Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts/Facebook

Austin Pride is upon us and the near future is full of festivities that are sure to be fabulous. Get the celebration started at Kalimoxto’s Pride Party, or cool off poolside when you attend Austin Motel’s Pride programming. A barrage of can’t-miss concerts by rock and roll legends and stars alike is also on the agenda. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a complete list of events, visit our calendar.

Friday, August 11

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts in concert
Rock legends Joan Jett and The Blackhearts come to Austin in support of 93.7 KLBJ's 50th anniversary celebration programming. The group and their iconic frontwoman are known for top hits such as “Bad Reputation” and “Activity Grrrl” and have amassed fans across the globe since their debut in the mid-1970s. Get ticket details on Eventbrite.

Cap City Comedy Club presents Janelle James
Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actress Janelle James brushes off her stand-up chops with a brief residency at Cap City Comedy Club. In addition to being a seasoned entertainer on the comedy circuit, James catapulted to stardom as Principal Ava in the hit ABC series, Abbott Elementary. Get more information at capcitycomedy.com.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts/Facebook

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts perform live in concert on August 11.

The Offspring in concert with Sum 41 and Simple Plan
The Offspring, Sum 41, and Simple Plan bring punk rock pandemonium to COTA’s Germania Insurance Amphitheater for one raging night only. Fans can expect a show complete with hits from each band’s catalog, including songs from The Offspring’s most recent album, Let the Bad Times Roll. For more information, visit Ticketmaster.

Kalimotxo Pride Party
Start the Austin Pride Weekend celebrations in style at Basque bar concept Kalimotxo. Highlights include special guest appearances, DJ entertainment, all-you-can-eat Kalimotxo bites, complimentary cocktails, dessert from Lick Honest Ice Creams, free merch, and more. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite. Proceeds from the party will benefit LGBTQ+ network the Equality Alliance.

Saturday, August 12

Boy George & Culture Club in concert
English icons Boy George and Culture Club come to Austin’s Germania Insurance Amphitheater for a concert complementing the Pride festivities. Fans can expect a setlist of countless hits, including “Karma Chameleon” and “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me.” For more details, check out Ticketmaster.

Chubbies x Austin Motel: Pride Pool Party
Cool off after the Pride parade poolside at Austin Motel. The local hospitality hotspot teams up with apparel brand Chubbies for an evening of Pride-approved fun. Guests can expect a Chubbies pop-up shop, music by DJ xoyish, frozen cocktails from the Pool Bar and So Gay Rosé, and unlimited pool dips. Get tickets and more information on Eventbrite. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Chubbies' Foundation 43.

Sunday, August 13

Big Freedia and Friends at the Bounce Motel
Austin Motel continues its Pride programming with a special edition of its monthly poolside party featuring guest host Big Freedia. The Queen of Bounce will lead attendees in a celebration of movement and music for a fabulous finale to the weekend’s festivities. Visit Eventbrite for ticket information.

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8 colorful ways to celebrate Austin Pride throughout August

keep austin queer'd

Although National Pride Month has come and gone, Austinites have had a month to recover and get ready for more local festivities leading up to the signature Austin Pride Parade and Festival on August 12. There are many ways to celebrate, but the most important thing is to recognize the struggles and triumphs queer folk have faced over the last several decades.

Austin is a very queer-friendly city, so while you enjoy a few of the city's fun pride festivities, let's remember that there is still work to be done to ensure the equality of LGBTQIA+ citizens all over the nation.

Before August 12

The Little Gay Shop – "ATX Pride Market"
August 6
There's no better way to support small businesses and celebrate Austin Pride Month than by shopping at a local craft market led by queer artists and creatives. The second annual ATX Pride Market will take place from 11 am to 5 pm at Distribution Hall, featuring over 70 local makers and vendors. There will be free drinks during the event thanks to a partnership with Bacardi, as well as food from local chefs. Additional activities include an art gallery and on-site screen printing.

Mandola's Italian Kitchen
August 6-13
This casual Italian restaurant is bringing back its signature rainbow heart-shaped cookies for Austin Pride. It'll be donating 100 percent of the proceeds from the cookie sales to OutYouth, an Austin nonprofit that has been creating safe havens for LGBTQ+ youth for 33 years.

