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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 -
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
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Film
Special Screenings
Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
Newly in the news as one of many Austin arts organizations impacted by the National Endowment for the Arts’ slash-and-burn of arts funding, Cine Las Americas deserves our support now more than ever. But hey – we’re getting plenty in return: namely, a top-flight film festival celebrating Latine/x, Indigenous, and Latin American voices. But wait, there’s more! This year, Cine is launching its first-ever concurrent conference, with fireside chats, workshops, and more taking place May 16-17. See some terrific movies, learn from industry vets like Elizabeth Avellán and David Blue Garcia, and feel good about supporting a community thrown under the bus by the Trump administration. Them’s wins all around. – Kimberley JonesMay 15 - 18 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Affordable Art Fair
Couldn’t fuel your private jet for Art Basel this year? Can’t afford even a painting of a private jet? That’s where you may be wrong, as the Affordable Art Fair may be the way to get an original work on your walls. The traveling international celebration of visual media always highlights local artists at each stop, so you have your chance to purchase paintings, prints, and more curated by Austin galleries and institutions like Art From the Streets and Canopy Collective alongside London’s Quantum Contemporary Art, Lumas from Berlin, and Paris’ Galerie Duret. – Richard WhittakerMay 15-18 -
Community
Events
“Roots Unveiled: Exploring the Chinese Experience”
Among the many anti-civil rights bills creeping their way through the Texas Legislature is Senate Bill 17, which would bar Chinese and many other Asian citizens from buying land here. Denounced by detractors as racist and reminiscent of 19th-century laws targeting Asian immigrants, its 2023 origins, along with growing anti-Asian sentiment after the pandemic, inspired Houston artist Jane Xu to found the multi-city Asian American Art & Culture Initiative and initiate this multidisciplinary exhibit. Curated by renowned international independent curator Sylvia XuHua Zhan, it brings in-depth research and archives along with work from a wide range of artists to offer a look at the rich history of Chinese Americans in Texas. Opening reception is Sunday, May 18, noon. – Kat McNevinsThrough August 31; opening reception, May 18 -
Arts
Visual Arts
“The Everyman”
I’ve been having a lot of “girl who’s going to be okay” moments as I reconnect with my earnest, optimistic side, so I’m excited for “The Everyman,” a group show curated by visual artist and musician Lisa Alley that celebrates the beauty in the small things – from commonplace occurrences to the working-class heroes that give this exhibit its name. Alley – who plays in local acts the Well, Mugger, and TV’s Daniel – shows her paintings alongside a slew of familiar names, including Parquet Courts’ A. Savage, Never’s Emily No Good, and photographer Pooneh Ghana. Everyone has the ability to create something exceptional, this Bolm Arts project assures us. – Carys AndersonThrough June 7 -
Community
Events
Bone Jewelry Class
Interested in accessories more organic than the Hot Topic piece that’s turning your skin green? From taxidermy artist W.M. Halliburton – or Hallibugton, as his Instagram suggests – comes a lesson on bone jewelry. Here, you’ll learn from an expert how to clean and utilize the bones in handmade earrings and charms – as well as scoring a take-home zine that’ll prove a valuable resource should you choose to continue your calcareous collection. Sliding-scale donation-based door tickets start at $10, with profits split between Hallibugton and venue Monkeywrench. Now that’s a good deal: No bones about it. – James ScottThu., May 15 -
Arts
Dance
DiverseSpace Youth Dance and Violet Crown Players Present Confluence
With Confluence, Violet Crown Players and DSYDT have crafted a piece exploring “human connection.” Led by local choreographer Toni Bravo, with guest choreography by Berlin’s Ortrun Stanzel and Amsterdam’s Michael Jahoda, Confluence shows the power of dance throughout every experience. DiverseSpace Dance seeks to provide dance opportunities for all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Their multigenerational cast will show the power of that access, set to live music by Victoria Schwarz. Watch the threads of connection, woven through physical and social movements. – Cat McCarreyMay 15-18 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Friends Fair
