Lite + Brite: 61 Synesthetic Austin Events 5/2
Hello, what’s up, and welcome to the Lite + Brite newsletter.
It’s another wild week, you read the subject heading correct: 61 events! A couple quick programming notes before we get into all of that. We have some big updates in the Our Stuff section this week. Firstly, we’re going to stop doing No Lights No Lycra on a biweekly basis after May. We plan to do the party on a more occasional basis after May, so it isn’t going away but it may be a while before it returns. We have lots of things in the works and we need time to devote to getting those events off the ground. Also later this month, Brian is going to be spinning 00s dancepunk, electroclash + indie sleaze at Prick Up Your Ears at Elysium, which we’ll have more about closer to the date.
Alright, so now time for highlights from this week! Get a free comic book, hit up a gigantic record convention, roast Darth Vader, besiege Texas with dungeon synth bands, (briefly) become Xena Warrior Princess. Watch occult burlesque, medieval burlesque, boy band burlesque, or a whole festival devoted to Burlesque. Combine wiener dog racing and Kentucky Derby watching, receive a goat tour, watch storytellers in Hyde Park, learn about evolution + see art inspired by it, watch live painting, see rapping in sign language, watch wall to wall documentaries, see DJs spinning in a warehouse alongside floor to ceiling projections, jack into the matrix with cyberpunks + cybergoths, or participate in a food orgy in whatever capacity floats your boat. Can’t decide between the last two? They’re across the street from one another and you can get a discounted ticket to both! Don’t say we never gave you anything.
Oh and there’s still time to blast our summertime playlist before we all melt and / or get pelted with grapefruit sized hail. Yay!
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Let’s do fun stuff!
—Leila + Brian
liteandbriteatx.com
OUR STUFF
We have two more regularly scheduled editions of No Lights No Lycra at 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge, and after that we’ll be taking a break from the party and doing the party less frequently, so if you want to get in some dancing in the dark, now’s the time. Stream our last edition here, or reserve a spot for one of our May dates here.
Later this month, Brian will be joining the Prick Up Your Ears DJs over at Elysium on May 29th. Prick Up Your Ears is our favorite Austin party for hearing indie + electro 00s songs we love, and we should know, we were there. If you doubt our love for the decade, check out this mix Brian did for No Lights No Lycra a while back and keep your eyes peeled here for a playlist soon.
Vibe coding + good vibes came to No Humans Allowed, Brian’s radio show on Kpiss. This week he played a warm fuzzy mix of vaporwave + other hypnogogic genres. Listen to Vibe Coding in the Kpiss archives here or tune in live Tuesdays at 6pm on Kpiss.fm.
EVENTS WE’RE EYEING
Friday 5/2
- Filth at the Museum of Human Achievement
An evening of filthy queer underground erotic cinema past + present - Analog Invasion at Vinyl Beauty Bar
Vinyl DJs spin a wide mix of genres and eras + vintage vendors - ATX Climate Week Awards Ceremony at Future Front
Awards show + networking event for climate activism, w/free food + drinks - The Pink Pony Rodeo at Cheer Up Charlie’s
DJs spinning modern pop + country, drag, + “cuntry karaoke” - Opun Mic Night at Coldtowne
Take the stage w/puns, improv, + other forms of comedy - Marginalia at Sterling Stage
Very silly medieval-themed burlesque, pole performers, + “gender fuckery” - Chala-May at the Alamo Drafthouse Village
Master Pancake skewer everyone’s favorite spicy space messiah MST3k-style - Vampire Masquerade Ball at Texas Halloween Museum
We’re halfway to Halloween! Dress up like a vamp to mark the occasion - Adventure Party: TPK at the Vortex
Theatrical production inspired by fantasy TTRPGs + video game RPGs - Kaleidoscope at KMFA
Choreographed modern dances set to contemporary music - Vertebrate Paleontology Art Exhibition at UT’s Pickle Campus
Learn about evolution, paleontological research, + see art inspired by it - Lonestar Round Up at the Travis County Expo Center
See vintage cars from many eras + hear live music - Texas Burlesque Festival at the Rollins Theater
A big celebration of all things burlesque + vaudeville - Malum Malus at the Vortex
