Lite + Brite: 42 Ecliptic Austin Events 4/5
Hello, what’s up, and welcome to the Lite + Brite newsletter.
You might have heard that we’re getting an eclipse on Monday. For that reason, we are also getting one thousand events this week. (Okay, it’s not technically a thousand. It’s closer to 42. Still a lot!)
You might NOT have heard that we’re giving away a pair of free tickets to Rocket Cinema’s screening of Koyaanisqatsi on April 12. If you’re interested in being A WINNER, head over to our Instagram and like this post.
You can participate in eclipse mania with “parades, live music, dance, haptic art, and dinner in the dark“; music in the Skyspace; talks on astronomy (with beer); Radiolab + a “visual storytelling experience”; live instrumental music accompanying the moment; the third Twilight movie (Eclipse); an evening of science, poetry, and music; an art show featuring projections and a vibraphone; or just thinking to yourself how wild it must have been to live in ye olden days before anyone understood astronomy and an eclipse would have come as a total shock and probably seemed like a portent.
In not-eclipse events, you can see one of us (Leila) presenting at Bee Cave’s Books & Bees festival on Saturday, and you can see both of us at No Lights No Lycra on Thursday. We definitely recommend going to as many Fusebox Festival events as you can. Check out one of the dozens of brass bands playing free shows across town this weekend. Use “live theater, escape room puzzle mechanics, and immersive technology” to explore the dark side of AI. Or help move one thousand plastic flamingos back into their native habitat. (We think it is literally a thousand this time. We don’t know for sure. But it definitely seems to be more than 42.) Scroll down for details on all this and more.
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Let’s do fun stuff!
—Leila + Brian
liteandbriteatx.com
OUR STUFF
This coming Thursday at West China Tea, we’re hosting No Lights No Lycra, our dance party in the dark. Resident DJ Brian Blackout will be laying down his signature blend of indie, disco, rock, house, guilty pleasures, + more. Want to hear what NLNL tends to sound like? You can listen to a recording of the most recent edition here, or scroll down to see the tracklisting.
It’s covers week at KPISS, the online radio station where Brian does his radio show, No Humans Allowed. DJs who play every kind of music under the sun are all playing nonstop covers and NHA was no exception on Wednesday. You can stream his covers week show on demand in the archives which is full of synthesized covers of artists like Chris Isaak, Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode, Wire, Led Zeppelin, Sly & the Family Stone + the Stone Roses. NHA broadcasts live every Wednesday at 6pm CT on kpiss.fm.
What is No Lights No Lycra?
Austin’s twice-monthly, judgment-free, substance-free, high-impact dance thing in the dark. It’s a DJ night that’s not at the club, a workout that’s not at the gym, a personal meditation that’s anything but silent. It’s produced by us, your kindly L+B overlords, and usually one or the other of us is on the hook for DJ duties. Read more about us in the Austin Chronicle. You can listen the kind of music we play over on Brian’s Mixcloud.
EVENTS WE’RE EYEING
Friday 4/5
- Return of the Flamingos at 15358 S Flamingo Dr.
Help repopulate a lawn with its lost massive pink flamingo flock - Sound Ceremony at Laguna Gloria
Sound bath w/the debut of a sculpture devised to make healing sounds - Learning Secrets at Lolo Wine
Wine + DJ-selectors spinning some excellent vibes - Interchange at Freddo
Open mic music + poetry plus live music by previous participants - HONK!TX at various Austin locations
A raucous outdoor celebration of brass with a LOT of bands - Lysistrata Comedy Festival at ColdTowne and Rozco’s
Female stand up + improv comics improving the world w/comedy - REST Fest at Dougherty Arts Center
Light+dark-themed fest w/dining, art, music, + more performers - (weekly thru 4/26) Local Film Showcase at We Luv Video
Watch a whole batch of short films made by Austin’s filmmakers
Saturday 4/6
- Books & Bees at the Bee Cave Library
Author talks (feat. Leila!) n signings, live music, + bee activities / education - Texas Veg Fest at Fiesta Gardens
Vegan food, vendors, cooking classes, demos, + also live music - Quadrant v3.0 at dadaLab
Immersive quadrophonic musical performances w/live visual artists - Solar Saturday at the Carver Museum
Mental health-focused party w/live music, workshops, + “grief jam” - Eclipse: A Celestial Audio/Visual Moment at Shedshows
Get in early on eclipse-inspired live musical compositions - Transmissions at Canopy
Art, tarot, + panel discussions inspired by the eclipse - Open Studios at Canopy
Artists at Canopy open up their studios to the public - Open Hours at the Sherwood Forest Zine Library
Read from Sherwood Forest’s extensive library of zines - Bloody Mary Festival at Fair Market
Local bartenders try to out-bloody one another for awards - Throne of Roses at BlindSide Tattoo
