“Voices – Ambassadors of the Vanishing”
Through September 30, Really Small Museum
Nestled alongside the Ann & Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail lies a tiny bastion of Austin’s art scene: the Really Small Museum. They’ve shown dioramas and textile art, paper cuttings and audio recordings. Now they’ve partnered with the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders to help empower middle schoolers. ARS’s sixth-grade class stepped up as “Eco-Art Ambassadors,” showing activism through specially made buttons based around traits and color patterns of various endangered animals in Texas. They’re proving there’s no age barrier to using your voice and creativity to spark a change in the world, and you know what? That’s genuinely beautiful. The children are the future. – Cat McCarrey
Red Dot Art Spree
Thursday 11, Women & Their Work
In the art world, a red dot on the gallery wall means a piece has sold, so for an artist, red means green. But for many of us who love the arts, owning a piece is just not in the cards due to our moth-filled wallets. That’s where W&TW comes in, with a gallery show designed to fill the place with red dots by pricing nothing over $1,500 and offering everything tax-free for one night only. Choose from paintings, sculptures, photography, and drawings from over 150 artists, complemented by cocktails, snacks, and lively music, plus a special appearance by Typewriter Rodeo, who will tap out poems for guests on demand. Go out and paint the gallery red! – Kat McNevins
Syntax Sandbox
Thursday 11 – Sunday 14, the Vortex
Subtitled “An Un-Conference on Open Source A.I., Art, and Performance,” this “not a show” gathers speakers, artists, and technologists to explore the intersection of code and creativity. Over four evenings, see “sandbox performances” – inspired by the upcoming Sapien Ceremonies theatrical cyberdrama Syntax Error: The Quickening of A.I. – which will allow audiences to write simple programs to be performed by the cast, as well as demos, video art, outdoor installations, and games like Go, an ancient Chinese game that’s been played for over 2,500 years. Jump in the sandbox and look to the past as we consider the possibilities tech offers us for the future. – Kat McNevins
In the Mood for Love
Friday 12 – Saturday 13 & Tuesday 16 – Wednesday 17, Alamo South Lamar and Mueller
At this point, if you haven’t seen Wong Kar-wai’s impossibly lush and impeccably scored forbidden-love epic, what are you doing? I say epic even though the action takes place mostly in the stairwell of one apartment complex and a noodle restaurant, because that’s how much each moment blooms with the director’s and actors’ treatment of two neighbors that find out their respective spouses are cheating on them with each other. Their initial connection, born of shared misfortune, becomes a different beast amid the dimly lit streets of 1960s Hong Kong. Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung are the most gorgeous people in the most gorgeous duds you’ve ever seen. – Lina Fisher
Inclusion Prom
Friday 12, Wanderlust Wine Co. Shady
Boogie away the end-of-summer blues at this accessible prom-themed silent disco. Whether you want to dance all night with volume-adjustable headphones, doll up at the sensory-sensitive glam station, get creative at the interactive art station, or relax in the chill room, this party is for everyone. This event features wheelchair accessible drop-off zones, ASL interpreters, and Braille signage and maps. Proceeds go toward event host Unboredroom’s accessible arts and recreation programming. – Riley Walsh
Deprisa, Deprisa
Friday 12 – Saturday 13, AFS Cinema
The French New Wave gets a lot of credit for the disaffected-lovers-on-the-run subgenre, but if you look a little further into the Euro canon, you get some darker, more gutsy takes. Carlos Saura is one of Spain’s smartest and greatest filmmakers, with hard-to-categorize classics like Cría Cuervos and Peppermint Frappé that deal with pre- and post-Franco cultural anxieties. In this portrait of nihilistic street urchins on a crime spree, a young waitress leaves the straight-and-narrow for a delinquent car thief in a sort of Spanish Rebel Without a Cause. But it’s not just for show: During the shooting of the film, two of its nonprofessional actors were arrested for separate incidents, a bleak reminder of the film’s depiction of real-life social malaise. – Lina Fisher
