Block Par-tay

Its premise is charming in its optimism: let's, for a single day, transform a barren, urban city block into a vibrant, organic gathering of public art and music.

This weekend, Austin Green Art and Capital Sports and Entertainment (CSE) are taking over Block 21 -- better known as 2nd Street and Lavaca -- to throw a huge Earth Day celebration. "Rock The Block" promises to be replete with performance art, temporary sculptures/installations, and a big honkin' light and laser show that will, doubtless, be just as spectacular as when we saw Rick Springfield in Vegas' "EFX" a few years ago. Only less scary.

Of course, that's only half of it: they're offering community artmaking projects, kids activities, loads of food, an artisan market, and, to top it all off, performances by Alejandro Escovedo, David Garza and Roky Erickson.

UPDATE: The set times are as follows:
Laura Scarborough Kids Show - 4:00pm pm
David Garza - 5:00pm
Alejandro Escovedo - 6:30pm
Roky Erickson - 8:30pm
(Thanks for pointing that out, Declan)

From the map on Austin Green Art's online flyer, it looks like they'll be erecting some of the Green Gates at the south end of the space, several intriguing "Plume" structures scattered throughout, and an entrance-way piece called "Gateway," designed by Chris Fennell.

Austin Green Art, a nonprofit that promotes "sustainable culture" through community artmaking and dialogue, sought to make Earth Day mean something. Their solution comes in the form of what they describe as a "whimsical, art-filled environment that transforms a culturally barren city lot into an oasis of sensory experiences." From the looks of it, we're guessing it's going to deliver.

Rock the Block
Block 21 (2nd St and Lavaca)
Saturday, April 22nd
10am-10pm
[tickets]
10am-3pm: FREE Art Festival
5pm-10pm: Outdoor Concert ($10)

Check out the snapshots of the works in progress, after the jump!

*Photos used with permission and (c) their respective owners