Lite + Brite Monthly: August
Hello, what’s up, and welcome to the monthly edition of the Lite + Brite newsletter.
How’s everyone doing? Still hanging in there? Fled to the mountains? Permanently ensconced in a body of water? Well, there’s still summer hijinx happening, and we’ve got our picks for August ready to go so get to scrolling. We’ve also prepared a psychedelic playlist inspired by Greek gods and Greek heroes with Boston accents, and our guide to Austin’s varied storytelling scene so you’ve got your work cut out for you. Enjoy!
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Let’s do fun stuff!
—Leila + Brian
liteandbriteatx.com
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Events
Our weekly newsletters will include many more listings, but here are a handful of events that we know are planned for the next month. We’re giving you the heads up now in case you want to pre-buy tickets or block off the time.
- Aug. 5: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari w/Live Score at Hyperreal Film Club
Silent horror classic w/a new live shoegaze score - Aug. 6-9: Sound Unseen at AFS
Fest whose goal is to “spotlight music stories through the power of film” - Aug. 7-8: Modern at the Asian American Resource Center
Vietnamese-American fest w/live music, DJ, vendors, red carpet - Aug. 7-8: Greekend at Tiny Minotaur
Dress up like your favorite Greek hero, heroine, or god + eat glizzies - Aug. 7-8: Purple Martin Party at Greenlawn Crossing
Half a million migratory birds flying in big ol clouds. Nature is cool - Aug. 8: Brisketfest at the Far Out Lounge
BBQ trucks accompanied by brisket-loving emo, indie, + punk bands - Aug. 8: Jaws on the Water at Volente Beach
Experience the masterful creature feature from an inflatable on the lake - Aug. 13-15 + 20-22: Stargaze Theater Festival at the Dougherty Arts Center
“Five original short plays by local playwrights” - Aug. 14-16 + 21-23: Austin Sketch Fest at ColdTowne
Fest celebrating some of the best local + out-of-town sketch comedy - Aug. 15: Road to Lone Star Le Mans at the Mueller Branch Park Pavilion
Drive race cars (in simulators), car show, Mini-Z cars, trivia, + DJ - Aug. 15: Tones Fest at the Asian American Resource Center
“All-Azn music + maker celebration” w/live music, crafting stations + art - Aug. 15: Cirque Du So Gay at Highland Lounge
Circus themed performers “blur the line between drag + wrestling” - Aug. 15: Summer Slash at the Travis County Expo Center
80s horror-themed party w/live music, DJs, car show, + film showings - Aug. 15-16: Austin Shorts Fest at Eastside Cinema
Wear your short shorts to watch two days of short films - Aug. 21, 23, + 28: The Rocky Horror Puppet Show at Fallout
Experience the campy 70s sensation as told by felt puppets - Aug. 21: Neon Rodeo at ACL Live
15yrs of Neon Rainbows w/live music + country-themed drag performers - Aug. 22: Austin Pride Festival + Parade at Fiesta Gardens
All-day Pride celebration w/vendors, performances, + a parade - Aug. 22: The Great Austin Shake Off at Scottish Rite Theatre
Local Shakespearean actors compete by reciting the Bard’s speeches - Aug. 22: Reverbia at Vibe Haus
Live graffiti, art gallery, vendors, DJs, + interactive experiences - Aug. 22: Wizard Rave at 4211 Todd Ln.
Wizards convene for live music / Magic tournament / D+D / castle building - Aug. 26: Best of ATX at Distribution Hall
Best of ATX awards live w/red carpet, nominated DJs, art, + food - Aug. 27-30: The Front Festival at various venues
Films, music, + experiences by Texas women + LGBTQ+ folks - Aug. 28: Almost Famous Soundtrack Party at Hotel Vegas
Local bands cover music from 4 classic film soundtracks w/visuals - Aug. 29: Preheat at Hyperreal Film Club
Film festival celebrating modern choreography + dance in film - Aug. 29: Stargazing Party at St. Elmo
See the stars through big fancy telescopes, plus food trucks - Aug. 29-30: Le Garage Sale at the Palmer Events Center
Fashion shopping bonanza with an eye for gallic naming - Aug. 30: Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Fest at Radio East
Spicy live music + hot sauce contests accompany vendors of hot sauces - Aug. 30: Oita Japan Summer Festival at the Long Center
Celebrate Austin’s sister city w/Japanese culture, martial arts, music, + dance
L+B PLAYLIST 26
MYTHOLOGY
With the hellenistic zeitgeist floating around, we thought it would be fun to do a playlist inspired by Greek mythology in general and a certain blockbuster film. What started as a hodgepodge of different genres and musical eras all referencing elements of the hero’s journey, wrathful gods, six-headed sailor eaters, etc, slowly took the shape of a hypnotic psychedelic fever dream about gods and men. All versions start with the Greek prog rock band Aphrodite’s Child, featuring a young Vangelis on keys, but only the YouTube version finishes with his introspective disco project Odyssey from 1974.
Listen on: Spotify / Apple / YouTube
Tracklist
Aphrodite’s Child – The Four Horsemen
Temples – Mesmerize
Eddie Henderson – Cyclops
Eden Ahbez – Eden’s Island
Alessi Brothers – Seabird
Broadcast – Man Is Not a Bird
Mort Garson – I’ve Been Over the Rainbow
Del Shannon – Gemini
The Village Callers – Hector
Patti Jo – Make Me Believe in You
Odyssey – Going Back to My Roots
The Misunderstood – I Unseen
Rare Earth – (I Know) I’m Losing You
Brainticket – Jardins
Nancy Sinatra + Lee Hazlewood – Some Velvet Morning
Black Moth Super Rainbow – Jump into My Mouth and Breathe the Stardust
The Left Banke – Shadows Breaking over My Head
Love – A House Is Not a Motel
Stringtronics – Dawn Mists
Os Mutantes – Premier Bonheur du Jour
Odyssey – Who
Lite + Brite’s Guide to Austin Storytelling Nights
Ever wondered how we come up with ideas for Lite + Brite’s Monthly features? Sometimes it’s a topic we’re passionate about (like where to hang out with animals or which Austin news sources to follow). Sometimes it’s something lots of readers ask about (like how to make friends in Austin), and sometimes it’s something just one reader asks us about (like how to get involved in the Austin film scene). This month, we have a friend who recently moved to town and asked us about Austin’s storytelling opportunities. After sending them a half dozen disjointed texts, emails, and DMs, we’ve decided to put it all together into this feature which everyone can benefit from:
Hyde Park Storytelling: Deservedly voted The Austin Chronicle’s Best Storytelling Showcase in 2025. These guys have been doing a few shows each year since 2012, sometimes partnering with a local middle school to include youth storytellers, and sometimes collaborating with Austin Unconducted to pair live music with live storytelling. We interviewed the producers a couple years back. Next show is September 24-26 at Batch Craft Beer and at KMFA Studio.
Stories on the Lawn: Quarterly storytelling show on the lawn of the historic Neill-Cochran House. Next show is September 10.
Testify: Monthly storytelling, usually occurring on the first Thursday of each month. The next show is August 6 at Barrel O’ Fun.
PowerPints: Storytellers have five minutes to present a PowerPoint on any topic of their choosing. Usually happens at least once or twice a month. Next event is August 15 at the Highball.
Mortified: Adults read from their teenage journals; embarrassment and hilarity ensues. Usually happens a few times each year. Next show is September 11-12 at the Highball.
Storyoke: Tell a story about a song that means something to you, then sing the song, karaoke-style. Next show will be August 22 at the Highball.
Bike Story Night: Cyclists tell stories about bike adventures! Usually happens every couple months. Next event is August 7 at Switchback Coffee + Beer.
Tiny Talks: Eight speakers present on topics they’re passionate about. Usually happens 2-3 times yearly; the next event isn’t currently scheduled, but of course we’ll list it in the newsletter once it is.
Story Department: Presented by Austin Bat Cave, a nonprofit working with young writers and artists. No dates scheduled at present, but here’s info on the most recent one.
The Pupa: Mix of stories from professional comedians and audience members, happening most Wednesdays at East Austin Comedy, except for right now they’re on summer break.
Greetings from Queer Mountain: Queer storytelling show, happens roughly every month or so. Next event hasn’t been announced yet, but we’ll include it in the newsletter once it is.
Campfire Queer Storytelling: Free monthly queer storytelling event. Next one is August 9 at the Vortex.
Queer Film Theory: Monthly event where LGBTQIA2S+ folks present stories about how popular media influenced them. Next event is some time this month-—not sure exactly when, but we’ll be sure to include it in the newsletter once we know.
All-the-Time Austin Artsy Fun
Our weekly newsletter features upcoming events, but sometimes the activity you’re looking for isn’t an event at all—it’s a place that’s always there. Next time you find yourself with an afternoon when nothing special seems to be going on, you could consider checking out one of these evergreen options.
- Austin Pinball Collective
A cache of free to play pinball machines concealed in an office park - Mesmerize
An interactive dream-like world made of site-specific installations by 15+ local artists - Hyperreal Film Club
A clubhouse for weird cinema, with oddball screenings four nights a week - Tiny Minotaur
Drinking and costumed LARPing, Dungeonsynths performing in the dungeon w/lots of lore - The Eureka Room
Uniquely goofy, silly, + fun immersive games you play with a group. No spoilers! - We Luv Video
The Alexandria Library of video rental. It’s community-run, you can rent movies or watch them in a cinema while literally surrounded by VHS tapes and DVDs. - The Goats at Jester King Brewery
More a theme park geared towards folks who like refermented cherries in their beer (me) than a brewery. I have not experienced the Goat Experience, but I have seen their goats, and I approve. - Cathedral of Junk
A towering achievement to collecting weird old stuff that will spark nostalgia and cause you to wonder at your last tetanus shot timing - West China Tea House
In addition to their events, West China is a wonderful place just to chat with interesting and welcoming people and drink some delicious tea - Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve
A lovely park + nature walk that is protected by a crack corps of dedicated peacocks and peahens. Good luck escaping without some flashy, feathery displays. - Laguna Gloria
The Contemporary Austin’s outdoor sculpture garden. Culture + Nature = Profit. - Austin Creative Reuse Center
A nonprofit shop where you can get any art, craft, or office supplies you can imagine for literal pennies. Eat your heart out, Office Despot. - Museum of the Weird
It’s right there on Dirty 6th but worth a visit. From famous fake paleontology to recreations of horror film sets, there’s lots to see. - James Turrell’s Skyspace
Like Turrell’s best works, this is an art experience which unfolds slowly over time. Watch as the changing colors of sunset remake the space.
Thanks to our Patreon subscribers
A huge thank-you to our Patreon subscribers Liz, Melissa Dunn, Kat, James Gray, Emily Heddleson, Andrew Creswell, Robert B., Roman Gonzalez, Nick Ivons, Molly Fonseca, Lilly Ettinger, Michael Sales, Zach, Gino Scaramuzza, Erica Speegle, Thomas Refferson, Bones Malones, Katie Green, Christina Jue, Colleen MB, Alexander Freed, and Kristen Backor. We’re deeply grateful for your support, which allows us to do things like “pay our Beehiiv 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.
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 Superfantastica for weird Austin spots). 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, like No Lights No Lycra and 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’s a playlist of some of our favorites from 2026). 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.