Week of March 23rd

What's Weird ATX

Author

Michelle
March 23, 2026

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This week: The Longhorns pulled off a first-round March Madness upset over BYU 79-71, with bars across the city seeing a noticeable boost in business as a result 🤑 Traffic alert: JD Vance is rolling into town today, shutting down roads and causing traffic headaches through Tuesday.

On the civic side, AISD is in an awkward spot. Parents came out swinging at a recent board meeting after some negative leaked internal communications about school closures. Simultaneously the district is reporting real academic progress, with eight schools projected to drop their "F" ratings this year thanks to curriculum standardization.

In a rare feel-good city hall moment, Austin City Council locked in a 5-year economic preservation deal with The Vortex theater: a small but important win for keeping Austin's weirder cultural institutions alive!

SXSW’s 21% attendance drop this year (also reflected in our poll results!) seems to have come down to a lot of the changes we’ve already mentioned convention center closure, general economy woes. But what was a perhaps surprising and happy revelation was that music showcase attendance was actually up, even while the broader festival still felt spotty and more subdued overall. We hope the organizers are listening, and can continue to find ways to give the people what they want (music) and make sure everybody gets paid (with film and tech dollars!)

In food news, we have a slew of fresh openings like Electric Gravy on East 11th, Dish Society on South First, and Gen Korean BBQ House at The Linc. CultureMap launched its 2026 Best New Restaurant tournament, underscoring how quickly new restaurants must compete for mindshare, while also spotlighting Fish Shop as Austin’s only entry on Texas Monthly’s 2026 best new restaurants list thanks to its West Coast style seafood and Gulf oysters. At the same time, Austin Monthly’s SXSW dining guide pushed heavy traffic toward downtown standbys such as Bill’s Oyster and Restaurant François, tightening reservations and giving central-city restaurants a noticeable bump in foot traffic during the festival week.

Spring has sprung (and/or summer is already here 😅 )? I guess we’re about to find out! I’ve been enjoying the strong breeze as it’s kept things relatively cool and let me enjoy a little more time out on the patio. The wind should die down by tomorrow though!

We have so many free and super interesting events this week, be sure to tap into the online version to get the full list!

Monday, March 23

Me Mer Mo Monday CAST Takeover!

7:00 PM @ dadaLab - $3-10 Sliding Scale | All Ages

Austin's longest-running experimental music series gets hijacked by the CAST (Contemporary Art & Sound Technologies) crew for an evening of boundary-demolishing sound, electronic performance, and live visual art. For over a decade, Me Mer Mo Monday has been one of the city's most vital platforms for the genuinely adventurous — and this special CAST-curated edition kicks off an entire week of interdisciplinary madness culminating at dadaLab on March 28.

Silent Film Screening with Live Score — The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

6:00 PM @ Austin Public Library, FREE! 🔥 

One of the most influential horror films ever made, performed live in 2026. David DiDonato plays his original score to the 1920 expressionist classic that basically invented the twist ending. Free and utterly haunting — this is the kind of Monday night that makes you feel like you live in the right city.

Mezcal 101

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ 511 Rio Grande St - $53.98

Whether you're mezcal-curious or ready to graduate beyond "it's like smoky tequila," this guided tasting walks you through what makes mezcal truly unique. Build your palate and your confidence in one evening — and finally stop pretending you know what "joven" means.

ABF Guest Lecture: Dr. Crystal Maier on the MCZ Entomology Collection

7:00 PM @ Zilker Botanical Garden

The Austin Butterfly Forum brings in Dr. Crystal Maier to talk about the storied history of Harvard's Museum of Comparative Zoology insect collection — one of the largest and oldest in the world. If you've ever been even mildly fascinated by bugs, this is your people and your Monday night sorted.

More interesting events on Monday @ WhatsGoodATX!

Tuesday, March 24

BYO Vinyl Night

6PM @ The ABGB, FREE (+ a free beer!)

Dig through your crates and bring your favorite (or weirdest) record to The ABGB. They'll let you spin it on the house system, and you get a free beer for your contribution. It's communal, it's low-pressure, and the crowd skews toward people with genuinely interesting taste; just checkin with the bartender when you arrive.

Print Making Workshop: Inspired by Ruhee Maknojia

6PM–8PM @ Austin Public Library Terrazas Branch, FREE!

Women & Their Work partners with APL for this free relief printmaking workshop where you carve a linoleum block and walk out with completed prints on both fabric and paper. No drawing skills needed — stencils provided. This is a legit art skill you can actually take home, and you can't beat the price.

Second Chance Prom

6PM @ Amici Italian Kitchen, $10+

Did your original prom kind of suck? Here's your redemption arc. Second Chance Prom invites you to relive the whole experience — corsages, slow dances, awkward photos — except this time you're an adult with better taste and hopefully a better date. Weird, nostalgic, and deeply Austin.

