We celebrated the start of the summer with drinks, appetizers, and bowling at the awesome Highball on South Lamar.  It was a great way to meet new friends and reconnect with old colleagues in a relaxed setting.  We also learned that some of us are good bowlers...others, not so much.  We all still managed to have a great time!

On Saturday, May 22nd, the Theatre Action Project hosted the 2010 Youth Arts Festival, featuring middle school and high school students' artwork and performances from TAP's After School Programming and The Changing Lives Youth Theatre Ensemble.  As part of strataTX's Community Outreach, we sent a team of volunteers to help the organization with their great event.

We had a lot of fun interacting with  TAP's talented students, and watching the kids be part of something so positive. A dance rollerskating troupe, a steel drum band, a mural painting group, and other assorted dance, music, visual arts, and theatre groups, all comprised of east Austin kids, helped make this day a very special and inspiring event.  We can't wait to see what the Theatre Action Project dreams up next!

For our April strataTX event, we had an evening of Fusebox Festival Fun. First, we were treated to "T is for: Two Hundred Two-Steppers on the Steps of the Texas Capitol."  Local artists Allison Orr and Graham Reynolds put together a 30 minute dance performance featuring local two-steppers accompanied by a 15-piece Texas swing orchestra.  Next, we walked to the Paramount for "The Velvet Suite" performed by Japanese contemporary dance phenomenon Kaiji Moriyama.  The piece was nothing like we've ever seen in Austin, and we were incredibly lucky to have the chance to see such an amazing performance.  We ended the night at the wonderful Stephen F. Austin Bar and Terrace for drinks and appetizers.  It really was a great ending to a very fun evening.

This event was graciously sponsored by the Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental

strataTX celebrated the start of Spring with a tour of the yet-to-be-opened Visual Arts Center (VAC) at the UT College of Fine Arts. Located in the old Blanton space of the Fine Arts Building, the VAC was built by San Antonio-based Lake|Flato Architecture. (If anyone is keeping score, Lake|Flato was a Texas Medal of Arts Winner last year, which are handed out by our very own Texas Cultural Trust!) The official launch date isn't until September, but strataTX members were treated to a sneak peek. VAC center staff gave a guided tour of the space, describing not only the amazing changes that have happened to the building, but also the planned exhibits for each of the galleries. strataTX members were also treated to a reception before and after the tour to give them ample networking time with VAC staff.

In February, strataTX members volunteered for the ACE Academy's Innovation Program.  This K-9 school hosts a day of kids showing off the creative inventions they've been working on for months.  The group is also treated to guest speakers and interactive demonstrations, all to help spur the creative spirit.  strataTX members evaluated and gave feedback to the student inventors, as well as rotated between the interactive demonstrations and other areas of activities.  It was a fun afternoon for everyone involved!

We started the year off with a wine and cheese happy hour at the Chair's house.  New and old members were able to mix and mingle, and learn about the exciting events strataTX has in store for 2010.  The evening's featured guests were new Texas Cultural Trust staff members - Jennifer Ransom Rice and Stacy Whitworth.  We're looking forward to Jennifer and Stacy's contributions to strataTX.

At the beginning of December, we spent a Sunday afternoon with one of Austin's local non-profits arts organizations as part of our Community Outreach Initiative.  Theater Action Project (TAP) works with schools and communities to offer kids opportunities to gain critical life skills and tools for creative self-expression.  strataTX joined TAP at the "Glow in the Dark Adventure" at the Paramount Theater, and helped young "aspiring artists" create their own art projects before the show.  With a bit of Elmer's glue, dried macaroni and glitter, a fun afternoon was had by kids of all ages.

Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate strataTX's third anniversary at the Mexican American Cultural Center.  The evening was filled with friends, dancing to DJ Mel , and arts appreciation.  A special performance by renegade dance troupe The Sheep Army gave the evening an extra kick of excitment.  The night was a great cap to an excellent year of strataTX events!

Thank you to our sponsor:

 

 

 

And, our In-Kind Donors:

El Chile     
Ambiente Wine     
Brown Distributing     
Grey Goose Vodka

strataTX hosted a panel on the recently released economic study by the Texas Cultural Trust, and how you can advocate to make a different for the arts and cultural industries.  After the panel, participants continued the discussion at Uncle Billy's bar over cool drinks and hot snacks.

