Wondering what’s up around Austin this week? Here are some of the exciting events featured on our Free Fun Calendar!
Happening All Week
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Monday, April 27 – Friday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Exhibit is open until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday.) The Ransom Center celebrates 150 years of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland with an exhibition for the curious and curiouser of all ages. Learn about Lewis Carroll and the real Alice who inspired his story. See one of the few surviving copies of the first edition of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Discover the rich array of personal and literary references that Carroll incorporated throughout Alice. Explore the surprising transformations of Alice and her story as they have traveled through time and across continents. Follow the White Rabbit’s path through the exhibition, have a tea party, or watch a 1933 paper filmstrip that has been carefully treated by Ransom Center conservators. The Center’s vast collections offer a new look at a story that has delighted generations and inspired artists from Salvador Dalí to Walt Disney. Read about Katey’s experience here. FREE! Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st St, Austin.
Monday
Baby Bloomers – Monday, April 27 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Children age 0-3 and their families will explore the classic tale The Three Little Pigs. They will become one of the pigs and build their own houses, use their lungs to huff and puff and make a masterpiece, discover what the wind can blow, and more. Plus, Music Forever, Music Together will lead a sing-along. Cost: Members $2.50 each / Non-Members $4.50 each. All people attending, regardless of age, must purchase a ticket. Purchase a ticket online as limited walk-up tickets will be available. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.
Signing Storytime (Round Rock) – Monday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. Join the Baby Signing Time revolution. This class is geared toward children 0-5 years and their parents. Amy from the Signing Connection will lead this storytime that incorporates classic children’s books to help you learn basic American Sign Language signs. FREE! Kaleidoscope Toys, 110 N IH 35, Ste 375, Round Rock.
Storytime with Dr. Candra – Monday, April 27 at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Candra will captivate your children with stories, songs, dances, and games. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys and Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Ste D-480, Austin.
William Clark Green In-Store Performance – Monday, April 27 at 5:00 p.m. FREE! Waterloo Records, 600A N Lamar, Austin.
Dia de los Ninos – Dia de los Libros – Monday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. Experience the rhythms of Africa through singing, drumming, and dancing with Elizabeth Kahura. Participants will learn how African musical instruments are used as a means of communication through storytelling and poetry. The program will be followed by a craft. FREE! APL – University Hills Branch, 4721 Loyola Ln, Austin.
Night Crafters (18+) – Monday, April 27 from 6-7:30 p.m. Are you a crafter? Do you wish you were a crafter? Then Night Crafters is for you. Adults only, please. FREE! APL – Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St, Austin.
Evening Storytime (Round Rock) – Monday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. This pajama-friendly reading activity is a fun combination of books, fingerplays, songs, and a short film for preschool children ages 3 to 6. FREE! Round Rock Public Library, 216 E Main St, Round Rock.
Daddy and Me Evening Storytime – Monday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. Young ones and their favorite guys are invited to this special storytime. Dads, grandpas, other extraordinary men and their kids will read, sing, craft, and laugh—all while developing important literacy skills and having fun. Children of all ages are welcome. FREE! APL – Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd, Austin.
Tuesday
Free Admission to Laguna Gloria – Tuesday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Read about Heidi’s visit here. FREE! The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria, 3809 West 35th St, Austin.
Gymboree Storytime – Tuesday, April 28 at 10:30 a.m. Join Gymboree Play & Music and Miss Alexis in an extra special bubble-filled storytime. Hear two stories, sing songs, blow bubbles, and do a dance with Gymbo, all on top of the fabulous parachute. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Sensory Storytime – Tuesday, April 28 at 11:00 a.m. This storytime will feature interactive books, singing, and music, and will incorporate some sensory activities like movement and bubbles. It is geared toward children with special needs, their families, and friends. Children of all ages and abilities are welcome FREE! APL – Carver Branch, 1161 Angelina St, Austin.
Music with Mr. Will – Tuesday, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. Rock out with local children’s singer, “Mr. Will” Dupuy. FREE! Brilliant Sky Toys & Books, 701 S Capital of Texas Hwy Suite D-480, Austin.
Crafternoon -Tuesday, April 28 at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Drop by the library and make a craft while you search for books, movies, and music. There will be paper crafts, easy sewing, and more fun projects for the whole family. The library provides the supplies; you provide the creativity. FREE! APL – Faulk Central Library, 800 Guadalupe St, Austin.
