We tried. We really did. But once you start celebrating the arts it just won’t stay crammed into two days.

So there is a whole week of activities leading into the Austin ArtWorks Festival. Check out all the options and let the celebrating begin.

•Friday, Aug. 18: “No One will marry a Princess with a Tree Growing Out of Her Head!” by the Matchbox Children’s Theatre at Historic Paramount Theatre. Tickets are available online or at the ArtWorks Center .

This play is a clever and charming twist on the typical fairy tale. Sorcerer Wartsitch curses the princess with a small tree of undetermined variety growing out of her head. The princess has only three days to get it off — or the spell will be permanent. The Matchbox production will feature Marlea Emberson as the princess, Michael Miles as Wartsitch, Ray Wicks as Gimlet and supporting cast Megan Dilley-Jones, Reed Schwanke, Julia Zerke, Matthew Phanchan, Diann Smith, Makayla Dokpodjo, Rob Wicks, Denni Heimer, Hannah Maxwell, Sam Wicks, Olivia Felten, Hannah Zerke, McKenna Donovan and Clara McIntyre.

•Saturday, Aug. 19: “No One will marry a Princess with a Tree Growing Out of Her Head!” by Matchbox Children’s Theatre at Historic Paramount Theatre.

•Nature Art Show and Natural Community Talent Show at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

•Sunday, Aug. 20: “No One will marry a Princess with a Tree Growing Out of Her Head!”

•Monday, Aug. 21: Jack & Kitty Concert at Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden. Emmy award winning organic vaudeville folk duo hailed by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as “one of the most entertaining groups in the Midwest,” Jack and Kitty will entertain guests of all ages with their fun and infectious talent.

•Tuesday, Aug. 22: Author Meet & Greet: Gail Kittleson at Sweet Reads

•Wednesday, Aug. 23: $5 Wednesday Movie: “Almost Famous,” at Historic Paramount Theatre. This 2000 film directed by Cameron Crow is set in 1973 and chronicles the funny and often poignant coming of age of 15-year-old William, an unabashed music fan who lands an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to interview the up-and-coming band Stillwater by hitting the road with the band’s tour.

•Thursday, Aug. 24: Gallery Opening of a new show by Shelley Aquino Brandon and Matthew Rucker at ArtWorks Center. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments. Wine and beer available for purchase by AACA members and their guests.

Friday, Aug. 25: Alley Concert with Fat Rudy at Dusty’s Bar & Lounge

Paramount Theatre

$5 Wednesday movie, Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Matchbox Children’s Theatre, Aug. 18, 19 and 20

ArtWorks Center

•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 and 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.