Join the Club

Texas opera companies create cool virtual club for Austin teen fans

No background in music or opera is required to join.

Photo courtesy of Austin Opera

Less than a month after forming the Texas Opera Alliance, the five member companies have expanded to engage a new audience: teens.

The Teen Opera Club of Texas provides free opportunities for any teen 13-19 years of age to learn about and engage with opera happening in Texas. The club includes access to opera artists and administrative personnel from each organization, who will share insights and expertise on a variety of topics.

Participants will learn about opera performance, production and design, the creation of new opera, and conducting opera orchestras. As members, students will receive monthly invites to virtual gatherings and watch parties on platforms such as Zoom, Squad, and YouTube channels hosted by each opera company.

"Austin Opera is thrilled to collaborate with the education leaders from the Texas Opera Alliance companies to provide this new opportunity for teens," says Debra Erck, director of education at AO. "Whether members of the Teen Opera Club dream of performing onstage, have a passion for the creative process behind the scenes, or just appreciate a great performance, we could not be more excited to support and nurture this special group of young people."

The club will meet monthly, with the first gathering on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 pm. Members will meet to watch Houston Grand Opera's 69th world premiere Katie: Strongest of the Strong composed by Faye Chiao with libretto by Anton Dudley.

After the performance, HGO will host the teens for a special Q&A with the cast of the opera including composer Chiao and soprano Chabrelle Williams.

The second gathering, hosted by Opera San Antonio, will take place on Thursday, November 19,, at 6:30 pm. OSA's general and artistic director E. Loren Meeker will take the members on a visual adventure exploring how the creative team for her production of Janáček's The Cunning Little Vixen constructed scenic and costume designs to bring the "fantastical tale of nature meets humanity" to life.

Any student who meets the age criteria and is interested in the club is welcome to join by filling out a brief form here. No background in music is required to participate.

Head here more information about the club or the Texas Opera Alliance, or visit Austin Opera's website.

kids opera

Nights at the Creek

Austin's Creek Show hosts dog night, free admission, and 7 other themes

Photo courtesy of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy

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Austin's Creek Show is one of the most highly regarded art events all year, known for both ambitious, elegant work and a sense of fun. This outdoor installation is no pretentious gallery show, and it's heightening that feeling with some high-energy events to further spice up the art walk.

This Austin tradition at Waterloo Greenway presents glowing art works around Waller Creek, often with elements of sound design or other immersive techniques. They're mostly designed by architects in their off time, but anyone can pitch an idea (if they're ambitious enough to try).

The intent is to encourage Austinites to engage with the natural elements of the city's downtown, which the Greenway is working to expand, and the pieces usually have something to do with nature or the creek itself. This year's theme also includes the show's 10th anniversary.

Events this year aren't completely tied to the creek, and even spill out into the neighboring Red River Cultural District.

Friday, November 8: Opening night and first look presented by PNC Bank
Saturday, November 9: FutureFront curates a market showcasing women and LGBTQ+ creatives, designers, makers, and artists. (The larger Front Market takes place at Waterloo Park from November 23-24.)
Sunday, November 10: Free general admission presented by 3M, Austin Energy, and Marian & Chris Casey, with a talk with one of the artists
Monday, November 11: Austin Subaru presents a special Veterans Day experience for veterans, military families, and communities, including 6 pm yoga for vets
Tuesday, November 12: Intergenerational conversations at the Elder Wisdom Bench or Wisdom Tree with Aging Is Cool
Wednesday, November 13: Families in Nature teaches about nature and the history of Waterloo Greenway & Waller Creek. A guided tour explores the Greenway's design and sustainable practices
Thursday, November 14: Austin FC sets up a mini-pitch inside Moody Amphitheater at WaterlooPark, with exclusive merchandise, giveaways, and a live performance by La Murga
Friday, November 15: Tito’s Handmade Vodka hosts a dog night for friendly, leashed dogs
Saturday, November 16: FutureFront reprises its market from November 9

During the show, Swim Club, the creative new bar at the Downright Austin at the end of the WallerCreek trail, is hosting a lounge for the event with games, music, food, and beverages for purchase. Snacks include popcorn, brisket nachos, and hot dogs, among other things, and both spiked and regular hot chocolate are on the menu alongside signature cocktails.

The Red River Cultural District is also arranging special deals, art, and of course live music at its various restaurants and venues.

Tickets (starting at $6) are available at (and only at) waterloogreenway.org. The show runs from November 8-16, 6-10 pm. The entrance is located at 1401 Trinity St.

In addition to the night that's free for all, the same sponsors are gibing away 1,000 free tickets via Google Forms. Name and email address are required.

To preview this year's art installations, check out some renderings here.

creek show immersive visual art waterloo greenway nature