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Walk down any Austin thoroughfare, and you’ll find at least three people declaring this year’s election the most significant in recent memory. However, there’s a tangible sense of danger surrounding this year’s brand of civic pageantry. American Artists Project has made it a mission to educate the masses on the importance of heading to the polls. Use Your Voice, Use Your Vote offers two afternoon concerts and an opportunity to register to vote. The 1pm show features Grammy-nominated Broadway star Frenchie Davis with Crystal Paull, Ben Jones, and Christopher Spivey and Company; 3pm features Queen of Indian Soul Nagavalli and local Colombian funk outfit Superfónicos. – Cy White

There was a time, not so long ago, when science was seen as entertainment. No, not Ancient Greece when philosophers would turn experiments into public spectacle, or the Victorian era when lectures on new theories would fill auditoriums. It was the 1990s, when everyone owned a copy of A Brief History of Time on their nightstand, quarks were cool, and Tom Stoppard could write a play about chaos theory and the heat death of the universe, and it would be universally regarded as one of the greatest works of 20th century drama. Eros and Thanatos push and pull in this poetic tale of love and research. – Richard Whittaker

It’s always special when a movie comes home, but home means something really special for this Austin-made bittersweet comedy from UT grads Aaron Brown and Lenny Barszap. Home Free is inspired by their real experiences as undergrads when they became friends with the Professor, a charming man of intellect, kindness, and wisdom who was experiencing homelessness. That friendship was a quick education in how people can drop out of society so fast and yet retain their value as human beings – and now they’ve retold that story as a touching college comedy that’s equal parts Animal House and The Lady in the Van. Join post-screening Q&As with the cast and crew, who are putting their money where their mouths are, as part of the proceeds go to The Other Ones Foundation, organizers of the Been There music festival, to help people experiencing homelessness and unemployment. – Richard Whittaker

Vivan las chingonas. Reclaimed from the pile of insults hurled at women for being too much, “chingona” now appears on every possible accessory. These days, the word denotes butt-kicking personal effectiveness for those who invoke it. In that spirit, Chingona Fest Texas returns for its first in-person event since 2019, showcasing the Latine community with a daylong party of performers, market makers, and treat-making shakers assembled to inspire. Rising Texas rapper xBValentine takes top billing, but Destiny Navaira, niece of titan Emilio Navaira, brings Tejano heat. Austin faves the Tiarras, Stephanie Bergara (Bidi Bidi Banda), and Angélica Rahe kick things off. – Christina Garcia

“I live to have my mind turned inside out.” So says curator and artist in her own right Alyssa Taylor Wendt. She’s gathered a slew of art to do just that – wrinkle your brain, shed new light, and yes, maybe even lead to your own epiphanies. The collection pushes borders, featuring work that spins through the eyes and mind like those magic-eye books for kids. Every piece takes a slight skew on familiar topics. It might be a new take on a pattern. Or an unexpected use of color. Or a sculpture with a detail that just pops. Somehow, somewhere, something will reveal itself. It’s just a matter of whether you’re looking closely enough. – Cat McCarrey

Four cities – NYC, Chicago, Denver, and Austin – each take on an element to represent in this nationwide costumed celebration of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Austin reps those hot-heads in the Fire Nation, so dress in reds, oranges, and gold – or come in costume as your favorite fire-bender.

Since opening last August, First Light Books has become a Hyde Park destination for bibliophiles, coffee drinkers, and anyone in need of a good old-fashioned “third place” hang. One year (and almost one month) later, the shop celebrates its success with another community favorite: a block party. Free and all ages, running from 4pm past First Light’s usual 9pm closing time, the event promises live music, drinks from Rambler and St. Elmo Brewing, and food from All Day Pizza and Zee’s Wiener System. Who said you couldn’t be bookish and fun? – Carys Anderson

You want comedy, but you don’t want to be subject to the capricious whims of fate – as is common in the devil’s art form, aka improv comedy. Fallout Theater has heard your cries, so they gathered the best in the Austin biz for a three-day celebration of scripted comedy. From early access to works-in-progress to one-person shows, sketches to film, Hacksfest is all killer, no filler. Current lineup heavies include Austin Mime & Movement Co., Daddy Strong Legs, Technically Music!, Trisha, and many more – including acts yet to be announced. After you experience this weekend of written humor, you’ll be shouting from the rooftops: “ALL HAIL LOCAL SCRIPTED COMEDY!” – James Scott

While the full harvest moon doesn’t hit peak moon-capacity until Sept. 17, there’s more than just celestial happenings to celebrate this Saturday. Austin’s Asian American Cultural Center has provided, in their words, “the facilities, expertise and unique space for the sharing of culture between the East and the West in the American Experience” for 24 years. To honor that commitment, as well as the upcoming harvest moon, they’re hosting a night of music, authentic Asian dance performances, games, food, and a “Taste of Mooncake.” – James Scott

House of Torment isn’t for the faint of heart. It was once dubbed by the Travel Channel as “the scariest haunted house in America.” Guests will move through backdrops and macabre installations – and try not to piss themselves.

