Things to do in Austin this weekend: drag, sumo and a séance
If ACL's soggy opening weekend cost you a pair of sneakers to the Zilker mud, you're in good company. Plenty of people are giving the festival a pass this time, and the rest of the city has filled the gap with some of the strangest, most fun plans we've seen in a while.
These are our favorite things to do in Austin this weekend: a free dog costume contest, drag wrestling at a city pool, a funk night that raises money for local Black organizations, and an actual séance. Halloween season has clearly arrived early, and we're not complaining.
Friday, October 9
Pint Size Pooches Halloweenie Spooky Dog Show
6:30 PM @ Ovenbird, FREE w RSVP!
Your dog has been waiting all year for this. Prizes go to the best costume, the most impressive trick and the best runway strut, and the whole thing happens on a shaded patio where the humans can order cocktails. Save your spot with an RSVP for your pup, then step back and let them take the spotlight.
Behind the Mask
7 PM - 10 PM @ Bolm Arts Gallery, FREE!
This opening reception is about the faces we put on for the world. Expect sculpture, painting and an immersive installation, plus a community mask wall that keeps growing because anyone can add to it. Wear a mask or a costume if you have one. The show runs until a Halloween masquerade on Oct. 31, so consider tonight your preview.
Evanescence's Fallen Album Drag Tribute
Doors 9:30 PM, Show 11 PM @ Elysium, $10
If "Fallen" ever lived in your CD player on repeat, this one's for you. Brigitte Bandit hosts as Blue Valentine, Zestial Celestial, Xio Nova, Fairy Petite and Bunni Rabid perform the album start to finish as a full drag show. Dig out your lace, bring cash for tips, and let yourself feel every bit of that old angst.
Saturday, October 10
Twinks Vs Dolls
12:00 PM @ Barton Springs Pool, FREE!
Barton Springs on a Saturday is usually swimmers and sunbathers. This Saturday adds drag wrestling, cigarette races, lube wrestling, big performances and challenges for the crowd. Anyone brave enough can get in the wrestling ring, so go as a spectator or as a contender. Follow @TwinksvDolls on Instagram to see who's performing and what the prizes are.
Sumo Championship League
8:00 PM @ H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, $44.15
A brand-new pro sumo league is holding its debut in the Austin area, and that's not something you get to say every weekend. The lineup of elite heavyweights will be fighting matches that sometimes end in seconds, so don't spend too long in the concession line. It makes a great date night or group outing, especially if you'd like everyone yelling at the same thing for once.
Heavy Funk Night
7:00 PM @ Radio/East, $15
KUTX's DJ Confucius Jones is spinning James Brown, Parliament-Funkadelic and deep funk all night long. Better still, every penny from ticket sales goes to the Black Fund of Central Texas and the Black Leaders Collective. Fifteen bucks gets you a good cause and a dance floor, and both can use the help.
Sunday, October 11
The Sunday Matinee Séance
2:30 PM @ The Serpent Tattoo and Occult Shop, $35
Austin Séance historians start with the story of American Spiritualism and the tools working mediums actually used. Then they lead a real public séance in East Austin, right there in the middle of a Sunday afternoon. If you support The Austin Séance on Patreon, check for your discount before you buy.
LA JOTERÌA!
3:00 PM - 10:30 PM @ Sahara Lounge - $12 cash / $14 card
This queer bash runs all afternoon and into the night, with live bands, a Miley Cyrus tribute and a Paramore tribute. A drag show wraps things up from 8:40 to 9:15. That's more than seven hours of entertainment for about the price of lunch, which makes it an easy pick for a group that can't agree on anything else.
Dawn of Existence, Tibetan Sky Burial, Blackthorn, Apathetic Morality
9:00 PM @ Valhalla, $10
Four bands are bringing doom, drone and sludge metal to Valhalla. The venue is about to close its doors, so this could be one of your last chances to see a show there. Doors open at 8 and it's 21+. Go say goodbye properly, which means loudly.
More picks in this week's newsletter
This is a short list, and the weekend has a lot more going on: a witches market split between a coffee shop and Cosmic Saltillo, a zero-proof Halloween bar crawl downtown, a casabe bread workshop celebrating the Taíno yuca harvest, a clown makeup class and more. The full rundown, along with Michelle's take on what ACL does to the Great Lawn, is in the Week of October 5th issue. If you're making plans on the fly, the WhatsGoodATX app shows what's happening today on a map.