Week of September 8th

Last Week’s Poll: Rising Costs our greatest Concern

Not too surprising, but rising costs was by far the most popular choice in our last poll. Heard! I always try to include a lot of free and budget-friendly event options in the newsletter but I will put even more of a focus on this going forward 💰

Figure Drawing Session @ 'The Mansion'

7pm - 10pm @ The Mansion (TFWC), $15

Sharpen your artistic skills in the historic Texas Federation of Women's Club mansion with nude figure drawing led by Holly Cerna. This intimate workshop features short gesture poses and extended studies in a stunning architectural setting. Bring your own supplies and arrive early for limited boards and easels - register now for this 18+ creative experience.

Skip the Small Talk at Moontower Saloon

7pm - 9pm @ Moontower Saloon, $24

Ditch shallow conversations for deep connections at this outdoor event featuring "big talk" prompts like "When are you happiest?" and "What would I need to know to become close friends with you?" Complete with structure to avoid awkwardness, heat lamps, firepits, and full bar service. Register now for this 21+ experience designed to create meaningful human connections.

every.Word Poetry's Open Mic

8pm - 10pm @ The VORTEX, FREE!

Share original spoken word and poetry at this outdoor stage event featuring drink specials for service industry folks and artists ($8 margaritas, $2 off Amaros). Whether performing or listening, join this community-driven platform that primarily serves poets of color, queer poets, and emerging voices. Get details for this donation-supported literary arts experience.

TUBU 2026 Fundraiser

4pm - 8pm @ Phil's Ice House/Amy's Ice Cream - 20% to charity

Support Austin's underground theater festival while satisfying your ice cream and burger cravings. Twenty percent of all purchases at both venues goes directly to TUBU Fest, making your ice-cream dinner a form of theatrical patronage. It's community fundraising disguised as a delicious evening out.

ATX Brewskee-Ball Season Sign-Up Party + Karaoke

8pm @ The Cavalier, FREE!

Roll into Austin's quirkiest league sport at their new location! Brewskee-ball combines bowling with beer in ways that make perfect sense after a few drinks. Tonight's the sign-up party with karaoke, so you can belt out tunes while checking out this uniquely Austin competitive scene. Join the league that turns Tuesday nights into rolling good times.

Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra

8pm @ Bass Concert Hall, $95

The Jurassic Park legend brings his 30-year jazz passion to Austin with collaborations featuring Kelly Clarkson and Miley Cyrus on his albums. Currently starring as The Wizard in "Wicked" alongside Ariana Grande, Goldblum's musical side reveals unexpected depths. This crossover of Hollywood charisma and legitimate jazz chops promises delightful surprises.

Bi-Weekly Laser Tag Competition

7:30pm @ Pinballz Lake Creek - $8 Tournament entry

Establish your legacy in Austin's most intense laser tag competition where the city's best players battle for supremacy. This isn't casual family fun—it's serious competitive laser combat with rankings and bragging rights on the line. The tournament format and dedicated community make this a surprisingly intense gaming experience.

Poetry Workshop with McAllen Poet Laureate

6pm - 8pm @ Austin Public Library Terrazas Branch, FREE!

Victoria Lopez, McAllen's 2025 Poet Laureate, offers Poetry on Demand (custom poems on typewriter for first five people) plus a collaborative "Listen, Write, Speak" workshop. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or closet poet, this interactive evening welcomes all levels of creative expression.

Beginner Knife Skills Cooking Class 

7pm - 10pm @ Cuba512 - $25

Master essential knife techniques including slicing, dicing, mincing, and julienning under guidance from professional chefs. This hands-on class builds kitchen confidence while making pico de gallo, with all tools provided and expert instruction for every skill level.

Nineties Karaoke hosted by Jeannette

9pm - 1am @ Hotel Vegas & The Volstead Lounge, FREE!

Belt out all your favorite 90s hits with the one and only Jeannette hosting this throwback karaoke night. From grunge to pop to hip-hop, relive the decade that defined a generation with free entry and endless nostalgia.

Cornhole Tournament 

8pm @ Lustre Pearl East, FREE!

Sign up between 8-8:15pm for this totally free tournament that kicks off at 8:15pm. Simple, competitive fun with no entry fee and plenty of backyard game nostalgia in a relaxed atmosphere.

Fire Cider Workshop

6pm @ Casa de Luz, $50

Learn to craft this traditional herbal remedy that's part folk medicine, part culinary adventure. This hands-on workshop teaches you to blend horseradish, ginger, garlic, and other warming ingredients into a potent tonic. Master this ancient practice and leave with your own homemade fire cider.

Mochi Mochi

10pm @ The Highball, FREE!

Austin's only monthly anime cosplay drag show brings you an epic lineup including Tatiana Cholula, Louisianna Purchase, and Leia Sakura. This wild mix of drag, visuals, trivia, and cosplay contests happens every third Thursday from 10pm to midnight. Come ready with cash for tips and prepare for Austin's most unique drag experience.

MÉLAT Ethiopian New Year Celebration

6:30pm-11pm @ Pershing Hall, $28.49

Celebrate Ethiopian New Year (Enkutatash) as we enter 2018 according to the Ethiopian calendar with live music from Mélat and her band. The evening includes a traditional coffee ceremony, complimentary spiced popcorn, Ethiopian classics, and DJ sets afterward. Join the celebration dressed in flowing white with yellow flower accents for the full cultural experience.

