Bruce Lee: “Saddle Up Cupcake”
Through July 26, Yard Dog Gallery
Though he’s the co-founder alongside his wife of the Waxahachie-located Webb Gallery, folk art fiend Bruce Lee hangs his newest pieces up at Austin’s own Yard Dog. These cowboy creations center the same bold punk-rock pastiche as his work’s done since the 1980s – when he and wife Julie first started collaborating. Painted on vintage seed packets and ledger paper, the Wild West profiles peering at you from Lee’s work attract the eye with thick black outlines, bright color palettes, and a real rural Texas twang. – James Scott
Miss Juneteenth
Thursday 19, Hyperreal Film Club
If you watch movies from Texas, they’re generally either cowboy flicks, rural horrors, Austin stoner-cool comedies, or Dallas knockoffs. For her debut feature, writer/director Channing Godfrey Peoples took her camera into the rarely depicted Black communities of Fort Worth. Winner of the South by Southwest 2020 Louis Black “Lone Star” Award, it’s a powerful depiction of the changing aspirations and expectations of young Black women in Texas, with the Juneteenth holiday rewritten as a time of personal liberation. – Richard Whittaker
Casual Chess (k)Night
Thursday 19, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
The post-Queen’s Gambit spike in chess popularity has led to a delightful preponderance of chess meetups around town, creating that sorely needed third space where people can gather after work and before home – without having to buy or consume anything. Tiny Minotaur offers a casual evening for all experience levels, where you can take your Chess.com skills out into the real world. The tavern can provide some boards, but BYOB – bring your own board – is encouraged as well. We may be living under a president who likes to consider himself a king, but I’ll bet any one of us could beat him at the game of kings handily. Games begin at 7pm, and it’s $5 for non-members, free for members and their guests. – Lina Fisher
Central Texas Juneteenth
Thursday 19, parade: MLK Jr. Blvd & Leona; festival: Rosewood Park
Dating back to 1867, when the Freedmen’s Bureau organized the first parade, picnic, and festival in Austin, there has been a celebration of Juneteenth in the historically African American Eastside community. This year’s event includes a parade starting at 10am from the crossroads of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Leona Street, which leads right to the festival starting at noon at Rosewood Park. There, attendees can enjoy live performances from J Soulja, Jason Greensocks, Young Guy, and Anastasia Hera, as well as DJ sets from DJ Hella Yella, Napalm, and more. Local vendors also pop up, as well as a fireworks display finisher. – James Scott
Karim Dimechkie: The Uproar
Friday 20, First Light Books
The summary of Karim Dimechkie’s sophomore novel reads like a modernized spin on Do the Right Thing. The Uproar follows white man Sharif, a certified Good Guy who works for a nonprofit in Brooklyn and comes home every day to a Black wife. When the couple (and their unruly dog Judy, who seems to be lifted from the Michener alum’s own New York Times-published story about his girlfriend’s pit bull) find themselves in an escalating conflict with a Haitian immigrant and his son, however, public outrage forces our main character to question whether he’s really so good after all. This book talk is free, but a purchased ticket gets you a reserved seat and copy of the novel. – Carys Anderson
Butterfly Kiss
Friday 20 – Saturday 21, AFS Cinema
This weekend at AFS, Michael Winterbottom – director of such postmodern British classics as 24 Hour Party People and The Trip, Steve Coogan vehicles that have defined British cinema over the past two decades – offers up the “twisted British answer to Thelma & Louise” per The New York Times. When shy convenience store clerk Miriam (Saskia Reeves) encounters the volatile, generously pierced and be-chained serial killer Eunice (Amanda Plummer), she’s immediately enamored, but their ensuing killing spree sends her down a doomed path of murder and crazed religiosity. Soundtracking the whole gritty, depressing affair are none other than PJ Harvey, the Cranberries, and Björk, masters in the articulation of feminine anguish. – Lina Fisher
Hugh Mangum: Barbecue
Friday 20, YETI Flagship Store
