Fool Hearty

An arts pop-up exploring the human experience through Tarot 

Episode 1.

The Fool & The Magic of New Beginnings

Fool Hearty is a playful, interactive exploration of Tarot’s archetypes, brought to life through performance, readings, conversations, and music by an eclectic array of Austin artists.

In our first show of 2025, we’re delving into The Fool archetype, the protagonist of the Tarot, the one who ventures into the unknown, wild and fancy-free, traveling lightly, trusting in the Universe to deliver lessons and encounters that make life interesting, meaningful, and abundant. 

The Fool holds no expectations, just curiosity and a willingness to continue down the winding, wayward path of discovery, growth, and creation. The Fool’s number is zero, alluding to new beginnings, endless potential, and open possibility.

Join us on Sunday, March 2, at 3pm at Studio A for a wild romp with The Fool!

This event is a collaboration curated by Carla McElhaney, Laurie Filipelli, Dee Susong, and Cecily Sailer.

Check the bottom of this page for a map to the venue.

Taking the stage for this playful performance:

• Comic and video game writer Evan Narcisse (of Marvel’s Black Panther, DC’s Batman, and others) talking about superheroes, protagonists, and The Fool in every story.

• Jazz vocalist Dianne Donovan (host of KMFA’s “Classical Austin”) and pianist Carla McElhaney offering poetry and song for The Fool’s journey.

• Tarot reader Cecily Sailer playing host, calling on the Tarot gods, and pulling cards.

• Artist & illustrator Ami Plasse drawing the event live, with a big reveal at the end!

• Austin’s Youth Poet Ambassadors reading original works inspired by The Fool.

• Youth Composers from Studio A playing original pieces with lots of Fool energy.

Guests are invited (But not required) to:

• Dress in the spirit of The Fool — don bright colors, wear your favorite fancy-free, adventurous outfit, or cosplay your favorite questing character.

• Bring a musical instrument, if you play one. You’ll be invited to strum, toot, or pluck during our sing-along / jam session — other fun, simple instruments will be provided.

• Add a small item to our Fool altar — something that brings you joy, reminds you of a carefree time in your life, or inspires you to step into the unknown and keep going.

Tickets: $35 general admission / $15 students

Children 10 and under are admitted free with a ticket-holding adult.

Become a Sponsor

To support the organizers and artists who make this event possible, and to ensure the longevity of this series, sponsorships are welcome, invited, and deeply appreciated. Your contributions keep the magic alive!

*Sponsorship levels are inspired by Tarot legend Rachel Pollack’s Shining Tribe deck.*

Fool Hearty Friend: $125

Enjoy 2 reserved seats at Fool Hearty, a listing in the program, and a thank you from the stage. Make your gift here.

Gift of Trees: $225

Enjoy 2 reserved seats at Fool Hearty, a listing in the program, a thank you from the stage, and a special keepsake from the event. Divinatory meanings: the gift of passion, joy, great energy; intuitive wisdom; physical and emotional healing; confidence; belief in yourself. Make your gift here.

Gift of Rivers: $325

Enjoy 3 reserved seats at Fool Hearty, a listing in the program, a thank you from the stage, and a special keepsake from the event. Divinatory meanings: happiness, abundance, love; different aspects of life flowing together; a good relationship in which the people harmoniously merge their interests and needs. Make your gift here.

Gift of Birds: $425

Enjoy a 4 reserved seats at Fool Hearty, a listing in the program, a thank you from the stage, a special keepsake from the event, and the personal dedication of a poem or musical piece to you or the person of your choosing. Divinatory meanings: art, inspiration, outpouring of ideas; passion, wildness, free-flying energy; all the qualities we associate with birds. Make your gift here.

Gift of Stones: $525

At all three Fool Hearty events in 2025: Enjoy 2 reserved seats, a listing in each of our event programs, a thank you from the stage, a special keepsake from the event, and the personal dedication of a poem or musical piece to you or the person of your choosing. Divinatory meanings: intimate sharing; links between parents and children or between friends; finding deep meaning in your own experience; pilgrimages or sacred journeys; harvest, abundance, the gifts of the earth. Make your gift here.

To donate a different amount or for more information about Fool Hearty, email cecily@typewritertarot.com.