Squirrels, Girls, and Other Pearls in This Weekend’s Recommended Events

Cirque Vida: Ventanas

Thursday 10 - Sunday 13, Indra’s Awarehouse

Who said the circus is always looking at the past? Well, maybe that’s a little true with Ventanas, a new revival of contemporary circus troupe Cirque Vida’s show that first premiered in 2023. Think of it as an acrobatic twist on Only Murders in the Building, as the show looks through the window at the lives performed in a strange, beautiful, and familiar apartment block.   – Richard Whittaker

Lipstick

Through April 26, Ground Floor Theatre

Theatre and queer people have been entangled since the very first wigs were powdered, so it’s no surprise Austin Rainbow Theatre sashayed onto the Central Texas scene in 2021. This Friday, April 11, they kick off new show Lipstick – a farce featuring typical goof-ups of the LGBTQ variety. This includes: the is-this-a-date question, everyone crashing in on a private moment, and norms being – oh my gosh! – challenged. Written by Lane Michael Stanley and world-premiered in Florida, this comical yet heartfelt play provides queer joy in our own long-suffering conservative state.   – James Scott

10 Year Zilker Brewing Anniversary Party

Thursday 10 - Saturday 12, Zilker Brewing Co.

Has it truly been 10 years since first Austin sipped from the Zilker Brewing Co.’s many-flavored steins? Indeed: The brewery celebrates their graduation to the decade club with three days of party-hardy mayhem. Sign their Class of 2015 yearbook and get your pic in those hallowed pages on Thursday; enjoy Friday’s fancy barbecue fare from la Barbecue – including a buttermilk-brined pork chop slapped on a bun with horseradish mayo, pickles, and onion – as well as tunes by Croy and the Boys and Studio Ink tattoos; and a megawatt Saturday stampede featuring food truck titans Zee’s Wiener System, Spicy Boys, and Patty Palace, plus a music lineup lasting from 10am ’til 9pm, when featured players Geto Gala shut down the place. Cheers to 10 more years – and maybe 10 more beers? In which case, you better take a Waymo home.   – James Scott

Tombstone

Friday 11, Hyperreal Film Club

If you’ve ever been to Tombstone, Ariz., odds are that if you walked into a bar, a store, a restaurant, a hotel – pretty much anywhere – the 1993 modern cowboy classic Tombstone was playing on a TV. The reimagining of the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral sets noble lawman Wyatt Earp (a rarely better Kurt Russell) on the war path against the murderous Clanton clan. Of course, it’s easy to say that Val Kilmer’s performance as charming gunslinger Doc Holliday was one of the best of the year (because it was), but the whole movie comes out guns blazing, and hell comes with it.   – Richard Whittaker

Grady Hendrix: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Friday 11, BookPeople

Who said that literary horror is dead? If it is, then Grady Hendrix must be some kind of necromancer, since his jaunty and twisted tales of terror have been ripping through bestseller lists since 2014’s IKEA killer Horrorstör became a fixture on Tarva nightstands and Billy bookcases. His latest novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, heads to the sweaty oppression of 1970s Florida as a group of young women find themselves confined to the Wellwood Home for unmarried mothers and discover the tools to their liberation in an occult tome.   – Richard Whittaker

Be Kind Rewind

Friday 11, We Luv Video

Austin is lucky to have even one video store after its two stalwarts Vulcan Video and I Luv Video shuttered during the pandemic – but to have that video store contain the latter’s collection inside the building of the former is more than we could’ve hoped for. Even better, it’s added a small theatre in the back that shows such unsung gems as Michel Gondry’s Be Kind Rewind, a movie about the passion that video stores invoke. It was released in a glorious epoch when Blockbuster was king, aka 2008. A scrappy band of film nerds come together to defeat the giant and save their neighborhood video store in this flick led by none other than Jack Black and Yasiin Bey (then known as Mos Def). Archival clips and an oral history about Texas video stores presented by the Texas Archive of the Moving Image screen before. C’mon: It would be wrong to watch this on a sad laptop screen at home.   – Lina Fisher

Tiniest Dog Party in Texas: Spring Fling

Friday 11, Hotel Vegas

It’s been a while since Paris Hilton types carried chihuahuas around in designer purses, but if Glen Powell and Brisket, Demi Moore and Pilaf, and Mikey Madison and Jam have taught us anything, it’s that tiny dogs are Back In. How better to celebrate this petite paw renaissance than with a pageant – that means costumes, folks – for pups 25 pounds and under, benefitting Lil’ Paws Maltese Rescue? This free event offers spring-themed dog portraits, a market curated by frequent Vegas vendors Vibe City Markets, and music from DJ Da Beatnik. Of course, this party for the dawgs also offers bites from Zee’s Weiner System.   – Carys Anderson

