Creek Show 2023
Creek Show
Date: November 10-18, 2023
Time: 6 PM – 10 PM
Main Entrance: Waller Creek at 700 E 9th St.
Waterloo Greenway invites you to experience 9 nights of dazzling, illuminated art along Waller Creek this fall. Get a first look at this year’s art installations below!
Since 2014, Waterloo Greenway has commissioned site-specific work by Austin-based artists, architects, designers, and landscape architects chosen through a public Call for Ideas hosted in collaboration with AIA Austin. Artists explore different themes related to Waller Creek that range from history to hydrology and beyond.
In addition to eight new light-based art installations, Creek Show 2023 will feature free activities each evening at Waterloo Park, including nightly live music, food & beverages, and family-friendly fun.
Creek Show Admission
TICKETED FUNDRAISER
NOVEMBER 10
Creek Show Opening Night feat. Bidi Bidi Banda & Friends
$25 | Proceeds benefit Waterloo Greenway
We’re hosting an opening night fundraiser on Friday, November 10 for Creek Show enthusiasts, offering advanced access and an exclusive first look at this year’s luminescent art!
Creek Show Opening Night tickets are on sale now!
FAST PASSES
NOVEMBER 11-18
Priority access to Creek Show is available with a $10 Fast Pass any time between 6 PM – 10 PM on the date listed on your ticket.
All proceeds benefit Waterloo Greenway, a local nonprofit whose mission is to create and maintain a new 35-acre urban park system in partnership with the City of Austin.
Creek Show Fast Passes are on sale now!
FREE ADMISSION
NOVEMBER 11-18
Creek Show is FREE and open to the public from November 11-18 from 6 PM – 10 PM nightly, no tickets or reservations required.
Walk-ups are welcome every night until capacity is reached.
After your art walk, enjoy a variety of special events and concerts at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park!
Creek Show 2023 Art Installations
Lucas Greco & Reeve Hunter
Sponsored by The Cline Family
Jake Rosenberg, Clayton Lillard, Mateo Gutierrez, Chris Haddad, Chandler Goen and Liza Fishbone
Sponsored by Clean Scapes
Alex Martin & Max Hoffman
Sponsored by Joy at Castle Hill
Nolan Stone & Ryan Blair
Sponsored by Texas Disposal Systems
Ruben Esquivel, Heath Speakman, Kat Talley
Sponsored by East End Eclectic
Topher Sipes & Jasna Boudard
Sponsored by Kirkland & Ellis
Barna Kantor, Kyle Evans & Brandon Stargrave
Sponsored by dadaLab
Maria Berrios & JuanRaymon Rubio
Sponsored by The Chandlee Family
For information on Creek Show sponsorship opportunities and other ways to support this year’s event, please contact us at development@waterloogreenway.org.
Installations & Design Teams
Babble
Lucas Greco & Reeve Hunter
Babble is a light-hearted contemplation of our changing perceptions of Waller Creek. Together, the sights and sounds of the installation call visitors to break from the bustle of busy lives and experience anew and upclose the burbling waterways pulsing calmly through our city.
Three types of corrugated roofing panels, sharing a common form but contrasting in color and character, come together to form illuminated heads of extraordinary size from ordinary construction materials. Speakers are installed among the faces producing muttering sounds of voices and babbling fading in and out while contrasting tones and melodies intermingle in unique ways depending on the viewer’s vantage point.
Sponsored by
The Creek Keeper
Jake Rosenberg, Clayton Lillard, Mateo Gutierrez, Chris Haddad, Chandler Goen, and Liza Fishbone
Once upon a time, The Creek Keeper emerged from the depths of Waller Creek to protect its folklore and remind us of the vital connection between environment and culture.
A towering snapping turtle-like monster made from recycled materials, the installation invites us to explore the creek’s unique identity and inspires us to take action in preserving our natural world. Join us on a journey of discovery and conservation, as we honor the stories of the past and light up the future of our planet.
Sponsored by
Crescendo
Alex Martin & Max Hoffman
Crescendo represents the heartbeat of Austin and the Red River Cultural District—music.
The installation at Symphony Square is an array of repurposed sheet music stands with color-changing panels of light. Stop by for a song or two to enjoy an orchestrated light show!
Sponsored by
Into the Wild
Nolan Stone & Ryan Blair
In a rapidly urbanizing world, our few remaining wild places exist in the form of urban creeks and greenbelts.
