We had fun! Improv theater is unpredictable and at times hilarious. We saw two groups at the 6pm…read moreshow and enjoyed the whole experience.

Came here for maestro improv with some friends and we loved it!! They have beer/wine/coffee here as…read morewell and I got a glass of cab that was delicious!! We had so many great laughs and definitely will be back!! We loved the concept!!

Our group had an AMAZING experience for my sister's bachelorette party! Our teacher, Sara, was…read moreawesome and offered all sorts of creative ways to draw our model... and of course our male model, Brandon, was super hot and had a great personality to boot. Totally classy yet very cheeky, my sister said it was her fav part of the whole day we'd planned for her. Artful was very accommodating, communicated clearly about pricing and how things would work the whole way. Our teacher/model duo brought music and all supplies and took requests for music we wanted to hear. There was no touching and no crazy dancing... just cheeky art, fun banter, a very handsome nude dude, and lots of laughter and good times. The PERFECT event for any bachelorette or special birthday! Can't recommend this experience enough to others looking for a unique, adult way to celebrate with girlfriends!

As an artsy bride who was treated to this special surprise, I was blown away by the creative idea,…read morebeautiful gallery venue, and super professional host and model! 10/10 AND I'D HIT IT AGAIN!! Val was so funny and talented, and Dwayne was so sexy, and so kind. They were an awesome duo, and our bride tribe LOVED it. As for the arts - we actually learned so much, while having fun. Val even got us drawing blind and switching canvases. Definitely give this event a try if your curious and want to have a good time. They'll have you coming back for more!! ;)

Since no one has provided commentary for the last year, I would like to contribute my personal…read moreexperiences with NKL. First of all, I am a newbie--and after a year and a half of wandering around Austin trying to find a local hang out where I could meet people, I happened to stumble into Egos on a Thursday night in desperate search for Karaoke and a good time. With me was my friend Patrick. We look around, there's two people at the bar with afro wigs. Another patron walks in with chaps on. I look at Patrick and say, "I guess we missed the notice that it's wig night..." and then I look over and notice Master Shake in the corner. After being rebuffed by the Karaoke Jocky with a snort, "Karaoke's only for NKL until 10!" we decided to grab a booth and watch. We snag someone in a white lab coat (now my teammate) and ask what is going on: "It's National Karaoke League! It's the last night of the regular season. We're all on teams and we take turns singing--it's a lot of fun. Excuse me, I have to go." The young man runs up to the stage and proceeds to strip off his lab coat--and is wearing a full S&M harness underneath. As he hoods himself and unzipps his mask to let his voice be heard on the mike ("I wanna sex you up" I believe), Patrick reminds me to close my mouth (my unhinged jaw is on floor in shock). We watch the rest of the performances in awe--"Maniac" from flash dance, where I wait to see a nip slip as she bounces up and down on the stage in a full run-in-place with only a bandeau bra and a homemade leotard, a full corseted drag performance of "No More I Love Yous" where the man singing has a full beard and the best Annie Lenox voice I've ever heard. Then we are treated to "Thriller" replete with zombie costumes and of course, the signature dance. After that number I run to the ladies room, and when I open the door, I find the bartender (who I now know as Laura) mopping up the floor covered in water and muttering, "fucking zombies." As Patrick mounts the stage at 10 to sing his signature number "I want it that way" the zombies break out into their dance at his feet, and I look at him from the crowd, and he looks at me, and we both know. We have to join. My first season at NKL has not disappointed in the least. From seeing "The Human Centipede" in front of my eyes, to witnessing two "births", and spending countless hours with Patrick and 7 other people I didn't know, I have made wonderful friends--and even better memories. There's a picture of me dressed as a little boy, munching on a cupcake while the creepy old Herbert from Family Guy croons "Somewhere that's Green." There's pictures of teammembers half naked--almost totally naked--cross dressed, in the throes of passionate performance that we will have to one day explain to our kids. There's been drama and paranoia and politics and a whole lot of laughter. And I cannot wait for next season.

