Top 10 Events

This was my first Trouble Puppet show I have seen, and I'll definitely be back for more. With puppeteers and set changes visible to the audience, I thought it would be difficult to suspend my disbelief--boy I was wrong. I was drawn into this dark and twisted world very easily. These puppets are so simple, but so incredibly lifelike. You really feel for them. There's a bittersweet ending to this show, but I'm not going to give it away. This is a great new-age Grimm's fairy tale. An additional joy is the Circus Chickendog pre-show, with juggling, unicycle tricks, and a very cute dog doing very cute dog things. The only downside (which wasn't Trouble Puppet or SVT's fault) was the poor audience etiquette. A ton of people came in long after the show had started, which was distracting. A girl sitting next to us was texting literally through the whole show as well. So please remember to be courteous and kind to both performers and your fellow audience members. Collapse

Wicked is a spectacular, magical journey. At the heart is a story of two young women and life events that affect and change them, but it also has subtle subtext and attempts to explain the mysteries of Oz. Anne Brummel with her beautiful, powerful voices is especially notable as the "wicked" witch. The audience expressed great appreciation for her show stopping numbers and also her softer, emotional songs. There are amusing songs and lines as well as the dramatic. All the actors from speaking characters to ensemble gave fine performances. The intricate sets and costumes, lighting and other special effects, and vibrant colors were great. All of that along with wonderful dancing and singing, a huge Wizard head, and Flying Monkeys are worth a visit to the land before Dorothy. Collapse

This tour will fill your stomach and introduce you to all that South Congress has to offer. As an Austinite, I found myself trying places that had always been on the "list" but had never quite gotten around to going. Now, they will be permanent spots on my eating out rotation! Not only was the food delicious, but I learned some great insights into the places we visited, and Austin history in general! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable. The tour only takes up to 12 people so it was intimate and the whole group got to know one another and left as friends. Completely worthwhile!! Collapse

Dionysium is both educational, funny, entertaining and interactive and somewhat drunken. A super fun way to learn about random topics and hear interesting debates. If only all college lectures where like this I think you'd find more people going to class. Its a great way to spend the evening plus you get to hang with the brains at afterward at the Highball to continue the intellectual conversation and/or drink more. I'm looking forward to the next one. Collapse

A delightful comedy with bickering siblings, a nosy sister, and a surprise twist at the end. Also, a little heart tug when both "the senator" and Philip learn of the forthcoming event. Tamara Friedman, in her first appearance at WOBCP, is delightful as the leading lady with a surprise. Rina Lee must have chicken soup running in her veins as the believable Jewish nosy sister. Bradley Wood and Misty Barham nearly steal the show as the bickering siblings. You'll laugh and laugh and maybe learn a little Yiddish! Collapse

Each cast member was matched up perfectly for their characters. Enjoyed the entire play. Definitely a lot of fun. Collapse

This event was a fun, enjoyable occasion for all who attended. Entertainment in the lobby of Bass Concert Hall was provided by Gina Lee & the Brisket Boys. Outstanding! Delicious hors D’oeuvres prepared by Chef Elmar Prambs, Four Seasons Hotel—mouth-watering. Announcement of the upcoming season by Kathy Panoff, TPA Director and Associate Dean—lively and delightful and held as we were seated ON the stage at Bass- a real delight. Perhaps the highlight of the evening was an award presented to Jim Ellerbrock who teaches at Bowie High School. Over the past 15 plus years Jim has taken 5000 students to theater performances. He was also presented by Kathy on behalf of TPA with a check for $5000 to enable even more students to enjoy the rich cultural offerings held at Bass and elsewhere in Austin. The 2011-2012 season can be seen at: http://texasperformingarts.org/season. See it now and order your season ticket ASAP. There are many “not to be missed” entertainment opportunities. Collapse

Perhaps my expectations were too high, and reviewing a party is a bit different from reviewing a performance. But I came away from this experience a bit perplexed. The party mood was there with several hundred excited people attending and networking. The first 500 received a Paramount travel mug with a bag of Kohana coffee inside. And those “partygoers” in attendance who were able to take photos and tweet had an opportunity to win tickets to see Craig Ferguson at the Paramount. Nice choices of wine and beer, but vino and popcorn? Vino and (for sale) Hey Cupcake? In my nearly two hours of wandering about the two historic and highly contrasting venues, I somehow missed hearing any announcements about the Summer Film Series and the reopening of the State Theatre – now Stateside at the Paramount. I did enjoy a brief talk by film projectionist John Stewart, on the job since 2000. Collapse