Live bands, DJ, + highly encouraged medieval costumes - Studio Tours at various San Marcos locations
Art studios all across San Marcos open up to visitors - Special Music Series at the James Turrell Skyscape
Watch sunset paint the Skyscape different colors to live music - HONK!TX at various Austin locations
A raucous outdoor celebration of brass with a LOT of bands - Lysistrata Comedy Festival at ColdTowne and Rozco’s
Female stand up + improv comics improving the world w/comedy - REST Fest at Dougherty Arts Center
Light+dark-themed fest w/dining, art, music, + more performers - (weekly thru 4/21) Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade, TX
Central Texas’ own renaissance faire w/medieval food, entertainment, + dress - (weekly thru 5/25) Overheard on a Train at the Downtown CapMetro Station
Participate in immersive theatre while exploring public transit - (weekly thru 5/25) Doom Metal Goat Yoga at Jester King
“We call out to the beasts of the land to come forth and JOIN US!” - (weekly) Open Hours at the Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation
Meet, greet, adopt, + pet stuffed animals
Sunday 4/7
- The Universe in Verse at Waterloo Park
Explore the intersection of science + nature w/authors, podcasters, + musicians - Twilight: Eclipse at the Velvet Casket
Watch some sparkly vampires + peruse gothic goods - Sound Ceremony at Laguna Gloria
Healing ceremony performed on a commissioned sound sculpture - Jane Austin at Fallout Theater
Improv comics dress up in Jane Austen-appropriate attire + make funny - Art Bike Tour at UT Campus
Bike through UT’s campus learning about outdoor sculptures there - Studio Tours at various San Marcos locations
Art studios all across San Marcos open up to visitors - Special Music Series at the James Turrell Skyscape
Watch sunset paint the Skyscape different colors to live music - HONK!TX at various Austin locations
A raucous outdoor celebration of brass with a LOT of bands - Lysistrata Comedy Festival at ColdTowne and Rozco’s
Female stand up + improv comics improving the world w/comedy - Fusebox Festival at various Austin locations
“Adventurous performances from local, national, + international artists” - REST Fest at Dougherty Arts Center
Light+dark-themed fest w/dining, art, music, + more performers - (weekly thru 4/21) Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade, TX
Central Texas’ own renaissance faire w/medieval food, entertainment, + dress
Monday 4/8
- Eclipse Viewing Party at Bobo’s Snack Bar
Enjoy the eclipse w/atmospheric live music composed for the occasion - Total Eclipse Viewing Party at the Long Center
Free eclipse watch w/Radiolab live taping, free glasses, + more - Classical Jam at Batch Beer & Kolaches
Like open mic night but for classical musicians + fans - Special Music Series at the James Turrell Skyscape
Watch sunset paint the Skyscape different colors to live music - Fusebox Festival at various Austin locations
“Adventurous performances from local, national, + international artists” - REST Fest at Dougherty Arts Center
Light+dark-themed fest w/dining, art, music, + more performers - (weekly) Hyperreal Film Club at Hotel Vegas
Watch one of our favorite films, about a record store in the 90s
Tuesday 4/9
- Astronomy on Tap at Celis Brewery
Gather and talk astronomy while imbibing beverages - Trust. News. Democracy. at the LBJ Auditorium
Conference on government + media w/big name speakers - Fusebox Festival at various Austin locations
“Adventurous performances from local, national, + international artists” - (weekly thru 6/18) Bike Night at COTA
Whiz around COTA’s raceway on your own bicycle
Wednesday 4/10
- 32 Sounds at Bass Concert Hall
Immersive headphones-on documentary exploring sound + memory - Canto de Todes at the Museum of Human Achievement
12 hours of immersive live music inspired by a panoply of genres - Trust. News. Democracy. at the LBJ Auditorium
Conference on government + media w/big name speakers - Moontower Comedy Festival at various Austin locations
Big names in the world of standup descend upon Austin - Fusebox Festival at various Austin locations
“Adventurous performances from local, national, + international artists”
Thursday 4/11
- No Lights No Lycra at West China Tea
Our own dance party in the dark - Celebrating Fusebox at the Contemporary Austin
Exhibition of 20 years of Fusebox + bday party w/cake + live music - Silent Book Club at the Brewtoirum
Silently read books together + optional sharing - Elysian Heights at dadaLab
UT students create an immersive experience exploring the dark side of AI - Moontower Comedy Festival at various Austin locations
Big names in the world of standup descend upon Austin - Fusebox Festival at various Austin locations
“Adventurous performances from local, national, + international artists”
No Humans Allowed 186
Covers Week v4
It’s covers week over on Kpiss so we played italo, electro + synthpop covers of everything under the sun on No Humans Allowed. Many fun + offbeat surprises were prepared for the enjoyment of the smart devices of your household, so don’t leave them hanging.
