Our Event Picks for August and September
Words by Alison Bryce
Austin Pride Festival & Parade
August 10,
Join the Boogie Wonderland to celebrate the Austin LGBTQ community at Pride Festival and Parade. With over 400,000 attendees predicted to attend this year, Austin Pride festivities are continuing the tradition. The parade is free while festival tickets start at $17 for general admission.
austinpride.org | 2101 Jesse E Segovia St.
Library Love Story Writing Workshop
August 13, 6-8pm
Libraries (and books) have a way of changing how people view the world around them. The Ruiz Branch of Austin Public Library wants to hear how literature has changed your life. This free creative writing workshop offers time, space, guidance, and inspiration to help craft a Library Love Story before submitting a piece for the chance to be read on KUT.
1600 Grove Blvd.
Austin Restaurant Weeks
August 15-Sept 2
Help the fight against hunger during Austin Restaurant Weeks. Eastside participants include Juniper, Contigo, and many more. A portion of the sale of each entree goes directly to the Central Texas Food Bank, which can turn each dollar into four meals for our neighbors.
austinrestaurantweeks.org | multiple locations
Bat Fest
August 24, 4pm-12am
Catch the famous Mexican free-tail bats emerging from under the Congress Bridge at dusk at the 15th annual Bat Fest. The event includes 2 stages with live music, arts & crafts vendors, delicious food and drinks, fun kid’s activities, and a bat costume contest.
roadwayevents.com/event/bat-fest/ | 100 South Congress Ave.
District Cultural Arts Fest
August 31, 3-10pm
Honor the rich legacy and cultural contributions of Central Texas’ black community with Six Square’s Cultural Arts Fest. This daytime market and music festival will include music from headliner Mumu Fresh, interactive activations, and food and drink from local businesses. Music festival tickets are $15 while tickets to both events are $75. sixsquare.org/dcaf/ | 900 Chicon St.
Back to School Swell
September 1, 2-6pm
Hold onto summer for a little bit longer. Reminiscent of 1960’s Palm Springs pool parties, Summer Swell will open access to East Austin Hotel’s courtyard pool to locals and visiting guests for their Back to School celebration. Guests can enjoy delicious food specials, $5 appetizers, cocktails, music, and ice cream.
eastaustinhotel.com | 1108 E. 6th St.
Eastside Kings Festival
September 13-15 & 17, times vary
Fill the weekend enjoying booths, workshops, and over 30 bands of the best of Blues, Jazz, and Gospel at the 7th annual Eastside Kings Festival. Listen to local musicians at a variety of venues around the Eastside during this three-day celebration. The event kicks off at Antone’s Friday night and wraps up at Justine’s on Tuesday.
locations vary
Strut Your Mutt
September 14, 8-11am
Show off your dog at Best Friends Animal Society’s annual fundraiser, Strut Your Mutt. The event raises money to save the lives of homeless pets. You and your pup, alongside hundreds of others, can participate in a walk that will benefit local animal welfare groups. Tickets are $20.
bestfriends.org | 6614 Blue Bluff Rd.
Crepe Paper Flower Making
September 28, 10am-1pm
Learn how to create a simple crepe paper rose with Mélissa Peng, the founder of Camellias and Curls, presented by craftHER Market. Create the bloom and leaves, as well as various coloring and texture techniques. Tickets are $65 and include all materials except scissors.
bossbabes.org | 916 Springdale Rd. #102, Bldg. 4