Resound Presents: Broadway Rave

9pm @ 29th St Ballroom

Transform your theater knowledge into dance floor energy at this unique celebration of Broadway and musical theatre music. It's a high-energy dance party where show tunes meet club beats, creating an experience that's equal parts nostalgic and euphoric. Join the party for something completely different from your typical night out.

The Poet Is Present: Austin Premiere

7:00pm - 9:00pm @ 2102 Travis Heights Boulevard, $50 (discount below)

Experience an immersive poetic theatre performance where you craft the narrative alongside award-winning poet Lisa Ann Markuson through live typewriter poetry. This interactive evening includes vegan/GF nourishments, organic wine and hemp beverages, live jazz, aromatherapy, and poetry keepsakes for participants. Don't miss this unique trans-genre performance premiering in Austin - grab tickets with 50% off using code FRIENDOFAFRIEND.

Holy Hell

7pm @ Sterling Stage Austin - $25-$40

Haus of Brimstone unleashes a wild burlesque ritual celebrating satanic liberation with pole dance, blood sacrifices, and blasphemous fun. Theater-in-the-round setting features priests, nuns, witches, devils, chains, and succubi across two nights with different lineups. Full bar, vendors, raffle, and free parking for this 18+ unholy celebration.

Who Killed The Love Interest? Murder Mystery

7pm @ Captain Quack's Soundspace - Various prices

Detective Lin Cognito needs your help solving Austin's punniest murder mystery involving literary tropes and match-making gone wrong. Complete puzzles and hunt for clues while discussing your favorite romance novel clichés. Family-friendly event perfect for solo sleuths or groups at this cozy bakery setting.

PUNK NITE

7pm @ Kick Butt Coffee, $10

Six face-melting punk bands take over this Airport Boulevard coffee shop for a proper throwdown. Last Ditch plays a special early set alongside Falling Knives, Mismones (Misfits/Ramones tribute), Old Phukkerz, and Vagrant. Coffee shop meets punk rock in this delightfully unexpected venue pairing.

DAYBREAKER ATX Morning Dance Party

10am - 1pm @ 2922 E Cesar Chavez, $29+

Start Saturday with this sober morning rave featuring breathwork, yoga, live DJs, free coffee and matcha shots, and dance floors designed for actual dancing. No hangovers, no VIP sections, no drunk bros - just pure community movement and energy to fuel your weekend.

6th Annual Oddwood Oktoberfest Party

12pm - 8pm @ Oddwood Ales Brewery, FREE!

Austin's brewing scene goes full German with Steinhold competitions, bratwurst from KG BBQ, giant soft pretzels, and Double Heads DJ hosting all day. Men's and women's qualifying rounds for the Texas State Championship offer free beer to winners, while dice games and prize wheels keep the party rolling on Lager Lane.

Hyperreal Film Club Birthday Party

2pm - 6pm @ Hyperreal Film Club, FREE!

Celebrate one year of this unique venue with DJ sets, karaoke, drinks, snacks, and an epic raffle featuring prizes from local and national brands. This community gathering welcomes both regulars and newcomers to experience Austin's alternative film culture.

Punchline at the Pole: Blood Rave

7pm doors/8pm show @ Brushy Street Commons

Where comedy meets pole dancing in Austin's most unique entertainment fusion. This one-of-a-kind show lets you tip both comedians and dancers with your dollar bills while Texas's finest performers take the stage. The Blood Rave edition continues until 12:30am with karaoke and more pole performances, creating an unforgettable night of laughs and athleticism.

SCREAM CLUB AUSTIN: A Weekly Release Ritual

7pm @ Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, FREE!

Release your primal scream into the Austin sky at this liberating weekly ritual designed to help you expel stress, grief, and hidden emotions. This judgment-free community gathering creates cathartic connection through the shared act of literally screaming your feelings out while facing Lady Bird Lake. Bring water and whatever emotions you've been holding inside.

LASZEWO Pool Party

3pm (doors) @ Cabana Club - Tickets available

Transform your Sunday into a sun-soaked dance party where house music meets poolside paradise. This high-energy daytime rave features DJ sets, cabanas, bungalows, and daybeds for the ultimate electronic music experience under the Texas sun. Dance, swim, and vibe in Austin's premier pool party atmosphere.

Bikini Brunch Summer '25 Finale featuring RuPaul's Drag Race Irene the Alien

10am - 6pm @ East Austin Hotel , $12.51+

Close out summer in style at this rooftop drag brunch and pool party finale featuring RuPaul's Drag Race contestant Irene the Alien. Expect fierce performances, poolside cocktails, and the perfect blend of brunch sophistication and drag extravaganza high above East Austin.

Sunday Mystic Tea Talks: Dressing Candles & Working with Color for Spell Casting

7:30pm - 9pm @ Ace of Cups - $23-$27

Dive into the mystical world of candle magic with hands-on training in color symbolism, flame reading, and ritual preparation. Learn how different candle colors can manifest love, protection, abundance, and clarity while mastering the art of intention-setting and simple spellwork. This interactive workshop blends practical magic with intuitive wisdom for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

HATEFUL 8: Comedy vs The Crowd

9pm @ Shakespeare's Pub, FREE!

Watch comedy warfare unfold as eight of Austin's funniest comedians battle against the crowd's judgment in this weekly comedy showdown. Featuring surprise guests from Mothership and Don't Tell Comedy, this competitive format includes drink tickets, prizes, and the chance to witness comedy legends test new material in Austin's most unpredictable comedy environment.