A Rockin' Farewell: Opera House Store Closing Party on Sunday

Everybody knows how hard goodbyes are, but this Sunday’s Opera House store closing party promises a celebration of everything that we love about the arts in Austin.

The Opera House, founded and owned by Leah Smith, enjoyed a vibrant three years of providing local artists with gallery and performance space, as well as an inspiring outlet for handmade retail.

Their longtime support of the local noise and experimental music scene renders a fitting live soundtrack from Night Viking, Nano Bang Bang, Teddy and Marge, and Ich Ni San Chi.
Lori16mm will screen experimental/collage films on handmade analog projectors.

But even devoted Opera House patrons are encouraged not to cry for the beloved cave and its soft icicles, designed by Amanda Jones. The O.P.E.R.A (Open Power Experimental Research Arts) House continues its exciting metamorphosis into a not-for-profits art collective, whose nine board members—Leah Smith, Liz Gomez, Amanda Jones, Kevin Cox, Chad Hopper, Matt LaComette, Nathan Knapp, Sam Vandelinder, and Erich Ragsdale—remain dedicated to supporting local artists and artisans. Future collaborations with Church of the Friendly Ghosts, CampCamp!, Puppets with Gepetto, Jeanne Stern, Lori 16mm, and other South/East Austin renegades are afoot.

Says Smith, “We decided to give up the space, but continue with what we were doing without walls.” What better way to commemorate this transition than an evening of unfettered art?