The Austin ArtWorks Festival will be in full swing this weekend with over 67 exhibiting artists from nine different states.

But the festival will also feature a wide array of live musical performances, such as 2016 National Public Radio “Tiny Desk” contest winner Gaelynn Lea of Duluth and Austin native Molly Kate Kestner.

But highlighting the musical acts at this year’s festival is YouTube and “America’s Got Talent” musical sensation Puddles Pity Party, who will be the featured performer at the Schindler Celebration Concert.

Standing 6-foot-8-inches and remaining completely silent, that is until the music starts, Puddles performs operatic interpretations of modern classic songs, such as “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals and “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick. He is also known for inventing novel “smoosh-ups,” such as ELO’s “Telephone Line” woven into Adele’s “Hello.” His singing voice has been described as “the most glorious… a rich, honeyed tent-filling croon.”

“I’m not aware of another opportunity to see a national artist featured on a nationally syndicated program in Austin,” said Austin Area Arts Director Laura Helle.

“There’s something about a giant sad singing clown that comforts us, lets us know it’s okay to feel, to show our feelings,” said Puddles’ spokesman (and alter ego) Mike Geier. “It’s a sad and beautiful world, and we’re all in it together, even when we’re totally alone.”

Helle encourages everyone to Google Puddles and watch his videos.

“If it makes you smile, purchase a ticket,” she said. “It’s definitely life-affirming, positive art.”

The Schindler Celebration Concert will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Historic Paramount Theatre. With support from Mayo Clinic Health System, tickets for this reserved seating show are $25 in advance and $30 the day of the show. Tickets are available now at www.austinareaarts.org or at the Austin ArtWorks Center.

“He is an unusually high-quality artist at a reasonable price,” Helle said.

For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

In addition to Kestner and Lea, the outdoor stage, located off Second Avenue and First Street Northeast, will feature the Austin Symphony Orchestra, R&B soulsters Funktion Junction, Twin Cities-based GLBTA Freedom Jazz, Americana quartet The Tinder Box, Wicked Renegades and Ventura Highway.

There will be an acoustic stage in the Paramount Annex and an acoustic stage at the ArtWorks Center.

Whalen and the Willows and friends will be jamming in the afternoon of Saturday in the alley behind Dusty’s Bar.

A full music schedule is available at www.austinareaarts.org.

Schedule of Events

Friday

• Open House – The Hormel Institute, 2-4 p.m. at the Hormel Institute. Free and open to the public – tour this amazing world-class cancer research facility. For more information, call 507-433-8804.

• Moonlight Movie – “Wonder Woman,” 9 p.m. at Bandshell Community Park. Vision 2020 Community Pride and Spirit Committee partnering with Austin Park and Recreation Department presents the last of three Moonlight Movie sessions this summer. For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Saturday

• Seventh Annual ArtWorks Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Austin. Celebrating visual, performing, and literary artists, many with local ties. The free, two-day Festival features regionally and nationally known artists exhibiting their work, presenting performances in music and story telling and engaging in audience Q and A sessions. Family arts activities and demonstrations including glass blowing are also part of the fun. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Honey Harvest and Processing Open House, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Pop by to witness the unique process of the honey harvest—from the Nature Center’s own beehives. Free to the public. For more information, go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org or call 507-437-7519.

• Open House – The Hormel Institute, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hormel Institute. Free and open to the public – tour this amazing world-class cancer research facility. For more information, call 507-433-8804.

• Third Annual Baked Potato Bar and Silent Auction, 5-7 p.m. at the Salvation Army. Come down to the Salvation Army and enjoy a deliciously filling supper and a fun evening of bidding on a variety of items/gift certificates. All proceeds go to World Services. Cost – $7 for up to 2 baked potatoes and toppings, drink and dessert. For more information, call 507-437-4566.

Sunday

• Minnesota High School Mountain Bike Competition, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Spam Bike Trail. First race of the Minnesota High School Cycling League season, building strong bodies, strong minds and strong character through cycling, regardless of ability level. High school students from across the state will be taking part in this competition.  Open to the public – come out and cheer these bikers on or maybe even volunteer to help out. For more information, call 507-437-4563.

• Seventh Annual ArtWorks Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Downtown Austin. Celebrating visual, performing, and literary artists, many with local ties. The free, two-day Festival features regionally and nationally known artists exhibiting their work, presenting performances in music and story telling and engaging in audience Q and A sessions. Family arts activities and demonstrations including glass blowing are also part of the fun. For more information, go to www.austinareaarts.org or call 507-434-0934.

• Knights of Columbus Bingo, 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center. Knights of Columbus will be running bingo games at the Senior Center now. Cost is $12 for 12 games. For more information, call 507-219-2884.