Lite + Brite Monthly: September
Hello, what’s up, and welcome to the monthly edition of the Lite + Brite newsletter.
Yup that’s right, September is here. You may have noticed that Summer usually brings a bit of a slowdown for events in Austin, we assume because it’s so hot our and people are traveling. Well we’ve now exited that window and this monthly edition of our newsletter, as a result, is more of the jam-packed variety. Read on for all the good stuff, plus our playlist of smooth, yacht-forward tunes to slide you through the last of the hot weather, as well as our Guide to Austin Store Pets which will help you coo with cuteness through the hot weather.
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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.
- Sep. 3-4: Kung Fu Cowgirl at the Hillside Theater
Original musical combining Broadway, martial arts, + Texas - Sep. 3-5: Present Perspective Project at the Dougherty Arts Center
Modern dance performance explores fusion + different moods - Sep. 4-5, 7, + 10-12: Creative Resistance at Crashbox
Modern dance explores creative resistance through movement - Sep. 4-5, 9, + 11-14: Barbie Dream Heist at Butterfly Bar
Teens put on a comedy about Barbie fighting the AI apocalypse - Sep. 5: Sam Mayer: Fishbowl at DORF
“Transgressive playwright” writes + rehearses ad hoc new play live - Sep. 5: Bat Fest at the Congress Ave. Bridge
Dress up battily for music, live bats, DJs, + the “Austin Bats Dance Team” - Sep. 5: Cinema Touching Disability Film Festival at the Austin Central Library
“See short films by and about people w/disabilities from all over the world” - Sep. 6: Watermelon Smash Bash at Central Texas Pig Rescue
Feed watermelons to awfully appreciative piggies - Sep. 6: Lagers + Literature at Meanwhile Brewing
Local authors, booksellers, + printmakers, beer launch, zine making - Sep. 6: Pasko Na! at Ani’s Day and Night
Filipino pot luck + holiday crafting to get ready for Christmas EARLY - Sep. 7: Free Day of Yoga at studios throughout Austin
Free yoga classes for every level of experience across town - Sep. 10: The 23rd St. Mural Project at AFS
Watch new docs about Austin’s history of wildness, plus Q+A - Sep. 11: Playing in the Shadows at DORF
Shadow puppets tell the story of how humans resist + find community - Sep. 11-12: Mortified at the Highball
Folks share their teenaged diaries in a new comedic light - Sep. 12: Viva Mexico at ESB MACC
Mariachis, traditional dances, vendors, + kid-friendly art activities - Sep. 12: Within My Maze of Memory at Co-Lab Projects
A “maze of image, light, shadow and sound” in a culvert - Sep. 12: CABAM! Con at the Austin Central Library
Inclusive “con-like experience” at the library w/cosplay, crafting, + trivia - Sep. 12: Jaws on the Water at Volente Beach
Experience the masterful creature feature from an inflatable on the lake - Sep. 12: Legend of the Realms at Sky Candy
Competitive fantasy-themed aerialists, burlesque, storytelling + more - Sep. 12: Texas Veg Fest at Fiesta Gardens
Celebrate vegan food w/vegan vendors + speakers - Sep. 15: Tiny Talks at Assembly Hall
Short stories + talks by Austinites w/accompanying slides - Sep. 16: Go Old School at the Baker Center
Watch vintage educational films on a 16mm projector - Sep. 16-19 + 23-26: Blipswitch: An Orchestra of Supergiants at 1106 Clayton Ln.
“Site-specific dance performance” in an anonymous office space - Sep. 17-20 + 25-27: Blue Lapis Light at One Texas Center
“Site-specific aerial dance work” about the fragile beauty of existence - Sep. 18: AJC’s Chilling Night at the Millennium Youth Complex
Vintage Japanese ghost film, spooky lantern crafting + cultural lesson - Sep. 18-19: Treasure Island Reimagined at the State Theatre
Classic pirate story becomes a “live action graphic novel” - Sep. 19: Flaming Prairies at the Millennium Youth Complex
MoHA presents queer cowboy films, bowling, DIY bandanas - Sep. 19: Community Day at the Long Center
Big, free block party w/ performances + family-friendly activities - Sep. 19: News Reading Club Kickoff at the Thompson Hotel
Keep up-to-date on the events of the day with a news discussion group - Sep. 19: Inclusion Prom at Wanderlust Shady Lane
Prom reinvisioned for maximum inclusivity w/DJs, art, ASL, + chill lounge - Sep. 19: Here We Are at Barnes & Noble Sunset Valley
Poetry-inspired storytelling, line dancing, + art activities - Sep. 19: Garden Gnome Grove Opening Celebration at Zilker Botanical Garden
“Come dressed in your gnomiest” for woodland mischief w/gnomes - Sep. 20: Austin Museum Day at museums throughout the city
Museums across town open up for free self-guided tours - Sep. 20: Fall Equinox Celebration at Festival Beach Food Forest
“Solar oven cooking contest,” demos, panels, + more activities - Sep. 24-26: Hyde Park Storytelling x Austin Unconducted at KMFA Studios + Batch
Orchestral musical performances paired w/storytellers - Sep. 24-26: Texas Tribune Festival throughout downtown Austin
Big names in national + state politics descend upon Austin for talks - Sep. 24-26: TUBU Fest at Ground Floor Theater
Theatrical short works featuring creatives with disabilities - Sep. 24-27: The Big Queer Weekend at various Austin venues
Films, music, drag, + art by Austin’s Queer creative community - Sep. 25-26: WaterWork at Seaholm Intake Facility
Projection mapping transforms a building into a work of light art - Sep. 25-26: Austin Boulderfest at Austin Bouldering Project
Win prizes for climbing, watch pro climbers, + check out vendors - Sep. 25-27: New Media Art + Sound Summit at the Cherrywood Center
Festival of experimental music + new media art and sound - Sep. 25-27: Texas Woodworking Festival at the Palmer Events Center
“Keep woodworking weird” w/furniture makers, antique dealers, + live music - Sep. 26: Appleteeth Pickin’ Season Jamboree at Tiny Minotaur
Fantasy apple harvest games like “halfling apple bobbing” + “apple clanging” - Sep. 26: Year Three Block Party at First Light
Author readings, live music, food vendors, face painting, + airbrushing - Sep. 26: Austin Comedy Film Festival at Southwest Theaters Lake Creek 7
A fest full of award-winning comedic short films - Sep. 26-27: Art City Austin’s Fiesta at ESB MACC
Art vendors, traditional dance, + live music all weekend long - Sep. 27: The Austin Independent Book Fair at Radio East
Readings, drag story hour, + independent press books for sale - Sep. 27: South Austin Custom + Vintage Bicycle Show at Conans Pizza
Check out tricked-out + vintage bicycles w/live music + raffles
L+B PLAYLIST 27
CAN’T HELP MYSELF
Autumn’s highs always seem to overstay their welcome in September. As the Summer drags on long past the point where we’re ready to move on, we find ourselves reaching for the languid pace of some of our favorite smooth music. We’ve cooked up some yacht rock, R&B, + balearic tunes to help us navigate summer overstaying its welcome and take the rough with the smooth.
