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Our beloved Paprika just landed on the New York Times' list of the 50 best restaurants in America! It’s one of only two Texas spots to make the cut. Owners Margarito and Hayden Pérez ran it out of a food truck for six years before moving indoors to a spot on North Lamar tucked behind a vintage store and a salon. It really stands out in Austin because it’s not a celebrity chef rebrand or a venture-backed concept; just salsa macha, suadero, and years of dedication. It’s very gratifying to see the hard unpolished work earning Austin a national reputation.
Park rangers were spotted on the Butler hike-and-bike trail this week using radar guns to check whether cyclists were following the 10 mph speed limit. The comments of Austin netizens were flying! Pedestrians complained about e-motos flying past strollers, while cyclists asked how they’re supposed to know their speed without a speedometer. Someone pointed out that the UT cross-country team might need to slow down, too.
Commenters also noted that park rangers can’t write citations so we’re all wondering what the real consequence of getting “pulled over is”. A stern conversation might truly be enough. 😆 Underneath all the jokes, though, is that this has become a familiar growing pain for us: more people sharing the same space, with different ideas about how to use it; even a lap around the lake now comes with a debate about whether we need more enforcement or just better manners.
Last week we entered 100-degree heat for the fourteenth time in eighteen days. Through September 18, Camp Mabry's mean temperature for the month sat at 89.4°F, which puts September 2026 on pace to be the hottest September Austin has ever recorded. The annual triple-digit-day count is closing in on 50! I was actually a little surprised to hear this as for some reason this summer has felt a bit mild to me, but I guess my radar’s off. Most Austinites are definitely reaching their breaking point, however, especially folks who just moved here and had never experienced a full summer before. Buck up my friends, as we likely have at least one more month of this to go! 🥵
The Pecan Street Festival spent 50 years on Sixth Street before relocating last year to the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, pushed out by the bollards and fencing the city installed downtown. Unfortunately, the Bee Cave debut was soured by an interesting controversy. Austin hip-hop trio FreeBloo & the Freak says their set at the Pecan Street Festival in Bee Cave was cut about 40 minutes in. The group says it was shortly after political references, but festival producer Luis Zapata says it was repeated profanity at a family-friendly event. There's a murky question about whether anyone told the act about a no-cursing expectation before they went on; but if you check their instagram they make their style pretty clear! Probably the tension comes mostly from being a downtown-born, come-as-you-are street festival that's now having to move to the suburbs. IMO while Austin should be willing to sit with the messy, uncomfortable, occasionally profane stuff that comes with actual creativity, multiple people pointed out that if you're approving acts for a family-friendly event at a suburban outdoor mall, it's your job to listen to them first. Certainly not to pull the plug mid-set when they sound exactly like themselves.
Which brings us to HAAM Day, happening tomorrow! September 22. The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is celebrating 20 years by turning the entire city into one stage: 600-plus musicians, 250-plus shows, 140 venues, all in one day. HAAM exists because Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World while many of the musicians holding up that title are gig workers without health insurance. This is a great day to visit one of the 140 locations (or just go grocery shopping, as they are at a lot of the HEB’s around town)! My favorite way to do HAAM day is to just pick a venue and make a point to give a few minutes to an artist I haven’t heard before. But if you want a little more guidance, a good bet is to check out one or two of the showcases and visit in the early evening. Spending money at the venues helps HAAM as these are venues that are sponsoring the organization and the festival. You can also tip HAAM directly from that page.
On a more serious note, an ICE agent shot a man in North Austin on Sunday near Anderson Square and Research Boulevard. Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, 28, was working as a DoorDash driver when ICE made contact; he was shot once in the torso during a brief foot pursuit and is hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Mayor Watson and Congressman Casar have called for an independent investigation. This is a developing story; the Texas Tribune, KVUE, and Austin American-Statesman all have ongoing coverage if you want to follow it.
This week’s weirdness is a little darker than usual…. goth disco, hyperpop hell, kiki balls, rage rooms, and a psyop tour. In addition to a particularly stacked Tuesday, even outside of HAAM day! Plus, it’s another week for the jazz lovers, from crime jazz vinyl to a Rabbi jam session to the legendary Fred Hersch trio. As always, click here to see the full list.
Monday, Sept 21st
World Mini Golf Day
12:00 PM @ Holey Moley Golf Club
Holey Moley's throwing a "part-ee" for World Miniature Golf Day with one-day-only deals: $5 for 9 holes, $5 wings, and $5 shooters. Make sure to check out their electric indoor mini golf experience.
