Home Search

Search for “This Is Austin, Not So Great”
searching for “This Is Austin, Not So Great
  • Film

    Special Screenings

    Amadeus 4K Restoration (1984)

    Picture this, Reader: A freshly 14-year-old James opening birthday gifts in the middle of Peter Piper Pizza. (Even though I KNOW there is a location in Austin, in case you’re unaware, PPP is an arcade/pizza eatery similar to ye olde Chuck E. Cheese.) My best friend at the time gets me the hottest two-disc DVD any teen could want: eight-Oscar-winner Amadeus. His reasoning? “I saw it and I thought you might like it.” Guess what? I love Amadeus. A beautiful tale of terminal hater-ation, the film lays out Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s life story through narration by contemporary composer Salieri – played by a red-hot F. Murray Abraham delivering side-eyes that’d melt the flesh off a lesser adversary. But gleeful giggling Mozart as played by Tom Hulce can’t be taken down by a mere look. His great weakness is an all-timer: daddy issues. – James Scott
    July 5-11
  • Community

    Events

    Austin Public Pools Opening

    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
    Through August 18
    Multiple locations
  • Community

    Events

    Greater Austin Comic Con

    This family-friendly fan event promises face time with parody songsmith “Weird Al” Yankovic, martial artist Bolo Yeung (Enter the Dragon), and voice actors from Avatar: The Last Airbender and X-Men ’97, plus cosplay galore.
    Sat., July 20
    H-E-B Center
  • Arts

    Books

    Summer at Austin Public Library

    Hurrah! It’s the only good thing about summer – sorry to summer-enjoyers – come back once more. Austin Public Library’s summer reading program runs from June 1 until Aug. 10 and challenges readers of all ages to get 20 minutes of reading done a day. They’ve also got activity badges you can earn – fun biz like using APL’s seed library, making a DIY nature journal, attending any of APL’s free events. Finish 10 reading hours and three activity badges to earn prizes like a free book (kids 0-17) or a camping mug (adults). But isn’t the real reward the great books you read along the way? – James Scott
    Mondays-Sundays. Through Aug. 10
    All library locations
  • Arts

    Comedy

    The Floor Is Lava

    Yowch! That’s what you’d be saying, you know, if you touched your tootsies to a lava-flooded floor. Thankfully, Austin is not located next to an active volcano … or is it? This scripted comedy sketch show is a fresh flow of bright burning comic talent sure to scorch expectations with “fun, loose, and experimental” material. Don’t believe me? Read this totally real quote from the comedy show’s Instagram bio: My ‘comedies’ are complete *poop emoji* compared to the greatest sketch group to ever sketch! –William Shakespeare. I can’t believe ol’ Willy really said that! But no one has ever lied on Instagram before, so best believe this show’s hot stuff. – James Scott
    Tuesdays

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle