Strange Days
Thursday 17, Paramount Theatre
On the last two days of 1999, L.A. is a violent war zone. Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes), an ex-cop who sells virtual-reality tapes that allow you to inhabit someone else’s memories, pines for his ex-girlfriend Faith (Juliette Lewis), and watches back the tapes of when they were together. One day, he receives a tape depicting a murder from an anonymous contact, which sends him on a mad chase to try to win Faith back from evil record exec Philo. This 1995 sci-fi hidden gem is a veritable pu-pu platter of big names appearing as callow youths: Fiennes, Lewis, and Angela Bassett star, with direction by Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron as co-writer. It also wrestles with very prescient questions that still plague us today: Why are we drawn to virtual reality? What does it do to our humanity? And is the escape it offers worth the cost? – Lina Fisher
Short Term 12
Thursday 17, Hyperreal Film Club
Once in a generation there comes a movie with a cast that you look back on and go, “Wow! Was everyone in this before they were famous?” Just as The Outsiders had the pre-A-list gang of Tom Cruise, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, and Patrick Swayze, so Destin Daniel Cretton’s poignant 2013 drama about life in a foster home predicted a new and more diverse vision of Hollywood’s future with Brie Larson before she got her superpowers, John Gallagher Jr., Rami Malek, LaKeith Stanfield, Kaitlyn Dever, and Stephanie Beatriz before she got her Brooklyn Nine-Nine badge. However, even if its cast hadn’t become household names with two Oscars and a Tony between them, this South by Southwest award-winner would still be unmissable. – Richard Whittaker
Good Trouble Lives On Rally
Thursday 17, Pan Am Recreation Center
A coalition of Austin-based social justice, civil rights, and mutual aid groups, including Hands Off! Central Texas, Austin Justice Coalition, the League of Women Voters, and Texas Civil Rights Project, are hosting this peaceful rally locally, but it’s part of a national day of nonviolent action. The date, July 17, is intentional – it marks the anniversary of the passing of Rep. John Lewis, who famously used the phrase “good trouble” to describe civil rights activism to advance a righteous cause. Nationwide, those who are alarmed by the Trump administration’s attack on our rights are encouraged to “march in peace, act in power.” Organizers caution the time and location may change, so check info online before heading out. – Kimberley Jones
A Través de Tola
Thursday 17, Violet Crown Cinema
Cine Las Americas’ monthly spotlight on Mexican cinema, CineClub MX, returns with this intimate, deeply felt documentary from Oaxaqueña filmmaker Casandra Casasola, who explores the traumatic absence of her father by turning the camera on her grandmother, her mother, and herself. The screening is presented in collaboration with Malakita Producciones and IMCINE as part of Mexico’s 2025 Año de la Mujer Indígena (Year of Indigenous Women). – Kimberley Jones
George Lopez
Friday 18, ACL Live
It’s a big night for fathers and daughters as the Latino comedy legend takes to the stage. George Lopez could rightly be resting on his laurels right now with his amazing career. However, he’s back on the road just as Lopez vs. Lopez – his latest TV show with real-life daughter Mayan – wraps up three seasons on NBC. Get to ACL Live early for a rocking opening set from another hero of Hispanic culture as Robert Rodriguez puts down the camera and picks up the guitar for a show from his band, Chingon. Their lineup’s now boosted by the Sin City director’s daughter Rhiannon Rodriguez-Avellan on vocals and guitar. – Richard Whittaker
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Friday 18 & Monday 21 – Wednesday 23, Alamo Slaughter Lane, Lakeline & Mueller
Fans of the fang-tastic Sinners may have recognized in villainous vamp Remmick a wolf-ish touch, as director Ryan Coogler named The Last Wish’s antagonist as a crucial influence on his Irish imp. What could scare the fearless feline Puss more than the very embodiment of Death, here imagined as a bounty-hunting wolf wielding twin sickles that slice right through the overconfident orange cat? To defeat Death in this sequel to 2011’s Puss in Boots, the Antonio Banderas-voiced kitty must team up with old friends, confront new enemies, and secure the Wishing Star – or lose the last of his nine lives. – James Scott
APL After Dark: Recess
Friday 18, Central Library
Stay at the library after hours for an eclectic mix of games, crafts, trivia, beer, and wine. This night-at-the-museum-esque 21+ event will have a silent disco dance floor, a Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros. dueling corner, an origami station, oversized chess, and Hula-Hoops. And that’s just the beginning: Make friendship bracelets, play with some LEGO, and jump into an improv group with Hideout Theatre. The event is currently sold out, but you can add your name to the waitlist. – Sammie Seamon
Movie in the Park: The Wild Robot
Friday 18, Katherine Fleischer Park
Bring the whole family, a couple of lawn chairs, and a picnic blanket to the park and prepare to get emotionally wrecked. The Wild Robot, which will start at sunset, is a charming movie about a robot named Roz, who crash-lands on an island and ends up raising a baby goose. (It makes sense in the movie, I swear.) I may or may not have cried – happy tears! – while watching it. This free event is hosted by Wells Branch MUD Parks and Recreation. – Sammie Seamon
