The Austin ArtWorks Festival will feature three stages of music this year: an outdoor stage off Second Avenue NE and First Street NE, an acoustic stage in the Paramount Annex (former Park and Rec) and an acoustic stage at the ArtWorks Center. Fifteen different performance acts will present 33 performances over the two-day event on Aug. 26 and 27. Go to www.austinareaarts.org for a full schedule.

The Austin Area Commission for the Arts is proud to present these 15 acts:

Austin Big Band, a 17-piece jazz band made up of talented musicians from southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, will play music ranging from big-band-era classics to contemporary jazz band charts.

Diversity Showcase, organized by the African Asian Refugee Services Agency, will showcase music and dance from Austin residents from many different parts of the world.

Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, featuring John and Lisi Wright, brings art rock jazz fusion to the stage.

Big Mike featuring Retro Soul and the Westside Horns gets funky with classic R & B and Motown hits. Fans of Funktion Junction will recognize and respect the incredible stage presence of Big Mike Mothershed.

Porchlights, a Mankato-based alt-folk trio, bring vocally-driven acoustic rock and blues to original tunes and old favorites. A few of their favorite things? “…river forging, moonlit walks about town, intricate discussion, fine ales and wines, the occasional tumbler o’ whiskey,…well-trained dogs, tall boots… and Rivers Cuomo.”

Ripdoozers is a new Austin act with members you probably know from the local music scene:  Pete Jacobsen, Jeff Reinartz and Casey McIntyre. Expect to hear favorites from Tom Petty, Wilco, the Jayhawks, Ryan Adams, Whiskeytown, CCR, the Beatles and even a few originals.

Festival favorites Cosmic will return to the stage with Jesse Smith on guitar and lead vocals, Scott Anderson on bass and vocals and Randy Anderson on drums and vocals. Scratch your blues itch with this trio.

Ecumenical Bells, directed by Ann Flisrand, includes six local musicians ringing classical, folk and easy listening music. With a 30-year history performing together, you can expect to be impressed.

Lawhead Duo is a father/son violin performance group both from Austin. Attorney Brandon and his school student Brock also perform with numerous Austin music groups and seize the Festival stage to play together.

Cedar River Strings is a string quartet with family connections. All members are descendants of the legendary Ole Hanson and they keep his tradition alive with classical and fiddle tunes.

The Cousins’ Quartet consists of the next generation of Ole Hanson string musicians. These talented high school students will delight you with the music in their blood.

Stringendo is another family tradition. Long-time string teacher Sue Radloff, along with her two daughters, Beth and Brenda (also string teachers) present classical string music deepened by playing together for decades.

Trio Sen Nome, which translates to Trio with No Name, brings former Austinite Sam Bergstrom and his wife Melissa back from their work as music instructors at Anoka Community College. The two join Lee Peterson adds to perform Latin-inspired music with an island vibe.

Con Fuoco is a string trio comprised of three Austin High graduates: sisters Martha and Olive McDermott plus Jacob Crosby. Expect to hear a wide variety of string music.

Reminisce takes their name literally by performing swing-band era favorites from the 1930s and 1940s.

Paramount Theatre

$5 Wednesday movie – Dirty Dancing, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m.

$5 Wednesday movie – Wayne’s World, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m.

ArtWorks Center

•Kids Studio – Around the World Art Camp on Aug. 1 to 4 at 10:30 a.m.

•Family Art Studio – Aug. 12, 1 to 3 p.m.

Artrageous sales

Tickets went on sale on Thursday, July 13, for “Artrageous,” the interactive art and music speed-painting experience coming to the Paramount Theatre as part of the Austin ArtWorks Festival at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26. The show is 2017’s Dick Schindler Celebration Event, presented by Mayo Clinic Health System – Albert Lea Austin. Artrageous tours nationally and commands ticket prices of $25 to $60. Due to Mayo’s sponsorship, the Aug. 26 show tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for 12 and under, in advance.