Home Events

for Thu., Aug. 13
  • Affordable Art Fair Austin

    Affordable Art Fair Austin will launch in May 2024, showcasing original contemporary artworks ranging between $100 to $10,000. Welcoming a whole host of local, national and international exhibitors, their spectacular first edition is set to be unmissable!
    May 16-19  
    Palmer Events Center
  • Kadampa Meditation Center Austin

    This evening talk offers a special visit with renowned Buddhist teacher and NKT-IKBU Deputy Spiritual Director Gen-la Kelsang Jampa. Gen-la will share Buddhist advice on developing our love as a way to protect our self from suffering and learn to become truly happy. Our life then becomes immensely meaningful in benefiting others with our mind of unconditional love.
    Fri. May 3, 7pm-8:30pm  
    Vuka North
Recommended
  • Community

    Events

    The Austin Chronicle Virtual Hot Sauce Festival

    The 30th annual Hot Sauce Festival is going virtual this year! Donate to the Central Texas Food Bank to count yourself in on the spicy festivities. The live event will feature winner announcements, hot sauce judging highlights, surprises from Camila McConaughey and Eldorado Cafe, plus music from Go Fever, Como Las Movies, Mike Melinoe, and Nemegata. Your donation helps Central Texas families in need and comes with special perks from local sponsors like Joy Organics, Tiff's Treats, Grassroots Harvest, and dozens more. Tasting kits are sold out, but all-new Hot Sauce merch is still available. Get more info and make your donation at austinchronicle.com/hot-sauce.
    Sun., Aug. 30  
    Online
  • Qmmunity

    Arts & Culture

    aGLIFF 33: Prism

    Be the rainbow, stream the rainbow: Austin's fave queer film fest is moving to the virtual realm for two weekends in August. Viewers will have the chance to watch on-demand or livestream more than 50 feature and short films showcasing the diverse experiences of queer and trans folks from around the world. Keep up with lineup announcements at www.agliff.org.
    Aug. 6-9 & 13-16. Weekend badge, $35; both weekends, $65.  
    Online
  • Community

    Events

    Austin's Birthday Bash

    Downtown Austin Alliance's third annual event is going virtual. Celebrate Austin quarantine-style with an at-home party including a concert with a lineup curated by Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone of Riders Against the Storm. Bring a piece of Republic Square to your backyard with a preordered picnic basket from Salt & Time Cafe and/or a Toy Joy birthday party kit with an Orangetheory Fitness class pass, available to pick up at the Square. You can even play a part by submitting recorded birthday wishes for the city. Get all the deets online.
    Event is Sat., Aug. 15, 6-8pm; preordered kit pickup Aug. 13-15  
    Online
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Big Medium: Tito's Prize Exhibition

    A compelling exhibition of new work by Betelhem Makonnen is this year's Tito's Prize show at Big Medium Gallery. (Note: To allow for social distancing, appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes, with a maximum of 10 guests at a time. Schedule an appointment with at least 24 hours advance notice. Masks are required at all times.)
    Through Sept. 5. Thu.-Sat., noon-5pm
  • Arts

    Books

    Bookwoman Poetry: Christopher Manes

    The Dallas-based poet and educator shares poems from his new book, Naming the Leper, which tells his family’s haunting story of exile and suffering. Note: This online reading will be followed by a round-robin-style open mic, so bring poems to share.
    Thu., Aug. 13, 7:15pm. Free.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Cloud Tree Studios: Being

    Here's the final weekend for Cloud Tree's safety-optimized show of new figurative works by longtime local, Peruvian-born sculptor Alejandra Almuelle, featuring a series that "explores the state of being as a process of becoming." Our own appreciation of sculpture in general is in the process of becoming overwhelmed by the powerful beauty of what Almuelle can do with clay and pigment, and this timely exhibition is another stunning example of why. So make a reservation, put on your best mask, and be sure you don't miss this soul-fortifying opportunity.
    Through Aug. 22. Free.
  • Food

    Food Events

    Emmer & Rye: Community Collabs

    The team behind acclaimed restaurant Emmer & Rye is partnering with local chefs to raise money for three community charities – Youth Rise Texas, The Tavel Bristol-Joseph Scholarship, and Southern Smoke. Each weekly collaboration features one entree from Emmeroni's, E&R's newly launched Italian concept – and there's still more to come: Miguel Vidal of Valentina’s Tex Mex, Aug. 27; Gabe Erales of Comedor, Sept. 3. Keep your eyes on @emmerandrye's Instagram: Each special menu item will be announced on the previous Tuesday.
    Through Sept. 3  
  • Community

    Events

    Fix-It at Home: Guitar Adjustments

    Are you a musician? Found yourself playing more music from home, but not sure how to make adjustments to your guitar? Have you recently taken up the guitar? Whether a longtime guitarist or newcomer, join this workshop hosted by Austin Resource Recovery to learn how to adjust your electric or acoustic guitar and make sure you’re hitting all the right notes.
    Thu., Aug. 13, 1-2pm. Free.  
    Online
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Flatbed Press: La Romita Revisited

    This is a group exhibition by the participants of the 2019 Italian Il Sole Residency at La Romita, Umbria, featuring work by Jo Harvey Allen, Katherine Brimberry, Belinda Casey, Monica Cimino, Suzi Davidoff, Orna Feinstein, Mary Fischer, Elaine Johnson, Charmaine Locke, Erica Stephenson, Sam Schwartz, and Susan Schwartz. A glass of prosecco, we reckon, will be the perfect liquid accompaniment to Friday's Zoomed reception.
    Through Aug. 18. Free.  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    GrayDUCK Gallery: Two New Shows!

    There's not just one but two new exhibitions at this esteemed Eastside gallery: 1) This year's Eyes Got It winner David Alcantar presents "Continually, the Unnameable Moves On,"illustrations and musings about negotiation, the show itself perforce renegotiated due to Our Present Circumstances. 2) M.E. Laursen has curated "Occupied," a group show exploring the experience of occupying a body, featuring work by Christina Coleman, André Fuqua, Alex Kang, Ling-Lin Ku, Jay Jones, Diego Mireles Duran, Weylin Neyra, Rachael Starbuck, Tino Ward, and Ariel Wood.
    Through Aug. 23, by appointment
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    ICOSA: Window Dressing VII

    This latest in ICOSA's continually refreshed series of front-window installations features public (be)longing: SGMRT Rakhee Jain Desai and Jessica Blaustein's large textile panels based on a selection of Singapore MRT (subway) stations. "It feels oddly fitting that textile maps made for open interaction and touch hang silently behind a glass wall — almost like an open casket."
    Through Aug. 17
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    John Mulvany: The Pattern Days

    It's only because we've been a bit unnerved by this pandemic, probably: That's why the access point here makes us giggle. But damned if one of the best artists in this city, the man whose bright images of urban and forested realisms are forever haunted by ghosts of one kind or another – damned if that John Mulvany hasn't gone and mounted a public show via Google Docs. Once you get over the WHUT factor of that and have clicked to see what's up, you'll be pleasantly surprised: It's not quite as good as being there in the flesh – is anything, ever? – but this solution, room by room and painting by painting, elegantly showcases the artist's new mid-lockdown series of works depicting the deep, spirit-riddled natural world.
    Through Aug. 16. Free.  
  • Community

    Events

    Mexic-Arte Museum: Call for Día de los Muertos Ofrendas

    Mexic-Arte Museum is seeking community altar artists for their Día de los Muertos celebration this fall. Artists must be able to complete installation between Sept. 7 and Sept. 15. Email curator George Vargas for an application.
    Application deadline: Aug. 26  
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Northern-Southern: Baton

    This is a group show by relay, begun in July of 2020 as a method of socially distancing a community in the height of the pandemic: Artists took turns alone in the space, each adding to the exhibition. Now, as it nears its close, the exhibition resembles a community in which work converses and overlaps. With Adreon Henry, Vy Ngo, Dawn Okoro, Leon Alesi, Matt Steinke, Sev Coursen, Stella Alesi, and more.
    Closing reception: Sat., July 24, 3-9pm
  • Community

    Events

    Preservation Austin Virtual Homes Tour

    Preservation Austin's 28th annual tour, “Downtown Doorsteps,” will be virtual this time. The 45-minute-long video will explore Downtown’s historic living spaces, and will be followed by a live Q&A session. Tickets include digital access to five eclectic living spaces updated for 21st century living, from a midcentury high-rise with stunning Capitol views to a converted Congress Avenue storefront overlooking the Paramount Theatre. Ticket sales benefit the nonprofit's preservation and education efforts.
    Thu., Aug. 13, 7pm. $20.  
    Virtual
  • Qmmunity

    Community

    Pride in Your Neighborhood

    Break out the rainbows for this citywide socially distanced Pride celebration because Austin Outpost is asking folks to help cover their neighborhoods with Pride flags, balloons, and decorative lights.
    Sun.-Sun., Aug. 9-15  
    Citywide
  • Qmmunity

    Arts & Culture

    Queer Film Theory 101 Goes to aGLIFF!

