Fusebox Festival: Opening Day Festivities... now with FREE BBQ!

Fusebox Festival officially starts today with what will surely be an epic display of Texas pride unfolding on the steps of the capitol this evening at 6:30pm. Choreographer Allison Orr and composer Graham Reynolds (whose previous collaboration, The Trash Project, blew us away last year) have teamed up to present T is for: Two Hundred Two-Steppers on the Steps of the Texas Capitol. A fifteen piece Texas swing orchestra featuring vocalists Dale Watson and Christina Marrs will accompany the dancers for their thirty minute performance. For the evening's final "All-Step" piece, audience members will be invited to two step their big Texas hearts out as well. Show up early - Stubb's will be on site serving up free BBQ to nourish ravenous dancers and audience members.

In a juxtaposition that exemplifies the range of performers participating in this year's Fusebox Festival, Orr and Reynold's Lone Star Spectacular will be followed by a performance by Japan's premier contemporary dancer, Kaiji Moriyama. After enjoying all things Texas audience members can stroll down Congress to the Paramount where Moriyama will be preforming the American debut of this latest work, The Velvet Suite. Known in Japan for his eclectic choice of performances, including a pro-handwashing commercial for UNICEF, Moriyama's Velvet Suite is a more serious piece featuring violinist Koichiro Muroya. The Velvet Suite will be preformed tonight and tomorrow at the Paramount Theater at 8pm - admission is free with RSVP.

The opening night of Fusebox will wrap up with an afterparty featuring Andrew Andrew, the doppelganger duo who are now being heralded as the world's first iPad Djs. Taking place at the festival's late night headquarters, the United States Art Authority, tonight's party is open to Fusebox Pass holders and invited guests only. Fusebox All-Access Passes are still available for $125 and can be purchased online or at the door during tonight's afterparty. Fusebox Festival runs through May 2nd and features a diverse schedule of performances, art installations, and much more. Individual tickets to performances or RSVPs for free events are handled through the official website.