12 Things We Love in August & September

Words by Alison Bryce

Home Composting 
August 10, 6pm
Discover the ways of home composting during Austin Recycle’s virtual class. Instead of sending food scraps and lawn clippings to the landfill, discover tips to turn them into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for plants, gardens, or lawns. Tickets are free, and advanced registration is encouraged.
austintexas.gov/arrhomerebate.com | virtual event

A Sharp Softness
August 13 – Sept 11, times vary
Explore a balance of industrial materials manipulated to feel organic, with organic materials labored to an architectonic and industrial feel with A Sharp Softness. The exhibition features new bodies of work by Mai Gutierrez and Suzanne Wyss. Both artists explore reusing materials in a non-traditional way, piercing the space to create movement and shadow through their use of dimensionality. 
icosacollective.com | 916 Springdale Rd., Bldg. 2, #102

Waterloo Park Reopening
August 14, 10am
Be one of the first people to experience the 1.5 mile hike-and-bike trail and spacious lawns for fitness activites, picnics, and custom-built playscapes as Waterloo Park reopens. The 11 acres of greenspace are perfect for all Austinites to explore and connect with nature. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown, take a moment out of the day to enjoy some fresh air.
waterloogreenway.org | 1111 Red River St.

Photolithography
August 21-22, 10am-4pm
Join Hannah Spector as she leads a workshop about photolithography, a mystical medium that reflects varied values of mark-making. On the first day, participants will create plates by hand, drawing onto frosted mylar while exploring the chemistry and history of photo-lithography. The second day will focus on printing. The workshop and supplies are $275 for members and $300 for non-members. 
flatbedpress.com | 3701 Drossett Dr., Ste. 190

PRISM 34
August 26 – September 6
Austin’s oldest film festival and premiere LGBTQ+ film fest, aGLIFF, is hosting PRISM 34 with virtual and in-person events. This year, the festival will open the North American Premiere of “BLITZED: The 80s Blitz Kids Story.” Members will have the opportunity to purchase festival badges for $125, while general admission tickets become available August 19. 
agliff.org/prism | various locations

Bat Fest
August 28, 4pm-midnight
Watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the South Congress bridge at dusk after visiting two stages with live music, more than 50 arts & crafts vendors, delicious food & drinks, fun children’s activities, and even a bat costume contest. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. 
roadwayevents.com/event/bat-fest | 100 S Congress Ave.

Woodworking Festival
September 4, 11am
Enjoy the flavors of a beer festival with the sights and smells of a woodworking-themed farmers market during Austin School of Furniture and Design’s Texas Woodworking Festival. Learn more about local woodworking organizations, content creators, furniture makers, and tool manufacturers while also sipping on a variety of drinks and sampling local food. 
texaswoodworkingfestival.com  | 1100 E 5th St.

Seinfeld Trivia Night
September 8, 6:30pm
Gather some friends, and test your knowledge about Seinfeld in a social distance environment at Hotel Vegas. Participants will submit answers digitally, so make sure one player on the team brings a fully-charged phone. Registration to play trivia begins at 6:30 while the game begins at 7:30. It’s free to play, and drink specials will be offered during the games.
texashotelvegas.com | 1502 E 6th St.

Yoga at Mueller Lake Park
September 11, 10-11am
Relax and unwind with yoga at Mueller Lake Park. With moves chosen with every skill level in mind,  Michelle Young, Vanisha Weatherspoon, and others join together to lead the group through a morning of stretches and calmness. While the event is free, pre-registration is required to make sure plenty of space is available for all yogis. 
myvinyasapractice.com | 4550 Mueller Blvd.

Renegade Craft
September 11-12, 11am-6pm
After having to postpone all events in 2020, Renegade Craft is back with its marketplace. Shop from a variety of small businesses, grab lunch and a drink outside on the lawn, and enjoy a weekend of community. Visit their website for a full lineup of your favorite marketplace vendors.  
renegadecraft.com | 1100 E 5th St.

Art + Music Nights
September 15, 22, & 29, 7pm
Support local artists at The Cathedral’s weekly Art + Music nights. Every Thursday night, head over to the beautifully reimagined church to shop art by local women artists of atxGALS and enjoy music by local musicians. This September, reserve a table with a group of freinds and support local hispanic artists in celebration of Hispanic Hertiage Month! Tickets range from $30-$35 per person. 
2403 E. 16th St. | thecathedralatx.com

Bayside
September 22, 6pm
Get out and fill the evening with rock music as Bayside travels from New York to Austin’s Eastside. Celebrating their new album, Vacancy, Bayside is joining Hawthorne Heights, Senses Fail, and The Bombpops to bring a mixture of rock, punk, and alternative music to locals. Tickets start at $25.
emosaustin.com | 2015 E Riverside Dr.

Austin Action Fest & Market
Sept 25, 9am – Sept 26, 1pm
Austin Action Fest offers a jam-packed weekend. A film festival, film market, live action event, and video game tournament all in one, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Enjoy a selection of action films, running the full gamut of the genre, from kick-butt kung fu to thrilling horror flicks. Discover the latest indie action films either digitally or in person at the Austin School of Film. Tickets range from $20 to $32.
2200 Tillery St. and virtually: filmfreeway.com/AustinActionFest#reviews