Photo by Ashlee Nobel of Lee Lee Arts + Design
Celebrating 50 years of fabulous, the Round Top Antiques Show is a big deal for this small Texas town. It’s a tradition every spring and fall, and it’s only getting bigger and better over time. It’s a traveling circus or world’s fair of sorts where some of the world’s rarest antiques are presented by some of the world’s most interesting characters.
Photo by Ashlee Nobel
Black Cat Choir entertains a dancing crowd after dinner at Market Hill
While antiques continue to be the main attraction, it’s become an exhibit of original art and an expression of creativity across all mediums, including music. Market Hill hosts live music most nights. Past performances have included The Heart Collectors from Australia, and The Black Cat Choir, a local rock band from Round Top. The Black Cat Choir returns to Market Hill this fall for a two-night stand, Sunday, September 29, and Monday, September 30, at 8 p.m. Austin-based country singer Kimberly Dunn takes the stage on Tuesday, October 1 at 9 p.m. All concerts are free. Come early for dinner and drinks, and stay for all of the fun.
It’s not Texas Antiques Week without the Junk Gypsy Junk ‘o Rama Prom. As legend has it, during the show, many moons ago, the Junk Gypsies noticed a pile of vintage prom dresses at market. They decided to play dress-up, giving these old dresses another twirl and hosting their very own little prom night under the Texas stars. What started as an homage to a handful of forgotten prom dresses took on a life of its own. Fifteen years later, the Junk ‘o Rama Prom is the biggest night of the antiques show. Held twice a year, it attracts anyone and everyone. You might even see some famous faces – like Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and Willie Nelson – in the crowd. In true Junk Gypsy spirit, it’s quite the shindig with live music on a makeshift stage and a photobooth made from an old outhouse. This fall, the hootenanny takes place on Thursday, October 3, at the Zapp Hall. Dress to impress.
Photo by Denise Withington
Round Top Dance Hall has live music every Friday and Saturday.
Once the show comes and goes, there is still live music and performing arts to be found. Other music venues in and around Round Top include The Stone Cellar and the Dugout in Warrenton. The Round Top Festival Institute is a world-renowned summer music festival presented for six weeks in June and July featuring chamber and orchestral concerts each weekend, as well as monthly concerts and educational forums during its “August-to-April” series. Located at the picturesque Festival Hill, it’s an international destination for performing and learning.
Photo courtesy of Festival Hill
The 22nd Annual Theatre Forum at Round Top takes place November 1-3. This year’s theme, Footlights and the Silver Screen, explores connections between theatre and film. The three-day forum includes tours of the Festival Hill grounds and buildings with morning walks and open-air lunches in the gardens as well as performances and lectures. The event concludes with an evening reception and formal dinner. For more information, visit FestivalHill.org.
Follow Market Hill Round Top on Facebook and Instagram for more music and event announcements during the fall show.