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Sponsored Listing
The Juilliard String Quartet with pianist Anna Petrova
With unparalleled artistry and enduring vigor, the Juilliard String Quartet (JSQ) continues to inspire audiences around the world. Founded in 1946 and hailed by The Boston Globe as “the most important American quartet in history,” the ensemble draws on a deep and vital engagement to the classics, while embracing the mission of championing new works, a vibrant combination of the familiar and the daring.Sat. May 17, 7:30pmRiverbend Centre -
Sponsored Listing
Affordable Art Fair Austin
After a hugely successful first edition, Affordable Art Fair Austin returns May 15-18, 2025 at the Palmer Events Center, showcasing thousands of original contemporary artworks ranging between $100 to $10,000. Welcoming 55 local, national and international exhibitors, the second edition will be unmissable.May 15-18, 2025Palmer Events Center
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Music
BLK ODYSSY, Asha Imuno
Certified funkmaster – and now, thanks to July genre pivot 1-800-FANTASY, pop-rockstar – Juwan Elcock has a world tour on his hands. The Austin-based rapper, producer, and multi-instrumentalist is set to play in New York, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, and even Cape Town, South Africa, in support of his latest LP. Before jetting off, however, Elcock brings BLK ODYSSY’s experiments in emo rap, melodic alternative, and Billboard-ready pop to Antone’s. Precocious Californian multihyphenate Asha Imuno opens with equally slick, soul-tinged hip-hop. – Carys AndersonSat., Aug. 31, 8pm -
Community
Sports
Lone Star Le Mans
The FIA World Endurance Championship returns to COTA for the first time since 2020. This round, the lone stateside affair in 2024, runs for six hours on Sunday after qualifying takes place on Saturday. WEC races feature two distinct classes of cars, with sports prototypes making up the high-octane Hypercar class and souped-up vehicles closer resembling what you’d see on the road contesting LMGT3. Toyota has won the past three Hypercar manufacturers’ championships, but Porsche is slightly ahead in the current standings with only three rounds remaining. Three-day, general admission tickets are just $69. – Derek UdensiAug. 30-Sept. 1 -
Qmmunity
Arts & Culture
The Front Festival
Helmed by women and queer creative collective Future Front, this Labor Day weekend festival celebrates the end-of-summer holiday with this Austinite’s favorite activities: appreciating local music, film, and art, and doing a lot of swimming. The main event launches Friday, when the Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria hosts over a dozen independent Texan filmmakers for a movie showcase; on Saturday, Cheer Up Charlies welcomes musical acts Pam Reyes, Never, promqueen, p1nkstar, and more. Thursday and Sunday bookend the event with, respectively, night and day parties at the LINE Hotel pool, featuring DJ sets and pop-up art exhibits to boot. – Carys AndersonAug. 29-Sept. 1Various locations -
Community
Events
Austin Cactus & Succulent Society 2024 Fall Show
They say cactus and succulents are the hardest plants to kill. Well, “they” haven’t met my intensely black thumb. But even avowed plant-murderers like myself can enjoy the beauty in these spiky survivalist seedlings. And luckily, Austin Cactus & Succulent Society has all the tips and tricks to help turn the most cursed gardener into Mother Nature herself. At their Fall Show there will be heaps of advice for cultivation, along with gorgeous specimens and handcrafted pottery for sale. Short on funds? Try your hand at the hourly raffles for plant prizes. Admission also comes with entrance into the Zilker Botanical Garden, so make a horticultural holiday out of this annual event. – Cat McCarreyAug. 31-Sept. 1 -
Community
Kids
Back to School Safety Fair
Back in my day, we had Smokey Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog to explain safety to us. At this safety fair, the Chick-fil-A cow will be present – maybe to explain how to keep cows safe by exclusively patronizing chicken restaurants, maybe just for fun. Kiddos will also get to climb aboard and explore first responder vehicles and meet reps from Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and Austin-Travis County EMS. Start the school year by letting them meet the folks who aim to keep them safe, plus get a chance at the scooter/skateboard giveaway while supplies last, along with refreshments. Stop by from 10am to 2pm. – Kat McNevinsSat., Aug. 31 -
Community
Events
Fae Ball Austin
