Lite + Brite: 49 Iconic Austin Events 4/4
Hello, what’s up, and welcome to the Lite + Brite newsletter.
Thanks to the newest update to my computer’s OS, my mail program has started automatically showing AI-generated summaries of the contents of every email I receive. I cannot WAIT to see how AI summarizes this newsletter. If it were me summarizing it, I’d probably say something like: “This week in Austin, you can honor the legacies of Selena or Nirvana. You can perform karaoke renditions of indie songs or fantasy songs. You can feast on vegan delights or omnivorous picnics. You can take your dogs to play chess or to dress up in costume. You can enjoy drag performances celebrating horror icons, ass-trology, or two decades of friendship (aw!). You can watch movies with a live band, with queer commentary, from South Asia, or while floating on a lake. You can dance to Italo-disco with a mustachioed man, or dance in the dark with us! And, while you’re doing all this, you can listen to Lite + Brite’s latest playlist, featuring bands they saw at SxSW.”
Anyway, that’s just how I, a lowly human, would summarize this email. If AI produces the same thing, then it’s in charge from here on out. But, for as long as we humans are in charge, we’d ask you to nominate Lite + Brite for best online media outlet in the annual Austin Chronicle Awards before the nomination period closes on Monday. It would be an honor for us.
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Let’s do fun stuff!
—Leila + Brian
liteandbriteatx.com
OUR STUFF
No Lights No Lycra is on Wednesday! Brian will be playing 90 minutes of indie, disco, electro, house, new wave, synthwave, + more for all your dancing-in-the-dark needs. Come alone or bring your crew. Reserve your spot here, or just show up to 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge starting at 8:15pm and get ready to get down.
It was Covers Week on Kpiss, the internet radio station where Brian does No Humans Allowed. This means everybody is out there playing nonstop covers, and NHA was no exception, with synth-addled covers of shoegaze, AM gold, disco, post-punk, and everything in between. You can stream Covers Week 2025 in the Kpiss archives, or catch No Humans Allowed live on Tuesdays at 6pm.
THE PLAYGROUND
// A true statement paid for by the sponsor of this week’s newsletter. //
Because we write this newsletter, we’re always keeping an eye out for good spaces around town. Community spaces, art spaces, third places of all kinds. Locally-owned venues with creative vibes, any place conducive to new ideas. The Workshop–a Govalle spot owned by an Austin sandtray therapist / miniature collector–is exactly that. And on the weekend of April 11 – 13, the Workshop will be home to an inspiring-looking creativity workshop / retreat, the Playground.
The Playground is hosted by Cecily Sailer of Typewriter Tarot, whose goal is to help people “rebuild their relationship with Creativity without the toxic sludge of extraction, perfectionism, and myths of productivity.” (This resonates hard with me, Leila, a person who feels constantly drenched in this sludge.) Guest facilitators include activist Becky Bullard (aka Democrasexy, whom we’ve interviewed here before) and yoga therapist Sam Pullen. The thoughtfully-designed weekend agenda includes individual and communal activities, which all work in harmony to reconnect attendees with their creative selves: sound baths, Tarot, sandtray play, journaling, self-portrait making, etc. It’s like going on a spiritual journey without having to physically journey more than one block off Cesar Chavez.
We consider ourselves to be creative people. (Leila writes, Brian DJs, and we both make up very good songs about our cats on a near-hourly basis.) But that toxic sludge is real and hard to shake. A weekend for play sounds like the creative reset we could all use. Just think how much better our cat songs could be after this.
