We’re back with another installment of our Community Partners Roundup! This is our series where we formally introduce you to a few of our community partners you might’ve seen around the venue sharing resources, creating conversations (and sometimes handing out cool swag), and working hard to make Austin a better place to live.
This time, it’s the UT edition! We love our Longhorns, and we’re so glad that we get to team up with so many different departments and organizations who bring their energy to our shows, our lobbies, and our outdoor spaces to share a bit about their cool, meaningful work.
Read on to meet some of the UT organizations helping make the LC (and Austin) feel like home! 👇 And stay tuned for more installments of the Community Partners Roundup. 🤠
WHO: The UT Physics Circus
WHAT: The UT Physics Circus is a traveling science show based in the College of Natural Sciences that aims to teach kids some of the cool things you can do with physics.
With demonstrations exploring topics including heat, motion, states of matter, properties of air, and electricity, these physicists put on the greatest show in science entertaining both kids and adults alike, and before you know it, you’ve even learned a thing or two!
WHERE: The Physics Circus can be found doing demos at schools and community events all across town. You can book them for your own event, and check them out when they come to visit the Long Center at our family-friendly community events!
WHY WE LOVE ‘EM: Despite being an arts organization, we actually LOVE science and we’re all about anything that gets folks curious about learning more.
WHO: Butler School of Music
WHAT: The Butler School of Music is one of the nation’s leading music schools, offering comprehensive programs in performance, composition, music theory, music education, and musicology. From orchestras and opera productions to jazz ensembles, chamber groups, and new music premieres, Butler students are constantly creating and sharing their work at the highest level.
The school also presents hundreds of concerts each year, many of them free and open to the public, featuring faculty artists, guest performers, and student ensembles. These performances span genres and styles, reflecting both the depth and diversity of the Butler community.
WHERE: The Butler School has many performance and rehearsal spaces all across the UT campus. You can also check them out at their frequent performances at the Long Center, including their UT Symphony Orchestra & Choirs event which takes place at the LC each year!
WHY WE LOVE ‘EM: Whether you’re a student, a lifelong music lover, or just curious, there’s always something happening and always a place for you in the Butler School audience. It is also one of the most affordable places in town to catch an amazing concert!
WHO: The UT Insect Collection
WHAT: The UT Insect Collection is home to 500,000 pinned and 1.5 million ethanol-preserved specimens, spanning butterflies, moths, beetles, wasps, bees, and ants. Located within the Biodiversity Center in the College of Natural Sciences, the collection works to record and document species that are on the path to extinction, and it’s the second largest entomology collection in Texas.
The Insect Collection has been documented through a photo project called “Insects Unlocked,” where you can get an up close and personal look at some of these incredible buggies.
WHERE: You can learn more about the collection through the Biodiversity Center, or check out some of the collection when they visit us at our more bug-forward events!
WHY WE LOVE ‘EM: BUGS! We think bugs are neat.
Thanks for tuning in to our Community Partners Roundup! Go check these Longhorns out, and be sure to say hi the next time you see them hanging out at the LC! 😉
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
At the Long Center, we’re always looking for new ways we can engage in Austin’s creativity and bring that to our community. In such an artistic, energetic, and inspired city, there’s always something new to be discovered, and we want to help folks seek that out.
You might have heard us mention a thing or two about Long Center Collective. This is our reimagined patron membership program that seeks to do just that – connect the curious with the brightest corners of Austin’s creative spirit. Through curated events and intimate gatherings, we’re building a community of engaged supporters who are connected to the city’s vibrant arts scene.
So, with the Long Center Collective’s next event coming up this May, we thought it would be a great time to chat with one of the creatives at the heart of the experience, Emily Eisenhart. A muralist, sculptor, and mixed media artist with a passion for ethnography, Emily’s work focuses on using art to connect people with their environments.
Read on to learn more about Emily and get a sneak peek of what you can expect from her and landscape designer Amy Hovis’ immersive installations specially designed for the LC Collective’s Spring Garden Party at Barton Springs Nursery on May 7.
Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview — anything come to mind?
EMILY: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s cover) comes to mind. It’s perhaps a more somber answer than expected, but it feels like the most truthful one. I lost my dad this past August and welcomed my first child in January, so it’s been a deeply transitional, bittersweet time. As a creative person, that shift has really transformed how I make. There’s more reflection, more tenderness, and a different sense of time in the work. That song holds both grief and hope in a way that feels very true to where I am right now.
Tell us a bit about you! How did you get your start as an artist in Austin?
EMILY: I’m in my eleventh year in Austin…my, how time flies! I moved here from San Francisco in 2015 seeking a city that felt creative, collaborative, and like a living canvas for artistic exploration. When I first arrived, I really immersed myself in the community. I met as many people as I could, attended events, and started saying yes to artistic opportunities. Murals were my entry point, and over time that work naturally expanded into sculpture, large-scale installations, and creative consulting and producing.
My background is actually in the design world. I spent years working at IDEO, a firm that pioneered human-centered design, which deeply shaped how I approach my art practice. Additionally, I draw from my background in Cultural Anthropology to understand place, community, and story before creating anything.
Today, through my creative studio, Studio Eisenhart, I collaborate closely with architects, developers, and designers who are actively shaping Austin’s built environment. More and more, I’m exploring large-scale, site-specific installations in the public realm – plazas, courtyards, parks – spaces where people gather and move through daily. I’m especially interested in infusing a sense of play into that work, for all ages, and creating moments that invite curiosity, interaction, and connection. Austin has been an incredible place to grow my practice. It rewards experimentation and community, and I feel lucky to be part of that ecosystem.
Your work focuses on the relationship between art and the natural and constructed environments around us. What inspired you to explore this dynamic, and contribute your creativity to it?
EMILY: Nature has been my greatest teacher and deepest source of inspiration since childhood. I’ve always been drawn to the way light moves through trees, the textures of natural materials, and the quiet intelligence of ecosystems. Moving to Austin really amplified that awareness. Here, there’s this constant interplay between rapid urban development and deeply rooted natural systems. That tension (and harmony) became something I had to keep exploring. In a way, my work is a dialogue: how structures can echo organic forms, how art can soften or reframe built environments, and how we can create moments of pause, curiosity, and play within spaces. I approach each project like an ethnographer – studying the site, its history, and its community – so the work feels grounded and responsive. At its core, my practice is about reminding people that even in constructed environments, we’re still part of a larger ecosystem. I aim to create opportunities for people to feel that connection in a tangible, immediate way and with awe.
We’re so excited to experience the immersive work that you and Amy created for this event. Can you give us a brief overview of what to expect?
EMILY: The installation is designed as a series, which can be experienced collectively or as individual focal points. We’ve integrated sculptural elements with plant life in a way that blurs the line between what’s natural and what’s fabricated. There’s a strong emphasis on texture, movement, and light – pieces that shift depending on where you stand or the time of day. Ultimately, we want people to feel like they’ve stepped into a space that’s both intentional and alive, where art and environment are in conversation with each other. More than anything, we hope the sculptures inspire people to slow down, notice, and contemplate their surroundings in a new way.
Can you share a bit about the collaboration process between you and Amy?
EMILY: Amy and I met through the design community here in Austin. We hit it off immediately given our shared love of art and plants. We both contributed to the venue design for 2024’s Austin Home & Design Awards and have been angling to collaborate since then. Last year, we introduced a large sculpture to the Barton Springs Nursery grounds – a cascading steel piece, Cascade, that greets patrons when they arrive. It’s become a beloved landmark, and since then we’ve been dreaming up how to expand that dialogue across the landscape. We’re both really committed to site-specific design, so the process has been very iterative – walking the grounds, identifying moments of opportunity, and pairing sculptural interventions with plant selections that enhance and respond to each other.
Why do you think Barton Springs Nursery is a fitting venue for this Collective experience?
EMILY: Barton Springs Nursery already embodies the kind of relationship we’re interested in exploring – it’s a cultivated space that still feels wild, immersive, and deeply connected to its environment. It invites wandering, discovery, and a kind of slowed-down attention, which is exactly how we hope people engage with the work. The nursery isn’t just a backdrop. It’s an active participant in the experience, and that makes it an incredibly meaningful setting for what we’re creating. Plus, Amy and team have created a wonderland that will ignite your senses and deepen your appreciation of the great outdoors.
Whether they’ve realized it or not, there’s a high chance that many Austinites have witnessed your work all around town. Are there any particular pieces out in the wild that you’d encourage folks to check out?
EMILY: If you stand at the corner of 11th and Red River and look north, up five stories, you’ll see my largest mural in Austin, Symphony Square. It’s a tribute to the surrounding area – Waller Creek, the neighborhood’s musical history, and the native flora and fauna – woven together into a single visual language across the building.
There’s also a sculpture called Echo in the courtyard at Preacher Gallery. It’s a large steel work inspired by abstracted forms of local plant and animal life, with a central portal that invites people to frame their own view of the landscape. It’s been really special to see how people interact with it – kids playing around and beneath it, and adults slowing down and engaging with the space in a more intentional way. The material itself is designed to evolve over time, with raw steel developing a natural patina that ties it more closely to its environment.
More recently, I conceived and helped produce WaterWork, an immersive projection art show on the historic Seaholm Intake Facility along Lady Bird Lake, in partnership with Design Austin and The Trail Conservancy. Through my studio’s role as co-producer, we bring together a group of local artists to create site-responsive works at a monumental scale. Seeing the work come to life across the water, with audiences experiencing it from the trail, kayaks, and boats, is incredibly powerful. (Also, mark your calendars, September 25-26!).
There are quite a few other pieces scattered around the city as well, in parks, and offices, and even parking garage stairwells…I should really make a map at some point! I love the idea that people can just stumble across my work unexpectedly.
Is there anything else you want to tease ahead of the Spring Garden Party on May 7?
EMILY: Overall, the Spring Garden Party is really about slowing down, being present, and engaging with the landscape in a refreshed way. I’m looking forward to seeing how people make the experience their own. There are a few elements that will really come alive at dusk so I’d encourage people to spend some time with the work as the light changes. It’s designed to be something you move through and experience over time.
I’m also excited to share that I’ve been selected as the artist for a major upcoming sculptural commission at Red Bud Isle through the City of Austin’s Art in Public Places program. It’s a project that continues my exploration of site-specific work rooted in the relationship between art, ecology, and the built environment. It feels like a natural extension of what we’re creating for this event.
Thanks for the chat, Emily!
Learn more about becoming a member of Long Center Collective, and how to RSVP for the Spring Garden Party on May 7.
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
As a nonprofit made up of what’s mostly artists and culture aficionados, you might not think that we’re the biggest group of science nerds – but that’s where you’d be wrong! We’re always stoked when we get to combine science with the arts – it happens more than you might think.
From regular visits from legends like Neil deGrasse Tyson (catch him on April 14!) to our once in a lifetime events like the 2024 Total Eclipse Viewing Party, we love getting the chance to learn more about all things science. Which is why one of our favorite events these days is Reel Science. This is our documentary film series in partnership with UT College of Natural Sciences that brings you a documentary screening plus a Q&A with real scientists covering topics ranging from meteors to moths to our very own DNA.
Now that this series is back for the spring, we thought it would be a good time to have a chat with Christine Sinatra, UT College of Natural Science’s Director of Communications, and Melissa Kemp, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Integrative Biology. Read on to learn more about this series and get a peek at what to expect at our screening of Underland followed by a Q&A with Dr. Kemp on March 4!
Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission, Melissa and Christine! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind?
MELISSA & CHRISTINE: Men at Work’s “Down Under” seems appropriate.
Reel Science is a series the Long Center and UT have been collaborating on for a few seasons now, covering all sorts of areas in science. Christine, what do you think is the coolest thing about this series?
CHRISTINE: With this series, each time, we have three components. There’s always a beautiful documentary about something science-themed. There’s a chance for audiences to meet and hear from a working scientist. And there’s a hands-on experience for participants to engage with the science themselves in some way. The coolest thing is to see people’s excitement. Folks of all ages at these events tap into an innate curiosity about science. While most of us may associate that kind of wonder with childhood, with some of these topics it really is fascinating at every stage of life.
Can you share how and why this series and partnership came to be?
CHRISTINE: The total eclipse that passed over Austin two years ago sparked the partnership initially. Here was a fantastic moment, when everyone in the community was focused on a phenomenon in the natural world and coming together to learn and be a part of the action. We were delighted when our McDonald Observatory, with support from the Simons Foundation, got to join the Long Center’s big eclipse party, having on site that day a replica of UT’s big Hobby-Eberly Telescope.
Later on, staff in the college and at the Long Center put their heads together about how we could find ways to bring more experiences like that to Austin, essentially where folks could celebrate the often awe-inspiring nature of scientific phenomena in ways that are accessible and in community with other people. It turns out the Simons Foundation also supports an editorially independent subsidiary called Sandbox Films, which produces lots of award-winning documentary feature films, and all of them spotlight the beauty of scientific inquiry in some way. We have teamed up for more than a half dozen Reel Science events, and each time, there is a UT scientist who’s a passionate and excellent communicator, taking questions from the audience: whether about deep-sea exploration, black holes, the latest gene-editing technology or, as is the case with our next segment, science under the ground.
So, Melissa, paleobiology – can you share a little bit about what this really means and your area of research for all of us non-scientists?
MELISSA: Paleobiology is the study of ancient life. We use fossils (the preserved remains or traces of ancient organisms) to understand how and when organisms diversified; determine what caused mass extinction events and how organisms recovered afterwards; reconstruct ancient ecosystems, and more. Importantly, paleobiology allows us to relate ancient organisms to present-day biodiversity, providing valuable insight into how life responds to environmental change.
My research capitalizes on that last theme: using the past to understand the present. We excavate and describe fossils from cave sites across the Americas with the goal of understanding why some species go extinct whereas others persist or even thrive when the environment changes. As environments continue to change rapidly, paleobiology provides important insights into how species will weather present and future environmental changes.
What did your journey to becoming a scientist look like?
MELISSA: I didn’t seriously entertain the idea of becoming a scientist until I was a sophomore or junior in high school. I loved being outdoors, reading National Geographic, and watching science documentaries, but my passion was the visual arts. Throughout middle school and high school I studied at intensive art magnet schools and most of my classmates went to art school for college, so I thought that I was headed down that path as well. But I always had an interest in the environment, the past, and how we have gotten to where we are today (both as a society and in terms of earth’s biodiversity). At some point it became clear to me that while I loved to observe the world and recreate it through art, I was really fascinated by the mechanisms underlying the changes I observed, and painting or drawing was not going to provide satisfying answers to my questions.
