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Austin finally has a real theme park! Naturally, it’s at our Formula One track. COTALAND opened Saturday at Circuit of the Americas with two headline coasters: Circuit Breaker, the first tilt coaster in Texas, and Palindrome, which launches riders over an actual road. There's also a log flume, a carousel, mini golf, and a full lineup of kiddie rides. Opening night went for $99 with fireworks and free food thrown in, but a regular day is $65, and annual passes start at $199. While I wouldn’t say it’s exactly super affordable I think by Austin standards it’s a pretty fair price for a whole day out.
Getting there, of course, is “part of the fun.” The park sits off SH-130 and FM 812, the same roads that already back up for an hour or more on big race weekends, and now they'll carry theme park traffic every weekend of the school year. However, the long-promised FM 812 widening isn't even scheduled to go out for bids until late 2027. Del Valle has lived next to COTA since 2012 and has heard a lot of promises in that time: new roads, local jobs, a grocery store. Some of that may finally be arriving: A roughly $985 million resort is moving through City Hall with about 900 permanent jobs attached. Additionally, COTALAND pulling the rest of Austin southeast every weekend could bring real investment with it. Del Valle also stopped waiting on the grocery store and started building one itself; The Del Valle Food Co-op is set to open this fall, and $50 shares are open to anyone!. If you're driving down for the coasters, consider buying one while you're in the neighborhood.
Also landing in Del Valle soon: Elizabeth Holmes. The Theranos founder has been approved to move to the Austin Transitional Center halfway house next August, and she'll serve her probation here afterward. I for one, can’t wait to see what ripple effects she will have on our tech community. You can prepare for her arrival with Nathan Fielder's documentary about her, You Can See Everything, reportedly out Oct. 16. It's a bold claim with a bold title to match.
The Del Valle co-op is a useful reminder that the best way to keep something is sometimes to own it, which brings us back to Red River. The Austin Chronicle laid out what the Red River Cultural District is asking the city for: a cultural district overlay, a heritage district, and incentives that reward developers for keeping stages instead of demolishing them. The piece agrees with the point we made last month: Valhalla, Elysium, and the 13th Floor aren't closing because nobody showed up. They're closing because aging landlords are cashing out. As RRCD director Nicole Klepadlo put it, "Red River is not going to be saved by one bar tab at a time." The piece points to Rally Austin and its Heritage Acquisition Fund, the same mechanism that locked in a 20-year lease for Hole in the Wall, and Preservation Austin says the listing at 701–713 Red River is exactly what that fund exists for. The question now is how we move forward. For a start, you can sign RRCD's public letter if you haven’t already. Past that, we want to hear from you: hit reply and let us know how you want to help!
In related news, also this week, Austin netizens had a roaring debate over whether tipping the band is a tradition or just a guilt trip. Some musicians in the thread rejected the idea that skipping the jar is a faux pas, and the most useful distinction came from someone who has played both kinds of gigs. Where I stand is, If you bought a ticket or paid a real cover, you're good; if someone is playing for free at a bar or a restaurant, the jar is part of the deal. What do you think? Would love to hear how you feel about this particular issue, seeing as it’s so central to the culture of our city.
it's my birthday week, and the city I love has certainly delivered. Not even mentioning ACL, we probably have the craziest lineup of events I’ve seen so far this year, and I plan to hit up several! Make sure to click on through to the full list.
And, if this here lil newsletter has ever sent you to an event you loved, or just made your Monday a little weirder, consider chucking something in my tip jar! Or just forwarding the newsletter to a few more friends you know would love it works too.
Thanks so much again for reading, I love y’all!
Monday, Sept 28th
25th Anniversary of ZOOLANDER: Blue Steel Bingo + Walk-Off Competition
7-10pm @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, FREE!
Celebrate a quarter-century of Blue Steel with themed movie bingo at 8pm and a judged Walk-Off competition on the hotel patio at 9:30pm. Free entry — just leave your tiny phones at home.
HOUSE OF "D": Bring It to the Runway
9pm @ Otherworld, 213 W 4th St, FREE!
Otherworld's neon-drenched Monday Night Xchange throws a full ballroom-style runway battle inside the immersive art venue. Strike a pose or just watch the category walks for one of Austin's most theatrical free nights out.
Victorian Knights Chess Club
7-10pm @ The Victorian, FREE!
Sink into a leather chair for candlelit chess in a dark-wood, velvet-draped lounge — drop in solo or bring a buddy for some friendly trash talk. Boards, clocks, and pieces are all provided.
Beat Sessions Live-Art Battle
Doors 7pm @ Spokesman South, FREE!
Watch local artists go head-to-head in a competitive, timed live-painting showdown, with the crowd voting via cash or Venmo — $1 equals one vote, and limited-edition tees printed on site double as ballots. DJs keep the energy high all night.
Vegas Drag Bingo REVENGE
7-9pm @ Hanovers Draught Haus - Free to play
Survive six rounds of drag bingo hosted by Ms. Vegas Van Cartier and you could walk away with a cash prize — free RSVP tables available, claim yours before 7:15pm. A safe, pfun LGBTQIA+ night at a 21+ venue.
Red Flag Party (21-35)
7-10pm @ Stargazer, $15+
Everyone gets a name tag with their biggest red flag instead of a job title — "chronically late," "still friends with my ex," you decide. Own it and see who you match with at this playful, chaotic singles mixer.
More interesting events on Monday @ WhatsGoodATX!
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Tuesday, Sept 29th
Adult Spelling Bee
7:00 PM @ Saturn Cocktail Club, FREE!
Contestants are blindfolded while their word flashes on the big screen for the crowd, and every correctly spelled (filthy, ridiculous) word earns a shot. Austin's only adult spelling bee gets dirtier and higher-stakes as the categories escalate.
Cool to Care Pre-ACL Clothing Swap
7:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Lustre Pearl East, $10.38
Bring 10 clothing items and walk out with 10 new-to-you pieces at this sustainability-minded swap that proves eco-conscious baddies still know how to party. Grab your ticket to swap before ACL season kicks off.
One-Time Figure Study with Model at Feats of Clay Pottery
6:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Feats of Clay Pottery, $115
Sculpt a live nude model from a newspaper armature in this hands-on studio session. Doors lock at 6pm sharp to protect the model's privacy, so arrive on time. Materials, firing, and a dip glaze are included; find the full workshop details here.
The Cherrywood Chuckle
7:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Cherrywood Coffeehouse, FREE!
A weekly stand-up showcase spotlighting some of Austin's funniest comedians alongside fresh new talent every single week. Swing by for free laughs in one of East Austin's coziest coffeehouse settings.
Bebop Baroness: The Music and Musicians Inspired by "Nica"
7:30 PM @ Parker Jazz Club, $25+
A special presentation exploring Pannonica "Nica" de Koenigswarter, the Rothschild heiress who bankrolled and befriended jazz legends like Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker, told through a live band and storytelling. Reserve a seat for this one-night deep dive into an unlikely patron's legacy.
Block Print & Blaze
6:00 PM–9:00 PM @ Lazydaze South Austin, $40 (21+)
Paint-and-sip's cooler, gayer cousin: carve your own linoleum block and pull up to two relief prints on paper or fabric. Tickets include all materials plus a shop freebie — only 10 spots available, and yes, something to smoke is part of the deal.
Step Away From the Screen: Tango for Belonging
6:30 PM @ Celis Brewery, FREE!
No dance experience required for this free 60-minute tango experience built around human connection in an increasingly automated world — two left feet welcome. Details and RSVP live here, followed by a laid-back social to keep the conversation going.
Beads & Bubbly
7:00 PM @ Neighbors Café and Wine Bar, $50
Craft a trendy chunky necklace while sipping wine inside the brand-new 1 Hotel Austin, with all beading supplies plus drinks and bites included in your ticket. ATX Moms Society members save $20! Spots are limited, so claim yours soon.
More interesting events on Tuesday @ WhatsGoodATX!
Wednesday, Sept 30th
Local Multiplayer
7:30–10 PM @ Blue Owl Brewing, $8 (includes a pint)
Squad up for a chill console game night, racing and battling it out at Super Smash Bros on the big screen with new friends. Your $8 ticket comes with a pint of your choice, so grab a spot and bring your competitive streak.
