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This week I’m experimenting with breaking up the intro a little bit to make it more easy to read, feel free to reply and let me know if you prefer the old format!
Austin Parks and Rec got a $5.23 million budget increase this year. So of course, they canceled every adult indoor sports league (basketball, volleyball, softball, flag football) effective October 1. Thousands of players already got refund notices! This will save the city about $400K, which is just 0.28% of PARD's $141 million general fund. These leagues have run at max capacity since at least 2002, so the justification is obviously not lack of citizen interest. An APR board member even told the volleyball community they didn't even know about the cuts until players started asking questions.
The going theory among league organizers is that PARD is clearing gym time to rent facilities out to private sports companies. That hasn't been confirmed, but the question remains: if you just got a raise (budget increase), why would your first move be to cancel the most popular thing you run??
If you care about this, there's a Parks Board meeting tonight at 6 PM at City Hall. It's agenda item #6. You can show up in person and sign up on-site.
Austin Pride's 36th annual parade stepped off Saturday night under the theme “Viva la Resistencia.” It was one of the only Pride parades in the country held entirely after dark, reportedly because of the oppressive heat. What’s really cool is that a permanent LGBTQIA+ historical marker was dedicated at Fourth and Colorado, which was the same stretch of 4th where the rainbow crosswalks were scraped off last month under the governor's directive.
Let's be honest, we got away with it for months. It’s been a weirdly merciful Austin summer, but eventually... Camp Mabry hit 107°F on Saturday, tying the 2024 record and logging the hottest day of 2026. So far, we've had 21 triple-digit days this August. The UT move-in weekend timing was especially cruel! Thousands of freshmen hauling futons and mini-fridges up narrow stairwells in 107 degrees. Welcome to Texas, at least you'll forget the misery by October!
The Austin Country Flea Market on 290 near Manor caught fire last week, shortly before 5:30 p.m. This flea market has been an East Austin institution for years, and worry rippled fast because everyone already knew the conditions. Travis County has been under a burn ban since August 11, running through September 29, with a disaster declaration for wildfire risk. Everything is dry and everyone is on edge. The good news: nobody was seriously hurt, the response was fast, and we got lucky.
City Council has a work session tomorrow at City Hall (the public is free to attend) on data center regulation, with possible action Thursday. Austin currently has ten data centers, all relatively small, but Austin Energy is fielding inquiries for much bigger ones, and there are over seventy planned or operating between Temple and San Antonio.
KUT ran a feature this week on the giant Adirondack chair in Crestview, a massively oversized chair that sits in a local pastor’s yard. The chair isn't an anomaly actually, it's part of a lineage of weird lawns all around Austin. Over on North Loop, there's "Slice of Bluetiful," a wrecked car turned sculpture by an artist named Mansour. And last year, The Austin Chronicle profiled seven different front yards that go way beyond garden gnomes.
This kind of weird just requires a yard and an idea; so if you've been sitting on a vision for a twelve-foot flamingo or a mailbox that looks like a saxophone, this is your sign!
Early week is a bit on the lighter side (lots of music on Tuesday though!) but the weekend really heats up: From ShrekFest swamp parties to ET contact workshops to adult spelling bees. Make sure to click on through to the full list.
Monday, Aug 24th
Victorian Knights Chess Club
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ The Victorian, 604 Brazos St - Free
Leather chairs, soft lamplight, dark wood, worn velvet, and the hum of pool tables… this isn't your park bench chess match. Victorian Knights matches you with an opponent whether you're a grandmaster or still learning your openings. Boards, clocks, and pieces provided. Just bring your best gambit.
A Few Tiny Acres: A Reading
7:00 PM @ Hyde Park Theatre, FREE!
Cinnamon Path Productions presents a reading of a brand new data center farce by Max Langert. A fantastic Austin cast brings this play-in-development to life: a corporate acquisition that devolves into chaos over a plot of land. Tech industry absurdity meets live theater.
