Bullock Museum invites the public to stay 'Cool' this summer at free events

JUNE 17, 2019 (AUSTIN, TX) — The Bullock Texas State History Museum will host the second annual Cool Summer Nights event series with three free evenings of culture, community, after hours exhibition exploration, and unique interactive experiences. This year's events will take place from 6 pm to 9 pm on June 21, July 19, and August 9.

"The Museum is pleased to provide this free night out for Austinites to explore all that we have to offer. Whether you're a first time visitor or a long-time fan, Cool Summer Nights has unique activities, performances, and samplings that you won't find anywhere else," said Bullock Museum Deputy Director of Interpretation Kate Betz.

This year's series kicks off on Friday, June 21 with the theme of Identity, a nod to the Museum's newly expanded first floor gallery exploring the earliest inhabitants of the land we now call Texas. Guests can explore their own origin stories and connections to Texas culture through designing custom journals, writing poetry, playing Texas wildflower bingo, and creating collages. Performances include powwow dancing with Nan Blasingame from Great Promise for American Indians and Mariachi Cielo Azul, one of the top performance-based mariachis in Texas.

The series continues on July 19 with an event highlighting the many ways the American experience has been impacted by inventions, technologies and cultural movements, in conjunction with the exhibition WWI America. Guests can try printing with a WWI-era printing press, explore writing on vintage typewriters, learn early twentieth century dances like the Charleston and Foxtrot, and witness an abstract moving image and audio performance.

The final event on August 9 takes inspiration from the original exhibition Cowboys in Space & Fantastic Worlds, opening July 13. Activities include space-themed screen printing, sci-fi music creation, space travel and fabric transfers, and astronomy observations on the Lone Star Plaza.

"We are all part of the Texas story, and Cool Summer Nights is a perfect way for everyone to find their own connections to the place we all call home," said Betz.

Each of the three events will include free access to three floors of exhibitions, a vinyl DJ and dance floor, a photo booth, and complimentary samples of sparkling water and coffee. The Museum's Story of Texas Cafe will be open late to offer food for purchase, and a cash bar will serve signature themed cocktails featuring Tito's Handmade Vodka.

Cool Summer Nights will take place at the Bullock Museum from 6 pm to 9 pm on June 21, July 19, and August 9. Complimentary parking is available in the Bullock Museum garage after 5 pm. For more information, visit TheStoryofTexas.com.

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Cool Summer Nights is sponsored by Tito's Handmade Vodka.

Media sponsorship provided by KUTX 98.9 and Austin Monthly.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or call (866)369-7108.

The Bullock Texas State History Museum is a division of the Texas State Preservation Board. Additional support for educational programming provided by the Texas State History Museum Foundation.