Austin Community College will showcase its finest live music, dance, theater, film, literature, and art during the third annual extravaganza “Carnival ah!” held April 16-24 at the Rio Grande Campus, 1212 Rio Grande St.

The ACC Drama Department opens and closes Carnival ah! with weekend performances of “B-Sides from the A-List: 6 Short Plays from the Theatre of the Absurd, including Ionesco, Beckett, Albee, and Pinter.”

Sandwiched in between is an array of arts activities for all tastes.

“We are very pleased to be able to contribute to the creative climate that makes Austin what it is today,” says Lyman Grant, dean of the Arts and Humanities Division, which sponsors the festival.

“ACC is a remarkable Austin institution,” says Arthur Adair, adjunct drama professor and Carnival ah! project manager. “A diverse mixture of cultures and communities inform our academic and artistic pursuits and make our offerings unique.”

Cinem-ah! film festival returns this year and will feature screenings of student and faculty films as well as the Tuesday Spanish film night, Noche Latina!

The bulk of “Carnival ah!” takes place between Tuesday through Thursday, April 20-22, when the Arts and Humanities Division transforms the campus grounds into a living arts venue, with outdoor dance performances, music, a student art sale, and more. More than 60 events featuring 200 participants occur over these three days. Some highlights not to be missed include:

TUESDAY, APRIL 20

ACC Student Art Sale, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
20-plus booths will display and sell student and faculty artwork.

“Deafia,” 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The premiere of a Deaf musical-storytelling performance brings to life the culture and experiences of the Deaf community through text, song, and dance.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

Action Painting, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Inspired by the ’60s and artists such as Jackson Pollack, improvisational painting, music, and dance come together in real time and space.

Sunset Student Dance Showcase, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
An expansive showcase of original ACC student and faculty dance works.

Moonlight Student Theatre Series, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
The Austin Taiko Drummers play a one-hour set to open an evening of new short theatrical works. Among them are “Crazy Bet,” an original solo performance piece exploring the life of Elizabeth Van Lew, who ran an extensive espionage operation for Abraham Lincoln; and “Moby Dick: The Rock Opera,” presented by ACC alumnus Philip Kreyche.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

Creative Writing, Noon – 8 p.m.
Throughout the entire day, faculty will present a series of 30 minute Craft Talks concerning the world of the creative writer. From 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. ACC will be visited by the Texas Poet Laureate, Larry Thomas, who will present a Craft Talk entitled, The Poet’s Dilemma: A Beautiful Curse? The day will culminate with a release party starting at 7 p.m. for the award-winning “Rio Review” student literary journal.

Earth Day Discussion, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
ACC students will lead a discussion of the historical, cultural, and religious significance of Earth Day. A discussion highlight will be an Earth Day shrine to be constructed over several days. Starting Tuesday, everyone is invited to add to the shrine that will be showcased during the discussion.

“The Austin Daytripper,” 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Enjoy a nighttime, outdoor film screening and discussion of ACC Faculty created and KLRU series, “The Austin Daytripper.” Setting the tone for this Austin original are local singer-songwriters Twisted Hearts, who will perform starting at 7 p.m.

FINAL WEEKEND, APRIL 24-25
“B-Sides from the A-List” & “In 2 the West”
The Drama Department and Creative Writing Department wrap “B-Sides from the A-List” in repertory with a student favorite, “In 2 the West.” “B-Sides” will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, while “In 2 the West” takes the stage 2 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Visit the Carnival ah! website for a complete listing of events, or call the division office at (512) 223.3352 for more information.