ATX Short Film Showcase 5th Annual Awards Show
6:30 PM (Doors) @ 29th Street Ballroom, $20
All 12 audience award winners from the 5th season screen tonight, and the audience votes to crown the "Best Short Film in Texas" with a $500 prize. Doors at 6:30, show at 7 sharp, intermission at the midpoint, and an epic award ceremony at 10 PM. Grab tickets here and be part of Texas indie film history.
Canje x While I Have You Film
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ Canje, FREE!
A panel discussion and donation night for the Puerto Rican film "While I Have You." This free community event blends culture, conversation, and cinema at an East Austin venue — a rare chance to engage directly with filmmakers and support independent Latino storytelling.
More interesting events on Monday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Tuesday, Aug 25th
Billy Strings Advance Listening Event
8:00 PM @ Drinks Lounge & Records
Hear Billy Strings' new album "So Much For Goodbyes" before the rest of the world does at this intimate listening party inside one of Austin's coolest vinyl bars. The record label is loading up the night with free posters, stickers, and swag. Music starts at 8 — don't be late, because this crowd will fill the room fast.
Folk Punk Show: One Night Only in Austin!
6:00 PM – Midnight @ Kick Butt Coffee - $10 / 18+
A proper DIY touring folk punk bill rolls through Kick Butt Coffee for one night only, featuring Tape and Tears, Quiver the Busker, and Baltimore's EmoCoustic alongside local Austin support. Expect acoustic punk energy, stripped-down performances, and the kind of intimate sing-along moments that feel right at home on this legendary stage. Can't make it? They're live-streaming on Kick Butt Coffee's Facebook and YouTube. Free parking.
Scratchdown: Austin DJ Battle & Competition Series
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM @ Dub Academy - $7.77
Austin's newest DJ competition where talent, creativity, and crowd energy collide in a high-stakes battle format. Local DJs throw down their best sets, the audience goes wild, and only one advances. At $7.77 a ticket, this is one of the cheapest thrills on a Tuesday night and a front-row seat to whoever's about to blow up next.
More interesting events on Tuesday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Quality, Tested CBD – and Why It Matters
CBD is increasingly popular, with hundreds of products designed to provide everything from better sleep to relief and recovery to increased focus. Once you’ve figured out which CBD formula is right for you, it’s important to be able to trust that what’s in the bottle or jar matches what’s on the label.
This is where third-party testing comes in. Independent labs test CBD products, verifying the cannabinoid content matches what’s on the label and screening for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and other contaminants.
Unlike some companies that cut corners, CBDistillery ensures that every single batch of their CBD products are tested by an accredited lab. And these test results are posted on their website, so you can see them before you place your order.
CBDistillery is so sure you’ll like their products, they’re offering a special deal: save 50% on orders of $75 or more with code AUGUST50!
Wednesday, Aug 26th
Emo Karaoke
9:00 PM–2:00 AM @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, FREE!
TX Emo Club takes over the Volstead for a night of cathartic sing-alongs — sign-ups start at 8:30. Whether you're belting Dashboard Confessional or screaming through My Chemical Romance, this is your safe space to relive your eyeliner era. No cover, just feelings.
Paws & Prejudice: Paint Your Pet Like Royalty
7:30 PM–9:30 PM @ St. Elmo Brewing Co. - $45 🔥
Email a photo of your pet beforehand and artist Carlie will hand-draw their royal portrait onto watercolor paper, then you paint your furry monarch step by step over beers at St. Elmo. No drawing skills needed; you leave with a one-of-a-kind regal portrait of your best friend.
Merlin Tuttle Day Bat Cruise
6:30 PM–9:30 PM @ Capital Cruises, $120
It's officially Merlin Tuttle Day in Austin, and the legendary bat conservationist himself is hosting a private double-decker boat cruise with storytelling, food, drinks, and front-row bat-watching on Lady Bird Lake. Snag a ticket and get your bat questions answered by the man who saved Austin's colony, plus a raffle for a signed 16x20 bat emergence print.
