In celebration of the arts and humanities, Austin Community College will present its finest in theater, live music, film, literature, dance, and art at the fourth annual “Carnival ah!” at the Rio Grande Campus, April 12-13. Find the full schedule of events on the official Carnival ah! website.

Carnival ah! Project Manager and Adjunct Drama Professor Arthur Adair took time to talk about this year’s offerings:

What should Carnival ah! attendees expect?

At Carnival ah!, people shouldn’t expect anything. Rather, we expect something of them. People should bring a picnic lunch or grab some sushi or a hot dog, lay out a blanket, pull up a chair, introduce themselves, and spend some time as a community at ACC.

Carnival ah! provides an opportunity for us ACC-ers to come together. The event is billed as a celebration of the arts and humanities at ACC, but in my mind, it is truly a celebration of ACC. I am ACC, but also, we are ACC!

What’s special about Carnival ah! this year?

This year we have concentrated our efforts on composing two full days of many exciting events — open dance classes, creative writing craft talks and readings, theater performances, live music and DJs, an art sale with more than 20 artists, a bake sale and free international finger food tent, a French fashion show, an ACC and local artist film festival, and yes, the Hot Dog King will be back.

Carnival ah! also has teamed with the American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Training Department at ACC, and all of this year’s events will include ASL interpretation. The carnival will feature many events created by, and for, deaf community members, including a one-woman theater performance by artist Michelle Banks entitled “Reflections of a Black Deaf Woman.”

Aside from coordinating this year’s Carnival ah!, how are you involved?

This year, I have thrown my own hat into the ring with a new theater piece I have assembled with 12 engaging ACC student artists, entitled “Manifest the Whale, the Teacup Destiny.” Â It is a theatrical installation and began with the question, “Can you dance to the news?” It has evolved into an encompassing sound-scape and performance art piece of titanic proportions.

What’s great about Carnival ah! at ACC?

Over the past three years of Carnival ah! I have learned that I am exceptionally proud to be ACC. ACC is an incredible community full of interesting and sincere individuals. Carnival ah! simply tries to provide for this. Why not stop, smell the cypress, and enjoy yah!self with all of ACC?

For a full schedule of all 2011 Carnival ah! events visit the Carnival ah! website.