Cesar Crespo at Antone's Record Shop – 45 Release Party

6PM–7PM @ Antone's Record Shop, FREE!

A Madrid-based blues guitarist playing a release party for his new 45 on Sleazy Records, inside one of Austin's most iconic record shops? That's about as good as a free Tuesday gets. Plus there are free drinks from Rambler, Drink Weird, and Saint Arnold's. Show up, sip, and soak in blues at its most intimate.

Puscifer – The Normal Isn't Tour

8PM @ Bass Concert Hall, $59+

Maynard James Keenan's delightfully unhinged side project brings its 21st-century freak show to UT's Bass Concert Hall. Puscifer is part band, part visual storytelling experiment, part absurdist theater — featuring original characters like Major Douche and Special Agent Dick Merkin. If you know, you know.

More interesting events on Tuesday @ WhatsGoodATX!

Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: How This App Can Help

For many with ADHD, a simple "no" can feel like a world-ending nightmare. This is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and it makes navigating daily life painfully hard.

Developed by clinical psychologists, Inflow helps you understand and navigate RSD triggers using science-backed strategies.

In just 5 minutes a day, you can learn to prevent unhelpful thoughts and build deep emotional resilience. Stop spiraling and start reframing your thinking with a custom learning plan designed for your brain.

Wednesday, March 26th

Heavy Metal Hardware: Chainmail Keychain Workshop

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ Tiny Minotaur Tavern, $38+

Stay at the Minotaur and learn to weave actual chainmail into a custom keychain with StudioKollisions. This beginner-friendly workshop sold out last time, so grab a spot while you can. Fantasy costumes are "purely optional" but strongly spiritually encouraged. Doors at 7 PM, workshop runs 8-10.

Bunny Tea Party

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM @ West China Tea, FREE!

Meet adoptable rabbits from the House Rabbit Resource Network while sipping tea at one of Austin's coziest East Side tea houses. This meet-and-greet with bunnies is exactly the mid-week serotonin boost you didn't know you needed. Family-friendly and impossibly charming.

In Conversation: Sable Elyse Smith, Boots Riley, and Rizvana Bradley

6:30 PM - 8:00 PM @ The Contemporary Austin (Jones Center Rooftop) - Free with admission 🔥 

The filmmaker behind Sorry to Bother You joins prize-winning artist Sable Elyse Smith and scholar Rizvana Bradley on the Moody Rooftop for a conversation about art, power, surveillance, and possibility. Tied to Smith's new exhibition Clockwork, this Contemporary Austin event is a rare chance to hear two boundary-pushing creators in dialogue. Online reservations are closed, but a limited quantity of walkup tickets are available!

Bike Story Night #24

6:45 PM @ Hold Out Brewing, $10 Suggested Donation

A storytelling night dedicated to cycling culture — riders share personal tales about life on two wheels at one of Austin's best West Side breweries. Whether you pedal to work, race on weekends, or just love a good story, this community night celebrates the intersection of narrative and the joy of riding.

Unsafe at Any Speed Hotrod Photo Show

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ Yellow Jacket Social Club, FREE!

An indoor hotrod photo show featuring work from BZ Body Shop and Space Giant, with Tough Enuff displaying in the parking lot and vinyl spun by the record club crew. Yellow Jacket is one of East Austin's best dive hangs, and this is the kind of gritty, grassroots car culture night you won't find on any algorithm.

Modern Neon Sign Workshop

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM @ Oddwood Brewing - $75

Design and build your own custom glow-up neon-style sign at this craft party at Oddwood Brewing. Pick your stencil or go freehand, choose your glow color, and leave with something way too cool to hide in a drawer. Very limited spots, and happy hour runs all day Wednesday — so the pizza and drinks situation is handled.

More interesting events on Wednesday @ WhatsGoodATX!

Thursday, March 26

PowerPints MARCH

7:30PM @ RADIO / EAST, FREE!
Grab a drink and learn something incredibly specific at this original comedy show where eight presenters have five minutes each to deliver a PowerPoint on any subject they like. It’s the perfect blend of academic chaos and Austin humor.

Honk!TX Kickoff Party

6:00PM @ Inn Cahoots, FREE!
Experience the chaotic joy of visiting brass and street bands as they descend upon Austin for this unforgettable festival kickoff. This party is an explosion of sound and community spirit that truly keeps the city weird.

Wilderness First Aid Workshop

7:00PM @ Buzz Mill, $39.19
The Lumber Society hosts this hands-on survival class focused on managing medical emergencies in the backcountry. Your ticket includes a free drink token and a custom Wilderness First Aid badge to show off your skills.

NASA Nerd Nite: The Lucy Mission

7:30 PM @ Barrel O'Fun, FREE!

A NASA LEAP intern and ACC SEDS VP breaks down the Lucy spacecraft's journey through the Trojan Asteroid Belt — the fossils of our solar system. Nerd Nite Austin is always free, always weird, and always worth arriving early for; doors open at 4 PM. Volunteer ASL interpreters will be on site.

World Music Night at Batch

7:00 PM @ Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches, FREE!

AFTM brings together Kim J. Simpson (Finland), The Ruan Sisters (China), Elena Diaz (World), and The Ramsey Park Rounders (Cajun) for a night of global sounds at one of Austin's coziest craft beer spots. Come for the kolaches, stay for whatever dimension of music Elena Diaz transports you to.

Liturgy for the Angry: A Worship Service of Lament, Grief, and Courage

7:00 PM @ University Presbyterian Church, FREE!

Not your typical Thursday night — this is a sacred space designed explicitly for grief, moral frustration, and the weight of the current moment, locally and nationally. The service offers structured ritual for people who need to feel something out loud, together. Unexpectedly timely.

Noir and Nectar Burlesque

7:00PM @ The Far Out, $18

Giddy-up for a Neo Burlesque Spectacular that blends classic tease with modern edge and an interactive dance-off. Dress to impress for the photo booth and a chance to win fabulous prizes during this "Yeehaw" themed night.

Find more fun stuff on Thursday @ WhatsGoodATX!

Friday, March 27

Free Friday At The Pool

10:00AM @ Rancho Moonrise - Free w/ Advanced RSVP

Escape the city heat for the 2026 pool season kickoff at this desert-cool oasis. On the last Friday of every month, you can enjoy free pool access and cold drinks if you secure an advanced RSVP. It is the ultimate way to forget your inbox and embrace the "desert vibes" of Austin for absolutely no cost.

ACC Space Night!

4:00PM @ Austin Community College Round Rock, FREE!

Embark on a cosmic journey starting with daytime solar viewing through specialized telescopes and interactive hands-on science activities. As the sun sets, stick around for student-led astronomy talks, space trivia, and night-time star viewing if the weather holds up. It is a stellar educational experience for all ages that perfectly captures the wonder of the Austin night sky.

Frost Chuck Wagon Lunch

11:30AM @ Frost Bank Arboretum Financial Center, FREE!

Celebrate a grand opening with an old-fashioned chuck wagon lunch featuring free BBQ brisket, beans, and peach cobbler. This event is free and open to the public, offering a genuine taste of Texas heritage while supplies last. It is a rare opportunity to snag a delicious free meal in a unique outdoor setting in the Arboretum area.

Y'all Bar: Pop-Up Art Bar & Fundraiser

7:00PM @ Future Front Texas - $81.88

Get your hands dirty at this interactive pop-up art bar where you can play with clay while sipping on a chef-curated menu of cocktails. All proceeds from this event fundraise for Future Front’s arts programming, supporting local culture in Austin's changing landscape. It’s the perfect blend of community engagement and creative play for those looking to give back while making art.

Shadowrun: Fantasy Cyber Goth Night

7:00PM @ the Tiny Minotaur Tavern - FREE for Members / $12 Non-members

Hack the rift at this dystopian cyberpunk goth fantasy costume night where technology and magic converge. You can even embark on an optional live-action role play quest to save a rare "living" minotaur from extinction. Tavern members get in for free, and high-tech fantasy attire is very much encouraged for this underground adventure.

More amazingness on Friday @ WhatsGoodATX !

Saturday, Mar 28

Pugs in Pajamas

11:30 AM @ Inner Diva Studios, $25

Don your coziest PJ’s and head to Inner Diva Studios for a laid-back cuddle party benefiting Pug Rescue Austin. It’s the ultimate stress-relief event where you can slow down and share some love with adorable rescue pugs. This wholesome community gathering is all about comfort, kindness, and maybe a few pug snores.

Strange & Extraordinary Fest

12:00 PM @ KMFA Studios - $25+

Step into the paranormal at Austin's newest cultural festival featuring UFO revelations, cryptid legends, and a Bizarre Bazaar of mystical curiosities. Explore the Haunted Museum with a $25 Curious Pass or grab a free Bizarre Pass to shop the oddities and curios. It's a day-long journey into the cosmic and unexplained that promises to keep Austin weirdly curious.

Birding Man - Opening

3:00 PM @ ArtUs Co - $20

Celebrate the avian world at this nature-inspired art party where you can RSVP for bird-inspired poetry, live birds of prey, and a wild costume contest. Music by DJ Chappie Funk keeps the energy high while you browse visionary exhibits. Opening tickets are just $20, and kids under 12 join the flock for free!

