Free Peek at the Long Center

Sunday afternoon at 2:45, the kids will love Pollyanna Theatre's More Patterns. Suggested for ages 4-10, the show, by local playwright Emily Cicchini, is "an exploration of patterns found in nature, music, visual art and human nature," and includes the "extra-wild" character Red. Who doesn't love Red?

The evening ushers in scenes from Teatro Vivo's new bilingual romantic comedy Vecinos (Neighbors), at 5:30. This one sounds like fun: "Don Roberto is a feisty 70-year-old widower and colorful barrio icon that spends his days watching TV and threatening to scare off the young graffiti taggers using an antiquated gun with no bullets. That routine rapidly changes when seventy-year-old Doña Maria moves in across the hall." We're such suckers for romantic comedies.

Last but by no means least, big kids will doubtless find plenty to laugh at when Austin Shakespeare takes the stage at 8:15 with Plays Well with Shakespeare. Les McGehee's play throws together a little improv and a lot of Bard for hysterical results.

All shows are free, and except the Austin Slam preview, all listed here are in the Rollins Theatre. There's much more to the schedule, including dance, music, and more in the larger Dell Hall, not to mention around-the-clock performances of Mass Ensemble and their awesome Earth Harp. For more information, check the Long Center website.