Attack the Block
Monday 7 – Wednesday 9, Alamo Slaughter Lane, Lakeline & Mueller
It’s easy to think that there’s not many new alien flicks out there. If you’ve seen Alien, E.T., and Independence Day, you’ve seen them all, right? WRONG. When I first saw Attack the Block in 2011, it exploded my brain. This gem of a picture sets up an ideal cat-and-mouse chase, all contained within a British housing block. The residents form an unlikely team – including nurse Jodie Whittaker, weed dealer Nick Frost, and a group of kids led by John Boyega – against invading aliens drawn to their space. With a deliciously quick runtime, this story skips along with squabbles and scares around every corner. – Cat McCarrey
The Killing
Monday 7, Sekrit Theater
Austin’s summer is suitably sweaty and oppressive for the cool vibes of Stanley Kubrick’s debut feature. It’s an adaptation of Clean Break by crime reporter-turned-novelist Lionel White (basically the David Simon of his day), and screens as the second film in “The Art of the Heist,” teen classic film club Flick Clique’s mini-season of crime classics. Keep August 4 open for when The Sting rolls into town. – Richard Whittaker
Shark Week: Paper Crafts
Monday 7, Central Library
It’s once again Shark Week, and creative kiddos who love sharks are in for a treat at this crafternoon. Join other 5-and-ups for a day of crafts celebrating the mighty shark, with supplies and instruction provided to create bookmarks, puppets, headbands, and other paper crafts. Be sure to stop by the stacks to grab some jaw-some books and check out the new Cafe Crème for snacks. And if you haven’t signed up for the summer reading program, it’s not too late to get on board and start reading your way toward fun and prizes. – Kat McNevins
On the Town
Monday 7, Alamo Mueller
Three sailors on leave for 24 hours in New York City look for some action and find three girls to match each of their freaks in this Technicolor musical romp from the Fifties starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. On the subway, Gabey (Kelly) falls into an obsession with finding the woman on a poster for “Miss Turnstiles of the Month,” while Ozzie (Jules Munshin) becomes a beautiful anthropologist’s “prehistoric man.” Meanwhile, Chip (Sinatra) is pursued by a vivacious cab driver that he reluctantly comes to love. It’s a classic musical comedy scored by Leonard Bernstein, with all the cringe, cutesiness, and genuine joy that comes along with that era of exuberant cinema, perfect for summer. – Lina Fisher
Teen Fantasy & Fiber Arts Club
Monday 7, Central Library
If you’re between 13 and 18 years old, enjoy reading, and need a Monday afternoon spot for chilling out, look no further than your local library! APL’s Downtown location hosts a club for teen readers where you can work on fiber arts or whatever your current crafting project is while also discussing your newest literary love. No “reading homework required,” as APL says, and all supplies for your new fiber arts masterpiece are provided. – James Scott
Cabin Boy
Tuesday 8, We Luv Video
It’s been called a disaster and a career-killer for star Chris Elliott, and the only awards it was nominated for were a Razzie and a Stinker. Yet it’s a cult classic so beloved by hip-hop producer Dan the Automator that he named his publishing company Sharkman in honor of the film. Have you discovered its delights? Do you have thoughts about the cinematic landscape had Tim Burton directed as originally planned instead of sidestepping it for Ed Wood? Newbies and superfans alike can join We Luv’s Odd World monthly “weird s#%^” series to see it among friends for free with complimentary beers, to boot. Ahoy, matey! – Kat McNevins
Austin FC x We Are Blood Summer Blood Drive
Tuesday 8, Q2 Stadium
There’s never not a need for blood donations, but summer especially is hard on Austin’s blood bank, when donations drop by around 20%. So now you know your sweet veins are in such high demand, why not sign up to donate on-site July 8 at the Lexus Club at Q2? Hop onto We Are Blood’s website to schedule an appointment, or just call 512/206-1266. (Walk-ins are also accepted.) We are Blood and Austin FC will reward your donation with an exclusive, co-branded ¡Vida Verde! tee, plus you’ll be automatically entered in a raffle to win an armadillo kit jersey signed by the entire team. ¡Listos! – Kimberley Jones
Us
Tuesday 8, Paramount Theatre
In debut feature Get Out, Jordan Peele kept his focus tight on the nature of U.S. racism, but he has widened his cinematic subject scope with each successive feature. His heightened ambition hits hard in this sophomore effort, which turns Peele’s sharp eye toward the wider Western society and its complete disregard for anyone outside acceptable society. Doppelgängers, rabbits, summer towns, and references to C.H.U.D. abound, but I won’t spoil any more details for those who haven’t already seen the film. Just prepare for a thoughtful scare that lasts long after you’ve left the theatre. – James Scott
Avatar: the Last Airbender Fantasy Trivia
Tuesday 8, Tiny Minotaur Tavern
Benders of all elements are welcome to test their knowledge at this fantastical foray into Avatar: The Last Airbender trivia. From fire to earth, air to water, and maybe even a few questions about that other franchise featuring big blue aliens, you and four other “thing-benders” team can intellectually battle other nerds for a grand prize. IDK what it is, personally, but I’m sure whatever Tiny Minotaur and the night’s guest host Everett have cooked up will be good. Tavern members get in free, while all others must pay the $10 troll toll. – James Scott