Feminine Futurism Salon
6 PM @ Powder Room
Step into a vibrant speakeasy setting built for unfiltered creativity, where you're invited to pitch your boldest, most unconventional ideas to a room that celebrates them. It's an open dialogue space for moonshots and honest feedback, free to attend and welcoming to everyone.
Deep Listening Sessions
6:30–8 PM @ The Contemporary Austin Jones Center, FREE!
Settle into an unhurried hour of themed vinyl listening inside the exhibition "The Living Temple: The World of Moki Cherry," hosted monthly by a rotating guest musician or DJ. It's an intimate, intentional sound experience that turns the gallery into a meditative listening room.
Sweet and Spooky Drag Show
9 PM–12 AM @ Valhalla, $10+
Cute meets creepy at this spooky-season drag showcase, blending camp, glamour, and Halloween flair on one of Austin's favorite stages. Grab tickets at the door and expect a night that leans all the way into the theme.
Paws & Prejudice: Paint Your Pet Like Royalty
7–9 PM @ St. Elmo Brewing Company, $49.87 🔥
Turn your dog or cat into a Regency-era aristocrat in this step-by-step watercolor class: no drawing skill required. Sign up to immortalize your pet in full royal splendor.
Magical Mind Mysteries w/ Magical Mystical Michael
7:30–8:30 PM @ The Vortex, $15
Get pulled into an evening of mentalism and mystery led by "Magical Mystical Michael" at Austin's beloved experimental theater venue. It's an intimate, offbeat hour of mind-reading intrigue: tickets available here.
Wine Down Wednesday Pottery Painting
6–9 PM @ Switchback Coffee and Beer, $35
Paint pottery while sipping discounted wine ($3 off bottles, $2 off select alternative drinks), with spooky-season "pottery tattoos" included as a fun decorative extra. Bring a friend or make one as you get lost in some creativity! Your finished piece gets glazed, fired, and ready for pickup within a week.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos!
6:30–8 PM @ Christi Center
Altarxito founder Ana Beatriz builds and installs mini altars throughout the center, with kits available for guests to create their own. Use code ChristiCenter2026 for 30% off at altarxito.com, and come honor grief "a la Mexicana," full of color and story.
RESET RUMBLE Vol. 2: Tekken 8 Tournament
5–10 PM @ Reset Arcade Bar, FREE!
A Tekken 8 tournament collides with cosplay, arcade games, a live DJ, and vendors for a full night of competitive gaming chaos. Doors open at 5 PM, and entry is completely free.
Have more fun on Wednesday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Thursday, October 1st
Ancient Adhesives Workshop
7 PM – 9 PM @ Buzz Mill,$39.19
Uncover the secrets of ancient craftsmanship in this hands-on class where nature's raw materials become tools of creation. It's a genuinely unusual way to spend a Thursday night, blending history, chemistry, and craft.
Psych Night with The Harms
8 PM – 2 AM @ Sahara Lounge, $10+
Austin's psychedelic underground comes out every first Thursday, hosted by The Harms and joined this month by loop-and-vocal artist Nnédịmmáyá, desert-blues trio Addax, and rap outfit FreeBloo&TheFreak. Wander the lush plant installations, bring your favorite vinyl, and settle onto one of Austin's oldest venue patios for a night of genuinely weird, genuinely local sound.
Sapphic Night at High Noon
8 PM – 10 PM @ High Noon, FREE!
Austin's rotating lesbian bar takes over High Noon for the week, welcoming all queer women and WLW folks whether you're solo or bringing a crew. RSVP here! It's an easy, low-key space to find your people on the east side.
Thai Massage Jam®
5 PM – 8 PM @ Myo, $10 Donation Encouraged
A playful, informal space to learn the basics of Thai massage — deep tissue compression, stretching, and mobility work — while fully clothed on a mat. No experience needed; switch between giving and receiving, and come solo or bring friends.
Spooky Movie & Craft Night: Bedazzled Pumpkins & Halloweentown
7 PM – 9 PM @ Monica's Porch, $55, 18+
Queue up the cult-favorite Halloween movie and bedazzle a pumpkin alongside fellow witches-in-training, all materials included. Grab a spot! it's a weekly October series, so this is just the first of the season's themed nights.