If you’re scratching your head over the idea of a reading at the YETI store, this pairing really makes perfect sense: Chef Hugh Mangum lists “cooler” as an essential tool at the start of his magnum opus, Barbecue: Smoked & Grilled Recipes From Around the Globe. In fact, the celebrated pitmaster preaches the use of two coolers – “one for cold beverages and one for wrapped briskets.” He’s sure to share more smokin’ hot takes while in conversation with Austin author Paula Forbes, Texas Monthly’s newly anointed dining critic, at this free-but-better-RSVP event co-presented with publisher Phaidon and First Light Books, which will have cookbook copies for sale on-site. – Kimberley Jones
Young Shakespeare’s Cymbeline
Through June 29, the Curtain Theatre
Ah, Cymbeline: Not the most-studied-in-high school Shakespeare around. But that’s not for lack of action! We’ve got missing children, star-crossed lovers, mistaken identities, poisoning, and beheadings galore, all performed by talented teens underneath the Big Texas Sky. Here, Austin Shakespeare’s youth program combines historical elements with pop sensibilities. They’ve added modern costumes and needle drops to this mystical tale, but kept Shakespeare’s script and stage. Did I mention it’s at Curtain Theatre, the waterfront Globe facsimile? Breathe fresh air with the Bard’s fanciful tale starting Friday, June 20. – Cat McCarrey
Shrek Rave XXL
Friday 20, Emo’s Austin
Only recently was I hip’d to how big a deal the Shrek Rave industrial complex is. People from all over the societal spectrum – normies, cosplay nerds, moms – choose to release their inner ogre via bass drops and green ear stalks. Though Austin’s no stranger to the Dreamworks-property themed rave phenom, this week’s hits Southside “swamp” Emo’s rather than Downtown – so plan your parking strategy accordingly. If you get a boot because you left your carriage in the AutoZone lot, there’s no Fairy Godmother to wish it away. – James Scott
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
Friday 20 – Monday 23 & Wednesday 25 – Thursday 26, AFS Cinema
So I see you missed Pee-wee last week when he biked through the Paramount? Well, so did I. Good thing Austin Film Society screens this 40-year-old feature over and beyond this weekend. See on the big screen the breakfast machine, the Cabazon Dinosaurs, and Large Marge all hitting your funny bone just as hard as they did in 1985 when Paul Reubens took a chance on debut director Tim Burton. Go as a group, or ride solo – because you’re a loner. A rebel. – James Scott
Carrying the Torch: A Reading and Remembrance for the Future
Friday 20, African American Culture & Heritage Facility
Since 2006, Torch Literary Arts has supported Black women writers and amplified their voices. In honor of Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the day in 1865 that slaves were told they had been freed in Texas, Torch gathers four superstars of the literary world for an evening to celebrate the achievements and future of the African American community: author & UT-Austin prof Jennifer Wilks, 2024 Texas poet laureate Amanda Johnston, Michener fellow Alicia Harmon, and writer and podcast host Bri Nunn. Music, poetry, and speakers will feed the soul; Mashae’s Catering brings dinner. – Kat McNevins
Embolden Workshop
Friday 20 – Saturday 21, Dougherty Arts Center
You’ve conquered imposter syndrome, creative block, and your own willpower to become a professional working performance artist – but that’s only half the battle. Early Era Collective swings in to help get you stable on the “professional” side of things, with a workshop co-developed by Salvage Vanguard and Ground Floor theatres. Interested parties can learn through Q&As, podcast recordings, movement practice, and more how to tackle business, burnout, and building community in sustainable ways. Because this is still a workshop for performers, there’ll also be a showcase open to the public where participating workshoppers can strut their stuff and get profesh video & photos. Tix are pay-what-you-can, but remember your support means Early Era gets to keep these workshops going for future working artists. – James Scott
Midsommar
Saturday 21, Alamo Lakeline, Mueller & Slaughter Lane