Summer Stock Season Sneak Peek 2025
Friday 18, McCullough Theatre
Think of this one-night-only performance as a kind of live-action trailer for Summer Stock Austin’s upcoming productions of Mary Poppins (running July 24-August 10) and Jesus Christ Superstar (August 1-10). The sneak peek promises an early look at staged numbers featuring this year’s casts, plus some special appearances from alumni of the SSA program, which has been training Austin’s young musical theatre talent for 20 seasons now. – Kimberley Jones
Subcultura de la Solidaridad
Friday 18, Double Trouble
Dub Trub plays host to a market with a dual purpose: supporting local artists while raising funds for three local orgs providing resources to immigrants. In addition to tooth gems and tarot, several vendors will be on hand with items ranging from handmade jewelry to VHS and even the tempting “oddities,” with 10% of proceeds going to nonprofits RAICES, Casa Marianella, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. TRGLA will also receive 100% of proceeds from a raffle. DJs Miho and Time Ritual soundtrack the whole affair, and you can’t leave without grabbing a taco or tasty bev – you’ve done your part, so have a little treat! – Kat McNevins
MLS All-Star Soccer Celebration
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20, Auditorium Shores
All-time great Lionel Messi will make his first – and potentially lone – local appearance when Major League Soccer’s All-Stars face Liga MX’s best on July 23 at Q2 Stadium. The free, family-friendly Soccer Celebration starts All-Star-related festivities a few days beforehand with a two-day activation full of activities. According to an MLS press release, attendees can expect “interactive fan zones, games, player appearances, free giveaways, and MLS match watch parties.” Soccer Celebration includes Coca-Cola’s Beats, Cleats, and Eats activation, which features rock group GROUPLOVE as its headliner. – Derek Udensi
Vortex Summer Youth Presents Jinkies!, or the (Currently) Untitled Dog Play
Through July 26, the Vortex
Long after that man in the monster mask turned out to be the town’s unethical mayor, long after every case had been closed and long after every Scooby Snack – I mean, unaffiliated nameless dog treat – had been devoured, a certain super sleuth squad is forced to reunite after one of the gang faces a dire accusation. Will the beloved hijinks of these old-school mystery solvers survive our modern world? Time, and a paw-some performance from the Vortex’s top teen talent, will tell. – Cat McCarrey
Plus-Size Clothing Swap
Saturday 19, the Future Front House
Find a new fit at this fifth annual fashion swap focused on clothes sized XL and above. Entry runs you $30, with the money going back into the Future Front TX coffers to help continue their community programs – such as, you know, this stylish swap-a-roonie. But don’t think it’s all good-cause satisfaction your entry fee entails ya, because you also get entered in a raffle with prizes from Practice Open Form, Body Posi Barre, Fat Darling Photography, and many more. – James Scott
Texas Roller Derby Playoffs
Saturday 19, Travis County Expo Center
It’s like Whip It, but real life. The penultimate bout of the ultimate sport for women and nonbinary badasses’ 2025 season goes down this Saturday at the Travis County Expo Center, where the Rhinestones (amazing team skater names include Colonel Slamders, Harli Grim, Nicola Virus, and Rum Punch) face off against the Putas del Fuego (amazing team skater names include GAUDSPEED, Manila Wafer, Miller Fite, and Netflix and Kill) ahead of the Labor Day Weekend Calvello Cup Championship. Doors at 5pm, whistle at 6. – Carys Anderson
¡Escándalo!
Saturday 19, Dougherty Arts Center
Passion! Scandal! Melodrama! Murder! If you’re thinking that all sounds straight out of a telenovela, then you’ve hit the bull’s-eye. This long-running improv show finds inspiration and comedy gold from Latin American serialized soaps, crafting a new narrative every night with audience input. The troupe performs mostly in English, with some Spanish – naturalmente – sprinkled in. – Kimberley Jones
Greater Austin Comic Con
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
Everyone knows that comic cons aren’t just about comics, so it’s not that surprising that Texas wrestling legend Kevin von Erich (subject of the great wrestling biopic The Iron Claw), heavyweight boxing icon Riddick Bowe, and MMA hall-of-famer Rampage Jackson are all heading to GACC in its sixth year. But don’t worry: Comics still get their day, with talents including Sam Lotfi (Harley Quinn), Sean Chen (X-Men), and Julian Shaw (Captain America: Symbol of Truth) picking up their pencils in the name of truth, justice, and sequential art. – Richard Whittaker
Unbreakable
Saturday 19, Paramount Theatre
There’s an old semi-joke among academics that the first superhero wasn’t Superman, the Phantom, or even Hugo Hercules, but Gilgamesh, the central figure of the Sumerian epic poem that bears his name. M. Night Shyamalan’s last undeniably excellent movie takes that idea to heart – that superheroes have always been among us, even if we never had the word for them. In this examination of comics as modern myth cycles, Bruce Willis’ quiet performance as a regular Joe with greatness thrust upon him is perfectly counterbalanced by Samuel L. Jackson’s disturbing origin story for a sidekick who isn’t all he seems. – Richard Whittaker
Office of Police Oversight Open House
