Casablanca & Breathless
Thursday 22, Paramount Theatre
After celebrating its 50th anniversary last summer, the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series returns with a perennial favorite, 1942’s Casablanca. Set during World War II, this multiple Oscar-winning romance starring heavyweights Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman offers new treasures upon each rewatch. Make opening night a double feature with 1960’s Breathless, a thrilling Jean-Luc Godard French New Wave gem wherein a crook on the lam (Jean-Paul Belmondo) pursues romance with an aspiring journalist (Jean Seberg) while plotting to escape the country. Catch more classics through Aug. 31. – Kat McNevins
Austin Sketch Fest
Thursday 22 – Monday 26, ColdTowne Theater
Saluting the art of sketch this weekend is Austin’s annual fest featuring comedic talent from LA, NYC, and homegrown heroes from here in Texas. Opportunities for laughs include headlining show by self-described embarrassment artist Andie Flores and singer/songwriter Mars Wright that dares to explain “10 Ways to Effectively and Consensually F*** a Minion,” as well as Los Angeles visitors Business Casual performing their venue-appropriate Western spoof Cowboys, all-femme funny folks Boobie Trap in from New Yahk, and many more. A full weekend pass costs the humble consumer $84.33 plus fees, but each show also offers single tickets. – James Scott
Hot Luck Festival
Thursday 22 – Sunday 25, Mohawk
“I recently played in Austin, Texas. It was in conjunction with a food festival, because Austin, Texas, is a food festival.” Thurston Moore said that to Pitchfork in 2017, and, yes, he was talking about Hot Luck. The brainchild of Aaron Franklin, James Moody, and Mike Thelin, this annual convergence combines two of our city’s favorite things: food and music. There will be no Thurston S’mores this year, but the feast will still include a plethora of bites from chefs across the country, soundtracked at Moody’s Mohawk by long-running Michigan punks the Spits on Friday night and ATX alt rock vehicle White Denim on Saturday. – Carys Anderson
Purrsdays
Thursday 22 & 29, Domo Alley-Gato Tatsu-ya
Making excellent use of its “alley cat” play on words, Ramen Tatsu-ya’s patio bar outpost embraces the pun and transforms Thursdays into Purrsdays from 7-10pm. Expect a very chill hang zone with DJs Celly and Beatsmode taking over the turntables on the penultimate and final Thursdays in May, respectively. Besides the top-notch ramen and small bites, they’ve got $3 Kirins with optional toppers of frozen foam flavored with ginger, mango, or vanilla, sure to be extra-refreshing on our hundred-degree days. Whether you’re winding down or turning up, this is your East Sixth Thursday spot. – Kat McNevins
Astronomy Uncorked: Dark Matter
Thursday 22, C.L. Butaud
Dark variations of natural phenomena keep on popping up: dark energy, dark oxygen, dark MAGA. We’ll leave that last one alone, but before all those, dark matter went from convenient theory to a detectable and powerful force in the universe. We’re no scientists, but if we had to guess, we’d say dark matter keeps the universe from expanding into chaos. Don’t take our word for it (seriously, don’t), but you can trust astronomy professor Dr. Brian W. Mulligan, who will join attendees for some knowledge sharing paired with vino. We definitely learn better with a buzz. – James Renovitch
The Talk: A Pep Rally Purity Play
Friday 23 – Saturday 24, The Vortex
Chewed gum, crumpled roses, licked cupcakes. If those words just sent a shudder down your spine, congratulations! You have religious trauma from purity culture! Join the club. I once sat through a lecture where someone discussed going “too far†with the opposite sex as a trip in a canoe, and somehow it wasn’t a dick joke. That would have made the metaphor far too interesting. Witness a way better written talk with The Talk. Written by CB Goodman and Lilly Percifield, and presented solo by Percifield, The Talk focuses on the Homecoming Pep Rally for the Christian High School Academy. Horny teens and hypocritical leaders! What could go wrong? – Cat McCarrey
“Dog Days”
Through September 6, DORF
When the profound connection between dog and human has become fetishized and monetized for clicks, where’s a soulful dog person to go? Why not this group exhibition, which pays sweet tribute to our four-legged fam? Referencing the origins of “dog days” as a time of unrest in ancient times, DORF curators Sara Vanderbeek and Eric Manche are using the show to advance a different narrative: “that in a time of global uncertainty and rising temperatures, the steady, loving presence of a dog can be a grounding force – a source of comfort, stability, and meaning.” Friday’s pet-friendly opening reception will have on-site adoptions, live dog portrait painting by Ami Plasse, and a doggy dance party with DJ Dana Scully. – Kimberley Jones