Yodel Blitz
6:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Krause's Cafe & Biergarten (New Braunfels)
A hilarious German folk band armed with an alphorn, Austrian cowbells, a musical saw, and lightning-fast three-part harmony yodeling will have you polka-dancing and singing along before you finish your first stein. They guarantee a beer-drinking, yodel-blitzing good time — and they deliver.
Free Community Contra Dance
7:15 PM @ Hancock Recreation Center, FREE!
Live music from the Local On-Call Orchestra (LOCO), all dances taught and called, no partner needed. The beginner session starts at 7:15 before the full program kicks off at 7:30. Family-friendly, LGBTQ+ inclusive, and completely free — just show up and swing.
More interesting events on Wednesday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Thursday, Aug 27th
Pee-Wee's Big Birthday
All Day @ High Road Deli & Bar, FREE!
Celebrate Paul Reubens' birthday with an all-day Pee-wee Herman takeover featuring themed specials like the "Large Marge Sandwich," "Cowboy Curtis Hot Dog," and a cocktail simply called "Tequila!" DJ Benzo spins from 7–9PM at this Bouldin Creek party that's as wonderfully weird as Pee-wee himself.
✶ Dating Out Loud ✶
7pm @ Creative Collective, $20
Drop In, Austin's female-founded dating platform, hosts a singles community night for women featuring a live conversation with ATX psychologist Dr. Jasmonae Joyriel on dating culture. Register on Drop In, and come solo or bring a friend.
David Bowie & ELO Tribute Night
8PM–2AM @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge - $12
A double tribute night where Little Joe & the Dead Boys channel David Bowie at 9PM, followed by Olé ELO covering the Electric Light Orchestra at 10:15, then a late-night dance party with DJ Trejo to keep the glam going until 2AM.
B-Sides: A Selector's Vibe
7PM–10PM @ The Violet Crown, FREE!
Part listening room, part taste journey: B-Sides is a curated musical experience where sound and flavor collide. Think vinyl selectors setting the mood while you explore a pairing of beats and bites in an intimate, no-rush atmosphere.
Full Moon Swims at Austin Motel
5PM–10PM @ Austin Motel Pool, FREE!
Ride a wave of nostalgic bliss at the Austin Motel pool under the full moon, dipping to vaporwave, indie sleaze, and yacht rock from DJ Sunset Canyon. Free and open to all — doors at 5PM, tunes from 7–10PM.
Paris is Burning Screening + Voguing Lessons
4PM–6:30PM @ ACC Highland Campus, FREE!
ACC's Intersectionality Center screens the legendary 1990 documentary about Harlem's underground drag ball culture, followed by a discussion with filmmaker Shuja Uddin and legendary founding mother Natalie Sanders of the House of Lepore; plus actual voguing lessons. Free popcorn, candy, and soda included.
Hyperpop Hell Presents SEBii + Kimj ChineseKoreanAmerican Tour
7PM–11:30PM @ 29th Street Ballroom, $25.09
Hyperpop royalty SEBii and Kimj bring their glitchy, genre-obliterating ChineseKoreanAmerican tour to Austin with support from blxty and the bootcut bandit. All ages, maximum chaos.
Mushroom Cultivation 101 Workshop
7PM–9PM @ Buzz Mill, $39.19
Learn the full fungi lifecycle from inoculation to harvest with pro tips on cultivating mushrooms on a budget. Whether you're a curious home grower or aspiring mycologist, this hands-on workshop is the earthy Austin experience you didn't know you needed.
Full Moon Tarot Vision Board Workshop
7PM–9PM @ Monica’s Porch, $65.53
Harness the full moon's energy with a personal tarot reading followed by a hands-on vision board creation session. Equal parts mystical guidance and crafty manifesting — peak Austin spirituality.
Find more fun stuff on Thursday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Friday, Aug 28th
Shrek Fest 5
9PM (doors) @ Brushy Street Commons, $24.88
ShrekFest is SO back and taking over a brand new venue, transforming Brushy Street Commons into a full-on swamp for one night only. Expect funk, fusion, and psychedelic vibes from multiple acts in what has become one of Austin's most delightfully absurd annual traditions.