There’s increasingly popular all the time fairy smut, and then there’s fairy strutting your stuff at a Fae Ball. For fellow fans of Sarah J. Maas’ massive Maasiverse and the like, this ball offers a taste of your bookish daydreams in the waking world. Attendees are to dress in their high fantasy best, and partake in High Tea and supper alongside romantasy authors including Amber V. Nicole (The Book of Azrael), Tracy Wolff (Crave), and Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Assistant to the Villain). Over the weekend, there will be discussion of romance tropes, karaoke, fantasy trivia, and many hours of dancing. – Maggie QuinlanAug. 30-Sept. 1 -
Community
Events
Fangoria Horror Trivia + Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge (1989)
Test your horror & thriller cinema knowledge with a mag that’s “First in Fright.” Fangoria offers tempting prizes for those who know their scary stuff – like official Fangoria merch and other creepy tchotchkes. Follow that up with a screening of cult classic Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge. This Richard Friedman-directed feature stands within a holy catalog, aka horror movies that take place in malls. Not a terribly long catalog, TBH, which is probably why this movie and Chopping Mall were shot in the same shopping mega-center. The more you know! – James ScottSat., Aug. 31 -
Qmmunity
Arts & Culture
Gender Diverse Joy
2Spirit Queer, Downtown Austin Alliance, Khush ATX, and Local Queer ATX collab on this Downtown Austin space activation. Enjoy drag, dance, an open mic, food, and a name/gender change workshop – all for freesies.Sat., Aug. 31506 Congress -
Community
Kids
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Before you ask: Yes, this is going to be a screening of the Disney dub. But Ghibli features often deliver pretty good English casts, and Kiki’s is no exception. A young Kirsten Dunst glows in her portrayal of a witch coming of age in her new seaside home – out on her own for the first time ever. As Ursula, the older artist who eventually becomes Kiki’s friend and confidante, Janeane Garofalo cements the character as both a lifelong crush and role model for many a generation. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a painter in denim cut-offs and tank top who lives in a forest cabin with crows? The standout is, of course, SNL alum Phil Hartman as Jiji, the black cat who serves as both Kiki’s familiar and her best friend. His voice work conveys a world weariness funneled through quips: never frustrated with his young owner, only gently concerned. A perfect movie for parents and kids that’ll leave everyone feeling a little seen. – James ScottSat., Aug. 31 -
Qmmunity
Nightlife & Parties
Now Serving
Serving up a delightful time, host Tiffany Epiphany brings along local drag talent for this dinner-and-a-show type of night.Sat., Aug. 31 -
Qmmunity
Nightlife & Parties
Queer Singles Happy Hour
Local Queer ATX pairs up with Jigsaw Dating for the mixer-maker’s first-ever LGBTQ-only event. The goal’s a safe space for mingling, with custom conversation cards and Jigsaw’s “signature ice breaker bingo.”Sat., Aug. 31 -
Qmmunity
Arts & Culture
Rhinestone Roots
Kit yourself out in cowpoke finery for this evening celebrating queer Southern folks of color. Hosted by local stage and art legends Gothess Jasmine and Bobby Pudrido, attendees can expect drag, country dancing, a vendor market, delectable vegetarian dishes by Fork Fantasies, and a fashion show curated by SwankKi. DJs Lavender Thug and Cysum set the groove mood. “Our mission,” the event organizers write, “is to create a joyful, safe space where Black and brown queer communities can honor their Southern roots, enjoy themselves, and feel represented.” Important note: Masks are required indoors, so bring your KN95! – James ScottSat., Aug. 31 -
Film
Special Screenings
Streets of Fire (1984)
Walter Hill was once asked, “Why wasn’t Streets of Fire a blockbuster?” He simply replied, “Because nobody went to see it.” Well, now’s the time to fix that failure and watch the recently rediscovered 70mm print of Hill’s rock & roll fable and cult masterpiece. The story is Fifties Americana refined, as the Leader of the Pack (Willem Dafoe) kidnaps the Queen of the Hop (Diane Lane) and Soldier Boy (Michael Paré) comes to her rescue. But the look and the sound is the epitome of the neon-drenched Eighties, pure style with a soundtrack by Jim Steinman and Ry Cooder. Remember, tonight is what it means to be young. – Richard WhittakerSat., Aug. 31 -
Arts
Visual Arts
"Native America: In Translation"
One thing I’ve loved about newer theatre or museums is the space given for land acknowledgement – statements about the ancestral roots of the space being used. Space that was not always ours, but taken. The Blanton’s latest exhibit tackles that question, but pushes the boundaries. It’s not just about what Native America was, but what it can be. Curator and lauded artist Wendy Red Star has assembled nine other Native artists to create a rich exploration of what life in America is today. Shown through a variety of mediums, something is guaranteed to resonate with the audience. Whether it’s the photos, paintings, videos, or multimedia works is up to you. – Cat McCarreyAug. 4-Jan.5 -
