Weekend Roundup

Here are the top 11 things to do in Austin this weekend

Formula 1 weekend transforms Austin into party central, but there's still plenty to do outside of the race track. Whether you head to one of the must-see concerts, tour the hottest homes in Austin, or spend time with the family, there’s plenty to keep you busy. For more happenings, check out our events calendar.

En Route Productions presents Shakespeare's As You Like It
There's nothing quite like a night of "Shakespeare on the Farm" to get you in full fall swing. Head over to Rain Lily Farm for the opening weekend of Shakespearean classic As You Like It and enjoy a night of cool air and classic theater. Admission is free but donations are encouraged.
Thursday, October 22 through Sunday, October 25 at 7:30 pm

Josh Grobin in concert
Take your special someone to Bass Concert Hall for a night of sweet serenades courtesy of crooner Josh Grobin. The singer will belt out some new tunes from his recently released album Stages. Tickets are $51 to $151.
Friday, October 23 at 8 pm

Snoop Dogg in concert
Just days after his birthday, Snoop Doggy Dogg will grace the ACL Live stage for one night only. Snoop will rap classic hits and perform fresh tracks from his new album Bush. Tickets are $94 to $164.
Friday, October 23 at 9 pm

2015 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix
Experience the high energy of Circuit of The Americas' Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The high-octane weekend will feature the F1 race, parties, fine art, and musical performances by artists like the legendary Elton John. This is the event of the fall you don’t want to miss. Tickets start at $100.
Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25

Pop Austin International Art Show
The Austin art show has teamed up with Formula 1 to showcase amazing art at Circuit of The Americas during race weekend. Alternatively, you can check out the mind-blowing Illumination exhibit at Fair Market, a collection of light-based installations from innovative creators. Tickets are $40.
Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25 at 10 am

The City Theatre presents The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
Right in time for Halloween, The City Theatre brings The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 to its stage. The story centers on a musical wrapped up in a comedic murder mystery. Grab a group of friends and kick off the weekend with a fright. Tickets are $15 to $25.
Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24 at 8 pm; Sunday, October 25 at 3 pm

2015 AIA Austin Homes Tour
Take an exclusive self-guided tour of some of the city’s most luxurious homes. Attendees are encouraged to buy a $35 ticket in advance of the tour, which can be purchased at Mockingbird Domestics, Zinger Hardware, or the AIA Austin office.
Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25 at 10 am

Love Ding presents Makers Harvest
Gather your gals at Love Ding's Makers Harvest for the perfect pre-brunch pop-up shop. The free harvest will feature eight coveted local brands, live music, and cider courtesy of Texas Keeper Cider.
Saturday, October 24 at 11 am

Lionel Richie in concert
Hello? Is it Lionel you're looking for? Smooth '80s crooner Lionel Richie answers your call and graces the ACL Live stage this Saturday. Richie’s performance is part of the race weekend and will include special eats and drinks, a private after party, and a truly unique musical experience. Tickets are $95 to $425.
Saturday, October 24 at 8 pm

Lowbrow presents "Drop Dead Gorgeous"
Lowbrow’s new adult-only Halloween variety show is one to remember. The tantalizing experience will feature sexy skeleton action, voluptuous vamping vampires, and more. Get ready for a naughty night of frights. Tickets are $15 to $30.
Saturday, October 24 at 9 pm

Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum presents Last Straw Fest
Round up the family and head to Umlauf Sculpture Garden for one of the city’s best fall festivals. Activities at the festival include pumpkin carving, visiting the Haunted Garden, viewing sculpted scarecrows, and more. Admission is free with your RSVP. Haunted Garden tickets are $40 per person.
Sunday, October 25 at noon

Just a few days after his birthday, Snoop Dogg comes to ACL Live this Friday.

Idolator.com

Just a few days after his birthday, Snoop Dogg comes to ACL Live this Friday.

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Paradise Lost

Popular Austin dance club Outer Heaven to close in 6 months

Outer Heaven Disco Club/Instagram

Outer Heaven Disco Club is closing, as announced in a fiery message from the founder.

In a long Instagram post that could anchor a museum exhibit about Austin's growing pains over the last 10 years, the founder of the popular nightclub Outer Heaven Disco Club announced it would be closing to make way for condos.

"Our landlord has declined to renew our lease for the bar as they are tearing our entire building down to apparently build 'luxury condos,'" the post by owner Sean Daigle says. "So essentially we have 6 months left to operate, ending March 2025."

So far, there do not seem to be any pending Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) records about construction at the address (1808 E. 12th St.), nor those directly adjacent, which currently house Skinny's Off Track Bar and Trona. CultureMap has made contact with Daigle, who has declined to share additional information until it is cleared with the involved parties. A spokesperson for Trona confirms that its team is also waiting to make an official statement, but that it will be staying open with no plans to close doors.CultureMap also sent a message to Skinny's and is waiting for a response.

Outer Heaven's public message on Instagram is broken up over six slides of text. It is both an elegy to the business' past five years, dating back to its start in 2019, and a promise to go down swinging by making the club everything it was envisioned to be, regardless of propriety.

"One point I do wanna make is that we are not 'going out of business.' We are an economically sustainable bar, literally despite doing most everything the opposite of how bars are 'supposed' to operate ..." writes Daigle.

Earlier in the slides, Daigle writes, "It is ironic in a way because its the most 'new Austin' reason that could possibly happen[,] and an encapsulation of why I rail on about why everything will eventually be swallowed by the people with the checkbooks."

See on Instagram

Outer Heaven has become known for its authenticity, not just for Daigle's unfiltered social media approach, but also the word-of-mouth popularity, great karaoke, and impressive interior art. The same thing that drives some customers away is what keeps others around: the staff's zero-tolerance policies for inadequate tippers and homophobic behavior. Much like any dive bar, this queer paradise knows its core audience and is willing to ruffle feathers when it deems appropriate.

"I think there is a freedom that comes with knowing when you're gonna be executed and that freedom for me is doubling down on everything I've tried to do here," the post says. It also promises continuing "unwelcome" energy (in scare quotes) for "'haters' ... and your bullsh*t West 6th homophobic normie friends."

For patrons who do support the bar's vision, though, Daigle pledges to live out the rest of its days in pursuit of happy moments, from tiny ones, to those that lead to life-changing relationships as they have in Outer Heaven's run so far.

"Old Austin forever, burn the rest to the ground," Daigle concludes. "I love you all."

More information about Outer Heaven Disco Club is available at outerheavendiscoclubatx.com.

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