Listen on: Spotify / Apple / YouTube
Tracklist
Kenny Loggins – This Is It
Robbie Nevil – C’est la Vie
Level 42 – Lessons in Love
Orange Juice – I Can’t Help Myself
Kool & the Gang – Fresh
Greg Phillinganes – Lazy Nina
Donald Fagen – The Nightfly
Marc Jordan – Margarita
Mike Francis – Survivor
The Commodores – Nightshift
Michael Franks – When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone)
Chris Rea – Fool (If You Think It’s Over)
Chaz Jankel – Glad to Know You
Ned Doheny – Get It up for Love
Queen – Cool Cat
Toto – Georgy Porgy
Renée – Change Your Style
Janis Ian – Fly Too High
Boz Scaggs – Lowdown
Patrice Rushen – Remind Me
René & Angela – I Love You More
Chicago – If You Leave Me Now
Lite + Brite’s Guide to Austin Store Pets
All across Austin, cats, dogs, and even goats are hard at work at some of your favorite shops and venues. This month, we interviewed some of the cutest ones about what it’s like to be a shop pet. Read their full answers and see their photos on our website.
Name: Smokey
Place of employment: The Vortex
Species: Cat
How did she get so chonky?: Without her adoring public, Smokey ate her way through the pandemic and then just kept going.
Name: Mae Mae
Place of employment: Birdhouse Books
Species: Dog
Favorite nap spot: In a little bed behind the register. She also has a special lookout on a Hamilton blanket between two bookcases in the fantasy section that allows her to be vigilant for any approaching customers she needs to go greet.
Name: Harper
Place of employment: Uncommon Objects
Species: Dog
Favorite nap spot: She loves to hold down the wrapping paper on the front counter.
Name: Twister
Place of employment: Sherwood Forest Zine Library
Species: Cat
Favorite zine: One that a member made about her called “Twister Is So Done with Me.”
Names and ages: Rascutin (age 7), Burlee (3), OJ (2), and Monkey (around 2-3 years old)
Place of employment: Tillery Street Plant Company
Species: Cats
Least favorite part of working at a plant nursery: Being told what to do.
Name: Louis
Place of employment: Wild About Music
Species: Cat
Best album he’s heard recently: Louis loves anything from his namesake Louis Armstrong, but recently he’s really been enjoying diving back into Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson’s bodies of work.
Name: Finney
Place of employment: Finney’s Books
Species: Dog
How does Finney feel about having a whole store named after him?: He’s a huge audiobook guy, so he loves owning a bookstore.
Name: Bug
Place of employment: Austin Pets Alive! Thrift (51st/Airport location)
Species: Cat
How did she come to work at APA! Thrift?: She was left in a box when she came here several years ago. The manager, Cristina Fiorenza, took her in and decided to keep her as a store cat. After a few week, the shopkeepers realized she was pregnant. She had kittens, which were all adopted through APA!
Name: Cricket
Place of employment: The Natural Gardener
Species: Cat
Favorite part of working at a plant nursery: Having 50+ servants that get doors for him, feed him treats, and cater to his every need.
Name: Cheese
Place of employment: Cosmic Pickle
Species: Cat
How did he come to work at Cosmic?: Cheese showed up by Pueblo Viejo one morning, where they gave him a taco. The bartenders followed that up with a little bit of milk, and he pretty much fell in love on the spot. After that, he decided Cosmic Pickle was home and hasn’t left since.
Names: Brigid (Bri to her friends) and Diana
Place of employment: Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy
Species: Cats
Favorite part of working in a gaming store: They are really fond of boxes, and frequently “help” unpack incoming product. They also curl up inside open board game boxes and on top of backpacks when folks come in to play games. Occasionally they’ll walk across a D&D or Warhammer game in progress.
Name: Butters
Place of employment: Civil Goat Coffee (Cuernavaca location)
Species: Goat
What is his star sign?: Aquarius.
For more info + photos of these industrious cuties, head to Lite + Brite.
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.