Austin's Chuckle Hut

For a safe Saturday night bet, choose Sure Thing comedy at Austin Java

It’s easy to get into a predictable routine when Saturday night rolls around; most people choose to go out, hit the downtown clubs and bars and regret that decision the next morning. If you’re looking to break the usual Saturday night routine, particularly with a few laughs, then Sure Thing at Austin Java is a guaranteed funny way to spend a night out on the town.

Sure Thing is a weekly comedy showcase that features a lineup of comedians both based in Austin and from all corners of the country. But want to know the best part about the show? It’s free of charge. So what do you have to lose?

While Sure Thing may only be a few weeks old at this point, hosts Duncan Carson and Brendan K. O’Grady have plenty of experience hosting weekly showcases of standup comedy — both were hosts of The Laugh Lounge, a show sponsored by Comedy 102.7, for an initial 10-week run last summer.

“We kept the show going after that and kept the name,” says co-host Duncan Carson, “but we were looking for something more unique the whole time. There are shows and comedy clubs named Laugh Lounge in many other places.”

Eventually, Carson and O’Grady decided on how to revamp the show. Starting with new artwork and set design, Sure Thing began to look like a comedy show more to their liking. And instead of switching off hosting duties each week, the two combine their talents to tackle the job of emceeing every show.

So far, local comedy fans have been incredibly responsive. Just a little word of mouth and self-promotion is all it took to turn the past weeks’ shows into packed houses. Saturday's upcoming show will likely follow the same trend. Austinite David James will headline and be joined by Sara Reihani, Doug Lewis, Mario DiGiorgio and Joe Hafkey.

For future lineups, be sure to follow Sure Thing, especially for what could be a special show on March 9 for SXSW. It’s about time you found a new routine for Saturday nights.

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State of the Arts

9 Austin art exhibitions are prioritizing color and fun this January

The Contemporary Austin The Canvas Can Do Miracles

Photo from The Contemporary Austin Facebook

It's Austinites' last chance to catch The Contemporary Austin's The Canvas Can Do Miracles.

With Austin fully in its creative stride after the holiday hiatus, galleries and museums across the city have curated an eclectic mix of exhibitions for January. From historic masters to more contemporary artists, this month’s calendar is rich with work that invites both contemplation and celebration. Here’s what to see, with opening receptions and must-visit shows to plan your art-filled January around.

Blanton Museum of Art

Spirit & Splendor: El Greco, Velázquez, and the Hispanic Baroque — Now through January 31
A commanding highlight for January is Spirit & Splendor, a major exhibition of Baroque masterpieces from artists like El Greco and Velázquez, on view through the month at the Blanton. Drawing from the Hispanic Society Museum & Library’s renowned collection, the show dives into 17th century Spanish art with historical context and visual potency. It’s a rare chance these dramatic works in Austin.

The Contemporary Austin

The Canvas Can Do Miracles — Now through January 11
This thoughtful group exhibition explores "abstraction unbound by formalism" and "an artistic ethos rooted in alchemy, process, and resistance." The five artists represented here use paint and mixed media, creating a show that's an interesting look at how different artists interpret the theme of abstraction. This show is free in its final week.

Verdant Gallery

Questioning the Margins — Now through January 31
Featuring both abstract and dreamy representational work by Ann Flemings, George Huffman, Norah Levine, and Hillary Cumberworth, this exhibition asks visitors to think about what lies at the edges of form, perception, and artistic tradition. The artists present works in acrylic, oil, a blend of encaustic and photography, and clay. Part contemplative and part exploratory, Questioning the Margins is a quietly powerful show that invites a guests to slow down and look closely.

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Lydia Street Gallery

Fun Haus — January 10-19
True to its name, Fun Haus revels in humor and playfulness across media. Featuring Tara Cooper, Alison Green, William P. Immer and Dan Niendorff, the show’s eclectic mix of objects, puppets, drawings and sculptural chandeliers makes for a lighthearted yet thought-provoking visit.

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Wally Workman Gallery

Malcolm Bucknall: My Make Believe — January 10 through February 1
UK-born artist Malcolm Bucknall brings his surrealistic vision to Austin in My Make Believe. Drawing on influences from old masters to cartoonists and home photography, Bucknall crafts anthropomorphic creatures that feel both familiar and uncanny. This whimsical exhibition is one of January’s most anticipated gallery experiences, with an opening reception January 10 from 5 to 7 pm.

Municipal Bonds

Alternating Currents: Austin Thomas and Nick Polansky — January 10 through February 28
This show by a dynamic duo looks at the interplay between structural systems and artistic perception. With Austin Thomas and Nick Polansky’s work in conversation, Alternating Currents offers a thoughtful take on the city’s urban and material landscapes. The opening reception is January 10 from 5 to 7 pm.

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Austin Creative Reuse

Reuse On the Runway: The Exhibit — January 17 through February 28
This vibrant exhibition showcases highlights from Austin Creative Reuse’s signature Reuse On The Runway fashion show, featuring designers who transform discarded and unexpected materials into striking wearable art. From fabric remnants to newspapers and pop tabs, the work challenges traditional fashion norms while celebrating sustainability and ingenuity.

Old Bakery & Emporium

Catching the Light: Works by Madelon Umlauf — January 17 through March 14
This exhibition is the final solo showing of work by Austin artist and educator Madelon Umlauf, whose abstract paintings explore light, perception, and the natural world through luminous color. Born and raised in Austin, Umlauf was the daughter of sculptor Charles Umlauf and poet Angie Umlauf, and her creative legacy is deeply woven into the city’s cultural fabric. The opening reception on January 17 from 1 to 4 pm features live music by local jazz guitarist Jacob Wise, offering a celebratory way to honor Umlauf’s life and work.

The Cathedral

January Open House featuring Sandra Boskamp — January 30
Wrapping up the month is a lively community-oriented evening featuring a solo exhibit by Austin artist Sandra Boskamp. With craft cocktails and chances to meet the artist — plus works from the atxGALS collective — this event is as social as it is visual, blending art viewing with the city’s vibrant creative community. The new exhibition will feature works in oil paint on textiles sourced from around the world. "As an artist working in oil paint I am constantly attired in paint stained clothing & unable to portray my love of fashion," she says for The Cathedral's event listing. "This series is a love letter to the fashion industry and shows admiration by turning fabric into canvas.”

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