Family Flicks: Big Hero 6 -Tuesday, April 28 at 4:00 p.m. Enjoy popcorn and family fun. Rated PG. FREE! Lake Travis Community Library, 1938 Lohmans Crossing, Austin.
Discovery! Madrone Canyon Hike – Tuesday, April 28 at 4:30 p.m. Kids in third grade through middle school are invited to explore the Madrone Canyon Trail with Master Naturalist Jeff Genung. Parents are required to attend this hike or be in the library. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. A liability waiver is required by all participants. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Pajama Storytime – Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Feel free to wear pajamas to this family evening storytime featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Children of all ages welcome. Seating is limited at all programs. Please arrive a few minutes early to gain entrance. FREE! APL – Willie Mae Kirk Branch, 3101 Oak Springs Dr, Austin.
Wednesday
ThunderCloud Sub’s 40th Anniversary – Wednesday, April 29. This year is ThunderCloud Sub’s 40th anniversary. Each Wednesday in April, they will offer an original sub at their original 1975 price. This week’s special is the American Classic sub: $1/small or $1.30/large. Limit two per customer. All ThunderCloud locations.
BookPeople Puppet Show – Wednesday, April 29 at 10:30 a.m. BookPeople’s fantastically ridiculous puppeteers will perform a fantastic rendition of Martina the Beautiful Cockroach. There will be silly voices, great jokes, and lots and lots of laughs. FREE! BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Yoga in the Park – Wednesday, April 29 at Noon. Yoga Yoga is proud to offer an all level Hatha Yoga class to participants at Yoga in the Park. FREE! Republic Square Park, 400 W Guadalupe, Austin.
Story Time with CJ the Explorer – Wednesday, April 29 at 12:30 p.m. Enjoy the play zone after the reading. FREE! All Things Kids @ The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Ct, Austin.
Community Night – Wednesday, April 29 from 4-8:00 p.m. At the Thinkery, science and families play side by side. Every Wednesday the museum stays open late for families to discover new ideas and learn together. Cost: Admission is by donation only, with a suggested $1 donation. The Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin.
Buxton In-Store Performance – Wednesday, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. FREE! Waterloo Records, 600A N Lamar, Austin.
We Write It We Sing It Concert – Wednesday, April 29 from 5-7:00 p.m. This event will feature songs written and performed by elementary students at Blackshear, Maplewood, and Palm Elementary Schools, and Trinity Preschool. Songs will be accompanied by the Groundwork Music Orchestra. The concert will also feature students from the SWAN program at Blackshear Elementary. FREE! George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina St, Austin.
Krispy Kreme Family Night – Wednesday, April 29 from 6-8:00 p.m. Kids can decorate one FREE doughnut each, plus enjoy crafts, balloons, paper hats, coloring sheets and more. Krispy Kreme, 701 E Stassney Ln and 12586 Research Blvd, Austin.
Texas Radio Live – Wednesday, April 29 from 6-8:00 p.m. Texas Radio Live brings you the very best Texas music with performances from Texas musicians. This week, The Reivers and Mitch Webb & The Swindles perform. FREE but donations to support the KDRP Radio Mission are appreciated. Read about Catherine’s experience here. Guero’s Oak Garden, 1412 S Congress Ave, Austin.
Music on Main Street (Round Rock) – Wednesday, April 29 from 6-8:00 p.m. This week, Inside Out Steel Band performs Trinidadian Steel Pan music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and the entire family. Visit the variety of dining options on Main Street or pack a picnic basket to enjoy the evening of fun and music. Food vendors will be on site. FREE! Main Street Plaza, 221 E Main St, Round Rock.
Curator’s Tour: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. Join exhibition curator Danielle Brune Sigler for a tour of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. To ensure the best experience for attendees, the tour is limited to 60 people. FREE tickets for the program can be picked up from the Center’s visitor desk starting at 6 p.m. on the day of the tour. Attendees may enter to a win a copy of Martin Gardner’s The Annotated Alice and a box of Ginger Lemon Scone Mix. Harry Ransom Center, 300 W 21st St, Austin.