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
Through September 28, Penfold Theatre
This spelling bee is A-W-E-S-O-M-E, with hefty doses of H-I-L-A-R-I-T-Y. Need a definition? Penfold’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Proper noun. A highly entertaining musical featuring awkward spelling prodigies as they deal with the pressures of their regional spelling bee. From sticky feet to unfortunate erections, the kids (played by adults) wade through their physical and emotional tortures in the course of a single afternoon and a single, glorious prize. Country of origin? Broadway of course, but give this multiple Tony nominee a chance and it’s sure to take up residence in your brain and heart. – Cat McCarrey
Oldboy
Friday 12, Sunday 14, Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18, AFS Cinema
South Korean director Park Chan-wook proved himself an action talent with his first blockbuster Joint Security Area, but it was his second entry in his Vengeance trilogy that cemented director Park as a genre icon. Choi Min-sik plays a loser kidnapped and held captive for 15 years without any explanation, his humanity worn away with every prison-room pushup he does. And when at last he’s thrown out into the real world again, he’ll do anything to solve the mystery of his stolen lifetime – which ends up being more than he could have imagined. Come for the freaky plot twist every Letterboxd review promises; stay for one of the best ever filmed fight scenes that easily clears all its imitators. – James Scott
Decompress Fest
Saturday 13, George Washington Carver Museum
BIPOC LGBTQ org allgo invites relaxation and fun for this ninth edition of their community healing fair. This year’s event features wellness resources like a sound bath and dance class as well as family-friendly activities such as a drag storytime, face painting, and a gaming van. That, in addition to a specialty marketplace and sessions with community healers, will hopefully restore your peace enough to handle the coming autumn season. – James Scott
Puppy Yoga
Saturday 13, Austin Beerworks
What’s better than yoga? Yoga at a brewery. Better than yoga at a brewery? Yoga at a brewery with puppies! As a self-proclaimed cat lady, I still need my puppy fix every once in a while, and this yoga session is for anyone looking to get theirs, no matter their skill level. Ticket sales benefit Saving South Texas Rescue. If proximity to good beer isn’t enough to get a pint in your hand, each ticket also includes a post-yoga drink voucher. – Gianna Ivy
THX 1138
Saturday 13, We Luv Video
Much lurks beneath the bearded surface of one George Lucas, such as whatever anti-capitalist freak spirit inhabited him while creating his feature debut. Sci-fi cinema at its most dystopian, this film portrays a world devoid of emotion and connection that the titular main character must escape from following a failure at his factory job. Terrifyingly minimalist, chillingly prescient, and frighteningly co-produced by that madman Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope: Lucas’ first film veers as far from the warm nostalgic womb of Star Wars as anything can. Screens as part of We Luv’s Pulsing Cinema series. – James Scott
City-Wide Vintage Sale
Saturday 13 – Sunday 14, Palmer Events Center
We’ve got no shortage of killer vintage stores and fruitful estate sales in our city, but Austin’s largest and longest-running vintage market is a home goods lover’s dream – think of all the midcentury modern furniture, pre-loved clothing, and kitschy collectibles Palmer can fit in its 45,000 square feet! This month’s two-day affair runs from 8:30am to 5pm on Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday; $10 admission gets you into both days. Bring a team – and an empty vehicle – to help you transport the truckload of wares you’ll undoubtedly score. – Carys Anderson
Andy Coolquitt: “C0oOT”
Through October 12, McLennon Pen Co.
