Although any activities besides the beginning of ACL Fest and fretting over the government shutdown risk being overlooked this weekend, there is a surprising amount of fun to be had while steering clear of Zilker Park and forgetting the ineptitude of Capitol Hill for a few hours. Choose from our top picks for the next three days or just continue enjoying your own favorite activities — unless, of course, that includes spending time at the LBJ Library. Thanks, Boehner!
Thursday, October 3 – Sunday, October 6
Vulgar, offensive and subversive, The Book of Mormon is nothing short of a masterpiece from the minds of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. It dominated at the 2011 Tony Awards, and it has finally made its way to Austin's Bass Concert Hall.
Following a pair of Mormon missionaries in over their heads on a mission to Uganda, The Book of Mormon not only serves as a hilarious satire of faith and white people thinking they have the cure for what ails the Third World; it also has the catchiest tunes to be found on stage. It's in town until October 13. There are actually still tickets available, so if you can’t get them for today, just remember that tomorrow is a Latter Day.
Saturday, October 5
The fact that Zilker Park will become the epicenter of live music for the next two weekends doesn’t mean that there won’t be plenty of music left for the rest of us. Ditch the Fest makes its return this weekend as well — and, wouldn’t you know it, it will be back next Saturday, too.
Local psych-dub pop trio Holiday Mountain will headline both Saturday lineups, but unlike the bigger fest, DTF's Saturday No. 2 will be largely different from Saturday No. 1. Drop five bucks for entry and come back next weekend for a whole new remix.
Austin Classical Guitar presents Pepe Romero
While DTF is a great musical alternative, there might still be some of you who want something a bit more low-key. Austin Classical Guitar will help you feel more cultured and entertained when it kick off its fall season with visiting Spanish classical guitarist Pepe Romero.
Romero will make a special visit to Austin to play an extensive tribute to five centuries to Spanish music, from Spanish Renaissance composer Luys Milan to his own father, Caledonio Romero. If you’ve never experienced the beauty of classical guitar, now is the weekend to get your own special introduction.
Sunday, October 6
Hops & Grain Anniversary Party
Many will be a bit tuckered out when Sunday rolls around, but a few brewskies should help to recharge you for the upcoming work week. Possibly the best way to sip some local Austin brews is to do it in celebration of a local brewery.
Hops & Grain is celebrating two years of beer making in East Austin with an anniversary party that includes (what else?) beer, plus some live music if you still have working eardrums by Sunday. Kick back with a Pale Dog and remember that you only have one more weekend of controlled chaos to survive.
Celebrate two years of Hops & Grain at their anniversary party.