As an undergraduate at a small liberal arts college, I threw myself into the sciences, taking courses in the geosciences, chemistry, anthropology, and biology before deciding to major in biology. What truly hooked me was the lab and field-based research experiences that I was fortunate to participate in: experiences like excavating George Washington’s childhood home in Virginia, dating early hominid sites from Europe, studying the genetics of coral reef fishes in Indonesia, identifying ancient coral reefs in Mexico.
I loved being in the field and the lab so with encouragement from mentors, I decided to pursue a PhD. My journey from an undergraduate biology major to an associate professor of Integrative Biology was what you might describe as linear, in that I didn’t take breaks in between degrees to pursue other interests. My desire to become a professor at a research-intensive university like UT was solidified during my PhD years, as I felt that such an institution would allow me to pursue research, teaching, and service freely and in ways that aligned with my values.
Underland, our next Reel Science film, explores the hidden worlds beneath Earth’s surface. What kinds of questions can folks expect to have answered by this documentary?
MELISSA: Many people have never seen the underground environments explored in Underland; in fact, some may view them with trepidation. One of the fundamental questions answered by the film, then, is what do these environments look like, and Underland answers this question with stunning visuals. It also encourages introspection about deep time, the persistence of life, and our responsibility as stewards of the environment. I think people will leave with some questions about what’s hidden beneath Earth’s surface answered, but I hope that it encourages us to ask more questions about the unknown and often unseen.
What’s something you would say to encourage people who might be curious about exploring more in the realm of science?
CHRISTINE: We hope you will! A lot of people have stereotypes in their minds about who gets to do science, but what folks get to see with Reel Science – both from the scientists in the films and from the ones taking questions live on site – is that scientists come from every different background imaginable. They are simply people with an inherent wonder about the world and a determination to get to know some aspect of that world a bit better. What’s inspiring is that this part of science is something truly any of us can tap into. We can attend public science events like these. We can go to places in Austin like the Wildflower Center and Texas Science & Natural History Museum and be immersed in it. We can volunteer and take part in citizen science projects. We can read, learn and guide our children to do those things, too, and help keep a flame of scientific inquiry alive. That flame doesn’t belong only in labs and at field sites. It belongs throughout our communities and all of society, advancing the human enterprise for generations.
MELISSA: It’s never too early or too late to explore more in the realm of science! Curiosity propels science, and humans are naturally curious, using principles of scientific inquiry on a regular basis. In a way we are all scientists, and it is empowering to have this realization. Swapping out ingredients in a cake recipe to see if you can improve its texture? Trying out a new fertilizer in your garden to see if you can increase produce yield? Those are all experiments that anyone could do, and they don’t require lab space or expensive equipment.
In Austin, we are fortunate to have many opportunities to engage with practicing scientists through the University of Texas at Austin, as Christine mentioned. You can also engage with community-based organizations like local paleontology societies. The internet opens up many doors as well. There are a plethora of online forums, videos, articles, and other resources available to learn about the scientific topics interest you most!
Is there anything else you want to share about the screening of Underland in the Rollins Theatre on March 4?
CHRISTINE: This event is part of the 2026 Texas Science Festival, which has dozens of events happening, including at the intersection of art and science, from February 18-March 5. Just like at our other Reel Science events, you will get to see a great film, meet people doing fascinating research and try out some demos. On top of that and since it is also a part of the festival, there will be giveaways and a game, where you can play to win prizes, even including a three-night stay out at the McDonald Observatory in Fort Davis. It’s fun on top of the usual fun, and we can’t wait to see everyone there.
Thanks, Melissa and Christine!
Join us for our next Reel Science event on March 4 screening Underland and a Q&A with Melissa, and get to know your inner nerdy scientist. 🤓
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
We all know Austin is nothing without its people – and some of the very best ones are the organizations doing the work that keeps our city creative, connected, and thriving. At the Long Center, we’re lucky to team up with a whole crew of local nonprofits and community organizations who bring their energy to our shows, our lobbies, and our outdoor spaces to share a bit about their cool, meaningful work.
So, in this new series we’re calling our Community Partners Roundup, we wanted to start formally introducing you to a few of our community partners you might’ve seen around the venue sharing resources, creating conversations (and sometimes handing out cool swag), and working hard to make Austin a better place to live.
Read on to meet some of the organizations helping make the LC (and Austin) feel like home! 👇 And stay tuned for more installments of the Community Partners Roundup. 🤠
WHO: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
WHAT: The Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) is dedicated to the preservation, creation, presentation, and promotion of the cultural arts of Mexican Americans and Latino cultures.
The MACC hosts events celebrating Latino arts, working with local organizations and artists across all disciplines that provide cultural programming to the Austin community. They also provide a variety of cultural arts classes and camps for folks of all ages (from adults to kiddos), and the center hosts two art galleries (which will reopen this Spring, following renovations) highlighting local, regional and national Latino/a artists.
WHERE: The MACC is located in the Rainey Street District at 600 River St., though the center is currently closed for remodeling. In the meantime, you can find the MACC events across town by visiting their website, and check them out when they come to visit the Long Center at our Hispanic Heritage and community events!
WHY WE LOVE ‘EM: The MACC offers so many opportunities to engage with and celebrate Latino art and they’re one of Austin’s most longstanding pillars of cultural community.
WHO: We Luv Video
WHAT: We Luv Video is a nonprofit old-school video store, dedicated to preserving and sharing all sorts of physical media, from the rare to the weird to the essential. Members can rent DVDs, Blu-Rays, and VHS tapes from their extensive collection.
The volunteer-run shop also has a microcinema in the back which hosts screenings of niche cinema and locally produced short films. The space serves as a cultural center for all lovers of movies and television.
WHERE: You can visit the store on the North Loop strip, located at 100 E. North Loop Blvd, and check them out at the Long Center when they join us for our special film screenings and movie-based events!
WHY WE LOVE ‘EM: Video rentals is a lost art, and the band of movie nerds that is We Luv Video is out there fighting the good fight in trying to preserve it. We couldn’t be more grateful.
WHO: Recovery Outside
WHAT: Recovery Outside is a nonprofit offering outdoor experiences that build community, promote healing, and support long-term recovery from addiction and mental health challenges.
Founded this past summer, Recovery Outside hosts all kinds of activities including rock climbing, paddleboarding & kayaking, sand volleyball, pickleball & tennis, hiking and archery – all with a focus on connecting people with the outdoors, their community, and their own personal growth.
WHERE: You can find Recovery Outside events by following them on social media and Sweatpals to check out their upcoming events, and chat with them when they join us at The Drop-In!
WHY WE LOVE ‘EM: We’re big fans of anything that gets folks up and moving, and combine that with a mission focused on wellbeing and recovery? That just makes our hearts soar.
Thanks for tuning in to our Community Partners Roundup! Go check these guys out, follow them on social media, and be sure to say hi the next time you see them hanging out at the LC! 😉
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
It’s 2026! As we’re getting back into Mid-Week Intermissions in the new year, we thought this would be a good time to give you a rundown of one of the most important, coolest, and innovative departments at the Long Center – our fabulous Box Office!
You might not know that the Box Office does soooo much more than getting you your tickets for all our shows here at the LC. On top of being the first friendly faces you see when you arrive, the Box Office can:
- Help you make reservations at local restaurants
- Give recommendations of things to do if you’re visiting Austin
- Help you avoid resellers that are overcharging for Long Center shows
- Point you in the right direction for most questions you could have!
One of the Box Office’s biggest projects right now is educating the general public on how to get the best prices and guaranteed seats by purchasing from us directly. Since the pandemic, there has been a huge uptick in reseller activity, and people often wind up clicking on the first link when searching for our shows online, which, unfortunately, is often a reseller charging significantly more for tickets than are necessary for our performances or selling tickets that aren’t valid.