Andy Coolquitt is not a crazy old coot. He’s a C0oOt: “three O’s: elongation, excess, object,” according to his own artistic statement. The materials presented at McLennon cherry-pick works from four previous exhibits, illuminating the strength of pre-made textile finds within natural material displays. The resulting work mixes Duchamp with Toy Story. Coolquitt’s exploration of existing materials and how they would want to be presented (you know, if inanimate objects had a say in such things) creates a fresh relationship with the artistic process. – Cat McCarrey
Community Seed Share
Saturday 13, Turner Roberts Recreation Center
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener gearing up for the fall planting season or a newbie contemplating your first indoor planter box, this Austin Parks and Recreation Community Gardens program has useful information for all. The free event includes a lecture on local climate-adapted crop varieties and a seed swap and giveaway (participants are encouraged to bring seeds to share), plus two limited-capacity (but still free) sessions that you’ll need to register for online in advance: a cooking demo and seed saving workshop. Happy planting! – Kimberley Jones
Bookwyrms Book Faire
Saturday 13, Tiny Minotaur
The fantastic fae of immersive tavern Tiny Minotaur host a book faire (note the “e”) with all manner of readables from indie comics to community zines courtesy of local bookshops like BookWoman, MonkeyWrench, and Reverie Books. The minds behind the Bookwyrms Reading Guild encourage you to quest through queer stories, fantasy tales, urban legends, and more, so pack your carriage light so you can carry your haul home from this free, all-ages market. Fantasy garb is always encouraged, but not required. – Felicity Guajardo
Beneath Bikini Bottom
Saturday 13, The Belmont
Is this the Krusty Krab? No, it’s your underwater friends sharing their secret lives through burlesque. Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy love affair? Say no more. Live music meets aerial performances in these 21-and-up, SpongeBob-themed shows at 6:30 and 9:30pm brought to you by the rockstars of Cymbals and Sins. Calling all Goofy Goobers to break out your Patrick Star fishnets for a chance to win a free pole-dancing class and more prizes in the costume contest. Your favorite sponge awaits your arrival. – Felicity Guajardo
“A Space in Which People Are Free to Move and Birds to Fly”
Through October 25, Co-Lab Projects
Birds know no borders. Co-Lab’s site-specific soundscape installation by artist Mark Menjívar uses the sounds of migratory birds to prompt questions about human migration and the political nature of drawing lines across the land. The exhibition coincides with the fall migration of neotropical birds, which soar out of the United States and back to the warmer climates of Central and South America this time of year. Eight sonic artworks find a temporary nest among the trees of Co-Lab’s grounds, inviting you to stroll through this migratory soundscape before it, too, takes flight. – Caroline Drew
Beili Liu’s Mend: A Conversation
Saturday 13, Women & Their Work
Provocative visual artist Beili Liu’s work confronts themes of migration, cultural memory, and labor to explore the severity of the climate crisis on a global scale. She will sit down with curator Annette DiMeo Carlozzi to discuss Liu’s body of work and new monograph. Mend – not to be confused with Liu’s The Mending Project, an installation of 1,500 Chinese scissors suspended threateningly from a ceiling above the artist sewing calmly below – captures over 20 years of personal artistic exploration and features essays from artists across the country. – Catharine Li
Austin Chinese Culture Festival
Saturday 13, Austin ISD Performing Arts Center
Hosted by the Austin Chinese-American Network since 2018, this free, all-ages extravaganza honors Chinese culture with live performances (including dragon and lion dances), tastings of traditional foods (including mooncakes), games, and community booths. Even better, this year’s edition coincides with the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, which historically marked the end of the harvest season – and the moon at its fullest and brightest. Feasts, family, and folklore make for a perfect Saturday afternoon. – Carys Anderson
Hyperreal’s Birthday Party
Saturday 13, Hyperreal Film Club
What more can we write about this microcinema that isn’t covered in its Best of Austin award copy? Well, I suppose I could write what a blessing it is to see movies presented by people I trust the taste of – and when I don’t trust ’em, at least I know I’m in for an interesting time. I could mention how the pre-show props and bits performed by HFC’s presenters remind me why actually going to unique, indie spaces is better than watching everything play out later on social media. But for their birthday, I guess I’ll just let you know these guys are throwin’ a party with a DJ, karaoke, special refreshments, and a raffle featuring prizes from brands both Austin-based and beyond. As they say, “SEE YOU AT THE MOVIES.” – James Scott