Saturday 19, Central Library
One thing you like to see with an office tasked with overseeing police: openness. This Saturday from 10am to 2pm, the OPO opens up for the community to ask questions and explore the complaint process, meet the policy team, hear from Director Gail McCant, and learn how to get involved and provide feedback. They say all are welcome, whether you be “curious, concerned, or committed,” and they’ll provide refreshments and giveaways to make it even more welcoming. Stop by and make your voice heard! – Kat McNevins
Taste of Plant Based
Saturday 19, Wheatsville South Lamar
Plant-based products just keep getting better and more widely available, making a vegan lifestyle more attainable and exciting all the time. Get a taste for yourself at the home of popcorn tofu, as well as the best place to score cool veggie items you can’t find elsewhere. From 11am to 3pm, over 20 local plant-based vendors will offer free samples and share their stories. Kids can partake in activities like face-painting and plant-your-own veggies, and a DJ keeps the veggie vibes flowing. – Kat McNevins
The Birds
Saturday 19 – Monday 21 & Wednesday 23, all Austin-area Alamo Drafthouses
Alfred Hitchcock’s third-to-last film is a personal favorite because it offers new discoveries upon rewatch and is never exactly how I remembered. Tippi Hedren’s flirty socialite character Melanie is kind of a maniac: Moments after meeting a guy in a bird store, she sets off on a mission to stalk him and give him a pair of live birds – and I love her for that. This being a Queer Film Theory 101 screening, there’s also rich queer subtext to explore, such as that guy’s codependent relationship with his mom and the fact that birds themselves are queer. As QFT 101 puts it, “if it’s got feathers and a cloaca, we’re claiming it for the LGBTQ+ crew.” Cacaw! – Kat McNevins
Ruby’s Rockin’ RainBOWL
Sunday 20, Westgate Lanes
Not that you need an excuse to lace up the old bowling shoes and pull the shammy off the shelf, but this fundraiser event nonetheless provides great motivation. The family-friendly event promises live music, raffle prizes, hot pizza, cold drinks, and lots of lane action, all to support the work of Austin nonprofit Ruby’s Rainbow, which has awarded nearly 900 scholarships since 2012 to students with Down syndrome. Registration includes an event T-shirt and swag bag, plus the opportunity to expand your impact and fundraise for the cause when you sign up online. – Kimberley Jones
Pink Narcissus
Sunday 20 & Wednesday 23, AFS Cinema
Sumptuous doesn’t even begin to describe James Bidgood’s fantastical feature. Lead Bobby Kendall dreams the entire runtime of a life outside his New York apartment, beyond his sex work, and untethered to time and space – sensual scenes painted in vibrant color schemes inspired heavily by The Red Shoes. For the prettiest presentations of penises, look no further than this new restoration of a queer cinema classic. – James Scott
Carnival of the Animals
Sunday 20, UT-Austin Bates Recital Hall
Ever wondered what orchestral instruments would sound like as animals? Curious minds are never too old for this family-friendly zoo trip of a chamber music concert. Originally composed by Camille Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals is a whimsical and humorous series of musical movements, each representing a different animal, or animals, and often highlighting a specific instrument or grouping – from barnyard friends to kangaroos. Saint-Saëns prohibited public performances of these pieces, fearing their frivolity would damage his reputation, yet his legacy lives on in all who have learned the sounds of chamber instruments through these accessible arrangements. – Caroline Drew
La Bruce
Sunday 20, Austin Motel
Step into the splash zone, sweethearts, because ATX Trans Pride continues their summer swim series at Austin Motel. This month’s poolside presentations come courtesy of performers p1nkstar, Ruby Knight, Stephina Elegonza, Killgxrl, Damiana Divine, and social org Local Queer ATX. RSVP gets you in free, but be advised that pets and kids aren’t invited to this +18 event. Also, because I know some of y’all must be reminded, here’s the law laid down by the organizers: “The DJs don’t take requests.” – James Scott
Community Narcan Training
Sunday 20, Dear Diary Coffee
What’s more neighborly than learning how to help your fellow Austinites stay alive? The NICE Project partners with vegan coffee hot spot Dear Diary to teach interested community members how to reverse opioid overdoses via naloxone, aka Narcan, as well as instructions on how to use fentanyl test strips. If the promise of lifesaving info ain’t enough to coax you to Chicon, then consider this: Dear Diary doesn’t charge extra for alt milks! – James Scott
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Sunday 20 & Wednesday 23, AFS Cinema
We’ve become so blasé about the extraordinary technical wizardry regularly served up on multiplex screens, it’s hard to remember what an absolute brain melt this live-action/animated hybrid was on first release in 1988. In Robert Zemeckis’ comedic noir, set in 1940s Los Angeles and neighboring Toontown, live-action actors like Bob Hoskins’ hard-boiled PI Eddie Valiant seamlessly share space with cartoon characters like the hapless Roger Rabbit, on the lam after being accused of murder. Silly and thrilling and so, so much fun. (Also, weirdly horny!) – Kimberley Jones
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 18 • 2025.