A single image can be taken out of context. In the case of Midsommar, Hereditary director Ari Aster’s second film, the image of Florence Pugh, covered in flowers, having just immolated her boyfriend, was so decontextualized that people started to think the film was a song of female empowerment. It is decidedly not. Aster’s nightmare of a murderous white supremacist cult that reinvents its religion to fit its latest sinister end, emotionally seducing a vulnerable woman into their breeding cult, is truly horrifying. Rewatch, reassess, reappraise, and prepare to have your skin crawl right off you. – Richard Whittaker
Paradise Reclaimed: Gardens Real & Imagined
Saturday 21, Women & Their Work
A companion piece to Aisha Imdad’s ongoing, multisensory exhibit, “The Allegorical Gardens,” this panel and plant swap gathers some of Austin’s top green thumbs for a conversation about garden design, sustainability, and the restorative powers of plants. Speakers include Andrea DeLong-Amaya, director of horticulture at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; landscape designer Bindu Nicholson; Marsha Riti, Elisabet Ney Museum landscape educator; and Elona Rose, head of plants and maintenance at Lattice Studio. After the chat, you’re encouraged to trade a potted plant or cutting from home with other guests. – Kimberley Jones
Soap Making With Solid Soaps
Saturday 21, Parker + Scott General Store
If you haven’t checked out the sustainable shopping at Parker + Scott, here’s your chance. This shop curates its selection based on a goal to minimize environmental impact, meaning a refill bar for personal care products, minimal plastic packaging, and a partnership with Ridwell to recycle things like Styrofoam and batteries. They also put on fun events like this one with Emlyn from Solid Soaps. Learn to make your own melt-and-pour soaps with any color, scent, or botanicals you choose, and then mix & mingle or peruse the store while your creations cool. Everyone goes home with their own Solid Soap, too, so you’ll have something nice to brighten your home or give as a gift. – Kat McNevins
JK’s Just Kidding Variety Hour: Summer Solstice Edition
Saturday 21, Trinity Street Playhouse
In salute to this summer stretching of daylight hours we call solstice, the loverly jkjk (aka married queer performance peers khattieQ and Jenny Larson-Quiñones) present a variety show dedicated to the season. On the lineup are such stars as Austin’s first poet laureate Zell Miller III, dance darling Kelsey Oliver, music artist J.C. King, and animator Annie McCall – who’ll also be celebrating their new “It made sense when I made it OR Everything in its place” exhibition over at 4th Floor Gallery. See y’all summer sweeties there… – James Scott
No Tag Vintage Opening Party
Saturday 21, Golden Mean
Austin-based creator of the pop-up store No Tag Vintage (also on Instagram and Etsy) Shiree Cole turned thrifting into a career and lifetime passion. Party this Saturday from 12-4pm with No Tag Vintage, as Cole’s clothing collection will be on display at gift shop Golden Mean’s gallery space. Consider style, design, and personal expression while listening to a vinyl set by Delton Gloss and sipping drinks provided by LALO Tequila. The entire collection, along with a curated selection of vintage art, will be available for purchase through August 3. – Sammie Seamon
Tarot & Oracle Expo
Saturday 21 – Sunday 22, Nature’s Treasures Event Center
Once, I took the trek down I-35 to Nature’s Treasures, accompanied by an old, rather hipster friend who persuaded me to buy a dozen crystals that aligned with my “target energy.” Years later, I’m not quite sure what my current energy is, let alone my “target” one. But if you’re actually eager to find out, come to Nature’s Treasures’ new location, where nationally acclaimed tarot and oracle readers offering their services over the weekend might be able to help you uncover it. – Levi Langley
Black Auteur Film Festival
Saturday 21, AFS Cinema
When Alex Chew and Ryan Darbonne started BAFF in 2024, their intention was to make sure Black filmmakers weren’t left out of the “Austin is a film city” conversation. This year’s lineup of Black-made short films keeps that convo loud and active, from the fantastically queer “Mother of the Closet” to HIV & aging doc “And We Rest on Giants,” plus many others – all competing for the Best of the Fest prize. Make sure to stick around after the post-showcase Q&A for a networking mixer in the AFS lobby, which TBH is how I’m going to refer to all after-movie conversations I have at this North Austin cinema. Truly pumped by the short screenings you’ve witnessed? Snag tix to their afterparty on Sunday, which is also the Auntie’s House Juneteenth Kickback over at the Pershing. – James Scott
