Home Events
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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
Recommended
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Film
Special Screenings
The Phantom of the Opera (1925) with Live Score by Invincible Czars (1925)
Seriously, if you’ve never seen Nosferatu or The Cabinet of Doctor Caligari with a live soundtrack from musical maniacs Invincible Czars, do you really even silent cinema, bro? Well, time to make amends for your failures with the Austin premiere of their latest son et lumière experience, a brand-new score for Rupert Julian’s epic and sumptuous adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s tale of terror and madness in the Paris catacombs. Lon Chaney’s legendary performance as the Phantom finally gets the music of the night it deserves. – Richard WhittakerFri., May 9 -
Community
Events
AANHPI Heritage Month with Sarah Doan
Who among us doesn’t love to eat food? With culinary choices being chief among cultural heritage highlights – we all like being loud and eating a lot; it’s the WASPs who are wrong! – local illustrator Sarah Doan picks food as the subject for her AAPI Heritage Month workshop topic. Attendees need only bring their personal cuisine histories and passions, as all other materials are provided to create “cute food illustrations of dishes you ate growing up.” – James ScottFri., May 9 -
Arts
Theatre
Amaging!
As program coordinator/“co-queerator” of aging-with-grace org Family Eldercare’s LGBTQ division Rainbow Connections ATX, World Famous *BOB* speaks about growing older so tenderly. An example: “I often say that hanging out with older people is like getting a postcard from your future, and who wouldn’t want to read that?” There’ll be “postcards” a-plenty at this three-show series, which features five older qmmunity members (between the ages of 65 and 91) sharing their stories onstage – with *BOB* in the director’s chair. To hear cast members Rev. Babs Miller, Glenna “Sparkle” Williams, Masha-Leah, Richard Rollin Gartner, and Anna Nguyen speak about their lives is to understand the incredible stories we’re all connected by. – James ScottMay 8-10 -
Community
Events
Austin Fashion Week
Austin isn’t known as an especially fashionable city. We’re too attached to our flip-flops, tank-tops, and other hyphenated items that are really more about summer survival than looking fierce. This weekend, however, there’s a slate of stylish events to remind us how good we can look when we put our best people to the task. Highlights include a showcase of Austin Community College makers, a Black designer showcase, a show of upcycled looks courtesy of Goodwill, and more runway stylings to inspire future sartorial choices, preferably when you’re not worried about sweating through the couture. – James RenovitchMay 8-10 -
Arts
Dance
Ballet Austin’s Romeo & Juliet
Ballet Austin’s Romeo & Juliet? More like Stephen Mills’ Romeo & Juliet. Or rather, after 25 years of his tenure as the visionary behind the city’s premiere dance company, the two are in perfect harmony. Celebrate Mother’s Day and Sarah & Ernest Butler Family Fund Artistic Director Mills’ legacy with one of his signature works as a choreographer – the greatest tragic romance of all time – while Austin Symphony Orchestra fills the Long Center with the music of Sergei Prokofiev. – Richard WhittakerMay 9-11 -
Music
Blank Hellscape, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, Guiding Light, Wet Dip, Gerard Cosloy
“In Austin we play any and every show. We play with indie bands, punk shows, raves, we play whatever,” Blank Hellscape vocalist Andrew Nogay told the Chronicle last month. Such is the case for the experimental electronic act’s album release/tour kickoff show, which features opening sets by Matador Records co-owner Gerard Cosloy, art punks Guiding Light, power poppers Touch Girl Apple Blossom, and noise rockers Wet Dip. The trio’s long-awaited sophomore album, Hell 2, sets Nogay’s apocalyptic spoken word imagery to glitchy samples, intricate tape loops, and the occasional pop melody. – Carys AndersonFri., May 9, 9:30pm. $12 cover (21+). -
Food
Food Events
Blue Owl Rehatched
The Blue Owl Brewing you knew is gone, but no sour faces. Co-founder and sour beer expert Jeff Young has found investors and fellow ale enthusiasts in new co-owners Tony and Ian Norris. So drop by and welcome them to the neighborhood with this day of their signature fruit-flavored sours, a PB&J eating contest, bingo, and the first chance to sip on their newest brews, Lunch Box and Lime in the Coconut. – Richard WhittakerFri., May 9 -
Qmmunity
Nightlife & Parties
Brittany/Britney
Bring together the two most important Brits (Britney Spears and Brittany Murphy) are two very important alt-drag casts: Shock Therapy and PooPoo Platter. One night only, and remember that Elysium requires CASH for that $10 cover.Fri., May 9, 10pm -