Into the Wild is a plea for wilder cities that highlights the life that still exists within. The flora and fauna that reside in these spaces have existed here long before humans and the resilient remainders were required to adapt to human development. Once the daylight wanes and the moonlight illuminates the water, the creek comes alive reminding us of what once was and what could be.
Sponsored by
Kaleidoscope Dreams
Ruben Esquivel, Heath Speakman & Kat Talley
Kaleidoscope Dreams is an exploration of light and form, where UV-reactive archways create a dazzling display of illuminated diamonds, prisms, and colors. These radiant structures serve as pathways, inviting attendees to journey through an immersive spectacle. As you enter the installation, a cluster of glowing triangles extrudes from the wall, beckoning you to venture within. These luminous forms symbolize transformation and offer passage from one realm to another. They emphasize the profound power of art to transport us to new dimensions of understanding.
The installation explores the interplay of light, form, and imagination, where every visitor becomes an integral part of the narrative. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of art to evoke wonder, inspire contemplation, and forge connections within our vibrant community. Join us on this radiant journey as we embrace the beauty of Austin’s natural and cultural tapestry, woven together by art, imagination, and the luminous glow of our shared experience.
Sponsored by
Melting Mirrors
Topher Sipes & Jasna Boudard
Melting Mirrors is a multi-layered video installation, featuring digitally manipulated slow-motion video of the flow and movement of the water surface of Waller Creek.
The installation features multiple parallel screens of translucent fabric as staggered surfaces for the video content, allowing the projected light to pass through each layer to the next and simulating slices of a holographic cone for viewers as they pass by. This 3-dimensional experience facilitates viewing depth above and beneath the creek’s surface through the interplay of water with light.
Sponsored by
Puzzle Grass
Barna Kantor, Kyle Evans & Brandon Stargrave
Puzzle Grass (Equisetum) is a genus of plants considered “living fossils” as they predate the dinosaurs, yet examples can still be found today along Waller Creek. The tall plants, also called “horsetail,” resemble miniature bamboo stalks and thrive wherever they are planted. We evoke the nodal anatomy of puzzle grass through an installation of light poles that light up in various temporal waves visualizing the Creek’s flow.” The installation stands in the midline and follows the natural curve of the Creek, both dividing and uniting the two banks.
Sponsored by
Riot
Maria Berrios & JuanRaymon Rubio
Riot is a memorial installation that showcases the Battle of Waller Creek and offers a reflection on the destruction of Austin’s natural landscape. The design gives viewers insight into the history of the protest and also considers the aftermath of a notable political and environmental fight.
Sponsored by
2023 Creek Show Selection Committee
Ingrid Spencer
Executive Director, AIA Austin & Austin Foundation for Architecture
Meredith Bossin
Managing Director, AIA Austin
Melba Whatley
Creek Show Co-Founder
Donald Miller
Director of Programming, Waterloo Greenway
Taylor Davis
Designer, TBG Partners
Kira Dell
Conservation Leader
Ernest Ramirez
Artist & Owner, Muertos Clothing Co.
Sunny Schneberger
Former Creek Show Artist
Drew Wilson
Project Architect, Sidetracked Studio
Norma Yancy
Principal, Sidetracked Studio
See what’s happening at Creek Show every night!
In addition to Creek Show’s dazzling light-based art installations on Waller Creek, guests can enjoy live music and fun family-friendly activities with our community partners at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park.
Start your Creek Show experience at 700 E 9th Street and enjoy nightly live music, family-friendly fun, and food & drinks at Waterloo Park.
Creek Show Admission
Creek Show is free and open to the public from Saturday, November 11 to Saturday, November 18, from 6 PM – 10 PM nightly. No advanced reservations or tickets are required to attend.
FAST PASSES
To guarantee entry and skip the line at the entrance, a limited number of $10 Fast Passes will be available November 11-18. Children 10 and under do not require a Fast Pass. All proceeds support Waterloo Greenway’s free community programming at Waterloo Park.
Creek Show Fast Passes are on sale now!
Creek Show Opening Night
feat. Bidi Bidi Banda and Friends
Friday, November 10 | $25
Music:
7 PM – DJ Chris “Tejano Man” Tristan
8 PM – Bidi Bidi Banda with special guests Kathryn Legendre, Destiny Navaira, Lil T, and Mariachi Corazon de Texas.
Tickets to our Creek Show Opening Night Celebration are required for entry. Proceeds benefit Waterloo Greenway’s free community programming.
Creek Show Concerts
Enjoy a variety of FREE performances and family-friendly activities during Creek Show, November 11 – 18!
