Night at the Museum

Austin museum opens lush gala afterparties to the public for first time

A previous event at the Contemporary Austin.

Photo from thecontemporaryaustin.org.

For 11 years now, the Contemporary Austin has been hosting "Art Dinners" at its lakeside location, Laguna Gloria. These fairytale-like galas take place as dusk sets in, surrounded by twinkling lights strung across the property's sprawling 14-acre sculpture park. But until now, they've been invitation-only affairs. For the first time ever, the Contemporary Austin is inviting the public to the best part this magical evening: a late-night afterparty.

The Art Dinners have welcomed 300 art luminaries, collectors, civic leaders, and philanthropists over these years to raise funds for the museum's classes and exhibits.

On October 25, once the dishes are put away and the early birds have weeded themselves out, the Art Dinner Afterparty will begin. It will go from 9:30 until "late evening."

Guests can expect a pop-up cocktail bar by the cool Austin speakeasy Garage, with specialty drinks like espresso martinis. Plus, there will be late night snacks from Dolce Bacio Gelato and Restart CBD. Live music and performances will be provided by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Highlights also include: tarot card and palm readings, live body painting, and fire dancing. All of this set to the stunning backdrop of Laguna Gloria's grounds at night. It's basically A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A DJ performs at a late-night Laguna Gloria party. Live music for this after party will include performances by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Photo courtesy of Giant Noise

"We're excited for the magic of our iconic Art Dinner to reach wider audiences," says the museum's Earnest and Sarah Butler executive director and CEO, Sharon Maidenberg, in a release. "We wanted to extend the welcome to more folks and give them the opportunity to engage with our gala, which has historically been a very intimate affair."

Tickets are now on sale on the Contemporary Austin's website at $160 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will benefit the museum's exhibits and educational programming. The Contemporary is Austin's only museum focused solely on contemporary artists and their work. It offers year-round exhibitions, classes, workshops, and events.

$The Contemporary Austin \u2014 Laguna Gloria$ The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria is one of the most beautifu Artwork by Tom Friedman, photo by Brian Fitzsimmons via the Contemporary Austin

Event organizers recommend that guests "dress sharp." Valet parking will be provided, but if this night is as Shakespearian as we think it might be, you may want to catch a rideshare.

More information about the museum is available at thecontemporaryaustin.org.

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The 'Brothers' Are Back

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson spotted with film crew in Austin

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Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were seen on South Congress Avenue in mid-November.

One of Hollywood's favorite duos, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, were spotted on South Congress in mid-November with a camera crew.

Nobody is exactly sure what these two are up to, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning. Some say it's for their upcoming Apple TV+ series, Brother From Another Mother. It'sa 10-episode comedy that is a "heartfelt odd couple love story," according to The Wrap, quoting an early press release. It takes place on a ranch in Texas, so filming around town would make sense.

South Congress Avenue certainly doesn't look like a ranch, though. The actors looked foppish, Harrelson in an all-maroon suit and shiny leather shoes, and McConaughey in a loud, royal purple patterned shirt.

Another theory was that they were shooting Salesforce ads, and someone in the same thread suggested (without a source) that what they were filming wasn't a narrative feature.

And of course Reddit is doing what it does best:

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey and Harrelson starred together in the first season of True Detective.reddit.com

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey said on Access Daily that his mom started the rumor that he and Harrelson are half-brothers.reddit.com

But even though no one knows for sure what the two are doing here, we do have reason to believe that the two real-life best friends and former EDtv and True Detective co-stars are still around. According to an insider, who can't say much because the project is still in the works, the two are "still shooting a bunch of stuff around town," though where they'll be next is a mystery.

And remember, "Time is a flat circle. Everything we have done or will do we will do over and over and over again — forever.” So if you don't catch them this time, sounds like you'll have another chance.

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