Back in the disco days of 1977, East Sixth Street was mostly a quiet home to winos and shuttered turn-of-the-last-century business facades that made for cheap rentals. In a tale as old as opportunity, some scrappy artists set up shop and began creating. Esther’s Follies has been producing its socially satirical, modern vaudeville show ever since and become a cornerstone of today’s thronging “Dirty Sixth” experience. The 290-seat house incorporates the show on the sidewalk outside the theatre into the act through the giant window on the back wall of the stage. Skits heavy on political parody, jaunty musical send-ups, and awe-inspiring magic courtesy of Ray Anderson come together in this Austin entertainment institution.