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Through May 11, Austin Playhouse

In this, the doldrums of spring ... is it just me, or are even the wildflowers less vibrant than usual? We could all use an escape. An evening in the French Riviera could fit the bill, especially while watching the exploits of two conflicting con men. First introduced in film by Michael Caine and Steve Martin, the titular Dirty Rotten Scoundrels of Austin Playhouse’s musical mayhem will perform literal tap dances around each other as they try to score big time. It’s almost, almost too wonderful to be true. Who will get the girl? Who will get the cash? Who will leave entertained (could it be you)? Shows start this Friday, April 11.   – Cat McCarrey

Free Pet Support Services

Friday 11, Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center

Pets are for everyone, including those without a regular roof. Austin’s own Street Dog Coalition – an org that provides free vet care to homeless pet owners – teams up with Austin Pets Alive!’s P.A.S.S. program (aka, Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender) to offer a clinic from 10am until noon thirty. Get your furry friends their updated vaccines, a physical exam, parasite control, and even grab a spay/neuter voucher. P.A.S.S. will also be handing out pet food, toys, and clothes so your paw-some pal gets a treat with their treatments. Heads up: This is a first-come, first-served check-in deal, so head to Sunrise as early as you can. Dogs must be on leashes and cats in their carriers.   – James Scott

Girls Girls Girls!

Friday 11, Fallout Theater

Has the musical genre become too boring and same-y to you, hypothetical Chronicle reader who is also very big into staged songcraft? You’re in freaking luck, my friend, because Fallout Theater hosts their all-women improv group Girls Girls Girls! This talented troupe peddles long-form improvised musicals in the style of ye olde Broadway, taking a single audience suggestion and weaving from it a whole night of theatrical fun. Singing, dancing, storytelling: There’s even live musical accompaniment to make everything that much classier. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you’ll cry because you’ve been laughing and cheering so much. It’s Girls Girls Girls!   – James Scott

The Amazing Acro-Cats

Through April 20, the Long Center

In sixth grade, my science fair project was designed to determine once and for all whether cats can be trained. Countless hours of research determined that it was impossible. Now here come the Amazing Acro-Cats, disproving all that research – mostly. These kitties jump through literal hoops proving how trainable they are, even playing instruments together as the band Tuna and the Rock Cats, doing all kinds of cute tricks and feats of agility for our a-mews-ment. Until they don’t want to anymore and they just lay down. Kitties will be kitties, after all! Their purr-formance supports Rock Cats Rescue, which provides feline education, rescue services, and clicker training demos across the country.   – Kat McNevins

Lao New Year Night Market

Saturday 12, Lao’d Bar

Starting this coming Monday and running until Wednesday eve is Pi Mai Lao, aka Lao New Year. But most people have work and school during the weekdays, so to make sure there’s still a celebration, the folks of Gia Dinh Goods teamed up with Lao’d Bar to throw a New Year heater this Saturday. Ring in a new beginning with delicious drinks and food from Blue Aspara, Kat’s Hand Baked, P Tahi’s, Ros Niyom, Mam Mam, and Seoulju, a vendor market featuring folks from Always Sonny Candle Company to Tiger Blam Press, and a raffle where you could win one of two extremely cute Labubu prizes. If that’s not a dog-whistle for my fellow trinket lovers, IDK what is.   – James Scott

Squirrel Fest

Saturday 12, Pease Park

Having trouble getting the kiddos to the park without any perks? Enter Squirrel Fest with a bevy of bonus attractions. Start with some arts & crafts, get your face painted, take in a puppet show, and learn some dance moves before showing off said moves with some help from DJ HoneyPocket. If that hasn’t enamored them to nature, wait until 8pm when they’ll screen animated tearjerker The Wild Robot. Hopefully it doesn’t set the expectations for the unadulterated Great Outdoors too high. [Editor’s note: Adults can also get squirrely, with Future Front TX teaching a weaving workshop, ceramic how-to’s, and Dr. Curtis Eckerman leading a mothing mission.]   – James Renovitch

Staple!