Samhain-inspired “occult-based burlesque performance art” - Texas Dungeon Siege at Elysium + Tiny Minotaur
Dungeon synth artists from all over the world invade Austin’s stages - Doc Days at AFS
Watch documentaries from around the world w/directors in attendance
Saturday 5/3
- Violet Crown Festival in Brentwood Park
Live music, food vendors + competitive team BBQ in the park - Art House at Charles Johnson House
An immersive art installation in historic house w/performers + live music - ASL Slam at the Highball
Performers “rap, rhapsodize, + rehash” in ASL on stage - CelebrASIA at the Asian American Resource Center
Celebrate AAPI heritage month w/live music, food, + traditional dance - La Fête de Cinco de Mayo at Republic Square
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo w/music, dancers, arts n crafts, + vendors - Synesthesia at Propaganda HQ
“Arts-based dance party” w/DJs, aerialists, “floor to ceiling projection art” - The Austin Outdoor Living Tour at homes throughout Austin
View new + critically lauded works of landscape architecture across town - Luxury Home Tour at homes throughout Austin’s fancy neighborhoods
Check out some of Austin’s most luxe homes for fun + inspiration - Hyde Park Storytelling at Batch Craft Beer
Storytellers ply their trade w/ASL interpreters in local craft beer spot - Dachshund Dash and Kentucky Derby Watch Party at the Jackalope
Can’t get enough speedy wiener dogs? Watch ’em + Kentucky Derby together - Austin Cargo Bike Fest + Parade at 900 Springdale Food Park
Test-ride a cargo bike, learn about them, + join a group ride to HEB - Grand Opening + Beltane Celebration at the Cosmos Ranch Foundation
Celebrate the pagan fire fest w/yoga, wellness, “enchanted waffle delights” - Food Orgy at French House Co-op
Not 100% what will happen but it will be sexy + involve fruit, DJs, live music - Neuromancer at Pearl Street Co-op
Dress like a cyberpunk/cybergoth for DJs, live music, “techno dystopia” - Free Comic Book Day at comic book stores across Austin
Visit local comic shops for free special edition comic books - Big Live Paint Jam at ArtUs Co.
Live painters, DJ, complimentary drinks, + art show - Books, Brews, + Goats at Jester King
Book swap, author readings, live music, + “goat tours” - Slow Fashion Maker Market at the Contemporary
Rooftop slow fashion vendors + included beverages - Maifest at the German Free School
Celebrate the “little sister of Oktoberfest” w/beer + live music - Karaoke Underground at Knomad
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 - Austin Record Convention at the Palmer Events Center
A riot of records, a cavalcade of vinyl, + even the odd CD, cassette etc - Art04 Studio Tour at artists’ studios in South Austin
Explore artists studios all across the 78704 zip code - Pecan Street Festival at the Hill Country Galleria
Lots of vendors + live music hits the streets in Bee Cave - The Front Market at Distribution Hall
Giant assemblage of vendors, DJs, workshops, + demos - Marginalia at Sterling Stage
Some very silly medieval-themed burlesque, pole performers, + “gender fuckery” - Chala-May at the Alamo Drafthouse Village
Master Pancake skewer everyone’s favorite spicy space messiah MST3k-style - Vampire Masquerade Ball at Texas Halloween Museum
We’re halfway to Halloween! Dress up like a vamp to mark the occasion - Adventure Party: TPK at the Vortex
Theatrical production inspired by fantasy TTRPGs + video game RPGs - Kaleidoscope at KMFA
Choreographed modern dances set to contemporary music - Vertebrate Paleontology Art Exhibition at UT’s Pickle Campus
Learn about evolution, paleontological research, + see art inspired by it - Lonestar Round Up at the Travis County Expo Center
See vintage cars from many eras + hear live music - Texas Burlesque Festival at the Rollins Theater
A big celebration of all things burlesque + vaudeville - Malum Malus at the Vortex
Samhain-inspired “occult-based burlesque performance art” - Texas Dungeon Siege at Elysium + Tiny Minotaur
Dungeon synth artists from all over the world invade Austin’s stages - Doc Days at AFS
Watch documentaries from around the world w/directors in attendance - (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 5/4
- The Roast of Darth Vader at 29th St. Ballroom
Comics dress up like Star Wars characters to roast everyone’s favorite baddie - May the Fourth Be with Y’all at Central Machine Works
Raise money for charity w/Star Wars-themed costume contests for kids + adults - TreeFolks Picnic at Live Oak Brewing Co.