Playland Skate Center – "Rainbow Skate Pride Week Edition"
August 7
Live your neon rollerblade Barbie dreams at this Austin Pride takeover from 2-5 pm. DJ Chorizo Funk will provide the music for this event while attendees celebrate the "Keep Austin Queer'd" theme. No need to worry about bringing your own skates to this fun shindig, as the ticket price ($14) includes a roller skate rental. More information can be found on austinpride.org.

Saturday, August 12

W Hotel Austin – "Pride Warm Up"
Do your makeup and treat yourself to a cocktail while having the ultimate GRWM moment alongside Austin's favorite queens: The Beckies are hosting their Pride Warm Up at the W Hotel from 5-9 pm. A live DJ will help amp guests up for the evening while they jazz up their outfits to perfection. Don't forget to check out the hotel's pop-up market. Guests can RSVP via Eventbrite.

Stephen F's Bar and Terrace at Austin Royal Sonesta – "Pride Watch Party"
A terrace along the parade route welcomes guests to sit outside for the bar's second annual Pride Watch Party, beginning at 7 pm and lasting throughout the duration of the Austin Pride Parade. Stephen F's will have plenty of Pride-themed cocktails during the event. Plus, for the first time, a livestream of the parade will play inside the bar. Guests can reserve a table by emailing bridgette.boltowski@sonesta.com. As a bonus, the Austin Royal Sonesta is offering 15 percent off hotel rooms with the discount code "PRIDE."

After August 12

Hotel Indigo – "Papi Siii Pride Pool Party"
August 13
The first-ever Papi Siii Pride Pool Party, a celebration of the gay Latin community, will be held from 1-6 pm at the Hotel Indigo, a short distance away from the dance-turned-pool party's original birthplace at Mala Vida. Co-founder and party co-host DJ Gabby Got It and DJ Stylz will entertain and provide a safe space for attendees all afternoon. Guests can also enjoy delicious cocktails like the Guapa Guava Margarita, Peso Pal-uma, and Tito's Limonada. VIP cabanas have sold out, but tickets ($25 per person) can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Thinkery – "Community Spotlight: LGBTQ+ Family Pride"
August 15
A beloved children's museum will host an LGBTQ+ Family Pride night from 4-6 pm to celebrate queer families and adults. A few of the festivities include drag story time, a museum parade, and more. Rainbow Connections ATX will also be on-site to provide community resources. This event is free to the public. More information about the event can be found at thinkeryaustin.org.

Meanwhile Brewing Co. – "Brew Paul's Drag Show: Austin Pride Edition"
August 26
To help bring Austin Pride Month to a close, Meanwhile will host a special Brew Paul's Drag Show from 9-11 pm. Attendees are encouraged to show up early to get the best seating and shop at the Austin Flea pop-up market from 6-9 pm. Equality Texas will also be at the brewery to share more information about their organization and the important work they do to support queer Texans. This event is free, and guests can RSVP via Eventbrite.

Photo by Kati Luedecke

7 things to know in Austin food right now: Pizza newcomer spreads wings for brunch, lunch, and happy hour

News You Can Eat

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Although Dovetail Pizza has been capturing Austinites' hearts since opening in November of 2022, it's still getting on its feet. Things are looking quite established now that the pizzeria is also offering lunch with sandwich specials, and even a weekend brunch with pizza sauce Bloody Marys and beignoli. (Presumably that's something between a beignet and a cannoli.) Both lunch and brunch will be served from 11 am to 3 pm on weekdays and weekends, respectively. A happy hour from Sunday to Thursday, 3-5 pm, will offer discounts and a new meatball sandwich.

Speaking of service extensions, both the Ramen Tatsu-ya on East 6th Street and Domo Alley-Gato are serving ramen later at night — when you really need it, if you ask us. The full menu at each will now be available until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, serving ramen later than any other Tatsu-ya location. The hospitality group has been focused on new locations for a while, so it's nice to see smaller changes coming to neighborhoods that have supported the restaurant for years.

