The city’s entertainment scene is heating up faster than recent temperatures, and we’ve got the agenda to prove it. Catch Broadway musical Hairspray live, see Walker Hayes in concert, or feast on the flavors of the African diaspora in honor of Juneteenth. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this holiday weekend. For a complete list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, June 15

Broadway in Austin: Hairspray
High-volume musical Hairspray comes to perfectly-coiffed life on stage at Bass Concert Hall. Audiences can expect dazzling song and dance performances from beloved characters including teen star Tracy Turnblad, heartthrob Link Larkin, and a standout, incredibly charming guest performance by Drag Race alum Nina West as Edna Turnblad. These original songs won the hearts of generations and Tony Awards alike. Shows are scheduled through June 18. Get tickets at austin.broadway.com.

Friday, June 16

KASE101 and 98.1 KVET present Walker Hayes in concert
Country music singer-songwriter Walker Hayes performs live at Round Rock Amp as part of the venue’s outdoor concert series. The voice behind top songs like “Fancy Like” and “Y’all Life” comes to the Austin area in support of his recent album, Country Stuff the Album. For more concert information, check out Eventbrite.

Saturday, June 17

ACL Live presents Colin Jost
Comedian and actor Colin Jost is bringing his jokes and storytelling skills to ACL Live. Jost is best known for his co-anchor role on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and has appeared in the films How to Be Single and Coming 2 America. Get more information about this one-night-only show on Ticketmaster.

The Austin Symphony presents E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert
Experience the iconic, award-winning score from the blockbuster film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial live in concert at The Long Center for the Performing Arts. This production features a screening of the classic movie accompanied by a full symphony orchestra for an unforgettable cinematic experience. For ticket details, visit my.austinsymphony.org.

Sunday, June 18

Armadillo Den presents The Diaspora Food Festival
Celebrate Juneteenth by tasting the dynamic and diverse flavors of the African diaspora at Armadillo Den. Guests will be able to sample an assortment of dishes from local Austin vendors specializing in Afro-Latin, African American, Afro-Colombian, Jamaican, and Haitian cuisine. Admission to this food festival is free and open to the public.

Garbage and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in concert
Co-headliners Garbage and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds make a stop in Austin at Germania Insurance Amphitheater. Both bands are touring in support of their albums, Garbage’s No Gods No Masters and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' Council Skies, respectively. Get seats on Ticketmaster.

Monday, June 19

Bass Concert Hall presents Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight in concert
Two of the most talented singers in R&B history grace the stage at Bass Concert Hall for a co-headlining evening of entertainment. Patti LeBelle and Gladys Knight share a plethora of chart-topping hits, Grammy awards, and decades-long career success that shaped Black music — perfect for a Juneteenth evening. Fans can expect a set list of both divas’ best songs such as LaBelle’s “If Only You Knew” and Knights’ “That’s What Friends Are For.” For more information, visit texasperformingarts.evenue.net.

  

Photo by Matthew Murphy

See Hairspray live at Bass Concert Hall this weekend.