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There are a lot of pleasurable things you could put in your pie hole, but is there any more American than the corn dog? (Checks Wikipedia… “Newly arrived German immigrants in Texas…” That’s the melting pot at work, y’all!) To be fair, this annual contest is not about patriotic ideals, but numbers: Specifically, how many corn dogs you can eat in eight minutes. Winner takes home a cash prize while everybody else can feel good about supporting Helping Hand Home, a local nonprofit supporting abused and neglected children. – Kimberley Jones

Regine Malibiran is a woman of passion. She pours her soul into every project she undertakes – creative and entrepreneur, activist and advocate. Now as the founder of forth space productions, she has taken all of her passion and experience to forge a path for artists to express their truths fearlessly and with the support of forth space, whose mission and name derive from the “sociological concept of the fourth space as a realm where meaning is made and all the potential that lies between here and forward.” “BUMUO,” from the Tagalog for “whole,” is an exhibition that centers the strength and artistic brilliance of the Filipino community. Six artists tell the connective story of the Philippines, reclaiming their history, rejecting the manipulation of the colonizers who inhabited their home for four centuries, and building a future of healing and empowerment. On view through July 27. – Cy White

A lucky few may have already seen the “Sonder” show at Davis, but if you haven’t, please rush to the reception this Saturday. It’s a perfect time to bask in a wealth of styles and mediums. Dissect the surreal landscapes of Garrett Middaugh and Isabel Stensland. Lose yourself in the hypnotic shapes of Lisa Beaman and Joseph Hammer. Marvel at the intricate details in sculptures by Dana Younger and John Sagar. Sigh at Denise M. Fulton’s brightly impressionist nature paintings. And those are just small portions of artists represented! There’s something for every artistic taste, so gorge yourself on Davis’ impeccable buffet of beauty. – Cat McCarrey

We’re in that liminal space of summer, where life is lush and blooming, right before it succumbs to death by heat. Big Medium’s curator Coka Treviño has collected an exhibit full of garden scenes representing that magical explosion of garden growth. In her own words, it’s a way “to forget how heavy it feels to be a human.” There’s constant discovery in the wide variety of works, from dozens of artists like the established Dawn Okoro and up-and-comers MuthaGoose. Join the opening reception this Friday to view interpretations of glorious greenery. – Cat McCarrey

School’s out for summer! And out forever, at least in Beyond August Productions’ Exit Strategy. The story of a run-down high school finishing up its final year before eradication, Exit Strategy follows students and staff on the edge of displacement. Education is a hellscape in the best of times. One can only imagine the anarchy within a school on the brink of annihilation. In cases like that, does anything matter? Get ready to test those limits with Exit Strategy, showing the humor and madness in dire circumstances. – Cat McCarrey

For the rest of this month and into the next, Flatbed Press, local bastion of multiple originals, is putting you on to the next gen of Austin printmakers. For the third year in a row, this annual exhibition features work from students receiving a printmaking degree from any college in the Austin area, including UT, ACC, St. Edward’s, Texas State, and Southwestern. The work ranges from traditional to experimental, both in form and process. Hot tip: While you’re there, make sure to step out of the gallery and check out the working press portion of the building. – Lina Fisher

It’s the second coming of surrealism at Ivester Contemporary. Josias Figueirido aptly updates the legacy of Dalí and Chagall with his vivid dreamscapes. His exhibit presents spirit guides Piri the Dreamer and Flying Coyote in increasingly absurd settings, smoothly bubbled characters possessing hypnotic shininess. Paintings of them hang in eerily vivid flashe paint, existing harmoniously beside their animated counterpoints in an immersive, interactive reality. It’s the wondrous love child of Cartoon Network and modernism. You don’t want to miss it.: – Cat McCarrey

Are you looking for an excuse – and we mean any excuse – to climb onstage and sing your heart out for a crowd of strangers? Look no further. This Independence Day, Volstead Lounge invites you to celebrate the freedom to sing whatever you want, whenever you want (as long as it’s between the hours of 9pm and 1am). Let the grand ol’ flag handle the stripes while you and your personal Rat Pack provide the stars. – Jasmine Lane

From nonbinary interdisciplinary theatre designer, dancer, and choreographer Desmond Kendra Wiley comes an immersive and interactive dance experience. The collaboration between Wiley and Dougherty Arts Center was developed by and for Austin’s nonbinary community. Integrated into the show through text are responses by nonbinary folks to an informal survey about their lived experiences. People of any gender identity are invited to join the celebration of identity, authenticity, and queerness as well as donate $10 for entry. Comfortable clothes are the suggested attire. – Jasmine Iman Wright

Finally: an Independence Day party for the inside kids. Blue Owl Brewing – home of sour beers and argyle can art – hosts a Fourth of July fête featuring mini golf, a water-balloon toss, mini corn dogs, red, white & blue slushies, and sparklers & free Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs sno-cone coupons to the first 30 guests. Keeping with the sno-cone theme, this party will also highlight Blue Owl’s newest brew: a Tiger’s Blood-inspired sour that’s sure to pucker the lips and delight the taste buds. The more competitive among us may also want to sign up for the watermelon eating contest – just do so in advance so there’s enough melon to go around. – James Scott

