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"Look West" at Luck Ranch Celebrates Bill Wittliff


November 8 & 9

Photo of Willie Nelson and Bill Wittliff
Bill Wittliff and Willie Nelson on set of Red Headed Stranger, 1985 © Michael O’Brien

Luck Presents will bring a new type of experience to Willie Nelson’s backyard this fall with “Look West,” a two-day film-centric event celebrating Western culture. Look West will concentrate on the career of legendary Texas screenwriter Bill Wittliff and his contribution to film and storytelling; showcasing screenings of his works, displaying selections from the Wittliff Collections archives, and featuring music performances honoring his legacy. The event will take place Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9. 

 

Single day and two-day tickets are available here. 

Portions of the proceeds will be donated to The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.

There is no better place to revel in the West than on a Western film set. Enter: Look West. Built as the set for Red Headed Stranger, “Luck, TX” serves as the perfect backdrop for two days of back-to-back screenings of Wittliff classics and short films curated by Austin Film Festival. Guests will be treated to daytime showings in the town’s saloon and chapel buildings, followed by sunset performances and a feature film under the hill country stars each evening.

Between screenings patrons can partake in a range of food offerings from a thematic chuck wagon experience to elevated movie concessions, saddle up to the bar, and shop from a line of curated vendors. Fans will be able to view exclusive memorabilia from the featured films, and other items spanning Bill Wittliff’s expansive career, in a one-of-a-kind Wittliff Collections exhibit display onsite.

 

About Luck, Tx.
Built in 1985 as the backdrop for the film “Red Headed Stranger,” Luck, TX is an old west town located in Willie Nelson’s backyard on the outskirts of Austin. While filming the movie Nelson grew attached to the set and bought the property, preserving the original structures and building a home just up the road. Luck, TX was born. 

Beyond its fading facades, Luck became the spot where Willie and his friends and family came together to shoot the breeze and inspire one another through song, play poker games in the “World Headquarters,” and gather on Easter Sundays in the chapel. 

In 2012, a group of dreamers set out to revive the town’s spirit with experiences inspired by its unique history. With Nelson’s blessing, the seeds for a new iteration of the “Luck” brand were planted. Luck Presents honors the creative origins of the magical space through unique events.

We hope to see you in Luck!