We always want to make sure you’re getting the best seats at the right price, so it’s best to go directly to thelongcenter.org to purchase tickets, or, even better, give the Box Office a call at (512) 474-5664 or visit them in person so they can talk to you about the best seats for your needs.
Our Box Office is a team of artists and culture lovers who LOVE to give you the inside scoop, from the best seats in the house to the next show at the LC you’re bound to love. They’re always happy to help so if you ever have a question, don’t hesitate to ask!
In the meantime, we sat down with some of the crew for a lightning round, chatting about some of the services they offer and the best part about being on the Box Office team. Read on for the deets!
What’s your go-to restaurant recommendation for folks who want to grab a bite before or after a show?
ANNIE: Carpenters Hall (southern-inspired fare in a former carpenters’ union building from 1949)
DAVID: El Alma
ANNE: Terry Black’s BBQ
ZUZU: Sandy’s
JORDAN: El Alma
What upcoming Long Center show do you most recommend right now?
ANNIE: Macbeth
DAVID: Neil deGrasse Tyson
ANNE: Jason Isbell
ZUZU: Texas Burlesque Festival
JORDAN: Jane Austen Improv!
Where’s the best place to stay in the area for our out-of-town folks (or Austinites who are looking for a staycation)?
ANNIE: Austin Motel (funky, retro themed rooms on South Congress)
DAVID: Anywhere in Bouldin Creek!
ANNE: Hotel San Jose (a boutique hotel on South Congress)
JORDAN: Carpenter Hotel (really hip spot within walking distance – not your typical hotel)
What’s the best part about working in the LC’s Box Office?
ANNIE: Helping fans get to see their heroes!
DAVID: Watching the patron fashion show as they enter the building
ANNE: Welcoming new patrons and sharing a love for the arts with our wide variety of shows… and you can’t beat the downtown view!
JORDAN: People watching, and getting to witness people engage with something they love.
What’s one thing you think people might not know about the Box Office?
ANNIE: Several of us are professional karaoke-ers
DAVID: We all have artistic backgrounds!
ANNE: We are at the windows Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm… stop by and say “Hi!”
JORDAN: We have a core group of 7 team members working during day shifts, but we have 12-15 people on the full roster (including interns).
What’s the best piece of advice you have for folks coming to see a show at the LC?
ANNIE: Use public transit or arrive early to grab a bite nearby before the show!
DAVID: Come early and enjoy our beautiful park space.
ANNE: Arrive early so you have time to grab a drink and/or snack before the show. There’s a bar located on each level!
JORDAN: We share a parking garage with the Palmer Events Center and many businesses nearby, so arrive a little earlier than you think you need to find a good parking spot.
Thanks, Box Office team!
You can reach our Box Office by calling at the number below, or visiting us in person during the below hours.
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
Scrolling past heavy, complex headlines each day can make stories blur together. With a fast-paced news cycle where tragedy becomes routine, it’s easy to forget that each headline represents real people.
Photojournalist Tamir Kalifa has spent years working close to those moments, witnessing the human impact beyond the articles. Through compassionate visual storytelling, his work asks us to pause, look closer, and remember the people at the heart of the story.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind? Maybe a song off Witness?
Tamir Kalifa: I’m choosing the song “Jackie’s Rock,” written about being asked by the family of Jackie Cazares, who was killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, to take a painted rock to Paris, France, in her honor in 2022. The simple request became one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. Jackie’s family joined me in the studio when we recorded the song and Jazmin, Jackie’s older sister and a gifted singer, sang harmonies.
LC: We’re so excited about your upcoming show at the Long Center. Can you share a little about yourself for our readers who might be unfamiliar?
Tamir Kalifa: I’m a longtime Austin photojournalist and musician. I’ve been photographing around Texas, the U.S. and internationally for The New York Times, Texas Monthly and others for over a decade – all while playing music in Austin bands. My career has taken me from documenting hurricanes, gun violence and politics in America to covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In between assignments and projects, I also played accordion, piano and guitar in the orchestral indie-rock ensemble Mother Falcon and toured with them for years. This new project, Witness, is the first time I’ve brought my photographs and music together.
LC: How did you get into photojournalism, specifically covering sensitive subjects impacting individuals and communities?
Tamir Kalifa: My path into photojournalism started early. My father was a video cameraman for CNN when I was growing up in Kensington, Maryland, in the 1990s. I remember watching the nightly news with him and feeling a sense of awe as the President of the United States spoke directly into my dad’s camera from the Oval Office. I loved history, and his work placed him inside the rooms where it was being made. He inspired me to pick up a camera at a young age and I never put it down.
I came to see photojournalism as both a way to experience history as it unfolds and a means of holding truth to power. Over time, as I covered more stories, I realized they felt more resonant when there was intimacy in the images — when viewers could recognize part of themselves in the lives of those depicted. I also began to notice a theme emerging from the most difficult assignments: when people are pushed to their limits, they can reveal an extraordinary resilience. I’ve tried my best to sensitively document individuals and communities facing the great issues of our time with the hope that compassionate visual storytelling can help foster an understanding and emotional engagement needed to move people toward action.
LC: Witness, your latest project, is a multimedia endeavor that combines your journalism with your music. What inspired this project and why did you feel it was important to pursue?
Tamir Kalifa: Music has been a constant companion throughout my life and writing songs about my experiences behind the camera became a way for me to process some of the most difficult moments I encountered. Over time, I began to feel frustrated by the unrelenting news cycle and how quickly stories can be consumed and forgotten. I wanted to create a space where these stories, some of them years old, could linger and resonate longer, grounded in the humanity that made them urgent in the first place.
Witness grew out of that. I wrote songs inspired by covering the Texas–Mexico border, the Pandemic, the El Paso shooting, natural disasters, and the families I came to know in the aftermath of the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. It is easy to scroll past difficult headlines or avoid uncomfortable realities out of fatigue, fear, or numbness — I’m certainly guilty of that myself. Still, I believe art can help offer a way through, not by providing answers, but by opening hearts, encouraging empathy, and reminding us of how much we have in common.
I feel a sense of purpose and a profound responsibility in pursuing this work. I’m also immensely grateful to the individuals whose trust allowed me to witness some of the most difficult days of their lives. This project is, in part, a way to honor that trust and pay that gratitude forward by introducing audiences to these remarkable people.
LC: You’ve covered some pretty historic events, from natural disasters, global conflicts, and political campaigns. Is there a moment from your travels across the world that really struck you, or stands out as a career highlight (so far)?
Tamir Kalifa: Documenting Uvalde in the wake of the shooting has been the most formative experience of my career. What started as a breaking news assignment – one I reluctantly accepted – has evolved into a life-long project and commitment to the community that I have grown to care deeply for. I went to Uvalde because I had covered gun violence in the past and wanted to create a depiction of mass shootings that went beyond the familiar rituals of mourning in America, one that visualized grief, and the issue of gun violence, with care, compassion and patience.
As I attended school board meetings, protests, barbecues, graveside birthdays and more, I was moved by the quiet, ordinary courage the families demonstrated each day as they navigated the wilderness of grief. I lived in Uvalde full-time from March to May 2023 so I could be fully present and not miss these moments, which led to some of the most meaningful photographs of the project. While I have since taken on other assignments, Uvalde is a place I regularly return to. Witness, and the songs I wrote about Uvalde, are a continuation of my commitment to honoring the families and the memory of their loved ones.