Pecan Street Festival
Saturday 13 – Sunday 14, Hill Country Galleria
A lot has changed in the Pecan Street Festival’s 50 years – but the family-friendly fest stands strong. Even on a different road, the festivities are free to all, featuring arts and crafts from local makers and food and drink from Austin-area restaurants, brewers, and more. It wouldn’t be a party in the Live Music Capital without, well, live music. Funk, rock, and country can all be found, with headlining performances by the BROSFRESH and Jo James. The promise of a street festival is something for everyone, and Pecan Street delivers, no matter where it is. – Caroline Drew
The Sound of Music
Saturday 13 – Wednesday 17, Alamo Slaughter
A portal to the magical Austrian countryside comes back to the big screens, commemorating The Sound of Music’s 60th anniversary. The iconic musical tells the romantic and harrowing story of Maria: a nun-in-training-turned-governess, who brings the family she works for to life with music during trying times (i.e., Nazis). Originally a memoir written by the real Maria Von Trapp, who is portrayed vivaciously by Julie Andrews, the musical should be on your list of favorite things. – Flora Belle Farr
My Brother, My Brother & Me
Sunday 14, Paramount Theatre
Nearing 800 episodes, the McElroy brothers have covered myriad subjects in an attempt to “take your questions and turn them, alchemy-like, into wisdom.” The trio’s fame rose with the success of their other, D&D-centric podcast, The Adventure Zone (which you can see live the day before), but the real “cool babies” love the familial bickering and lambasting that the flagship show brings. From farm wisdom to haunted dolls to the latest in fast-food trends, the important thing to remember is that the advice Justin, Travis, and (former Austinite) Griffin offer should never be followed. – James Renovitch
The Maltese Falcon
Sunday 14, Violet Crown Cinema
While not the origin of the MacGuffin – that’s credited to screenwriter Angus MacPhail, though it was later popularized by ol’ Al Hitchcock – this noir might be what first comes to mind for this cinematic trope. Specifically, the titular statuette at the center of the mystery’s action, which serves as the inciter of drama between detectives, femmes fatales, and toadies within. Here, Humphrey Bogart debuts his iconic spin on Sam Spade, author Dashiell Hammett’s gumshoe avatar, thanks to a no-remakes clause in original choice George Raft’s contract. Will he find who snatched the jewel-encrusted bird of prey? Hit the Second and San Antonio Street theatre to find out. – James Scott
Blanton All Day: Going Places
Sunday 14, Blanton Museum of Art
Our fantastic art museum continues its second-weekend programming with a celebration of new major exhibit “Spirit & Splendor: El Greco, Velázquez, and the Hispanic Baroque,” on view through February. Starting with a “Look & Listen” storytime for kiddos age 4-8 at 10:30 and 11:30am, the day continues with a noon presentation from curator Sarah Bane on a piece from the exhibit “A Family Affair: Artistic Dynasties in Europe (Part II, 1670-1900).” At 1:30, join a group exploration of fan favorite artwork, and at 3pm, expert Amanda Wunder leads a talk on the opulent, uncomfortable dress of baroque Spain. Nossas Novas play live bossa nova and Tropicalia music sets at 2 and 4, and Crafternoon ATX hosts a craft activity from 1-4 so you can do something with all that inspiration. – Kat McNevins
Trail Takeover
Sunday 14, South Lakeshore Blvd. & Lady Bird Lane
There’s more to activism than marches, which Austin for Palestine Coalition proves at this weekend’s trash pickup event. According to the group, the situation in Gaza “has created an environmental disaster” through water, soil, and air pollution from the continued bombing. By participating in cleaning our local environment, they hope to honor nature as well as present a possible future where all people and the Earth are respected. Cleaning supplies are provided, so attendees should just bring friends, water, and sunscreen. – James Scott
Jazz Brunch
Sunday 14, St. Elmo Springdale
The Springdale brewery transforms into a jazzy brunch spot fit for the whole family (except for the half-off mimosas) from 11am to 2pm. Ben Triesch provides the onstage tunes, and there’ll be beer, wine, frozen bevs, and a coffee bar. Food trucks Pueblo Viejo and Spicy Boys Chicken will be on standby all afternoon. Just no outside food or drinks. – Sammie Seamon
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.
This article appears in September 12 • 2025.
