This is the third of a series of guest columns that highlight the upcoming second annual Austin ArtWorks Festival

By Janet Anderson

Austin ArtWorks Festival

The Austin ArtWorks Festival features an impressive talent line-up on two stages for two spectacular days. The outdoor stage will showcase an intriguing variety of musicians plus actors, magic and a storyteller. Enjoy instrumental performances inside the Turbine Gallery. Be sure to pick up the full schedule at Festival entrances so that you can plan time to see the acts that catch your interest. Go to Festival website for details on performers and artists. Many have links to their own websites so you can check them out in advance.

The high energy Austin High School Jazz band opens the outdoor stage Saturday morning at 9 followed by the popular Community Jazz Band at 9:45 a.m. Dance to the Peter Jacobs Combo at 10:30 a.m. and move to the “Brush the Beetle” area to enjoy Austin’s Mariachi Band at 11 a.m. Go back to the main outdoor stage for music by J Keyser and Friends at 11:15 a.m. The scene shifts to Matchbox Children’s Theatre with a sneak preview of their musical production of Pinocchio at 11:45. Cast members will hand out info on 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday just down Fourth Avenue in the Historic Paramount Theatre. The energetic outdoor stage schedule continues with Jim Jayes, Michael Hall, Jim Waller Band, DC Drifters and Bethany Larson and the Bee’s Knees. The final Festival site performer on Saturday starts at 4:15 p.m. Guitarist Trace Bundy got such enthusiastic audience response last August that “back by popular demand” is an understatement. Put this talented musician on your “must see” list.

Whew, after a full Day One you still have plenty of time to head to Marcusen Park for the double headliner concert by Martin Zellar and the Hardways and Cloud Cult. The music starts at 7:30 PM and this is the only ticketed Festival event. It is in partnership with Pacelli Catholic Schools 100th Anniversary Celebration. No worries if you still need tickets. Go to Festival website and buy them on-line or pick them up at Marcusen Park on Saturday night. Tickets are $30 and seating is general admission. Bring your own chairs or choose the bleachers.

The Sunday outdoor stage line-up is equally impressive starting with another preview by Matchbox Children’s Theatre at Noon followed the SPAMettes at 12:15 p.m. Up the Band, Ali and the Scoundrels, Adam Wollenberg and Cosmic will keep the momentum going throughout the day. Sunday’s finale will be the Sena Ehrhardt Band at 5 p.m. Belting out the blues will be a great way to cap off the Austin ArtWorks Festival.

Be sure to check out the incredible music line-up both days inside the Turbine Gallery for a fascinating mix of instrumental performances starting at 9 a.m. Saturday. See talented musicians with Austin connections including Scott Blankenbaker, Cedar River Strings, Polka Squad, Jan Muzik, Con Fuoco String Quartet, Kelsey Fleming, Marc Anderson and Sam and Melissa Bergstrom.

Open piano segments between acts will create unique highlights as Festivalgoers sit down to fill in with a few pieces. The Sunday schedule starts at Noon with the Stringendo Trio and flows into the Handbell Ensemble, Rachel Carlson, LaBella Vita String Quartet. Performers “a la carte” will close the Turbine Gallery stage starting at 4 p.m.

There’s so much to do at the ArtWorks Festival that organizers highly recommend being there both days!

All this stage talent is definitely designed to delight festivalgoers plus visit three galleries of artists and crafters, see ongoing glass blowing and pottery demonstrations, author presentations and get into activities for kids.

Admission is free to Austin ArtWßorks Festival at the Historic Downtown Power Plant, 501 Fourth Ave. NE. A full schedule will be available on site and can be viewed at austinartworksfestival.org. The Austin Artworks Festival truly is an exciting celebration of the arts … because art works!