Despite the low-brow beauty of some beer culture, it's still nice to enjoy some in a real fancy venue — say, The Driskill. The hotel's Beer Dinner Series is back on, introducing Austinites to new local beers alongside a five-course menu of pairings by Chef Alondra Martinez and Pastry Chef Kristen Groth. The first dinner of the returning series will be held on June 20, and will pair Thirsty Planet Brewery beers with grilled oysters, andouille sausage, quail, and more. The timing makes for a great Father's Day gift, if you're looking. Reserve ($80) on Tock.

Italian sandwich by Dovetail Pizza in Austin

Photo by Kati Luedecke

Dovetail pizza now offers brunch, lunch, a happy hour, and new menu items to tie it all together.

There will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate Pride Month in Austin throughout June, but a couple of coffee shop deals will make sure you have the energy to keep dancing. Abby Jane Bakeshop is using a brew by Sightseer Coffee, "Season of the Witch," to make espresso whoopie pies. Proceeds go to Out Youth for the organization's Transgender Wellness program. Another effort by Jo's Coffee has repackaged the house blend in limited-edition Pride Boxes that each drive a $2 donation to Equality Texas.

L'Oca d'Oro, the seasonal Italian restaurant in the Meuller neighborhood known for its progressive ideals as well as its delicious food, is wrapping up its recurring fundraising event, Pasta Paisanos, for the season. The monthly collabs have brought in great chefs from around Austin to drive donations to Lilith Fund, which provides funds and emotional supports to Texans seeking abortions. At the wrap-up event, in collaboration with alumni chefs Fermín Nunez and Angelo Emiliana, the restuarnat will also be celebrating its seventh anniversary and hopes to reach its $50,000 donation goal. Book at locadoroaustin.com.

Locals can always count on the Peached Tortilla for a menu with a theme. The restaurant, which is known for its extensive whiskey menu and "Asian comfort food with a Southern twist," actually already celebrates "Fried Chicken and Whiskey Wednesdays," which falls right on National Bourbon Day this year — the whiskey gods decreed it. Celebrate with umami fried chicken, mixed grilled corn with kimchi miso butter, kimchi mac and cheese, and "proper biscuits." The restaurant has 10 bourbons to choose from, and plenty more if the chicken sounds great but you're...not an observer of National Bourbon Day.

Photo by Jeremy Cowart

Here are the top 7 things to do in Austin this weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Concerts, Pride-themed partying, and live entertainment have made their way to the top of our agenda for the next few days. Celebrate Pride Month by dancing into the night at Vacancy Brewing or catch a screening of Eva Longoria’s new drama at Cine Las Americas Film Festival. For music fans, Weezer and Ryan Adams & The Cardinals shows are sure to be your speed. Check out the top seven things to do in Austin this weekend. For a full list of events, go to our calendar.

Thursday, June 8

Vaughn Art Gallery + Agency presents Thomas Flynn II: "To Catch the Sun Dreaming" opening reception
Experience the newest work by Thomas Flynn II, artist in residence at Vaughn Art Agency & Gallery. Flynn’s art is noted for his color choice and plein air painting (i.e. painting outdoors) to create highly-coveted contemporary marvels. Following the reception, the exhibit will be on display until July 22. Admission to the opening is free.

Cine Las Americas International Film Festival
The 25th Anniversary edition of Cine Las Americas features a packed schedule of the most in-theater screenings and events in festival history. Screenings will take place at AFS Cinema and Galaxy Theater. Highlights of the five-day event include Eva Longoria’s Flamin’ Hot on opening night, several competition films, and Claudia Sainte-Luce comedy Amor y matemáticas (Love and Mathematics) as the closing night film. For festival information, go to cinelasamericas.org.

Weezer in concert
Weezer comes back to Austin in support of their 2021 album, Van Weezer. The Los Angeles-based rock band has remained a worldwide sensation for decades due to chart-topping hits such as “Buddy Holly” and “Beverly Hills.” For ticketing information about this show at Germania Insurance Amphitheater, check Ticketmaster.

Stateside at the Paramount presents "Becky Robinson: She Gone Tour"
Comedian and multihyphenate Becky Robinson makes a stop at Stateside at the Paramount on her national stand-up tour. Robinson has made a lane for herself in the comedic space by way of social media stardom. She is best known for her viral videos, her one-woman show, The Heavy Pour, and her online persona, “Entitled Housewife.” Get more details on austintheatre.org.