Saturday 12 - Sunday 13, Mabee Ballroom at St. Edward’s University

Hope you’ve got some comic book money in that piggy bank, because you’ll want to go home with lots of goodies from independent media expo Staple! But do not fret if you’re more of the guy with his empty pockets pulled out. Across two days, over 100 creators of comics, zines, arts, crafts, and games will present their expertise and their wares, with two-day tix running only $15, and kids under 12 free. See panels featuring special guests Kazu Kabuishi (Amulet, Daisy Cutter), Jason Poland (My Dad Is Dracula), and more in between booth visits, and check out the free off-site events: a Friday pre-party at Austin Books & Comics and a Saturday art show at St. Elmo Brewing.   – Kat McNevins

Wavelength (1983)

Saturday 12, We Luv Video

Cherie Currie of the Runaways certainly tapped into a certain rock & roll wavelength, so it follows that she would play a telepathic alien communicator in Eighties sci-fi gem Wavelength. Robert Carradine (Revenge of the Nerds) stars opposite her as a failing musician tagging along as Currie communicates with a childlike alien race hidden in an underground U.S. government bunker near their apartment. A pulsating synth score by Tangerine Dream sets the haunting, dissociative vibe and complements the plaintive wails of the freaky alien babies. Originally deemed too similar to Close Encounters of the Third Kind and written before E.T., Wavelength screens this weekend in the back of We Luv Video.   – Lina Fisher

Pop Up North Loop Market

Saturday 12, Beard Brand Campus

After four years popping up with vendors galore, Lonesome Wolf Vintage’s market says farewell to longtime venue Beard Brand. But this ain’t no soppy so-long: Instead, they’re going out in style amongst over 45 curated small shops hawking wares you can’t even imagine. Okay, maybe you can imagine a few, like vintage trinkets, records, and plants, but Lonesome Wolf also promises “Weird Stuff, Cool Stuff, Handmade Stuff, and One Of A Kind Stuff.” So how about that! Walk the Campus one last time while Tropicana Joe plays a vinyl DJ set, and remember: There’ll always be another pop-up on the horizon.   – James Scott

Earth Day ATX

Saturday 12, Huston-Tillotson

The idea that we can honor the Earth with an annual celebration has been supplanted by a more urgent need to look after our planet every day. But it’s still nice to give our little rock in the cosmos a pat on the back for putting up with us. Austin’s 55th party for the planet is free and open to the public and has activities, live music, food, educational exhibits, and more. Get reminded to go green and hope that inspiration lasts for the year. We’re gonna need all the help we can get.   – James Renovitch

Austin Texas Book Trail

Saturday 12 - Sunday 13, All Over Austin

Finally they’ve conceived a trail for indoor kids like me! This annual trek through Austin’s 29 local indie bookstores features more than just page-flipping fun – although that is a pretty big attraction. Starting Saturday morning with a coffee-cheersing at Mañana Dos, Bat City’s bookish crowd can navigate exclusive discounts, prizes, and activations at all their favorite literary havens: Alienated Majesty, Black Pearl Books, Lark & Owl Booksellers, even everyone’s favorite leftist hang-out Monkeywrench Books – plus many more. Events like this two-day trailblazer really do make a difference, as ATBT reports last year’s inaugural event had several bookstores gaining an additional $5,000-8,000 in sales that weekend. Close the book on the trail at Community Garden on Sunday with an evening afterparty – but don’t worry. Your literary love affair is to be continued. Learn more here.   – James Scott

Blanton All Day: As I Grow

Saturday 12, Blanton Museum

Spring into your next artistic obsession – or at least what you’ll regale your friends with over Sunday drinks – at the Blanton’s second Saturday soiree. From open to close, the museum offers programing to please even the pickiest patron: storytime for kiddos that combines picture books with exhibited paintings; guided excursions featuring the museum’s Education team; workshops on ikebana flower arrangements and self-reflection poetry; sound bath meditation; discussions on currently exhibiting art such as Triumph of Death (Triunfo de la muerte) by Artemio Rodríguez or “In Creative Harmony” from former Blanton curator Claire Howard’s perspective; and “Garden of Delights,” a pop-up print show. Museum members get in for free, but general admission only runs the Austin adult $20 (and $10 for those 17 years and younger). That’s less than it’d cost for a movie and popcorn – with a drink! – and you get to actually talk and text during this.   – James Scott

Overheard on a Train

Saturdays 12, 26, and May 10, Downtown Metro Station

Forget escape rooms or axe-throwing, this theatre-on-the-move is the next big thing in friend-night-outs. Find your closest three hangs (or be an extra wild card), and clamber aboard for an interactive story on a train. It’s like a murder mystery party, but with way less dressing up and no one has to go through the hassle of hosting. Just enter your metro car and let the Conductor lead you through one of four active adventure read-throughs. Be a band, bachelorettes, or bank robbers, and see what unfolds as scenery flashes past your window. There’s even a middle school adventure for families. Forget eavesdropping on the drama of other public-transportation users. Be the drama.   – Cat McCarrey

Kiss & Tell: Queer Sex Ed.