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 -
Film
Special Screenings
Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999)
Michael Patrick Jann (The State, Reno 911!) quietly dropped his directorial debut in 1999, and it’s become something of a cult classic. With a mockumentary style, this black comedy about beauty pageants lampoons Midwestern life and the deadly lengths contestants will go to for the crown. Featuring Kirsten Dunst perfecting her Minnesotan accent later seen in Fargo season 2, Kirstie Alley and Denise Richards as a delightfully diabolical mom and daughter, and a glowing Amy Adams in her film debut – the whole thing is pitch perfect. For their Drafthouse series Cheesy Movie Night, Antonelli’s pros will intro the film and bring five artisan cheeses complemented by pickled veggies, chocolates, preserves, and cured meat. – Kat McNevinsMay 9 & 13 -
Qmmunity
Nightlife & Parties
embodied Launch + Market
Yes: Chups has a podcast now. To celebrate the launch of CUC co-owner Maggie Lea and Caesar B, aka Big Cheez, a quad-coterie of DJs gather (Dragonnqueen, JP, Vonne, Hierba Malita) as well as a vendor market.Fri., May 9, 9pm -
Music
Flooding, Proun, Middle Mass
Kansas City’s Flooding rolls into town with a sound that teeters between beauty and brutality – think slowcore daydreams shredded by noise rock squalls, with flashes of post-hardcore tension and post-punk grit. Local shapeshifters Proun step in for direct support, while Middle Mass (who just released a split – go check it out) kicks things off with their own brand of tightly wound chaos. A night for the deep feelers and the headbangers. – Kyra BruceFri., May 9, 8pm -
Film
Special Screenings
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s directorial debut set off a reinvigoration of arthouse horror and catapulted A24 to fame as the most relevant production company of the last decade. It also gave me an entirely sleepless night upon first viewing. Toni Collette’s performance as both a terrifying and deeply sympathetic grieving mother steals the show, but Milly Shapiro and Alex Wolff as her creepy children anchor the real horror of this family drama-turned-supernatural nightmare. The sharp, cacophonous saxophone score will linger in your ear, and one chilling scene will have you checking the corners of your ceiling long after the film ends. A true modern horror classic, it deserves to be seen in the theatre for the collective shock it elicits from first-time viewers. – Lina FisherMay 9-14 -
Arts
Theatre
I Wanna Be a F*cking Princess
This show scores one point for an extremely cathartic title, one that seems ridiculously fun to scream across the room. It scores five more for tackling the emotional pressure cooker of bridal parties and – brace yourselves – bachelorettes. Let’s add 10 points for putting that within a fractured fairy-tale format. I’m picturing something as fiercely fanged as the recent gal pals in White Lotus, but maybe with literal wolves? And finally, heap on about a hundred points for integrating this into the peri/menopausal exploration of HOT: the Exhibit, adding a whimsical performance aspect to an already-informative examination of an overlooked ordeal. Let’s talk about the changes women go through! Whether literally transformative, or just emotionally so! – Cat McCarreyThrough May 24 -
Qmmunity
Arts & Culture
Justice Is Served
Bang the gavel, girlies, because court is in session, and you’re guilty – of being a slay queen! Just kidding, just kidding: I get ahead of myself here in Qmmunity headquarters (my bedroom/office). No, what’s in session for real is “thee” newest variety show/improvised play from queer art weirdos Thee Gay Agenda. Premiering this Thursday and running through Saturday is TGA’s Justice Is Served at CrashBox. Dress code is courtroom chic – your lapels ironed, heels sharp, and not a single hair out of order. - James ScottMay 8-10 -
Film
Special Screenings
National Theatre Live: Vanya (2024)
On film and stage, he’s played Hamlet, Ripley, Moriarty, and Hot Priest; here, he adds eight more roles to the canon, all within the same show. Andrew Scott plays the entire cast of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya – including the urbane Serebryakov, his much younger second wife Yelena, his dowdy daughter Sonya who’s been stuck running the family estate, the doctor Sonya loves unrequitedly, and poor old Uncle Vanya. This radical rethink – adapted by Simon Stephens, directed by Sam Yates – first ran in 2024 in London, which is where this live taping derives from. An Off-Broadway stint concludes May 11, so the film version is almost certainly the closest you’ll get to the swooningly received production. – Kimberley JonesMay 9 & 15 -
Community
Civic Events
Rally at the Rotunda for LGBTQIA+ Equality
When it comes to LGBTQIA+ rights, the Texas Lege is usually up to no good. In particular, Friday sees the House debating two anti-trans bills, HB 229 and HB 778. Advocates, allies, and just anybody who thinks we shouldn't be legislating hate is encouraged to rally at the Texas State Capitol Outdoor Rotunda and wear purple to show your support. Speakers include folks from ACLU of Texas, Equality Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, Texas Freedom Network, and Transgender Education Network of Texas.Fri., May 9, 11amTexas Capitol, Outdoor Rotunda -
Music
Stereo MC's, Curse Mackey [outside]
Rob Birch (vocalist/songwriter) and Nick Hallam (DJ/producer) first formed Stereo MC’s while co-founding pioneering London-based hip-hop label Gee Street Records, also home to Jungle Brothers, P.M. Dawn, and RZA/Gravediggaz material. But the label’s most notable release came from its creators in the form of 1992’s Brit Award-winning Connected album, a record (and incredible title single) nearly impossible to pin down with its trip-hop/ATL hip-hop/acid jazz trappings. After burnout from two years of touring, the duo would return in 2000 for a strong entry into the DJ-Kicks series. The group regained its footing with 2011’s booming, stadium rock-leaning Emperor’s Nightingale.: – Kahron SpearmanFri., May 9, 9pm -
Music
Tedeschi Trucks Band, Buddy Guy
The Moody Amphitheater has become a jewel in Austin’s venue firmament. It is an especially excellent place to see jam-band types of things, making it the ideal venue for this show, which is headlined by one of the truly great blues rock acts of our age – one of the very few bands in the world that can claim legitimately to be a Southern rock legacy act and deliver on that idea completely. They are playing with Buddy Guy, who, at 88 years old, is now at the outer end of the “You really need to see this genius soon” category. He also pops up in a recent vampire movie, but to get into that would be a spoiler of sorts. – Joe GrossFri., May 9, 7pm -
Qmmunity
Arts & Culture
The Watermelon Woman (1996)
Kicking off their new Carabiner Club are collaborators Sapphic Singles and HFC, who screen this Cheryl Dunye classic with post-movie cocktails and a DJ set. Two for one on those drinkies if you find a fellow sapphic who shares your star sign, FWIW.Fri., May 9, 7pm -
Music
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Music
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Music
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Community
Events
Austin International Folk Dancers
Join AIFD for an evening of dances from around the world with no experience or partner required.Fridays, 7-9:45pm. $5 (under 18, free). -
Music
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Arts
Visual Arts
“HOT: The Exhibit”
Over a million American women go through the change every year. Why do we still talk about it in such hushed tones? Andee Kinzy and Melissa Knight hope to eliminate the stigma around menopause with “HOT,” a multimedia exhibit that hosts an art show, a play, and several workshops and panels throughout the month of May. The gallery opens May 4, and Jennifer Connell Davis’ I Wanna Be a F*cking Princess premieres four days later. In between and beyond, catch medical experts dispel menopause misinformation and try your hand at consciousness raising at community storytelling events. Find the whole schedule at improvedarts.org/hot-the-exhibit. – Carys AndersonFridays-Sundays. Through May 25 -
Arts
Visual Arts
“Personal Records”
One part of a greater track-and-field trio of shows, GLHF presents art from Brian Dulaney, Drake Konow, Gerardo Cisneros, Justin Leal, Tim McCool, Kevin Muñoz, Marissa Dunagan, Phillip Niemeyer, and Preetal Shah. All these pieces speak to their experiences while analog traveling – you know, using their legs rather than a car or skateboard. This show organizes under the banner of Artist Run Club, coordinated by Northern-Southern and focused on the quick-paced art intelligentsia of Texas.: – James ScottMay 3 - June 1 -
Arts
Visual Arts
“Transcendence: A Century of Black Queer Ecstasy, 1924-2024”
Across politics and pop culture, depictions of queer Black life most often emphasize pain, if not patronization. “Transcendence: A Century of Black Queer Ecstasy,” a multimedia exhibition presented by UT-Austin’s Art Galleries at Black Studies, flips the script, offering a century’s worth of works that focus instead on Black joy. Organized around seven themes – Portraiture, Beyond Figuration, Dance and Movement, Spirituality, Sex and Sensuality, Black Queer Futures, and Altered States – the works of over four dozen artists remind us that even in the face of adversity, we can achieve transcendence. – Carys AndersonThrough May 9Christian-Green Gallery, 201 E. 21st St. & Idea Lab, 210 W. 24th St. -
Music
Barb, Next of Kin, Isak Thomas & the Stoop Boys
Fri., May 9, 9:30pm. $25 cover (21+). -
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
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