Gallery supergroup FOG started in 2023 with Jill Schroeder from grayDUCK Gallery, Phillip Niemeyer of Northern-Southern, Kevin Ivester of Ivester Contemporary, Jill McLennon of McLennon Pen Co. Gallery, and the team of Ricky Morales and Meredith Williams at Martha’s Contemporary. Their shows, many highlighting local artists, open up a world of contemporary art to Austin. Enter: the Friends Fair, which runs from this Thursday, May 15, through Saturday, May 17. The fair covers two floors of the Loren Hotel by Lady Bird Lake, with 12 rooms dedicated to displays. FOG’s fair isn’t just about collecting. It’s about Austin coming together to spotlight how revolutionary this grassroots art scene is. - Cat McCarreyMay 15-17 -
Film
Special Screenings
Hail Satan? (2019)
Every time a god botherer starts talking about “religious freedom,” it’s a no-brainer that they mean “… for evangelicals, preferably Southern Baptist or some kind of wacky prosperity gospel megachurch.” But what if they were forced to take those words literally? That’s exactly what happened when the Satanic Temple told the Oklahoma Legislature, “OK, you can have the Ten Commandments on the Capitol grounds, but only if we can have a statue of Baphomet.” Catch director Penny Lane’s brilliant examination of political pranksterism in the name of the First Amendment. Presented by Serpent Tattoo and Occult Shop. – Richard WhittakerThu., May 15 -
Arts
Visual Arts
Margie Criner: “Sound & Vision”
Hailing from Chicago, artist Margie Criner works in sculpture and miniatures. How so? Her unique sculptural works – themselves impressive patchworks of materials from wool to actual hornets’ nests – feature peepholes through which viewers may glance tiny tableaux. These miniature worlds all center music, such as her pinky-finger-sized record store, Needle on the Records, with vintage posters plastered across its small interior walls. “The music theme isn’t always literal,” explains Criner, “but background sounds within the space, specific to what I’m processing. Kind of like how there’s music playing at the grocery store, that music is everywhere.” – James ScottThrough June 14 -
Arts
Comedy
Nikki Glaser
Nikki Glaser killed at the roasts of Rob Lowe, Bruce Willis, and Alec Baldwin years before her set at Tom Brady’s 2024 lampoon went viral, and rightfully so: Her put-downs punch up, critiquing celebrities’ biggest blunders – from Alec Baldwin’s voicemail to Ann Coulter’s everything – without swiping at low-hanging fruit. Plus, she throws it back to herself plenty, too. Also a seasoned podcast host and actor, the stand-up’s Alive and Unwell solo tour rolls into Austin with a 7 and 9:30pm show at the Moody. – Carys AndersonThu., May 15 -
Arts
Comedy
Ramy Youssef: Love Beam 7000
Ramy Youssef has been adding hyphens to his career description for years now. The writer-director-actor-producer best known for his namesake Hulu series returns to the stage for a mixture of storytelling and stand-up. His previous stand-up special was called More Feelings, and judging by the name of this new routine, he’s harnessed positive emotions to share with his crowds. Or he’s being facetious. And why 7,000? You’ll have to get a seat at the show to find out. – James RenovitchThu., May 15 -
Arts
Books
Torch Wildfire Reading Series: Kendra Allen
Nonprofit Torch Literary Arts publishes and promotes the creative writing of Black women both emerging and experienced. This week’s subject of their new BookWoman-partnered reading series definitely falls into the latter category, with Dallas-born author Kendra Allen already having two published tomes to tout. Her most recent is poetry/prose hybrid memoir Fruit Punch, which treks through her Aughts-era coming-of-age and all the hard truths she’s learned. Thursday’s event promises a reading, Q&A, booksigning, and conversations around what generational trauma does to a body. – James ScottThu., May 15 -
Music
Wild Nothing, Casino Hearts, Lou Rebecca
Jack Tatum is like suntan lotion. Though he emerged in the Aughts as Wild Nothing, his Eighties-washed indie synth-pop goes on cool and soothing, weaving jangly guitars and dreamy sounds into something inspired by the enduring mood of that decade. His co-writing projects with Japanese Breakfast (“Be Sweet”) and album production for Molly Burch (Daydreamer) showcase Tatum’s ability to help artists shine by taking advantage of his gently thrilling dance heaters in cozy tracks. French-born synth charmer Lou Rebecca, currently on keys for Wild Nothing, opens. – Christina GarciaThu., May 15, 8pm -
Community
Events
The Traitors Watch Party
