Many of Austin’s current inhabitants aren’t natives, but still love to be a part of the “Keep Austin Weird” culture that makes this city so distinct. Until September 14^th, visitors to the Bullock Texas State History Museum can experience the inception of Austin’s “weird” at the museum’s new “When Austin Got Weird” exhibit which showcases the 60s and 70s counterculture that transformed Austin from the political capital of Texas to the Live Music Capital of the world.

The exhibit features 29 posters selected from the archives of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History and the Austin History Center that define the music and venues that established Austin as the music epicenter that it is today. A wide variety of famous musicians are represented, such as Janis Joplin, Willie Nelson, Pete Seeger, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, as well as Texas musicians like Asleep at the Wheel, Sir Doug and the Texas Tornadoes, and Shiva’s Headband. In the distinctive artistic style of the mid-20^th
century, these posters highlight historic local venues such as the Vulcan Gas Company, Armadillo World Headquarters, and Antone’s.This exhibit offers a unique glimpse into what life in Austin was like between 1967 and 1980.

In addition to the visual art, the exhibit also features podcasts that can be accessed on your smart phone via QR codes in the gallery. These audio files also feature interviews with famous Texas musicians, as well as clips of the iconic songs that defined that time.

Admission to the Bullock Museum is $12 and tickets are available at the Museum or online.The museum is located just up Congress Avenue from The Austonian downtown luxury condominiums.

Photo courtesy of the Bullock Museum