Sober Supper Club Dinner
Friday, Aug 28, 4–6pm @ Loro (South Lamar), $70
Sober Supper Club takes over Loro's patio for a special Sans Bar Academy Awards weekend dinner, pairing the restaurant's signature Texas BBQ–meets–Southeast Asian menu with non-alcoholic drinks from TOMONOTOMO and ZERO Origami Sake. Your $70 covers dinner, drinks, and gratuity. Seats are limited; grab tickets before they're gone.
OPEN FOR CONTACT: Exploring Conscious Contact
7PM @ 3rd Eye Lounger, $49.87
Journey into conscious ET contact, galactic races, and your higher self at this one-of-a-kind gathering featuring guided practices and a light language sound bath. Whether you're a true believer or just cosmically curious, this is Austin at its most beautifully out-there.
Almost Famous: A Soundtrack Party at Hotel Vegas
9PM–1AM @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, $15
Four bands each perform the soundtrack to a different iconic film — Ragabash tackles Kill Bill, Moving Panoramas play The Royal Tenenbaums, Gilded Lows channel Blue Velvet, and Black Books take on The Virgin Suicides, all with custom live visuals. A cinephile music lover's dream night.
Holy Hell II: CLERGILICIOUS
7PM–11:30PM (doors) @ The Stage Austin, $25+
Haus of Brimstone invites beloved sinners for a night of profane perversions and satanic liberation celebrating sacrilegious self-expression with clergilicious flair. Priests, nuns, sexy sacrilege, heresy, ecstasy, and ritual — forgive us father, for we have sinned enthusiastically.
Bass & Bhangra Bolly: Punjabi Dance Party
10PM–2AM @ Neon Grotto, $7.77
Austin's Last Friday just got a Punjabi upgrade. Live dhol, bass-heavy bhangra beats, sheesha, and drink specials collide at Neon Grotto for a summer-ending dance party at a ridiculously low price point.
The Dumbest Show on Earth ft. English Teeth
8PM (doors) @ Hole in the Wall, $12
English Teeth's Final Friday Shit Show is a chaotic grab bag of cover songs, original tunes, live band karaoke, punk rock bingo, drum battles, and who knows what else. It's the last Friday of the month and they're keeping it perfectly unhinged.
Night Plant Market
7PM–11PM @ Ani's Day & Night, FREE!
It's too hot for daytime plant shopping, so this monthly market moves under the stars. Browse rare houseplants, handmade ceramic pots, garden starts, and plant trinkets from local vendors while grooving to live Brazilian jazz. Plus a free plant swap brought to you by Leafy Life.
DIVA: Beer Release and Pride Party w/ The Little Gay Shop
6PM–10PM @ St. Elmo Brewing Springdale, FREE!
Celebrating seven years of The Little Gay Shop and Austin Pride with a collaborative beer launch, queer country music from The Side Saddles, drag performances from Harlott and Ryan, and pop-ups from local vendors including Flavnt Streetwear. Artwork by Xavier Schipani, proceeds benefit Unite the Fight Austin.
Two Step Pool Party
7PM @ Cabana Club - $10
A night of two-stepping poolside like no other. Don't know how? Hill Country Two Step is hosting a quick lesson to kick things off so everyone can join in. Add a vinyl DJ set by Aaron McDonnell, drinks, and a pool — this is peak Austin summer Friday.
More amazingness on Friday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Saturday, Aug 29th
The ROW Spelling Bee
7 – 10 PM @ Eberly, $11
Austin's adult spelling bee returns with old-school one-mic, one-word-at-a-time energy in front of a rowdy crowd. Compete for the title or grab a spectator ticket and cheer: bonus rounds give everyone a shot at prizes regardless. Eberly's serving up a discounted food and drink menu all night, so come hungry. Early bee pricing available before August 26.
