On October 27th, Laboratorio teams up with Texas Book Festival and The Library Foundation for a special Poetry Edition hosted by the Austin Public Library. Carrie Rodriguez and the all-star Laboratorio band will be joined by award-winning poets Tomás Morín, Carrie Fountain, and Lisa Olstein for an evening of songs, poems, and visual art inspired by Pablo Neruda’s Odas Elementales.

Laboratorio returns to Austin’s historic State Theatre with Bolero Inmortal, a performance that features a special collaboration between legendary Grammy Award-winning jazz guitarist Bill Frisell and Carrie Rodriguez & the Laboratorio orquesta.

The performance draws inspiration from the 1958 Mexican musical drama Bolero Inmortal. Directed by Rafael Portillo, the film captures the essence of Mexico’s Época de Oro (Golden Age of Cinema/Music) and features some of the era's greatest hits performed by its most celebrated stars—including Rodriguez’s great-aunt, Eva Garza.

Throughout the evening, imaginative interpretations of classic Mexican boleros will be woven together with clips from the film. The Laboratorio orquesta features a premier lineup of jazz and Latin music maestros: Brannen Temple on drums, Roscoe Beck on upright bass, Sergio Mendoza on piano, Alex Marrero on Latin percussion and vocals, and David Pulkingham on nylon-string guitar.

Join us at Antone’s Nightclub with Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos and friends celebrating the album release of Los Días de Calor!

Join us at Austin’s own Waterloo Records for a special in-store performance by Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos and friends celebrating his soon to be released album Los Días de Calor. Take a friend, listen to some music, and grab a copy on vinyl. We can’t wait to see y’all there!

Laboratorio returns to Austin’s historic State Theatre with Edición Colombia, an immersive exploration of Colombian music and culture featuring members of Austin's highly celebrated Colombian bands, Superfónicos and Nemegata. Their respective band leaders and multi-instrumentalists, Jaime Ospina and Victor-Andrés Cruz (aka “El Guámbito”), will take us on a journey through the varied musical traditions and regions of Colombia—from the Pacific to the Caribbean Coast, inland to the Andes mountains, and on to the shores of the Amazon River. 

Throughout the night, live performances will be woven together with documentary shorts that illuminate the deep history of these regional traditions. The show will culminate in a true Laboratorio-style collaboration, where our guest Colombian artists join Laboratorio band members Carrie Rodriguez, Alex Marrero, and David Pulkingham to blend original songs with a vibrant "Austin-meets-Colombia" spirit. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes!

Oscar Cásares, an acclaimed novelist, wanted to share his experience of growing up on the border. He and visionary photographer Joel Salcido traveled the length of the Rio Grande to find these stories. Originally appearing in Texas Monthly, and now commissioned by Texas Performing Arts, those words and images are brought to life in a stage production with music composed by singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez. This is the story of the border you’ve never heard. 

Oscar Cásares, an acclaimed novelist, wanted to share his experience of growing up on the border. He and visionary photographer Joel Salcido traveled the length of the Rio Grande to find these stories. Originally appearing in Texas Monthly, and now commissioned by Texas Performing Arts, those words and images are brought to life in a stage production with music composed by singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez. This is the story of the border you’ve never heard. 

Oscar Cásares, an acclaimed novelist, wanted to share his experience of growing up on the border. He and visionary photographer Joel Salcido traveled the length of the Rio Grande to find these stories. Originally appearing in Texas Monthly, and now commissioned by Texas Performing Arts, those words and images are brought to life in a stage production with music composed by singer-songwriter Carrie Rodriguez. This is the story of the border you’ve never heard. 

Laboratorio Arts is excited to announce that Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos will be performing in Tucson, AZ for the Baila el Pueblo Festival. Ruben will be sharing music from his new album Los Días de Calor and will be joined onstage by co-producers by Carrie Rodriguez and Tucson’s own Sergio Mendoza along with a full band.

In January, Rodriguez and band return with the next edition of Laboratorio. This special installment pays tribute to Tejano legend Ruben “El Gato Negro” Ramos, marking the official release of his latest album—co-produced by Rodriguez and acclaimed producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Sergio Mendoza. Ramos will take the stage to perform songs from the new release alongside fan favorites, joined by Rodriguez and the Laboratorio band. The evening will also feature tributes and surprise guest performances in honor of Ruben’s remarkable legacy.

For this unique Old-Time Radio Hour Edition, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriters Gaby Moreno and Mireya Ramos join Rodriguez and band onstage for a magical evening of music and nostalgia. Together, they will perform original material and classic covers featuring harmonies reminiscent of Trio Los Panchos and The Andrews Sisters. Adding to the vintage charm, KUTX hosts Laurie Gallardo and Alex Marrero step in as radio hosts for the evening, complete with a dramatic "radionovela" reading and retro-style commercials that bring the golden age of radio to life. Join us for an unforgettable night where past and present meet through music, story, and cultural celebration.

Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the release of Postcards from the Border - the album!

For this edition of Laboratorio will be taking the show next door to the historic Paramount Theatre, to present a unique collaboration with the iconic indie rock band, Calexico.

World Premiere of Postcards from the Border - an innovative piece of theater commissioned by Texas Performing Arts and developed in residence offering the viewer a front row seat to border culture.

World Premiere of Postcards from the Border - an innovative piece of theater commissioned by Texas Performing Arts and developed in residence offering the viewer a front row seat to border culture.

This edition of Laboratorio features Latin Grammy®-winning and three-time Grammy®-nominated New York-based group Flor de Toloache. Come and celebrate the season with us—Laboratorio style!

This edition of Laboratorio features Austin born, internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Gina Chavez and Felix Contreras, journalist, percussionist, and host of NPR’s Latin music and culture program Alt.Latino.

This Edición Clásica of Laboratorio will feature two highly lauded classical musicians: operatic vocalist Claudia Chapa and cellist Bion Tsang. In collaboration with Carrie and the Laboratorio band, Chapa and Tsang will be performing the music of some of Mexico’s greatest composers including works by Manuel Ponce, Agustin Lara, Cuco Sánchez y muchos mas. Arrangements will be by Laboratorio band member and composer, Peter Stopschinski.

Led and curated by singer-songwriter/violinist Carrie Rodriguez, Laboratorio is an annual four-part concert series hosted at the State Theatre in Austin, Texas. It is an immersive live performance experience that celebrates and explores Latine culture through world-class musicianship, visual arts, and storytelling. Each show features the all-star Laboratorio house band, led by Rodriguez, collaborating with different guest artists.

On December 10th, the Stateside welcomes Laboratorio back to the stage with a special Navidad performance featuring Leslie Reynaga.

On October 22nd, the Stateside welcomes Laboratorio back to the stage with a performance featuring Angélica Garcia & Cat Cardenas.