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EVENTS WE’RE EYEING
Friday 4/4
- Quest Night at Scare for a Cure
“Immersive, medieval fantasy experience” involving dice + giant spiders - Identity Exchange at Upfront Gallery
“Intergenerational show of local Austin trans artists” - Denim Disco at Cheer Up Charlie’s
A dance party where the DJ mixes country, disco, + current pop music - Opun Mic Night at Coldtowne
Take the stage w/puns, improv, + other forms of comedy - Iconic at the Dougherty Arts Center
Drag performers pay tribute to Elvira + other horror icons - House Play at Pearl Street Co-op
Play featuring a house, beavers, coyotes, mockingbird + 7 techs - Too Much Light Make the Baby Go Blind at Concordia University
An hour worth of 2 minute plays w/a timer, random order - MotherTree at the Vortex
“Weaving Dance, Music, + Magic” to examine our relationships to trees
Saturday 4/5
- ABC Kite Fest in Zilker Park
Celebration of all things kites w/contests, live music, + kids’ activities - Austin Independent Book Fair at Radio East
Readings, drag story hour, + independent press books for sale - Texas Veg Fest at Fiesta Gardens
Celebrate vegan food w/vegan vendors, speakers, live music - Pop-Up Picnic at Waterloo Park
En masse picnic w/baskets from restaurateurs + a good cause (parks!) - Austin Dance Festival at Ballet Austin
Modern + improvisational dance performances, dance classes at many levels - The Rage of AquariASS at the Museum of Human Achievement
Drag, burlesque, sideshow, + pole performers inspired by the signs of Zodiac - KhushFest at Republic Square
Coat yourself in Instagrammable colored powder, Bollywood DJs, food vendors - Twenty Ears of Corn on the Crib at Collection Rert
Live music, “self-guided tour of history + folklore,” plus “mystery and surprises” - CHMLNKNG Day at the Carver Museum
Vinyl DJ, vendors, dance classes, craft activities, talks, activations + more - Italo-disco Party at Howard’s
Austin’s most mustachioed DJ spins italo all night - This World’s Fair at Propaganda HQ
A showcase of international street art - German Auto Show at the German Free School
A fundraiser showcasing fancy German autos w/live music, raffle - Pour Decisions at Capt. Quack’s Soundspace
Narrative burlesque w/a Greek pantheon debauchery theme - Live Art Battle at Central Machine Works
Live art battles w/audience judged contests, DJ, vendors, kid activities - Selena Fest at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Pay homage to Selena w/themed drag, costumes, + DJs - Nirvana Day at We Luv Video
Celebrate Nirvana w/rock doc + live footage from 91 - Karaoke Underground at Knomad Bar
Sing karaoke to your favorite punk, indie + alt classics - Fantasy Karaoke at Tiny Minotaur
Bard-hosted fantasy costumes-only karaoke w/vendor market - Open Studios at Canopy
Artists at Canopy open up their studios to the public - Greater Austin Clay Festival at studios throughout Austin
Tour studios + buy art from artists working in clay all across Austin - Iconic at the Dougherty Arts Center
Drag performers pay tribute to Elvira + other horror icons - House Play at Pearl Street Co-op
Play featuring a house, beavers, coyotes, mockingbird + 7 techs - Too Much Light Make the Baby Go Blind at Concordia University
An hour worth of 2 minute plays w/a timer, random order - MotherTree at the Vortex
“Weaving Dance, Music, + Magic” to examine our relationships to trees - (weekly thru 4/20) Sherwood Forest Faire
Central Texas’ renaissance faire w/medieval food, arts, fun, + dress - (weekly thru 5/31) Doom Metal Goat Yoga at Jester King
“We call out to the beasts of the land to come forth and JOIN US!”
Sunday 4/6
- Best in Show at the Far Out Lounge
Watch classic comedy w/puppy costume contest, pet adoption, hot dogs - Jane Austin Improv at Fallout
Improv comedians in period attire skewer 19th century literature - Landmarks Bike Tour at UT-Austin
Get a guided tour of UT’s outdoor sculptures by bicycle - Greater Austin Clay Festival at studios throughout Austin
Tour studios + buy art from artists working in clay all across Austin - Too Much Light Make the Baby Go Blind at Concordia University
An hour worth of 2 minute plays w/a timer, random order - MotherTree at the Vortex
“Weaving Dance, Music, + Magic” to examine our relationships to trees - (weekly thru 4/20) Sherwood Forest Faire
Central Texas’ renaissance faire w/medieval food, arts, fun, + dress
Monday 4/7
- A Big Dam Celebration at Mozart’s
Celebrate 125 years of dam-age w/live music, floating, presentations - Idol Worship at the Highball
“An evening of storytelling, film clips + live song” w/drag +film icons - Monday Night Jammie Jam at Kick Butt Coffee
Slumber party themed burlesque + variety performers - Silent Book Club at Lazarus Brewing
Silently read books together + optional sharing - The Cohen New Works Festival at UT-Austin
Multidisciplinary UT art students perform + create installations on campus
Tuesday 4/8
- The Austin Salon at 1109 Angelina St|
Discussions about whether we’re better off with or without AI - Paws + Pawns at Lolo Wine
Play chess w/your furry friends, plus giveaways, custom pet art - The Cohen New Works Festival at UT-Austin
Multidisciplinary UT art students perform + create installations on campus
Wednesday 4/9
- No Lights No Lycra at 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge
Our very own dance party in near complete darkness - Labyrinth in Concert at ACL Live
Watch classic fantasy film w/live band backing up Bowie’s magic dancing - Greetings from Queer Mountain at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Storytelling by drag queens, kings, + sketch comics - Indie Meme Film Festival at AFS
A film fest celebrating independent Indian + South Asian cinema - The Cohen New Works Festival at UT-Austin
Multidisciplinary UT art students perform + create installations on campus
Thursday 4/10
- Ventanas by Cirque Vida at Indra’s Awarehouse
Circus arts, dance, + acrobats perform in the windows of an imaginary apartment - Queer Film Theory at the Highball
“Basically, we ruin films for straight people + yell about the characters that made us feel gay” - Art in Film at Bolm Arts
A night of experimental + art films by local filmmakers - Turtle Races at Little Woodrow’s Southpark Meadows
“The slowest, most exciting race in town” w/betting, “slow and steady fun” - MotherTree at the Vortex
“Weaving Dance, Music, + Magic” to examine our relationships to trees - Indie Meme Film Festival at AFS
A film fest celebrating independent Indian + South Asian cinema - The Cohen New Works Festival at UT-Austin
Multidisciplinary UT art students perform + create installations on campus - (weekly thru 4/24) Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s
Float + watch a big summer film on the lake
No Humans Allowed 229
Covers Week 2025
This week we kicked off Kpiss’ Covers Week on No Humans Allowed. We got to hear eurodancers covering italo, italo groups covering AM gold, and everyone covering disco, shoegaze, + art rock classics.