Hot Jazz Summer
6 PM – 11 PM @ Scottish Rite Theater, $26.50
Austin's oldest theater hosts an absolute stunner of an evening! Scorching jazz-age bangers from The Relevators, refined swing from the 10-piece Golden Hour Orchestra, tap performances, Lindy hop, jazz poetry, and social dancing with a beginner lesson so everyone can hit the floor. This one-of-a-kind event on beautiful wood floors is capped off with a set from DJ Shortystumpleton of Second Sunday Sock Hop fame. Supported by Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment.
Over the Top Benefit & Birthday Extravaganza
9 PM – 2 AM @ Cheer Up Charlies, $13.54
Come one, come all! For one night only, Cheer Up Charlies transforms into a full-blown carnival to raise top surgery funds for Aries, who's also celebrating a birthday and one year of sobriety. Expect drag, pole performances, live bands, DJs, carnival games, a dunk tank, and incredible vendors. Come dressed on theme or as you are; this over-the-top benefit is pure community love wrapped in confetti.
QUADRANT X at dadaLab
7:30 PM – 11 PM @ dadaLab, $12+
The tenth edition of dadageek's quadraphonic electronic music series surrounds you with four speakers for a 360-degree immersive listening experience unlike anything stereo can touch. Featuring a brutalist witch house collaboration, ambient noise with live visuals, and a debut supergroup — plus a special quad-ingredient cocktail, the "Arnold Face-Palmer." Limited tickets available to ensure an optimal sonic experience. All ages, seated.
MeadowFest 2026: Cimafunk, Chuwi, Combo Chimbita & More
5:30 PM @ Radio/East, $41.24
This Afro-Cuban funk, Latin, and indie festival features an incredible lineup including Cuban sensation Cimafunk, Colombian powerhouse Combo Chimbita, Angelica Garcia, Jon Muq, Gina Chavez, and more — all benefiting SIMS Foundation and Out Youth. Founded in memory of a young aspiring musician, MeadowFest turns grief into celebration through a day of incredible music and community.
Sensory Universe: One Tree, Many Scents
4:30 PM @ Meanwhile Brewing, $44
How can one family of plants create so many wildly different scents? This guided exploration follows citrus from tree to perfume — lemon, bergamot, neroli, petitgrain — through hands-on smelling, conversation, and discovery. No fragrance knowledge needed, just curiosity. You'll get perfume samples to choose from, hand-blended tea, and the option to stay for food and drinks at the brewery after. Come smell and get sensory together.
Putas del Fuego VS Hellcats — TXRD Roller Derby
5 PM – 9:30 PM @ Travis County Expo Center, $30+
What's hotter than the sweltering August heat? Austin's only full-contact, banked track roller derby league bringing big hits, lightning-fast skates, and ice-cold beer. Las Putas Del Fuego face off against the Hellcats in a hell-fire showdown — Rolling Stone called TXRD the "Sport's Toughest League" for a reason. Get your tickets and see why first-timers become diehards. Kids 12 and under free.
29th Street Block Party
6 PM @ 29th Street Ballroom & Tweedy's, FREE!
This free all-ages block party is stacked: ideas forconversations, Haha Laughing, deepstate, Velvet Underground tributes, DJ Impotent Fetus, Subculture Swap taking over the patio, and more — all powered by Resound, Dogfish Head, Sun Cruiser, and KVRX. Electroclash meets indie dance meets post-punk in one of the most eclectic free lineups you'll find this weekend.
Austin's Biggest Pizza Party
2 PM – 5 PM @ Home Slice Pizza (South Congress), FREE!
Lady Bird Soda and Home Slice Pizza are teaming up for FREE slices of margherita, cheese, or pepperoni paired with ice-cold Lady Bird Soda at their original South Congress slice window; all in support of the Trail Conservancy. No strings attached, just Austin's most beloved pizza spot giving back to the community. Show up hungry.
