Home Events

We love Buda. We love the Lions Club. We love wiener dogs. And did you know that Buda is the Wiener Dog Capital of Texas? That makes it a pretty good place to take in the sublimely stupid spectacle of a wiener dog race. This year’s races take place over two days, with wiener dog and mixed-breed dachshund contests starting on Saturday at 2pm and 3pm, respectively. Then there’s the finals and trophy presentation on Sunday. Also: a barbecue competition! – Brant Bingamon

Sure: You may have soy sauce in your fridge, Lao Gan Ma in your pantry, and mochi ice cream in your freezer, but this Sunday you could up your food game hard. Presented by local event organizer Asian Season ATX, this festival features tons of local AAPI vendors, artists, and performers “showcasing the banquet of Asian talent, hues of Austin’s artistic expression, and the vibrant feast of flavors.” Make sure to bring your reusable bags! – James Scott

Only narrow-headed fools might grumble that Austin Blues Fest doesn’t have enough blues, when faced with a broad mix of gospel, second line brass, Afro-Cubanism, bounce, soul, jazz, funk, and zydeco that represents both the roots and outgrowths of America’s definitive genre. Purists will dig living treasures Buddy Guy and Bobby Rush (performing with Blind Boys of Alabama; see interview on p.16) as well as Jimmie Vaughan, while Cuban showstopper Cimafunk, NOLA bounce queen Big Freedia, and Southern soul septuagenarian Robert Finley are assured to elicit multi-generational dancing. Meanwhile, Houston-born pianist/producer Robert Glasper – who precedes Sunday’s headliner, Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes – serves as ABF’s lodestar, synthesizing a variety of disciplines into one Black Radio. – Kevin Curtin

UK doom storm Conan summoned a who’s-who of ATX heshers to the Lost Well recently, including an Oblivion Access principal who confirmed the avant-extreme fest is on hiatus. Chaos in Tejas ceased in 2014. Austin’s thus ripe for a dedicated metal fest. Between a matrix of local venues including Empire, Come & Take It Live, and now the Parish, the scene currently enjoys a metallic renaissance stoked here by Mohawk’s two-day, 18-act death metal decanting. San Jose longhairs Mortuous and Pennsylvania sledgehammers Outerheaven top Friday, and Ontario trio Tomb Mold imports top 2023 prog prize The Enduring Spirit. Horns up! – Raoul Hernandez

Back for its second year as a springtime complement to Downtown Halloweekend romp Levitation, Austin Psych Fest once again sets up shop down south, at the Far Out Lounge. Friday headliner Courtney Barnett, Sunday big-names Alvvays and Kurt Vile, and founders the Black Angels – playing Saturday – appeal to a certain indie-favoring, millennial crowd, but smaller acts represent both ends of the psychedelic spectrum. On Friday, Colombian songwriter Lido Pimienta pairs Spanish lyrics and tribal percussion with glitchy synths. On Sunday, Boston duo Sweeping Promises recalls the infinitely catchy, bass-driven post-punk of the Eighties. (See interview with Friday performer, psych-soul outfit Chicano Batman, in print this week.) –Carys Anderson

Doing their part to dispel the notion that witches are evil, green-faced hags on brooms, Austin Witchfest invites one and all for a festival “promoting the understanding of witchcraft and the occult.” Presentations and workshops cover topics like Mexican love spells, dark herbalism, ghost hunting, and how animals can improve mental health. Vendors bring occult wares and ghostly goodies, and entertainment includes music from Ember Enigma and a performance from the Bruja-jas, aka the official dancing witches of San Antonio.: – Kat McNevins

In a gear-up for Independent Bookstore Day on April 27, Bolm Arts offers up a new exhibit, “Ode to the Book.” Musicians Jade Parx, Jac Carson, Amir Neubach, Liz Emme, and Nico Little will play as visitors peruse a diverse collection of illustrations, letterpress prints, book shrine sculptures, art books, and art made from books. “Elevating them beyond their functional purpose, artists Stephen Dubov, Sandra C. Fernandez, Emily Mitchell, Kyle Schlesinger, Jennie Tudor Gray and Beckette Rivera have created their own unique tribute to books,” writes the gallery. For more bookworm content, check out a talk by author Eric Heisner, a Western-loving screenwriter, actor, and filmmaker who will speak on the Austin Book Trail April 27. – Lina Fisher

The Banff Mountain Film Festival comes to the Paramount all the way from Canada for two nights featuring short documentaries screened at their festival last year. Highlights include “Range Rider,” a portrait of a rancher in Northeastern Washington using nonlethal methods to keep wolves away from livestock, but alive, and “Chronoception,” which follows a group of snowboarders and skiers to the Tian Shan mountains on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. Proceeds will benefit Texas State Parks. – Lina Fisher

Wondering about the connective tissue between Hokusai’s iconic 19th-century woodblock prints and Gajin Fujita’s celebrated East L.A. graffiti art? The latter will make that connection explicit in a broader conversation with scholar and anime author Susan Napier about the impact of Edo-era art on contemporary pop culture from Pokémon to Miyazaki and Fujita’s own work. Prep for the chat by spending some time with the Blanton’s current exhibit, “The Floating World: Masterpieces of Edo Japan” (running through June 30), featuring more than 130 woodblock prints and painted scrolls from the Edo period (1603-1868). – Kimberley Jones