Friday, June 9

Ryan Adams & The Cardinals in concert
Americana music stars Ryan Adams & The Cardinals return to Austin for a live show at ACL Live & 3TEN at ACL LIve. Fans of the “Now That You’re Gone” band can expect the same hits with a new line-up of Adams, Brad Pemberton, Chris Stills, Daniel Clarke, and Don Was. Get seating information on Ticketmaster.

Saturday, June 10

Vacancy Brewing presents a "Pride Night Party"
Show your Pride Month spirit at this Vacancy Brewing nighttime bash. Guests can enjoy glitter beer, live music from DJ Lucia Beyond, Pride merch, Pride cans, and extended hours to keep the dance party going. Admission is free. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefit the Austin chapter of PFLAG.

Sunday, June 11

Cap City Comedy Club presents Michael Palascak
Comedian Michael Palascak performs fresh material with two back-to-back shows in one night at Cap City Comedy Club. He’s appeared on many of the comedy world’s biggest stages including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Late Night with David Letterman. For tickets, visit capcitycomedy.com.

Photo by Jeremy Cowart

Weezer performs live at Germania Insurance Amphitheater on June 8.

Waterloo Greenway/Instagram

8 Pride events that actually benefit LGBTQIA+ communities in Austin

Proud for a reason

It’s Pride Month, and the rainbow flags are popping up again. Austin is known for being especially queer-friendly, so in many ways, it’s just business as usual in the capital city.

But the extra-celebratory events are now in full-swing, as is the discourse around the sides of pride that really aren't that useful: selling products with a gay image and no real community support, leaving out parts of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, and creating pressure to smile through the hard parts of embracing a marginalized identity.

The following events around Austin this June all drive revenue for queer artists, offer free wellness opportunities to community members, or gather donations for advocacy organizations. Not only are they fun — celebrating adds something tangential to LGBTQ life in Austin. Then, rest up in July and plan to get right back at it in August for Austin Pride.

Before June 24

Waterloo Greenway — "Pride in the Park"
June 5-10
Part of the fun of Pride Month is watching community spaces transform for the occasion, and Waterloo Greenway is a great example of how mainstream that can get. The park's summer programming plan, like a few others in the city, includes a block of Pride scheduling: fitness classes June 5-7, a conversation about intersectionality on June 8, a family-friendly event on June 10, and four hours of performances later that evening headlined by the House of Lepore.

Circle Brewing and Equality Texas — "Beer for All"
June 10
Equality Texas was very busy during the recent legislative session, fighting bills that target drag performers and gender-diversity. Circle Brewing, an Austin brewery known for its events, is helping to support the advocacy organization through donations — the new "Fanny Pack Kolsch" will be released on June 10, and each pack sold will send a $1 to Equality Texas. The release event will include live music, face painting, and a vendor market. Plus, guests can take home "Fanny Pack" in themed cans and Yeti can insulators for extra fundraising.

Electric Shuffle — "Shuffle with Pride"
Sundays throughout June
The new high-tech shuffleboard venue Electric Shuffle is partnering with Qwell, a community organization for better LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing, for a weekly fundraising drag brunch series. Electric Shuffle will donate 10 percent of each brunch's sales to Qwell. Every Sunday in June starting at 12 PM, we’ll be hosting a fabulous Drag Brunch and donating 10 percent of those brunch sales to QWELL. For guests, that means well-known performers and a "Drag Race Royalty special guest," shuffleboard games, DJ sets, and an over-the-top menu with a bottle of sparkling wine for each guest. A new Prickly Pear Margarita, available through August, also generates a $1 donation for each sale.

Paramount Theatre — "Majestic Ball Week"
June 20-24
Reading may be fundamental, but so is watching LGBTQ films. Some of those are screening at the Paramount Theatre leading up to its Majestic Ball: sapphic thriller Bound; rock and roll trans identity film Hedwig and the Angry Inch; 2017 Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Moonlight; indie trans sex-work film Tangerine; and influential drag film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The ball on June 24 invites Austinites to attend a special ballroom competition hosted by Diamond Dior Davenport and the Legendary Mother Natalie Lepore, with a performance by Fat Bottom Cabaret. Tickets ($22-34) are available at austintheatre.org.

