Art on Waller Creek, Drag on Congress, and More Recommended Events

“Caustic Room”

Through November 23, Recspec Gallery

Audio art mixes with light at this new show from Vermont-born “musician, artist, bookbinder, juggler, woodworker, and dungeon master” Cooper McBean. Through a series of tones bounced off resonating panels as well as into an illuminated pool at the center of Recspec’s shipping-container venue, McBean’s work creates reflections that light up the space. These – the titular “caustics” – can be manipulated by the gallery’s audience through adding their own little hums and hahs into its atmosphere. Check out this mix of water, light, and sound on its opening night, Nov. 8, or during the second week of the Austin Studio Tour.   – James Scott

The Play That Goes Wrong

Through November 17, Mary Moody Northen Theatre

As autumn weather at last comes to Texas, ’tis finally the season to sit down with a nice murder mystery and a cuppa. The Mary Moody Northen Theatre at St. Edward’s University provides such a plot, with the farcical The Play That Goes Wrong. Running from this Thursday, Nov. 7, until Nov. 17, the fictional Cornley University Drama Society puts on The Murder at Haversham Manor, a 1920s Agatha Christie-style whodunit that turns into a comedy of errors. This show won Best New Comedy at the 2015 Laurence Olivier Awards and is still the longest-running play on the West End since its inception in 1929. And we all know Brits are masters of dry humor.   – Lina Fisher

Jane Eyre

Through November 24, the Long Center’s Rollins Theatre

Ann Ciccolella directs onto the stage a gothic romance known the world over as “the one with the attic wife.” Jane Eyre, a favorite among anyone who wishes the Beast hadn’t transformed at the end of Beauty and the Beast, comes to life at the Long Center thanks in part to a reimagining from National Theatre and Bristol Old Vic. Opening this Saturday, November 9, this play version promises to stay true to Eyre’s story of “one woman’s fight for freedom and fulfillment on her own terms.” But riddle me this! Will they have that one scene where Rochester dresses up like an old witch and gives all his rich friends bad fortune readings?   – James Scott

Creek Show

Through November 16, Waterloo Park

Who remembers when Waller Creek was just a spooky walkway that never seemed worth the trouble? It was revitalized years ago, and with that upgrade came the annual tradition of filling the waterway with site-specific, illuminated artworks. A decade on, the spectacle continues with a big ol’ dino skeleton, spectral sea vessels, and a few oversized (to put it mildly) googly eyes. The exhibition is open every day from 6-10pm with some nights offering discounted or free admission. Reservations must be made online beforehand.   – James Renovitch

James and the Giant Peach

Thursday 7, Friday 8 & Sunday 10, B. Iden Payne Theatre

UT’s Department of Theatre and Dance brings Roald Dahl’s classic story to the stage with live action, puppetry, and more. In this adaptation, New York City tourists – aka you – visit Central Park to see James and his friends and learn how they came to live in a peach pit in the center of the city. All manner of insects help the young boy cross the Atlantic and spin a yarn of found family along the way. The show is open to all age groups.   – James Renovitch

Flair Symposium: Literature & Change

Thursday 7 - Saturday 9, Harry Ransom Center

An alarming rise in book bans. The further disintegration of the publishing industry. An uncertain future that will certainly be shaped by artificial intelligence. There’s a lot going on with literature these days, which makes right now an exceptional time to chew over all this change. Enter the HRC’s Flair Symposium, an interdisciplinary meeting of the minds that spun out of Fleur Cowles’ Flair Magazine and returns for its 14th (but first post-pandemic) symposium. Keynote speakers include Colm Tóibin (Brooklyn) and Ayad Akhtar (Homeland Elegies). Free and open to the public, but registration is required.   – Kimberley Jones

“Some Kind of Feeling”

Through November 23, ICOSA Collective

Taylor Danielle Davis, who serves to elevate queer, trans, and BIPOC voices at MASS Gallery, Future Front Texas, and more, is curating a new show at ICOSA Collective to coincide with the Austin Studio Tour – meaning it’s shaping up to be an exciting week in the Austin art scene. “Some Kind of Feeling” invites 16 artists to explore emotion and memory through diverse media, using the visual to transcend logic. In these dark and confusing times, grounding in the sensory present may be exactly what we need.   – Lina Fisher

Melissa Villaseñor

Thursday 7 - Saturday 9, Cap City Comedy Club

Okay, first Latina cast member of Saturday Night Live? Check. Incredibly versatile imitation toolbox that includes a stellar Shakira and an awesome Owen Wilson? Double check! But for this writer, the real sauce comedian Melissa Villaseñor possesses is in her extensive voice-acting résumé. She’s got serious animation heavy hitter cred, having given voice to one head of the quad-faced interdimensional being Grob on Adventure Time as well as playing speaking strawberry fashion icon Drude on O.K. K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes. She checks all the boxes, so why don’t YOU check your WALLET for the $24 plus bucks a ticket to her three-day headline show will cost ya.   – James Scott

