Weekend Roundup
Fly a kite and listen to Texas music legends: Our top event picks for the weekend
It's the last weekend before SXSW. Take a moment to enjoy everything that is still appropriate in Austin: the amount of people, the level of activity, the weather. Because, come seven days from now, seemingly primordial forces will alter the landscape and it'll get crazy crowded, really, really busy and science-defyingly hot. Enjoy our top events for the weekend and rest up for next week — you'll need it.
Interior Landscape of the Emotional Mind
Enigmatic! That would describe both my repertoire for discussing ballet (and dance performances in general), and also an intriguing new performance at Ballet Austin called Interior Landscape of the Emotional Mind. The modern dance performance is described as one that "reflects on how we, as humans, process emotions, [how] they can be all encompassing, non-linear, irrational and therefore very truthful.” Interior Landscape is an experiential show taking place throughout Ballet Austin. It also features original music, lighting and digital projections. It ends its run this weekend.
Erth Dinosaur Petting Zoo
Prehistoric beasts were not resurrected in the making of this kids experience, though this “petting zoo” is possibly as lifelike (or at least looks as lifelike) as Jurassic Park. Using surprisingly realistic and emotive puppets and costumes, kids can “feed,” interact with and care for dinosaurs in a simulated tour of a prehistoric Australian outback. The dinos are convincing enough for younger kids and a hoot for their parents — bravo to those grown men donning life size tyrannosaurus rex costumes and briefly terrorizing small children. The petting zoo is at the Long Center this weekend only.
85th Annual Zilker Kite Festival
Go fly a kite. No really, you should fly a kite this Sunday in Zilker Park during the largest gathering of tethered aircrafts. The Austin tradition celebrates its 85th year with the usual contests, booths of food and other goods and, of course, hundreds of kites zipping across the sky. Go. Enjoy the green lawn and pleasant weather.
Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards
The big guns of Texas music. The 8th Annual Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame Awards Show (take a moment to catch your breath) honors “those who embody and celebrate the unique history and culture of Texas through their songwriting.” This year honors Ronnie Dunn, the late Roger Miller and Sonny Curtis. Jack Ingram opens, Dunn and Curtis and previous honoree Larry Gatlin will perform. And to top it all off, Toby Keith will be there, too. There are a few tickets left for Sunday’s show at ACL Live.