Creek Show Concerts are free and open to the public. No tickets are required for entry.
Saturday, November 11
Veterans Day Celebration
FREE
Presented by Austin Subaru
Music:
7 PM – DJ uLovei
8 PM – Texas National Guard
36th Infantry Division Band
Family-Friendly Activities:
Thinkery
MadScience
Girl Start
STEMSigns
Central Texas Facepainting
Sunday, November 12
Texas Two-Step Night
FREE
Presented by PNC Bank
Music:
7 PM – DJ Fajita Flats
7 PM – Country Two-Step Class (all ages and abilities; no partner needed)
8 PM – Aaron McDonnell and The Neon Eagles
Family-Friendly Activities:
Thinkery
MadScience
Girl Start
STEMSigns
Central Texas Facepainting
Monday, November 13
Vodka for Dog People Night
FREE
Presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka
Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome at Creek Show!
Music:
7 PM – DJ Mahealani
8 PM – Conspirare
Family-Friendly Activities:
7 PM – Guided Waterloo Park Bat Tour with Austin Bat Refuge, presented in partnership with Families in Nature
Tuesday, November 14
Creek Show Artist Talk
FREE
Presented in partnership with AIA Austin
8 PM – Artist Talk at Moody Amphitheater
Learn about the inspirations and design processes behind this year’s stunning Creek Show art installations!
Moderated by Raasin McIntosh (VP of Active Urbanism, Downtown Austin Alliance)
Music:
7 PM – DJ Chorizo Funk
Wednesday, November 15
Pride Night
FREE
Music:
7 PM – Papi Siii
8 PM – Vertarias & Friends feat. She23, Keira Nova, Tribe Mafia + Austin Drag All-Stars
Vendors:
Shop and support LGBTQIA+ owned small businesses and nonprofit organizations, including Ashwell Health + Wellness.
Family-Friendly Activities:
7 PM – Waterloo Park Guided UV Garden Tour with Central Texas Mycological Society presented in partnership with Families in Nature
Thursday, November 16
FREE
Music:
7 PM – Manolo Black
8 PM – Como Las Movies
Family-Friendly Activities:
Thinkery
MadScience
Girl Start
Families in Nature
Central Texas Facepainting
Friday, November 17
FREE
Music:
7 PM – DJ Shani
8 PM – THEBROSFRESH
Family-Friendly Activities:
Thinkery
MadScience
Girl Start
Families in Nature
Central Texas Facepainting
Saturday, November 18
50th Anniversary of Hip Hop Celebration at Creek Show
FREE
Music:
7 PM – DJ Rapid Ric
8 PM – Classic Hip Hop Live
Family-Friendly Activities:
Thinkery
MadScience
Girl Start
Families in Nature
Central Texas Facepainting
Past Shows
Since 2014, Waterloo Greenway has commissioned local artists to create site-specific, light-based art installations to help raise awareness about the ongoing transformation of Waller Creek and our new 35-acre urban park system coming to downtown Austin.
Learn more about the artists and installations of past Creek Shows below!
What is Creek Show?
Presented by Waterloo Greenway, Creek Show is an annual outreach program designed to surprise and delight audiences with outstanding light-based art installations that celebrate, support, and educate the community on the importance and impact transforming Waller Creek will have on Austin’s social, cultural, and ecological future.
Click here to discover the future of Waterloo Greenway.
Where is Creek Show?
Start your experience at 700 E 9th Street.
Creek Show will take you along Waller Creek from 9th Street to Waterloo Park at 12th Street.
Enjoy nightly live music, family-friendly fun, and food & drinks at Moody Amphitheater.
When is Creek Show?
Friday, November 10 – Saturday, November 18
You’re welcome to visit nightly anytime between 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
How much does it cost to attend?
Creek Show Opening Night feat. Bidi Bidi Banda & Friends
Tickets to opening night on November 10 are $25 — proceeds benefit Waterloo Greenway.
Creek Show is FREE and open to the public November 11 – 18. Walk-ups are welcome every night until capacity is reached.
Creek Show Fast Passes
For only $10, you’ll get priority access to experience Creek Show November 11-18. Limited quantities are available each night. Fast Passes guarantee entry and can only be purchased online.
All proceeds will support Waterloo Greenway Conservancy’s year-round community programs.
Does everyone in my party need a Fast Pass?
Yes, each Fast Pass guarantees entry for one person through a dedicated lane at Creek Show. Children 10 and under do not need a Fast Pass for entry.
Can I exchange my Fast Pass for a different date?