The Royal Tenenbaums
Friday 23, Hyperreal Film Club
Houston’s own Wesley Wales Anderson – known as Wes by friends and pretty much everyone else, too – said on his third film’s DVD commentary that its story about a dysfunctional family began from his own parents’ divorce. Of course, his father wasn’t really the con man that Gene Hackman embodies in iconic film patriarch Royal Tenenbaum – though Anderson’s mom was an archaeologist just like Anjelica Huston’s Ethel – but this film’s distance from reality only benefits its tale of familial trauma. Both serious and silly, the 2001-released movie covers all the most taboo topics with typical Anderson charm, though never dismissing any action’s emotional implications. The Royal Tenenbaums was for this writer the first time I saw anything that matched both my aesthetic and narrative sensibilities entirely. Perhaps, if this is your initial visit to the Tenenbaums’ pink townhouse, you’ll discover you feel the same. – James Scott
Austin Greek Festival
Friday 23 – Sunday 25, Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church
If you ever wanted to sample what “Livin’ the Greek Life” is like, this annual Memorial Day weekend fest celebrating food, culture, and the Greek Orthodox faith is a good place to start. Activities include church tours to see the Byzantine iconography on display, live music, dance performances, a vendor market, and a whole mess of delicious food like spanakopitas, saganaki, and souvlaki chicken (and those are just the dishes starting with S). Admission is $5, and a portion of proceeds benefits Mobile Loaves & Fishes. – Kimberley Jones
I Scream Social: A Feminist Reading Series
Friday 23, Alienated Majesty Books
The pandemic – and the closure of home base Malvern Books – put I Scream Social on pause, but founding poet Annar Veröld brought the feminist reading series back last summer with help from her Host Publications co-worker Claire Bowman. Settled back at the same UT-area location (which is now Alienated Majesty), this series highlights women and nonbinary writers – this month, it’s Emily Bludworth de Barrios, Cloud Delfina Cardona, and Dara Barrois/Dixon – and supplies free ice cream. What’s better than that? – Carys Anderson
MLP Austin Tournament
Friday 23 – Monday 26, Austin Pickle Ranch
No sour faces here, as Major League Pickleball will be played at the highest level during Austin’s third-ever tournament. Over the four-day event, teams from across the U.S. will pair off to determine who will win a spot in the MLP Playoffs this August. Interested pickle persons have three ticket options, with a grounds pass getting you access to all amateur matches and courtside passes opening you up to the grandstand and championship courts. Dedicated enjoyers of the sport can opt for the third VIP tier, which kicks in chair seating, free food and drinks, and a special lounge. – James Scott
Story-Oke
Saturday 24, the Highball
From the folks who brought you Mortified and Queer Film Theory 101 comes a new monthly storytelling show where it’s all about the song in your heart. Each show features six performers who’ll regale the audience with a personal story connected to their chosen song – before belting that ballad karaoke-style. There’s no end to the sonic choices here, people, so whether your narrative is inspired by Biggie or Barbra, this stage is the place to sing it out. – James Scott
Street Trash (2024)
Saturday 24, We Luv Video
Ninety-nine percent of the time that a filmmaker says “Oh, we’re doing an homage to the Eighties,” what they really mean is some weirdly sanitized Patrick Nagel and Heathers deal that doesn’t really capture how grimy, sleazy, and unhinged the art of the decade was. Not Ryan Kruger, whose throwback slimefest sequel finally gets its Austin premiere. The first film’s writer, Roy Frumkes, described the 1987 splatterpunk masterpiece (also called Street Trash) as being designed to “democratically offend every group on the planet,” and Kruger’s version retains all its bodymelting gooeyness and anti-corporate politics for his slimy satirical horror. – Richard Whittaker
Ran
Saturday 24 – Thursday 29, AFS Cinema
In the last 30 years, The Austin Chronicle has only given two films a five-star rating: The 1997 re-release of Fritz Lang’s German Expressionist masterpiece M, and the 2000 re-release of Akira Kurosawa’s bushido King Lear adaptation, Ran. What does five stars mean around here? That a movie is as perfect as a film can be. That’s Ran, now remastered in 4K. – Richard Whittaker
Ego’s Day Party and Fundraiser
Saturday 24, Ego’s