LC: What’s something that you hope the audience might take away from Witness?
Tamir Kalifa: I hope Witness inspires audiences to reflect more deeply on what connects us as humans and what responsibilities we have to one another. I often return to something my former UT photojournalism professor Donna DeCesare once said to me, which I incorporated into the final lyrics of the album: “Pictures don’t change a thing, people do.”
LC: Anything you want to tease about your upcoming show in Austin on January 23?
Tamir Kalifa: One of the most meaningful parts of developing the performance of Witness is that I’ve done it in collaboration with Jazmin Cazares, Jackie’s older sister. She is a gifted singer and has become an integral part of the performance, singing not only on “Jackie’s Rock,” the song about her sister, but on other songs as well. I’m in awe of her talent and stage presence, but also her resilience and the way she and her family honor Jackie with every breath.
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
If there’s one thing about the Long Center staff, it’s that we’re crazy about art. We’re a collection of music nerds, moonlighting performers, passion project enthusiasts, and no matter who you talk to, there’s a high chance that you’ll hear about a past life in the arts that sounds too dreamy to be true!
And such is the case with our Box Office’s very own Anne Mason. As Group Sales Manager, she helps our patrons bring big groups to see a show at the LC. But before becoming a ticketing extraordinaire, she lived the life of a dancer, namely as one of the fabulous, iconic, Radio City Rockettes.
Considering that Thanksgiving is just a couple days away, we found it fitting to catch up with Anne in this Mid-Week Intermission to learn about her dazzling days of dance. ✨
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind?
Anne Mason: I guess the first song that comes to mind is Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York! Even though I was born and raised in Houston, that song has always had a special place in my heart.
LC: Firstly, would you care to tell folks a little bit about yourself and what you do here at the LC?
Anne Mason: I was a theatre kid. At the age of 19, I moved to New York to pursue a career as a dancer (hence my love of the song New York, New York!) I had a 20-year career as a professional dancer performing in Broadway shows, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Industrials, Television shows, etc. Working at the Long Center feels like coming home. I love being back in a theatre, even though I am now in a behind the scenes role. I am the Group Sales Manager, so if you have brought a group of 10 or more friends to a show in the last 5 years you have probably talked to me on the phone!
LC: What’s the best part about working in our Box Office?
Anne Mason: One thing that never gets old… every morning when I walk into work, I get to enjoy the stunning view of downtown Austin! My favorite part of the job is getting to interact with our wonderful Long Center patrons. I enjoy meeting new people, and being able to welcome groups to our beautiful venue is always a pleasure. I also love the wide variety of performers… I know I’m partial, but there’s nothing like live theatre! I am proud to be a part of the great team we have here at the Long Center.
LC: Word on the street is that you’ve got a pretty cool background…as one of the iconic Radio City Rockettes! Can you give us the rundown on what that really means as a dancer?
Anne Mason: I appreciate the shout-out from folks on the street! It’s funny… after multiple jobs and a second career as a mom, I sometimes look back and wonder if that was my life or a movie I watched. Some of my fondest memories are from my time as a Rockette. I performed with the troupe for 12 years, and I can honestly say that it was the pinnacle of my dancing career. What I love the most is that people from all parts of the country seem to know the Rockettes and have fond memories of seeing them at Radio City or on television in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
LC: How did you find yourself becoming a Rockette? Can you share a bit about your path in dance and your audition experience?
Anne Mason: I know it sounds like a cliché, but I did want to be a Rockette as a child. Actually, as a very young child I wanted to be a Kilgore Rangerette, but then I saw the Rockettes on television and that was it for me! In high school I performed in every musical production, and I also studied after school with a professional dance company in Houston. When I moved to New York, I attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in the Dance Department, and I also studied briefly with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. My training was primarily in modern dance, but when I received a scholarship to a dance studio in Upper Manhattan, I had the opportunity to study tap which brought back fond memories of my childhood tap classes and all the aspirations that went along with them. I saw an ad in the trade paper for an audition for the Radio City Rockettes. I went to an open call with about 700 other dancers who probably had the same childhood dream as I did. It was a long, grueling audition, and at the end I was put on the waiting list. Not deterred, I auditioned again two years later and finally got the gig!
LC: Do you have a favorite memory from your high kick days? Any career highlights?
Anne Mason: I loved touring with the Rockettes. I was on the road for a year and a half, and I have been to every state except four… Maine, North Dakota, Alaska, and Hawaii, I will get to you someday! I guess I’m a gypsy at heart, because I loved the adventure of exploring every new city. A highlight of my Rockette career was getting to perform with Liza Minelli at Radio City. The Rockettes backed her up with a kickline as she sang New York, New York. There’s that song again!!
LC: 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Rockettes! What does this dance company mean to you, and what is it that makes it so special?
Anne Mason: I am on the Board of Directors for the Rockette Alumnae Association, and in honor of the 100th anniversary we are planning a Charity Ball in New York City just prior to Thanksgiving. It will coincide with events that are being planned by Radio City Music Hall. A lot has gone into the planning, but for all of us it is a labor of love. We will be reuniting women who danced in all decades going back to the 1940s! Being part of such a great legacy is what makes being a Rockette so very special. Everyone who has danced as a Rockette is part of a lifelong sisterhood.
LC: And finally, can you teach us at the LC how to high kick?
Anne Mason: I have the bad knees that accompany a 20-year dancing career, but I can try. 😊
Thanks, Anne!
Be sure to say hi to Anne the next time you visit the Box Office, and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Long Center!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
Around here, we don’t choose favorites….but if we did, GRAMMY-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus, AKA Black Violin, would certainly make the cut. Part classical, part hip-hop, and completely unique, this act is absolutely electric on stage. Heading back for their third performance at the Long Center on October 30, it’s clear that we just can’t get enough of these guys!
In this Mid-Week Intermission, we chatted with Wil to learn a little more about how BV came to be, what keeps their creativity flowing, and to hear about their Black Violin Foundation – an organization that’s dedicated to empowering youth by resourcing them to access quality music programs, reaching over 100,000 students each year.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind? Maybe a track off Full Circle?
Wil Baptiste: The track I would recommend is The Walk from the Full Circle album.
LC: We’re so glad to have Black Violin at the Long Center! For folks who may have missed your last couple performances here, would you care to share a bit about yourselves and your sound?
Wil Baptiste: Black Violin is a band that is comprised of myself Wil Baptiste (viola + vocals) and Kev Marcus (violin) along with our band members Nat Stokes (drums), Liston Gregory (keys), and DJ SPS (turntable). Our sound is multiple genres fused together with classical and hip-hop being the main components. Bridging these two worlds together was something that was very natural for us.
LC: What’s your origin story? How did this duo come to be?
Wil Baptiste: Our origin story started in high school — Kev and I were in the same orchestra class. We both went our separate ways to college and then came back together to create music. The idea was that we wanted to be major hip-hop producers and one of the things we would do was play the violin on top of our hip-hop beats for artists that would come by the studio. They were amazed at our ability to do so. We didn’t realize we had something special until we sent our tape out to Apollo — eventually being crowned 2005 Apollo legends and from there we went on to tour with the likes of Alicia Keys, LINKIN PARK, and more. We always felt like we had something special, so we started focusing on the band and refining the Black Violin sound.
LC: You guys are passionate about music education and making music programs accessible to all kids. What’s your connection to this mission? Can you talk a little about Black Violin Foundation?