Creek Show Fast Passes are nonrefundable.
If you can no longer make it on the date of your reservation, please purchase a new Fast Pass at creekshow.com. You are welcome to forward your original tickets to a friend or family member who can attend.
Creek Show Fast Passes are sold out. Can I still attend?
Yes! Walk-ups are welcome every night until capacity is reached.
What activities and programs will I find at Creek Show?
In addition to Creek Show’s dazzling light-based art installations on Waller Creek, guests can enjoy live music and fun family-friendly activities with our community partners at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park.
Drop by the PNC Lounge at Creek Show to learn more about Waterloo Greenway, membership opportunities, and other ways you can support us!
Are strollers and bags allowed inside of Creek Show?
Attendees are welcome to bring strollers and bags to Creek Show. Please note: the pedestrian trails along the creek have limited space and accessibility at times.
All bags will be searched upon entry.
Is there a line to enter Creek Show?
Creek Show entry lines are busiest between 6:00 PM-8:00 PM. Please expect a line if you arrive during this time frame.
If you’d like to avoid the line, consider purchasing a Fast Pass or arriving after 8 PM.
How do I get to Creek Show?
Attendees are encouraged to plan a trip with CapMetro, carpool, rideshare, walk, or bike if possible. Limited paid street and garage parking are available around the Red River Cultural District and the Texas State Capitol Parking Garages. There is NO drive-up access to the main entrance.
Paid Parking
The Texas Facilities Parking Garages located between 12th St. and 15th St. along San Jacinto Blvd. and Trinity St. Access garages from 15th street to avoid traffic in the south Red River Area. Parking fees vary nightly between $15 – $25.
- Capitol Visitors Parking Garage 1201 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
- Parking Garage F – 1311 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
- Parking Garage A – 1401 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX 78701
Public Transit
Plan a trip using public transit to/from Waterloo Park with Capital Metro:
- Stop ID 593: at Lavaca/15th St.
- Stop ID 864: at Trinity/12th St.
- Stop ID 919: at San Jacinto/14th St.
- Stop ID 6382: at Red River/11th St.
Ride Share
The rideshare drop-off and pick-up point for Waterloo Greenway events is located along the north curb line of 12th St. just past Red River St. Expect delays and traffic as you get closer to the venue.
Bike Parking
Free public bike parking is available at:
- 15th St. & Red River St.
- Trinity St. between 12th St. & 15th St.
MetroBike bicycles are there when you need them! Plan your trip using MetroBike at austin.bcycle.com/stations.
ADA Parking
State parking garages have ADA parking spaces available first-come first-served on event nights. Convenient venue access is provided immediately east across the street from the garages to the designated ADA entrance.
Will there be food and beverages at Creek Show?
Guests will have a wide variety of food and drink options at Creek Show, including Moody Amphitheater concessions.
We also encourage you to visit the great bars and restaurants in the Red River Cultural District.
No outside food, beverages, or glass containers are allowed at Creek Show.
Is the event ADA-Accessible?
The Creek Show main entrance and exit are ADA accessible. This year’s Creek Show installations will again be viewable on Waller Creek, along a stone-paved sidewalk, which may not be comfortable for all mobility experiences. Future plans for Waterloo Greenway include a fully connected ADA-accessible trail.
Waterloo Park is fully ADA accessible.
Is Creek Show dog-friendly?
Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas of Creek Show. Be sure to join us on Monday, November 13, for Vodka for Dog People Night presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka!
Only service animals will be allowed inside buildings.
Creek Show Rules
- Have fun and enjoy the wonder of Creek Show and Waterloo Greenway!
- Creek Show hours are 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM each night. Hours strictly enforced, unless otherwise noted.
- For safety reasons, individuals are prohibited from entering or swimming in the creek. Plants and animals are protected – do not remove, disturb, or walk in landscaped areas.
- Smoking and illegal drug use are prohibited at Creek Show. All Waterloo Greenway facilities and Austin Parks and Recreation Department parks are drug- and smoke-free environments per city ordinance.
- Unauthorized possession of weapons is prohibited at Creek Show.
- No outside food, beverages, or glass containers are allowed at Creek Show.
- Selling, exhibiting, or promoting food, beverages, merchandise, or services at Creek Show is prohibited. If your business or organization is interested in being a vendor or sponsor at Creek Show, please email us at info@waterloogreenway.org.
- Conducting commercial photography or videography is prohibited at Creek Show. If you are interested in capturing commercial photography or videography, please email us at info@waterloogreenway.org.