American Tacos With José Ralat & Fiore Tedesco

Thursday 7, First Light Books

Two-time James Beard winner José Ralat has the distinction of being the only known taco editor in the U.S., serving up knowledge and opinions for Texas Monthly about tacos all over the state. His 2020 book was the authority on the subject of American tacos, seeking out the history of all varieties to be found since we started expounding on Mexico’s idea. Now the taco king has revised and expanded this historical document, and the new edition is celebrated via a convo with the author and Fiore Tedesco, award-winning chef of L’Oca d’Oro.   – Kat McNevins

ATX Beer Party: The World’s End

Friday 8, Hyperreal Film Club

Smart and nerdy comedy-horror Shaun of the Dead reinvigorated a genre in 2004, followed by Hot Fuzz and then The World’s End in a loose trilogy dubbed "Three Flavours Cornetto." The wrap-up about pub-crawling pals dealing with an alien invasion screens here, complemented by something special tapped by always excellent brewery Austin Beerworks. Don’t miss the opening short film: a laugh riot called "Side Quests" by stellar locals Ben Weaver and the hilarious Aira Juliet, who stars as someone distracted from the pursuit of romance by chaotic side adventures.   – Kat McNevins

Austin Polish Film Festival

Through November 10, AFS Cinema

Over 100 years of cinema has made Poland’s creative output a must-see for the film fan. Lucky, lucky y’all that Austin Polish Society brings the best and brightest new features to screen at a certain other local society. From a new painted animation stunner by the filmmakers behind Loving Vincent (The Peasants) to a psychological thriller period piece pulled direct from Poland’s secret agent Cold War history (Doppelganger, the Double), there’s plenty to whet your moviegoing appetite. Just double check the website before grabbing your ticket, as almost all the films will have Polish audio with English subtitles.   – James Scott

Bob the Drag Queen

Friday 8, Paramount Theatre

At the apex of funny, fierce, and famous is one Bob the Drag Queen: winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight (aka the only one I’ve actually watched), co-host of Sibling Rivalry with fellow fabo drag star Monet X Change, and headliner of the Paramount Theatre this Friday. Her first-ever solo tour features Bob’s signature stand-up along with a li’l crowd work, a li’l music, and enough personality to bring the house down. Please attend and enjoy; I do NOT want to hear about how ungrateful Austin was while listening to future Bob podcast appearances.   – James Scott

UT-Austin Men’s Basketball vs. Houston Christian

Friday 8, Moody Center

The men’s basketball squad plays its home opener after beginning the season against Ohio State in Las Vegas on Monday. There are multiple new faces as head coach Rodney Terry welcomes a slew of talented transfers to the program. Forward Arthur Kaluma (14.4 PPG at Kansas State in 2023-24) and Jordan Pope (17.6 PPG at Oregon State) head a solid transfer class that should boost the Longhorns’ offense. The team also adds five-star freshman guard Tre Johnson, who finished as the No. 5-ranked prospect in the 2024 ESPN 100.   – Derek Udensi

Luck Presents “Look West”

Friday 8 - Saturday 9, Luck Ranch, Spicewood, TX

This two-day film fest is billed as a “celebration of Western cinema and culture” – most fitting, as its focus is on the films of the late screenwriter Bill Wittliff, who penned some indelible entries in the genre, and a portion of its proceeds will benefit the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University, the essential archive Wittliff founded with wife Sally to preserve Southwestern culture in books, film, and more. Highlights include a screening of 1980’s Honeysuckle Rose with star Amy Irving in attendance, and a Lonesome Dove marathon capped with a performance by LD scribe Larry’s son, James McMurtry.   – Kimberley Jones

ATX Pet Weekend

Friday 8 - Sunday 10, multiple locations

This weekend is for the pets: not the kind who eat kibble but the kinky ones who wear neon leather and silicone tails. Coinciding with the newly inclusive Iron Pet title competition, paw-some kinksters all over Austin can join in on a packed three days of education, parties, and plenty of ruff-housing. “Join us for a vibrant celebration that embraces the dynamic world of human pet play,” organizers write, “where you can express your adventurous spirit in a safe and welcoming environment.”   – James Scott

“Collective Tales in a Concrete Garden” Opening Reception

Saturday 9, Co-Lab Gallery

Presented in collaboration with Mexican contemporary art project guadalajara90210, Co-Lab presents a conglomeration of artists playing with ideas of urban nature. Walk amongst the organically industrial forms at the opening reception this Saturday. Expect unique uses of form and texture, metals and fibers used with a distinct viewpoint. As part of the “sculptural garden,” art rises from bases of industrial gravel, an ultimate symbol of growth from unexpected sources. Expand your ideas of structure. Expand your ideas of nature. Expand your ideas of what urban art can entail.   – Cat McCarrey