Disco Party
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ Cosmic Saltillo, FREE!
Dress disco and dance your cares away as Saltillo takes it back to the '70s for Industry Night. No cover, just vibes and a great excuse to break out the bell bottoms.
Vinyl Night BYOV
4:00 PM (doors) @ Cactus Cafe, FREE!
Bring your own vinyl and spin one side on the Cactus sound system — signups start right at 4pm. More info here for anyone who wants their record collection to get some love from strangers.
Maqam Gathering: Exploring the Shared Musical Language of the Eastern Mediterranean
7:00 PM @ RichesArt Gallery, $16.50
A rare deep-dive into the shared musical traditions connecting cultures across the Eastern Mediterranean. Get tickets for an intimate, genuinely educational night of sound.
More interesting events on Monday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Tuesday, Sept 22nd
S'mores Social: First Night of Fall Celebration
7:00 PM @ Stargazer, $13
An unlimited s'mores buffet, drink specials, and campfire games mark the literal first night of fall at this chill outdoor hangout. No icebreakers, no networking; just marshmallows under the stars.
The Sopranos Trivia Night + Costume Contest & Food Menu by Horndogs
7:00 PM–10:00 PM @ Hole in the Wall, FREE!
Test your Bada Bing knowledge, then strut a costume inspired by your favorite Sopranos character for a shot at the contest crown. Horndogs is curating a Vesuvio's-style menu for the night — think meatballs and ricotta pie alongside the trivia. No cover, just bring your best mob-boss energy.
Backgammon Social x Austin Proper Hotel
7:00 PM @ Austin Proper Hotel,$15
Backgammon Social makes its Austin debut, with a pro from Turkey on hand to teach newcomers while a Houston DJ spins all night. Reserve a spot and sip specialty cocktails made with 1925 Tequila and High Desert Vodka, no prior backgammon skills required. Come solo or with a crew.
Creative Hands: Bath Bomb Making
6:30 PM–7:30 PM @ Delores Duffie Recreation Center, $20
Blend fragrances, colors, and skin-loving ingredients into your own custom bath bombs in this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop. You'll walk out with a handcrafted, take-home stash and zero fizzy-science experience required. Call 512-978-2465 to reserve your spot.
King of Drag Season 2 Watch Party Premiere
8:00 PM–10:00 PM @ Oilcan Harry’s, FREE!
Alexander the Great hosts the Season 2 premiere watch party for the world's first reality competition built for Drag Kings. It's free to attend, with weekly parties continuing after tonight's kickoff. Expect commentary as sharp as the competitors' looks.
M-Squad Crime Jazz Quintet In-Store at Antone's Record Shop
6:00 PM–7:00 PM @ Antone's Record Shop, FREE!
Guitar slinger Burnin' Mike Vernon leads this noir-tinged jazz quintet through an LP release party for their new album, pressed on jet-black vinyl with a deluxe Japanese OBI card. It's free, all ages, and Rambler and Saint Arnold's are pouring the beverages. A rare chance to catch crime jazz played live inside a record shop.
"Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour
7:00 PM @ Moody Center, $52+
Al brings his full-production multimedia comedy-rock spectacle back to Austin, playing iconic parodies alongside never-performed-live rarities with a supersized band. VIP Meet & Greet and Backstage Tour packages are available for superfans. It's the most literally "weird" way to close out this list.
Austin Ladies Temple Party with Monique and Mayra
7:00 PM–11:00 PM @ Everyday Tantra, $75.47
A women-only evening built around safe, sacred touch, guided by Monique and Mayra with a focus on presence, trust, and connection. It's the kind of intimate, boundary-aware gathering Austin's wellness-and-woo scene does best. Come ready for something more vulnerable than your typical Tuesday.
More interesting events on Tuesday @ WhatsGoodATX!
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Wednesday, Sept 23rd
Desk Shrimp LEGO Race
6:00 PM @ Blue Owl Brewing, $20 (FREE to spectate)
Teams of two race to assemble this month's mystery LEGO set (a "Desk Shrimp") for fame, glory, and Blue Owl prizes. Every ticket includes a beer flight to share; details and RSVP here.
Local Queer Ice Cream Social
6:30 PM @ Luv Fats Ice Cream
A locally-owned, avocado-and-coconut-milk-base ice cream shop hosts this laid-back queer social scoop-and-hang. RSVP here; vegan options available.
