on beat, on theme

Shake off the summer at these 12 themed dance parties in Austin

There's nothing like a theme party for getting out of a rut.

Summer in Austin is hot, so if you’re not cooling off in a pool somewhere, you might as well lean into the sweat and dance it out. Luckily, there is no shortage of dance parties in Austin this summer, whether you’re looking for a full-on costumed theme party or something a little more lowkey. These are the top 12 dance parties this summer in Austin.

Friday, July 12

Empire Presents: The Taylor Party: The TS Dance Party
$23.91 including fees
The Taylor Party is the “original Taylor Swift-inspired Dance Party,” created by fans for fans. This party is touring in clubs across the nation, and this time it will be at Empire Garage. You can expect to see Swifties wearing their favorite Eras outfits and singing and dancing to all of Taylor’s hits. Doors open at 8 pm for all Swifties 18 and up. Get your tickets via Empire Control Room.

Saturday, July 13

Yee Hottie! Megan Thee Stallion Tribute Night
No cover
If you’re looking for a dance party that’s a little less pop and a little more hip hop, Cheer Up Charlies has just the thing. DJs Bad Apple, Hypperfemme, and Orya, will be serving up songs inspired by and in tribute to Megan Thee Stallion. Doors open at 9 pm, and be sure to get there by 11 pm if you don’t want to miss the Meg twerk contest.

Higher Ground Presents: Taylor Swift Eras Dance Party
$13
If you shook it off on Friday night and you’re not quite done by Saturday afternoon, Higher Ground is offering up yet another Taylor Swift dance party this weekend. This daytime event will be from noon until 6 pm. It will include a Taylor Swift-themed photo booth, themed cocktails, themed decor, merch for purchase, and of course, all of Taylor’s hits — from her earliest songs to her latest chart-toppers. Organizers advise getting tickets ahead of time, as the event is expected to sell out.

Empire Presents: The Bieber Party: Justin Bieber Night
Starting at $20.81 including fees
It’s not too late to say sorry —or to buy tickets — to Empire’s Justin Beiber Night. This DJ party is another one that is touring the nation and making a one-time stop in Austin. Expect to sing and dance to all of Bieber’s most popular songs. This show is open to Beliebers 18 and up, and doors open at 8 pm.

Monday, July 15 (and every Monday)

Monday Night Dance Party with the Nightowls
$5
Every Monday night at the Far Out Lounge you can start your week off dancing to the Nightowls, Austin’s favorite 10-piece party band. They’ll play a mix of hits from throughout the decades and it’ll feel like a nonstop mashup of your favorite dance songs — all live. More information about the band is available at wearethenightowls.com. Doors for this event are at 7 pm, and visitors should note, parking at the Farout Lounge is limited. Tickets available online or at the door.

Thursday, July 18 (and every Thursday)

Country Dance Night With Tara Bianco
$5
If your ideal dance party is a little more country than it is club, you might be into this event. Every Thursday night, Buck’s Backyard in Buda has a country dance night. Starting at 7:30 pm, there is an intermediate-to-advanced line dancing lesson, and then at 8 pm, a beginner line dancing lesson. Both are taught by professional country dancer Tara Bianco. At 8:30 pm, the dance floor opens up to social dance until close. Of course, there are discounts on all Texas beers and liquors for this country dance party.

Friday, July 19

Ladies Night: 70’s and 80’s Disco, Funk, & Soul
$10 for men, free for women after 9 pm
For a dance party that is a little less themed and a little more disco, head to Sahara Lounge. DJ ZAPOT and DJ Juan Lo will be spinning dance floor hits from the 70s and 80s all night. Doors will be at 7 pm, but starting at 9 pm entry for ladies is free. The musical act before Ladies Night officially kicks off is still TBA. There will be a full bar, cocktail menu, and Antonio’s Snack Shack food trailer available on the patio.

She Dance At Club Hanovers In Pflugerville
Free entry, tables starting at $10 for two seats
Hanovers Draught Haus has been a historical staple of downtown Pflugerville since the early 1900s. These days it’s a sports bar featuring sand volleyball courts by day and a music venue by night. Coming up soon, Hanovers will be hosting “She Dance,” an LGTBQ ladies’ dance night. From the event page, “meet some new friends or [be] on the prowl for the next ‘potential.’” DJ Dino will be mixing the tunes and playing your requests.

Friday, July 26

Club XCX: A Bratty Dance Night
Starting at $19.64 including fees
Dance party touring group What the Dance, is making a one-time stop at Austin’s Spiderhouse Ballroom for a dance party celebrating Charli XCX’s new album, Brat. This 18-and-up dance party will feature music from ACRA, Slayyyter, Shygirl, SOPHIE, and of course, Charli XCX, for an energetic night of hyperpop. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Empire Presents: Shrek Rave In the Garage
$32.15 including fees
You read that correctly; There will be a Shrek-themed rave at Empire Control Room. The Shrek Rave is an annual event held across North America and the U.K. It’s a dance night filled with remixes of your favorite Shrek songs. You can expect to see tons of Shrek and Fairy Tail-themed costumes, an onion-eating contest, dance offs, and a real life version of Shrek’s Far, Far Away Idol, where guests can sing songs dressed as Shrek characters. As the event planners say, “It’s dumb; just come have fun.” Tickets are available via Empire.