Slam Portal IX: Emogeddon

Saturday 9, Central Machine Works

Come and see the big boys, girls, and friends beyond the binary slam bodies together in the epic dance we call professional wrestling. While these ain’t the same bulked up bods you’ll find on certain televised wrestling shows – starts with a dubyah and ends with a bad contract – these wrestlers have all the heart and soul needed to bring a total banger of an event. This round’s all about angst: emos the world over getting their studded bracelets and eyeliner prepped for a riot. Catch the action ringside with a brew in your hand – or take advantage of Central Machine Works’ autumnal cocktail menu.   – James Scott

Nosferatu Festival Presents: A Vampire Art Gallery

Saturday 9, Bloody Rose Boutique

On the occasion of ol’ Bram Stoker’s b-day, it behooves one to pay tribute to the fanged forefather he created – or rather, the vamp who is illegally based on Stoker’s IP. Goth shop Bloody Rose plays host to a coven of creative works based on them vampires, with 13 artists contributing pieces alongside a market of creepy cool vendors. Bloodbangers provided by DJ Blaqk Traxx behind the decks.   – James Scott

Austin Studio Tour WEST

Saturday 9 - Sunday 10, multiple locations

People in movies go to art galleries constantly. I mentioned this offhand to a friend recently in the context of David Cronenberg flicks – which always feature a scary art show opening that ties thematically with the protagonist’s journey – and they were like “Oh man. I wish I could go to an art opening like that.” Okay! So! Imagine if there were like a two-weekend-long series where galleries all over Austin were hosting plot-advancement-worthy art events and you could go to all of them. Well, you don’t have to imagine that, because it exists. This weekend covers West Austin, while next weekend, Nov. 16-17, covers the East art scene. Hit Big Medium’s website to find a mobile map of all participating venues.   – James Scott

Manchurian Candidate

Saturday 9 - Monday 11, Long Center

Opera can often seem stuffy and boring, which is an unfair characterization especially this time, as Austin Opera presents a political thriller that leapt from the page to the screen way back in the Sixties before a 2004 remake starring Denzel Washington and Liev Schreiber, and then a 2015 reimagining as an opera by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell. After winning multiple Austin Critics Table awards back in 2016, it returns to the stage for the first time, coinciding with another turbocharged election season. Mark Diamond, last seen locally in Sweeney Todd, plays the veteran Raymond Shaw, while Grammy winner Frederick Ballentine makes his AO debut as Capt. Ben Marco in this riveting production.   – Kat McNevins

UT-Austin Women’s Basketball vs. Southeast Missouri State

Sunday 10, Moody Center

The top-five-ranked Longhorns begin their fifth season under Vic Schaefer – and inaugural season as a member of the Southeastern Conference – against the SEMO Redhawks at home. SEC Preseason Co-Player of the Year Madison Booker looks to improve upon her remarkable All-American freshman campaign as star senior point guard Rori Harmon returns from an ACL injury. Michigan transfer Laila Phelia and returning senior/Westlake High School alum Shay Holle are just some of the additional names inducing excitement around the program. Tickets for the home opener start at just $9.   – Derek Udensi

Paper Cuts Presents: WANDA x Suite for Barbara Loden

Sunday 10, AFS Cinema

Alienated Majesty’s new series doesn’t work in the adaptation space as so many other book/film clubs do. Their intent is, as they put it, to pair kino with printed work “to enrich the movie-watching experience far beyond the cinema.” (Although they also swear not to hold it against you if you don’t read the book first – or at all.) Consider these paratextual rather than adaptive works, okay? This month’s entry puts 1970 near-biographical picture WANDA alongside deep-dive tome on its filmmaker Suite for Barbara Loden, with a post-screening sweet treat in the excellent programmer Jenny McKeown’s live Q&A.   – James Scott

Blue Dress Bar Crawl

Sunday 10, multiple locations

Here’s an event that’ll have you saying you blue yourself: Kind Clinic puts on their annual bar crawl for a cause with indigo aplomb. Put on your favorite cobalt costumery and pop over to the Iron Bear, where festivities start with photos and drinks. Next is a Fourth Street send-up, with Oilcan’s, Rain on 4th, and Coconut Club each hosting different activities to keep you cheering ’til you’re, well. You know. Blue in the face. Snag your wristband via Texas Health Action and consider competing for one of three cornflower crowns: You BLUE Us Away (creativity counts); BLUE Betta Werk (office siren style); and She BLUE It (the badder the better).   – James Scott

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Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what's happening now or in the coming week.