Perhaps you’re familiar with Elisabet Ney due to her historic home and studio located in Hyde Park. But did you know what a cool person Ney was? Learn more about the artist who was a German political refugee arriving in Texas in the 1870s, whose salons became an intellectual and political nexus for a growing Austin, whose independent and artistic spirit stays alive through the Elisabet Ney Museum. Who better to expound on that than the museum’s director, Jade Walker, also a sculptor and active member of the arts community, who’ll speak about Ney’s influence and how it resounds today. – Kat McNevins

Normally, talking in a Drafthouse would result in the Black Knight trying to bite your legs off. But at this special quote-along you’re actively encouraged to join in with all the great one-liners from Monty Python’s deeply deranged retelling of the legend of Arthur, King of the Britons. So grab your shell steed and inflatable sword (both provided), and ponder aloud with friends how a five-ounce bird could possibly carry a one-pound coconut. – Richard Whittaker

Now here’s a field of poppies you won’t fall asleep in à la Dorothy in Oz. Austin neighbor Georgetown fits all types of fun into three days prominently featuring that crimson flower: the red poppy. Friday has artisans hawking their handmade wares alongside food vendors and live music by Dysfunkshun Junkshun. Saturday promises the Poppy Parade and Car Show, where you’ll see red but, you know, in a good way. Then swing around on Sunday to catch any and everything you might have missed. Oh, and feel free to pop in on any of the Red Poppy Stage concerts happening this weekend – you know, because they’re all free! – James Scott

Presented by those spirit-forward musicians over at Beerthoven, this concert celebrates our fine feathered friends – in more ways than one. Utilizing tunes like “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, the piano trio “Bird Oratorio” by Indra Riše, and assorted music from household names like Mozart and Stephen Sondheim, 10% of concert ticket sales benefit the Travis Audubon Society, a nonprofit working to protect bird habitats. So go ahead: Take a drink from your free cocktail, munch a pastry, and lift off at this corvid-centric concert. – James Scott

Y’all have been doin’ your spring cleaning, right? Which means, obvi, you have tons of space for trinkets, treats, and handmades. Great news: Future Front TX is bringing over 175 vendors from all over the Lone Star State to the air-conditioned corridors of Distribution Hall for the spring edition of their mega-market. These vendors, also, are all women and LGBTQ+ creatives hawking wares, teaching workshops, servin’ up special menus, and much more. Bring your family, friends, and furry loved ones to this free event – or drop a donation, which’ll help FFTX fund their over $10,000 in micro grants to local creators.: – James Scott

Two kings celebrate mega milestones this weekend: one, a drag performer hitting two years as their stage persona, and the other a red-headed stranger. Host and drag-birthday-boy Travis Randy Travis pays tribute to Willie on his 91st turn around the sun, with cast members Alexander the Great, Bobby Pudrido, Sir Beau Elliot, and Kelsey Hammer providing kingly entertainment. DJ Boi Orbison provides vinyl support to this country connection. “I’m overjoyed to celebrate Willie and the diverse nature of country music,” TRT reports on Instagram. “Willie has always been a force who brings the most polar of opposites together.” – James Scott

For generations of children, Arnold Lobel’s stories of amphibian best buds Frog and Toad have been a charming guide to the complexities and joys of friendship. Now the pair take to the stage for this delightful Tony-nominated musical. It’s truly a family affair, adapted by Lobel’s son-in-law Mark Linn-Baker with music by Robert Reale and book & lyrics by his brother, Willie. This new production, directed by Best of Austin winner Sara Burke, features Jillian Sainz and Victoria Brown donning the signature jackets and trousers of Frog and Toad, respectively. – Richard Whittaker

Here in the Live Music Capital of the World, there should be no shortage of opportunities for kids to develop their tuneful talents and pursue rockstar dreams. Austin Jazz Workshop’s jam series is one of these opportunities, with twice-monthly jams led by Gil Del Bosque just for middle- and high school students to get a feel for a real gig setting. Thanks to a financial boost from the city’s Cultural Arts Division, jams are scheduled through August: first Sundays at Batch, last Sundays at Central Market South, both at noon. – Kat McNevins

Austin, where even the suburbs keep it weird and artsy. That’s definitely true of the Georgetown Art Center and their carefully curated local exhibits. Take a trip up north and enjoy the latest from multimedia artist Kelly Wagner Steinke. Her strikingly textural works find beauty in chaos, rejoicing in the boundaries of materials like wax, pigments, and birch panels. Oddly hypnotic and comforting, they’ll definitely spark some thought. Check it out and ponder the art’s meaning while walking through the “most beautiful town square in Texas.” – Cat McCarrey

Just think of all the occasions packed into late spring/early summer: graduation ceremonies, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and weddings galore (which naturally also means anniversaries out the wazoo). Don’t be caught empty-handed at gift-giving occasions; head over to Blue Genie and pick up a basketful of the Austintatious artisan goodies the market is known for around the winter holidays, now open weekends for a monthlong return. It’s also open Memorial Day, for any last-minute Memorial Day gifts! – Kat McNevins