Wil Baptiste: Our mission to make music education accessible to kids is really simple. In our careers, we’ve had individuals that that were incredibly important to our growth as artists. Our music teacher in high school was one of those individuals. His name is Mr. Miles and we named a Black Violin Foundation grant after him. The point of the foundation is to fill in the gaps — what that means is if a child needs an instrument or needs funds to go to a music camp or a college audition, the foundation works to step in and help them. The Arts have given us so much and it’s only right that we pay it forward.
LC: After over 20 years together (impressive!), what keeps you inspired and creating?
Wil Baptiste: What keeps us inspired is knowing that Black Violin is bigger than just two individuals. We’ve created something very special that inspires and uplifts the world and that’s an incredibly special thing.
LC: Do you have any advice for the young musicians out there?
Wil Baptiste: My advice to young musicians is to find yourself in the instrument. Make the instruments speak your own individual language. Once you do that, it’s very difficult for you to quit.
LC: Anything you want to tease about your upcoming show in Austin on October 30?
Wil Baptiste: We’re performing six new songs from our latest album ‘Full Circle’ in this upcoming show.
Thanks, Wil!
Be sure to check out their new album, Full Circle, and don’t miss their show at the LC on October 30!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
It’s officially October! We’re entering the season of cooler weather, tricks and treats, and glamorously provocative interstellar scientists 
If you couldn’t tell, we’re pretty excited for The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour headed to the LC on October 9. As you’d expect, this will be no ordinary screening – it’s an all-out extravaganza complete with props, a costume contest, a Q&A with Patricia Quinn, the original ‘Magenta’ and DASH Cast, a shadowcast who completes the signature Rocky Horror experience by playing along to the film.
In this Mid-Week Intermission, we caught up with Mina Credeur, a DASH Cast Member, to learn a little more about how this shadowcast came to be, the Rocky Horror audience participation lore, and what folks can expect at the live show on October 9.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind?
Mina Credeur: Science Fiction Double Feature /or/ Time Warp (but that one is such a given, I prefer going with the first!)
LC: First of all, what exactly is a shadow cast?
Mina Credeur: A shadow-cast is a self-organized, amateur performance troupe that pantomimes everything happening on the movie screen behind us. It’s live action antics in front of a movie!
LC: How did DASH Cast come to be? How did you find yourself becoming a player?
Mina Credeur: DASH is a collaborative cast with members from Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston (D-A-S-H!) We have performers from various other casts – and a lot of us are ‘veterans’ who have been doing this for … a very long time. We focus on a traditional Rocky Horror experience with a heavy emphasis on costume details and performance accuracy.
I first attended Rocky Horror in Houston in 1987 after finding out that’s where the ‘cute boy’ went on the weekends. I began performing very soon after – it was such a high-energy environment and I knew it’s where I belonged – even though I never dated that cute boy. Over the years I’ve performed with various casts (on and off) and also at a few conventions.
LC: For some of our readers who might be new to the world of Rocky Horror, can you explain a bit about the lore regarding audience participation during the show?
Mina Credeur: Several venues noticed the film was attracting a group of audience regulars week after week. The first callback was “Buy an umbrella you cheap b*tch!” which elicited a roar of laughter – and it wasn’t long before more people added more lines. It all happened very organically and different cities added their own lines.
LC: Rocky Horror is turning 50! The epitome of a cult classic, what do you think it is about The Rocky Horror Picture Show that creates so much community and brings people together?
Mina Credeur: I think it’s just so many different things to so many people. A space to be your authentic self. A place to unwind and be as loud as you want. And the film’s mantra ‘don’t dream it, be it’ has completely held up through the decades.
LC: Do you have any highlights to share from your time performing across Texas?
Mina Credeur: My cohort in crime, Kim, was a member of the NYC cast when I first met her. We both performed at the 25th anniversary in Las Vegas (Sept, 2000) and now she’s living here in Texas and we’re performing together again for the 50th!
LC: Is there a certain point during the show that you’re always looking forward to? Anything for the audience to keep an eye out for?
Mina Credeur: For me? It’s absolutely the floorshow. I get tingles every time I hear that thundering intro start and I’m rushing out to the stage still trying to get my heels on as fast as I can!
LC: Any advice for Rocky Horror newcomers before they experience it on October 9th?
Mina Credeur: Don’t hesitate to dress up and get a little wild with the hair and make-up. Throw on some fishnets and a feather boa! You’re going to split your sides laughing, you’re going to be dancing in the aisles, and you’re going to go home wondering… What the hell was that, and when can I do it again??
Thanks, Mina!
Be sure to follow DASH Cast on Instagram (@dashrhps), and don’t miss The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary at the LC on October 9!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
It’s Hispanic Heritage Month! 🎉 From September 15 – October 15, we celebrate Hispanic culture and uplift Hispanic voices. And in a city with a large Hispanic population like Austin, there’s lots to celebrate this time of year!
We caught up with Nancy Flores, Editor and Publisher of Austin Vida, a digital news and culture site that amplifies, informs, and celebrates Austin’s Latine communities by sharing news, highlighting local voices, and spotlighting events and goings on around town. Read on to learn more about how Austin Vida is working to build and support the city’s Hispanic community.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind?
Nancy Flores: Argentine DJ/producer Chancha Via Circuito – one of my faves for blending electronic and Latin American folk music – will be performing at Antone’s in late September. Listen to “Sueño en Paraguay” and take a sonic journey!
LC: Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! We’re so glad to have you. Care to introduce yourself and Austin Vida to our readers who might be unfamiliar?
Nancy Flores: Hola! I’m Nancy Flores, Editor and Publisher of Austin Vida, a digital Latine news and culture publication focused on telling the stories of the Latine community in Central Texas.
I grew up in the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, and have been focused on writing about underrepresented communities in Austin for many years. At Austin Vida, we focus on everything from community news to stories about cultural arts. Another growing area of focus has been our reporting on culturally-relevant mental health news.
LC: So how did you find yourself becoming a journalist in Austin? How did Austin Vida get its start?
Nancy Flores: I’m a longtime journalist turned news entrepreneur who previously reported for the Austin American-Statesman and Austin 360. While I was there, I penned many articles on our city’s Latine community, its needs, growth and creative initiatives.
But more needed to be done to ensure that our community’s stories were consistently amplified. That’s why at the height of the pandemic, I took a big leap of faith by reviving and reimagining what Austin Vida – which had previously operated but had ceased publication – could look like for a new generation of bicultural Austinites. I’m grateful for all of the community support and folks who are helping us shape Austin Vida’s future.
Today, Austin Vida has new life and brings solutions-based journalism to the forefront with a growing team.
LC: Can you talk a bit about the importance of cultural community in a city with a large and growing Hispanic population?
Nancy Flores: A strong cultural community benefits everyone. Latine creatives are a big part of what make our city special with contributions to everything from live music to theater. Often their work is overlooked, and that’s why Austin Vida aims to shine a brighter light on the Latine cultural arts community, which can either help you feel seen or helps you understand something new.
LC: We love that Austin Vida helps instill a sense of belonging to the city’s Latine population by highlighting their stories, uplifting their voices, and sharing Hispanic events in Austin. What has it been like to witness this impact? Do you have a proudest moment?
Nancy Flores: I love when people tell us that our free monthly Cultura Guides, which curate the best of Latine cultural arts in the city, has helped them find community in Austin.
Some readers have told us that as a result of the Cultura Guides, they are closer as a family because they are finding events that resonate with them across generations.