Tracklist
Blazing Lazer – Wicked Game (Chris Isaak)
Jens Lekman – That’s the Way Love Is (Ten City)
Central Line – Nature Boy (Strong edit) (Eden Ahbez/originally performed by Nat King Cole)
Paul Haig – Running Away (Sly & the Family Stone)
SoNiC – Everybody’s Free (Rozalla)
Bacalao – Die Roboter (Kraftwerk)
Cafe Society – Somebody to Love (Jefferson Airplane)
Fischerspooner – The 15th (Wire)
Silicon Teens – Red River Rock (Johnny and the Hurricanes)
Far Corporation – Stairway to Heaven (Musica Hermosa Edit) (Led Zepplin)
D Twins – Falling (Twin Club Mix) (Angelo Badalamenti)
I Blame Coco – Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Neil Young via St Etienne)
Barry Biggs – Love Come Down (Disco Syndicate Edit) (Eveleyn Champagne King)
Grace Jones – Walking in the Rain (Flash and the Pan)
Llorca – Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode)
Justin – Think (About It) (James Brown / originally performed by Lyn Collins)
Dutch Dream Girls – Closed Doors (the Stone Roses)
Between the Sheets – Late Night Radio (medley of songs by Kraftwerk + Vangelis)
Señor Coconut y Su Conjunto – The Robots (Kraftwerk)
DMX Krew – Showroom Dummies (Kraftwerk)
No Humans Allowed is Brian Blackout’s award-winning, dodgy European news coverage receiving, weekly robots-themed radio show on internet station KPISS.fm. Machine vibes 4 machines. Songs for robots, androids, mandroids, cyborgs, AIs, cylons, skinjobs, roombas, wifi routers, smart devices, anything colored Bondi blue, and virtual assistants. Humans not required. Broadcasts live every Wednesday at 6pm CT on kpiss.fm, with over 150 episodes now streamable in the archives on topics like and Beach Simulations, Roomba dance parties, undersea adventures + Cyber Texas.
No Lights No Lycra ATX 165
w/Brian Blackout
Recorded live in the dark at West China Tea House on March 28, 2024.
Listen to No Lights No Lycra 165
Tracklist
Desire – Darkside
Gorillaz – Andromeda
My Name – Trust
Juanpalitoschinos – Una Vez Más
Flamingosis – Feel Yourself ft. Marc Rebillet
Charli XCX – Boom Clap (Aeroplane Remix)
Madonna – Vogue
Aloe Island Posse – High Tide
Confidence Man – Woman
Ariana Grande – Yes, and?
Whitney Houston – Love Will Save the Day
John Rocca – I Want It to Be Real
Waffles – 007A
The Pussycat Dolls – Don’t Cha (Petko Turner Edit)
John Paul Young – Love Is in the Air
Boycrush – Flirt ft. Madeira
Beyoncé – Crazy in Love
Tupperwave – Make It Be Summer
Antonio Barret – 2 AM
Ciara – Love Sex Magic
The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin’
The Killers – Mr. Brightside
Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc.
Faux Real – Rent Free
Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars
Home – All at Once
PATREON THANKS
A huge thank-you to our Patreon subscribers Amy Hayes, Katie Green, Christina Jue, Colleen MB, Lilly Ettinger, Lena Long, Amalia Litsa, Alexander Freed, Spencer, Kristen Backor, Timon A., Kate Murray, and Amy Wilde. We’re deeply grateful for your support, which allows us to do things like “pay our Mailchimp fee” and “spend hours researching Austin events when technically we should be working.”
If you’d like to support us on Patreon and get access to exclusive member-only benefits, you may do so here.
SOCIALS
Recent weeks found us hitting SXSW hard and promoting our subscriber meetup and YouTube party at Bobo’s Snack Bar. Follow Lite + Brite on Instagram to keep up with our adventures. And come chat with us and the rest of the L+B community on our Discord server!
ABOUT US
How do we choose which events to feature?
Honestly, it’s pretty random. We might include anything in Austin that we, personally, would conceivably want to go to, generally excluding normal concerts, comedy shows, and movie showtimes because there are many other good resources for finding those. (We especially recommend Showlist for live music, The Darker Side of Austin for goth and metal stuff, and the 60+ Weirdest Things in Austin for exactly what it sounds like). This list is by no means exhaustive; it’s just stuff that caught our eye this week. If you have an event that you want us to consider including, send it over.
Who are we?
We are Leila + Brian. We make this newsletter. We do our own events, most often No Lights No Lycra (every second and fourth Thursday of the month), + also BYOT, a party where we share very good YouTubes (here’s a playlist from the last one). We go very hard seeing bands at SxSW (here are playlists of our favorites from 2024). We once got called “local Austin couple” by KXAN. We do some other stuff here and there. We love going out to creative events in Austin, and we want you to join us. Visit us at liteandbriteatx.com, and support us on Patreon if you like what we do.