Events - 13 May 16

We offer aerial silk classes to our community and visiting artists. Throughout the year, our dance classes provide a unique challenge and offer a creative way for students to develop strength and grace while exploring aerial movement.

Blue Lapis Light also offers aerial workshops for colleges, high schools and community organizations. These workshops are uniquely designed for every project, providing an exceptional dance experience for all participants. We can host master classes at our studio or visit your location to conduct site-specific work.

The 3rd Annual Contemporary Relationships Conference & Expo is a fun and informative event that uses experience and social-science to explore how great LGBTQ relationships really work. Hosted by the Equality Texas Foundation and founded by Jeff Lutes, LPC, the event is open to the LGBTQ public (both singles and those in a relationship), affirming mental health professionals (earn 6-9 CEU’s), community leaders, and other allies. The weekend includes:

FREE EXPO – Friday, May 13, 5-9pm: Featuring live piano music by Aaron Flores and exhibits by businesses and organizations that support healthy LGBTQ relationship, dating, and family experiences. PLUS – The Queer Quiz Show: Sex Nerd Edition: “Trivia Questions Covering Everything Your High School Gym Teacher Forgot to Tell You.” Businesses can apply for an exhibit table at www.contemporaryrelationships.com and 501(c)3 organizations can secure a table for free! No charge to attend the expo, but please register online.

CONFERENCE – Saturday, May 14, 8am-5:15pm: Featuring 29 speakers from 7 states and a keynote address by Phyllis Randolph Frye – the “grandmother” of the national legal and political transgender movement and the first out transgender judge in the nation. Registrants that want a bit more out of their conference experience have the option of adding a three-hour workshop (Pre-Conference Institute) on Friday, May 13 from 2-5pm (purchase the two-day pass).

For speaker bios, workshop descriptions, and registration, go to: www.contemporaryrelationships.com.

The 3rd Annual Contemporary Relationships Conference & Expo is a fun and informative event that uses experience and social-science to explore how great LGBTQ relationships really work. Hosted by the Equality Texas Foundation and founded by Jeff Lutes, LPC, the event is open to the LGBTQ public (both singles and those in a relationship), affirming mental health professionals (earn 6-9 CEU’s), community leaders, and other allies. The weekend includes:

FREE EXPO – Friday, May 13, 5-9pm: Featuring live piano music by Aaron Flores and exhibits by businesses and organizations that support healthy LGBTQ relationship, dating, and family experiences. PLUS – The Queer Quiz Show: Sex Nerd Edition: “Trivia Questions Covering Everything Your High School Gym Teacher Forgot to Tell You.” Businesses can apply for an exhibit table at www.contemporaryrelationships.com and 501(c)3 organizations can secure a table for free! No charge to attend the expo, but please register online.

CONFERENCE – Saturday, May 14, 8am-5:15pm: Featuring 29 speakers from 7 states and a keynote address by Phyllis Randolph Frye – the “grandmother” of the national legal and political transgender movement and the first out transgender judge in the nation. Registrants that want a bit more out of their conference experience have the option of adding a three-hour workshop (Pre-Conference Institute) on Friday, May 13 from 2-5pm (purchase the two-day pass).

For speaker bios, workshop descriptions, and registration, go to: www.contemporaryrelationships.com.

Splice Records is delighted to announce the comeback of beloved Texas roots rocker John Evans with the highly anticipated release of his first album in six years entitled ‘Polyester’. The album is slated for release Friday, May 13. The official album release party will take place on Friday, May 13 at the Continental Club located at 1315 S Congress Ave. Austin TX 78704. The show begins at 10 p.m. Tickets are 17 USD in advance.

Evans’ music career has earned many accolades and awards including eight straight years of Houston Press Awards starting with six-time Best Male Vocalist, four-time Best Songwriter, two-time Musician of the Year and Best Roots Rock Band. They span over seven albums, not including his new release on the way. Evans’ songs have been featured in film and TV including “Country Strong” and “Friday Night Lights.” Evans also has several album writes and co-writes with Hayes Carll including mainstays, Take Me Away and KMAG YOYO.

“John has been my favorite underground legend for the better part of twenty years,” said Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Hayes Carll. “He writes, plays, produces, and sings with passion, style, and heart unmatched by anyone else I’ve known. If I had one last night to watch a show I’d be front and center – hollering and dancing to the John Evans Band.”

Recorded in Evans’ own living room in Austin and mixed at SugarHill Studios in Houston,  ‘Polyester’ was written and produced by John Evans, engineered and mixed by Steve Christensen and mastered by Chris Longwood. Players include Evans on vocals and guitar, Emily Bell on background vocals, Scott Davis on guitar, bass and banjo, Falcon Valdez on drums and percussion, Ricky Ray Jackson on steel guitar, Sweeny Tidball on piano, Will Sexton on guitar (on tracks Trouble Is and Instant Society), and Josh Owen on additional guitar (on tracks Polyester, Pretty, Dustbowl and Instant Society).

“‘Polyester’ embodies the iconic style and genre-bending Evans is notorious for,” said Grammy-winning engineer Steve Christensen, who engineered and mixed the album. “It defines what great American music is all about. It’s home-grown, written on the highways, it’s got roots.”

“I’m extremely proud of this new project and everyone involved with it,” said Evans. “The past few years have been a journey. I’m really excited and prepared to see where this album takes me.”

Get Sprung this Spring with Shameless Dames

We don’t f***** care if you like this show. We’re not going to apologize. We’re not going to smile. If you’re not scared off yet, then let’s exchange Snapchats. You’re about to dive head first into the candid, sex positive world of Shameless Dames, where there are no sexual labels besides brand name condoms.

Shameless Dames centers around two best gal pals, navigating the world the only way they know how.  Adulthood sucks and these girls are prepared to suck hard. Descending from the Motherships of Broad City and Girls, nothing is off limits in this R-Rated improv show: live waxing, body piercings, and all too honest sex scenes. Be prepared to squirm, either out of shock or because it’s that familiar.

Special acts will also be performing including Cene Hall from Love Me Tinder, Ginger Snaps from Black Widow Burlesque, Drag Queen Toyota Lopez, Ukulele Heart Melter Arielle LaGuette, Stand Up Comedian Valerie Nies, and Rapper Versace Kolache. Each episode will feature a local Austin business sponsor including Torrid Boudoir, Swoff Style, and Cindie’s that will be incorporated in the show.

The cast features Nicole Oliver, Aspen Webster, Alex Walker, Torrey St. George, Margaret Hunsicker, Laura Lee Alcayde, Luke Wallens, Caeriel Crestin, Tim Brewer, Mason Pitluk, Jason Vines, and Claudio Fox. Directed by Sam Schak and Tess Hermes.

Shameless Dames comes to The Institution Friday at 10pm, April 29th through June 3rd. Tickets are $10 and available at theinstitutiontheater.com.