Sponsored by:

On a soggy night in September, strataTX members joined Austinites at the Austin Studios for a unique experience of dance, creativity and trash trucks.  Local arts organization Forklift Danceworks created a look at the Austin Solid Waste Services Department as never seen before.  Set to the music of Graham Reynolds, trash trucks and workers were choreographed to demonstrate the beauty of everyday life.  It was an amazing experience!

We joined forces with Austin Circle of Theaters (ACOT) for a happy hour at J. Black's Feel Good Lounge downtown.  Members of both organizations came together over appetizers and cold drinks to learn what each group was up to and their future activities.

In June we had our first-ever fashion event, and it was a great success!  We showcased the work of five local accessory designers, who create everything from purses to scarves and ties, at one of Austin's gem's - Kirk Gallery.

The evening included a delicious spread of sushi provided by Kenichi , and healthy bars from KIND Healthy Snacks.  Guests were able to see a fashion show featuring the designers' pieces, and then network with the designers and models to learn about their work.

The designers showcased that evening were:
Shimmer and Bliss, Sweettooth Bags , Mint Owl , Tracy Tenpenny Designs , and Kailo Chic.

We would like to thank our food sponsors, as well as Pickie Pie Productions, Kirk Gallery, and all the models and designers who donated their time to our event.

In May, strata members got down with the ambient music of Golden Hornet Project 's PVC Surround as part of the Fusebox Festival .  Following the show, strataTX members were treated to delicious cookies and limeade with the cast and crew.
 
ABOUT GHP: Founded in 1999 by composers Peter Stopschinski and Graham Reynolds, GHP has presented over 40 concerts of indie classical music by nearly 30 composers from non-academic musical backgrounds in underground rock, jazz, electronic and hip hop.

"Golden Hornet Project showed us the future of indie classical music. Both {Stopschinski and Reynolds} know how to bust down barriers around composed new classical music so that everyone can find a way in." - Jeane Claire Van Ryzin, The Austin American Statesman

For April, strataTX members attened the 2009 Texas Medal of Arts Awards. The evening was all about honoring Texas artists and arts patrons, including filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, country music star Clint Black, architects Lake|Flato, and stage and screen actress Betty Buckey.  The awards show ended with a once-in-a-lifetime performance with Los Lonely Boys, Ray Benson and Clint Black all on one stage!

After the show, attendees were treated to a champagne and dessert reception on the lawn of the Long Center for the Peforming Arts.  Congrats to the Texas Cultural Trust was a successful evening!

What do strataTX and Willam Shatner have in common? (awesomeness?)

In March, the force was with us as we attended the hilarious new production by Yellow Tape Construction Company aptly entitled "Warpstar Sexysquad" at the Off Center.

Following the show, strataTX members were treated to a private reception with the cast and crew.

Valentine's Art Gallery Reception at Gallerie Jean Moulin 

In celebration of the Valentine's season, BFFs strataTX and Catalyst 8 gathered at Hyde Park art gallery Jean Moulin for an evening of socializing, networking, and all around camaraderie.  A wine and cheese reception set the mood for guests to fall in love with the visual art by local artists Terrence Moline and Tom Besson.  Keepsakes were made, cliches were upheld, and body art was present with strataTX / catalyst 8 temporary tattoos.  

A big thank you is in order for David Sackmary, owner of Gallerie Jean Moulin, for making the magical evening possible.

 

We started off 2009 with some ol' fashioned networking and mixing.  Guests learned about strataTX's upcoming events while meeting new people.  And, friends had a chance to sign up to be members!

Cover 3 was the perfect location, and had the most delicious appetizers!

Thanks to everyone who came out in the cold weather.

This year's party was a great success!

On November 12, 2008, strataTX celebrated two years of existence with more than 250 of its closest friends.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening with a more perefct crowd, and we thank everyone who came out to help us turn 2!  The evening's entertainment included:

• John Pointer in the Members-Only Lounge
• Bboy City Dancers with DJ Lo-Res
• Video art curated by Austin Museum of Digital Art
• Artwork from Young Master Katie Pipkin
• Improv Troupe Paralellogramophonograph
• Live graffiti art from Sloke

We would also like to thank our sponsors and donors who made the event possible.

