What’s Cookin’ in The Cliff This Weekend?

The countdown to Christmas (break!) has begun. Here’s a list of what you should check out this weekend.

The talented kids at Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy will be presenting holiday theater performances tonight at 6:30 p.m.

Jazz guitarist Bill Longhorse will be performing tonight at 7 p.m. at Bar Belmont.

Texas-born blues singer/songwriter/pianist Marcia Ball is performing at the Kessler Theater tonight at 8 p.m. Blues artist Kirby Kelley opens.

Last Friday, the Texas Theatre won the “New Business/Development of the Year” award at the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce’s annual “Spotlighting the Cliff” awards presentation. If you still haven’t checked the space out, it’s high time you did. They show awesome retro films and host lots of unique events. For example, they’re showing Steve Martin’s first big hit, The Jerk, at 7 p.m. tonight, followed by Wake in Fright at 9:15 p.m.

On Saturday at 6 p.m., Mighty Fine Arts gallery is hosting the opening reception for husband and wife artists Jennifer and Matthew Guest. I couldn’t find much about them, but there’s a pretty cool image of one of Matthew’s painting’s here. If you’re into vibrant colors and images and abstract expressionism, this would be a good one to attend.

If you’re a resident of Hampton Hills, your neighborhood association is having it’s holiday party at 7 p.m. on Saturday at 1306 S. Montreal Avenue. Whether you’re new to the neighborhood or have lived there for years, it will be a good way to meet and mingle with your neighbors.

Austin legends Guy Forsyth and Carolyn Wonderland are joining forces again for a special holiday show at the Kessler on Saturday at 8 p.m. Although I’ve lived in Texas my whole life, I’ve never heard Christmas songs adapted to blues, country, folk, and rock, but I bet it sounds pretty cool.

Couldn’t make it to the Texas Theatre Friday? They’re showing The Jerk, again at 5 p.m. on Saturday, followed by Torrente at 7:30, and Wake in Fright at 9:45 p.m. All political correctness aside, both The Jerk and Torrente look hilarious!

Also at the “Spotlighting the Cliff” awards presentation, TeCo Theatrical Productions, which runs the Bishop Arts Theatre Center, was honored with the “President’s Award.” If you havent had a chance to see their production of Langston Hughes Black Nativity, you’ve just got one more chance to do so, at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets here.

If you’re like us and can’t resist free food and entertainment, Kessler Park United Methodist Church is having a free holiday concert followed by a (free!) community potluck at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Austin-bred musician Ian Moore will be performing an acoustic show at the Kessler Theater at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Alternative-country artist Ronnie Fauss opens.

You still have one more chance to catch Wake in Fright at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Texas Theatre, followed by The Jerk at 7:30 p.m.