Saturday, August 3

A Very 90s Throwback Party!
No cover
Entry is free for this night of live nostalgic 90s hits at The Highball. What you can expect: singing and dancing along to songs from Third Eye Blind, Backstreet boys, Weezer, Sublime, NSYNC, Spice Girls, Sugar Ray, Britney, and more. All music will be played live by Zoodust: ‘90s Party Band. Event organizers suggest feeding your Tamagotchi before you get to the event.

Friday, September 6

Empire Presents: Broadway Rave
$25.97 including fees
This event isn’t until September, but you may want to go ahead and mark your calendars. It’s a Broadway Rave, a dance party celebrating the best show tunes and songs from musical theater. Of course, costumes are strongly encouraged at this touring show, and the website hints that surprise Broadway guests may show up at events. Tickets are available via Empire Control Room.

dance nightlife

Let the Records Show

Austin's Waterloo Records to change owners and move from iconic location

Caryn Noel Photography, LLC

From left to right: Caren Kelleher, John Kunz and Trey Watson.

Waterloo Records & Video is undergoing some changes to stay in business. After 35 years in its current location, the Austin institution is moving. It’ll go forward with two new owners.

According to a January 2 press release, the new location will be at 1105 North Lamar Blvd., less than half a mile north of the current location on the same road. The new owners are Gold Rush Vinyl founder Caren Kelleher and Austin entrepreneur and Armadillo Records CEO Trey Watson.

Almost since its inception, Waterloo Records has been owned by John Kunz, who joined founder Louis Karp the same year that the business opened. He became the sole owner five years later, in 1987. The sale of the store represents a relief for Kunz — now Chair Emeritus — in several ways. It seems that the business is saved from the precarious position it was thrust into in 2019, when the retail location it was leasing changed hands.

“My decades-long hope, dream and endeavor, has been for Waterloo Records & Video to live on forever, continuing to promote Austin’s vibrant music culture and community,” said John Kunz in the release.

He continued, “Now with this transition, all of my boxes are checked: a new larger home, just five blocks away; Caren and Trey buy in as my new, talented, local music industry partners; all of my team are retained and they will gain the opportunity for store ownership; all of the Waterloo Records hallmarks and traditions continue on, including innovation; and now as a minority partner and not sole proprietor, I get to work less, and play more. So thank you Austin!”

According to the release, it was Kunz who decided Waterloo would move to this new location, which is bigger than the current location by half. Waterloo fans can enjoy more space for events, better parking, and continued easy access to downtown, which helps fold record shopping and in-store events in with visitor's other musical endeavors around town.

Any record store in Austin is afforded some level of local mythology, especially considering that many are longtime institutions. Waterloo Records stands out because of how in touch it remains with the local scene, including a large and deep selection, knowledgable staff, and cool events like meet-and-greets with popular artists — both local and otherwise.

Kelleher and Watson also bring new expertise to the veteran business. Kelleher has led an important shift in record pressing at the helm of Gold Rush Vinyl, which was named among Fast Company's10 most innovative music companies of 2020. The factory has pressed records for both local and internationally famous artists including Fall Out Boy, Rüfüs Du Sol, Tom Yorke, RuPaul, Charley Crockett, and many more.

“John, Trey and I recognized this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to guard and grow an iconic music business and to get to do so in a town we all love,” said Kelleher in the same release. “John was one of the first people to welcome me to Austin when I moved here to start Gold Rush Vinyl and his friendship has been so important over the years. It means so much to me that he and his wife Kathy Marcus trust me to be part of the next chapter of Waterloo.”

Watson has several music industry ventures under his belt. In addition to his role at Armadillo Records — which opened in 1969 and was foundational in Austin's music scene — he also acts as president of photo archive custodian Globe Entertainment & Media Corp, and music and sports documentary studio 153 Studio Group.

”Austin has a soul about it that attracted me to move here over 25 years ago and continues to draw people here today,” said Watson. “Since 1982, Waterloo Records has been a large part of the fabric of that soul as a small business and as a place where people gather as a community to celebrate music. I’m honored and grateful that John Kunz has entrusted our team with guiding Waterloo into the future. We have great things planned for all to experience.”

Although the sale of legacy Austin businesses often creates anxiety or alludes to hard times, Kunz's message seems entirely hopeful.

“Waterloo is my baby — I always wanted the store to live on and have a life beyond me, and it is happening with these new partners,” he said. “I am confident that the new energy and innovation from Caren and Trey, along with the entire Waterloo Records & Video crew, will fulfill the dreams I have always had.”

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Let the Records Show

Austin's Waterloo Records to change owners and move from iconic location