Tracklist
B. Fleischmann & Ms. John Soda – Here She Comes [Slowdive]
Night Drive – I Wanna Be Adored [the Stone Roses]
Cao Lâm – Love’s Harmony (Demonslayer Edit) [Paciscopi]
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – When You Were Mine [Prince / Cyndi Lauper]
Patience Africa – Sondela (RFX Edit) [“I Feel Love” – Donna Summer]
Technology – Chase [Giorgio Moroder]
Psyche – Goodbye Horses [Q. Lazzarus]
Marco Passarani – Criticize ft. Erlend Øye [Alexander O’Neal]
Nuclear Daisies – Blown a Wish [My Bloody Valentine]
Chicks on Speed – Mind Your Own Business [Delta 5]
East Side Beat – Ride Like the Wind [Christopher Cross]
K.I.D. – Do It Again [Steely Dan]
The Fall – Lost in Music [Sister Sledge]
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 200 episodes now streamable in the archives on topics like and Beach Simulations, Roomba dance parties, undersea adventures + Cyber Texas.
No Lights No Lycra ATX 181
w/Brian Blackout
Recorded live in the dark in 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge on March 26th, 2025
Listen to NLNL ATX 181 on Mixcloud
Tracklist
Desire – Darkside
Gorillaz – Andromeda
Risqué – Starlight
Janis Ian – From Me to You (the Starkiller Remix)
Marvin Gaye – Time to Get It Together (Super Value Edit)
Positive K – I Got a Man
Flamingosis – Momento
Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death (Soulwax Remix)
LCD Soundsystem – 45:33 part 2
Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out
Roy Ayers Ubiquity – Running Away
Charli XCX – Boom Clap (Aeroplane Remix)
Jessie Ware – Night Light (Joe Goddard Remix)
Kylie Minogue – Can’t Get You Out of My Head
Goldfrapp – Rocket
Lady Gaga – The Cure (Initial Talk Remix)
Confidence Man – I Can’t Lose You
La Bouche – Sweet Dreams
Blue Hawaii – I Felt Love
Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
T-Pain, Yaeji, & Girl Talk – Believe in Ya
Psymon Spine – Ketamine Hot Tub (Lovetempo Remix)
Janet Jackson – Escapade
Fine Young Cannibals – Good Thing
Jackson Browne – Doctor My Eyes
Prince – I Wanna Be Your Lover (Dimitri from Paris Edit)
Home – All at Once
The Paradise – In Love with You
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 it in the Austin Chronicle. You can listen to the kind of music we play over on Brian’s Mixcloud.
PATREON THANKS
A huge thank-you to our Patreon subscribers Molly Fonseca, Lilly Ettinger, Michael Sales, Zach, Gino Scaramuzza, Erica Speegle, Jarrett Holtz, Thomas Refferson, Dale Markowitz, Bones Malones, Amy Hayes, Katie Green, Christina Jue, Colleen MB, Lena Long, Amalia Litsa, Alexander Freed, 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 seeing 75 bands at SXSW, DJing and co-hosting a party at the Sapien Center, and building a giant Lite Brite in our backyard. Follow Lite + Brite on Instagram to keep up with our adventures. We’re now on Bluesky too. Yay federation! 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, Concept Animals’ ATX Art for You for gallery openings + artist talks, 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, + 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 2025). 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.