Around the World at SXSW

9 international recommendations from SXSW, whether you're going or not

South by Southwest is one of the biggest arts festivals in the world, offering discoveries long after doors close.

Film still from Kite Zo A (Leave the Bones)

Austinites are used to festivals, to say the least. But even during a festival it’s rare to find so many cultures in one place — not just worldwide talent in one genre as one might see at an EDM festival, but a mind numbing smörgåsbord (that’s Swedish) of different cultural takes in infinite forms.

During South by Southwest (SXSW), there are plenty of opportunities to check out local acts, but if you want to get worldly, check out these chic (French) visitors and learn a little about what’s going on away from home.

Even if you prefer to kvetch (Yiddish) about the crowds and wristband prices, this list prioritizes things to stream from home or visit after the festival is over...so you can hunker down (Scots) at home in your pajamas (Urdu) for now.

North America

Canada: Begonia
March 16 @ Swan Dive
Our neighbors to the north may not seem exotic, but singer-songwriter Begonia’s vocals are out of this world. Fans of Adele will love this soulful alto’s songsmithing, smoothly covering a wide vocal and intense emotional range, although her instrumental arrangements are less retro.

Haiti: Kite Zo A (Leave the Bones) "sensorial film"
March 11, 14, 16 @ Violet Crown
This stunning art film combines images of "dancers, musicians, fishermen, daredevil rollerbladers, and Vodou priests" with poetry and music to capture the spirit of Haiti. The film's composer, Joseph Ray, makes trancy house music and played a free set after the international premier.

South America

South America: Southamericano Day Showcase
March 18 @ Sahara Lounge
Austin's top year-round Afro-Latino spot is (unoffically) gathering some South American fun including some Austin performers: Alex Cósmico of Colombia kicks it off with some coffeehouse vibes, and the Brazilian-led Frederico7 y Los Primes follow with psychedelic jams.

Europe

Italy: Ciao SXSW! The Italian showcase
March 16 @ The Stay Put
Italian music isn’t exactly big outside of the concert hall, but Eurovision winners Måneskin put the country in a new spotlight. This diverse lineup features Italian exports from Venezeula (Arya) and California (Baseball Gregg), plus “psychsexrock” (Big Mountain County) and more.

Holland: The Water Arch installation
March 12-15 @ Austin Convention Center, Booth 1527
This gigantic installation is likely the largest musical instrument at SXSW: it takes (abstract) inspiration from a Dutch barrel organ — imagine a portable circus organ — and collects water while playing: 36 gallons to represent what a Dutch person uses in a day, and 82 for Americans.

Asia

South Asia: South Asian House
March 11-12 @ Fourth & Co
Houses are important in the structure of SXSW, allowing programming to go beyond one label or PR company, and giving visitors an idea of what to expect. The first-ever South Asian house introduced Ausitnites to Sway With Pray, a Bollywood dance studio in Austin that offers classes.

Africa

South Africa and Romania: Who I Am Not documentary film
March 11, 12, and 16 @ Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar
A Romanian director follows the journeys of two intersex South Africans blazing a path through a cisnormative world. Born with both male and female sex characteristics, they explore the issues of gender, dating without the biological ability to have kids, and more.

Mali: Orchestra Gold
March 16-18 @ Güero's Taco Bar, Waterloo Records, Shiner's Saloon, Hotel Vegas
Psych rock is basically the name of the game this SXSW (hey, they know what Austin likes). One visiting group takes a different approach than most locals are used to hearing, in an Afrobeat style that produces more upbeat jams to accompany the Bambara language lyrics.

Oceania

Australia: Floodlights
March 15, 16, 18 @ Lucille and Valhalla
One band visiting calls its genre “Australiana,” mostly for the lead vocalist’s distinguishable accent. This semi-deadpan group embodies some of the frankness of Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett and the darker, bass-driven tones of 80s new wave bands.

sxsw international music live music concerts film

A New Light

Wildflower Center's Luminations light show debuts new features in 2024

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Luminations

Photo by Theresa DiMenno

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is bringing back Luminations with some new elements.

A South Austin holiday tradition is sprouting a little differently this year at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Luminations, an immersive light installation, is bringing new art and adding access to a separate installation to keep things growing fresh year after year.

The 2024 show runs from November 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025. The family-friendly exhibition will show off work by local designers alongside food truck vendors and three full-service bars.

Austinites who haven't been to Luminations may still recognize it from social media photos. The glowing O-shaped swings are hands-down the most popular exhibit to photograph since they are interactive, but other popular ones include an array of color-changing discs to step on and a herd of rainbow, origami-like deer.

A few elements are new this year.

A new location
No sane event organizer would leave the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; actually, the installation is now even closer, taking place in the main gardens. According to a release, this was to make the path more walkable, which in turn allows guests to feel more immersed. It already was a walking exhibit last year, but it was spread out across nearly two miles. Neither the website nor the release offer an updated distance estimate, but the website does show a map.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Luminations map Here's where Luminations is held now.wildflower.org

New art
The release promises "interactive opportunities and never-before-seen light installations." Of course, it doesn't give it all away before people get to see it. But potential visitors can get an idea by of what's in store by checking out other work by the six designers who contributed this year: APM Designs, ASA Designs, Cicada Designs, Dada Labs, Holiday Lighting Designs and Ion Art Designs.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Luminations These swings are always a big hit, and they appear to be on the map again this year.Photo by Ann Alva Wieding

“We work closely with local Austin designers to make our light show special, and there’s something surprising and different every year,” said the Wildflower Center's director of hospitality, Erika Tucker, in the release.

A trip to Fortlandia
Another one of the Wildflower Center's interactive projects, Fortlandia, is now right next to Luminations. For Fortlandia, local designers — including one that crosses over with Luminations, Ion Art — designed children's playscapes that push traditional playground boundaries. These modern forts aren't just beautiful to look at, but extra fun to play in thanks to the novelty.

This fun fort is part of Fortlandia.Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center/Instagram

Since it will be dark out during the light show, Fortlandia will also have its own lighting. Additionally, keeping kids entertained at Fortlandia might give parents a bit more time to appreciate the art in Luminations.

The goal is the same
Although some aspects of Luminations are new this year, it fills the darker days of winter, gets people to visit the Wildflower Center in the off-season, and it benefits the center's conservation work.

Throughout the year, the center conducts research on protecting native ecosystems, cultivates rare plants, maintains a seed bank, educates Texans on how to foster native plant life, and even helps plan eco-friendly projects for outside clients using its own findings.

Last month, the center announced planned updates to its 284 acres of gardens.

Tickets to Luminations ( $28 for adults, $18 for youth) are required for entry. Reserved parking is available at an additional cost. The entrance to the exhibit is located at 4801 LaCrosse Ave.

nature immersive visual art kids families

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A New Light

Wildflower Center's Luminations light show debuts new features in 2024