Back to the Beach
Saturday 21, We Luv Video
Still serving our beautiful stoner population before Gov. Abbott takes the THC-bird away (I’m re-using this pun because I don’t think the crickets it got last time matched how good it is, so if you don’t want to see this line again, please send positive feedback to mail@austinchronicle.com), We Luv selects a surf-sation from their quiver to ride the weekend wave. Beach buffs Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon headline as Ohio marrieds who toss off their mundane morbs for a family vacation to Hawaii, which gets sidetracked by surfer shenanigans in Cali. Cameos rack up fast in this feature, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pee-wee Herman, and Bob Denver. As usual, there’ll be free popcorn and discounts on WLV memberships. – James Scott
Juneteenth Celebration
Sunday 22, Neill-Cochran House Museum
The celebration of Black liberation may be technically behind us, but learning about America’s troubled relationship with race is always worth the time. One of Austin’s oldest residences invites visitors to take a guided tour of the estate’s slave quarters. The free event also includes barbecue from Distant Relatives, gospel music from Christopher D. Spivey & Co., a visit from the Buffalo Soldiers, crafts, games, and more. Check out the latest art exhibition and new interior mural while you’re there. – James Renovitch
Austin Witches Market
Sunday 22, Radio/East
It’s time to check your pantry stock of healing herbs and poignant powders! From salves and tinctures ready to aid your ails, to artworks and artisan home goods created to sprinkle spiritual inspiration across your every day, to spiritual readers of all kinds of techniques and practices, at the Austin Witches Market you’ll find what you’re looking for. Whatever your rites and rituals require, their knowledgeable peddlers are prepared to spruce your altar and give guidance. – Caroline Drew
Doggy Fashion Show
Sunday 22, Kinda Tropical
You may think you know fashion, but trust me, these pooches will put you to shame. At AjK Family Rescue’s doggy fashion show, four-legged friends will show off their best fits while their two-legged pals enjoy live music by the Louisiana Surf Department and sip on drink specials courtesy of host Kinda Tropical. Dogs, too, can get in on the action with doggy drinks and treats, and even free nail trims. While New York Fashion Week may not be for everyone, this community event offers a fun opportunity for all dog lovers while benefiting a local rescue org. – Julianna Plewes
Brokeback Mountain
Sunday 22, Alamo South Lamar, Slaughter Lane, Lakeline & Mueller
It’s been a sad few months for queer folks, so let’s get even more sad! Grab some popcorn and an ex-partner to roll around in your own bout of country-tinged heartbreak. For those unfamiliar with the gay classic, Brokeback features cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and rancher Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) as they fall into a painful love that spans two decades – and two straight marriages. Despite the gayness, the sadness, and all the gay-sadness, it’s undoubtedly a must-see. – Levi Langley
Nikki Glaser: Alive and Unwell
Sunday 22, ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Often reduced to her admittedly epic burn of Tom Brady, stand-up comic Nikki Glaser has been entertaining audiences with her self-deprecating, unapologetic, brutally honest comedy for nearly two decades. Her witty and shocking celebrity roasts caught the attention of late-night and awards show producers, propelling her into a whirlwind of lauded comedy specials, reality TV shows, movies, and podcast guest spots. Glaser’s comedy typically involves commentary on her own personal struggles with anorexia, depression, and sexual inactivity with her boyfriend, so bring your inner sad girl and buckle up. – Rebecca Butler
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 June 20 • 2025.