It’ll be 99 degrees on July 4? Who cares! That never stopped anybody from eating a hot dog or watching the fireworks. So get your red, white, and blue ass down to the Buda amphitheatre for the annual festivities. There’s a bike parade at 9am, a cornhole tournament at 4pm, and fireworks at sundown. Stars and stripes forever! – Brant Bingamon

Round Rock is celebrating the ol’ U.S. of A in a big way, starting with a 1.5-mile parade down Mays Street at 8:30am, before it gets too hot. Patriotic festivities at Old Settlers Park go from noon until 11:30pm, with carnival rides, live music, pig races from Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, a Sam Bass Shootout, and the 3pm pepper-eating contest, which sounds intense: 20 minutes of contestants just eating whole peppers. They aren’t allowed to squeeze out any of the seeds or juice! All that activity and you’ll be ready to relax and gaze at the fireworks show before heading home. – Kat McNevins

Free, family-friendly fun along the shores of Lady Bird Lake, with spectacular songs from Austin Symphony Orchestra capped off by a stunning fireworks display over the water.

In Link & Pin’s Summer Exposure series, they’re presenting three artists for two weeks each. Kicking it off are Jan Pomeroy, Denise Elliott Jones, and Kristy Battani. Their work perfectly complements each other, exhibiting worlds full of vibrant colors and rich, evocative texturing. Play along with their vivid sightscapes this Thursday, in conjunction with East Austin Arts District’s Third Thursday walks. Or wait for the artist reception on Saturday, for wining and dining and art aplenty. – Cat McCarrey

Looking back on our field days of yore, we can imagine ourselves, hitching up our knee-high athletic socks and yanking tight our pigtails, thinking, “The egg toss is pleasant enough, but someday I’ll be an adult and this will be a fuckton more fun with an icy cold beer in hand.” And lo, that day has arrived. Zilker Brewing Co.’s first-ever Summer Field Day will include classic games like dizzy bat and cornhole, along with music from Double Heads and food from Spicy Boys. Calling it now: After a few frosty ones, the three-legged race is going to be absolute carnage. – Kimberley Jones

It often feels like the fate of a short film after festival season is ignominious anonymity at the whim of some streaming platform’s algorithm. Luckily, Utah’s Sundance Film Festival is giving these short but sweet delights more time on the big screen. The touring selection of seven miniature wonders includes three award-winners from this year’s festival: Spanish class war satire “The Masterpiece” (Short Film Grand Jury Prize), Japanese interspecies rom-com “Pisko the Crab Child in Love” (Special Jury Prize for Directing), and sexy insect comedy “Bug Diner” (Jury Award: Animation).: – Richard Whittaker

Calling all lovers of intergenerational family tales – maybe a niche crowd, but definitely a good one. Zach presents to you The Lehman Trilogy, winner of five Tony Awards. One of those Tonys? Best Play. Decide whether it deserved the honors, all while following the infamous Lehman family from their arrival in America through the 1900s until their infamous financial firm (spoiler alert) collapsed in 2008. If you miss Succession but wished it had just a smidgen more early 20th century immigration struggle and concrete financial crisis, you’ve got to check this out. – Cat McCarrey

The original plan series creator Stephen Hillenburg intended was that the adventures of lovable rectangular & jaundiced sea sponge SpongeBob would conclude with this mega-movie event. Unfortunately, corporate greed demanded the sponge be wrung out for everything he’s got, so we’re still getting nautical nonsense well into 2024. However, only a real bubble-blowing baby would skip the chance to see what continues to be the gold standard of cartoon big-screen leaps. You can try to hide, but don’t think we don’t know how to weeeeeeeeed you out. I’m a goofy goober, yeah … you’re a goofy goober, yeah …: – James Scott

Hoo-wee! Does anything feel better than a dip in the pool during a hot Texas summer? While some among us may be privileged to own private watering holes, most of us get to enjoy the great Austin PARD’s work at the 44 public aquatic facilities to choose from this summer. You’ve got regional, neighborhood, and community pools; a wading pool; splash pads; and the crown jewel: Barton Springs. Check austintexas.gov/pools-splashpads for up-to-date info on which pools are open, what their entry fee is, and whether you have what it takes to be a public pool lifeguard. Now, outta the way if you don’t wanna get wet: I’m gonna do a cannonball! – James Scott

How long does it take to become legendary? There’s no real answer, but local kiki houses Lepore and Juicy Couture have brought legend status to first Thursdays in just about two years. Tonight they celebrate this anniversary with a mini ball presented by sexual health heavy-hitters ASHwell and the Q Austin, meaning there’s money, honey. Competitors can win up to 150 bucks in ballroom categories like Majorette and Sex Siren. Legendary Akasha and BabiBoi Juicy are in the DJ booth, and the legendary Natalie Lepore is your master of ceremonies. –James Scott

Thanks to Seventies funk band War, the word “lowrider” often calls to mind the unforgettable sax riff of the band’s 1975 No. 1 single. But lowrider can mean a snazzy customized car with hydraulics or a person who works on such a vehicle, and the culture around these cars has strengthened Mexican American communities in the Southwest since the Forties. Learn more about them at this exhibit featuring an interactive touchscreen mural, cars and bikes on display, and stories about the people who make lowriding a community. A member reception takes place May 18. – Kat McNevins

That's right: Cap City Comedy Club, the longtime cornerstone of Austin's comedy scene for nearly four decades is at a new venue in the Domain. And here's Valerie Lopez with a closer look at what's in store for the scene via the venue. Click for details!