Title Sponsor

Hip Hop Room Sponsor   In-Kind Donors Brown Distributing Spicewood Vineyards Tito's Vodka Austinist Ciao Chow Catering

strataTX and the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division cohosted a cross-generational panel of arts administrators to discuss issues surrounding arts leadership at Mexic-Arte Museum.  Panelists included Cookie Ruiz, Executive Director of Ballet Austin, Jason Neulander, Founder of Salvage Vanguard Theater, Jennifer Wijangco, Deputy Director of Texas Cultural Trust, and Heath Hignight, Board Member of Austin Museum of Digital Art.  After the panel, the discussion continued at 219 West.

As the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event, the LIVESTRONG Challenge helps raise money and awareness for the nearly 12 million Americans affected by cancer.  For the 2008 Challenge, strataTX formed a team for the walk/run portion, and was there bright and early on the morning of October 25th to help this worthy cause. 

strataTX members took part in the Texas Motion Picture Alliance and the Digital Media Council 's Stand Up for Texas Games Benefit at Arthouse .

For our August happy hour, we joined with local non-profit organization Grounded in Music (GIM) at J. Black's Feel Good Lounge.  Members learned about the organization's mission to teach music lessons at the Boy's and Girl's Club of Austin, and networked with GIM leaders to find out how they can volunteer.

Forklift Danceworks' summertime performance at Playland Skate Center was a perfect setting for a strataTX event.  Skate Dance, a roller skating piece performed by dancers and veteran skaters, offered creative choreography and a reminder of those days of 'couples skate'.  strataTX members were treated to a private soda and cupcake before the performance.  At the end, the entire audience was invited to join the dancers on the floor for a group skate!

Thanks to the Austin Film Society , strataTX members were treated to a backstage tour of the Austin Studios at Mueller, including a look at the Studio's stages, on-site vendors and office space.  Members learned about AFS' mission and all the film projects that have used the stages for their productions.

strataTX members attended the University of Texas' performance of the musical "Assassins" in April.  Before the event, members got an opportunity to hear from the people who made the performance possible, including the Director and Scenic Director, at the pre-show private wine and cheese reception.

As a program of the Texas Cultural Trust and Texas Commission on the Arts, the Young Masters Program provides talented 8th through 12th grade Texas students scholarships for advanced arts training.  To celebrate the 2008 class of Young Masters, a luncheon was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin.  strataTX members were invited to be part of the event and learn about the wonderful things these Texas students are doing.

As a primer for SXSW Music, strataTX members were invited to party with Yelp! at Molotov Lounge for this year's ROOFTOP RAWK PARTY.  Guests were encouraged to dress up like their favorite rock star, with the grand prize going to the Ozzy look-a-like.

For February, the Austin Museum of Art (AMOA) invited strataTX to have a private reception and viewing of their latest exhibit, "New Art in Austin: 20 to Watch."  Members learned about the exhibit from AMOA Director Dana Friis-Hansen, who offered insite into the history and genesis of the featured artists, and the place of "20 to Watch" in the larger AMOA picture.

To start the year off, strataTX members met at Union Park bar to network and discuss the year to come.

We had a great first birthday in November of 2007, and thank everyone who was able to make it out.  We enjoyed an evening at Salvage Vanguard Theater , featuring KXAN's michelle Valles as emcee, Markus with a K on the turntables and the BBOY City Dancers on the floor, performances by Young Master fiddler Damian Green, video art curated by the Austin Museum of Digital Art, and works by East Austin Studio Tour artists.

 

Thank you to our sponsors who made the evening possible.

Title Sponsor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsor

 

 

In-Kind Donors
Brown Distributing
Tito's Vodka
Premiere Tents & Events
Twin Liquors

As part of American's for the Arts' National Arts and Humanities month, strataTX hosted a Creative Conversation alongside the Policy Coalition for Culture and the City of Austin at 219 West.

In preparation for Austin City Limits Music Festival, the Austinist's threw another one of it's Local Music is Sexy showcases, and strataTX was a willing participant!  Members were treated to a private reception prior to the show, and premium seats from the balcony at the Mohawk.  Thank you Austinist!

strataTX beat the summer heat with happy hour drinks amoung friends.

Original dance piece "But I Could Do That" from Yellow Tape Construction Company played at The Off Center, and strataTX was there for the opening night.  Preceeded by a private reception for strataTX members and Yellow Tape staff and volunteers, the performance kicked off with an improv comedy set from The Frank Mills.