4th Annual PHILLY CHEESESKATE FEST

3:00 PM @ The Far Out Lounge, $30

Roll over to The Far Out Lounge for a high-energy blend of midwest emo, folk punk, and math rock at this fourth annual festival. Whether you're here for the music or the cheesesteaks, this all-day bash celebrates skating culture and underground sounds. It’s a perfect slice of local Austin creativity featuring acts like Driver Friendly and Adjust the Sails.

CAST: Premiere Night

7:30 PM @ dadaLab - FREE w/ RSVP

Experience the future of audiovisual art at dadaLab with six world premieres of collaborative works blending electronics, spatial audio, and generative AI. This culmination of the inaugural CAST season features SoundMap Ensemble and Line Upon Line Percussion in an immersive video environment. Best of all, this cutting-edge evening is free to attend with an RSVP.

Hyperreal Short Film Fest!

7:00 PM @ Hyperreal Film Club, $8+

Celebrate the closing night of the annual short film fest with a bumping music video mixer party and awards ceremony. Enjoy specialty cocktails and curated playlists while local filmmakers compete for prizes in the top four music video categories. It's a rare chance to mingle with the industry and discover Austin's rising visual talents.

Tempests & Tribulations - Game 1

5:00 PM @ 2511 East 6th Street - $42.42 (2 for 1) 🔥 

Dive into an immersive 1997-era Austin Camarilla chronicle as Austin Vampire LARP returns for its third high-stakes season. For $42.42, you can embody a creature of the night in this provocative, long-running roleplay community event. It's the ultimate boundary-pushing experience for those seeking deep connection and storytelling.

Banned Bodies - TDOV Edition

9:00 PM @ The 13th Floor, $10

Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility with a high-octane night of metal and drag raising vital funds for mutual aid. Local trans-centric metal bands Twink Death and Banged Out will open a show that culminates in a freaky trans drag showcase. Join the resistance and the party while supporting healthcare resources for the community.

Other cool stuff happening on Saturday @ WhatsGoodATX !

Sunday, Mar 29

Wheatsville's 50th Birthday Party & Fundraiser

12:00PM @ Wheatsville Co-op, FREE! (Donation encouraged)

Celebrate 50 years of our local co-op with WHEATSLAM food-based wrestling and live music. Grab free beer from Pinthouse while supplies last and watch live flash tattoos on-site. Donations are greatly appreciated to help the co-op stay strong in a rough economy.

Pasties & Potions - March Madness

1:45PM @ Butterfly Bar (VORTEX), $66.96

Treat yourself to a flirty afternoon of mixology and striptease at this cocktail masterclass featuring burlesque fairies. You will learn to craft boozy herbal spirits like the "Green Beast" while being spellbound by award-winning performers. A lavish charcuterie spread is provided to pair with your three handcrafted drinks.

Kokedama Planter Party

2:00PM @ St. Elmo Brewing Co. - $55

Learn the traditional Japanese art of building minimalist moss ball planters from the roots up while sipping local brews. All supplies are included to create a living piece of decor, and instructors provide care tips to keep your plant healthy. This hands-on craft party is beginner-friendly and perfect for seasoned plant parents or new hobbyists alike.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

8:00PM @ Ground Floor Theatre, $43.83

Catch a fierce, glitter-soaked take on the legendary glam-rock diva Hedwig in this Tony Award-winning queer anthem. This electrifying production features a live rock band and a rotating cast of drag powerhouses delivering unforgettable performances. It is a bold celebration of resilience and radical self-definition that functions as part rock concert and part confessional.

The Far Out Crawfish Boil feat. Big Wy's Brass Band

12:00PM–4:00PM @ The Far Out, FREE!

Fresh crawfish, drink specials, and a live New Orleans-style brass band that "brings a party wherever they play" — all for free. The Far Out is doubling down this Sunday with both a witches market and a crawfish boil running simultaneously on the same grounds, which is a very Austin problem to have.

CosSketcher – Free Figure Drawing at Dragon's Lair

7:00PM @ Dragon's Lair Austin, FREE!

A monthly figure-drawing event where the models show up in full cosplay — all skill levels welcome, all ages, completely free. Bring your sketchbook, your colored pencils, your iPad, whatever. Dragon's Lair is Austin's beloved local comic and game shop and this event has real community energy. If you've never done figure drawing before, a costumed model is the most Austin possible entry point.

More interesting events on Sunday @ WhatsGoodATX!

A huge shoutout to our amazing WhatsWeirdATX supporters: Gary, Lily, Olboi, Darien, Anonymouse, Alyssa, Christina J, Nick, Doug Neary, Walker, Lyndsay, Scott B, Jess Rose Clark, Kevin, Crescent Gray, JB, Anthony, Anthony Stokes, Rebekah, Laurie, agnikai, Nick W, Just Jason, Santos, Kat, Britt, Stephanie, LoganJ, Yvette, Connor, Leslie, Praveer, Christina, Emily, tags-09, and /u/runthistownatx!

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