Stitch & Bind at The Wayback Café
9:00 AM @ The Wayback Cafe and Cottages,$65
Learn pamphlet stitch and Japanese stab binding in this cozy, beginner-friendly bookbinding workshop. All materials included — you'll leave with two handmade notebooks and new crafting skills to keep going on your own.
Austin Psycho
7:00 PM @ Rage Room Austin, $40
Smash your way through stress at Austin's rage room, running nightly through Halloween. Book a session for a cathartic, destructive good time — great for couples, coworkers, or anyone with pent-up energy to release.
Wednesday Night Jazz Meeting with Rabbi Neil Blumofe
7:30 PM @ Cactus Cafe, FREE!
An unlikely and wonderful pairing: Austin's leading jazz musicians join Rabbi Neil Blumofe for an intimate evening of conversation and live music in one of the city's most beloved listening rooms. Free admission, doors at 7:00 PM.
Community Yoga and Breathwork - SPECIAL CACAO EDITION!
6:00 PM @ Mueller Lake Park, FREE!
Ceremonial cacao meets community yoga and breathwork in this all-levels-welcome mystical gathering. Reserve your free spot for an evening of grounding and connection.
Have more fun on Wednesday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Thursday, Sept 24th
Zines at the Terrazas Library
5:30–7:30PM @ Austin Public Library, Terrazas Branch, FREE!
A hands-on intro to zine-making for anyone itching to write a story or make an art piece but not sure where to start! free, but space is capped, so arrive early.
Steel Beans Is... a Psyop Tour w/ Floating Cube
7pm - 11pm @ The Far Out Lounge and Stage, $24
Composer, visual artist, and one-man band Steel Beans (Jeremy DeBardi) brings his genre-bending rock energy to The Far Out Lounge, fresh off signing to Anderson .Paak's APESHIT Records. Austin’s own Floating Cube opens for this psyop-fueled night of live music; grab tickets here before they're gone.
Hyperpop Hell
8PM – 12AM @ 29th Street Ballroom, $7.77 (18+)
A full night of DJs spinning glitchy, hyperspeed hyperpop for a crowd that wants to lose it on the dance floor. Bring a valid ID and your most unhinged fit — this one doesn't do wallflowers.
Goth Disco w/ DJs Horrorizer, Tears of Eros, Nnephalem
10PM–2AM @ Valhalla, $4
Seance presents a night of industrial, dark techno, new wave, and EBM for the black-clad among us. Cheap cover, dark corners, good bass.
35th Anniversary of Nirvana's 'Nevermind'
7PM–2AM @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, $20 (Free on the patio)
Vintage vendors and a '90s DJ set take over the patio while inside, Dankeshön plays the album front to back before sliding into '90s karaoke past midnight. Details here.
Black Rabbit Underground Comedy
8–9PM @ 411 Brazos Street, Suite 100B, $19.32
Austin's only BYOB underground comedy club rotates a fresh lineup every single show, pulling in national touring acts alongside local favorites. Get tickets here — and bring your own bottle.
TEXTURES OF OPACITY
8PM @ RudeMechs Crashbox, $15+ (through Sunday)
A durational dance piece between two bodies and three walls exploring resistance, migration, and refusal as survival: more on the piece here. Experimental, intimate, and not like anything else on the list tonight.
Find more fun stuff on Thursday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Friday, Sept 25th
WaterWork - An Immersive Art Experience
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM @ Seaholm Intake Building, FREE! (through Saturday)
Watch the historic Seaholm Intake Facility transform into a glowing canvas of projection-mapped art from 22 Central Texas artists. Catch it free from the shore, or splurge on a boat ticket for an up-close, on-the-water view: it only runs Friday and Saturday.
Soul in the Hole w/ Special Guest DJ Billie Buck
10:00 PM (doors) @ Hole in the Wall, $3
DJ Hollywood Jones's last-Friday-of-the-month soul night spins America's finest 45s alongside a dance contest and pure good-times energy. At just $3 to get in, this one is the cheapest way to dance to vintage soul all night.
Fall Into the Stars: A Cosmic Sapphic Kiki Ball
10:00 PM – 2:00 AM @ Cheer Up Charlie’s, $7.77
Slay the cosmos at Austin's fiercest Sapphic kiki ball, where glitter, drama, and cosmic realness collide on the dance floor. Categories, runway walks, and pure celestial chaos await — dress your most galactic self.
Wild Shape Night: Fun Guys
7:00 PM – 11:55 PM @ the Tiny Minotaur Tavern, $10
Is a fungus an animal? The Tiny Minotaur says yes at this mycological costume night — bust out your best shiitake, cordyceps, or yeast-inspired look. Members and their guests get in free, making it one of the cheapest weird nights in town.
American Indian Heritage Day 2026
10:00 AM – 2:30 PM @ Bullock Texas State History Museum,$22
The Bullock Museum's 14th annual celebration brings dancing, drumming, and hands-on cultural activity stations honoring Texas's Native communities. Regular museum admission covers the whole program — full schedule here.
GIRL GANGS & GALAXY QUEENS: A Barbarella / Switchblade Sisters Double Feature
8:00 PM – 11:30 PM @ Factory on 5th, $5
Rocket Cinema throws a camp-meets-grindhouse double feature of Barbarella and Switchblade Sisters, spun together with a curated set from KOOP Radio's DJ Alejo. At just $5 a ticket, it's one of the cheapest nights of psychedelic space seduction and girl-gang chaos you'll find.
Therapy Gecko Live
6:00 PM (doors) @ Paramount and Stateside Theatres, $44
Unlicensed reptile therapist Lyle Forever takes the stage to counsel strangers live, blending stand-up with genuinely strange audience confessions. Expect the wholesome, the bizarre, and everything in between as Therapy Gecko returns to Austin on his fourth national tour.
Lezz Carnival
8:00 PM – 1:00 AM @ Hanovers Draught Haus, $20
Step right up for a sapphic spectacular packed with a pie-eating contest, a U-Haul packing challenge, and a Naughty Wheel of Dares. Live drag performances, a 360 photo booth, and a best-carnival-outfit contest round out this LGBTQIA+ safe space for sapphic lovers.
TUBU Fest: Theatre for Us by Us
7:00 PM @ Ground Floor Theatre, $35 (or pay what you can, through Saturday)
Twelve short plays by twelve playwrights with disabilities, staged by 14 local directors and performed by 30 local actors, close out this third annual fringe festival. Grab tickets for a night of genuinely original, community-built theater you won't see anywhere else in Austin.
Sound Bath at Pease Park with VHU
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM @ Pease Park, FREE!
Colombian-born artist Ana Barajas transforms the Treehouse into an intimate sonic journey of hypnotic electronics and South American instruments for National Hispanic Heritage Month. Treehouse access is capped at 20 guests, but free listening space is open along the trail for everyone else.
9-2-5 Unofficial Dolly Day & Voter Outreach
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM @ Industry Eastside, FREE!
Celebrate unofficial Dolly Parton Day with rhinestones, civics bingo, and a Dolly costume contest judged live at 6:30. Anyone who checks their voter registration status gets a free drink ticket: RSVP here and come ready to sparkle.
Physics of Consciousness: Theory and Experiment in Psi Phenomenon
1:00 PM @ Assembly Hall, FREE!
Dive into Orch-OR theory, quantum-biocomputing, and remote viewing with physicists and founders exploring whether consciousness has a quantum basis. The free ticket includes an open bar and appetizers, register here for an afternoon of genuinely mind-bending talks.
More amazingness on Friday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Saturday, Sept 26
Fred Hersch Trio
7:30pm @ Assembly Hall, $46.25+
The legendary jazz pianist returns with his trio: named DownBeat's #1 Jazz Group of the Year and a fixture at the Village Vanguard since 1997. A seventeen-time Grammy nominee, Hersch brings decades of influence to Assembly Hall alongside Drew Gress and Jochen Rueckert.
Honky Tonk Catwalk
7:00 PM @ Sagebrush, $33.45!
Fashion show meets live music as designers send looks down the runway between sets from Hayden Butler and Sydney Ann Conklin. Grab a ticket: VIP seating gets you closer to the action.
Art City Austin's Fiesta
12pm @ Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, $5+ (through Sun)
A weekend-long celebration of art, music, and community returns to the newly renovated cultural center on Lady Bird Lake. Wander an open-air market with 40+ local artists, catch live sets from Riders Against the Storm, Bidi Bidi Banda, and more, and enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, and cumbia lessons. Pay What You Can admission starts at $0, with $5-$15 presale Supporter Tickets available, and kids 16 and under get in free.
