Bring your family, a picnic dinner, and a blanket or chairs to the Bullock Texas State History Museum every Sunday in May to enjoy free music presented by the American Federation of Musicians. All concerts are free, family-friendly and highlight local musical talent. Each concert starts at 4 p.m. in the museum rotunda with performances outside in the Lone Star Plaza beginning at 5 p.m. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
Come early and enjoy First Free Sunday, celebrating special exhibit Roller Derby: Skating as a Contact Sport, from noon to 3 p.m. Families with kids ages five and up can participate in hands-on activities, drop in at an art-making station, and meet some of the Texas Rollergirls themselves.
Then, from 4 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy Music Under the Star:
Rotunda: David Greenfield Bowie’s piano compositions incorporate ragtime, classical, blues and jazz traditions.
Plaza:18 Karat, a dynamic new jazz duo, features the soulful vocals of Kimberly Pollini, and the multifacted 7-string guitar work of Paul Pollini. 18 Karat incorporates jazz, rock, and soul to create subtle and infectious harmonies.
Plaza: Glenn Rexach’s songs draw upon the artist’s love of bebop, funk, rock, blues, Latin and world music. Rexach is known for his lush harmonies, soaring improvisational virtuosity, and a distinct guitar voice.
Celebrate Mother’s day with a free concert of strong female musicians, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.:
Rotunda: Corrina Rachel sings a luxurious blend of jazz, blues, and swing. Her distinctive vocal scatting and conversational tone bring a delicate twist to the classic jazz standards and original songs she performs.
Plaza: The Bluebonnets serve up ‘glitter blues rock’ layered with girl group harmonies. The band combines garage band energy with tight arrangements, solid grooves, and unforgettable melodies.
Plaza: Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers has a reputation for high-energy shows that engage the crowd. The seasoned four-piece combo’s sound encompasses Texas honky-tonk, Bakersfield twang, Memphis rockabilly, Western swing and good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll.
From 4 to 7:30 p.m., enjoy a variety of live music:
Rotunda: Larry Natwick is a seasoned jazz pianist with fifty years’ experience performing jazz clubs and festivals. Natwick performs original compositions, standards, and classics.
Plaza: Extreme Heat formed in 1977 from the critically acclaimed band Steam Heat. Honing its sound in legendary Austin venues like the Armadillo, Liberty Lunch, Steamboat, Antone’s, and the Saxon Pub, EXTREME HEAT continues to entertain audiences with their funky ‘old school’ sound.
Plaza: Tim Abbott & Arcana Mundi draw influences from Pink Floyd, Beck, Joe Jackson, and Leonard Cohen for an alternative sound that encompasses indie, pop-rock, and mojo groove with ‘candy hooks’ and deep lyrics. Abbott is the former lead singer/writer for Up Periscope, Argument Clinic, and The Figurados.
From 4 to 7:30 p.m., the lineup will include:
Rotunda: Aaron Lack is a percussionist, singer, and songwriter whose music career spans drums, steel pan, vibraphone, vocals, congas, and other percussion instruments.
Plaza: Beto y los Fairlanes serve up Texas Salsa music that is festive, fun, and engaging. The band’s high flying horns and explosive percussion celebrate musical traditions both north and south of the border.
Plaza: Javier Chaparro and Salud perform romantic and nimble-fingered compositions, described as South American folk infused with Americana, jazz, and bluegrass.
From 4 to 7:30 p.m., don’t miss the final Music Under the Star:
Rotunda: Corkey Robinson delights Central Texas audiences with selections from the Great American Songbook – classic sounds and tempos sure to make you dance.
Plaza: The Damn Torpedoes, a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers tribute band, bring attitude, mojo, chemistry, skill, and determination to their classic rock lineup. Painstaking attention to detail – tones, arrangements, harmonies, performance – give audiences the full Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers experience.
Plaza: Mundi evokes beautiful, worldly sounds with instrumental performances or their original compositions.
For more information, visit the Bullock Museum calendar.
Bullock Texas State History Museum
1800 Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701