Saturday 12, Hyperreal Film Club

Inspired by the call-in radio shows that she says taught a young evangelical teen about sex, Kristina Please puts on this naughty knowledge party with the help of Austin-area sex-perts. We’re talkin’ sexual health clinic ASHwell and sex therapist Samar (intimatematters on Insta) being on hand to smarten up our sensual queer population, plus drag by Gothess Jasmine, comedy, intimate images from smut purveyors Filthy Southern Queers, and plenty of hands-on demos by Nikki DaVaughn, so the lessons really stick. Ticket purchases for what Kristina calls “the queers gone wild show of my wet dreams and greg abbotts nightmares” run $15 and benefit good ol’ ASHwell.   – James Scott

Easter Bunny Photo Time

Through Saturday 19, Barton Creek Square

Maybe all parents know this the moment their child is born, or maybe you need me to inform you, but the freakin’ Easter Bunny’s at the mall right now. As we speak – or as you read, TBH – he’s sat on a wicker throne aside kiddos in their Sunday best getting photos snapped that elderly relatives will just love. The youth may enjoy the experience, too, as this bespectacled bun’s a handsome fellow with soft fur and a winsome smile. Stop by any time between mall open to close and capture the Easter spirit. Plus, the photo area’s right by the Cheesecake Factory – so lunch/dinner plans made, basically!   – James Scott

Easter Bunny Pics With Pets

Saturday 12 - Sunday 13, Paws on Chicon

Oh, you think you’re better than having your pet pictured with the Easter Bunny? Buddy, that’s pretty hare-brained of you! Get precious memories preserved of the very real Easter Bunny holding Milo or Luna or Charlie (the top three most popular names for U.S. dogs and cats, according to Rover.com) that you can send to all your relatives, friends, and co-workers who love being distracted from their daily tasks. You’ve got two chances: Saturday 11am-3pm at Paws’ OG location on its namesake street and Sunday at Paws SoCo, same time.   – James Scott

The Goonies

Sunday 13 & Wednesday 16, Violet Crown Cinema

Fun size means small, right? And rarely has a film packed in so many famous actors when none of them were much over five feet tall. Josh Brolin, Sean Astin, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, Corey Feldman, and future Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan make for great pint-sized action heroes as they take on the inimitable Anne Ramsey as Mama Fratelli in the quest for One-Eyed Willie’s pirate treasure. They’re forever immortalized in the movie but also in the instantly recognizable poster from the legendary Drew Struzan, and they even got their own theme song, courtesy of Cyndi Lauper. That’s not just good enough. That’s the perfect Eighties kids movie.   – Richard Whittaker

Thai New Year With Austin Flea

Sunday 13, Thai Fresh

As The White Lotus comes to an end, why not delve into the real culture of Thailand outside of Mike White’s imagined resort-i-verse on this Thai New Year, or Songkran. South Austin staple Thai Fresh hosts Austin Flea, boasting a slew of AAPI vendors offering textiles, artwork, jewelry, homeware, plants, bath products, and of course delicious Thai food this Sunday. Thailand’s national holiday technically lasts April 13-15, so you can continue to honor it by partaking in its traditions – water fights, colorful clothing, and anything that reflects its meaning, which derived from Sanskrit approximates “movement” and the “astrological passage” from Pisces to Aries, or the astrological new year as well. As Austin enjoys its last few days of cool transitional spring, it’s a perfect opportunity for honoring the passage of time.   – Lina Fisher

Blood Over Texas Presents: Fright Gallery

Sunday 13, Come and Take It Live

Horror enthusiasts Blood Over Texas curate the dark arts in a gallery setting. Arcane delights of all types abound at the Fright Gallery, from the mystical symbolism of Chloe Janowski to Arresting Gear Industries’ post-industrial three-dimensional collages, the shadowy erotica of Brenna Greenwell, aka Typhoid and Swans, to the custom weird shot of KytTibat’S Art n’ shiT. The art won’t just be contained to the walls, with an AV presentation on the evolution of horror from Bunny Voodoo, and a special live art demonstration with live score from CHANT’s Bradley Bills.   – Richard Whittaker

Karen Russell: The Antidote

Sunday 13, First Light Books

Karen Russell’s storytelling can be fantastically otherworldly and dauntingly rooted in reality. The Antidote, Russell’s first novel since 2011’s Swamplandia!, does what good epics should – complicate the distance between the past and the present. As a native Nebraskan, I had my skepticisms about Russell’s witch-infused, midwestern tale (Russell herself grew up in Florida), but the power of her at once hopeful and cautionary message resonates. A mere month after the epic’s release, join Russell and the First Light team to ponder memory, climate, and the American novel.   – Caroline Drew

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Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what's happening now or in the coming week.