June 24

Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, KUTX, and local 4th Street businesses — "4th Street Block Party"
The LGBT Chamber of Commerce has ties with tons of businesses in Austin that don't just espouse positivity during Pride Month; They create meaning and revenue in the community year-round. This end-of-Pride block party on June 24 serves as the 4th Annual Pride in Local Music celebration with performances by Gina Chavez, Primo the Alien, Promqueen, and more. The Little Gay Shop will be there with its curated market, and so will local businesses like Rain on 4th, Oilcan Harry’s, Neon Grotto, and more, including the brand-new Estelle’s. Tickets (suggested donation of $10) are available at austinlgbtchamber.com.

Mutual Love — "Rest Fest"
Our asexual comrades don't see tons of representation during Pride, but they belong at these events all the same. One that is not specifically ace-allied still gives a respite from the louder, more mainstream events for a softer side of Pride: yoga, relaxation, and pizza. The trans-led event welcomes all ages, and opts out of alcohol. Activities include a mobile tattoo studio, tarot readings, massages, bounce houses, and a dunk tank fundraiser for trans healthcare, among other activations. RSVP for the free event on Eventbrite.

Communities for Recovery — "Peace, Love, Joy & Recovery: A Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Wellness"
LGBTQ people have a unique — and sometimes uniquely challenging — relationship with mental health, substance use, and self-care that can be deeply impacted by a sense of community or isolation. Communities for Recovery, at the Austin State Hospital, is partnering with The Phoenix Austin and Thrive: Neurodivergence and Mental Health Activities Group for a local artist showcase. They're looking for visual art and poetry, as well as collaborations with organizations working on similar goals, so they can connect visitors with the help they need. RSVP on Eventbrite.

After June 24

Sky Candy — Local Pride: Student Showcase
June 30
Few communities, if any, know more about celebrating our differences than circus artists, and one of Austin's most popular aerial studios is holding a special student showcase in honor of pride. The showcase sets choreography on silks, lyra, sling, trapeze, and cube to music by local queer musicians, and the studio will offer free rapid HIV testing and information on PrEP the day-of and after the show (June 30 and July 1). Tickets ($15-120) are available on Eventbrite.

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Austin 'Top Chef' winner emerges after controversy to open upscale Mexican restaurant, plus more top stories

hot headlines

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From cross-country tours to best-in-state colleges and snacks, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Austin 'Top Chef' winner emerges after controversy to open upscale Mexican restaurant. Bacalar has opened after years of preparation and controversy surrounding the chef's departure from his last role.

2. Nebraska Furniture Mart to bring massive new store and 700 jobs to Austin suburb. NFM will anchor a development that will include a 250-room hotel and 30,000-square-foot convention center.

3. Hello Kitty Cafe Truck says hi to Austin on cross-country tour. Among the new items is a bright pink tote bag with rainbow straps and desserts decorating the front, and an assortment of Hello Kitty baked goods.

4. UT Austin rises to the top in new list of best Texas schools for 2024. UT Austin claimed No. 2 in Texas, and ranked No. 32 nationally. It fared similarly in Niche's list of top public universities.

5. How to get every possible discount at the 2023 State Fair of Texas. The fair starts its 24-day run at Fair Park in Dallas on September 29, bringing with it music, games, food, and more.

R&B singer Mélat epitomizes the independent Austin music experience in new album

local releases

Even though Mélat is always busy — appearing in seemingly every major community showcase — she hasn't released a new album in four years. That is, until today.

Canon Metis: Wiser Than Gods and Mortal Men — with an appropriately grandiose title for the R&B singer's prodigal return — is out on September 29, with 14 gooey tracks incorporating everything from trap beats to gospel harmonies. It follows up 2019's After All: Episode One, with similarly spacious orchestrations and a little more confidence this time around on the songwriter's part.

"I feel like [after] going through COVID and all the things that have happened in the past four years ... it's the dawning of a new era for me," says Mélat. "I feel like I've shed a significant amount of fear, and doubt, and all these things that as humans we have to work to get off of ourselves. It feels like a new beginning for me."

The title of this "foundational" album, in Mélat's words, reaches back to two EPs that the singer has since grown out of, but represented a similar feeling of self-definition as her first-ever releases. First was Canon Aphaea, then Canon Ourania; Both referenced Greek goddesses. This time, Metis — Zeus' first wife, a Titan goddess, and the embodiment of wisdom — was the inspiration.

