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Landry McMeans’ artwork operates best on a grand scale. Her vividly colored desertscapes capture the vastness of sand-swept land and sun-crisped sky, but ground in the minute, detailed beauty that exists amid the expanse. Having evolved her process from the textured depths of 3D cardboard reliefs to hand-cut stencil prints, the Best of Austin-awarded artist now gets her own gallery in South Austin to showcase her colorful pop-inspired cacti, sagebrush, and other life flourishing in an arid Southwest landscape. Date Nite Gallery’s opening also features a makers market curated by Courtney Crash, food from local chefs, craft cocktails, and live music. – Doug Freeman

Austin’s first Black cemetery originated in the late 1800s, not long after the date we now commemorate as Juneteenth: June 19, 1865, the day troops arrived in Galveston to notify slaves they had been freed two years prior. Bethany Cemetery Association offers a day of music, prayer, community fellowship, and remembrance, with highlights including an exhibit of cemetery stories and a display about and salute to the Buffalo Soldiers, which were U.S. Army regiments made up of African American soldiers. – Kat McNevins

As an avid reader, there was nothing more exciting about childhood summers than competing in the reading contest fueled by frequent visits to the library in between visits to the pool. Celebrate summer literacy and learning through play at a party with blocks full of fun activities: music & dance, author events, a craft crawl, play activities, and a family resource fair. Be sure to pick up a few books to keep kids entertained as they start summer vacation. – Kat McNevins

You know what they say: Safety first! When you’re a parent, keeping your kids safe is kind of your No. 1 job. Learn more about how to do that at this family-friendly fair that will give little ones a chance to meet firefighters, EMTs, and police and see their equipment and vehicles. Several local orgs will be there to share info on safety, and kids can get their faces painted and try the bike challenge course, all in the home of Austin FC. – Kat McNevins

A special program for visitors ages 0-3 and their families, providing caregivers and early learners the chance to experience the children's museum together. Thinkery will host two storytimes and free play that support the social, emotional, and cognitive development of the earliest learners.

This program from the city of Austin, run by Farmshare Austin, has opened new market locations. There are now six weekly markets around town that sell Texas-grown produce, eggs, honey, and other groceries all at reduced prices. Most major cards are accepted at these markets and if you are a SNAP customer, you can also use your Lone Star card and Double Up Food Bucks. Locations and schedules are subject to change, so check the current info online to find one near you.

A nighttime shotgun-style nine-hole round made more fun and challenging with glow-in-the-dark balls.

Who doesn’t want to build up their CV in these trying times? Or perhaps you just want to fill your free time with something other than TikTok? Or maybe you want a behind-the-scenes, hands-on tour of Austin’s best place for sustainable craft supplies? Whatever reason you’ve got, it’s a good time to volunteer for Austin Creative Reuse’s Summer of Service program. Opportunities are abundant, with group projects like fabric rolling, dog toy making, or Funky Fabric Friday – that’s when they process all the weird stuff like purple faux fur or bright yellow vinyl. Sign up on austincreativereuse.org, complete 30 volunteering hours, and earn your Summer of Service certificate. Beats losing eight hours to ASMR slime-scoop videos, I’ll tell you what. – James Scott

We Are Blood – who are definitely NOT vampires in disguise – have totally cracked the case on how to make giving blood even more of a good deed. See, for this month only, whenever you take your juicy veins to a WAB donor center or mobile unit, they’ll donate $5 to your choice of one of three partnering nonprofits. That’s right: Donate blood, and you can give Central Texas Food Bank, Austin Humane Society, or TreeFolks a fiver to do with what they please. And usually what they please is helping our Austin community in various positive ways like keeping peeps fed, nurturing puppies and kitties, and growing big beautiful trees whose shade is sorely needed during this cruel summer. – James Scott