Many have tried to reveal the darkness behind our most beloved fairy tales, but few did it better than Stephen Sondheim. The first act plays straight, as familiar faces like Jack and his Beanstalk, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood seek new lives. The second act shows the truth behind the old adage: Be careful what you wish for. It’s an incredible depth of story, accompanied by the always-interesting musical turns of a Sondheim score. Things fall apart, they’re rebuilt, and everyone’s changed in the end. Enjoy your travel into these wild woods while learning that fairy-tale life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. – Cat McCarrey

The legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band brings its brand of New Orleans jazz and funk to the Live Music Capital. The Second Line is always hopping with these titans of big band, jazz, and gritty swing. It’s a largeness in sound fitting for a pregame, their band’s music headier than any liquor you’d imbibe before going out to get even dippier on the sauce. Their latest work, 2022’s inspired collaboration with the legendary NOLA trumpeter Charlie Gabriel, Eighty Nine, highlights that these cats are more than bombastic big band. Special guest locals Big Wy’s Brass Band opens.: A show that sends a bold statement to Texas Football rivals UTSA. – Cy White

To all who haven’t encountered the pure pleasure of an OMG Squee treat, this event may be the perfect time to try ’em out. The local bakery holds their third annual mid-autumn festival with offerings like free drinks, giveaways, and specials on their adorable mooncakes – made special just for the event. Feel free to also check out their maker’s market, curated by local artist Kaiju Cut and Sew, while enjoying a delicious taiyaki sundae. Just don’t drip any White Rabbit flavored soft-serve on the merch. – James Scott

Over 120 motocross superbikes going 190 mph sound like something your kid – and, let’s be honest, you – would enjoy? Well they’re in luck, as the MotoAmerica Superbikes races are coming to Circuit of the Americas this weekend. Five classes of road racing are competing, all with sick names including Steel Commander Superbike, Mission King of the Baggers, Supersport, BellissiMoto Twins Cup, and the Mission Super Hooligan National Championship. Kids under 12 get in free with a paying adult, and in addition to the race they can sample free carnival games and a stunt show. – Lina Fisher

Every dragon has a different “hoard” it keeps within its cave. Some covet jewels & gems, while others salivate over mountains of gold. The scaled and smoking mascot of this small-press fair, however, has a more accessible obsession: print media. Come see this dragon’s hoard of zines, comics, booklets, and other paper arts for free with over 20 local vendors offering their DIY goods. And lucky you, the paper dragon’s pretty chill about letting you snatch up their hoard – unlike some fictional fire-breathers we won’t name in print. Dragons are surprisingly litigious. – James Scott

Enough! I can no longer remain silent: The weird rabbit mascot for Pecan Street Fest creeps me out! He’s Poochie-coded, and I don’t like him. Thankfully, this annual Downtown fair offers much more than that harebrained specter. Families, friends, and the furry alike can enjoy entertainment within the bustling heart of our city like kiddie rides and local craft vendors. Live music sets the soundtrack while you browse vendors, featuring sets by the Fresh Kils Trio, Rococo Disco, Big Sky Collective, and many more. There’s even a petting zoo, although god willing the rabbit’s not there. Perhaps by then he’ll have returned to his home planet. – James Scott

A generation separates Masshole Bob Cummings, 59, and Detroit’s Vincent Furnier, 76, but musically, this Freaks on Parade tour conjoins father-n-son. The former kept busy pandemically, snarling 2021’s The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy and directing The Munsters off the pages of TV Guide and into theatres the following year. The latter shock rock pioneer-turned-golf pro and longtime Arizonan restates his music history bona fides right out of the gate on April re-release Breadcrumbs: “Me and Iggy were gigging with Ziggy, and kicking with the MC5/ Ted and Seger were burning with the fever, and Suzi Q. was sharp as a knife.” – Raoul Hernandez

The slow-motion picture: That’s how the first cinematic voyage of the Starship Enterprise was mockingly described when first released in 1979. Audiences wanted the pulp action of Star Wars, and the insatiable appetite for space adventure was enough to get the franchise to the beloved Wrath of Khan and beyond. But what director Robert Wise created, and amplified with his 2001 remaster/re-edit, was to capture the original series’ sense of cosmic wonder. The torpor becomes spectacle and introduces all the themes of aging, friendship, and loss that would define the ongoing star trekking of Bones, Spock, Kirk, Scotty, and Uhura.: – Richard Whittaker

How can I, a cool Kat on Earth, not love A Punk Cat in Space? Way back in 2003 around when it came out, the Japanese animation was a hit with our own Marc Savlov, who opened a four-star review by saying, “I’m tempted to call this the best film of the year so far based on its sheer originality alone, but my dog would never speak to me again.” It’s delightfully weird, telling a story of a kittycat in Tokyo who goes to outer space against her human mom’s wishes and happens upon the mysterious Planet Q. Tamala’s mostly black-and-white animation evokes the silent film era’s Felix the Cat in look and the Seventies’ Fritz the Cat in tone, and a new restoration ensures a high-quality viewing. In Japanese with English subtitles. – Kat McNevins

Having bought tickets to a film noir, I wonder if audiences in 1949 laughed out loud when they first heard Anton Karas’ jaunty zither score. Sure, the Old World stringed instrument was geographically on point for a film set in post-World War II Vienna. (Director Carol Reed discovered Karas strumming away in a bar during the on-location shoot.) Still, it was a far cry from the moody, broody sound you’d expect to score a suspense about an American writer (Joseph Cotten) investigating the mysterious death of his friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). But if audiences laughed, they also clapped, and bought the bejesus out of the soundtrack. The perfect music for, yes, a perfect movie. – Kimberley Jones