Zimbabwean Marimba Festival
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM @ Casa De Luz, FREE (All ages)
Rattletree School of Marimba brings high-energy Zimbabwean party music and a hands-on workshop where anyone can try the instruments — no experience needed. A free, family-friendly way to spend an afternoon immersed in a different culture's music and community spirit.
Scott Silven: The Lost Things
1:30 PM @ McCullough Theatre, $39
Illusionist Scott Silven blends breathtaking magic with evocative storytelling to explore memory, mystery, and loss in this matinee performance. Tickets here for an afternoon built around the idea that getting lost can be the first step toward finding yourself.
UnHinged: Real Blind Dates, Real Funny Improv
7:00 PM @ Fallout Theater, $19.32
Two real audience members go on a live blind date while a cast of Austin comedians turns the chemistry (or lack thereof) into improv on the spot. RSVP here for a show that's part dating show, part improv set.
Stoned vs Drunk vs Sober
10:00 PM @ Fallout Theater, $30.87
Three teams of comics perform under three different conditions — stoned, drunk, and stone-cold sober — in a stand-up competition built entirely around who can bring it best under pressure.
hear me roar Video Art Show
6:00 PM – 11:00 PM @ dadaLab, FREE!
Kaan S. Barin's large-scale video installation turns candid footage of overlooked lives into an immersive, wander-in-wander-out gallery experience, capping the night with a small live concert. No formal screening format — just fragments of real life playing on a big wall while you drift through at your own pace.
TRANCEPORTAL Presents: MAKOOM & EMBRYONIC
9:00 PM – 2:00 AM @ OTHERWORLD, $7.18
A night dedicated to trance and progressive sounds returns to OTHERWORLD Austin. Tickets run just over $7; about as cheap as a late-night dance floor gets in this city.
Art of Death: Radical Joy and Grief Release Gathering
7:00 PM – 11:00 PM @ Ani's Day & Night, Donation Encouraged
A "spectrum positive" ceremony space for release and transformation: writing meditation, live jazz and folk sets, a group fire ceremony, and vendors offering tarot and henna, all under one dog-friendly roof. Sensory accommodations are built in for neuro-sparkly folks, and "Wonderful Weirdos" of every stripe are invited to unmask and be exactly who they are.
Other cool stuff happening on Saturday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Sunday, Sept 27th
Wild for Wildlife!
4pm-9pm @ St. Elmo Brewing South , FREE!
Live music from Tender Wolf, Rattlesnake Rod, and Bat City Surfers pairs with a raffle, vegan bake sale, rescue merch, and kids' crafts and science at this free wildlife-rescue fundraiser.
Figure Drawing Session
3:30pm-6:30pm @ The Commune, $15 model fee (BYO materials)
A monthly nude figure-drawing session on North Loop with short gestures followed by one long pose, hosted by figurative artist Holly Cerna. Bring your own supplies and register here — open to artists 18+, or 16+ with a parent present.
Kinusaiga: Boot and Flowers
1pm-4pm @ Tana ATX, $60
Learn Kinusaiga, the Japanese art of painting with fabric, and turn silk scraps into a finished boot-and-flowers piece over a relaxed crafting afternoon. Book your seat here; a genuinely unusual textile-art class you won't find every weekend.
Sacred Pause: A Community Reset at Pease Park
4pm-6pm @ Pease Park, $10 Suggested Donation
A gentle space to pause and breathe while kids enjoy a nearby creative art station. Low-key and family-friendly if you want something restorative between the day's louder options.
North Loop Light & Magick Wellness Market!
12pm-4pm @ Yarrow & Sage, FREE!
Browse crystals, tarot readers, and local wellness makers at this free mystical market in North Loop. Details and RSVP are on the event's Facebook page — an easy, no-cost way to dip a toe into Austin's spiritual scene.
The Link Up Launch Party
7pm-midnight @ The Flower Shop
A BIPOC-Sapphic launch party with DJ Cez on the decks, tattoos, tarot readings, and vintage vendors, plus food from sapphic Black chef Aleata. Get the details and RSVP through Partiful for a night built around community connection.
An Evening with Dolph Lundgren: Fights Worth Fighting
6pm (doors) @ Paramount and Stateside Theatres, $100
The Rocky IV and Predator icon sits down for a live, assigned-seating conversation about his new memoir, with a pre-signed copy included with every ticket. No book signing or photo op — just 60-75 minutes of Ivan Drago storytelling.
More interesting events on Sunday @ WhatsGoodATX!
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