We also recently published a community personal essay series called “My Austin Vida: Historias of Resilience.” These were powerful and vulnerable first-person stories and it was incredibly moving to see our essayists step on the stage during our summer community reading event and share their stories aloud. It’s important to know that your stories are valuable and deserving of being told.
LC: Amid an ongoing heavy news cycle, do you have any mental health resources you like to share with the Hispanic community?
Nancy Flores: As a solutions-journalism focused news organization, we aim for our articles to center the changemakers and community solutions for local issues.
We heard a lot of feedback while launching that folks didn’t want to read an article and then feel depressed afterwards. There’s always hope and resilience in our pieces.
That’s why we recently published an article where we asked Latina therapists about coping strategies during heavy news cycles from flood disasters to political news. Here’s what they said.
We also have quarterly mental health columns that people can access at any time.
LC: What’s got you excited during this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month? Any events you’re looking forward to?
Nancy Flores: Take a peek at Austin Vida’s September Cultura Guide this month for a glimpse at all the cool events we’ll be covering from the Centroamericanto Fest, which highlights Central American film and music, to the Mariachi Herencia de México concert at the Long Center in October.
Check out our Instagram page for a chance to win mariachi tickets!
LC: What do you hope for the future of Austin Vida, and the wider Hispanic community in Austin?
Nancy Flores: We are building our Cultura Warriors membership program to ensure that Austin Vida can carry out its mission for years to come.
We hope to grow with the community and co-create Austin Vida together to tell the stories that are most important to them.
Thanks, Nancy!
Check out Austin Vida’s September Cultura Guide for more to do this Hispanic Heritage Month!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
We’re having a party! Our annual celebration of our mission to build communities through creative expression where we throw a FREE community bash and open house is right around the corner. Part block party, part arts fest, this day is all about honoring co-founder Dr. Teresa Lozano Long‘s vision of making the arts accessible to all. Right here, we’ve got your guide for all things Community Day so you’re prepared to explore the Long Center on September 6th. Read on for the goods!
LEARN MORE ABOUT TERESA >>
First off, get to know how it all started by learning a bit about Terry and what she was all about! She passed away in 2021, but her legacy lives on in the Long Center and beyond.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Saturday, September 6 | 11am-4pm
Doors Open @ 11am ➡️ RSVP HERE
Indoors AND Outdoors
All Ages
Come prepared for a full day of performances & activities with friends from all over town. Not to mention Austin favorite BubblePalooza presented by H-E-B!
WHO’S GONNA BE THERE
You of course, and plenty of other cool neighbors, plus performing arts groups, service organizations, food trucks, and more! Here’s the full lineup 👇
ATX Yoga Girl
Austin Classical Guitar
Austin Jazz Society
Austin Opera
Musicians of the Austin Symphony
Ballet Austin
Ballet Folklórico de Austin
Bike Story Night
Creative Action
DJ Cassandra
Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center
Girls on the Run
Ghisallo Cycling Initiative
Haydn Vitera of Mariachi Rock Revolution
Huston-Tillotson Jazz Collective
KMFA
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Los Papis Zumba
Natural Sciences Council
Oita ATX Summer Japan Festival &
Sun Dragon Seido Karate and Self Defense, NFP
Recovery Outside
Relay Fitness
Tapestry Dance Company
Texas Book Festival
Texas Robotics
The Parents’ Climate Community
UT Computer Science Roadshow
UT Kids Lab
Long-time Austin dwellers will recognize BubblePalooza as Long Center’s beloved, family-friendly summer event with activities and performances starring just that – bubbles. Back for the second time at our annual Community Day, this year’s event will take over the Long Center Terrace with more bubbles than you can handle. And heads up, BubblePalooza is sudsy, so a change of clothes for the kids is encouraged! 🫧
Ballet Austin will host their crowd-favorite program Rhythm on Stage on the Meredith Stage in Dell Hall. That’s right, you’ll be able to experience what it’s like to perform on the same stage as Ballet Austin! This all-ages activity welcomes the entire family for a free class, taught by Kerin Martinez, instructor from Ballet Austin’s Butler Center for Dance & Fitness. Dance experience is not required, but a positive attitude is 😉
Musicians of the Austin Symphony — Jessica Mathaes, Concertmaster & Alex Maynegre-Torra, Principal Keyboard — will also treat us to some classics in Dell Hall, and Austin Opera’s Resident Stars — tenor Lucas Hickman, mezzo Aviana Burkepile, and pianist Maimy Fong will also dazzle from the stage.
What a treat to have all of our Founding Resident Companies with us on the same day!
WHAT WILL THERE BE TO DO
There’s no shortage of things to do on Community Day! On top of performances going on inside and BubblePalooza outside, we’ve also got a full list of activities for ya:
📝 Explore all the Long Center’s nooks and crannies while completing a scavenger hunt or taking a backstage tour (check in at the Long Center table for those)
🧘 Chill out during Family Yoga with ATX Yoga Girl
✂️ Make a craft or play a game in the KIDosky Family Zone with Creative Action
🎟️ Visit our Box Office to learn about our Community Day ticket deals
🕺 Get moving with Los Papis Zumba
📱 Learn more about Google Store’s products and grab a free cookie in Rollins Lobby
🏈 Catch the game in the Gallery
🌟 Drop by the Long Center table to pick up some merch and learn about Membership
🤝 Chat with some local orgs working to make a difference in our Partner Showcase, underwritten by Frost Bank
🍔 Grab a bite at one of many food trucks
🥂 Sip a drink and enjoy the vibes
All of our inside and outside spaces will be open, so the choice is yours if you want some fresh air and sunshine or sweet, sweet air conditioning.
WHAT DO MEMBERS GET?
We love our Long Center Members! Because of their support, we’re able to put on free events like Teresa Lozano Long Community Day.
Members are invited to a pre-bash Jazz Brunch and get early entry to the day’s activities.
And starting now until September 6 at 4pm, you can take advantage of our Community Day Membership Deal and get Long Center Friend- level Membership for only $95! You’ll get access to the Jazz Brunch, plus tons of other Member perks like presale access, invites to our Member Lounges, and exclusive events curated just for members.
To learn more about Membership, click the button below or swing by the Long Center table during Community Day.
FAQs
This event is totally, 100%, absolutely free! You can now “pay what you want” — if you’d like to pass a few bucks on to Community to support free local programming, that’d be rad! If you’d still like to attend for free, we’ll be happy to see you there.
RSVPs are appreciated so we know to expect you, but not required.
You bet it is! We’ve teamed up with our friends at Creative Action to curate a kids-only zone called KIDosky on the Mezzanine Level. It’ll be chock-full of games, crafts, and more. Just be sure to stick with your kiddo; KIDosky is not a drop off area.
We’ll also have the return of BubblePalooza outside all day, thanks to our sponsor H-E-B.
Properly identified service animals are welcome inside and out. Otherwise, please leave your pets at home for this one.
Nope, but food and beverage will be available to purchase onsite.
For water, you can bring in 1 sealed water bottle or an empty reusable one to fill up!
Parking is available at the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage, located at 900 Barton Springs Road. There are two entrances to the garage, one at Riverside Drive and South First Street near the Long Center’s Circular Drive, and one on Barton Springs Road adjacent to the Palmer Events Center main entrance.
Mobility Impaired/Accessible Parking is available in the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage on all levels near the elevators. Please see the Accessibility section of our website for more information, including drop-off location.