Ever the contrarian, I prefer The Traitors UK’s cast of normies versus the U.S.’s bench of backstabbing reality TV all-stars pulled from Survivor, Big Brother, and the Real Housewives franchise, but whichever flavor you choose of this reality competition show (there are about 20 international versions in rotation), you’re bound to get addicted. The biggest barrier to entry – who the heck has a Peacock subscription? Vacancy Brewing does! Enjoy new episodes with other faithful on Thursdays at 8pm. The nearness of beer could occasion a drinking game – maybe every time somebody wears a truly ridonk hat? That’ll get you plastered … and possibly drunk-buying a plane ticket to the scenic Scottish Highlands, the real star of the show. – Kimberley JonesThursdays at 8pm -
Arts
Theatre
Austin Shakespeare presents Julius Caesar
Friends, Texans, Austinites, lend your ears and eyes to Shakespeare’s classic coup, as tortured and brutal as tactical Brutus can offer. Or shall I say bodacious Brutus, since Austin Shakespeare’s production of Julius Caesar offers a tantalizing twist – Caesar’s inner circle is mostly women, adding what might be seen as righteous rage to raw revolution. This Caesar’s served with a cunning corporate aesthetic. No need to clutch your pearls though. There’s still the mired malaise of what best serves the collective good. Grab your friends and family, and “get-tu” Zilker for this free show. – Cat McCarreyThrough May 25 -
Music
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Food
Food Events
Barks for Beers 2025
Arf, arf: This is my impression of your dog when you tell them about this furry fundraising effort from Divine Canines. Tell their placid doggy faces about how 30 CTX craft breweries are participating, like Celis Brewery and Independence Brewing. Pet their ears and inform your pooch how buying a $30 Pawsport as well as a 2025 pint glass entitles you to a pour at each brewery. At this point, the canine mind might think: Okay, but what do I get out of all this? “Don’t worry,” you say. “Every brewery has promised to be dog-friendly, so we can go together.” Your dog’s response, probably: Woof! – James ScottMay 1 - 31Multiple locations -
Music
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Arts
Comedy
Cap City Comedy Club
That's right: Cap City Comedy Club, the longtime cornerstone of Austin's comedy scene for nearly four decades is at a new venue in the Domain. And here's Valerie Lopez with a closer look at what's in store for the scene via the venue. Click for details! -
Music
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Film
Special Screenings
Cine Las Americas
Newly in the news as one of many Austin arts organizations impacted by the National Endowment of the Arts’ slash-and-burn of arts funding, Cine Las Americas deserves our support now more than ever. But hey – we’re getting plenty in return: namely, a top-flight film festival celebrating Latine/x, Indigenous, and Latin American voices. But wait, there’s more!This year, Cine is launching its first ever concurrent conference, with fireside chats, workshops, and more taking place May 16-17. See some terrific movies, learn from industry vets like Elizabeth Avellán and David Blue Garcia, and feel good about supporting a community thrown under the bus by the Trump administration. Them’s wins all around. It all kicks off Wednesday with opening night film Take It Away, Adrian Alejandro Arredondo and Myrna Perez’s documentary about Johnny Canales, the Tejano singer and taste-making host of The Johnny Canales Show.Wednesday, May 14-Sunday, May 18AFS Cinema, Austin PBS, and City of Austin PDC Center -
Music
Counter Offer, Upon Your Dead Body, Fine! I Guess, parasym
Thu., May 15, 8pm. $10 cover (all ages). -
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Arts
Theatre
Dirty Gold Theatre Presents: Venus in Fur
A seductive reconsidering of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s original novella, David Ive’s play gets reimagined once more by local theatre company Dirty Gold, who describe their work as “dynamic, provocative, character-based theatre that comments on contemporary society and our shared humanity.” What comments can they generate via Venus’ discussion of sexual power plays? You’ll just have to step into the metaphorical boudoir to find out. Special bulletin for Austin’s theatre pros: Wednesday, May 14, is Industry Night with promised ticket discounts both for presale and door tix. – James ScottThrough May 17 -
Music
Dutty Thursdays w/ Shaggy Fowl, Mista B, Likkle Browne
Thu., May 15, 9pm. No cover (21+). -
Music
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Music
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