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Music
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Music
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Food
Food Events
Austin Restaurant Weeks
For two glorious weeks, some of the best restaurants in town are offering prix fixe menus, drink specials, and more, all to benefit Central Texas Food Bank.Aug. 30-Sept. 15Various locations -
Arts
Visual Arts
“Carros y Cultura: Lowriding Legacies in Texas”
Thanks to Seventies funk band War, the word “lowrider” often calls to mind the unforgettable sax riff of the band’s 1975 No. 1 single. But lowrider can mean a snazzy customized car with hydraulics or a person who works on such a vehicle, and the culture around these cars has strengthened Mexican American communities in the Southwest since the Forties. Learn more about them at this exhibit featuring an interactive touchscreen mural, cars and bikes on display, and stories about the people who make lowriding a community. A member reception takes place May 18. – Kat McNevinsThrough Sept. 2 -
Arts
Visual Arts
“Chronicles: A Retrospective”
Owner, director, and master printer of Flatbed Press, Katherine Brimberry wears many hats. On top of all these hats is her artist hat, which you’ll be hard “pressed” to ignore once you’ve enjoyed her newest exhibit of prints and mixed media works. “Chronicles: A Retrospective” shows off Brimberry’s cornerstone status in Texas printmaking, with gorgeous landscapes and intriguing visuals abounding. From her own artist statement: “When I place found objects into visual relationships with landscape details,: I intend to create an enigma. The viewer, who without the benefit of the history of the objects, is presented this mystery and can find and assign meaning. My underlying intention is creating images that spark epiphany about time and space, life and death, past and future.” Check out the show’s opening on Sat., Aug. 24, and see a retrospective of Brimberry’s collaborative pieces over at St. Edward’s Fine Arts Gallery on Aug. 30. – James ScottOpens Aug. 23; runs through Oct. 6 -
Arts
Visual Arts
“My Eyes Are Starving for Beauty”
Utilizing collected materials – recycled clay, lumber, thrift store blankies – queer Texan Anthony Sonnenberg’s new show uses not only installed art pieces but performance. Makes sense, given that the queerness Sonnenberg explores here holds space in both stillness and movement. Consider his acknowledged muses, Divine and André Leon Talley, both of whom were striking in still images and awe-inspiring in motion. The event copy extrapolates: “These, and other creatives like them, stood out for their ability to defy traditional beauty standards, becoming fashion icons for their completely unique, uncompromising style, and their outsized impacts on the worlds of fashion, film, music, and pop culture.” Enjoy the opening reception festivities on Aug. 23, or check in any Saturday through Oct. 5. – James ScottOpens Aug. 24; runs through Oct. 5 -
Arts
Visual Arts
“Straight Like That” Exhibit
Art is communal, stronger when visions are shared. ICOSA already showcases the connections between Austin artists on the regular, but with “Straight Like That” the web grows to include the Houston-based Throughline Collective. With a selection curated by Mueni Loko Rudd, a Kenyan American curator and preservationist dedicated to expanding the cultural landscape of art, visitors to ICOSA’s latest show can witness a vibrant exhibit of Texas-based artists pushing the boundaries of what is expected from art. The pieces vary in form and theme. But all evoke new insights into what Texas art can be. – Cat McCarreyOpening recption: Sat., Aug. 17; runs through Sept. 17 -
Community
Kids
Baby Bloomers
A special program for visitors ages 0-3 and their families, providing caregivers and early learners the chance to experience the children's museum together. Thinkery will host two storytimes and free play that support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of the earliest learners.Saturdays, 8-10am -
Arts
Theatre
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Carole King is one of those once-in-a-generation songwriters, the kind who absolutely deserves not just a jukebox musical, but this type of theatrical biography on stage. A lot of folks know her seminal album Tapestry and her collaboration with longtime platonic soulmate James Taylor. But she had a thriving songwriting career beforehand. Beautiful tracks her stunning girl group anthems (“One Fine Day” or “Loco-Motion,” anyone?) and her fraught relationships with male collaborators. Can they keep this “natural woman” down? Of course not, but watch her rise while grooving to King’s victorious anthems.July 31-Sept. 8 -
Music
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