Speaking & Signing with Aaron Franklin – Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m. In this much-anticipated debut, Franklin and coauthor Jordan Mackay unlock the secrets behind truly great barbecue and share years’ worth of hard-won knowledge. Franklin Barbecue is a definitive resource for the backyard pitmaster. Wristbands are required to join the signing line at this event and are only available with the purchase of a copy of Franklin Barbecue from BookPeople. The speaking portion of this event is FREE and open to the public. BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Meet A Maker at Your Library – Wednesday, April 29 from 7-9:00 p.m. The Meet A Maker at Your Library series delivers hands-on maker workshops to branches throughout the Library throughout April. Each workshop is taught by a different specialist, covering a range of topics. This week, learn to repurpose from the curb with Blythe Christopher de Orive. FREE! APL – Hampton Branch, 5125 Convict Hill Rd, Austin.
Thursday
Free Admission to The Blanton – Thursday, April 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. FREE! Blanton Museum of Art, 200 E MLK Jr Blvd, Austin.
Hola, Hola! – Thursday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. Ann Benson, expert in bilingual education, will teach you how to effectively use books as a tool to teach your child Spanish. Each parent will learn to read a Spanish book to their child and take it home for Spanish reinforcement. For parents and their children ages 0-5. FREE! Laura’s Library, 9411 Bee Cave Rd, Austin.
Free Noon Concert – Thursday, April 30 at Noon. Take a 30-minute lunchtime break to hear a violin concert by Sung Kyoung-Joo. FREE! Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E 8th St, Austin.
Studio Spotlight: Swan Lake (RSVP) – Thursday, April 30 at Noon and 6:00 p.m. Have you ever wanted to watch a professional dance company in action? Up-close, personal, and informal Studio Spotlight events give guests a free, behind-the-scenes look at the choreography and elements of an upcoming Ballet Austin production, while it is still in the works. Dancers perform excerpts from the show while Artistic Director Stephen Mills and Associate Artistic Director Michelle Martin lead a brief lecture and Q&A. The express lunchtime session also includes an optional costume viewing and dancer-focused Q&A from 12:30-12:45 p.m. The happy hour session lasts from 6-7:00 p.m. and features guest speakers and a dancer Q&A. Recommended for ages 11 years and older. Reserve your seat for either session here. FREE! Ballet Austin, AustinVentures StudioTheater, 501 W 3rd St, Austin.
Explorers Club (Cedar Park) – Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. Each Thursday, kids in grades K-5 meet to explore a set of rotating programs. This week, it’s Lego Lab. FREE! Cedar Park Library, 550 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park.
Kids Club: Jumbo Pinwheels (Pflugerville) – Thursday, April 30 at 3:30 p.m. Children use their imagination to work on different art project every week. Materials available while supplies last. Recommended for ages 5 – 8. FREE! Pflugerville Public Library, 1008 W Pflugerville St, Pflugerville.
Chicken Big, A Puppet Show – Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. Bawk! It’s an elephant! It’s an umbrella! No, it’s a … chicken?! Join Literature LIVE! to see how the chickens in this coop make room for a giant new friend in a less-than-traditional puppet show production of Austin author Keith Graves’ wonderful book Chicken Big. Recommended for ages 4 and up. FREE! APL – Ruiz Branch, 1600 Grove Blvd, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market North – Thursday, April 30 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Daniel DuFourtet performs Greek-influenced Jazz. FREE! Central Market, 4001 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Live Music at Central Market Westgate – Thursday, April 30 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Texas troubadour Ricky Stein. FREE! Central Market Westgate, 4477 S Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Speaking & Signing with Author Neal Shusterman – Thursday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. BookPeople welcomes one of their favorite authors for young readers, Neal Shusterman, with a moving new story. Challenger Deep is a deeply powerful and personal novel. A captivating story about mental illness that lingers long beyond the last page, the novel features haunting interior illustrations by Neal Shusterman’s son Brendan. Tickets are required to join the signing line at this event and are only available with the purchase of a copy of Challenger Deep from BookPeople. The speaking portion of this event is FREE and open to the public. BookPeople, 603 N Lamar, Austin.
Pajama Storytime – Thursday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. Feel free to wear pajamas to this family evening storytime featuring stories, songs, rhymes, games, crafts, and other activities. Children of all ages welcome. Seating is limited at all programs. Please arrive a few minutes early to gain entrance. FREE! APL – Manchaca Road Branch, 5500 Manchaca Rd, Austin.