In the Belly of the Beetle
7 PM @ Mass Gallery, FREE!
This genre-defying performance explores the unruly vitality of insects through painted images, live musicians, and dancers responding to one another in real time. Artist Leah Danze's painted world tangles human and more-than-human bodies together — bellies, dirt, wings, mouths — in a "tender kind of decomposition." Performances at 7:30 and 9 PM; bring a pillow for seating. Supported by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
The Death of Marlow
3 PM – 6 PM (Day Party) / 9 PM – 2 AM (Night Party) @ Marlow Bar
Marlow Bar is closing its doors forever, and they're going out with one last mega hang. The day party features live music, celebrity bartending, and football on the screens. The night party brings DJ Diego the Fuego, a taco and pupusa pop-up from Central Latino ATX, flash tattoos, and a casket where you can lay miniature bottles of Malort to rest. Up to 50% off everything, 86 Marlow, indeed.
"I Cry The Body Electric" Exhibition Night
7 PM @ Factory on 5th, FREE!
This ATX Pop-Up Gallery night packs live figure drawing (7–8 PM), a storytelling showcase at 9, "Electric Patio" light installations, live painting, typewriter poetry, and communal art into one electric evening. Free refreshments and a donation bar keep the energy flowing, plus tacos from Taqueria Fenix. Bring your most creative friends and prepare to be inspired.
Other cool stuff happening on Saturday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Sunday, Aug 30th
Clara's Grand Opening
2:00 PM @ Clara's Day Dive
A brand-new South Austin spot throws open its doors with guest bartenders, live music from Foxi Moxi, Sidequest LA, and DJ Reckshop, plus all the food, drinks, and neighborhood vibes that make South Austin special. Get in on the ground floor of what could be your next favorite hangout.
Field Notes v.3 (Free Outdoor Open Mic)
6:30 PM @ Zilker Metropolitan Park, FREE!
Inspired by the Beat Generation, this screen-free open mic at Zilker Park invites musicians, poets, and storytellers to share 3–5 minutes of their craft as the sun sets. Bring a blanket and your favorite drink — jam sessions start early, the mic kicks off at 7 PM.
Oita Japan Summer Festival
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM @ Long Center, $25
Celebrate Japanese culture at this family-friendly festival featuring Japanese food, kids' activities, cultural education and more — a unique cultural immersion right in the heart of Austin.
The Austin Chronicle 36th Annual Hot Sauce Festival
3:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Radio/East , $25
Sample sauces from 25+ commercial bottlers and vote for the People's Choice Awards at Austin's iconic hot sauce throwdown benefiting the Central Texas Food Bank. The lineup includes Lauren Lakis, Latin Dukes, Libby and the Loveless, and DJ Mahealani. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door: this festival has raised over 1.3 million meals in 35 years.
ARCOS Presents: Creative Resistance - Kickoff
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM @ Hyperreal Film Club, $10+
A multidisciplinary kickoff featuring live music, a premiere screening of the film portion of SalSāl (clay that makes sound), a reading by Lichen Bouboushian, and a conversation with all three artists exploring creative resistance through experimental art forms.
Rum Tasting Session with Holmes Cay at Tiki Tatsu-ya
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM @ Tiki Tatsu-ya, $20
Celebrate National Mai Tai Day in the Nest with a featured Mai Tai made with Holmes Cay rum and an intimate rum tasting session. Additional pours available for purchase. Limited seating — it's Tiki Tatsu-ya, so expect the vibes to be impeccable.
Chicano Park Day 3rd Annual
3:00 PM @ 2101 Jessie Segovia St.
The 3rd Annual Chicano Park Day features vendors, a lowrider show, and various activities celebrating Chicano culture — a vibrant, community-driven celebration of heritage and identity.
"All Boats Bloom" Performance Showcase
10:00 AM @ Auditorium Shores, FREE!
A free outdoor dance showcase by The Trail Conservancy featuring original works by Alexa Capareda and Michael Anthony Garcia that blend art and nature along the Trail. Grab a blanket, enjoy free refreshments from Smartwater and Desnudo Coffee, and soak in some genuinely creative lakeside performances.
More interesting events on Sunday @ WhatsGoodATX!
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