I've been involved in the NKL for several years now, and it's one of the most fun activities around…read morewith an amazing community of people involved in it. Well worth your valuable time. The basic idea is that you get on a team with people and, as a team, do three songs each week. You can have a team already, or come in as an individual and let them set you up on a team. It's very friendly to newcomers, and each team generally has a few new people on it. The audience will vote for their favorite performances, and over the course of the season, eventually a champion is crowned. But it's way more than just singing. In fact, singing ability isn't even a major factor. There's costumes, performances, and choreography in addition to the singing, and it's an environment where enthusiasm counts for more than ability. They have two divisions in town: one up north at the Canary Roost and the other down south at Ego's, so you have options as to where you want to go. There are three seasons a year, each lasting about two and a half months with weekly competition. But as much fun as it is to perform and see what everyone else comes up with (and, believe me, it's really amazing to see what gets done), what I really love about NKL are the people involved. It's a really diverse crowd where you really can't predict what kinds of folks you'll encounter. The quality that unifies them, though, is that they all like to perform and they all like to have a good time. The folks that I've met through NKL are insanely fun and interesting and awesome. Bottom line is that there's really never anything boring in NKL, and you're sure to meet a ton of cool people. Participating has been one of the best things I've done.

I went to the 2014 Austin Carnaval an event virgin and left a bonafide Brasilero woman!…read more From the walk to the Palmer Events Center to the Carnaval itself to the VIP lounge, the whole experience was a colorful blur of gyrating painted and feathered nudity to samba beats and boozey revelry! On the way from the parking lot to the Palmer Event Center, we just had to follow the colorful and scantily clad masses to find the fun! And though I expected an out of control night of pure debauchery based on previous reviews, the night was enjoyably tame. We got there around the 10pm mark and the party was already in full swing with the samba dancers and drummers showing off their mad crazy skills! From the minute we walked in the door our asses didn't stop shaking til they hit the cold leather of the car seat 3hrs later! I loved how open and friendly everyone was! Especially those in full on crazy and fabulous costumes! We watched the "parade" from the stands and then when the dance floor opened up joined a conga line right to the front of the stage where we shook it like a polaroid picture! The entertainment was just amazing and the energy permeated and flowed through the gleefully sweaty crowd! It wasn't nearly as awful as I imagined it would be in the crowd, it was packed, but not claustrophobically so. And, to my surprise, there was not nearly the amount of nudity I expected...I mean bare bootys and boobies abounded, but in a tasteful and non-gratuitous way. I ended up backstage because of my VIP pass because no one could tell me how to get to the "lounge", but that ended up being an awesome experience! Needless to say, I will be returning to Carnaval next year...and honestly, if you can't be in Rio, this is the next best thing! Braaaazilll ATX style baby!!

I know it's an event but it's annual sooo if anyone is curious about this party and does a little…read moreresearch here, let me shed some light (it's okay, I won't illuminate the darkest corners!). Imagine if a gay bar Halloween party and a strip club Halloween party were to have a baby....no, imagine if Mardi Gras had a super sexy, blatantly flirtatious Latino cousin.....no, imagine that dream you have with all the sexy demons and angels and they all want to have sex with you. Yeah, put all that together and you can get an idea. I've been going to this party for almost 15 years and I never get tired of it. Not only is it about the costumes and the flirting, but it's also about the incredible music. Every year they get a nationally known Brazilian Samba band to play the stage, but lately they have also used Austin's own Academicos da Opera which I think is even better cause they get right down on the floor in a huge drum circle. This music is intoxicating (which is great cause it's damn hard to get a drink here---lines too long). You cannot stop dancing and at the end of the night you get that all over warm body relaxation that you get after a great workout or even better sex. But if you are an exhibitionist or a voyeur or if you are not afraid of a large crowd of these, then this is your party. To get anywhere in the crowd, you have to get in a conga line and next thing you know, you are swept away with a bunch of fun-loving strangers to god knows where. And costumes! I am always awed by the work that goes into this event. From feathers and beads to leather and chains. Drag queens and dominatrixes. Fairies and well, fairies. Body painting to body stockings. It's all here and it doesn't mind being seen and photographed and danced with. Sigh. I always have a bit of post-Carnaval depression. So, don't be scerd. You are really missing out if you let your fears hold you back. True of Carnaval and of life.

Let me start out by saying that, this is in Austin and you know what side of the political pendulum…read morethis city is in. I am on the other side of that. I speculated what type of humor / jokes they were going to portray in their acts and I was right. But here is the deal...If you are heavily on the right and you cant take a joke, or two, or several... do not come. They even made some jokes about their own side. The magic shows were great along with the entire show. Everyone was very nice, the food / drink service was good and the ambiance was nice. Very good spot for humor, but if you are easily offended, especially regarding political humor, just look somewhere else. I had fun and I can see myself going back. Thank you for the great time.

