Ghost in the Shell

Thursday 3 – Friday 4 & Sunday 6, AFS Cinema

Now that Elon Musk seems to have gotten bored with the idea of sticking chips in people’s heads and is too busy wrecking the global economy, it’s a lot easier to enjoy Mamoru Oshii’s Ghost in the Shell. This 1995 anime adaptation of Masamune Shirow’s groundbreaking cyberpunk manga pits Major Motoko Kusanagi (voiced by Atsuko Tanaka) against the enigmatic Puppet Master. Stunning as the action sequences are, it’s Shirow’s meditations on the nature of being that made this story so memorable, as he asks what happens when we all become ghosts in the machine.   – Richard Whittaker

Walden (remix)

Thursday 3 – Sunday 13, Mary Moody Northen Theatre

Is anyone truly alone anymore? We’ve got the entire world in our pockets: a steady stream of information and connections at our fingertips. What would happen if we were just… left to ourselves? Playwright KJ Sanchez tackles that and other questions of social justice and conservation in Walden (remix). Instead of strictly retelling Henry David Thoreau’s isolated-ish years in a cabin by Walden Pond, Sanchez adds a spacey twist. Astronaut “H” lives alone on the moon, harvesting matter for Earth’s energy crisis. Ties to friends and family start to fade. Her AI companion starts to evolve. Questions arise about the corporation she works for. Sanchez explores potential next steps for our existence, grounding us further in Thoreau’s root concerns. “Things do not change; we change.”   – Cat McCarrey

Princess Mononoke

Friday 4 – Thursday 10, AFS Cinema

When OpenAI launched its AI image generator last week, fans of living legend Hayao Miyazaki overloaded the system creating memes that aped the style of his Studio Ghibli pictures – a lousy way to pay tribute to a true artist. A better option? Checking out the brand-new 4K restoration of his 1997 eco fable, Princess Mononoke. Boasting a cursed prince, a corrupted boar, a godly Forest Spirit, a feminist captain of industry, a human girl raised by wolves, and a million tiny kodama spirits clattering like bones, Princess Mononoke is a stunner: complex, thrilling, mournful, and illustrative of humans at their very best and worst. Also screening in IMAX Tuesday and Wednesday at select theatres.   – Kimberley Jones

hAmaro Fest

Friday 4 – Saturday 5, First English Lutheran Church & Kenny Dorham’s Outdoor Stage

You may be wondering, as I’m sure my editor is, if that lowercase h is a typo. Nope! Organizers of this Romani-Indian-Texan music and cultural festival spell it out on their website: “‘Hamaro’ means ‘Our’ in Hindi. ‘Amaro’ means ‘Our’ in Romani.” Together, these make the name hAmaro, aka “Our Fest.” And oh what a fest it’ll be, Chronicle reader! Saturday promises performances by Flamenco India, which celebrates the common ancient history between Spanish Romani flamenco dance and its Indian roots, a flamenco guitar solo from Jeronimo Maya, and fast-paced high-energy Romani music by Via Romen and Erika Lakatos meant for dancing the night away. Then drop in Sunday for a full schedule of music from drum circles to classical Romani music of Romania, Hungary, and Turkey, as well as various activities for kids like a Holi spring celebration of colors, Romani puppet making, flag painting, and fairy-tale storytime. There’ll even be dance and martial arts workshops to get everyone movin’ and groovin’.   – James Scott

Dune

Friday 4 & Monday 7 – Wednesday 9, All Alamo Drafthouses

The wrong director and the wrong project will often produce nothing more than a disaster. If you’re lucky, as in the case of David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation Dune, it’s at least an interesting disaster. Defenders of the film are few and far between and did not include Lynch, who could barely be drawn to talk about it. Maybe it was because his disappointingly literalist script never fully grasped the politically subversive text of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi epic. It was never bold enough to take on its twist on the white savior narrative as Denis Villeneuve did in his more recent film version. However, it’s still one of the most visually stunning and deliciously depraved space dramas ever conceived, as famous for Sting in a winged pleather Speedo as it is for its awe-inspiring depictions of sand worms.   – Richard Whittaker

Denim Disco Cuntry Club

Friday 4, Cheer Up Charlies

As a man who no longer wishes for his jeans to be anything but 100% cotton, I know the power of a perfect-fitting denim pair. So does Neon Rainbows, the queer country party cooked up every month by DJ Boi Orbison – aka Ed West. Suit up in your best blue jeans and hit Chups lookin’ hot as hell all night boot-scootin’ to classic, remixed, and pop-pilled country. There’ll be line-dances, two-step, pop-up drag, “cuntry” karaoke, and plenty of Wrangler-clad cuties to tip yer 10-gallon to. And just so you don’t get hit out of the blue by it, make sure you’ve got the $10 suggested cover before y’all mosey on in.   – James Scott

