Art Scene

Beloved Zach Theatre opens new North Austin location just for kids

Classes at Zach North start in January.

Photo by AxelB Photography

Kids in North Austin will have a creative new option for artistic expression in the spring. Zach Theatre, an integral part of the performing arts community in Austin, aims to expand its reach with a new location, Zach North. The space will offer performing arts classes for children ages 3 through 5th grade — enabling the theater to serve kids who can't get to the existing South Austin classes.

"One thing we've been hearing more and more is that traffic is a real problem for families," says Rachel Applegate, chief marketing and community engagement officer. "This prevents many students from participating in the educational programs they love — they simply can't get across town at that hour of the day. No child should have to miss out on vital arts education because of something like traffic."

The new location at 12129 Ranch Road 620 North is close to a major corridor that families from North Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Round Rock, and Pflugerville will have easier access to.

The classes are taught by professionals in the field, who train young actors about the process of creating theater while learning life skills and having fun. Classes include intro to acting, Broadway kids, improvisation, and musical theater. Younger students focus on creativity and teamwork in the supportive environment; as they progress, they begin to focus on deeper techniques of performance and creating characters.

"Zach North is a natural extension of our programming in an area where we have had tremendous success," says Chad Dike, associate director of education. "Theater and the performing arts allow students to express themselves in a world that often doesn't want them to. We hope to open access and opportunities to new students to be creative, confident, and collaborative all while having a ton of fun."

Classes will begin in January 2017, and online registration is open now, or you can call 512-476-0594 ext. 236. Scholarships and payment plans are also available.

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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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