YoungGregAbbott
8 PM @ Trinity Street Players, $25 (through Saturday)
Set in 1984, this Texas-sized musical satire follows a young Greg Abbott fresh out of law school as he journeys to Austin to take the bar and start his destiny. It's exactly as irreverent as it sounds.
South Austin Charity Candlelight Meditation ✨
7 PM – 8 PM @ Yarrow & Sage, $12.51
A guided candlelight meditation session where your ticket price doubles as a donation to a good cause. Reserve a spot for an hour of quiet before the weekend chaos begins.
Bring Us Your Garbage
10 PM – 11 PM @ Fallout Theater $12.38
Two self-described idiots, Beto and Hannah, find their voices in what they bill as Austin's dumbest clown show. Tickets are here for anyone ready to embrace the absurd.
Find more fun stuff on Thursday @ WhatsGoodATX!
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Friday, October 2nd
Lunch & Learn: Exploring Mysticism and Cosmic Wonderings in Art
12-1 PM @ The Contemporary Austin Jones Center, $20
Bring your lunch and feed your curiosity at this casual, monthly art-history hour, led by educator Kate Gibbs. This session travels into the mystical and cosmic, tracing how artists have channeled the spirits and grappled with the inexplicable; only 20 spots available.
Creative Departure: FLIGHT 007 (Art in Motion Showcase)
7-10 PM @ 1156 Hargrave Street - $8.00
The debut edition screens animated shorts, GIFs, and motion pieces from local BIPOC artists on the big screen. Details and tickets are here for this fresh showcase format.
The Sweeney Todd Drag Shadow Cast
8 PM @ The Vortex, $15
The Boyz of Austin bring a full, all-drag shadow cast to a live screening of Sweeney Todd at The Vortex for a night of camp, chaos, and "a little priest." Homemade meat pies are available on site from Patrizi's, so make it a whole dinner-and-a-show affair.
Y'all We Asian: Hot Stories, Hotter Comedy
8-9 PM @ Fallout Theater, $20.11
A monthly night of improv from Austin's — and Texas's — first all Asian-American improv troupe. Snag tickets before this one packs the room.
GIMME! GIMME! DISCOTEX!
9 PM @ Swan Dive,$13
Discotex, the ultimate live ABBA tribute band, takes the stage with DJ Rough Boy spinning disco and funk all night after. It's the best disco in town: mamma mia, indeed.
Mosaics & Mocktails: Creative Date Night
6-8 PM @ The Mosaic Workshop, $37.89
Build your own mosaic coasters in a cozy studio while sipping two organic, non-alcoholic drinks: reserve a spot here. All skill levels welcome, so no pressure if it's your first time with tile.
Worlds Collide: An Immersive Concert Inspired by Georgia O'Keeffe
7 PM @ The Cathedral ATX, $25
Live chamber music, storytelling, and projections of O'Keeffe's paintings come together for an immersive night with One World One Music, followed by a cocktail hour and meet-and-greet with the performers.
More amazingness on Friday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Saturday, October 3rd
The Austin Pancakes & Booze Art Show
7pm–11pm @ Far Out Lounge & Stage, $17
Over 75 local artists, 300+ original pieces, live body painting, and unlimited free pancakes all night! This underground art show ditches the white-cube gallery pretense entirely. Grab early bird tickets to save $6 off the door price.
The Highball Retro Market
12pm–6pm @ The Highball, FREE!
Shop 20+ vintage vendors, snap a photo with the van from the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and catch a costume contest for prizes: plus a Q&A and autograph signing with the film's own "Jerry," Allen Danziger, from 12-4pm.
Open Canopy: Free Art Studio Crawl
1pm–4pm @ Canopy Austin, FREE!
Wander through working artist studios and pop-up galleries while DJs spin and makers show off work in progress. It's a completely free way to meet the people behind East Austin's creative scene: see the full studio list here.
The Bewitching Hour
7pm @ 29th Street Ballroom, $19.32+
The Jigglewatts kick off spooky season with "chilling tales from Jigglewatts Manor," a blood-curdling burlesque spectacular featuring a special guest from Dallas. It's the longest continuously running burlesque show in the U.S.A. casting its lingering spell for one eerie night only.