$M\u00e9lat Canon Metis: Wiser Than Gods and Mortal Men$ The album cover ties in "Easter Eggs" from Black woman-owned brands: fashion by Savage X Fenty, Black Girl Magic wine by McBride Sisters Wine Company, and an Ethiopian necklace referencing the singer's heritage.Shot by Marshall Tidrick

The subtitle comes from humbler origins than it sounds; probably something she read on Wikipedia, Mélat says, but definitely borrowed nonetheless. The quote also gives a name to a track in which the singer speaks semi-candidly about false idols and the wisdom to duck away from the judgment of "mere mortals."

"I'm like a lot of people in that I can be my worst my own worst critic," she says. "I hate my speaking voice, but I put it on the album [because] my gut was telling me, no, this needs to be said. There are songs that were cut from the album [that were part of] the plan the whole time."

Much of Mélat's local pull comes from her transparency about being an independent artist, which she discusses often on social media and will surely expound upon more when the Austin chapter of Women in Music launches later this year, with her on the leadership team. Nothing about working without a label is foreign to Austin musicians (although the landscape is slowly growing), and the singer confirms that she doesn't "know any other way to do it," but hints of that freedom shine through some tracks.

"Canon Metis," the opening track, pieces together a sort of trailer for the rest of the album with atmospheric synths and spoken announcements by disembodied femme voices — a softly futuristic approach. But "Lambs to Lions" and "The Now" deliver nostalgia via backup vocals and instrumental stylings, while "I.D.M.T.L.Y. (Freestyle)" pares things down to a simple phone recording that the songwriter and her close collaborator, sound engineer, and manager, Pha The Phenom, chose not to develop any further.

No through-lines were questioned. Nothing needed to be justified, except to each other. Both have gotten into meditating, anyway, so it's all about feel.

"I feel like I've gathered all this wisdom," Mélat says. "You can't really trust the quote-unquote gods, which are the shiny things that will distract you ... and you can't really worry too much about the judgment of others, because everybody's just human. I need to do what feels right for me."

There is no tour planned to promote the album yet, but given the singer's track record, it won't be long until something is on the books. A music video for "So Help Me God," incorporates AI technology via Kaiber AI, will be released on October 4.

Listen to Canon Metis: Wiser Than Gods and Mortal Men on your favorite streaming platform.

Unique art sale champions thousands of works by Austin artists who may not have homes

art everywhere

The streets of Austin reveal a vibrant artistic spirit if you know where to look. Art From the Streets (AFTS), a nonprofit uplifting unhoused artists, invites art lovers to discover this local creativity at the annual Art Show & Sale on October 21-22.

Photo courtesy of Art From The Streets

Onlookers look through hundreds of unique art pieces by unhoused Austinites.

Art From the Streets has announced its 31st Annual Art Show & Sale at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar, best known for its holiday market. This two-day event will showcase thousands of original artworks from unhoused and at-risk artists in the Austin area, from compelling portraits to vibrant abstracts, all while supporting an amazing creative community.

Attending this event gives the Austin community the special opportunity to meet these artists, hear their stories, and purchase their one-of-a-kind creations, with 95 percent of the art sale proceeds going directly to the artists themselves.

In turn, it provides platform for the artists to proudly display their works, coming into the arts scene in an official, marketable capacity. It brings visibility to their skills and lets them earn income from their passion.

"We believe that these artistic endeavors form a pathway to self-determination, and we invite the Austin community to join us this October in supporting these artists by making connections and purchasing some amazing art," said AFTS executive director Kelley Worden in a press release.

Volunteers form the backbone of AFTS by assisting with a wide range of tasks, from facilitating art creation sessions to helping with exhibition setup and more; the funds that AFTS collects through donations and art sales are directly funneled back into supporting these volunteers' efforts, providing art supplies, covering exhibition costs, and supplying other resources needed to uplift the unhoused artists in the Austin community.

The 31st Annual Art From the Streets Show & Sale will be held at the Blue Genie Art Bazaar from October 21-22. Attendance is free and open to the public, with a suggested $5 donation at the door to help support AFTS' mission of empowering unhoused artists. RSVP on Eventbrite.

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