Signing Off

Friday 4, Fallout Theatre

You can’t say “Austin comedy” and not think of Duncan Carson. The former co-host of Sure Thing, the longest-running comedy showcase in Austin – before launching his late-night Fallout Tonight! show with its accompanying behind-the-scenes Signing Off podcast – the comedy scene looks completely different without him. Now he’s launching Signing Off as its own show, a live variety show with one remit. As Carson describes it, it will be “an antidote to the hateful, small-minded brand of comedy that’s invaded my town since the pandemic.” Throwing haymakers at hate and raising belly laughs? What’s more Austin than that? Make sure you don’t miss the inaugural show, but don’t worry if you can’t make it, as each show will also be a live podcast recording.   – Richard Whittaker

Hexes and Hounds

Friday 4, Triple Six Social in San Marcos

Cats are typically the pets associated with witches, but I’m here to represent the occult contingent more aligned with canines. This incredibly titled adoption event allows you to browse haunted artifacts, books, and oddities; receive a tarot reading; and sip on “enchanted drinks” – then come home with a dog! The San Marcos Regional Animal Center pops up at goth cafe/boutique Triple Six Social to present a bunch of pups in need of homes. I’m sure they’ll help you with a spell or two in exchange for some cuddles.   – Carys Anderson

Third Annual San Marcos Studio Tour

Friday 4 – Sunday 6 & Saturday 12 – Sunday 13, Multiple Locations

With the fate of fall’s Austin Studio Tour uncertain, now’s a good time to push your chips in with San Marcos. The brainchild of MotherShip Studios, an industrial warehouse park turned gallery and studio space founded in 2020 by Courtney Peterson and Jacqueline Overby, the San Marcos Studio Tour will showcase 87 local artists – many operating out of home base MotherShip, a few gently testing the San Marcos city limits to include neighboring Lockhart. Friday’s free kickoff party provides an early look at the art, plus live music and libations (open to the public, but RSVP online), while the rest of SMST – now expanded to two weekends – unfurls at your pace noon-6pm, Saturday & Sunday.   – Kimberley Jones

Sherwood Forest Faire

Weekends through April 20, McDade, Texas

Just an hour east of our fair town is a faire towne of a different sort: an enclave of wonderment that invites you to get in on the fun. The sheer number of entertainment options are staggering with acrobatics, comedy, magic, juggling, theatre, song, dance, and more – both onstage and roaming among the attendees. Costumes are encouraged, and the wooded environment will help you get into character, be it a knight, fairy, wench, jester, or a creation of your own imagination. If things get too fantastical for you, take a break with the myriad food and shopping options before embarking on the next adventure.   – James Renovitch

Tremors

Friday 4 – Wednesday 9, Alamo Lakeline, Mueller, Slaughter Lane & Village

The greatest creature feature of the 1990s returns for these belated 35th anniversary screenings – reigniting the ultimate movie bromance. As dimwitted handymen Val and Earl, Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward goof around then get serious when monstrous subterranean Graboids assault the flyspeck town of Perfection, Nevada. Idiocy was rarely so charming, especially when combined with some of the most perfect practical effects ever committed to screen. A supporting cast of hicks, survivalists, and geologists make this one of the most rib-tickling horror comedies ever.   – Richard Whittaker

14/48 2025

Friday 4 – Saturday 5, Ground Floor Theatre

Theatre people love a weird challenge. It’s not enough for them to tread the boards in typical ways – reading a script they memorized over several weeks within a set made during those same weeks. No, no: Instead, these crazy thespians take on what’s the ninth annual edition of the “quickest lil theatre festival in Texas.” Over two days, these artists put on SEVEN world-premiere plays – all of which are written, cast, directed, rehearsed, scored, designed, and performed within 24 HOURS – with each night promising a different septet of scripts. Oh, and that score they spoke of? It’s performed by a live band. All y’all who keep complaining that Austin’s not weird anymore haven’t been in the audience for this whirlwind before, but great news! Tickets are still available and ready to prove y’all wrong.   – James Scott

