Ghibli Goodness, Bike Stories, Poetry Readings, and More Events for the Week
Just because it's a weekday doesn't mean you can't get into some art
By James Scott, Katherine McNevins, Lina Fisher, and Cat McCarrey, Fri., Nov. 8, 2024
“Ethica Naturalis”
Through December 14, Goodluckhavefun gallery
A more thematically dedicated writer might have written this whole listing in wingdings or emojis as a way of conveying the connection between illustration-forward storytelling via this show’s subject – emblem books, aka a collection of allegorical images – but alas. Y’all got me instead. Local garage-based gallery GLHF hosts a collective art show featuring artists Eli Decker, Ario Elami, Christopher Miller, and Teppla taking inspiration from one particular emblem book: Ethica Naturalis, whose illustrations personify natural elements. Attend opening night this Friday, Nov. 8, and see these artists express the eternal power dynamic between man and nature. – James Scott
Grave of the Fireflies
Monday 11, Alamo Village, Slaughter Lane, Lakeline, Mueller
Don’t let the gorgeous animation fool you ... this is not a Studio Ghibli movie to bring your kids along to. Unless you want to eternally scar them with the grisly consequences of war toward the most innocent among society. If that’s your goal, well done: This movie is a great choice. For a limited time, witness a richly animated tale of hunger and ultimate despair. Written by director Isao Takahata in part to exorcise his own demons after losing family to sickness and starvation in WWII Japan, this will absolutely crush your spirit. So join a crowd for a flick that regularly tops “Saddest Movies Ever” Reddit threads. – Cat McCarrey
AniMonday: Akira
Monday 11, We Luv Video
“TETSUOOOOOO!” “KANEDAAAAAAAAA!” A shrieking exchange that changed an art form. OK, maybe two leads yelling at each other during the imminent threat of destruction isn’t what makes Akira an ultimate sea change in animation. It’s the artistic slickness, the intense gore, the extreme mutilated forms, and the popularization of anime throughout the world. Capturing Cold War atomic fears, Akira paints a dystopian future of science run amok. When the world of Neo-Tokyo biker gangs and secret military experiments collide, the results are, well, explosive. Is it the best anime ever? Or just the best film ever? Choose for yourself. – Cat McCarrey
California Split
Monday 11 - Wednesday 13, Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar
If you, like me, enjoy a grimy gambling story, then you oughta be at the Drafthouse this week. Rolling as part of their 1974 time-capsule series, this dramedy focuses on two friends who are bad influences – on each other more than anyone else. As a guy who couldn’t care less about actual gambling, its portrayal in film always captivates me. But honestly, the real draw here is Elliott Gould. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy that Seventies sex symbol complete with a nose splint? Sheesh. Don’t talk to me; I’m going Gould-mode. – James Scott
Medicare 101
Tuesday 12, Menchaca Road Branch Library
Along with fall fun and the start of the holiday season, mid-October brought with it open enrollment season for Medicare, the federal health insurance program for Americans over 65, as well as some under 65 with certain disabilities or conditions. As with all health coverage plans, it’s a bit convoluted and requires a little time and patience to find the best option and get signed up. Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area brings benefits counselors to demystify the whole thing for Medicare seekers and their caregivers, which they’ll do in an easy-to-understand hourlong program that gives info in plenty of time before the Dec. 7 close of the enrollment period. – Kat McNevins
Mad Love
Tuesday 12, AFS Cinema
Body horror is experiencing a renaissance these days, with the release of The Substance re-upping our fascination with the hagsploitation genre and our pervasive societal fear of aging mapped onto the female body. Interestingly, exploration of the grotesque in the horror genre is often located in the early 1900s at the Parisian Grand Guignol Theatre, which made a name for itself showing sickening violence based in slice-of-life realism – the plays often drew inspiration from grisly true crime newspaper stories. Mad Love, part of AFS’s continuing Peter Lorre series, takes place in and around the Grand Guignol, where an actress tries to save her pianist fiancé’s crushed fingers with the help of a monstrous surgeon played by Lorre. Everything old is new again, so if you liked Titane or Crimes of the Future, you may like delving into the origins of the genre with this German Expressionist horror. – Lina Fisher
Bike Story Night
Wednesday 13, Central Library
Wheeler dealers know what’s up: Bike Story Night opens the floor to cyclists and their stories, with a community ride to wherever they’re holding the event preceding onstage storytelling. This month’ll be cruising on over to the Downtown stronghold of Austin’s public library system. Pre-registered orators go first, with on-site sign-up wild cards going after a moment for the night’s special cycling guest (November’s is Major Taylor ATX). Then it’s all about socializing and snacking with fellow bike babes. – James Scott
Pine Cone Animals
Wednesday 13, Windsor Park Branch Library
Pine cones have enjoyed a long and storied history as craft items. From adorning wreaths to becoming the base for outdoor animal feeders featuring peanut butter and birdseed, pine cones can’t be beat when it comes to fall crafting. Austin Public Library invites youth to become inspired by these humble objets trouvés and create animals using them and felt. Do you see turkey feathers in those brown scales, or maybe a furry friend like a squirrel? Maybe the scales even inspire thoughts of fish. APL brings forest critter templates and all the supplies, you just bring creativity! – Kat McNevins
Adaptations Book Club: In a Lonely Place
Wednesday 13, We Luv Video
We Luv Video continues its growing list of stellar programming to rival any other theatre in town, punching above its weight as a back-of-the-video-store cinema by offering themed programming like queer night Sungays, local film showcases, gonzo series Odd World, and weeb-friendly AniMondays. Its November Adaptations Book Club selection is noir classic In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes, which was brought to life in 1950 by master of flawed and brooding leading men Humphrey Bogart. Previous book clubs have paged through Persepolis, Wuthering Heights, and Interview With the Vampire. – Lina Fisher
Second Thursday Poetry Reading and Open Mic
Thursday 14, Virtual
BookWoman continues their long-running series over Zoom, where those interested in reading and performing poetry may participate over the World Wide Web. This month features guest and Pushcart Prize winner Danusha Laméris, who’ll read from her newest collection Blade by Blade. Cindy Huyser keeps up hosting duties, as per usual. Interested poets are directed to register via ebookwoman.com ahead of the event. – James Scott
Glen or Glenda
Thursday 14, AFS Cinema
Angora sweaters and strange transsexual pseudoscience only cover a pinky nail’s worth of what Glen or Glenda presents the viewer. From the half-cracked egg in Ed Wood’s mind comes a ripped-from-the-headlines-and-then-scribbled-over-to-avoid-a-lawsuit tale about life as a woman trapped in man’s body. Programmer Elizabeth Purchell provides a pre-movie video intro, which adds context before the controversy. A must-see for anyone who desires a more interesting understanding of transgender cinema history – or anyone who appreciates a good soft sweater. – James Scott
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.