Fear not, karaoke lovers: Ego’s isn’t closing. The beloved South Congress bar is instead raising funds for one of its bartenders, Paul, who broke his foot and needs help paying for surgery. Come one, come all, to this 4-7pm party, where burgers and hot dogs, games, a silent auction featuring items from local small businesses, and – of course – an open mic promise to help Paul get back on his feet (pun intended) in the best way possible. – Carys Anderson
Jaws
Saturday 24, Paramount Theatre
Watch a movie with a cinephile and you’re sure to have a moment where they point at the screen to say “Split diopter.” This infamous shot technique – done by adding a piece of half-convex glass to the film camera’s main lens – wasn’t invented by Steven Spielberg’s third feature film, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t learn about it from this beachy blockbuster. That’s only one iconic element of the 1975 summer shark tale, which celebrates 50 years of scaring swimmers at this screening presented by cult horror mag Fangoria. Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water… sorry, that’s Jaws 2 spoilers. – James Scott
Street Dog Coalition Pet Clinic
Saturday 24, University Baptist Church
Taking care of animal friends is one of Austin’s top strengths, so we have no shortage of animal welfare orgs to support them, but this one’s pretty neat: Street Dog Coalition has been offering clinics since 2023 and provides veterinary care to pets of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Austin Pets Alive! and SDC will be available from 10am to 12:30pm to provide pet food, vaccinations, microchips, dewormers, spay/neuter vouchers, and pet clothes and toys. These clinics are free of charge & judgment and help dozens of pets every other month, also providing info on APA!’s Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender program. Get more info and donate to the cause online. – Kat McNevins
Urban Axes Farewell Weekend
Saturday 24 – Sunday 25, Urban Axes
One of the first to bring axe-throwing to town is now saying farewell with a weekend of league tournaments and a closing party on Sunday. Try a few tosses and see why this cathartic craze took the nation by storm. The axes will be flying (responsibly, we assume) but there’s also a potluck, a crawfish boil, and karaoke to help sing the business into the sunset. The real question is, what are they gonna do with all those leftover axes? – Blake Leschber
“ECHOES ATX”: The Past, Present, and Future of Black & Brown Austin
Through June 6, Color Cartel
Austin wasn’t just grown from the fruits of Willie Nelson and the Texas Longhorns. Like many metropolitan areas, it had a thriving scene of diverse voices that fed this city’s very roots. Those voices were here, and they’re still here, contributing to everything that makes Austin special. Celebrate them with a two-week extravaganza acknowledging Austin’s rich history and bright future through art, music, and conversation. Curated by photographer Jay Ybarra and sociology scholar Shania Montúfar, “ECHOES” reflects their vibrant views of Austin’s grassroots community creators. Join the opening celebration this Saturday with DJ sets, art workshops, and artistic pieces that beg to be experienced firsthand. It all runs for the next two weeks. – Cat McCarrey
The Empire Strikes Back
Sunday 25, Paramount Theatre
On the occasion of its 45th anniversary, is there anything left to say about The Empire Strikes Back? It matches everything series starter Star Wars (or A New Hope, whatever) set in motion – matinee-movie adventure, space existentialism, jaw-dropping practical effects, bouncy banter – and cranks the dial further for more indelible creatures and planets, more smolder, more daddy angst. Which is why Empire is my easy No. 1 in the all-time Star Wars theatrical feature rankings. You know what, since we’re already here: 1) The Empire Strikes Back 2) Star Wars 3) The Last Jedi 4) Rogue One 5) Return of the Jedi 6) The Force Awakens 7) Solo 8) Revenge of the Sith 9) Attack of the Clones 10) The Rise of Skywalker 11) The Phantom Menace. No notes, right? – Kimberley Jones
“duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, grayDUCK!”
Through June 28, grayDUCK Gallery
Okay so: What’s with all the ducks? If you count them, it’s one duck for each year that this art gallery has been hosting art. This anniversary exhibition, curated by Los Outsiders collective, has a work of art representative of each year in the life of grayDUCK. It’s kinda like one of those videos where someone takes a photo of themselves every year, except in this case it’s something beautiful or poignant, and isn’t that better? Kicks off this Saturday, May 24 and runs through June 28. – James Renovitch
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 May 23 • 2025.