    Queer Film Theory 101's Michael Graupmann and Lesley Clayton relive some of their favorite totally-queer-narratives-from-not-so-queer movies from the past year with the QTs at aGLIFF.
    Thu., Aug. 13, 7-8pm. $5 (included with aGLIFF badge).  
    Online
  • Food

    Food Events

    Rebel Cheese: Vegan Cheese Tasting

    Yeah, we know: Vegan cheese? But remember that, pre-pandemic, when Rebel Cheese opened in Mueller there were lines out the damn door for these plant-based cheesy comestibles – and the subsequent raves from aficionados were nigh on dairy-deafening. So unless you have something against good food and flavor, this virtual tasting party (featuring a firm pepper jack, dill havarti, black ash chèvre, and a garlic herb boursin) is worth looking into (and nomming on) no matter what the parameters of your diet are.
    Wed., Aug. 19, 7pm. $35.  
  • Food

    Food Events

    Siete Foods: Salsa-Making Class

    It's a summer-perfect virtual class in which chefs from Mexican-American food brand Siete Foods show how to make three different salsa recipes – pepita tomatillo salsa, charred peach habanero salsa, and salsa cruda – in addition to revealing the recipes for delicious cocktails (or mocktails) to enjoy while dipping their signature tortilla chips. Bonus: All proceeds from this instructional event go to World Central Kitchen. AND: The price includes a free bundle of Siete’s Grain-Free Tortilla Chips, if purchased by Aug. 10.
    Class: Tue., Aug. 18, 6pm. $10.  
  • Film

    Special Screenings

    Texas Focus Book Club: Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids

    Join the Bullock Museum and author Alison Macor for a livestream discussion about her book Chainsaws, Slackers, and Spy Kids: Thirty Years of Filmmaking in Austin, Texas. Don't worry if you miss the stream; it'll be posted on the Bullock's YouTube channel after.
    Thu., Aug. 13, 7:30pm. Free; purchase book through museum store to support the Bullock.  
    Online via www.thestoryoftexas.com
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Texas Folklife: Apprenticeships In the Folk Arts

    Celebrate the artists of Texas Folklife’s 2020 Apprenticeship Program as they share skills, techniques, and lessons learned through their intensive study. This two-part virtual event is an opportunity not only to highlight each showcasing artist’s work but inspire exchange and create connections between diverse artistic communities.
    Part one: Thu., Aug. 13, 6pm; part two: Tue., Aug. 18, 6pm. Free.
  • Arts

    Comedy

    Virtual Hideout: Killer Kimchi's Secrets

    This is an emotionally grounded longform narrative improvised play featuring a majority Asian-American cast and directed by M.J. Kang. It’s about family dynamics and the secrets we keep.
    Thursdays, 9:30pm. Through Aug. 27. $5-15.  
All Events
  • Community

    Out of Town

    60th Anniversary Summer Celebration

    All summer long, Natural Bridge Caverns is celebrating six decades of discovery. There are several tours and attractions, including the new Twisted Trails adventure course and a chance to pan for treasures just like gold miners.
    Through Aug. 23. $10-30.  
  • Film

    Special Screenings

    Alamo on Demand

    Make any Tuesday terror-iffic, any Wednesday weird, and the rest of the week fantastic with Alamo Drafthouse curated picks via Alamo on Demand. If a film is there, it's because an Alamo programmer loves it. It's kinda like going to your favorite video store when you could do that, mixed with going to your favorite theatre, when you could do that too. Staff picks, cult classics, Found Footage Fest and Master Pancake, Weird Wednesday and Terror Tuesday, Fantastic Fest faves, they're all there for rental or purchase.
    Ongoing  
    Online via ondemand.drafthouse.com
  • Film

    Special Screenings

    All Genders, Lifestyles and Identities Film Festival

    This virtual edition, aGLIFF 33: Prism, will offer more than 65 films, with features, shorts, and events showcasing the diverse experiences of LGBTQIA people. Badges and single tickets are available, but it's also a great time to become an aGLIFF member, which gets you tons of perks for the fest and throughout the year.
    Aug. 6-16. $35 per weekend, $65 for both.  
    Online via www.agliff.org
  • Arts

    Visual Arts

    Artus Co: Amigos

    Artus Co is "a community of artists and makers at the Arboretum," and they've got a new display of that Matthew Rodriguez's work (you know: from Cheer Up Charlies, and random happy-faced trees, and those kerchief-masked black cats all over town?) and you're invited to stop by and see it inside the current pop-up shop of local creative goodness.
    Through Aug. 15. Daily, noon-6pm  
    1000 Research
  • Community

    Events

    Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund

    The city's Economic Development Department reopened the fund on Aug. 10 to reach additional local musicians facing hardships due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Apply for one of the $1,000 grants online if you're eligible.
    Applications open until funding expended  
    Online
  • Community

    Events

    Austin Public Library Virtual Summer Reading Program

    Download an age-appropriate "Quest Log" (children, youth, teen, or adult), then submit a form whenever a challenge is completed and earn a digital badge. Use the Austin Public Library's curbside pickup or virtual catalog to check out materials to complete your quest.
    Through Aug. 31  
    Online
  • Community

    Events

    Austin Scavenger Hunt

    Explore Downtown in search of storied buildings, green spaces, and famous concert venues, all while solving riddles, trivia questions, and completing photo challenges. Now available: "Roam From Home," with family and date night scavenger hunt activities you can do without leaving the house.
    Anytime. $12.99-24.99.  
    Online and at home
  • Film

    Special Screenings

    Back to the Future (1985)

    Thu., Aug. 13, 8:45pm  

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle