Lite + Brite: 45 Drenched Austin Events 5/16
Hello, what’s up, and welcome to the Lite + Brite newsletter.
The winds of change are blowing in. Not only is the weather shifting into full oppression summer mode, but also L+B is going through changes. Good ones we hope! We’re not changing much about the newsletter itself, it’ll still be coming to you packed full of great events (more in a minute) but as far as our own homegrown events we are changing things up + trying to lay down the groundwork for more events + more varied events. In the short term this month is like a sneak peek of what we want with lots we’re involved in. More on those in the section for Our Stuff.
As far as the rest of Austin goes it’s once again a week chock full of delightful stuff. Goth tios from San Antonio take over Elysium. Meemaws pass the baton to the next gen of cabaret. Sea witches see which pirate costumes impress best. Tabletop RPG peeps throw a rave for spellcaster classes. Hyperreal Film Club gets inclusively hot-n-heavy. Art can be affordable. Clowns can be clownin’
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Let’s do fun stuff!
—Leila + Brian
liteandbriteatx.com
OUR STUFF
The rest of May is full of events that we’re producing or promoting! In chronological order, here are the highlights:
May 28 is our very last regularly-scheduled No Lights No Lycra at 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been consistently dancing in the dark for more than six years. And now—after our 185th party—we’re ready to bring it to a close. We hope you’ll join us one last time. To mark the end of this era, resident DJ Brian Blackout has put together this playlist of NLNL classics. If you’re a NLNL regular, then you’ll probably recognize every song in here. Below, you can listen to the penultimate NLNL, held earlier this week, or peep the tracklist.
May 29 Brian is DJing again, this time at Prick Up Your Ears, a night of dance punk, electroclash, and indie sleaze at Elysium. Y’all, the early aughts were OUR ERA. Brian has been spinning Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Bloc Party, and Peaches for dancefloors since 2003, and Leila has been dancing to those same bands for every bit as long. (We are exactly as old as you think we are.) So obviously we were thrilled when one of our favorite Austin clubs launched an indie night inspired by the 00s, and even MORE thrilled when they invited us to DJ. Do we mind that our youth is now nostalgia fodder? If that means we get to sing along to “D.A.N.C.E” in a room of friends, then we absolutely do not.
On May 31 we’re proud to be an official media partner for Sky Candy’s Quinceñera! We love Sky Candy for many reasons. Leila once took a six-week wall harness dance class there and now she is basically a professional circus performer. (Extremely kidding on that last part.) We’re so glad to help Sky Candy mark 15 years of business, a milestone that speaks volumes about both how welcoming they are to the community, and how much enthusiasm there is in this town for off-the-wall activities. (Or on-the-wall, as in the case of Leila’s harness class.) Join us in getting all dressed up to celebrate!
EVENTS WE’RE EYEING
Friday 5/16
- We Real Cool at We Luv Video
“Night of short films by local Black filmmakers” w/Q+A - Backyard Dog Show at Hotel Vegas
Laidback dog show w/DJ, puppy market, hot DOGS (emphasis mine) - Neon Rainbows Spring Formal at Sagebrush
Put on fancy duds for two-steppin, live country, + “S’queer Dancing” - A Night With Susto at City Alchemist
Live spectral storytelling + a movie about g-g-ghosts - Darkwave Disko at Elysium
Austin + SA DJs playing the best of modern spooky dance genres - Anklets in the Boardroom at Austin PBS
Interactive play about the experiences of Asian American women in the workplace - Hump! Film Fest at Hyperreal Film Club
Film fest of inclusive “hot, heavy, and hilarious adult short films” - Adventure Party: TPK at the Vortex
Theatrical production inspired by fantasy TTRPGs + video game RPGs - Venus in Fur at Sterling Stage
A cerebral play about the nature of dominance + masochism - Friends Fair at the Loren Hotel
Galleries local + abroad curate hotel rooms with contemporary art - The Affordable Art Fair at the Palmer Events Center
A large-scale art fair focusing on affordable art pieces for sale - Cine Las Americas at AFS
View films of all kinds made by Latinx filmmakers from Texas + beyond
Saturday 5/17
- Mermaid Capital of Texas Fest in San Marcos
Fest + costumed parade in “the mermaid capital of Texas” - Fables from the Farm at Boggy Creek Farm
“Immersive musical theatre paired w/curated farm-to-table snacks” - Wizard Rave at the Oven
A wild mix of DJs, puppets, TTRPGs, fantasy costume contest, + vendors - Adult Book Fair at Austin Beerworks
Recreate the Scholastic book fair w/local bookshops + vendors and maybe a beer - Rituals at 2324 Studios
AAPI performers, live music, curated art show, panel talks, + food vendors - STRUT at Cheer Up Charlie’s
“This ain’t your meemaw’s cabaret” w/DJs, drag, live music - Totally Toys at Collection Rert
See toy-themed art, indulge in “a buffet of toys + collectibles” Yum! - Slipper Summit at the Austin Central Library
Meetup for Asian creatives w/readings, workshops, panels - Save Our Springs at the Long Time
Raise money for Barton Springs w/live music, baseball games, vendors - Touch the Art Drum Performance at Almost Real Things HQ
Touch all the art, then hear live drum performance + DJ set - CATS+ Showcase at the Museum of Human Achievement
Come see MoHA artists-in-residence’s tech-y art + meet the artists - Games Y’all at the Museum of Human Achievement
Indie game devs + fans meetup to network, showcase games in progress - Plant Walk at Earth Commons
Learn about the plants that grow around us + their uses - Pirate Night: Sea Witch Edition at Tiny Minotaur
See which pirates or sirens have the best costumes, sea some live music - PowerPints at the Highball
“Drink + learn things” at comedic talks on a variety of esoteric topics - West of Weird Art Tour in Dripping Springs
Get weird w/gallery shows + studio tours across Dripping Springs - Anklets in the Boardroom at Austin PBS
Interactive play about the experiences of Asian American women in the workplace - Hump! Film Fest at Hyperreal Film Club
Film fest of inclusive “hot, heavy, and hilarious adult short films” - Adventure Party: TPK at the Vortex
Theatrical production inspired by fantasy TTRPGs + video game RPGs - Venus in Fur at Sterling Stage
A cerebral play about the nature of dominance + masochism - Friends Fair at the Loren Hotel
Galleries local + abroad curate hotel rooms with contemporary art - The Affordable Art Fair at the Palmer Events Center
A large-scale art fair focusing on affordable art pieces for sale - Cine Las Americas at AFS
View films of all kinds made by Latinx filmmakers from Texas + beyond - (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!” - (weekly) Come @ Me at Fallout Theater
An improv comedy show built around your social media presence
Sunday 5/18
- Texas Indie Oyster Fest at the Far Out Lounge
Celebrate Texan oysters w/shucking contests, info, demos, tastings - Wet T-Slur Contest at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Water slides + very wet t-slurs w/drag + live music - 23rd St. Mural Screening at Mohawk
Watch a doc about Austin’s longest living mural w/live music - Coco’s Quinceñera at Coco Coquette
“Dress like the queen you are” w/DJs, cake, tarot, + wig sales - Spring Sanctuary at the Sanctuary ATX
Healing-themed speakers, activations, vendors, w/live music - West of Weird Art Tour in Dripping Springs
Get weird w/gallery shows + studio tours across Dripping Springs - The Affordable Art Fair at the Palmer Events Center
A large-scale art fair focusing on affordable art pieces for sale - Cine Las Americas at AFS
View films of all kinds made by Latinx filmmakers from Texas + beyond - (weekly thru 6/22) Splashdance at the Austin Motel
Poolside aerobics with Austin’s most creative aerobics instructor
Monday 5/19
- Silent Book Club at Lustre Pearl East
Silently read books together + optional sharing
Wednesday 5/21
- Venues 101 at DASA
Conversations + workshops about the interplay between art + art venues - Clown Night at Fallout
“Part performance, part experiment,” 100% clowns - Boyz of Austin at Elysium
“Masculinity gets manhandled” as drag kings skewer Mad Max
Thursday 5/22
- POV IRL at the Austin Center Library
Hear the perspectives of visually impaired artists in a panel discussion - Astronomy Uncorked at C.L. Butaud
Learn about astronomy + dark matter while surrounded by wine - Turtle Races at Little Woodrow’s Southpark
“The slowest, most exciting race” that no hare could win - ATX Sketch Fest at Coldtowne
Fest celebrating some of the best local + out-of-town sketch comedy - (weekly thru 5/29) Movies on the Lake at Mozart’s
Paddle out onto Lady Bird Lake + watch a classic blockbuster
No Lights No Lycra ATX 184
w/Brian Blackout
Recorded live in the dark in 3rd Eye Meditation Lounge on May 14th, 2025.
Listen to NLNL ATX 184 on Mixcloud
Tracklist
Woodhands – Dancer (CFCF Remix)
Fern Kinney – Baby Let Me Kiss You
The Jacksons – The Strength of One Man (Private Panther Rework)
Róisín Murphy – Something More (Soulwax Remix)
Snap – The Power
The Source – You’ve Got the Love ft. Candi Statton
The Doobie Brothers – Long Train Runnin’
Mayer Hawthorne – Designer Drug
Discovery Zone – Dance II
Gloria Estefan – Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (Benedikt Hammer Edit)
The RAH Band – Hunger for Your Jungle Love (Sergio & Craig Allen Edit)
Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill
Robyn – Dancing on My Own
International Music System – Dancing Therapy
Clio – Faces (Venice Beach Rework)
Kelis / B.W.H. – Milkshake / Stop
Nuovo Testamento – In My Dreams (Powerhouse Mix)
Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (Psychemagik Remix)
Bag Raiders – Shooting Stars
Scarlet Fantastic – No Memory (Luke Million Remix)
Confidence Man – Control
Sunscreem – Love U More
Avalon Emerson – Don’t Be Seen with Me
Jamiroquai – Canned Heat
Prince and the Revolution – Let’s Go Crazy
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.
No Humans Allowed 234
Beach Simulator 3008
Once again we’re revving up our Beach Simulator and downloading a new patch. What features could it have? Remember it doesn’t matter if it’s cold or if there’s a flash flood warning and you’re not supposed to leave your house, Beach Simulator is always there, ready for you to engage with. We’ll have simulated waves, hyper-tropical drinks, and real italo disco. Maybe it’s better than the real thing? Press play to find out.
Tracklist
Khazali – Dance on the Rain
Keep Shelly in Athens – Fokionos Negri Street
Ruf Dug x Private Joy – Don’t Give in
Krazy Baldhead – Surabaya Girl (Tropics Remix)
Gaznevada – I.C. Love Affair (Munk Edit)
Funky Family – Funky Is on
Quincy Jones – Betcha Wouldn’t Hurt Me (Rayko Re-Edit)
Beatmistress – Dominate the Rhythm
No Zu – Phone Call Meltdown
Sabrina – Boys
San Giovanni Bassista – Summer Sweat
Danuta – Touch My Heart
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.
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.