Unplugged at the Grove: The Nightowls – Thursday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m. Join KGSR every Thursday for 24 consecutive weeks at the iconic Shady Grove for one of Austin’s longest running free concert series. FREE! Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Taming of the Shrew – Thursday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m. From the battle of the sexes to the marriage of true minds, Austin Shakespeare transforms The Taming of the Shrew to the Austin of the 1890’s, where city folk and cowboys collide. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy Shakespeare under the beautiful evening skies across from Barton Springs Pool. Featuring Gwendolyn Kelso as Kate and Marc Pouhé as Petruchio. Post show audience/actor discussions after each performance. Presented by The City of Austin in coordination with Austin Shakespeare. FREE! Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Friday
Yoga Story Time (RSVP) – Friday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. Join in a Story Time Yoga adventure where participants will stretch, read, and breathe. All ages are welcome. RSVP requested here. FREE! The Little Yoga House, 1211 Parkway, Austin.
Story Time with Princess CJ – Friday, May 1 at 12:30 p.m. Enjoy the play zone after the reading. FREE! All Things Kids @The Domain, 3220 Feathergrass Ct, Austin.
Lego Lab –Friday, May 1 at 4:00 p.m. With LEGO, you can build anything you can imagine and tell any story you can dream up. Come to the Lego Lab to hear, see, make, and create different stories, all while building with LEGOs provided by the Library. Recommended for ages 5 and up. FREE! APL – North Village Branch, 2505 Steck Ave, Austin.
Pre-Cinco de Mayo Celebration – Friday, May 1 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Families will enjoy games, food, door prizes, and Tejano music. Stay after the celebration to enjoy a Movie Under the Stars. Beginning at dusk, Metz will show Rise of the Guardians (Rated PG) on the front lawn, so bring your blankets and chairs. One free popcorn and drink per person. This is a dog friendly event–bring your pups to the celebration for games and doggie treats. FREE! Metz Rec Center, 2407 Canterbury St, Austin.
Square Dance & First Friday Block Party – Friday, May 1 from 6-10:00 p.m. May’s First Friday Block Party will include a community square dance. With Dusty Bull playing the tunes and Sharon Isaac doing the calling, it’s sure to be one of the best block parties yet. Get 10% off all local produce that day and 1% of sales go to in.gredients’ community partner. FREE! in.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd, Austin.
Shakespeare at the Market: Love’s Labour’s Lost (RSVP) – Friday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m. Present Company, in partnership with Whole Foods Market, presents the second annual Shakespeare at the Market on the rooftop of the downtown Austin Whole Foods Market. Seating and music begin at 6:30 for a 7:00 p.m. performance. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or short chair, and grab picnic goodies before the show. Promoting the philosophy of “accessible & sustainable art,” Shakespeare at the Market is a FREE event, however a $15-20 donation is suggested for guests able to support. Reserve your tickets here. Whole Foods, 525 N Lamar Blvd, Austin.
Concert in the Park (Cedar Park) – Friday, May 1 at 7:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and settle in to hear music by Suede. Food concessions will be available, but you are welcome to bring a picnic and your own ice chest. FREE! Elizabeth Milburn Park, 1901 Sun Chase Blvd, Cedar Park.
Movies in the Park: Annie (Leander) – Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Often described as a combination of state-of-the-art technology and the nostalgia of the 1950s drive-in, the Movies in the Park series provides families the opportunity to spend time together under the stars while enjoying first run movies. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner. Concessions will be available for purchase. Rated PG. FREE! Robin Bledsoe Park, 601 S Bagdad Rd, Leander.
Movie in the Park: Up – Friday, May 1 at 7:45 p.m. Rated PG. FREE! Dittmar Rec Center, 1009 W Dittmar Rd, Austin.
10th Anniversary Symphony Concert – Friday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m. Cinematic Symphony celebrates a decade of performing the great music of movies, television, and video games with their 10th anniversary concert. Hear some of your favorites and play some trivia. Lights, Camera, Music! Doors open at 7:45 p.m. FREE! Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W Slaughter Ln, Austin.
Taming of the Shrew -Friday, May 1 at 8:00 p.m. From the battle of the sexes to the marriage of true minds, Austin Shakespeare transforms The Taming of the Shrew to the Austin of the 1890’s, where city folk and cowboys collide. Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy Shakespeare under the beautiful evening skies across from Barton Springs Pool. Featuring Gwendolyn Kelso as Kate and Marc Pouhé as Petruchio. Post show audience/actor discussions after each performance. Presented by The City of Austin in coordination with Austin Shakespeare. FREE! Zilker Hillside Theater, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin.
Check out the Free Fun Calendar for even more ways to fill your week with fun.