Tree-themed live music, tarot, dance performances, + seed swapping - Fiesta Reclamada at the Cathedral
Celebrate Fiesta season w/live music, photography exhibit, kids activities - Jane Austen Day at BookPeople
Celebrate the author w/ballroom dance lessons, high tea, storytime - Black Artists Brunch at an unannounced location
Live jazz, brunch, works by Black artists, + panels - Jane Austin at Fallout
Improv comedians dress up and skewer 19th century literature - Public Art Tour at UT-Austin
Get a tour of sculptural landmarks around UT’s campus - Austin Record Convention at the Palmer Events Center
A riot of records, a cavalcade of vinyl, + even the odd CD, cassette etc - Art04 Studio Tour at artists’ studios in South Austin
Explore artists studios all across the 78704 zip code - Pecan Street Festival at the Hill Country Galleria
Lots of vendors + live music hits the streets in Bee Caves - The Front Market at Distribution Hall
Giant assemblage of vendors, DJs, workshops, + demos - Malum Malus at the Vortex
Samhain-inspired “occult-based burlesque performance art” - Texas Dungeon Siege at Elysium + Tiny Minotaur
Dungeon synth artists from all over the world invade Austin’s stages - Doc Days at AFS
Watch documentaries from around the world w/directors in attendance
Monday 5/5
- Monday Night Jammie Jam at Kick Butt Coffee
Slumber party + boy band-themed burlesque + variety performers
Tuesday 5/6
- One Page Salon at Radio Coffee + Beer
Hear local writers read their works in progress + published works
Wednesday 5/7
- Xena Community Table Read at Tiny Minotaur
Join in a live table read of a Xena Warrior Princess script - The Underground Show at Captain Quack’s
Live recording of a 1970s musical variety-inspired TV show - Adventure Party: TPK at the Vortex
Theatrical production inspired by fantasy TTRPGs + video game RPGs
Thursday 5/8
- Fusebox Artist Salon at dadaLab
Curated cocktails + new works by new media and performance artists - Turtle Races at Little Woodrow’s Southpark
“The slowest, most exciting race” that no hare could win - Thee Gay Agenda at Crashbox
Justice system-themed “queer variety show” w/drag, DJs, + costumes - Venus in Fur at Sterling Stage
A cerebral play about the nature of dominance + masochism - Amaging! at the Vortex
Hear about aging from five 65+ LGBTQIA storytellers - (weekly thru 5/29) Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s
Paddle out onto Lady Bird Lake + watch a classic blockbuster
No Humans Allowed 233
Vibe Coding
We did some vibe coding this week on No Humans Allowed. Does anyone know the syntax for this? No? Eh, we’ll get there. Many mellow waves will accompany us on our journey tonight to do without knowing, as we step into a weird future where learning skills is unimportant but learning vibes is priceless.
Tracklist
Blank Banshee – Visualization
Pinot Noir – Eyeliner
SSQ – Synth Samurai
Greeen Linez – Hibiscus Pacific
Zombies in Miami – Infinito Paraiso
Abelard – In the Rain
Luxxly – G.L.O.R.I.A.
Nuovo Testamento – Vanity
Young American Primitive – These Waves
Kim and Buran – I Will Meet You in Summer
FM Skyline – Body:Texture Render
Dunian – Mind Body Mind
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 183
w/Brian Blackout
Recorded live in the dark in 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge on April 23rd, 2025. NLNL is designed to keep you on your toes with lots of genres and between the better known and lesser known, so these mixes jump around accordingly.
Listen to NLNL ATX 183 on Mixcloud
Tracklist
Região Abissal – Feminina Mulher
Gorillaz – Andromeda
The Pool – Dance It Down
Dr. Dog – Heart It Races
Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever (Curtis Vodka Remix)
Tatsuro Yamashita – Love Talkin’ (Honey It’s You)
The Notorious B.I.G. – Mo Money Mo Problems
Fontaines D.C. – Starburster
The Breeders – Cannonball
The Phenomenal Handclap Band – Do What You Like
Greg Wilson – Two Sides of Sympathy
Tilly and the Wall – Beat Control
Fitz & the Tantrums – MoneyGrabber
RAC – Let Go ft. Kele Okereke & MNDR
Annie Lennox – Walking on Broken Glass
Jens Lekman – That’s the Way Love Is
Sophie Ellis Bextor – Murder on the Dancefloor
Sky Ferreira – Everything Is Embarrassing (Krystal Klear Remix)
Black Box – Strike It Up
Confidence Man – I Can’t Lose You
Calvin Harris – The Girls
Chromeo – Jealous (I Ain’t With It)
The Dare – Good Time
LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends
Home – All at Once
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.