Complimentary Garage Parking is available to vehicles with any of the following specialty license plates: Air Force Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Medal of Honor, and Legion of Merit Medal, Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and Prisoners of War (House Bill 618 and City Code Section 12-3-8).
Check out our Directions and Parking page for more details.
Better yet, bike, walk, carpool, or ride share!
You betcha! Stop by the Long Center table in the Orchestra Lobby to make a donation, pick up a piece of LC merch, or become a Member. You can also check out the Support Us section of our website to see all the ways to can help.
OTHER LC HAPPENINGS
We’ve got a full calendar here at the Long Center. There’s something for everyone – check out our upcoming shows and events (and don’t forget about our special Community Day ticket deals)!
Plus, check out our Long Center merch! Swing by the Membership table at Community Day or any other Long Center show to pick up a hat, sticker, or a t-shirt and help support community events.
We can’t wait to see you on September 6! The Long Center is always yours, but especially on Teresa Lozano Long Community Day 💜
If you know the Long Center, you know that we love our friends. As a nonprofit, we work together with all sorts of organizations in the community to help keep the arts alive in Austin. Not only do we get by with a little help from them, but they’re just flat-out-cool, and super fun to collaborate with!
In this Mid-Week Intermission, we chatted with our friends over at KMFA 89.5 to learn more about classical music’s place in Austin, their partnership with the LC, their upcoming Arts Mixer on August 21, and what they’re looking forward to at our 3rd Annual Teresa Lozano Long Community Day.
Long Center: Welcome to Mid-Week Intermission! We usually like to ask folks for a song to go with their interview – anything come to mind?
KMFA: We chose Beethoven’s Ode to Joy because its uplifting spirit and energetic movements mirror the creative pulse of Austin’s arts community. The music ignites inspiration, breaks through creative blocks, and injects vitality into the artistic process—much like our partners do every day.
For KMFA, Ode to Joy perfectly reflects the energy, creativity, and collaborative spirit that defines Austin’s arts scene—and our role as a hub where music and imagination meet.
LC: So KMFA, “on key, offbeat” pretty much says it all, but can you give a quick rundown of what you’re all about to our readers who might be less familiar.
KMFA: KMFA brings classical music to life with fresh perspectives and a come-on-in spirit. We share it, celebrate it, and make space for everyone to feel right at home. You’ll hear music that’s handpicked by real people who know their stuff and wear their passion on their sleeves. In our purpose-built home in East Austin, which is home to the Draylen Mason Music Studio, a 140-seat performance venue, we create bold, immersive events that bring people closer to the music, the artists, and each other. Through our commitment to our arts and community partners, we champion collaboration across Austin’s vibrant arts scene. Whether you’re tuning in, showing up, or joining forces, we’re here to make classical feel personal, present, and unmistakably Austin.
LC: In a city with such a sprawling music scene, what role to you think KMFA plays in the wider music and arts community in Austin?
KMFA: In a city celebrated for its diverse music scene, KMFA serves as the hub for classical music in all its forms—traditional, contemporary, and everything in between. While some may still think of classical music as “old music for elite audiences,” Austin tells a very different story. Here, a vibrant community of classically trained musicians and composers are redefining what classical music sounds like—blending it with pop, R&B, folk, bluegrass, even gaming music.
LC: KMFA has supported the Long Center on events such as Community Day (coming up on Sept 6), Black Violin, Itzhak Perlman, and so many more. What makes this partnership a natural fit?
KMFA: The partnership between KMFA and the Long Center feels natural because our missions are deeply aligned. The Long Center was built to be a home for the arts in Austin, a gathering place that fuels community through creative expression and ensures access to world-class cultural experiences for all Austinites. Similarly, KMFA has positioned itself as a hub for the arts for more than 58 years—connecting people to classical music, showcasing Austin’s creative spirit, and enriching the cultural life of our community.
LC: Your programs and initiative like Composer in Residence, Kids on Key, and Offbeat Concert Series focus on making classical music accessible to all Austinites. Can you tell us more about why this is so important?
KMFA: At KMFA, accessibility isn’t just an ideal—it’s central to our mission. We believe classical music should inspire and belong to everyone, not just a select few. That’s why our programs and initiatives are designed to foster connection, nurture creativity, and broaden the definition of the genre for Austinites of all ages and backgrounds.
Together, these efforts ensure that classical music is not only preserved but continually reimagined—accessible, inclusive, and alive in the cultural fabric of Austin.
LC: With public media across the country facing funding challenges and uncertainty these days, how can folks support KMFA and other public media organizations? We love our radio here!
KMFA: These are challenging times for public media and the arts in America. With Congress’ recent approval of rescission bill H.R. 4, $1.1 billion in already-approved federal funding has been withdrawn from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the National Endowment for the Arts. For KMFA, this means federal funding disappears immediately.
We had expected $140,000 this November as part of our Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting—funds that made up a critical 7% of our annual budget. With that money gone, and an additional $200,000 loss looming in 2026, KMFA is now facing a significant and permanent funding gap. The same is true for many of our public media colleagues, including KUT/KUTX and Austin PBS, as well as arts organizations across the nation.
But KMFA is determined to continue serving as Austin’s hub for classical music and the arts. We need your help to do it.
How You Can Help
- Make a two-year transformative pledge to help KMFA bridge the gap and stabilize operations in the face of these cuts.
- Become a Sustaining Member with a monthly gift—or, if you already give monthly, consider adding just a few more dollars to your contribution.
Now more than ever, our community must come together to ensure that public media and the arts not only survive, but thrive. With your support, KMFA will continue to inspire, uplift, and provide a home for music and culture in Austin for generations to come.
For more information or to pledge your support, contact Jesan Barnes at jbarnes@kmfa.org or visit kmfa.org.
LC: Are there any upcoming events, partnerships or collaborations in the Austin community you’re excited about? How can folks get involved?
KMFA: Yes! We’re thrilled to share that two of our biggest community celebrations of the arts are right around the corner.
First, our annual Austin Arts Mixer takes place this Thursday at KMFA. It has become the unofficial kick-off to Austin’s arts season, bringing together nearly 40 local nonprofit arts organizations in one place. Guests can explore the incredible breadth of performances and programs happening in our city while enjoying a fully catered happy hour with food, drinks, door prizes, and—most importantly—community.
We’re also proud to partner once again with the Long Center for the 3rd Annual Teresa Lozano Long Community Day on Saturday, September 6. This free, family-friendly block party celebrates Austin’s arts and culture with community partners, live music, performances, food trucks, BubblePalooza presented by H-E-B, and plenty of hands-on activities for all ages. It’s the Long Center at its best—open to everyone and filled with creativity.
And if you’re looking for ways to stay plugged in year-round, KMFA’s “5 Offbeat Things To Do” newsletter is delivered every Thursday with curated picks for the best arts happenings in Austin each weekend. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to this vibrant community—subscribe now at kmfa.org/newsletter.
LC: What are you looking forward to about joining us at Community Day? We are excited to have you!
KMFA: That’s easy—the answer is right in the name of the event: Community! One of the best parts of working at KMFA is connecting with people who love and are committed to the arts in Austin. Community Day gives us the perfect chance to do just that.
We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, sharing small joys like a free bumper sticker or piece of KMFA swag, and hearing the incredible stories of how KMFA has touched lives across Austin. Most of all, we love being surrounded by people who share our passion for art, music, and culture. In short, we’re excited to celebrate community—together.
Thanks for chatting, KMFA! We can’t wait to hang at Community Day.
Join us on September 6 for performances, arts and crafts, and community organizations, all for free!
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