Mean Gals Day
6pm–2am @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, FREE!
A Mean Girls-themed takeover with live music on the patio, Mean Girls Bingo, and a late-night drag-fueled dance party inside: no cover required all night. Doors open at 6pm; the bingo starts at 7:45.
Militia's Most Wanted
10pm–3am @ Brushy Street Commons, $10
Hardcore, techno, gabber, and uptempo from some of the most relentless DJs in Texas! This is Austin's underground rave scene at full volume. Full lineup and details here if you're ready to go feral.
Don't Stop the Party: A Pitbull Party
9:30pm @ Swan Dive, $13
A full night of Mr. Worldwide hits and recession-pop bangers, capped off with a bald-cap-and-shades Pitbull look-alike contest for cash prizes. RSVP and details here! Daleee.
Nasi Lemak: Malaysia's Iconic Heritage Dish with Amirah Islam
6pm–9pm @ Central Market North Lamar, $85 🔥
A hands-on class where you'll cook Malaysia's national dish alongside a small team, guided by Amirah Islam. Reserve your seat here for a genuinely different Saturday night than the usual bar crawl.
Halloween Plant Bingo at Drinks Backyard
6pm – 8pm @ Drinks Backyard, $33.85
Killer plants, creepy trivia, spooky music, and prizes to die for make this one of the weirder ways to kick off Halloween season. Grab tickets here before the killer plants sell out.
Coming-of-Rage: Carrie (1976) + Jennifer's Body
6pm @ Paramount and Stateside Theatres, $15
A 50th-anniversary double feature pairing Brian De Palma's original telekinetic-revenge classic with the cult favorite about a demon-possessed cheerleader. Get tickets here for two very different flavors of teenage fury.
Other cool stuff happening on Saturday @ WhatsGoodATX !
Sunday, October 4th
Austin Cookie Fest
11am–3pm @ Space 512, FREE!
Home bakers show off original cookies for a People's Choice vote and a Judges' Choice panel, with free samples, live music, and a milk-and-coffee bar to wash it all down. Details at austincookiefest.com! Come early for the free tastes.
Talking Board Workshop with The Austin Séance
6pm @ Black Sparrow Music Parlor, $10
Learn the real history of the Ouija board from Austin Séance duo A. Lucio and Jake Cordero, who've been featured on NPR and in Texas Monthly for their supernatural expertise. Reserve a spot for an entertaining evening of talking-board lore.
Dungeons & Drafthouse
12 – 4pm @ Barrel o' Fun, $36.64
A fresh one-shot D&D adventure led by a professional Dungeon Master each month, welcoming both first-timers and veterans of the table. Grab a seat at Hell's Garden for the October installment.
Video Rodeo
7–9pm @ AFS Cinema, $8
Austin's newest video art and experimental film screening, for anyone craving something stranger than a normal movie night. Tickets are $8 at the door or online.
The Art of the Slow Burn with Anastasia Arsenic
1:15–2:45pm @ Austin Academy of Burlesque, $30
A burlesque workshop on pacing, tension, and the psychology of the tease, taught by Anastasia Arsenic; learn how to make every reveal feel earned. Tickets are here if you want to bring some slow burn into your own routine.
ZAK MIRZ: KID @ Heart
Doors at 1pm @ Paramount and Stateside Theatres, $30+ 🔥
Billed as the world's first interactive magic show where the audience decides what happens next, from a Penn & Teller: Fool Us winner and America's Got Talent alum. Help direct the illusions yourself.
Sip + Solder Spiders and Webs: Stained Glass Workshop
12 – 4pm @ Austin Beerworks Sprinkle Valley - $80 ($140 for two seats)
A beginner-friendly, beer-in-hand class where you solder your own stained-glass spiderweb suncatcher with a hanging spider charm, all materials included. Sign up here; no experience needed, ages 14+.
Fire Bubbles Masterclass
5–8pm @ Fannin Falls Place, $198.36
A cinematic fire-bubble experience built for creators, couples, and anyone ready to be seen in their full power: think glowing orbs, flame, and a photoshoot unlike anything else in town. Details and tickets are on Eventbrite.
More interesting events on Sunday @ WhatsGoodATX!
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