Shark Week
Tuesday 8 – Friday 11, Hyperreal Film Club
First coined in 1988 for the Discovery Channel programming block, everyone from bars to bookstores now celebrates that special time called Shark Week. Hyperreal joins in with a weeklong screening series highlighting the oceanic predators with a portion of each screening’s ticket proceeds going to shark conservancy orgs. Test the waters with Tuesday’s multi-dimensional sequel Jaws 3D, which stretches your patience ever further with the Brody family, or taste fresh meat with new feature Dangerous Animals, directed by Aussie Sean Byrne and starring a finally well-cast Jai Courtney. Shark Attack 3: Megalodon dives into Sci-Fi Channel schlock on Thursday, and Friday finishes y’all off with creature feature classic Deep Blue Sea, which’ll have you going deeper, bluer, and wearing your hat like a shark fin. – James Scott
Hunger Games Trivia
Tuesday 8, Bouldin Acres Braker Lane
The film adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was a little silly, but they are *killing it* with the casting announcements for the upcoming Sunrise on the Reaping. Ralph Fiennes as President Snow? Philip Seymour Hoffman look-alike Jesse Plemons as a young Plutarch Heavensbee? Elle Fanning as Effie effing Trinket?! If none of these names mean anything to you, then you’re not the target demo for this Get It Games-hosted quiz night. But if you’re a real Hunger Games head, then head to Bouldin Acres’ new Braker Lane location for five rounds of Panem-themed trivia. May the odds be – well, you know. – Kimberley Jones
Starship Troopers
Wednesday 9, We Luv Video
It’s said that the best film adaptations of books find their inner core without ever feeling beholden to the details of the text. Which raises the question: Did Paul Verhoeven even read Robert Heinlein’s borderline crypto-fascist tale of power armor and interstellar war against alien insects? His version doesn’t have power armor or Heinlein’s imperialistic tendencies, instead relying on a bunch of rising stars in various states of attire and a seething attack on propaganda culture. But considering how many jingoistic and militaristic types unironically call it their favorite film, and how many tickets were just sold to see bugs go splat, did the satire work or did it just appeal to the same audience as Heinlein? Read the book, watch the movie, and take part in the discussion afterward. – Richard Whittaker
Skeleton Fashion Show for Tweens
Wednesday 9, Carver Branch Library
Skeletons typically only get their moment to shine around Halloween, but July’s just as good a time as any to trot them out on the runway. Fashion-forward youths ages 9-12 are invited to skullpt an outfit in any style – high fashion, streetwear, goth-inspired, perhaps – à la Tommy Hil-finger or Giorgio Arma-knee, making their bag o’ bones the talk of the skele-town. This is just one of Austin Public Library’s innovative ideas for a summer of fun; check out the schedule online for more events and details on the summer reading program. – Kat McNevins
Shark Week Storytime
Wednesday 9, BookPeople
Children must be introduced to how cool sharks are at a young age, otherwise they might turn into ninnies who want ’em wiped out. Bring the kiddos out to BookPeople’s “beach” where they’ll read shark-y stories across the vibe spectrum – silly, scary, and some blending both. Who knows? Maybe the kid will become a shark-aholic and start demanding to see all the Jaws movies. That’s just a risk you’ll have to take. – James Scott
Paddington Party
Wednesday 9, Central Library
Bring the lovable bear to life by participating in this craft party that helps children make their own version of the bear, unlock secret treasures, and send a postcard to their family from faraway places. That place in this instance is Peru, where the most recent Paddington movie took place. If that isn’t enough, make and take a bite of the famous orange marmalade sandwich Paddington was obsessed with. – Blake Leschber
Second Thursday Poetry Reading and Open Mic
Thursday 10, BookWoman
Open mics don’t have to be a lost art – not if you find the courage to get up there on the second Thursday of the month and share the words that have been collecting dust in the notebook that’s somehow stayed strong since your college years. Local poets Julie Choffel and Lisa L. Moore will be celebrated for their recent releases at BookWoman, while Cindy Huyser hosts the reading that follows. All words are welcome, if you’re looking to see which poems stick, and which might be best to leave behind in that good ol’ notebook. – Levi Langley
Co-Lab’s 17th Birthday Bash
Thursday 10, Hotel Vegas
Celebrate good art, come on! In a town full of the weird and wonderful, Co-Lab stands out. Their outdoor space, concrete shipping boxes surrounded by surprisingly isolating greenery, has hosted works of every style and substance. For the past 17 years they’ve lived by a guiding principle that seems to be hey, is this interesting? If so, welcome aboard. What an applaud-worthy attitude. So join Co-Lab’s own weird and wonderful people at Hotel Vegas to give Co-Lab their flowers. With bands, DJ sets, and karaoke, it’s guaranteed to be a rollicking good time. – Cat McCarrey
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 July 4 • 2025.