album recordings, tours, instruments, and more.

“Naming these 20 2024 Sonic Guild Artists puts us at over 200 individual acts we have recognized with a Sonic Guild grant,” said co-founder and Executive Director of Sonic Guild Austin Matt Ott in a press release. “Every member that joins Sonic Guild sends a powerful message to our city’s musicians that their contributions to our culture matters. We must support our music scene as our great city grows to make sure it thrives for generations to come.”

The 2024 Sonic Guild Ball will be held at the Long Center for the first time ever. Individual public tickets are available online and range between $24 and $130 depending on the seat.

Austinites can also become members of Sonic Guild and have access to more than 30 live shows this next season, and will get to vote for the lucky artists that will be awarded with grants at next year's Sonic Guild Ball.

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