Iconic

Friday 4 – Saturday 5, Dougherty Arts Center

From your good pals at Austin Roundup, who’ve been helping recovering LGBTQ+ Central Texans with fellowship and service opportunities since 1999, comes a creep-tastic celebration of horror’s hottest icons. Prepare to see all your favorite ghoulish girlies represented by local drag stars. “Our cast of serpents, imps, bats, and toads will bring the stage to life,” promises ARU, “with stunning choreography, jaw-dropping makeup, and unforgettable performances that will leave you spellbound.” Drop $20 on a GA ticket, or up your blood sacrifice to $30 or $40 to help ARU continue their mission. Feel like dropping the big bucks, big boy? VIP tix run $80 and deliver a free drink, 20 “Diva Dollars” for tipping the queens, and reserved center row seating.   – James Scott

Hands Off! Mass Mobilization

Saturday 5, Capitol Grounds

In the chaos that has followed the 2024 election it’s been difficult to form a unified response to the ever-changing but always-raging dumpster fire that is the Trump administration. This Saturday’s protest at the Texas Capitol has a simple goal: peacefully communicate to the billionaires in power and their cronies to not mess with our constitutional rights and the tenets of our country. In other words, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other government services are sacrosanct and those that threaten it will be resisted. Seems like a stance everyone can get behind.   – James Renovitch

Gilbert & Sullivan Austin Present: Picnic with Pinafore Players

Saturday 5, the Vortex

You don’t have to be the very portrait of a modern major general* to enjoy a promenade with players from the H.M.S. Pinafore. Just roll up to the Vortex with a picnic basket full of victuals and vegetables, all manner of delectables, and see those merry players of the Gilbert and Sullivan spectacle. With meet & greets and scavenger hunts and prizes for the younger folks, a peek behind the scenes of what it takes to make this seafaring production stay afloat, this afternoon has everything, theatre nerds and face painting, games and creativity, and best of all it’s completely free. *Yes, that’s Pirates of Penzance and not Pinafore, but give me this one.   – Cat McCarrey

ConnectHER Film Festival

Saturday 5, Paramount Theatre

Feminist film org ConnectHER has over the past 12 years received over 2,000 short films from cinema-makers in 93 different countries all digging into womens’ stories. Friday night they’ll be screening a healthy collection of those features, with your ticket purchase helping fund future filmmakers’ creations platforming women and girls’ diverse perspectives. Next night they’re back in the Paramount to present $30,000 in fest awards to the creators whose work exemplifies ConnectHER’s mission. Special guests add sparkle to the night’s proceedings, including Austin-based producer Elizabeth Avellán, band Ley Line, Sudanese poet and activist Emi Mahmoud, dancers Norah, Yarah & Rosa, and actress/singer double threats Melissa Barrera and Christy Carlson Romano.   – James Scott

Save Texas Schools Rally

Saturday 5, Capitol South Steps

Public school funding’s been under attack by our GOP-majority Texas Lege since five-ever – with Lone Star schools having lost $1,300 per student since 2019, according to local org Save Texas Schools. Join together with fellow education supporters this Saturday to demand the Lege restore those education funding shortfalls and finally put the kibosh on Gov. Abbott’s voucher madness before it overtakes our Texas school system completely. Now isn’t that worth getting to the Capitol at 11am for?   – James Scott

Texas VegFest

Saturday 5, Fiesta Gardens

We’re living in a vegetarian/veganism golden era right now, reader, and even in beef country, the veggies are on a hot streak. Sample all sorts of meatless, animal-free marvels at this annual free festival where vegan and vegetarian vendors from across Texas set up shop to show off what they’ve got. Wander through a Wandering Vegan curated market featuring everything from commercial chocolatiers Madhu Chocolate to cottage bakeries like Mondo Pistachio, sustainable plant-based beauty products by Terra Stoma to handsome chainmail jewelry by Desired Objects, and many, many more. Plus there’s family-friendly activities, presentations, and live music to keep you vibing with nary an animal byproduct in sight.   – James Scott

Greater Austin Clay Studio Tour

Saturday 5 – Sunday 6, Multiple locations

You wanna get your hands into some slip? Spin that sexy ceramic wheel? Buy a cool bowl? Y’all gotta get on that studio tour trail, created and hosted by informal ceramic network Greater Austin Clay Artists. Over 20 different studios and artists will have their doors wide open for folks to wander into – showcasing the clay crafting they’re up to all year round. Each stop boasts their own special workshops and events to take part in, from Katie Ann Clay & Guests’ daily chai and treats to the newly opened Ceramigos offering hand-building ceramic activities all-day along with coffee & donuts, Agent Cooper-style. To see more events taking place over Saturday and Sunday, as well as the accessibility of each stop, check out austinclay.org/studiotour. And remember: No Ghost-ing! You know what I mean.   – James Scott

ABC Kite Fest

Saturday 5, Zilker Park

Flying kites probably ranks alongside coloring books in terms of timeless, oddly therapeutic activities. In addition to kite flying contests, attendees of the ABC Kite Fest can enjoy other entertainment such as a kite-making workshop and bounce house. Kids can rock out at the MossFest concert, which features performers DiscoTex, Mr. Will, and Barton Hills Choir. Weather forecasts predict there’s a decent chance for rain on Saturday, but a final decision on the event’s status will be made by 9am Saturday morning if the probability of rain increases. Admission is free but parking will cost you.   – Derek Udensi

The Austin Independent Book Fair

Saturday 5, Radio East

Wahoo! Books are back on the menu, boys – and girls, and friends beyond the binary. Taking over this East Austin coffee bar’s massive space is Bat City’s indie book fair featuring local literary vendors hawking all the books you could ever desire. And once you’ve visited every single one of the 40+ booths lining Radio East’s backyard, you can sit down at noon thirty for a drag story hour with Dolly of Austin Brigitte Bandit. Looking for more mature fare? Richard Santos hosts a prose reading later at 2pm that’s followed up by a poet’s corner at 3 with Taylor Fox. Those craving the Scholastic Book Fair vibe are encouraged to attend, as there’s more than just one publisher here in this reading rainbow.   – James Scott

KhushFest 2025

Saturday 5, Republic Square

Returning for its second year after a smash hit inaugural event drawing over 2,000, Khush Society presents a festival of colors to brighten the world and benefit a local nonprofit. Khush means “happy” in Hindi, and this celebration of Holi welcomes revelers of all cultural backgrounds to get in on the fun. Three stellar DJs – ALX, OFRESH, and TRIBAHL – soundtrack the outdoor afternoon fest with a blend of Bollywood, English, and Spanish chart-toppers, and you’ll want to wear white for the 3pm color toss. Leave your cash at home for this one, but there will be concessions available from a wide variety of food trucks, as well as henna, face painting, a live drum station, and Indian clothing and jewelry vendors. Come one, come all, to celebrate life and be happy!   – Kat McNevins

Cyanotype Workshop

Sunday 6, Golden Mean

Ever wanted to learn how to take a photograph without a camera? You can this Sunday morning at Golden Mean from 10am-12noon, with a cyanotype workshop taught by New Orleans-cum-Austin local Laura Rostad. Rostad has recently settled at Good Dad Studios to pursue her work in collage, photography, and installation, and plans to host more workshops there soon – just in case you take to this beginner-friendly class. Cyanotype is one of the most fulfilling ways to turn this summer’s punishing sun into something beautiful and blue, and you’re guaranteed to come away with at least two to four original pieces from this workshop.   – Lina Fisher

Texas MFA Showcase

Sunday 6, First Light Books

Don’t worry: As far as I know, the creative writing MFA programs at both UT-Austin and Texas State University weren’t funded by the CIA as an attempt to assert U.S. literary superiority over Soviet fiction. (Note the “as far as I know” as a preventive measure should circumstances later change!) Instead, these post-grad programs have produced talented creatives – including the Chronicle’s editor-in-chief – and Hyde Park hot-spot First Light tributes a half-dozen writers from Texas State and UT’s Michener Center for Writers at this showcase. India Annamanthadoo, Daphne DiFazio, Reena Shah, Irene Han, Joe Lozano, and Kathryn Bailey all step up to the reading plate at 6pm, so enjoy their words while sipping from FLB’s swell espresso bar.   – James Scott

The Statesman Cap10K

Sunday 6, Downtown Austin

As I stated to my co-workers over Zoom on Monday, despite being actively a non-runner, my ass continues to write up Austin’s many running events. I swear: We DO actually have jog-hogs on staff, but they’re just busy doing other work like, I don’t know, running our News coverage. Anyway. Brought to you by Baylor, Scott & White Health is the oldest annual race in town, which’ll be kicking off its 48th run around Downtown Austin this Sunday. There’s several categories to enter based on participant age, so babies won’t compete against geriatric joggers. To join up if you haven’t already, register at cap10k.com, or if you just wanna watch ’em sweat and strut, park yourself behind the barriers. Everyone else? Just stay home, dude.   – James Scott

No Country for Old Men

Sunday 6 & Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10, Alamo Village & Slaughter

Based on Cormac McCarthy’s novel, the Coen Brothers’ Best Picture winner is a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase as hit man Anton Chigurh, played by a deeply chilling Javier Bardem, follows Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) after he steals a briefcase from a drug deal gone wrong. The cat is also being chased, as Sheriff Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) pursues the hired gun. But the film’s nihilism lingers on Bell as he grapples with aging and his world – now shattered by violence and destruction – falling out of his control.   – Mattea Gallaway

---

Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what’s happening now or in the coming week.