Loved this experience. This place has definitely been around for awhile and I can see why. Got…read morethere early to scope out the location and upon entering you provide your name and they provide a paper to give upon entering the show room. There was a group on the patio area where you can order tacos, I did not partake. Then the bar area inside. You can take drinks into the showroom as well. Scoped out the venue which was bigger than anticipated and really enjoyed the fish tank TVs. So fun! The show was entertaining and up to date with references all relevant to the current times. Everyone on stage was great and their chemistry can be seen. The audience was laughing 99% of the time and the show went back fast! I'd totally go back for a local Austin night out with good laughs.

I sang with this company. I regret it. They don't consider the needs of all company members, show…read morefavoritism, and have traumatized friends and myself. I cannot in good conscience recommend this company until they are willing to reconcile their delusions of inclusion with the reality of how they allow bullying and harassment in their shows. If you are going to see Patience this summer, consider also making a donation to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, since it is more effort than they will make to support those with mental health needs.

Every year G & S of Austin puts on the finest productions of the works of Gilbert and Sullivan…read more This year, June 2024, we are performing The Yeoman of the Guard, a delightful musical comedy that everyone will enjoy and will walk away singing the tunes. The best Operetta productions anywhere in the United States are right here in Austin TX. Don't miss it!

NOT for the faint of heart, the conservative, the easily offended, the underage or your parents,…read moreBedpost Confessions is a sexually charged, raunchy, exciting, fun, silly, inspiring all-lady showdown of awesome. It was jampacked -- the most crowded some of the regulars have ever seen it I was told. We were ass to elbows up in there, trying to get drinks, jostling excitedly, waiting for the performance to begin. There was ruthless flirting, lots of goodwill and anticipation. What followed is really hard to describe -- so I wont. Suffice to say that the event was one of the most unique events I've ever been to. If you have the chance, I'd absolutely urge you to go to this. But get there early for chrissake. I confess I enjoyed every minute of this wild affair and will be there again next go round.

I am stuck between whether I am relieved or disappointed that my confession wasn't read during the…read moreNovember congregation of BedPost Confessions. The anticipation in itself was titillating, the solution is to keep returning and entering the story over and over until I get my satisfying anonymous embarrassment and move on with my life so I can become part of the regulars. One of us. One of us. I can't believe how well produced this show is for the bargain price of $10... I pay more to go to the movies for a less entertaining night 50% of the time. The show is vulnerable, hilarious, real, life affirming, brave, touching and damn exciting. I found the topics to be very vanilla, I don't know if that says more about me or I just went on a tame night. I think tame, but even so it was refreshing. I arrived right at 7 and that time worked out well for me and many arrived well after 7:30, so don't be too discouraged if you don't think you can make it by 6:30- it's worth a shot. If you do make it early, there are plenty of distractions including past Confessions projected on a wall and sponsor's tables with freebies, merchandise, and raffles. The drink prices are really reasonable- $5 for a stiff whiskey sour, you can order pizza, sandwiches, salads, and churro wraps in case you must.get.food.now. The people in attendance are some of the friendliest you'll meet in Austin (if you want to make a new friend bring extra pens for your neighbors to write their confessions) and there's a chance you can take home a free toy from one of the self-proclaimed Fairy Dongmothers! It is a totally enthusiastic fantastic discovery that I will return to ASAP (like Dec 19 seriously).

Ummmmm! The reverence I have for Coldtowne is unprecedented…read more.. I've been asked my whole life if I'm a comedienne... and thanks to Coldtowne, i can say I dabble. I've been taking improv classes here for the last year! And it's been the most fun to be playing make believe with grown ups! 10/10 recommend the classes. Coldtowne has a vibrant community from all walks of life and everyone is truly welcome here, just as they are. An inclusive space full of every flavor of weirdo (myself included) and I am HERE FOR IT Shows Thurs-Sundays, free jams, and there's stand up and workshops and classes. You can grab drinks or snacks at the bar. Shows are $10-30 (bargain) to see local and big act comedy. Coldtowne is actually HOT SHIT. Lvoe this space. Trust.

I visited ColdTowne to catch some stand up comedy, specifically Vanessa Gonzalez, a fellow Texan…read morebased here in Austin. She was hilarious! This comedy club not only hosts shows but has comedy workshops. It's a very inclusive venue where all are welcome so long as you're kind, open-minded, and ready to laugh.